Chat Group : Another Fate From Honkai

At present, the Void Power Nagami could control was not particularly strong—it was equivalent to Tier-0 in Honkai Impact 3rd.

However, if the Apocalypse Virus successfully evolved in the future, it could very well reach front-line strength in Honkai Impact 2.

More importantly, once evolved, it might break free from Nagami's Geass control altogether.

So, given the circumstances... what was the right choice?

"Trade, huh? I've got no problem with that."

Nagami's choice, naturally, was the second option.

Mutual benefit—that was the most stable form of mental control in the world.

No rational being would refuse a fair exchange.

It was far more elegant than something crude and unstable like Geass.

"Then, I'm going to ask first, what's your objective?"

"Answer: To consume Originium."

"What's your goal?"

"Answer: Evolution."

"Oh ho~ I thought as much." Nagami flashed a radiant, captivating smile.

Though his Alpha Stigma Eyes couldn't analyze the mysterious streak of violet-gold within the corrupted Originium, he could still infer the situation based on surrounding phenomena.

"Apocalypse," Nagami said, leaning back against a stack of pillows with a relaxed air, raising a finger as he explained cheerfully, "First off, let me make one thing clear—Originium doesn't belong to this world. It comes from another multiverse entirely."

The virus, controlling Inori's body, remained perfectly still, like a robot, gazing at the smiling boy.

Her amethyst eyes flickered subtly—suggesting a hive-mind-level discussion was taking place behind them.

"I may as well tell you this too: in this world, there are only two people capable of crossing between universes—me, and Inori Yuzuriha, whose body you've currently taken over."

He poked the girl's pale cheek with his raised finger.

Naturally, the Apocalypse Virus showed no reaction.

Technically, the virus was part of Inori's latent power.

When Inori used the chat group's item called Fated One, it also gained compatibility with all worlds.

However, Fated One was bound to Inori.

If the virus ever separated entirely from her—or if Mana Ouma and Inori were fully split—it would lose this trait.

And if the virus happened to be on Terra at that moment, there would be only one outcome: it would be devoured by the Originium in return.

"Even if you can control Inori's body, you'll never be able to activate that power.

Just like how, no matter how deeply you probe, you can't sense anything strange from Inori right now."

The chat group's items might look silly, but their status level was immensely high.

Even a full-powered Magic God from Toaru Majutsu no Index could barely perceive them for a moment—so the Apocalypse Virus had no chance of detecting them.

"So, my offer is this: I'll take you to another world and help you evolve."

Nagami leaned in close, face-to-face with the girl's exquisitely delicate features, gazing into her amethyst eyes.

"Bu for that….. what will you give me in return… Miss Apocalypse?"

As his voice fell, the girl's gemstone-like pupils suddenly flickered at a dazzling, high-frequency pulse.

A few seconds passed.

"Answer: Decision reached.

We acknowledge 'Nagami' as the true 'King.'

All permissions related to King's Power will be permanently unlocked.

This resolution is eternal."

Fated One had allowed Nagami to bypass both Mana Ouma and the Apocalypse Virus's recognition and directly access the power of the Void.

But up until now, that only meant he could use the power—it didn't make him the true King of the Apocalypse Virus.

"…Huh? Explain that in more detail."

Nagami's playful expression turned serious as he watched the virus's expressionless face.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

Once again, a layered chorus of overlapping voices echoed from her lips, explaining things in detail.

By recognizing Nagami as the true King, the virus was acknowledging his consciousness as a dominant authority within their hive mind.

As a collective intelligence, the Apocalypse Virus made all its decisions via group consensus.

Majority rule.

Here's a simple example:

If there are 1,000 individual consciousnesses, each with one vote, the person acknowledged as "King" can override 900 votes with just his own decision.

The Queen's override power would be roughly 800.

In other words, as long as Nagami didn't make a decision that would lead to the extinction of the entire virus species, his will would become the virus's direction.

As for "full permission to use King's Power," it was exactly what it sounded like.

A King had privileges—he could forcibly command the Apocalypse Virus or even alter the nature of the Void itself.

It was akin to what Gai Tsutsugami once did after obtaining the King's Power by severing Shu Ouma's right hand: fusing the Voids of three individuals to create the weapon he desired.

And finally, the most crucial part: eternality.

As the term suggests, this decision could never be overturned.

Unless Nagami himself willingly gave up his title and powers, no amount of collective will—even combined with the Queen's—could revoke or revise it.

"…That sincere, huh?"

Nagami's pupils widened slightly in surprise.

His expression shifted, eyebrows raised with a hint of disbelief.

That's the one flaw of collective-conscious viruses: their instinctive drive toward higher evolution outweighs all else.

They will pursue it at any cost.

And once a decision like this is made—they go all in.

If Nagami were to ask for even one more thing, no matter how small, the virus would immediately abandon the current agreement to consume Originium with his help.

"I may have underestimated how much consuming Originium would enhance you," Nagami murmured to himself, twirling his thumb and forefinger thoughtfully.

Imagine the Apocalypse Virus in its current state as a Digimon in its Perfect form.

If it could consume that part of the Originium that even Nagami couldn't analyze... it could evolve into an Ultimate.

And not just any Ultimate—it would be one of the top-tier Ultimates! Naturally, that excludes the weaker, filler-level ones.

"But that also means the Originium itself will evolve when it consumes you."

"Answer: Confirmed."

Whether or not powerful forces hidden behind the Originium existed on Terra was unclear, but the promise of the evolved Apocalypse Virus was simply too tempting—and the terms offered were more than fair.

"Alright then, you got yourself a deal!"

Even if hidden powers were backing the Originium and the Apocalypse Virus died a few more times—that was exactly what Nagami was willing to risk.

"Answer: Deal confirmed. King's Power Holder's acceptance noted. Initiating execution..."

Her crystalline eyes shifted to a fierce, blood-red hue with violet cores.

Though her expression remained calm, the girl's demeanor grew richer, more expressive.

An aura of nobility and grace surrounded her. Nagami sensed the perfect balance of humility in the face of her new King.

Her long, cherry-colored hair spilled around them as she embraced him, slender arms encircling his neck.

Inori—or rather, Mana—curled into Nagami's arms and tilted her head upward.

The rich, red of her lips met his.

In that moment, countless silver-tinged Void crystals streamed outward, twining and dancing around them like ribbons of light.

A soft, melodic hum resonated—an ecstatic celebration of a King's birth.

Suddenly, Nagami felt himself tapped into a vast soul network.

He and Mana occupied the very apex.

Beneath them lay countless collective consciousnesses, all equal in rank.

A shimmering, blue-silver halo appeared over his chest—the same aura that emerged when drawing in Void energy.

On the back of his right hand, the King's Mark glowed once more.

Energy from the halo streamed into Nagami through that mark.

Caught off guard by the kiss, he quickly refocused to monitor and guide the changes within his body.

The Void Seal, which was supposed to imprint upon his soul, veered instead—prompting his intervention.

With the full consensus of the Apocalypse Virus behind him, this was a perfect chance to push past his limits.

His six-pointed void sigil shimmered, guiding the seal to the ice-blue energy core within him.

This was the Herrscher Core.

Having analyzed multiple Herrscher gemstones—and with Alpha Stigma Eyes—he had already decrypted the Core's structure before even assimilating its power.

Add in his 1000% affinity for Honkai energy, and Nagami could reshape the Core almost at will.

Yet, the Core's output remained capped by its upper threshold.

Now, in a world untouched by Honkai corruption and with the backing of the Apocalypse Virus's full collective consciousness, Nagami had the perfect opportunity:

This was his chance to shatter the Core's upper limit.

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