The pressure in the air was suffocating.
Yet the blue-haired Girl stepped forward with a gentle smile, her voice soft and composed:
"Hello everyone. Let me reintroduce myself."
"I am Xingyue, a Planetary-Level Honkai Beast… and the End's companion."
"What?"
Welt's breath caught. Cold sweat trickled down his temple.
The End's… companion?
It explained everything—the overwhelming power, the impossible control over Judgment-class Honkai Beasts, the aura that dwarfed even Sirin's.
Xingyue turned to Welt, her smile serene.
"Whether you believe it or not is up to you. The facts are already before your eyes."
"Oh, and by the way—my authority is omniscience and omnipotence. I know everything that happens in this world."
Her eyes flicked sideways, a glint of mischief flashing.
It was a lie. Or rather, a half-truth.
A lie wrapped in truth was always easier to swallow.
Just as she expected, Welt's expression shifted. It all made sense now—how she knew their names, abilities, histories.
What a terrifying ability…
Even without that claim, the sheer pressure of her presence—twenty times stronger than the Herrscher of the Void—was enough to crush hope.
If this was just her… what chance did humanity have against the End?
For the first time, Welt felt true despair.
And he didn't even know she was only at half strength.
Otto, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes, resting his chin on his hand.
Why reveal her power so openly? Arrogance? Or deception?
He didn't fully trust her words—but he didn't dismiss them either.
"Your Excellency," Otto said calmly, "you didn't summon us just to introduce yourself, did you?"
"If you wished, none of us could withstand even a single move."
Otto's voice was steady, fearless.
Welt, though composed, couldn't hide his instinctive dread.
Theresa was already collapsed, drenched in sweat, unable to speak.
Sirin, still reeling from the energy blast, lay sprawled on the ground, her powers suppressed.
Durandal, however, remained clear-headed. She felt a strange affinity with Xingyue's power.
Adjusting her golden hair, she echoed Otto's question.
"You didn't gather us just to hear my answer, did you?"
"Huh?"
Xingyue vanished in a blur, reappearing before Durandal in 0.01 seconds.
She pinched Durandal's nose playfully.
"Why can't I just listen to your answer, silly DuDu?"
"Ouch, ouch~"
Durandal winced, unable to resist.
Xingyue sighed and released her.
"You're right. I did have other reasons."
She raised three fingers.
"I have a few conditions."
"Conditions?" Welt asked.
"Exactly. Terms for our peaceful coexistence."
Her tone turned serious.
"First: Whether Schicksal or Anti-Entropy—if you see me or my friends, you take a detour. No conflict."
Both leaders nodded. She wasn't trying to destroy the world—there was no need to provoke her.
"Second: My operating funds in the human world will be provided by both of you."
"No problem."
Otto and Welt exchanged glances, then tossed her two cards.
"Each contains substantial funds. Spend freely."
"Third—and most important: No one speaks of what happened today. If you do…"
Her tone darkened.
"We agree," Otto said quickly.
Welt nodded. Even without the threat, they would've kept silent.
Otto hesitated, then asked:
"Miss Xingyue, we've accepted your terms. Could you perhaps…"
"No, no."
She waved her hand, holding her forehead.
"Otto, I know what you want—resurrecting Kallen. But I can't do that. Even if I did, she wouldn't be Kallen. Just a copy with her memories."
Otto fell silent.
He wasn't disappointed—he was used to disappointment.
But the fact that she knew his thoughts? That made her words 80% more credible.
Welt stepped forward.
"Then I have one question."
"You, a Honkai Beast—why do you possess complete humanity?"
Xingyue paused, then smiled playfully.
"So that's it. Trying to extract intel, are you?"
"But I like your style."
She didn't refuse.
"Because… I used to be human."
"What?"
The revelation hit like a thunderclap.
She continued, unfazed.
"That's why I say you're short-sighted. If Herrschers can evolve from humans, why not Honkai Beasts?"
It sounded logical—but something felt off.
Even Bella seemed confused.
"But I became a Honkai Beast voluntarily."
"Huh?"
Theresa's jaw dropped.
Xingyue laughed, proud.
"That day, I realized—humans are fragile. Limited."
"The more you scheme, the more likely it is to collapse from the unexpected."
Otto blinked.
Was she talking about me?
She didn't notice his reaction.
"One must become something beyond human."
She paused.
Then, with a deep breath, she shouted:
"So I'm not going to be human anymore, Welt~!"