26. Fu Hua's Ball Invitation?
In the modern era, whenever human weaponry is mentioned, people first think of guns, artillery, and missiles.
Even when facing the Honkai, it's the same.
Although MOTH equips its soldiers with melee weapons, everyone still prefers using firearms. Melee weapons are merely backups for when close-quarters combat is unavoidable—though a few skilled martial artists enjoy using them.
While the exoskeletons have been updated through many generations, they aren't particularly agile. Using them to clash head-on with Honkai beasts is quite challenging, let alone dealing with a Herrscher.
But starting today, one person will change humanity's understanding of how to fight the Honkai.
Gaoqi, Mr. Zero.
No, it should be—MANTIS, Jörmungandr.
[Using Mobius's private plane, you evaded MOTH's surveillance and arrived on the battlefield against the Herrscher of Death.]
[You don't know much about the Previous Era's Herrscher of Death, only that Kevin hesitated because the Herrscher of Death still retained a trace of human will, leading to massive casualties.]
[Having once been the Herrscher of Death yourself, you understand its combat style very well—rather than one-on-one duels, the Herrscher of Death excels at large-scale annihilation of living things.]
[And the way to stop the Herrscher is very simple—beat her to death, don't give her a chance to erupt!]
[So, you activated the Authority of Death, remaining vigilant at all times against the Herrscher of Death's abilities.]
[And the moment she activated her power, you, for the first time, used the power of a MANTIS!]
Overbearing, powerful, ferocious!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The man wearing a dark green mask pinned the Herrscher of Death to the ground, raining down deliberate, powerful punches on her while straddling her.
Jade-green and pitch-black light enveloped his fists. A low roar, reminiscent of a colossal beast, emanated from within his body. He showed no mercy, relentlessly bombarding the Herrscher of Death beneath him, completely overwhelming her.
He shattered her chest, broke her limbs, and pulverized her abdomen. And each time he did this, a green glow would appear on the Herrscher's body, healing the injuries, while a pitch-black light also emerged, attempting to corrode him in turn.
But the man merely snapped his fingers lightly, and the power on the Herrscher was easily suppressed.
Gao qi was in good form now, very good. The power of the Honkai beast surged within him—primitive, brutal, symbolizing pure destruction.
Those Honkai factors roared, trying to resist him, but they only made Gao qi stronger!
His breathing accelerated, his blood pumped, his muscles tightened, his heart raced. Gaoqi's metabolism sped up overall, and his physical fitness now far surpassed that of an ordinary person.
Over the past few months, Gao qi had been adapting to the MANTIS power with Dr. Mobius's help and was finally able to fight alone.
The Honkai energy contained within this Herrscher of Death was stronger than the incomplete Herrscher of the Void he had faced before, but Gao qi had also been enhanced by the MANTIS experiments; he was no longer someone relying solely on the Gem's power to fight for his life.
Moreover, after experiencing the feeling of having his power drained and his body breaking down due to the Serenity Gem, Gao qi felt that the Honkai beast factors within him weren't that formidable after all; he could suppress them easily.
Furthermore, Gao qi's Authority of Death was suppressing the Herrscher of Death's authority. Thanks to his rich experience, his suppression of this Herrscher, as a former Herrscher himself, was absolute!
"How is this possible... you are also Death... How can you—"
The Herrscher struggled in confusion. She couldn't understand why a second Herrscher of Death would appear—shouldn't they be comrades?
"That's not the same. I've already resigned, while you were forcibly employed by the Will of the Honkai. You're just another victim, little girl. Rest in peace."
With a continuous barrage of blows, Gao qi gave the Herrscher no chance to repair herself. He could feel the Herrscher's aura beneath him growing weaker and weaker.
Boom—
Another merciless heavy blow. Gao qi delivered a powerful kick, sending the now powerless Herrscher flying towards Kevin, who had just snapped back to reality.
"Alright, Mr. Kevin, do what you must—remember, with respect and regret, grant her a human death. Hold onto the anger and despair she looked at you with, and take revenge upon the Honkai. That is the only thing you can do."
Nodding at the young warrior, Gao qi didn't want to hinder the growth of this future hero and powerhouse. He was still somewhat inexperienced now; only blood and fire could temper him into the true "Savior."
It would take Kevin to slash the Herrscher of the End into a half-day shutdown. Only he could do that.
"Phew—"
Bang, bang, bang!
This time, Kevin didn't hesitate. He drew his pistol and fired several shots into the Herrscher's head, followed by additional shots into the heart, confirming her death.
"Dammit, I almost made a grave mistake. Thank you for your decisiveness, sir. You saved my comrades and the millions of people in the city."
The Honkai energy reading on his wrist monitor slowly decreased. Kevin let out a long sigh as exhaustion washed over him.
However, just as he reached out his hand to express sincere respect to this unknown warrior, Gao qi shook his head.
"That's not right, Mr. Kevin. A leader shouldn't act like this."
Arriving at the side of the dying Herrscher, Gao Qi closed her eyes, then abruptly thrust his hand into her chest, retrieving a twisted blue-black crystal and placing it into a box—the Herrscher Core.
Then, he took a deep breath, the pores all over his body opening wide as he drew all the Honkai energy belonging to the Herrscher of Death from her remains into his body as a MANTIS. The Herrscher's Stigmata of Death vanished, only to reappear on Gao Qi's chest.
Only because he possessed the authority of the Herrscher of Death and the powerful physique of a MANTIS did he dare to do this.
The Herrscher Core was a gift for Dr. Mobius, while the Herrscher's energy was his own reward.
"Now, question which unit I belong to, doubt my intentions, scold me for disrupting your standard combat procedures, treat me as a threat and an unstable element, and point your guns—and those of your soldiers—at me. You must handle this by the book; that's what a qualified leader does."
Then, Gao Qi raised his hands toward Kevin, obediently like a prisoner awaiting handcuffs, a smile on his face.
"I'm not a leader, just a soldier. You're the one who saved everyone. You're the hero—Mr. Jörmungandr."
Kevin raised an eyebrow slightly in confusion but still followed his own instinct, grabbing Gao Qi's hand and giving it a firm shake.
Kevin didn't know that "World Serpent" would become the name of the organization he would establish in the future, but the name was always connected to Mobius anyway. So, Gao Qi using this name was quite fitting.
Just then, a tall, curvaceous, and playful-looking pink-haired girl quickly ran up to the rooftop, her tone excited.
"Wow, you did it, Kevin! That's amazing! Civilian casualties were surprisingly low this time. Great job! Phew, I thought it was going to be bad— Who's this? I feel like I've seen you somewhere before?"
Seeing the man in dark green combat armor wearing a mask, Elysia immediately waved at him politely while unable to resist taking a few extra glances at him.
For a moment, she felt this man seemed somewhat... familiar?
"Hey, beautiful lady, that's a rather outdated pick-up line— I'm honored to be approached by a lovely girl like you, but our Dr. Mobius might get jealous. I wouldn't want her to 'discipline' me with a little whip tonight."
Reaching out, Gao Qi pointed at the serpentine symbol on his mask, shaped like an infinity sign.
"Enough joking. Before we head back, allow me to introduce to you the new technology born from humanity's desperate struggle—the MANTIS Project."
[And just like that, you shone brilliantly in the battle against the Herrscher of Death. The heavy civilian casualties that would have resulted from Kevin's hesitation were avoided because of you.]
[Soldier casualties were extremely low. This rare major victory had the troops celebrating even before returning. You were even surrounded by the enthusiastic soldiers, tossed into the air again and again.]
[After the 6th Herrscher Eradication Operation, the term "MANTIS" once again entered the upper echelons of MOTH's view. While you were still on the return flight, you learned that the high council had immediately begun inquiries and reviews—or perhaps criticism and accusations—directed at Dr. Mei and Dr. Mobius.]
[Thus, you and Kevin, the men behind the two brilliant women, immediately headed back, ready to support your respective ladies.]
[However, just before you could enter the MOTH headquarters to attend the meeting, someone stopped you, inviting you to a victory banquet that evening—someone you couldn't refuse.]
"Hello, Mr.... Jörmungandr? To celebrate this victory, Miss Elysia and Captain Himeko are holding a dance. Would you grace us with your presence?"
Hearing that familiar voice—one he hadn't heard in what felt like decades—Gao Qi, who had just gotten off the plane and was about to rush to the meeting room, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Turning around, he saw a familiar figure.
Her gray hair was slightly shorter, no longer in braids, and the melancholy and vulnerability from their parting were gone from her face. The trials of war had made her gaze firmer.
Though a bit unpracticed, she still managed to put on a natural smile, enthusiastically inviting Gao Qi.
Fu Hua, one of the girls who constantly occupied Gao Qi's thoughts, had reunited with him within the simulation system.
But Gao Qi felt that the girl before him was no longer his obedient little sister.
After all, this time, he was a warrior belonging to the Serpent.
"As you wish, Miss Fu Hua. I will prepare formal attire for the dance."
Bowing slightly to Fu Hua and accepting her invitation, Gao Qi then broke into a jog, quickly leaving the spot.
"But a dance... Maybe it's time to let Dr. Mobius and the others get some fresh air?"
Another mischievous idea popped into Gao Qi's mind.
"How strange..."
Watching the powerful warrior quickly depart, Fu Hua, though unable to see his face clearly, vaguely felt that he seemed... familiar.
"Don't be silly, Fu Hua. Brother Qi is gone. You have to be strong. You can't see him in everyone who reminds you of him. That's not what he would have wanted you to become."
Taking a deep breath, Fu Hua patted her cheeks, forced out a smile, turned around, and walked toward Captain Himeko, who was waving at her.
Brother Gao Qi was gone, but she would live with the same optimism and cheerfulness he had, and live well!
"Tonight, I'm definitely going to enjoy the dance!"
And tonight's dance... was destined to be exceptionally lively.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?