Of course, the disaster did indeed arrive not long after.
Black mist assaulted everyone in the city without warning.
Like a venomous snake, silent yet utterly lethal…
At first, no one paid it any mind—until the first pedestrian touched by the mist suddenly froze, spiderweb-like black patterns surfacing beneath their skin…
Then they crumbled like a sandcastle, without even time to scream.
It was as if their souls had been devoured by something, before they dissolved…
Like smoke or mist carried by the wind, vanishing without a trace…
The bustling streets fell deathly silent in an instant.
Strangely… some of these "people" slowly clambered to their feet afterwards, gathering and moving towards a certain direction.
As if summoned by something…
That was the final footage transmitted from within the city.
In that footage, there was also a young girl walking slowly through the city, surrounded by zombies—perhaps a few, perhaps many more.
That girl strolling through death wore a tattered dress, and wherever she went, even the buildings began to rot and crumble.
MOTH swiftly responded… Without a doubt, this was the Sixth Herrscher.
Her ability seemed to be that black mist which dissolved matter…
This was also an exceedingly difficult power to counter.
It demanded immediate countermeasures from them.
Otherwise, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Mei was the first to conceive of a solution.
Protective gear made from nanomachines—the earliest concept originated from Vill-V. She had once discussed with Mei the idea of forging Herrscher Cores into weapons.
She had pointed out that to withstand excessive Honkai energy, even the most advanced materials currently developed by humanity lacked sufficient resistance to Honkai erosion.
Thus, a shift in thinking: using self-regenerating nanomachines…
This was the genesis of what would become Divine Key material… though the completion of the actual Divine Keys would come later.
Returning to the present, while a solution had been found, only a few sets of this protective gear could be produced in a short time.
Deploying it across several Anti-Honkai squads would require time—precisely what they were most short on.
The command center lapsed into brief silence.
Kevin broke the silence. "I'll lead the first team in."
His voice was frighteningly calm. "Once we locate the Herrscher's main body…"
Mei instinctively wanted to object, but she knew this was the only choice…
For now, they could only wield their sharpest blades, take the risk, and strike straight for the heart… That was all they had…
…
Within the black mist-shrouded streets, several hours had passed since Kevin and his team set out.
They had probably found the Herrscher by now…
Two figures, one tall and one small, walked slowly through the streets, though this time it wasn't Vya following Elysia—it was Mobius…
Vya didn't know why Sister Mobius had brought her here, but Sister Mei and Brother Kevin seemed to be here too~ Maybe Sister Mobius just wanted to join in the excitement?
That was all Vya's innocent little mind could come up with.
The green-haired doctor was currently enveloped in a faint pink aura, something Mobius had specifically asked Vya to apply. Even though she had protective gear of her own, an extra layer of insurance never hurt.
After all, she was just a frail researcher now.
She did genuinely like pink, and with Elysia not around, she didn't need to act all awkward about it.
As long as Vya didn't tell Elysia… but why would Vya ever tell?
Observing the black mist and the objects it dissolved, Mobius mused inwardly, 'What a fascinating ability.'
"It's so dark here… Sister Mobius, why did we come here?"
"To watch the show."
Mobius stated plainly.
"Watch what show?"
"You'll see in a bit."
"Oh…"
Vya didn't ask further, continuing her cheerful stroll. This level of black mist posed no threat to her whatsoever.
It was just that the surrounding darkness wasn't very pretty…
Leaving aside how Mobius slipped out… perhaps she just walked out openly.
But when Mobius left, she had decided to bring a certain Vya along.
Because… it was convenient, and she wouldn't be bored alone.
She vaguely recalled the last time she took Vya out to gather materials; Vya had single-handedly pinned that 'Shesha' down, making it look easier than toying with a little bug.
Remembering this, a slight curve touched Mobius's lips…
It wasn't just a display of overwhelming power, but a suppression of life hierarchy itself.
So… having Vya by her side at least guaranteed her personal safety completely. Not only would ordinary Honkai beasts dare not approach, but higher-level ones would be directly suppressed.
Even a Herrscher… hah.
Just look at Vya's track record… Out of the five Herrschers who had perished so far, Vya alone—no, this single 'beast'—had dealt with two.
Mobius glanced sideways at Vya, growing fonder the more she looked…
"Wow, Vya sees Brother Kevin! Over there!"
Mobius was still thinking when Vya suddenly pointed ahead and spoke.
But ahead was just a building.
"Sister Mobius, let's go find Brother Kevin!"
Vya said happily.
"Wait, I've thought of a fun little game."
A dangerous light flickered in Mobius's eyes. She trusted Vya's words; Kevin was indeed likely ahead.
"A game? What is it?"
Vya was a bit puzzled.
"Vya, take me up to the top first."
Mobius pointed towards the rooftop.
"Oh, okay!"
Vya didn't ask why, just doing as told.
"Sister Mobius, let me carry you!"
It seemed Vya intended to carry Mobius up.
She spread her arms wide.
Seeing the little girl assume a princess-carry posture, Mobius's eye twitched. "…Is there no other way?"
Vya blinked her big eyes. "Vya can carry Sister on her back, but she might fall while flying…"
"…Never mind, this is fine."
Mobius sighed, stiffly allowing Vya to pick her up.
The little girl's arms were surprisingly strong, lifting her with ease.
She eventually resigned herself to it, though it was still a bit embarrassing…
At least no one else was around to see.
Being held in a little girl's arms was certainly a novel experience. Hmm… Mobius had somewhat forgotten when she was last carried like this…
…Oh right, that damned Elysia!
"Hold on tight, Sister! Vya's gonna fly!"
Vya cheered.
For a building several stories high, a single beat of Vya's wings was all it took.
She landed nimbly on the edge of the rooftop, carefully setting Mobius down. "We're here!"
Mobius smoothed her wind-tousled hair—such an experience was rare.
Walking forward and looking down, she could vaguely make out several shadowy figures below.
…
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