Making Honkai Impact lll In A World Where Kallen Exists [Continuation]

With the dragon speeding through the air, they quickly arrived before the Evil Vill-V , who was standing on a platform in the pitch-black space, staring at the two newcomers in astonishment.

Mei and... another Vill-V ?

It seemed that the appearance of the "self" Vill-V had not been accounted for in her plans.

But when she saw the trembling legs and the forced calm expression of the person who disembarked from the dragon, she immediately guessed who it was.

"It's you?"

The Evil Vill-V, upon seeing her, seemed to deduce everything that had happened almost instantly.

It wasn't hard to reach the truth she sought...

"So, we're all just dispensable limbs, and you're the only true body, right?"

She asked with a peculiar tone, a mixture of frustration, disappointment, and unwillingness.

"As long as I haven't disappeared, you can exist forever."

Evil Vill-V looked at her with some dejection and sighed.

She...

was always special.

"Definitely not dispensable... but your last statement is correct,"

Vill-V nodded, then shook her head again.

She pursed her lips, hesitated briefly, and finally decided to reveal this secret before the final confrontation.

"I once told the conductor a little lie. Maybe it's time to tell you the truth before everything ends."

"Who exactly are you, you've always wanted to know the answer to this question, haven't you?"

She looked deeply at the proud Vill-V before her and asked.

For the first time, the villain, who had always seemed in control, widened her eyes in shock.

"Another lie from the fraudster... is it?"

Evil Vill-V sneered, though inwardly, her feelings were far more complex than her outward skepticism.

Her own identity... she had always been confused about it.

If it was malice, if it was evil intent... then why had Vill-V never tried to eliminate her?

There was a difference between being unable to and not trying at all.

But she didn't need this condescending revelation from the other.

Mei, standing nearby, also widened her eyes. She recalled how the "self" Vill-V referred to the evil Vill-V ... indeed, she had never called her an evil person.

"This... you don't need to tell me!"

She retorted stubbornly.

But at this moment, the situation hadn't changed much.

After all, evil Vill-V controlled the vast majority of the space and had the help of the Herrscher of Corruption. The current circumstances remained dire.

Even more critical, She had defeated the "self" before and continued to exist... yet even if Vill-V could defeat the evil Vill-V now, it would still cost her life.

At this point, evil Vill-V represented all the remaining data within Vill-V's consciousness after being eroded.

The method to defeat her... relied solely on a miracle.

"A miracle?"

The evil Vill-V suddenly burst into laughter, wild and piercing.

"The Spiral Flame-Chaser, the true Vill-V, now relying on a miracle from who-knows-where to save herself?"

She found it utterly absurd.

"Then... let's see if the miracle you're hoping for can truly help you."

With a wave of her hand, three turrets appeared on the battlefield, along with a noticeable green hue.

It was the power gifted to her by a friend, one she naturally preserved carefully and used wisely.

Now was the perfect moment.

Like a replay of a previous chapter, the "self" Vill-V stayed in the back, showing no intention of intervening.

Once again, it was Mei fighting against the opponent.

But this time, when the blade touched the opponent's barrier, that eerie green energy was directly removed. Caught off guard, the opponent was struck by a real blade and wounded.

She staggered back several steps, looking with some disbelief at the equally bewildered Mei.

Soon, her gaze turned vicious, directed at the "self" Vill-V who had stayed away from the battlefield.

It was her... She was behind this.

In her own mental space, rejecting some foreign power wasn't that difficult.

Mei's eyes lit up, this was a rare opportunity she couldn't let slip. She immediately pressed the attack, her blade carving through with thunderous strikes, filling the space with roaring echoes.

Compared to the power gap, it was that innate sense of suppression and helplessness that had left her unable to act.

Now, at last, there was a glimmer of victory.

Even without the power of corrosion, the Malicious Vill-V wouldn't surrender easily.

"I originally didn't want to make this place too chaotic. Forget it... let everything become even noisier!"

A massive war machine materialized, adorned with intricate patterns and a colossal cannon whose diameter symbolized sheer destruction. The dark barrel concealed immense firepower, supported by flame-spewing propulsion units. Countless ballistic trajectories covered the area ahead.

There was only one small spot for a driver to stand; the rest of the design was entirely weapon-focused—laser cannons, 0homing missiles, firearms, and sharp gear-like blades.

Only Vill-V could invent such a war machine, designed solely for battle.

Even as the Herrscher of Thunder in this era, Mei was eventually defeated by this "not-so-skilled-at-combat" inventor.

In measurable terms, though, she managed to deplete half of the opponent's "health bar."

Of course...

That was under Griseo's control.

In the story, this was where Vill-V was supposed to start losing ground—but without causing any significant harm.

---------------

"Uh... was it because of me that the battle ended in failure?"

Griseo said, somewhat dazed.

She wasn't very skilled at operating yet, and Vill-V's turrets were incredibly powerful. Firelight and laser beams filled the battlefield—should this be called light pollution?

"Probably not; it's likely automatic progression in the story. Luo Mo wouldn't make it so that someone who isn't good at games can't enjoy the plot, right?"

Elysia smiled, offering comfort.

"Uh... this..."

Luo Mo hesitated for a moment before responding faintly, "Can I interpret that as a compliment?"

He had simply been considerate of beginners and less skilled players, treating it like a blessing.

But why did it feel like there was a hidden meaning in her words?

"Hmph—of course... not. While I do appreciate that you've thought about others' struggles, I really like that."

"But if it's applied in this way, isn't it a bit too much?~"

Elysia gave him a meaningful look, signaling for him to see for himself.

Was he really allowing more people to enjoy the story?

She hesitated to point it out explicitly.

But now was clearly a crucial moment for uncovering secrets, and Elysia wasn't in a hurry to speak further.

To be honest, even she didn't know all the finer details about her companions... naturally, she wasn't willing to miss an opportunity to learn more.

-------------

The Evil Vill-V abandoned her initial combat plan. Indeed, it seemed unlikely she could defeat the two opponents in a short time.

So then...

What if she split their thoughts entirely, leaving all three of them trapped in this dark, sunless world together?

Her mocking laughter reached the "self" Vill-V's ears.

Yet her eyes only held sorrow, tinged with a hint of regret.

"...So, is it the fifty thousand years that turned you into what you are now?"

The "self" sighed and nodded slightly. "Indeed, it's my fault."

"...At least you know."

"A mere imprisonment couldn't change me. From the beginning, I was nothing but pure malice. This is just a return to the light of day."

"The space you were in wasn't meant for confining malice."

"What truly existed there, and was continuously absorbed into it..."

"...was...my..."

She lowered her head, then abruptly lifted it again, her eyes glimmering with light.

"...was my confidence and my pride. My inspiration, my sparks of creativity, my fierce ideas... and my belief that I could change everything."

"Unfortunately... they were unsuitable for that era, and unsuitable for human civilization."

"Absurd, isn't it? You don't have to believe me. I just faintly felt... I should tell you."

"You've probably guessed it, haven't you? Only this explanation can clarify why I know what you want to do, why I can predict your every move..."

"Because someone who wants to change something... will always make the same choices."

After listening to the other's words, evil Vill-V felt... amused.

Yes, amused.

But she couldn't laugh.

Even though she had seen countless things that weren't funny, she had always been able to laugh without restraint.

Now, faced with the biggest joke of all, she couldn't even twitch the corners of her mouth and instead wore a solemn expression.

"...What's this? Are you trying to tell me now that I'm actually a good person?"

"Should I raise my hands and cry out in repentance?"

Her eyes darkened as she asked.

"Of course not... You are indeed an evil person now."

The "self" answered truthfully, which was why she had sighed earlier, feeling pity and regret. Should she have freed her or explained things better?

But... the Elysian Realm was nothing more than a larger cage.

She would inevitably grow dissatisfied with it.

And then she'd commit acts even worse than Mobius ever did.

"Then... let me resolve everything in my own way. A person who only believes in themselves and—"

"—a person who never believes in themselves!" Evil Vill-V interrupted with a cold sneer.

"..."

Vill-V merely smiled gently and vanished into thin air.

"Welcome to Vill-V's one-woman show!"

A voice, full of anticipation and dramatic flair, rang out.

"W-what? Magician, I clearly—" Evil Vill-V exclaimed in shock and anger.

"Don't jump to conclusions too early, dear audience!"

The Great Magician Vill-V chuckled lightly. "Because there's an even bigger surprise coming up."

Another voice chimed in—also belonging to Vill-V.

"I've told you many times... I'm not interested in this kind of thing." The Expert's flat voice sounded indifferent, clearly displeased with the chaotic setting.

"Now that's the surprise! Oops, this time... I accidentally conjured two friends." The Magician spoke cheerfully, seemingly unconcerned about the battlefield around her, carrying on with her own monologue.

"Mixing up two people as if saying sugar and salt are the same, how ridiculous."

"Indeed, the gap between her and me is as vast as night and day, though our light originates from the same source."

It was Flavor and Scholar, both of whom had reappeared.

The Conductor and Vill-V Model Five also unknowingly showed up on the scene.

The "self" Vill-V spoke softly and humbly:

"You say I don't believe in myself... but that's not true."

"My name is Helix. Only like this am I truly Vill-V."

She appeared once more, but now, she had restored all the personalities that the other had destroyed. They were her, and she was them.

Naturally, she could bring them back again.

This was Vill-V.

Vill-V, who exists as a Helix.

"Let's wait and see. When all of me converge into a spiral—"

"If I will it, then I can!"

Deafening roars filled the air, and immense explosions unfolded before their eyes.

Mei could only recall the blinding whiteness in front of her. When she woke again, the battle... was over.

She was back in that familiar room.

The room where she first met the "self."

Her ears still rang, but Mei paid no mind to it. She stared at the two Vill-Vs before her, one illusory, one real.

The victor was self-evident.

Helix Vill-V and Evil Vill-V had their final conversation. The earlier confrontation... was merely the "self" pitting all of herself against all of the other's.

She had placed her hopes in a miracle, and clearly, she had won the gamble.

But she would still disappear. Whether she won or lost, she was fated to vanish.

"...It's the same question. She isn't one of us, so how could she do it?"

Mei could sense... the illusory Vill-V glanced at her, and the implication was clear.

Vill-V responded with a smile.

Faith—that was her silent answer.

She trusted everyone who was worthy of trust.

"..."

"I could have eliminated the Herrscher of Corruption on my own."

Evil Vill-V turned her back, speaking with a hint of resentment.

"I know. But... that clearly wouldn't have been the best outcome for everyone."

The Helix Vill-V neither argued nor denied it; she simply pointed out that she disliked that conclusion.

And so did that person.

For her promise, Vill-V held it in high regard.

"...Hmph."

Like a wisp of cloud and smoke, she silently dissipated in the end.

Failing by her own hands was perhaps the only conclusion she could accept.

At her feet, only a pitch-black crystal flower remained.

The Helix Vill-V walked over, picked up the flower, gently rubbed the patterns on it, and handed it to Mei without hesitation.

"Give this to Eden, and don't lose it, okay?"

"Was this intentional or unintentional...? Before we even realized it, the Herrscher of Corruption had already removed the true threat, making it impossible to activate this program."

Helix Vill-V sighed. What was this supposed to mean?

Was it really just a coincidence?

Fortunately, there was still a chance to make amends.

"Now then... there's only one thing left for me to do. You haven't fully received the Helix signets yet, have you? Perhaps the Conductor mentioned that she couldn't show you the complete Helix signets."

"But now... maybe you can witness the end of the Helix."

She turned around and locked eyes with Mei.

She once said she wasn't good at making eye contact, but this time, she restrained herself, trying to discern the colors in Mei's eyes.

She smiled faintly and placed her hand on Mei's shoulder.

"Let me borrow a line from a great villain—farewell, my dear audience!"

The Magician appeared first.

It was only natural for Vill-V's imprint to require the appearance of all the Vill-Vs, wasn't it?

"Hmph, noisy as always... but you did a decent job," remarked the Expert.

"Oh, Miss Mei, it's finally my turn, isn't it?"

The Conductor greeted her. Once, she had thought she was the real Vill-V.

"Although it's a bit odd to say this upon first meeting, I feel like... you and I might get along well," Flavor said calmly. Perhaps she had long seen what Mei's true strength was.

"As for me... there's no need for too many words," the Scholar said with a wink.

"...In the end, it all comes back to me. The end of the Helix is its origin—makes sense, right?"

Helix Vill-V appeared last. The end is the beginning, the terminal aligns with the primal.

Creating illusions through reality, reversing meaning through contradictions.

Disassembling oneself was, after all, a way to become oneself.

"Take this, Mei, the true signets of the Helix."

Amidst a golden radiance, Mei witnessed the entirety of the Helix, as well as its end and its vanishing.

Then, back to the main screen, Vill-V's card shattered.

Death toll: 6.

---

[Mei is too stunned to speak.]

[There are no villains in Honkai Impact 3, only different perspectives.]

[A great magician must end their act with the grandest surprise!]

[The tacit understanding between Herrschers is so fitting—no words needed, just mutual understanding.]

[Hahaha (manic laughter). So, how many people have died now?]

------------

In the Golden Courtyard,

Watching Vill-V meet her end, Mobius looked at her,

"...Was that truly your pride and confidence? You sealed them away? No wonder... you became noticeably more normal afterward."

"Let me think—when did that happen?"

Mobius raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

At first, even she had been fooled by that Vill-V's series of deceptions, thinking it was some dirty trick.

"Well... she didn't belong to that era, nor did she fit into the Elysian Realm. But she would never choose to side with Herrschers either. Rest assured."

Vill-V chuckled as she spoke.

"Sigh, to be forced to seal away her talents, exiling humanity's greatest enemy, arrogance..."

"I suddenly feel a bit sorry for you, Vill-V. The Helix signet—you are everything, the beginning and the end. Makes me want to explore its connection to infinity~"

Mobius said, acknowledging that her curiosity about Vill-V had grown.

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