In an endless space, a platinum dais stood tall.
Looking up, above was a dark, profound, and boundless ocean, where every bubble was a world.
Looking down, below was a bizarre, inverted gigantic tree, where every leaf was a world.
Stairs extended endlessly upward, leading to the platinum dais, upon which sat a platinum throne.
Perhaps, rather than a throne, it was more fitting to call it a divine seat.
An existence sat quietly upon the divine seat. His eyes were closed, as if he were fast asleep.
However, he had not a shred of breath.
Like a dead man.
No, perhaps it was uncertain whether this existence could even be called human.
Golden hair reached his waist, but every strand radiated a strange aura; it didn't look like hair, but rather like smooth, glistening, eldritch tentacles.
His skin was fair. The left half of his body flickered with a holy light, as if capable of purging all filth.
But the right half of his body flowed with patterns of evil intent, as if slime were writhing beneath the skin.
Angel on the left, Devil on the right.
Yet, this was an exceptionally handsome man.
His slender, elongated body was clad in a set of white and gold Overseer robes. But strangely enough, while his left foot wore a magnificent boot, his right foot was bare.
Time seemed to have stagnated in this space.
However, ripples eventually disturbed the stillness.
The light retracted, the strangeness faded, and emerald eyes slowly opened.
He opened his eyes and gazed at this bizarre space.
Then, he tilted his head.
"Where is this?"
The man named Otto Apocalypse asked with a bewildered look on his face.
Amidst his confusion, he lowered his head to look at his body, and the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.
The new body rewarded by the System had arrived.
"Feels good."
Otto raised his hand, looking at his long, fair fingers. Although he had no use for 'Thumbelina' hand-play, he didn't like being disabled.
He was in a pleasant mood, not just because he finally possessed a body, but also due to the joy of having seized a portion of the Will of the Honkai's authority.
Now, there was only one thing left to worry about.
That is, was there any reproductive isolation between Valkyries and himself?
Forget it, empty speculation is useless. True knowledge comes from practice.
Truth is found through the application of the rod.
"System, where is this? How do I get back?"
Otto looked at the space in confusion. He had asked the System how his new body would be delivered, and the System had told him that his soul would be directly transferred into the new vessel.
That was why Otto had dared to be so reckless in Nagazora City, even staging a dramatic parting of life and death with Mei at the end.
Otto was now very much looking forward to his reunion with Mei.
[OTTO System Upgrade Mission]
[Mission Content: Usurp the Authority of the Will of the Honkai]
[Mission Status: Completed]
[Mission Reward: OTTO System officially upgraded to Version 1.0]
[OTTO System upgrading...]
[Mission System temporarily frozen.]
Seeing this screen appear on the System panel, Otto remembered this mission. At the time, he hadn't thought he could actually usurp the Will of the Honkai's authority.
But now, he held six Herrschers in his hand.
He was their Will of the Honkai.
[Host, you have done well.]
[Once the System update is complete, you will be able to use the System to exercise your authorities.]
The System's voice rang out. It seemed that even during the upgrade, the System could still speak.
"System, where is this place? How do I leave?"
Otto asked curiously.
The ocean overhead and the inverted giant tree below—this scene felt very bizarre to him.
However, he didn't think these were literally the Sea of Quanta and the Imaginary Tree. After all, the Sea and the Tree were concepts; just because they existed didn't mean they looked exactly like a tree and an ocean in this specific manifestation.
[This is the space where your body was preserved, Host. You only need to wait for the System upgrade to finish, and you will be able to leave.]
Is that so?
Otto wasn't in a hurry. He sat leisurely on the divine seat.
This big chair is actually quite comfortable. Should I get a replica made for Schicksal HQ?
However, curiosity got the better of him, and he asked:
"System, is there anything special about my new body?"
Otto touched his face. It was still the handsome face of the Overseer of Schicksal. He didn't mind; he had already decided to live on as Otto in the Honkai world.
I am now Otto Apocalypse.
The one and only Otto Apocalypse.
[Please explore by yourself, Host.]
"At least tell me, roughly what level is the physical strength of this body?"
"I don't need it to be Kevin-level, but something comparable to Fu Hua would be fine."
Otto said with a smile.
[Please explore by yourself, Host.]
"Fine."
Otto didn't ask further. This System, aside from playing dead, was just a repeater. Still, he was very satisfied with this new body; he felt remarkably light at heart.
Moreover, the clothes on his body fit perfectly. Even the shoes were a perfect match.
Eh?
Otto suddenly noticed something wrong.
Why am I only wearing a shoe on my left foot?
"System, aren't you cutting too many corners? I only have one shoe? Don't tell me this is some kind of special performance art."
"I'm not asking for much, but you could at least give me a pair of shoes."
Otto said grumpily. This System always liked to throw him curveballs in strange places.
But then, he suddenly felt as if he was stepping on something.
Otto looked down and lifted his right foot. Beneath it lay a lock of... green hair.
No, it was a bundle of hair.
Otto bent down and picked up the lock of green hair. He almost thought this was a special 'Green Version' for an Otto suffering from an ominous old age.
But why was this hair under my foot?
Then, following his gaze downward, Otto discovered a symbol drawn on the first step of the stairs right in front of him.
"8?"
[...]
[That is ∞. It symbolizes infinity.]
"Oh." Otto nodded. "Then what is this hair?"
Otto fiddled with the bundle of green hair in his hand. The hair quality was nice, and it had a bit of a natural curl. Although there was no lingering scent, Otto felt this was likely a girl's hair.
And very likely a beautiful girl.
[Someone accidentally entered this space.]
The System was silent for a moment before answering.
[Then, she discovered your body.]
Oh? So this body wasn't created by you on the spot, System?
From the System's words, Otto deduced this fact.
[She carved her mark upon the first step beneath your feet and knelt before the divine seat to kiss your toes.]
[Then, using her hair in place of her head, she placed it beneath your foot, symbolizing her willingness to submit to you.]
[And finally, when she left, she took one of your shoes with her.]
The System recounted what had happened to Otto, while Otto continued to play with the long green hair in his hand.
"But why would she do that?"
[Perhaps, she thought she had met a God.]
People worshipping gods was a very normal occurrence.
Otto placed the lock of green hair into his pocket. He stared at the symbol on the stairs, and then slowly spoke.
"Or perhaps... it was because she thought she had met a human capable of rivaling the gods."
Otto closed his eyes.
"Heh."
"Does she take me for Cinderella?"