Honkai: Strijder (Honkai Impact 3 Male MC)

"Ah!"

"Hoo... hoo... hoo..."

Raven woke up abruptly, gasping for breath.

Before her was a bright, white room, and outside, she could hear familiar sounds of laughter.

Raven extended her right hand, gazing at the familiar Honkai-suppressing bracelet. Her slender, pale fingers trembled for no apparent reason.

"I... didn't die?"

Raven mumbled to herself, her voice slightly hoarse.

"Yeah, you didn't die, it's close call though."

A familiar voice came from beside her, carrying a smile mixed with a hint of helplessness.

Raven stiffly turned her head and saw Wendy sitting in a wheelchair, holding a cup of milk, staring at her motionlessly.

However, that wasn't important. Raven vividly remembered the scene before she lost consciousness, so she lowered her head and, with trembling fingertips, lifted the white gown covering her.

What she saw made her pupils contract.

On what should have been a smooth abdomen with beautiful abdominal muscles was now filled with black metal. The edge where the metal met the skin formed an irregular and grotesque twisted pattern, ugly and horrifying.

Raven touched the metal with her fingertips. Indeed, it was cold and hard.

Raven bit her lip, then, as if relieved, she smiled.

"Don't you find it ugly?"

Wendy tilted her head, asking.

Raven shook her head and replied in a soft voice:

"As long as I'm alive, that's what matters. The rest isn't that important."

"Such a positive attitude. So, any thoughts? I heard your immediate superior was the one who attacked you?"

"It's to be expected. To him, I'm just a tool that's useful."

"Your tears don't say the same."

Wendy pointed to Raven's eyes.

Raven quickly reached up to touch, but she didn't feel any tears, so she turned her head and met Wendy's smiling gaze.

"...Don't play with me."

"I'm not playing with you; I just wanted to see your true thoughts."

"That's not important now."

"No, it's crucial. Do you know how you survived?"

"...Is it that Sigurd kid?"

"It's not wrong, but it's not right either."

Confusion appeared in Raven's eyes.

Wendy sighed and explained slowly:

"According to what Sigurd said, although your body was pierced, the one who attacked you avoided the vital organs that would have caused instant death. There are burn marks from electric cauterization on your wounds. At that time, the temperature was low enough to freeze blood vessels, and with your body modified and rigorously trained, you could have survived for a considerable time— After that, with Gray Serpent's bionic technology, they could have revived me. So, he didn't intend to kill me. Is that what you wanted to say?"

Raven interrupted Wendy's words, continuing with the latter part. In terms of understanding Gray Serpent, there were probably few who could match Raven in this world.

Raven fully understood Gray Serpent's mindset.

For Gray Serpent, nothing was more important than the return of their Lord, Kevin. At that critical moment, Gray Serpent had probably staked a lot. Raven's hesitation made him sense the possibility of betrayal.

Concerning the return of their Lord Kevin, even if it was only a possibility, it was enough for Gray Serpent to take action.

As for leaving Raven alive, it didn't mean Gray Serpent had become soft. Perhaps, due to thinking that there are very few valuable tools like her, it would be a waste to just kill her and think of utilizing her in the future?

Raven touched the metal on her abdomen, a complex expression in her eyes. She couldn't clearly define her emotions at the moment.

Disappointment? Helplessness? Confusion? Or the sadness and anger of betrayal?

Probably a mixture of all.

Feeling the vitality in her still alive body, Raven sighed in relief. It seemed like many things could be let go of now.

After Raven's moment of contemplation, Wendy placed the milk on the table next to the bed. She then wheeled herself towards the entrance of the tent, facing away from Raven.

"I just want to remind you that it's time to make a decision. Although you are originally affiliated with the World Serpent, the acceptance from those children in this period should be clear to you. Your act of escape, while understandable, has hurt the hearts of those children—meaning you have offended that absolutely ungenerous guy. While he may not necessarily take your life, considering the feelings of those children, you better think it through. Your original stance and the feelings of those children, you should consider carefully."

Raven nodded slowly, then asked with a hint of confusion:

"Aren't you a Valkryie of Schicskal? Why does it seem like you're trying to help Anti-Entropy?"

"Cough, cough, cough! Just— just due to our similar situations, I end up caring about you! Don't misunderstand, I am still a loyal Valkyrie of Schicskal, I won't do anything for Anti-Entropy!"

This was the truth. Due to their similar circumstances, Wendy had interacted with Raven quite a bit during this period. She genuinely felt that Raven's situation was unfortunate and hoped she could find a better way out. Following Anti-Entropy— at least for now, they didn't seem to be bad people!

Wendy opened the curtain and left the tent.

As Wendy left, Raven lay back on the bed, staring blankly at the tent roof, speechless for a long time.

...

After leaving the tent, Wendy saw the bright flames.

It was the glow from a large bonfire, especially in the middle of the bonfire, where the "Judgement of Shamash" was inserted, seemingly never extinguishing.

"The God Key shouldn't be used like this!"

Wendy covered her face and sighed, feeling tired.

It was quite an idea for Kiana to come up with, and it was surprising that Sigurd agreed – both of them are not normal.

"Wendy, you're out. Did Raven wake up?"

Seele walked over, carrying a hot drink and a plate of barbecue, placing them on the frame of Wendy's wheelchair.

Wendy softened her expression, smiling:

"Thank you. She's fine, but let her think about it herself. Being betrayed by the one you're loyal to is probably not a pleasant experience."

Wendy started eating, The struggle against the Herrscher's core was very physically and mentally draining, She had just awakened not long ago, and now was the time to replenish energy.

Seele looked slightly worried, glanced in the direction of the tent, and sighed.

Raven's escape this time, compared to Wendy's determination to protect everyone at all costs, really diminished her impression.

Although from her perspective, there was nothing wrong, for decision-makers like Sigurd, it was already enough for a qualitative judgment, and corresponding measures would be taken.

The reason for saving her and not imprisoning her was for the sake of the children, especially for Seele's sake.

So Seele didn't plead for her anymore. Soft-hearted as she was, Seele didn't want Sigurd to be troubled because of her capriciousness. The next steps would depend on Raven's own determination.

"Is it delicious, Wendy?"

"Mmm, delicious. You're indeed skilled, Seele."

"Hehe, this is Seele's masterpiece!"

"Bring more meat, not enough."

"No problem, as much as you want!"

Seele pushed Wendy's wheelchair, entering among the people with laughter and joy.

Kiana and Rozaliya, as usual, started a contest of appetite.

Liliya pulled Raiden Mei to be the cheerleaders for both sides.

Bronya, as always, served as the referee, appearing serious and fair on the surface, but actually enjoyed watching the fun and occasionally nudging the fire. Sin Mal accompanied her, following her lead whenever Bronya wanted to play. Wendy watched Seele run over to be the chef, so she pushed her wheelchair to Sigurd.

Snap!

A cup of beverage was slammed onto the table in front of Sigurd.

"You're welcome. Think of this as a thank you for saving me."

"...All the ingredients here were bought with my money."

"Why bother about such details, big guy?"

"Are you in a bad mood?"

Sigurd noticed Wendy's slight awkwardness, she wasn't usually this confrontational.

Wendy rolled her eyes.

"Just feeling uncomfortable having to thank someone from Anti-Entropy, is that not allowed?"

"Well, no problem. I thought the gem was out of control again."

"What if it really goes out of control?"

"I would take it out of you, what else can be done?"

Sigurd answered Wendy's question with a question, appearing matter-of-fact.

Wendy squinted her eyes and added, "So you're just after the gem inside me, right!?"

"I told you so on the first day, yes."

"What if taking out the gem threatens my life?"

"If that were to happen. I will cure you, that's the promise I made on the first day."

Sigurd's response remained calm and almost casual throughout.

But the last sentence softened Wendy's expression.

"That's a human thing to say. Rest assured, when you cure me, I'll repay you."

"No need."

"You don't appreciate my abilities?"

"Yes."

Sigurd nodded, appearing particularly sincere.

I, Sigurd, have always been honest with people.

"Hiss—"

Wendy took a deep breath, reminding herself that she just had her life saved today, and she shouldn't get angry.

Damn it!

He looks good, so why is his personality so lacking?

Wendy looked up at the night sky, as if realizing something. Perhaps, this is what they call nobody's perfect; to be granted with such a brilliant mind, it's only natural for his EQ to be rock bottom.

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