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Death echoed like a melody amidst the shattered world.
Xia Chen realized that before its demise, there were no Honkai Beasts or Zombies present, nor did Fire Moth's advanced alarm systems ever sound off.
It seemed these deaths were not due to Honkai but rather simply reaching the end of their lives.
Even now, Xia Chen had yet to witness the emergence of the Final Herrscher.
Instead, the prelude to the world's demise had already begun.
Returning to his previous location, he found the soldiers who once boasted about firing bullets at the Herrschers now lay silent and lifeless.
Xia Chen did not bury them; at this point, any action seemed futile.
For a moment, even he felt that his own actions held no significance.
However, Xia Chen didn't succumb to despair.
The 'Courage to Face All', bestowed by the System, included the resolve not to give up amidst hopelessness.
He didn't know why he survived, but since he had, he resolved to at least raise the banner of vengeance.
With the symbol of Fire Moth still standing tall, Xia Chen quietly leaned against one of the buildings, awaiting Finality's arrival.
"Ana, afterward... I'll need your help once more."
He communicated with the Stigmata consciousness.
Feeling the power within his grasp, Xia Chen regained confidence.
Although this strength might be insignificant in the face of Finality, he refused to use it as an excuse to abandon all resistance.
However, before Xia Chen could encounter Finality, he heard a melody instead.
The song was enchantingly beautiful, akin to celestial music.
Unable to resist, Xia Chen looked up and saw on the upper levels of Fire Moth's headquarters an elegant lady playing a violin while singing aloud. Beside her on the raised platform lay a wine glass.
He immediately recognized who she was.
The singer of the apocalypse, one of the Thirteen Heroes of Fire Moth - Eden.
She performed a haunting tune unlike any he had ever heard, as if conducting a grand funeral for the world.
Xia Chen felt his body unexpectedly relax for the first time in a long while.
When the song ended, he couldn't help but applaud.
Eden glanced at him and merely nodded in acknowledgment.
It seemed like just another ordinary concert, with her interacting casually with her fans, nothing more.
No further exchange occurred between them.
Instead, it was Rin within the Red Sakura who couldn't contain herself first, "I... I'm feeling scared."
"It's as though a ferocious beast, a terrifying tyrant is about to arrive." Rin did not hide her fear.
"Don't worry, it will be over soon," he reassured her softly.
Xia Chen found himself glancing once again at Eden.
This great artist, standing atop the high building, began playing another melody.
With a self-deprecating smile, Rin turned to Red Sakura and said, "Isn't the song quite beautiful?"
He continued, "To participate in the funeral of a world is indeed a rare opportunity."
Rin's consciousness did not respond.
"That's alright. During the upcoming battle, protect your consciousness carefully. Although I'm unsure about its true nature myself," Xia Chen reassured her.
Last time he faced Finality, his 'confession' led to his demise.
This time, at least he wouldn't falter so cowardly.
As minutes ticked by, darkness began to envelop the sky.
The Herrscher named Finality descended upon the earth.
Eden's melody continued unabated, while Xia Chen, gripping Red Sakura tightly, rushed towards the Herrscher that seemed both close yet impossibly far away.
Unable to fly, his only option was to continuously harness the power of Stigmata, creating icy paths to minimize the distance between himself and Finality.
However, no matter how far or long he ran, the gap to Finality appeared unchanged.
Chasing after Finality felt like Kua Fu pursuing the sun—an endless pursuit.
Xia Chen could feel his physical strength gradually depleting.
In the background, remnants of the haunting melody echoed faintly around him, with only the rhythm discernible now.
"It's impossible to get any closer."
A hint of defiance and intense longing surged within him.
"Get nearer..."
"Just a bit closer!"
Amidst the haze, a voice echoed in his mind:
"God grants me Authority, commanding endless storms, bridging vast distances, Desire King."
Honkai radiated boundlessly from Xia Chen's body, spreading throughout the world.
He connected with Virtual Space.
Despite this world having no remaining civilization, it still contained abundant Honkai Energy.
Xia Chen moved swiftly, light as a feather, akin to a shooting star, closing the distance towards the Final Herrscher. With his other hand, he dispersed the air ahead, unwilling to endure even the slightest friction.
From Xia Chen's perspective, the figure of that deity remained unchanged.
Closer.
Even closer now.
He glimpsed her eyes, deep blue like galaxies, gazing at him emotionlessly.
Xia Chen felt his mind on the verge of shattering, overwhelmed by an influx of meaningless information.
"Rin... please help me."
"Alright."
At this moment, Rin overcame her fear.
She rallied herself, "For Big Sister."
The Red Sakura began devouring these remnants, but its speed couldn't match their generation rate.
Xia Chen gritted his teeth, pushing his body further, even if it meant exhausting all his Honkai Energy.
He approached the brink of destruction ever closer.
The gap between them was like an insurmountable chasm, yet he never lost the courage to strike.
Sakura Petal Fall!
His consciousness shattered.
Just before fading away, he glimpsed a fleeting blade glow akin to cherry blossoms leaving a mark on the Herrscher of Finality's body, albeit shallow.
[Your consciousness has been erased by the Herrscher of Finality.]
[This Honkai World experience has concluded. You can permanently retain the following items and extract them to the real world. Congratulations! You have earned 100 Honkai Pieces, 10 supply crates. Extract now?]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Authority to manipulate ideal fluids.]
[Your compatibility with Honkai Energy has increased.]
[The mark of the Herrscher of Finality remains on you.]
[...]
The System flooded him with a barrage of information.
However, Xia Chen's gaze had become vacant, resembling that of a lifeless corpse.
Having personally witnessed the collapse of a world and ultimately succumbing to exhaustion, this ordeal tested his mental fortitude to the extreme.
Despite having died countless times before.
However, this time, the memory of death felt more intense than any previous experience. The profound recollection transformed into countless textual fragments, overwhelming his mind.
If his consciousness was once akin to clear water, then these death-related memories were like murky wastewater directly pouring into it.
Even though clear water has self-purifying capabilities, it requires ample time to complete the process.
Moreover...
His consciousness now contained something else intertwined within it.
Xia Chen seemed to visualize a space where a tree was taking root and sprouting, eventually forming a 'fruit' that he consumed.
This was the key to connect with Virtual Space.
It represented the Authority named God.
Meanwhile, in her room, Wendy suddenly felt a stirring sensation, as if something inside her quietly shattered.
The Gem of Desire... had disappeared.