Hi3rd: Achievement Hunter

The usual flat voice rang in Aleph's ears.

{Result: The observed phenomena has 74.51% similarities to the hypothetical phenomenon entitled 'Herrscher Core Cascade'. The connection to the [Imaginary Space] spiralled the honkai energy out of control...}

Honkai 'cascade' was a term generally used for out-of-control honkai-related phenomena. It was used once when valkyries lose control. It was predated by the use of the Previous Era to the MANTISes who reverted to the true forms of their ICHOR.

Other than that, it was used to once describe Sirin's out-of-control Herrscher Core. Its connection to the imaginary space remained, yet its form was broken into pieces. 

It resulted in the honkai energy supplied by the imaginary space to overflow, nearly turning half of Asia into a cascade zone—a term used to call honkai-radiated areas.

The same thing happened in front of Aleph. The Gem used to create a 'Gem Herrscher' broke down and let out copious amounts of honkai energy.

{...suggested line of action is to thoroughly destroy the outflowing honkai energy with greater energy as well as the destructive aspect of Albion's Authority.}

'I see. This is feasible.'

Aleph stared at the broken fragments of the red gemstone. It emitted an extremely bright purple light. The fragments themselves were no longer tangible—they became blurry, akin to a projection.

Click.

Hum.

He held Yamato by his right waist. He moved his thumb above the sword guard, partially pushing the blade upwards with it.

A tingle of black light enveloped his blade. It was Albion's 'destructive' aspect at work.

The abilities gained from Albion's body are akin to passive skills. 

The 'life' aspect made Aleph's body tougher with greater recovery. On the other hand, the 'destruction' aspect made his attacks extremely dangerous. This one could either be manifested in the form of black-red lasers (similar to Melusine) or an added buff to his other means.

In this case, Aleph chose the latter.

Sou-!

It was a single slash. An invisible force descended upon his domain. Akin to a bulldozer, it destroyed everything along his way.

Crack-!

Shatter-!

Space was the first one to give up. Mirror-like shards appeared in the Gem of Haste's vicinity. It didn't take long for the impact to seep into the Sea of Quanta itself.

Swoosh-!

Clink-!

Bam-!

What came next was a clear clinking sound. It sounded like a whistle in his ears.

Finally—

Boom-!

—destruction came.

*****

Rumble-!

Hua felt the strong tremors below her feet. It had only been ten seconds since Aleph arrived on the battlefield. She did as she was told, going as far away as she could.

Then, a black spherical curtain appeared and covered both Aleph and the 'Herrscher'. 

Five seconds later, the latter's body was thrown outside the sphere.

That brings her to the current scenario.

Sizzle-!

Just as a wave of honkai energy swept her face, an invisible force descended out of nowhere and made her comfortable. Her wounds healed at an extremely fast rate. The fatigue she felt from the battle earlier disappeared in mere seconds.

What greeted her eyes was the sight of the black curtain crumbling down. It revealed Aleph, who had sheathed his sword. It soon disappeared from his grasp.

Honkai energy originated from their battleplace and began spreading to the surroundings. 

At the same time, Aleph stomped his feet to the ground. A white light perceptible to only him spread out of the entire city.

'Not all would live…'

He hid these thoughts inside his mind. He came in front of Hua and patted her head.

"Take care of the things here. I need to go help the others."

"Um."

Hua's eyes met his. Her sight wandered around for a while until she decided on something.

She tiptoed her feet and pecked his cheek with her lips.

The residual heat brought Aleph back to reality. 

'This… It's good.'

Four red strings are tied in his pinky finger. Each one of them reminded him of the reasons why he fights.

Filled with motivation, his figure soared to the skies.

*****

"Why does it hate him?"

Months of working along with it made Ling realize how much it hated the person she was obsessed with the most—Aleph.

When she was 'asked' to move, everything was ill-targeted towards him.

"What did he do wrong..?"

Unfortunately, she was destined to be left with no answers.

Ling's mind was redirected to what she was doing. Her figure swept through her surroundings like a gale. Her entire body was covered in dark blue light.

With the help of the ability to tamper with the Sea of Quanta, she was able to use quantum entanglement to perform stealth. Her body left no traces in the physical world.

After several more high-rise buildings, she arrived at her destination.

A boy not older than fifteen was surrounded by green winds. The entire area around him was swept by an extremely strong tornado. No signs of life could be found in the city they were in.

"You… It's you. The one who gave me this."

"I thought you would forget."

"Never."

Thinking of all the horrendous things he went through, he gripped his fists. 

A ten meter wolf-shaped honkai beast appeared alongside the boy.

"You must have heard it. That certain thought in your subconscious…"

"Sir Aleph? Fire MOTH's strongest fighter?" He spoke. "Can't we deal with him? There are two of us."

Ling's long black hair swayed as she shook her head.

"Even if there are four… no, five of us. It wouldn't work."

"How did you know?"

"The same as how I gave you those gems."

The four Gems Ling received from it weren't actually Herrscher Cores, yet they could serve as a "pass" once the right conditions are met. This, in turn, creates a new Herrscher chosen by the Cocoon.

Such was the case for this era's second Herrscher of Wind.

Unlike the former Herrscher of Wind, the boy has clear thoughts.

"Come with me."

The girl gestured with her arm. Despite being plagued with confusion, the boy held out her hand.

Moments later, the two Herrschers disappeared from the spot. 

A few minutes later, a figure was dropped by a fast transport plane.

Swoosh-!

"Where is it?"

The MANTIS who served as the vanguard could only look at her surroundings in confusion.