The quantum realm is a place where temperature, colors, and tactile sensations appear illusory and chaotic. Even perceptions of time and space become blurred, as if boundaries between microcosm and macrocosm have vanished, leaving the distinction between existence and non-existence equally ambiguous.
After bidding farewell to the three girls and leaving some contingencies in place within the real world, Zeke didn't waste time individually briefing the other girls. Instead, he entrusted Bronya with managing affairs at home and promptly entered the realm of the Sea of Quanta.
The Sea of Quanta greeted Zeke with its distinctly chaotic laws of physics—an experience that could perhaps be described as witnessing a kaleidoscopic darkness.
Next, Zeke found himself inside a vast white hall, surrounded by massive rings rotating vertically outside. Perched atop these bands were countless restless, snow-white behemoths, all staring down at Zeke standing below the steps with cold, mechanical gazes.
"Well... this wasn't part of my planned scenario."
Zeke lifted his slender hand, waving it side to side before his eyes, feeling the peculiar illusionary sensation unique to the quantum realm.
However, these strange perceptions weren't much of an issue. To Zeke's senses, the Honkai Energy under his control remained immense and distinct, even becoming more active and easier to manipulate.
Honkai truly lives up to its origin from the ultimate principles of existence—indeed, it is omnipotent.
Zeke adjusted to this new environment and began ascending the stairs, each heavy footstep echoing loudly in the silent realm.
Soon, within the vast hall devoid of roof beams but adorned with white pillars, Zeke encountered a tall figure standing ahead, facing away from him.
With silvery-white hair framing his sharp features and draped in a sleek, long white coat, though he remained silent, the imposing aura emanating from his back hinted at just the tip of the iceberg of his terrifying power.
"The concept of time is quite ambiguous in the Sea of Quanta. By real-world standards, it has been five years since we last met, Mr. Kevin Kaslana."
"You... What's your name?" Without turning around, Kevin posed a brief question while gazing up at the gray sky he himself had fabricated, seemingly lost in thought.
Zeke reached his side and glanced over, noticing not only their striking resemblance in appearance—with silver hair, blue eyes, and elongated white coats—but also how similar they were in height.
"Zeke. You can call me that."
"Zeke, huh... How fares the real world? To what extent has Honkai spread its devastation?"
Kevin's voice was icy and emotionless, betraying no sentiment. However, compared to their brief exchange years ago, his speech now flowed much more smoothly.
It seemed Kevin had regained his language abilities. He spoke a dialect similar to Mandarin, which reminded Zeke of a speculation he had five years ago—could it be that Jackal and Gray Serpent were somehow providing Kevin with updates on the latest linguistic knowledge, ensuring he wouldn't face communication barriers upon returning to the real world?
'Although not particularly important, I should... interrogate Jackal about this once we're back. Surprisingly, I've forgotten to ask these past few years.'
Zeke mentally noted this matter, maintaining his usual composed expression as he replied:
"It's been reasonably well. In our current era, we have managed to turn some Herrschers into allies, stabilizing the situation significantly. Several large-scale Honkai outbreaks have been suppressed. Currently, we are preparing to establish a new nation, aiming to consolidate power under centralized rule. This is to prevent the internal conflicts and resource depletion seen in the previous era."
These words appeared to stir some memories for Kevin. Turning towards Zeke, he spoke solemnly—or at least, that was the impression given; his expression remained consistently cold, revealing little change. Nonetheless, in a cool, deep voice, he said:
"A very sound idea, theoretically speaking, you should indeed proceed like this. However, what concerns me more is... Can your Herrschers truly be trusted?"
Kevin's Project Stigma aimed to utilize highly concentrated Honkai Energy to create a select few individuals compatible with Stigmata while simultaneously causing the majority of humanity to perish. This would reduce Honkai's assessment of civilization and lower the difficulty of the final trial.
This plan didn't require consideration of internal conflicts, as most people would die anyway. Their pre-death power struggles or forms of governance were ultimately irrelevant.
However, Herrschers could undoubtedly survive the Honkai Energy selection process, and their combat capabilities were not to be underestimated. Therefore, the stance of these Herrschers was crucial for Kevin.
He could tolerate the existence of human-aligned Herrschers, but trust was out of the question. After all, they were once adversaries who fought each other relentlessly in the previous civilization!
Zeke looked at Kevin, meeting his gaze cold as polar icecaps, and nonchalantly said:
"I don't wish to waste effort convincing you. You can ask your two old friends instead. Furthermore, you'll have opportunities to witness it firsthand later. Take your time deciding whether to believe or not."
"Old friends? Two?"
"Hua and Su."
"Su has always been within the Sea of Quanta. Although he never visited me, he also never truly left, perhaps expressing his remorse towards me that way. But Hua... Is she still alive? Still guarding Shenzhou?" Kevin asked, followed by a soft sigh.
Kevin pressed further, letting out a soft sigh.
The Thirteen Heroic Spirits of the previous civilization—former comrades-in-arms—had mostly met their own ends after its demise. Aside from a few leaving behind traces in unique forms, only three genuinely remained alive: Kevin, Zeke, and Fu Hua.
For Kevin, it was impossible not to be concerned about Fu Hua's well-being.
"Fu Hua has experienced much, but she seems to be doing alright now. You might have a chance to catch up with her."
"Alright, I'll go find her. The trail you left upon arrival can still guide me back; I need to return to the real world. Will you try to stop me again this time?"
"No, I won't. One of my purposes here is indeed to bring you back to reality. However, before that, would you be interested in taking a detour with me?"
"...Do you want to see Su? Do you know his coordinates?"
A flicker of emotion finally crossed Kevin's impassive face.
During the battle at Mustard Seed, Su suffered a crushing defeat. Yet, exploiting Kevin's concern for him, he ultimately banished Kevin into the endless Sea of Quanta. Following that, Su hid within the Second Divine Key, the Cosmic Juggernaut, continuing Project VALUKA. Neither willing to meet Kevin nor able to locate Su himself, they had been estranged ever since.
In Zeke's hand appeared a leaf emitting glowing particles as he said, "I indeed have the coordinates. So, would you be interested in joining me?"
"... How can I trust that you won't collude with Su to exile me again? Time is running out; I cannot afford to wait for thousands more years, or it will be too late for everything."
"Understood. Then let me skip the pleasantries. Will you come with me directly to meet Su, or shall we confront each other until your remaining traces vanish, leaving you no choice but to accompany me to him?"
Zeke could not allow Kevin to return to the real world unimpeded.
Kevin's combat prowess was unfathomable; at his peak, dispatching Herrschers with a single punch might seem trivial. Additionally, his mindset had become increasingly radical—simply put, if Zeke were absent and Kevin returned, the threat posed to those girls would be too high. Zeke wouldn't take such a risk.
As for Welt? There's no need to worry about him; both his power and rationality are exceptional. At least, escaping from Kevin's grasp should be quite effortless for him.
Kevin remained silent in response to Zeke's seemingly reasonable coercion. However, countless colossal quantum beasts climbed onto the palace, gathering around like myriad mountains guarding their center.
Zeke glanced around and asked with mild interest, "Quantum beasts? The army you've assembled?"
"From the moment I first confronted you, I knew Gray Serpent and Jackal couldn't hold you back, and it was likely that the Serpent's power would have to go dormant. To ensure we had resources upon returning to reality, I took some precautions."
"How powerful are they?"
"On average, they match Imperial Rank Honkai Beasts, numbering close to three thousand. I believe this should constitute a formidable fighting force."
Kevin hesitated briefly.
He wasn't certain about the military strength reserves of human civilization in the real world. Logically speaking, with three thousand Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, wiping out the human world might not be impossible.
However, for someone like Kevin, these were merely three thousand meat pigs waiting to be effortlessly slaughtered.
Thus, determining the deterrent effect of this force required assessing the current era's high-end combat capabilities in terms of both quantity and quality.
"Snap!"
Zeke snapped his fingers, causing countless black spherical objects to materialize throughout the space, all beginning to tremble unstably.
Zeke queried, "I assume you're highly resistant to extreme heat, and as a Fusion Warrior, your physiology can withstand impacts and radiation. One final question—do you fear intense light?"
"...No," Kevin replied, a hint of resignation flickering in his eyes.
Quantum machines, representing cutting-edge technology seldom seen even in the previous era. Observing their overwhelming numbers here, combined with Zeke's confident demeanor, Kevin realized his preparations were likely futile.
In the next instant, blinding white light and deafening roars engulfed the entire world.