"Hmph~"
"I don't love you anymore, Ryu."
"You only know how to bully the pure and flawless 'Miss Pink Elf♪'."
Elysia tilted her small face up, humming softly through her nose, her cheeks puffed out like an angry pufferfish.
She spoke cruel words, but her eyes were full of a sly smile.
Ryuga raised his finger and poked Elysia's soft cheek.
Elysia didn't dodge, she just stomped her foot angrily.
"Hmph~, Ryu, you're mean, you only know how to bully me, and I finally managed to locate Vill-V's hiding place!"
"Then, I'll reward you with a kiss."
Ryuga pointed to his cheek.
"Pah! Never!"
Elysia spat, quickly turning her head away, a blush creeping up her ear tips.
Her eyes darted, and her moist gaze stole a glance at Ryuga.
Longing had already wrapped around her heart.
Then, she took a playful step forward, suddenly stood on her tiptoes, and quickly leaned in to kiss Ryuga's cheek.
Just then, Ryuga suddenly turned his face with a mischievous smile.
Elysia wanted to retreat, but it was too late.
"Mmm~"
Her slender waist was embraced by Ryuga.
Her moist, glossy lips were bitten by the shameless little thief.
"Mmm..."
Elysia struggled symbolically for a moment, but finally softened in his arms.
Until—
Buzz.
Next to them, another stone archway slowly opened.
Skirk walked in, just in time to see the scene before her.
She paused, blinked, and then, composed, crossed her arms and teased them.
"Oh~, my apologies, it seems I've come at a bad time."
"No, you've come at the perfect time."
Elysia abruptly pushed Ryuga away, her cheeks flushed crimson.
Her already not-so-smart little brain was even dizzier now.
Skirk looked at Elysia: Sure enough, she was taken down.
Elysia was also looking at Skirk.
In reality, this was the first time the two had met.
"Wow~, so Skirk, you're a 'White-Haired Fish Girl'?"
Elysia's beautiful eyes sparkled, like stars.
Looking at her eager excitement, she was just about to reach out and touch Skirk's 'fin'.
(The Horn-Touching Maniac.)
Ryuga was also sizing up Skirk.
She had a small fin on the left side of her back, and her body had many 'fish' characteristics.
It was unclear if this was a trait of her race, or if it was shaped and mimicked using the power of the Abyss.
Hysilens would be ecstatic.
"Let me formally introduce you, Elysia."
"Skirk."
As expected of the 'Snowy Mountain Qingxin Melon', she was a woman of few words.
The two simply shook hands.
"So, what's the plan now?"
As she spoke, Skirk's brow unconsciously furrowed.
She tilted her head slightly, sniffing the subtle, almost imperceptible 'abnormality' in the air.
Sure enough, a kind of aggressive energy that ordinary people couldn't detect was spreading.
Skirk held her breath, her eyes narrowing slightly.
She felt that the 'Honkai' energy in Elysia's world was somewhat similar to the power of the Abyss.
However, it seemed to be much more violent.
"That's not urgent."
Elysia waved her hand, curiously looking Skirk up and down.
Skirk: "..."
Your world is going to have a Great Honkai in 48 hours, and you were frantically calling for people in the group, but now you're not in a hurry?
"Your 'stockings' and 'sleeves' are so beautiful, they sparkle like the starry sky."
Saying this, Elysia paused, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Hmm? Something seems off?"
She felt that the surging energy on Skirk was very similar to her own.
However, it seemed to be more violent.
"That is the power of the Abyss. It is dangerous and cunning. It can invade the ley lines and read the memories of the continent of Teyvat, thereby carrying out targeted destruction."
Ryuga explained.
Because Elysia is free and not constrained by the Honkai, her 'Honkai Energy' is much gentler than that of other Herrschers.
"Uh, it feels even more like the Honkai."
Elysia became even more curious.
"Also, Skirk's are not 'stockings' and 'sleeves'. Her limbs are condensed and constructed from the energy of the Abyss."
"They were broken and tormented by her master, Surtalogi, since she was a child."
"Wiping the blood from her face, cutting out the rotten flesh, mending the broken parts, and then swinging the sword again, until they broke again."
"He just kept tormenting her, relying on the fact that the Abyss could repair her."
"The Knight of Extreme Evil, the name is as it sounds: 'Evil'."
Ryuga shook his head and sighed.
Skirk's hands and legs weren't completely gone. They were a hybrid version, made of her original flesh and blood, plus bone and the power of the Abyss.
It was somewhat similar to the state of early cyberpunk, half-modified and half-original body.
"..."
Skirk looked directly at Ryuga. He was indeed mysterious enough.
He even knew about her master.
"How, how cruel. Is that even a master?"
Elysia covered her small mouth with one hand, her beautiful eyes wide open.
"Only a handful of people are crowned with the name 'Extreme Evil'. My master has indeed done many unrighteous things. Though he came from a knightly background, he betrayed the spirit of knighthood."
"He doesn't act to satisfy a simple emotion, but to make himself more complete. This is the reason for his strength, and also his danger."
Skirk didn't want to talk too much about her master.
It was clear that Ryuga didn't like her master.
"Didn't he just seek a single defeat? I'll grant him that defeat when the time comes."
Ryuga also didn't want to talk about Surtalogi. At this stage, he could probably fight him to a draw.
Or, like Doctor Strange, trap the Knight of Extreme Evil until he died.
"Let's not talk about him. Is your body okay?"
Ryuga was a little worried.
After all, Skirk's limbs were shaped by the Abyss, and there was no 'Abyss' here.
"Before leaving, I went to the 'Abyss' for a recharge."
Skirk raised her index finger and flicked the butterfly-shaped 'Star Crystal Traveler's Outfit' pendant on her left earlobe. The pendant was glowing faintly.
That was the characteristic of being fully charged with energy.
"If the consumption isn't too great, there shouldn't be a problem."
"If there's danger, I'll immediately retreat back to Teyvat."
Ryuga remembered that this item was specially made by Skirk to store energy, to adapt to the thin Abyss energy environment of Teyvat.
The Honkai Impact 3rd world doesn't have the 'Abyss'. Although the Honkai is somewhat similar, it's not the same.
If she ran out of energy in Teyvat, she could retreat into the Abyss at any time.
She couldn't do that in Honkai Impact 3rd.
Fortunately, the group chat teleportation was very convenient, just a thought away. If Skirk's energy was truly depleted, she could retreat in time.
Ryuga wasn't worried about Skirk's strength.
The strength of a high-level Archon in Teyvat.
It was enough for the current stage of the Honkai Impact 3rd world.
It might not be enough when the later Herrschers, or the strongest on the surface, Kevin, appeared.
"Wait a minute, you didn't open the door in the Abyss, did you?"
Ryuga suddenly realized.
"Yes."
Skirk nodded.
Ryuga immediately gave her a thumbs-up: "A cautious approach."
If the Abyss power in the 'Star Crystal Traveler's Outfit' ran out, she could immediately use the group chat to go home, enter the Abyss, and instantly recharge.
Extremely stable.
"Ryuga, let's get started with the operation."
Elysia looked eager to try.
For half a year, she had been repeatedly playing games with Vill-V, testing and maneuvering like a cat and mouse.
Now, it had almost turned into a stubborn rivalry.
And today, it was finally time to close the net.
"Not so fast, first help me find someone."
Elysia tilted her head, curiously asking: "Who is it?"
"Fu Hua. No, she doesn't have a surname now, she's just called 'Hua'. She just came to Shenzhou City for school and should still be a first-year student."
"She knows martial arts."
"Also..."
Ryuga slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on Elysia's face, and he smiled.
"You, who once traveled the world, also went to Hua's hometown and learned a martial art: 'Archery', recommended by Hua's father."
The reason Elysia uses a bow and arrow as a weapon is not just for beauty, but also because it carries a beautiful memory from the past.
Elysia's pupils trembled slightly, and memories flooded back.
She blinked, then suddenly realized.
"Oh? Oh—, I know where that is. In that case, Ely has even met the young 'Hua'."
"Gray hair and blue eyes, right? I remember her diligently practicing her stance."
"Since she's an old acquaintance, I naturally can't ignore her."
Saying this, Elysia quickly pulled out her phone, tapped her finger on the screen, and contacted Dr. Einstein.
"Alright, just wait for the good news from the Doctor."
"My dear Ryu, you are truly mysterious. You even know everything about my childhood."
Elysia turned her head to look at Ryuga, smiling sweetly.
"Hehe~, I told you, I just mastered the power of time and destiny."
Ryuga told a small lie.
Then he raised his left hand, twisted his wrist slightly, and a golden, illusory clock face materialized.
In an instant, the atmosphere froze.
Elysia's gaze slightly paused, and Skirk also held her breath. Both felt a shock in their hearts.
...
"Well then, let's start the cat and mouse game."
"By the way, where is this?"
Ryuga finally looked around, only to see that they were in a rusty, mottled room.
"An abandoned shipyard in Shenzhou City."
Elysia pushed open the mottled window and pointed outside.
The sky was already dark, and the salty sea breeze, mixed with the smell of decay and rust, blew in.
What met their eyes were rusty, mottled ship hulls lying crisscrossed, and sea waves slapping against the barnacle-covered ship bottoms.
"Are you sure that Vill-V is hiding here?"
Skirk raised an eyebrow. What a strange hobby.
"My dear 'Snowy Qinxin Melon' Miss, are you doubting the pure and flawless Elysia?"
"..."
"Alright, no more teasing~, I've been investigating her for a long time."
Elysia had been playing a game of wits with her for half a year. Although she wasn't hunting her every day during this half-year, as she had to deal with the Honkai.
They had clashed four times, and each time, Vill-V managed to escape.
This time, she had to be cautious.
Because the Honkai concentration in Shenzhou City was also rising. If they didn't catch her soon, Vill-V would be in danger once the Great Honkai broke out.
Beep—
"Hmm? It seems Dr. Einstein found her."
"Is that her?"
Elysia handed over her phone. On it was a freshly recorded surveillance video.
A gray-haired girl in a blue, academy-style uniform and red-rimmed glasses, with a cold expression, walked out of the library with her backpack.
Coincidentally, she glanced at the camera.
Next to her was the lively, bouncing girl, Carole.
"Yes, that's her."
"Let's go. First, let's see what kind of stage this great showman has prepared for us, and then we'll take Hua away."
"Skirk, you stay here and watch the surroundings."
Ryuga instructed.
Skirk gave a cold nod, her figure flashing.
She leaped out of the window.
Tapping her toes lightly, she landed steadily on the watchtower after a few jumps, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
Ryuga and Elysia pushed open the door and walked out.
The ships were rusty, and walking on them made a series of 'creaking' sounds.
The two exchanged glances. It was obvious... they would definitely be discovered.
"No wonder she chose a place like this."
"It should be that ship."
"But I can't confirm her exact location."
Elysia pointed to a large ship opposite, based on the range locked by her instrument.
"Let's go. I know where she is."
Ryuga smiled.
After meeting Elysia, his 'shadow of time' had gone back one minute and searched the entire shipyard.
Naturally, he knew where she was and what she was doing.
For example...
Bang!
Ryuga suddenly raised his hand, flicking a small flame from his thumb towards the back, burning a miniature self-propelled robot the size of a thumbnail.
Plop, it fell to the ground.
"Eh!? When did another one get here?"
Elysia picked up the 'thumbnail robot' and examined it.
She had already dismantled a pocketful before coming. She was sure there were none left on the ship.
Unexpectedly, one had crawled over when she wasn't paying attention.
As expected of the talent Ryu values.
The precision was already beyond 99% of the engineers in the Fire Moth.
Her interest in Vill-V grew stronger.
"Let's go."
Ryuga held Elysia's hand, and their figures flickered, instantly appearing on the opposite ship.
...
"Oh~, she brought a helper?"
Inside a room on the large ship, Vill-V was staring at the remotely transmitted screen.
It suddenly crackled, and she knew that one of her 'thumbnail robots' had been scrapped again.
The indoor light dimmed even further.
"Hmph, enjoy the 'magic trick'."
Then, she continued slurping her instant noodles.
...
Just as the two boarded the ship, bang, a deep bullet hole was drilled right in front of them.
"Sniper rifle?"
Elysia was stunned, looking up.
She saw Vill-V on the watchtower, aiming a large sniper rifle at them.
"Good evening, you two. This large ship is my private territory, please go back."
Elysia frowned: "Strange, why would she, who is usually so slippery, suddenly show herself? And that voice..."
She felt that something was a little strange.
With Ryuga present, she didn't hide. A mere sniper rifle couldn't hurt her.
"Vill-V? I'm looking for Vill-V."
Ryuga looked up at the top of the tower.
"I have no interest in meeting the running dogs of the Fire Moth. Get lost!"
The night wind carried the voice from the top of the tower, cold, mechanical, and with a hint of mockery.
"I said, I'm looking for Vill-V."
"I said, get lost!"
As the voice fell, countless 'stars' suddenly lit up in the night sky, surrounding them densely.
The sky suddenly erupted with the rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire.
Bullets poured down like rain, showering them from all directions, from above, in a dense sweep towards Ryuga and Elysia.
Ryuga smiled.
Although he didn't know the reason, Vill-V wasn't aiming at him. It seemed she just wanted to drive them away.
Including the previous large sniper shot.
"..."
Elysia's pupils contracted slightly. Something is wrong, this is too wrong.
There were clearly no guns in the sky, yet bullets were frantically sweeping towards them from different angles, different heights, and different trajectories.
Even more bizarrely, the trajectories were constantly adjusting and changing direction.
He understood. The sky was fake, a holographic projection.
Shadow flames surged up at Ryuga's feet, firmly protecting the two of them.
Then, he raised his right hand, splitting off several dragon-like flames that roared out, rushing towards various parts of the broken ship.
The flames exploded.
Sizzle~
Elysia's vision blurred. The starry night sky suddenly flickered, and the projection screen malfunctioned.
Looking closely, it turned out to be a swarm of drones.
Each one was small and precise, covered with a dynamic holographic projection film, simulating the illusion of the night sky and stars in real-time.
The most impressive thing was that the projection would constantly adjust and change with the observer's perspective.
"How amazing."
Elysia praised.
When she looked again, Vill-V's figure was long gone from the watchtower.
"Was that also a simulation?"
"That's why she's called the Great Magician."
Ryuga raised his hand, and the flame pierced the ship's deck, irresistibly penetrating from top to bottom, all the way to the dark cabin at the bottom.
The two leaned over the hole and looked down.
"Good evening, Ms. Vill-V."
Below, a girl slurping noodles looked up at the two of them blankly.
Three seconds later, she put down her instant noodles and raised her hands.
"Let me say this first, I surrender."
To be continued…
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