If the Herrscher of Corruption merely made her feel powerless in this dream where no one could be killed, then the man's existence made her feel what true humiliation was.
Three times! A full three times!
If she hadn't run fast enough back then, that number could probably have a zero added to it and still not be enough.
For this guy to appear before her again, could it be…
"…"
The girl's expression was cold, her golden eyes trembling slightly. Her heart clenched. If this perverted Inner World Protagonist made any move on her, she would flee without a moment's hesitation.
She had suffered disgrace three times; she absolutely could not endure a fourth!
However, she had overthought it this time.
"Let's make a deal, how about it?"
Brian was here to negotiate.
"You send the Herrscher of Corruption over to us, and I promise not to make a move on you."
"…"
The snow-haired, golden-eyed girl was stunned for a moment.
Then, a cruel light filled her golden eyes.
This foolish Herrscher of Corruption was just as annoying as this perverted Inner World Protagonist, but if these two were to clash…
"I agree."
Pleasure blossomed on the Herrscher of the Void's face.
"But this isn't a deal or a negotiation. It is my gift to you!"
Even when at a disadvantage, the Herrscher of the Void had to maintain her pride as the Queen.
At this moment, the Herrscher of Corruption, wreathed in black energy, had yet to sense the approaching danger.
"Foolish kindred, are you scared?"
The girl's gaze was icy. "Scared? I just wanted to give you a great gift!"
I hope you don't end up crying with pleasure.
Snap—!
She raised a slender arm and snapped her fingers.
The smirking Herrscher of the Void used her power to open a spatial tunnel under the Herrscher of Corruption's feet, connecting to Brian and Fu Hua's location.
Higokumaru felt her vision blur, and her opponent changed to two frail, ordinary humans.
"So this is the great gift you're giving me. It is indeed great."
The next second.
The handsome young man stepped forward, ignoring the danger to place a hand on the shrine maiden's shoulder. "Just bear with it, it'll be over soon."
In an instant, the shrine maiden's knees went weak, and she involuntarily knelt on the ground.
But the Herrscher of Corruption still hadn't reacted. "What did you do!"
This guy, in a single encounter, had made her beloved body lose control. How terrifying!
Seeing this, Fu Hua no longer hesitated.
Fenghuang Down Sympathy!
Hand of God!
Fast, beautiful, satisfying!
The inherently evil Herrscher of Corruption was hard-controlled on the spot by the combo.
Eyes glazed over! Unable to resist!
This caused the forging process of the Twelfth Divine Key, which had been stagnant for fifty-five thousand years, to restart.
A long green bar above her head finally began to fluctuate under the two-pronged combo attack.
HP-2.
98/100.
Brian felt a pang in his kidneys.
In this dream world, the sensitivity of all female creatures was increased by 100%, allowing his divine skill to deal double damage.
If the real-world Higokumaru's stats were the same as the one here…
That means…
50 times!
But compared to saving the world and his own life…
It's only fifty times!
Look at his Blondie-like stamina, he would complete these fifty uses of the Hand of God!
"Behold my heaven-piercing finger!"
98… 9… 72… 54… 32… 12… 0!
Although the Herrscher of Corruption struggled fiercely, she was still no match for the Inner World Protagonist's heaven-piercing finger and was unwillingly defeated.
The shrine maiden's body fell limply to the ground, and a deep-colored hexahedron roared in the air: "I'm not reconciled! I'm not reconciled!"
"You foolish and evil humans, I'm not reconciled!"
But no matter how the Herrscher of Corruption struggled, she could not escape the fate of defeat.
Before their eyes, the cube transformed into a bladeless tachi, which then, along with the shrine maiden on the ground, was swallowed up by this world, leaving no trace.
She disappeared.
Unfortunately, she didn't drop any gold coins.
The Herrscher of the Void, from a distance, witnessed the entire process of the Herrscher of Corruption being subdued. She felt as if a hundred Brians were crawling on her jade foot!
Fifty times! A full fifty times!
Even the intangible Herrscher of Corruption met defeat at this man's hands. Wouldn't she, a senior with a physical body, be locked in his basement and turned into a star-slave, full of starry passion every day!?
For once, the Herrscher of the Void was truly afraid.
The girl, feigning calmness, looked down from above, shot a sidelong glance at the pair of Inner World partners in crime below, and quickly disappeared.
She felt that even a few more glances at these people would contaminate her pure soul.
Putting the Herrscher of the Void's thoughts aside.
After successfully defeating the Herrscher of Corruption in this dream world, Fu Hua felt a sense of reassurance, gaining a little more confidence.
"The Herrscher of Corruption here is still restrained, I wonder…"
The Herrscher of Corruption's performance matched her few remaining memories.
She was being constrained by a creation from the Previous Era, in the process of being forged into a Divine Key. Her abilities as a Herrscher couldn't be fully utilized, and she could only operate in a limited area around her body.
In short, the current Herrscher of Corruption was a much-reduced threat compared to fifty-five thousand years ago.
But for the current era, where information technology had not yet reached the heights of the Previous Era, she was still an undeniably powerful threat.
Having sorted out her thoughts, Fu Hua felt greatly relieved.
She said, "Thank you for your help this time."
The Key of Consciousness had some effect on the Herrscher of Corruption, but its impact was limited. Fu Hua was well aware of this.
She had already verified this fifty-five thousand years ago.
This time, without Brian's help, her actions against the Herrscher of Corruption would likely have been as fruitless as they were fifty thousand years ago.
But for some reason…
"…"
While talking with Brian, Fu Hua felt a part of her body trembling, as if encountering a natural enemy.
Yet, the man beside her showed no signs of long-term training, his muscles weren't particularly strong, and he had no calluses on his hands.
He looked like a weakling who couldn't even truss a chicken, completely incomparable to a master of martial arts like herself who had been tempered through a thousand trials.
How could such a frail-looking person possibly harm her and make her feel as if she had encountered a natural enemy?
She was probably overthinking it.
Fu Hua suppressed the impulse in her body. "Thank you for your cooperation today."
"You're too kind. This is a matter for all of us."
For some reason, Fu Hua had a strong urge to leave. "Regardless, if it weren't for your help, we would have had a very difficult time dealing with the Herrscher of Corruption here."
"When you have time later, please allow me to express my gratitude."
Her tone was stiff and direct.
An increase in experience does not necessarily lead to mental growth. Fu Hua's personality had not changed in fifty thousand years.
She still needed to go to Nagazora to confirm a few things, so she wouldn't stay long for now. "I'll take my leave."
For some reason, her departing figure seemed to be scurrying away.
It gave off a very flustered impression.
However, this had nothing to do with Brian.
To be honest, Fu Hua herself wasn't his type.
She was as flat as a runway, with a chest smaller than his own pecs. No chest, no butt, not an ounce of meat. She wasn't even as well-developed as the current Bronya.
The only thing worth a look was probably her extremely straitlaced personality.
If someone were to get a hold of some leverage on her, it would surely lead to the classic drama of the Calabash Brothers saving their grandpa, sending themselves to her bed one by one.
That being said, Brian had no plans to put this idea into practice.
Fu Hua's leverage was obvious, and it wouldn't be right to needlessly ruin other beautiful girls by turning them into housewives.
He might as well see what changes would occur in this dream world after defeating Lady Higokumaru.
[Final Boss Herrscher of Corruption successfully defeated. The next area can be unlocked.]
[Please Choose]
[Werewolf: Succubus] [Dark Duel] [King's Game] [Truth or Dare] [Elysian Realm 3RB] [Random]
"Hiss—!"
Brian sucked in a sharp breath of cold air, making an outstanding contribution to global warming.
"…"
How to choose?
Although he was a not-so-proper Inner World Protagonist, he was an upright person with a proper style, and he considered himself a proper man.
These options, on the other hand, looked full of impropriety, likely to turn those beautiful girls into cream puffs on his assembly line.
His little head told him to choose one of the first few, while his big head told him to be rational.
The pain! It's too painful!
Might as well go random.
[Unlocked area has been selected.]
The fog at the edge of the dreamscape swirled, as if something was brewing behind it.
It seemed the evolution of the dream world would take some time. For now, he didn't need to be here, and the Herrscher of the Void wouldn't have to be so miserable.
Brian exited the dream world, not knowing what it would look like the next time he came here.
…
In the real world, everything was proceeding as planned.
"Class, starting today, these four will be studying with us."
"Let's give them a warm welcome!"
The applause was enthusiastic. Old Master Brian, who had nearly become a doorman, was arranged by Theresa to be a transfer student, joining the three girls as students of St. Freya High School.
Without a doubt, the rather handsome Brian became the absolute focus of the classroom the moment he appeared.
These students of St. Freya High School were youthful and beautiful. Although not as exquisite and lovely as the three girls, they each had their own charm.
And they were at the age where their hearts were easily stirred.
Pairs of eyes held various kinds of eagerness, like a pack of wolves circling their prey.
It wasn't that there were no males at St. Freya High School. Although all the students were female, there were still some male staff members.
But a boy so outstanding in looks and temperament that one couldn't help but want to lick him, like a human aphrodisiac… they had never seen one before!
Raiden Mei couldn't help but lean closer to her boyfriend.
Declaring sovereignty!
You bitches, don't even think about stealing my cream!
Before they had even integrated into the class, the tension was already palpable.
Seeing this, Murata Himeko's expression was a bit awkward, but she had to fulfill her duty as the class teacher and smooth things over.
"It seems everyone is very curious about the only boy among us."
"But I'll have to give you a friendly reminder. Our Far East Branch does not have a gynecology department. If you get yourselves knocked up, we won't be able to handle it."
The words were a bit blunt, but they effectively curbed the female students' impulses.
A moment of impulse is a moment of pleasure, but becoming a mother for a moment of pleasure was not a pleasant topic.
They just wanted to have some fun, not to add a burden to their lives.
Afterward, the four introduced themselves and, under Murata Himeko's arrangement, found some seats at the back of the classroom.
During the break, Brian's seat was completely surrounded by the scent of powder and perfume. Even with all her might, Raiden Mei couldn't stop these swarming bees and butterflies from approaching.
She regretted it!
She should have just locked her beloved man in the basement.
If she had made him a star-slave full of starry passion, he wouldn't be attracting bees and butterflies like a blooming flower.
But such a measure was something she could only think about.
Raiden Mei knew full well that with her personality and style, she could never do such a thing. If it were to be done, it would have to be the other self in her body.
But if she really did that, breaking the wings that could have flown to the sky, it would be far too cold and heartless.
With these vexing thoughts, even Raiden Mei had to admit that having him receive Valkyrie training with her at St. Freya High School was the best solution.
As for whether they would get someone pregnant…
"…"
The girl lowered her gaze to her boyfriend's belt.
If this place were a little tighter, she would have a lot fewer worries.
The swarm of bees and butterflies came quickly and left just as quickly.
After all, St. Freya High School was no ordinary school. Under Murata Himeko's hellish training, the other students soon lost their romantic inclinations.
The cream might not be theirs, but getting beaten up on the training grounds was definitely on the menu.
In combat class, Kiana finally remembered that someone was missing today. "Where's the class president? I haven't seen her all day."
Brian: "She went to Nagazora City. There are some things she needs to investigate."
Nagazora City.
This keyword made the other two girls' eyes flicker.
Bronya thought of her adoptive mother. Last time, if Cocolia hadn't hidden quickly and if Schicksal hadn't intended to sweep the board, her adoptive mother with the perverted figure and muddled brain might have met her end.
She asked, "Is it because of Anti-Entropy?"
Raiden Mei thought of that unpleasant past, in which the name Cocolia was still present.
"No, it's because of some Old-timers from the Previous Era."
…
Nagazora City.
"Here we are. This is the most historic shrine in Nagazora City."
"Keep the change."
With a pinch of his two fingers, the middle-aged man knew that the amount of cash given far exceeded the fare for this trip.
He had really met a generous passenger this time.
He looked up and opened his mouth: "Sir, are you going to the Yae Shrine to pray for blessings?"
A voice came from within the high-collared windbreaker: "Yes, I heard that the older the shrine, the more effective it is in this regard."
The middle-aged driver said, "Then you've come to the right place."
"There is a Divine Tree in this Yae Shrine, said to be a cherry blossom tree passed down from five hundred years ago. They say it's very effective for matters of marriage."
"I'll take your word for it."
Passing through the vermilion Torii, past pilgrims who were either single or in pairs.
A solitary Fu Hua walked into the Yae Shrine, all alone in this mortal world.
A shrine maiden, a shrine, a Divine Tree…
She knew very well what lay beneath the ground the moment she passed through the Torii.
It was just unexpected that the Twelfth Divine Key, whose whereabouts had long been unknown, would be here, and that it would have transformed a human into a Pseudo-Herrscher.
Fate is a trickster.
Knowing that this matter could not be rushed, Fu Hua dialed the communication line to the Schicksal Overseer's office: "Otto, I have confirmed the whereabouts of the Herrscher of Corruption."
Otto, who was in the middle of a showdown with the Far East Fox Demon: "…"
The blond, blue-eyed man was multitasking.
While pushing the final boss of "Kallen Fantasy" to the brink, he was also on the phone with Fu Hua: "My old friend, I think you might have used the wrong word."
The Herrscher of Corruption of this era was not due to appear yet, and the idea that the Herrscher of Corruption from the Previous Era was still alive was not funny.
As a man who had completed his Mechanical Ascension, Otto sincerely hoped this was just a joke Fu Hua was playing on him.
However…
"Otto, I'm not lying!"
The short gray-haired girl looked straight ahead, her cyan eyes filled with seriousness.
As everyone knew, she, Fu Hua, was a straightforward person.
She wouldn't speak of things she couldn't or wouldn't say, and once she spoke, she wouldn't lie.
She wasn't some inherently evil little Herrscher brat.
She knew this was undoubtedly bad news for Otto, but the reality was that a Herrscher was lying dormant under the ground of the Far East island nation. Even if it was hard to accept, this time bomb had to be dealt with.
Seeing this, even someone as cunning as Otto couldn't help but feel a little more serious.
"I think you should explain the whole story to me in detail, our Celestial."
"I will."
After a lengthy explanation, Otto finally understood the cause and effect.
A mysterious dream world had appeared in the Far East Branch, giving her a revelation. Following this clue, she searched all over Nagazora City and found the location of the Herrscher of Corruption.
Putting aside what the dream world was for now.
The fact that it was the Herrscher of Corruption, not the Twelfth Divine Key, was very important.
"The Herrscher of Corruption's life form is unlike any previous Herrscher; it has no physical form. It is currently being constrained by the Twelfth Divine Key's forging device and cannot exert its full power."
"According to my detection, the Herrscher of Corruption is currently entangled with a Pseudo-Herrscher, intending to control her body."
Hearing this, Otto realized a key point: "Celestial, this Twelfth Divine Key forging device you speak of, is it a cube made of Soulium?"
Fu Hua nodded in confirmation: "That's right."
Then all the information matched up.
In the blond man's green eyes, static images appeared one after another, filled with the air of history.
There was him, there was Kallen, and there were the weapon experiments conducted by the old Schicksal in that era.
At that moment, the multitasking Otto completed another run of "Kallen Fantasy," and several large, bold letters popped up on the computer screen.
WIN!!!
He said, "It seems this Herrscher of Corruption is an old friend of our Schicksal."
"What do you mean?"
Fu Hua was puzzled.
Otto replied: "After Schicksal's eastern expedition failed, the old Schicksal organization, in addition to issuing indulgences to reap wealth, was also developing and experimenting with weapons, intending to develop a powerful Honkai energy weapon that could conquer the Ming Dynasty."
Fu Hua was a participant in the first half of this history.
The expeditionary army of Schicksal clashed with the forces of the Ming Dynasty on the battlefield. She entered the fray after the Schicksal army used Honkai energy weapons, thwarting old Schicksal's ambition.
It was just unexpected…
"Old Schicksal's technology for developing Honkai energy weapons came from the Twelfth Divine Key?"
"That's right."
Otto chuckled, mocking the ignorance of those long dead. "They intended to channel its power, intending to develop a weapon that could defeat you, defeat the Ming Dynasty."
"And because of this, they caused a plague five hundred years ago that swept through all of Europe."
In his youth, for the sake of Kallen's smile, he developed a specific cure for the Black Death.
Thinking back now, the extreme contagiousness and lethality of the Black Death could only have come from the power of a Herrscher.
The man awoke from his memories. "After a series of unpleasant experiences, my saintess left with a box, and until the day she died, no one knew where that box went."
"Thinking about it now…"
Otto raised his hand and covered his face.
The lips on the lower half of his face revealed a bitter smile, a true reflection of his inner emotions.
Otto Apocalypse… you have once again failed to live up to Kallen's expectations!
"Back then, Kallen had actually already told me its location."
Before Kallen was executed, Otto had several conversations with her.
He learned of all Kallen's experiences after leaving Schicksal, felt her disappointment after seeing the ruins of Mount Taixuan, and listened to her talk about the importance of that woman named Yae Sakura.
Kallen repeated her unpleasant but memorable experiences with Yae Sakura over and over.
Five hundred years ago, he thought this was because Kallen had fallen in love with that hateful Far East Fox Demon.
But thinking about it now…
"She wanted me to go to that place and eliminate this hidden danger."
Since it was a request from his saintess, he would definitely fulfill this promise that was five hundred years late!
Only Kallen was non-negotiable!
"Celestial, what do you plan to do?"
Flames burned within the cold Soulium shell, but Otto's thoughts were exceptionally rational.
His Mechanical Ascension meant he was at a disadvantage against the Herrscher of Corruption. Let alone participating in the operation, he didn't even have the right to go to Nagazora City to observe.
Fu Hua said: "I have a plan, with a certain degree of confidence that I can eliminate this threat."
"How much?"
"Forty percent."
"That's enough!"
This was a battle for the life and death of the world; there was no such thing as a one hundred percent certainty.
During the Second Honkai Eruption in 2000, Otto didn't even have a twenty percent chance.
A full forty percent confidence was enough!
"Celestial, from now on, Schicksal will unconditionally cooperate with all your actions in the Far East island nation. Please command us as you see fit."
"A pleasure working with you."
…