Chapter 1 – Awakening in the Cocoon
[Neo's POV]
Darkness.
That was the first thing I felt. Not just the absence of light — but the suffocating weight of nothingness pressing down on my soul.
I remembered… the car. Screeching tires. A blinding flash. Pain. Then— silence.
"…So this is death?" I muttered into the void. My voice echoed, swallowed by emptiness.
But instead of oblivion, something answered.
[Unique Skill: Great Sage acquired.]
[Unique Skill: Predator acquired.]
[Unique Skill: Gluttony acquired.]
My eyes widened. "Wait… what the hell? These are… Rimuru's skills?"
And then another line, one that chilled me.
[You have been chosen. Your soul shall reincarnate.]
[World of destination: Honkai Impact 3rd.]
Honkai Impact. Of all places… a world cursed with tragedy, Herrschers, and endless sacrifice.
Before I could process it, a cocoon of light wrapped around me. It pulsed, like a heartbeat — no, like it was alive.
[Cocoon of the End detected. Fusing with host.]
The fusion burned, but not painfully — it was like my soul was being rewritten, strengthened.
And then I felt it: knowledge flooding in. The skills of Rimuru, the wisdom of Great Sage whispering calmly in my mind, and something deeper — the weight of futures not yet written.
When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in the void anymore.
The sky above me was painted with streaks of sunset, red bleeding into purple. I lay in the ruins of a small city, broken buildings and cracked streets stretching in all directions. The stench of smoke and blood lingered.
I sat up, staring at my reflection in a shard of glass.
An unfamiliar face stared back — mine, but younger. Black hair, sharper jawline, and blue eyes that faintly glowed. I looked… eighteen.
So this was my reincarnation.
A voice hummed inside my head.
[Welcome, Master. I am Great Sage, here to assist you.]
I exhaled slowly. "…So it's real. I'm in Honkai."
And as if to confirm it, the sky rumbled with distant explosions.
Before I could even stand, another notification flared before my eyes.
[Dimensional Chat Group initializing…]
[Host detected: Neo. Role: Group Owner.]
[First members invited:]
– Zhongli (Genshin Impact)
– Kiana Kaslana (Honkai Impact 3rd)
– Himeko (Honkai: Star Rail)
– Tony Stark (Marvel)
– Asuna (Sword Art Online)
My jaw dropped. "…You've got to be kidding me."
A translucent chat window appeared before me, exactly like a modern group chat interface. Each name blinked online one by one.
[Dimensional Chat Group Log]
[Asuna]: Huh? Where is this place? Did someone hack my NerveGear?
[Tony Stark]: If this is another one of Loki's pranks, I'm not amused.
[Zhongli]: …This interface feels unusual, yet strangely orderly.
[Kiana]: Oi! Who dragged me into another weird system? I was just—wait, who's "Neo"?
[Himeko]: Another anomaly? This better not be a Stellaron problem…
[Neo]: …Hi. Um. I think I'm the "owner" of this chat.
[Tony Stark]: Owner? Kid, are you some kind of interdimensional Discord admin?
[Kiana]: Hah! So you're the one responsible. Explain yourself!
[Asuna]: Please… just tell us this isn't some death game.
[Zhongli]: …A dimensional gathering. Fascinating. Perhaps fate has willed it.
I rubbed my temples. Great Sage whispered calmly in my head:
[Recommendation: Establish authority as group leader. Transparency will build trust.]
Right. First impressions matter.
"Everyone, listen," I typed back.
"This isn't a trap. I… died in my world, and woke up here in Honkai. Along with that, I was given this chat system. It connects us — across worlds, universes, even timelines. And judging from what I've seen, it's not random. Each of you has a tragic fate ahead. I think… this system exists so we can change that."
The chat went quiet for a moment.
[Kiana]: …Tragic fate? What are you talking about?
[Tony Stark]: …Kid, you're saying you know the future?
[Asuna]: If… if what you're saying is true, then— you mean I…?
[Himeko]: Interesting. If this is real, then you may have just given me a reason to stay.
[Zhongli]: Hm. Knowledge of destiny, and the means to alter it… indeed, a dangerous yet hopeful power.
I exhaled, feeling the weight settle on my shoulders.
This wasn't just about me surviving in Honkai. This was about saving them — Kiana, Asuna, Tony, Himeko, even Zhongli.
This was the beginning of something much bigger.
And as the cocoon pulsed faintly within my soul, I realized one thing:
I wasn't just a reincarnator.
I was the Guardian of Endless Worlds.
Chapter 1 – Awakening in the Cocoon (Part 2)
[Neo's POV]
The ruins around me groaned as the wind whistled through cracked windows. This was unmistakably the Honkai Impact world — the air itself carried that faint static hum, the lingering presence of collapsing Honkai energy.
My body felt strangely light, brimming with vitality. And in my head, Great Sage whispered like a patient teacher.
[Unique Skills available: Gluttony, Degenerate, Great Sage.]
[Gluttony: The devouring of energy, matter, and skills for storage, analysis, and assimilation.]
[Degenerate: Allows fusion, separation, and evolution of skills under Great Sage's guidance.]
So Predator had been skipped — Gluttony stood as the ultimate devouring skill. And Degenerate… a tool that made skills endlessly flexible.
"…In other words, I'm a walking bugged game character," I muttered, half in awe, half terrified.
Great Sage's voice was as calm as ever.
[Correction: You are not bugged. You are optimal.]
I snorted. "Yeah, sure. That's comforting."
The chat window pulsed again, drawing my attention.
[Tony Stark]: Okay, back up. Some kid just said he died, woke up in a knockoff anime apocalypse, and now claims to be our 'group owner.' Either this is the weirdest fever dream, or I need more whiskey.
[Asuna]: Excuse me, but this doesn't feel like a joke. I can feel… something. Like, my NerveGear interface isn't normal.
[Himeko]: Same here. This system isn't anything I've seen in the Astral Express' records. Not a Stellaron, but it's powerful.
[Kiana]: Look, I don't get half of what's going on, but if this isn't some prank… Neo, was it? You said "tragic fate." What do you mean by that?
I hesitated, staring at Kiana's name. Her cheerful energy almost bled through the chat window, but I knew her future — Herrscher awakening, loss, pain.
"I'll explain. But not everything right now. Just know this: I've seen your futures, or at least the versions where things go horribly wrong. I don't want that for any of you. This group… might be our way to change things."
Silence. Then:
[Zhongli]: If what you claim is true, then you carry the burden of foreknowledge. Dangerous, yet potentially lifesaving. The question is… why you?
"Believe me, I'm still asking myself that."
[Tony Stark]: Hold on. If you do know my future, let's test this. How do I die?
The question hit me like a blade. Stark's fate was one of the clearest — sacrificing himself against Thanos. But telling him directly? That could shatter him.
Great Sage hummed in my mind.
[Recommendation: Withhold explicit detail. Imply danger. Build trust slowly.]
I sighed. "All I'll say is this: you're destined to save the world, but at the cost of your life. If we work together, I'll make sure you don't have to make that sacrifice."
For a long moment, there was no reply. Then—
[Tony Stark]: …Kid, if you're lying, I'll find a way to build an interdimensional missile just to blow you up. But if you're telling the truth… guess I owe you one.
[Asuna]: If Neo can really prevent tragedies… then maybe this isn't such a bad thing.
[Himeko]: Hmph. Bold words, Neo. I've seen plenty of idealists crash and burn. But you don't sound like you're bluffing.
[Kiana]: …If you can stop people I care about from dying, then I'll believe you. For now.
[Zhongli]: Very well. Then I suggest we test our "leader." Words are one thing. Deeds are another.
I rubbed the back of my neck, half-relieved, half-pressured.
They didn't trust me fully yet — of course they didn't. Why would they? I was a stranger with impossible claims.
But at least… the seed was planted.
And this ruined Honkai city wasn't empty. I could already sense it — faint movements in the shadows. Honkai beasts.
[Alert: Hostile entities detected within 500 meters.]
Of course. Because waking up in a death world wasn't bad enough, I had to get the tutorial battle too.
Still, this was the perfect chance. If I could show them what I could do — the powers I had — maybe it would cement my position as their leader.
The ground rumbled faintly. Broken glass rattled in the windows. The beasts were drawing closer.
I clenched my fists. "Alright then. Guess it's time for a demonstration."
[Group Chat]
[Neo]: Everyone, watch closely. I'll prove this isn't just talk.
[Tony Stark]: Oh, this I gotta see. Hope you've got more than cool speeches, kid.
[Kiana]: …Wait, are you fighting Honkai beasts right now?! Are you crazy?!
[Himeko]: Either brave, or suicidal. This should be interesting.
[Asuna]: Please don't die already, Neo!
[Zhongli]: …Then show us. Let us see whether your strength matches your words.
I stood tall as the first beast's shadow stretched across the ruined street. Its hollow roar pierced the air, followed by the sound of claws scraping asphalt.
"Alright, Rimuru's skills," I whispered, focusing. "Time to see what you can really do in this world."
The fight had come.
And so would the proof.
Chapter 1 – Awakening in the Cocoon (Part 3)
[Neo's POV]
The growls of Honkai beasts were still distant, but I didn't rush. Instead, I focused on the translucent chat window. The others were still trying to piece together what this "group" was.
That's when the interface shifted — new icons lighting up across the bottom.
[Dimensional Chat Group – System Features Unlocked]
– [Group Chat] – real-time communication across worlds.
– [Live Broadcast] – members can stream and spectate events.
– [Missions] – cooperative objectives across dimensions.
– [Points] – currency earned through sign-ins and missions.
– [Shop] – buy items, abilities, and technology.
– [Gacha] – rare draws for skills, artifacts, or characters. (Low probability for high-tier rewards.)
"…Oh, damn." My eyes widened. This wasn't just a chat room. It was basically a multiverse system.
The chat immediately exploded as notifications popped up for everyone.
[Asuna]: W-what?! There's a SHOP in here?!
[Tony Stark]: Hold on. There's a GACHA system? Are you telling me this interdimensional Discord also has microtransactions?!
[Kiana]: What's a gacha?
[Himeko]: …A gamble. You spend points for a chance at something valuable. Or junk. Usually junk.
[Zhongli]: Hm. A system of fate disguised as chance. Dangerous… and yet intriguing.
[Tony Stark]: So what you're saying is, our fates are literally locked behind lootboxes now. Fantastic.
[Asuna]: Wait—look! It says "Points earned through daily sign-in or missions."
[Kiana]: Oi! It's like a mobile game! Sign in every day or you miss rewards!
[Tony Stark]: …I hate how accurate that sounds.
I scanned the shop tab quickly.
[Shop Preview]
– Healing Potions (Minor): 100 points
– Iron Sword: 200 points
– Basic Mana Crystal: 300 points
– Advanced Healing Capsule (Marvel Tech): 1,000 points
– Prototype Lightsaber (Star Wars Tech): 5,000 points
– Sharingan (Naruto): 50,000 points
– Herrscher Core Fragment: ??? Locked
My jaw tightened. Yeah, it wasn't going to be easy. Even the basics were pricey, and the really broken stuff was borderline impossible without serious grinding.
Then I opened the Gacha tab.
[Gacha Rates]
– Common: 80%
– Rare: 15%
– Epic: 4%
– Legendary: 1%
– Mythic: 0.1%
Ouch. Those were worse odds than casino slots.
[Tony Stark]: Just checked the shop. It wants 50,000 points for something called "Sharingan." Yeah, nope. I'd have to sell Stark Industries three times for that.
[Himeko]: The system isn't generous. If you want power, you'll have to earn it.
[Zhongli]: Which brings us to the "Missions" tab.
[Asuna]: Missions…?
A new window popped up for everyone.
[Mission: Tutorial – Proof of Strength]
– Objective: Defeat the incoming Honkai beasts.
– Participants: Neo (Mandatory), All Members (Spectators via Live Broadcast).
– Reward: 100 Points for all members, bonus 200 points for Neo.
[Kiana]: W-wait, you're fighting Honkai beasts right now?!
[Asuna]: That's dangerous! Neo, are you sure?!
[Tony Stark]: …I guess this is where we see if the kid's full of hot air or the real deal.
[Himeko]: Hmph. Then let's make use of this "Live Broadcast."
The interface blinked, and suddenly a [Broadcast] button appeared. I tapped it, and a faint shimmer surrounded me. A second later—
[System: Neo has started a Live Broadcast.]
In the chat, a small screen popped up showing me, standing in the ruins. My perspective, my body, my surroundings. They were watching me in real time.
[Tony Stark]: …Oh. It actually works. Well, now I can judge your fighting form.
[Asuna]: Please don't die, please don't die…
[Kiana]: Don't screw up, "Leader."
[Himeko]: Hah. No pressure, right?
[Zhongli]: Then let us see whether this young man can truly alter fate.
I sighed, rolling my shoulders as the growls closed in. The first beast — a wolf-shaped Honkai aberration — stalked into view, its purple glow painting cracks along its body. Two more crawled out behind it.
Great Sage's voice rang calmly.
[Recommendation: Use Gluttony for energy absorption. Test assimilation capability.]
"Alright," I muttered, flexing my fingers. "Let's make this quick."
Chapter 1 – Awakening in the Cocoon (Part 4)
[Neo's POV]
Before I could ready myself for the fight, the chat interface blinked again. Another tab lit up:
[Daily Sign-In Available. Would you like to sign in?]
"…Oh, so it's literally a mobile game," I muttered.
Great Sage confirmed it in my mind.
[Daily sign-in grants randomized minor rewards. Categories: Points, Low-tier items, Minor abilities, Consumables. Restrictions: High-tier items such as Cocoon of the End or Herrscher Cores cannot be obtained.]
I blinked. "Good. Last thing I need is someone pulling a Herrscher Core on day one."
The notification spread to everyone at once.
[Asuna]: Eh? There's a sign-in feature too?
[Kiana]: Wait, so we just… click it and get free stuff?
[Tony Stark]: Don't tell me this multiverse chat also has daily login bonuses. What's next, battle passes?
[Himeko]: Hah. Might as well try. Nothing to lose.
[Zhongli]: …Then let us test this function.
The system chimed as one by one, they pressed the "Sign-In" button.
[Zhongli has signed in. Reward: 50 Points.]
[Kiana has signed in. Reward: Low-Grade Healing Potion (x1).]
[Himeko has signed in. Reward: 100 Points.]
[Tony Stark has signed in. Reward: Technical Blueprint (Iron Man Mark II Arm Stabilizer).]
[Asuna has signed in. Reward: Iron Dagger.]
[Kiana]: …I got a healing potion. This thing really is like a game!
[Asuna]: A-ah, mine gave me… a dagger. It's kind of plain, though.
[Tony Stark]: …Hold up. Did I just get a blueprint for my suit? A blueprint I never made?
[Himeko]: I received points. Seems straightforward.
[Zhongli]: Hm. Fifty points. Modest, but useful.
I quickly checked the details. The rewards were random but clearly scaled low — consumables, small weapons, blueprints, points. Enough to help, not enough to break balance.
"Alright, listen," I typed, glancing at the shadows moving closer.
"This sign-in system is like a safety net. You'll get items, points, or sometimes small abilities. But don't expect miracles. The good stuff — strong skills, artifacts — that comes from missions and hard work."
[Kiana]: So no world-ending weapons for free. Got it.
[Tony Stark]: Tch. Figures. Was hoping for a lightsaber.
[Asuna]: Still… it's kind of reassuring. It means we won't start completely empty-handed.
[Himeko]: Hmph. And yet, the true test is still ahead. Neo, your mission.
[Zhongli]: Indeed. We've seen the system's foundation. Now let us see your strength.
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. The growls were louder now. The Honkai beasts were here.
"Alright. Enough tutorials," I muttered, tapping the broadcast tab again.
"Time for the real demonstration."
[System: Neo has started a Live Broadcast.]
The chat members' windows expanded, showing them my perspective in real time.
Three Honkai beasts prowled into the ruined street, their eyes glowing violet, fangs dripping with corrosive energy. Their claws scraped the broken asphalt like nails on glass.
The first mission had begun.
r-tier sign-in rewards + boosted gacha odds (still not broken, but giving him an edge).
• His first real use of Gluttony + Degenerate in combat.
Chapter 1 – Awakening in the Cocoon (Part 5)
[Neo's POV]
The beasts closed in, glowing eyes locked on me. Their claws tore up the ground with every step, their breath foul with corruption.
I could feel the system window pulsing faintly, reminding me of my status. Then, a whisper from Great Sage reached me:
[Notice: As Group Owner, you have special permissions. Daily sign-in and Gacha probabilities are increased for higher-tier rewards. Unique artifacts such as Cocoon of the End were only possible due to this privilege.]
So that's why I'd gotten something so absurd on day one. The system was rewarding me for being the foundation of the group.
"…Perks of leadership, huh?" I muttered, flexing my hand. Still, it wasn't like I could spam this privilege. If the shop was any indication, everything here was designed to bleed effort out of us. Good. Power should cost something.
The growling sharpened. I set my stance.
[Mission: Tutorial – Proof of Strength]
Objective: Defeat the incoming Honkai beasts.
Time Limit: None.
Reward: 200 Points (Neo), 100 Points (All Members).
[Kiana]: Oi, oi, they're huge up close! Are you seriously gonna fight those?!
[Asuna]: Neo, be careful! Those things look terrifying!
[Tony Stark]: …Kid, I hope you've got more than a pep talk.
[Himeko]: Don't underestimate them. Even the smallest Honkai beast can kill untrained soldiers.
[Zhongli]: Then let us observe. Neo, show us the worth of this Cocoon that chose you.
The first beast lunged. Its claws whistled through the air — faster than I expected. My instincts flared, but my body moved fluidly, enhanced by the Cocoon's energy. I ducked low, palm pressing against the ground.
"Gluttony," I whispered.
A black ripple spread out like liquid shadow. The beast's claw sank into it for an instant — and then its energy was ripped away. It howled, staggering, the violet glow along its arm snuffed out like a dying flame.
[Energy Assimilation Successful. Ability stored: Minor Claw Enhancement]
[Tony Stark]: …Okay, I take back what I said. That was badass.
[Asuna]: Y-you just ate its attack?!
[Kiana]: No way… that's like a Herrscher's ability!
[Himeko]: Hmph. Impressive. But don't get cocky.
The second beast roared, charging from the flank. Its jaws snapped inches from my face, the heat of its corrupted breath singeing my cheek. I thrust my hand forward, shadows coiling.
"Degenerate — Separate."
The beast's energy split, its glow unraveling like tangled threads. Its body collapsed mid-lunge, weaker, slower. My foot drove into its chest, sending it sprawling back with a crunch of bones.
[Ability Extraction Successful: Hardened Skin Fragment]
[Zhongli]: Ah… the ability to separate and reassemble. This "Degenerate" skill rivals alchemy itself.
[Tony Stark]: That's… wait, so you're basically a walking deconstruction engine? You could break down tech with that, couldn't you?
[Himeko]: Or strip away a Herrscher's strength. Dangerous, but only if used well.
[Kiana]: Still, it's kinda scary…
The last beast howled, backing away warily. Its instincts screamed that I wasn't prey — I was predator.
I drew in a deep breath, gathering the fragmented energy swirling around me. My hands pulsed with shifting black and violet light.
"Let's finish this."
I lunged, shadows flaring out, tendrils wrapping around the beast's throat. Its glow dimmed as Gluttony consumed the last of its corrupted essence, and with one final crunch, the Honkai creature dissolved into nothing but mist.
Silence fell.
[Mission Complete: Proof of Strength]
Reward: 200 Points (Neo), 100 Points (All Members).
The chat exploded.
[Kiana]: HOLY—! You just wrecked them like it was nothing!
[Asuna]: That was terrifying and amazing at the same time…
[Tony Stark]: Damn. Okay, color me impressed. Kid's got real power.
[Himeko]: …Not bad. You handle yourself well.
[Zhongli]: Hm. Fate bends around you, young one. I see why this group chose you as its axis.
I exhaled, letting the last of the energy fade. My heart pounded, not from fear, but exhilaration.
This was only the beginning.
The system chimed again.
[Hidden Feature Unlocked for Group Owner: First-Clear Sign-In Bonus]
Reward: Intermediate Magicule Core (Boosts skill growth).
I blinked, holding the small glowing crystal in my palm.
So this was the edge I had.
Not free wins. Not instant victory.
But an advantage — enough to guide the group.
"…Alright," I said aloud, smiling faintly. "Let's see how far we can take this."
The chat buzzed with voices, but in my chest, the Cocoon pulsed warmly. My journey — no, our journey — had only just begun.