Honkai is a cyclical natural disaster, and at the same time, it is the rhythmic pulse of the universe's periodic adjustments.
Every so often, Honkai erupts. The timing of these eruptions is irregular and difficult to predict.
The manifestations of Honkai are inscrutable; war, plagues, climate catastrophes, comet impacts, even the descent of colossal divine soldiers are all possibilities.
According to ancient texts, Honkai can only be described as the unfathomable will of God, but judging by the results, it invariably leads to the mass extinction of the world's dominant species.
What is certain, however, is that when Honkai erupts, it releases a highly efficient and dangerous energy—Honkai energy.
Honkai energy possesses a strong corrosive property, capable of eroding living beings, causing them to transform into Honkai beasts and the "Dead Ones" (zombies).
And Nagazora City was precisely the starting point of the Honkai series' story—the epicenter of the Third Honkai Eruption.
"Isn't this start even more fucked up?"
"Can I go back to the Moon World?"
The youth, who had been sent from the Moon World to the Honkai World by the system, felt his eye twitch slightly.
In the Honkai series, the Third Honkai Eruption occurred on a certain day in February 2014.
It was already the end of January; Honkai could erupt at any moment.
Li Zihan himself did not possess Honkai energy resistance acquired through genetic engineering. If he encountered a major Honkai Eruption, there was a certain probability he would just "gg" on the spot.
"Apologies, Host. If you wish to return to your previous world, you'll need to wait for the Moon World teleportation cooldown of one month."
The system, clearly unable to send its host back immediately, offered some consolation.
"Relax, Host. There's still a week before the Third Honkai Eruption."
"Since you're idle anyway, how about taking on a mission to pass the time?"
As soon as the words fell, an unfamiliar panel appeared before Li Zihan.
Mission: Save Nagazora City
Requirement: Prevent the Third Honkai Eruption
Reward: Stigmata: Dracula
Accept / Decline
Failure/Rejection Penalty: None
"Save Nagazora City within seven days and receive a Stigmata?"
Li Zihan looked at the suddenly appearing quest log, a frequent sight in the novels he'd read in his past life, without any particular resistance.
Lacking Honkai energy resistance, he indeed needed the power of a Stigmata if he didn't want to suddenly drop dead in this world.
One week was indeed a bit tight, and problems could easily arise.
However, the good thing was there was no penalty for mission failure, so he had no worries on that front.
"I accept."
The youth, feeling that this world called Honkai also seemed to have many things he could get involved with, pressed his hand on "Accept."
"You have accepted the mission: Save Nagazora City. Please proceed as soon as possible."
"Understood."
The youth, having accepted the mission, shrugged and then walked towards a nearby station.
There, a small number of taxis were waiting.
"Excuse me, where would you like to go?"
A driver, who had undergone professional service training, opened the car door with a smile, ushering the magus into the back seat.
"To Senba Academy."
The youth, having accepted the mission from the system, stated his destination.
========Line Break========
The prototype for Nagazora City is Tachikawa City in Tokyo, the location of Academy City from A Certain Magical Index.
In the Honkai worldview, the suburban part of Nagazora City also contains an academy town called "Academy City."
A total of six renowned middle schools, ten universities, and various research institutions are located there, with hundreds of thousands of students and teaching staff living within.
And Senba Academy was one of the schools located in this Academy City, divided into elementary, middle, and high school sections.
The famous ME Corp had also invested in establishing a research facility within this academy.
On the grounds of Senba Academy, a girl, unaware that many eyes were already upon her, sat in a wisteria-covered corridor, quietly reading a book.
She was an exceedingly beautiful girl, her purple-black hair tied into a ponytail with a purple-spotted ribbon, her light purple eyes like crystals.
Her black sailor uniform perfectly accentuated her youthful, vibrant figure, and her long stockings clung to her fair, soft calves, exuding an enchanting allure that sparked the imagination.
"Gulp~"
A rather unrefined gulping sound was heard. Just from the sound, one might easily imagine some kind of pervert.
"Kiana, you're here."
The girl, seemingly accustomed to a certain someone's lack of composure, sighed.
She closed her book, her graceful, swan-like neck turning slightly to look towards the source of the sound.
There, a girl with beautiful blue eyes and white hair—a feature particularly captivating to people from the Celestial Empire—styled into two braids, was indelicately wiping drool from the corner of her mouth.
"Mei, you're so beautiful."
The girl, who wasn't actually a member of this academy but had managed to sneak in through some means, giggled foolishly.
The girl, whose sexual orientation was clearly questionable, quickly sat down beside the girl called Mei, affectionately nuzzling against her senpai.
Her demeanor was highly reminiscent of a Samoyed cuddling with someone.
Perhaps because she was used to it, Miss Mei, being nuzzled, showed no signs of resistance. She gently reached out and tidied the white-haired girl's slightly messy bangs.
Two months ago, an incident involving a "Dead One" transformation had occurred at Senba Academy. A student named Asakura Miyuki had been eroded by Honkai energy, turning into a monster and causing panic.
At that time, it was this girl who had stood with Mei to fight against the "Dead One."
Since then, they had become good friends... perhaps.
Watching the wandering hand that had, at some unknown point, found its way onto her thigh and was now ceaselessly roaming, Raiden Mei's expression stiffened slightly.
Slap—
Miss Mei's hand landed sharply on Kiana's.
"Oof."
Miss Kiana, still immersed in the sensation of her senpai's resilient thigh, let out a cry of pain.
"Kiana, have some decency."
Miss Mei glared fiercely at the certain "Paramecium."
"Mei, you're so pretty, how could I possibly resist?"
A direct fastball was thrown.
"Kiana, you-you stop talking nonsense!"
The complimented girl's jade-like face quickly turned crimson, a mixture of shyness and annoyance.
"Heehee."
The girl with the clearly skewed sexual orientation didn't continue teasing. Instead, she sat beside her senpai, gazing at her side profile with adoration in her eyes.
She had originally come to the Far East in search of her father, but unexpectedly, she had found a new sense of belonging here.
"By the way, is there something you came here for today?"
The girl, feeling rather uncomfortable under Kiana's stare, asked.
"Lately, the frequency of 'Dead Ones' appearing in Nagazora City has increased a lot."
Seemingly because a serious topic was broached, Kiana, who had just been as flippant as a female playboy, suddenly became solemn. She spoke with great earnestness.
"'Dead Ones' are monsters created when humans are infected by Honkai energy. I suspect there might be a small Honkai Source within Nagazora City."
A Honkai Source?
The girl, herself a member of ME Corp, a subsidiary of Anti-Entropy, also turned grave.
If there really was a Honkai Source, that would be trouble.
"But, don't worry. With me here, it'll be fine."
The girl with azure eyes patted her chest and performed a very non-standard knight's salute.
"I swear on the Kaslana name, if there really is a Honkai Source, I will definitely destroy it."
Her voice was light and cheerful, yet it held an undeniable firmness.
Perhaps, this was the pride and glory of a knightly family.
Raiden Mei thought, noticing how Kiana's entire spirit had lifted considerably at the mention of the Kaslana name.
"Do you need my help?"
Raiden Mei, infected by the sense of honor in Kiana's voice, asked.
Although her innate Stigmata had been sealed by her father using a special method, making it difficult for her to control Honkai energy, she herself was a skilled practitioner of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū.
"No need. Judging by the current rate of 'Dead One' generation, the Honkai Source shouldn't be too large. I can handle it alone."
The girl, clearly not wishing for Raiden Mei to accompany her into a dangerous situation, shook her head and said.
"Then, is there anything I can do to help?"
Raiden Mei, feeling a little disappointed at being refused, still pressed on.
"Mei, could I leave my bentos to you for this period?"
Kiana, who was very short on funds and not good at cooking herself, licked her lips, seemingly reminiscing about the meals that had once "knocked her up" (i.e., filled her stomach satisfyingly).
"If you want, you can come to my place anytime."
The girl, who once held the fan-title "Herrscher of Rice," smiled, her expression gentle.
"Mhm, then I'll be counting on you."
Kiana, having warned Raiden Mei to be careful recently, lifted her head and looked at the sky, noting it was getting late.
"It's getting late. Do you need me to walk you back?"
Kiana said, feeling a slight, inexplicable worry for Raiden Mei's safety.
"No need, you just focus on your own business."
Raiden Mei, well aware that the girl before her needed to search for her father and also deal with various special incidents in the city, declined her kind offer.
Kiana, who appeared carefree, was actually very busy; there was no need to add to her troubles.
"I can go back by myself."