"I'm really sorry. We should be thanking you for your efforts, yet we've let you spend so much instead."
"No problem. After all, money to me is just a string of numbers I can't spend in a lifetime. Eat whatever you like, haha~ Tonight's bill is on me!"
"Waaah~ Yay~! As expected of Eli!"
Inside a restaurant on Dusk Street.
To celebrate everyone's recovery from Honkai disease, Elias brought all the people from Aponia's sanatorium out to eat. Of course, he also brought along a certain anchor cat.
Aponia looked at the people whose fates of death had been changed, her heart filled with gratitude and relief. When her eyes turned to Elias, her gaze grew more curious and intent, her heartbeat racing out of control.
Kalpas was also laughing loudly while devouring food. Anyone could see that this usually irritable man was in an extremely good mood.
"Hmph hahahahaha! Eat! Everyone eat! Why've you stopped?! Listen here, cooks—usually, I don't care if you sell fake beef for real, but today, if you dare try it, be prepared to bear Kalpas' wrath! Hahahahahaha!!"
"Kalpas, I've always wondered—how do you even eat with that mask on? I don't remember giving that Tiga mask the option to open a mouth."
Elias asked curiously. Kalpas casually wiped grease from his mask and replied:
"Hm? I modified it myself. Can't I?"
"Alright, alright. Come, drink! Boss in the back—if you want to live, bring out all the best food and drinks you have! I already gave you a chance, don't waste it!"
Hearing Elias' words, the restaurant owner immediately carried out all his treasured food and wine.
He had no choice—he was also a Honkai patient. The payment Elias had offered for this celebration banquet was a vial of Honkai serum—or rather, his very life!
In the face of new hope, how could he dare hide anything? He brought out every good thing he had.
Though Elias' flowers of creation had bloomed across every corner of Dusk Street, only the people of the sanatorium were healed of Honkai energy under his control.
To be honest, Elias only wanted to save the good. Most people in Dusk Street were scum whose deaths would be better for the world. And under his command, before long, Fire Moth personnel would take over the district.
Then, the guilty would be arrested, the traitors exposed, and the wicked punished.
This den of crime, this paradise for lawbreakers, would end here. Just like the meaning symbolized by the white blossoms blooming along the streets, Dusk Street was about to be reborn.
The banquet was enjoyed heartily by everyone.
Elysia contentedly rubbed her slightly swollen belly, Sakura fended off the children trying to touch her ears, and the anchor cat swiftly packed up all the leftovers.
Suddenly, Elias was called. He turned his head to see Kalpas, also carrying a plastic bag of food.
"Hehe, congratulations, Kalpas. Looks like you've finally found your real family."
"Hmph! I'm in a good mood today, say whatever you want."
"Eh~ so tsundere."
Elias shook his head with a laugh. He had just seen it—the ever-violent Kalpas being unusually careful with the children from the sanatorium.
Like a lion surrounded by fawns, not only did he not attack, but he also sheathed his claws.
Elias could bet that when those kids thanked him, the face behind Kalpas' mask had definitely been smiling!
The children at the sanatorium were afraid of Kalpas at first, but after so long together, they knew well that this porter uncle was a good man. Though he always seemed furious, shouting about killing, he had never once hurt them.
In fact, Kalpas had protected them many times.
In this chaotic Dusk Street, many people had targeted the sanatorium children. But all of those people had ended up dead at Kalpas' hands.
So while the kids feared him, they never hated him. Instead, they were grateful and fond of their Uncle Kalpas the porter.
Unlike the ungrateful villagers from before, this time Kalpas had truly found a place he could call home, and people he could call family. So…
"Say it. What do you want me to do for you?"
"Uh, Kalpas?"
"I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid. I can tell you didn't come to this hellhole of a place just to save them. So tell me—what price do you want me to pay?"
Kalpas crossed his arms coolly.
Since coming to this world, he had learned one truth: every bit of happiness must be paid for, no matter how small it was.
Elias had cured everyone in the sanatorium, but Kalpas hadn't said a word of thanks. He wasn't the type to say such things. His way of expressing gratitude was through action.
And this time, Elias had saved the people dearest to him—his family. For that alone, Kalpas was willing to do anything!
"…This isn't repaying a favor. It's an invitation."
After a moment of silence, Elias spoke.
"Kalpas, I want you to join Fire Moth, and fight against the Honkai with me."
"Oh? Honkai? What's that?"
"…Don't you ever watch the news?"
"Where would the sanatorium get a TV?"
"Uh… right, forget I asked…"
Elias' lips twitched. Indeed, in the slums of Dusk Street, a television was a luxury. Aponia's sanatorium had only storybooks—and she had supposedly told the stories inside more than eight hundred times already.
So Elias explained the Honkai to him. As Kalpas listened, he clenched his fists, looking as if he had finally found his true enemy.
"Honkai. So this is the Honkai! Damn thing!!"
"Yes, Honkai deserves to be damned. Kalpas, I admit your fists can kill any Honkai Beast. But when a Herrscher appears one day, you still won't make it in time to protect your family. You already know this, don't you?"
"..."
Kalpas fell silent, but his aura grew dangerously sharp, like a bomb about to explode.
Just as he had said earlier—he was crazy, but not stupid. He knew Elias was right.
The battle with the Herrscher of Ice had proved it. Even if he had the power to kill a Herrscher instantly, when the Honkai Eruption came, it was already too late.
And in the future, Herrschers would only become stronger and more bizarre. Even the blazing fists of the Mad King might never reach them.
"You fight the Honkai for me, and in return, I'll shelter the people in the sanatorium. I'll guarantee they won't die in a Honkai disaster."
Elias laid out the contract.
"Deal!"
Kalpas agreed without a shred of hesitation. He lowered his head to look at his fists. What these hands could not protect—Elias surely could.
Because Elias was stronger than him!
And Elias could do more than violence alone.
Kalpas glanced at the white blossoms of creation blooming across Dusk Street. Just standing among them gave one a sense of peace and healing. His fists that could only destroy could never accomplish that.
"From now on, just tell me where the enemy is. I'll kill them all. Hmph! I just hope they last long enough to keep me from getting bored."
"Don't worry, Kalpas. This will be a war without end. You'll have plenty of chances to vent your rage."
"Hmph hahahahaha! Good, very good! I'm already looking forward to it. Then it's settled—Elias, you protect these kids for me, and I'll slaughter the Honkai for you."
With that, Kalpas laughed loudly and left.
Today, he was happy—truly happy.
Not long after he left, a figure stepped out from the shadows. Aponia watched Kalpas' boisterous, retreating figure with a relieved smile.
It was like watching a patient successfully discharged from the hospital.
"I never imagined you could get along with Kalpas so well. In that case… may I ask you to spare some time for me too, Mr. Elias?"
"Just call me Elias. In return, may I call you Aponia?"
"Of course. You may call me however you like. Please, as you prefer."
Aponia's tone was generous, just like her broad heart. Elias couldn't help but wonder—was there something special about the food in Dusk Street? Because… this was far too much!
Even Fu Hua with fifty thousand years—no, even with five hundred million years—wouldn't catch up!
And honestly, Elias seriously doubted whether Aponia was truly a proper nun. His eyes had trouble ignoring the habit she wore.
That outfit was far too outrageous. Which genius had designed a nun's dress like an instant ready-to-eat dish? Speak up—was it you, O Great Fowl of Two Breasts?!
And that chest, that waist, those hips and legs… Aponia clearly had a face of selfless purity, like a Madonna, yet her body was lasciviously seductive.
The contrast was unbearable!
Elias had to admit honestly—he was tempted! Aponia, you just said I can call you however I like, right? Then calling you wife should be fine too, right?!
Hisss—haaah!
Elias inhaled the cold night air to calm the fire burning inside. He felt he needed a cold-blooded snake to help him cultivate—cool him down a little.
"Aponia, what did you want to see me about?"
"Mm, please don't move."
"Eh?"
"Please… allow me to look at you properly."
Aponia lifted her hand and held his, as if to keep him from leaving.
Then she simply stared at the white-haired boy, as if looking at something incredible.
Anyone who saw this scene would surely misunderstand.
A beautiful, pure-faced nun with a sinful body, holding a boy's hand, staring at him without blinking—her breathing growing heavier and quicker.
It was the kind of sight that would make every shameless onlooker shout: "Let go of that boy, let me take your place!" Meanwhile, Elias' actual thought was—
(Ow, what the hell! What kind of grip is this?! Am I the fusion warrior here, or are you?! Aponia, hold my hand if you want, but do you have to squeeze this hard?!)
Her delicate, slender hands felt soft, yet the strength was so great that even Elias—a Vipralopa-class MANTIS—struggled to break free.
He was shaken. It seemed Aponia not only had the makings of a mage, but also the potential to be a warrior! A steel-fisted nun… not impossible!
After gazing for a long time, Aponia finally spoke.
"May I ask you a question?"
"Hm? Of course."
"Thank you. Then… Elias, what is your view of fate?" Aponia asked earnestly. "Forgive me if this seems sudden, but—"
"Fate is something meant to be trampled underfoot. If we lack the strength to defeat it now, then we simply need to wait with courage until the time comes."
Before she could finish, Elias answered without hesitation.
...
In this world, there were few who could discuss fate with him—perhaps none but Aponia before him. Hearing his decisive reply, her eyes lit up.
"That is a fine answer, Elias. You may not believe me, but… I possess the power to see others' fates. They appear before me as threads."
"I believe you, Aponia. But I'm curious—what do my threads look like to you?"
Elias asked with interest. Of course he already knew she had this ability. And later, it would even evolve into a power to see the future itself—a truly godlike cheat.
Combined with her near-invincible ability of Discipline, even Elias envied it. He thought to himself, once this time-traveling was over, he had to claim this as his reward!
"Elias, your fate… I cannot see it."
"Oh?"
"All I can see is flawless pure white. And… anyone who draws close to you—their fates, once certain, also turn to the unknown."
Aponia's eyes sparkled with wonder. She had always longed for the unknown, because it meant the chance for change.
And today, Elias had indeed shown her the power to change fate. He had given those in the sanatorium, once destined to die, the chance to live on.
"…Aponia, do you want to change fate? I don't mean one person's fate—I mean everyone's. The fate of this whole world. You should be able to see it, shouldn't you?"
Elias' expression suddenly turned serious as he asked.
Aponia paused, then slowly nodded.
"Yes, I see it. It is… a fate destined for annihilation. This era has already entered its twilight. If things continue, everything will come to its end."
"No! Though the end may come, I will lead everyone to overcome it! That is why I descended into this world!"
Elias stepped forward. In his golden eyes burned unwavering light, as if to illuminate the bleak future Aponia had seen.
Her heart pounded violently.
The white-haired boy's figure seemed so grand in her eyes. Elias was the first person she had ever seen who could shatter the chains of fate. Even his every word and deed made the threads of destiny tremble and shift ever so slightly.
Aponia was certain now.
Elias was an existence above fate itself.
His hands could grasp destiny by the throat.
"Is there anything… I can do for you?"
Aponia took a deep breath and asked with barely contained excitement. In this moment, she was like a lost lamb who had finally found the path forward.
"Of course. I need your strength, Aponia. Join me in saving this world."
Elias extended his hand to her.
"Ahh… it would be my greatest honor."
Without hesitation, Aponia clasped his hand, a breathtaking smile spreading across her face. The once-lost nun had now found the god she was destined to serve.