On the other side of the screen, within the headquarters of the Pre-Civilization Era's Fire Moth, the elites witnessed the tragedy of Kiana Kaslana in the video, their breaths catching in their throats and ripples of shock washing over their hearts.
They all saw, in unison, how the story would unfold with unimaginable cruelty. Dr. ME sighed softly, her eyes brimming with a profound understanding of human nature.
“The collapse of emotions is often the catalyst for the birth of a Herrscher. The emotional trauma Kiana has endured is so profound, it's possible the Herrscher she will become will possess unimaginable power.”
Hua nodded in agreement, a slight tremor in her voice. “Even through this screen, I can feel the terrifying power of the ‘End’… It’s suffocatingly strong.”
Su’s gaze was deep as he pondered for a moment before asking, “Can our counterparts in that world stop this rampaging ‘End Herrscher’?”
Mebius seemed unfazed, her voice devoid of emotion.
“The chances are slim. At least among the characters we know now, few can stand against it.
But… we can still evolve.
The Fusion Warrior, ‘Thought of Collapse,’ is proof of that!”
Amidst this somber atmosphere, however, Ai-chan posed a completely different question. Her voice was gentle yet firm.
“While the ‘End’ is undeniably powerful… are we being a little too pessimistic?
Can the blossoms of humanity truly not surpass the cruel will of ‘Honkai’?
Perhaps, it is precisely these seemingly insignificant emotions and hopes that could become our last hope.”
Their eyes focused back on the screen. After listening to Cocolia’s hammer blow of truth, Kiana felt as though all her energy was drained. Her emotions instantly crumbled. This truth was too heavy, too cruel, far beyond the capacity of her young shoulders. Especially learning that she was indirectly responsible, she was plunged into endless self-recrimination and despair.
The rational defenses in her heart collapsed, replaced by a tidal wave of fear, panic, and grief. Her voice trembled, almost unable to form words, each syllable squeezed out between her teeth, laced with helplessness and denial.
“No, it can’t be. It wasn’t me who killed Dad.
How is that possible?
I don’t believe it!!!”
She tried to grasp any shred of hope, telling herself it was a nightmare, an illusion she could wake up from, or a huge misunderstanding.
But reality, like a cold blade, mercilessly sliced through all her illusions and escapes. The truth stood as firm as iron, leaving her nowhere to hide.
Her heart, at this moment, was shattered beyond repair.
…
Kiana was currently engaged in a battle within herself, constantly denying the unbearable truth. Yet, this persistent denial was, ironically, a subtle proof of her subconscious acceptance of reality. It was as if she was using this method to find a small space to breathe for her fragmented heart, trying to alleviate the overwhelming pain that threatened to consume her.
But evasion was just evasion. It couldn’t erase the existence of the facts, nor could it heal the wounds within.
…
At this moment, Cocolia's voice echoed again, like a razor slicing through the heart…
“Hahaha, the evidence is clear, you can accept the power of a Herrscher core!
This means you are the vessel created by Schicksal to resurrect the Second Herrscher. You are the (god) who will destroy the world.”
…
Faced with Cocolia's declaration of being the "god" who would destroy the world, Kiana's spirit experienced an unprecedented shock. The belief she had long held—fighting to save others—was now ruthlessly overturned.
She finally discovered… that she was burdened with the fate of destroying human civilization.
…
Her heart, the place once filled with hope, was now a desolate wasteland, shattered beyond repair.
Belief, the source of strength that had supported her through countless trials, seemed to become ethereal, devoid of its former vibrancy.
Hope, the light that had illuminated her path forward, also dimmed under this sudden blow.
Courage, the weapon that had allowed her to face any challenge or difficulty, now seemed so powerless.
“No!!! No!!! No!!! No!!!”
Kiana, facing Cocolia's accusation and the rampant Honkai energy within her, plunged into an unprecedented abyss of despair.
And the uncontrolled surge of Honkai energy within her pushed this despair to its limit. This energy was unimaginably powerful. Even Kevin, who had faced countless Honkai in the past, could barely match it in his ‘Collapse’ state.
It was as Cocolia had said… It was a slumbering ‘God of Destruction,’ and it was gradually waking up, ready to drag the entire world into an abyss of destruction… the ‘End Herrscher’!!!