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

Following Kevin's death, Vill-V became the sixth Flame-Chaser to perish.

Her death explained the events behind it all. Five millennia of suppressed pride and confidence had, in the end, transformed into a blade of loneliness that pierced herself.

The situation meticulously orchestrated by the "self" was meant to bring a dazzling conclusion for the one she had made a promise to.

She left behind a glimmer of hope and allowed others to witness her true self.

Among the sealed secrets, she too held a place. The gray crystal flower filled in the final missing piece.

But for now, the Vill-V of the current era clearly did not wish to provoke Mobius's curiosity or her potential probing actions.

She leaned helplessly on the back of the sofa, yawning.

"Mobius, at most it just means the concept of the Helix vaguely matches your infinity symbol. Why take it so seriously?"

"Hah—so this explains why parts of your past creations always carried infinity symbols? And how that one part in my lab just happened to go missing?"

Mobius sneered.

The other party lacked funds for experiments, why ask her for parts?

Did they think she was any better off?

"Sigh, the world is always full of miracles, isn't it? I know that someone as rational as you, a scientist, wouldn't want to rely on so-called miracles. But... the world is full of possibilities."

Vill-V offered her words of comfort.

At most, she had only borrowed parts a few times, and hadn't she returned them fully dismantled when she was caught?

As for the ones she couldn't return… well, wasn't that just the other person's lack of skill?

"Tch, whatever. Speaking of the story... your finale was certainly to your liking. The protagonist and antagonist were both yourself, leaving only the name Vill-V as the victor. It was grand, yet tinged with sorrow, bringing surprises and mysteries, then gracefully bowing out."

"Isn't that exactly what you wanted?" Mobius remarked sarcastically.

"Oh? From the sound of it, Dr. Mobius seems quite dissatisfied with her own ending... Understandable. You had a plan to defeat the Herrscher of Corruption, but in the end, you didn't achieve victory yourself. Something must have gone wrong, right?"

Vill-V smirked as she spoke, watching the slightly dark expression on Mobius' face.

"...It's acceptable," Mobius replied curtly, unwilling to dwell on the matter further. Her expression softened slightly when her gaze landed on Klein.

She had to admit that the events in the game's storyline did indeed align with their true personalities.

The future... seemed to unfold before her eyes.

And she would never let such a future repeat itself.

"The Helix... I am the collective. What a cool line!" Kiana exclaimed, her face slightly flushed with excitement.

"You must have met my eight personas by now," Vill-V replied, glancing at Kiana.

The aura around her was truly peculiar... faintly tinged with Finality. Could she really be the key to defeating Honkai?

"Ah—I thought that was some kind of clone technique your boss mentioned. Like... ninja techniques similar to Kasumi's," Kiana joked playfully, sticking out her tongue and hugging Mei's arm. "It's still hard to believe someone can split their personality like that."

"Splitting personality? What I do is craft personas. If I don't like myself, I just create a new me. Unlike someone born a genius, like Mobius over there, she came into the world already able to solve problems," Vill-V corrected with a laugh, throwing in a jab at Mobius.

Mobius's expression darkened. Born solving problems? She couldn't even hold a pen at birth! And besides, why bring up problem-solving when talking about being born a genius?

"Ah?" Kiana froze, stunned.

Problem-solving was still a painful task for her. How could it compare to fighting, which she had been good at since she was a kid?

"The appearance of all the Vill-Vs truly had an epic feel to it. Their exit felt more like the end of a performance, as though they could return anytime with a new act," Eden commented with a smile. She habitually took a sip from her glass, though there was little red liquid left.

"I'm looking forward to it," she added with a sigh.

"Oh? Then you mustn't miss my next performance, Eden~" Vill-V's eyes lit up, her excitement betraying which persona was in charge at the moment.

Although they were all Vill-V, the Magician and the Expert spent the most time outside, handling much of the work. If the others wanted to come out and chat, they could do so at any time.

"I have a great idea, Eden. You can do a singing performance, and afterward, I'll follow with a grand magic show. It'll surely draw the biggest audience I've ever had!" Vill-V exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

Eden merely smiled without giving a clear answer.

She had no intention of returning to the stage, let alone risking an incident caused by Vill-V's performance.

"Sigh, what an attractive performance, as dazzling as Kiraboshi," Luo Mo remarked admiringly.

"Hmm? Kiraboshi? Who's that? A new star? Are they half as brilliant as Eden?" Vill-V leaned in curiously.

Her performance, comparable to Kiraboshi's?

(TL: Kiraboshi. It can mean: Kira Kira, or a glittering Star. "Idol")

Then how amazing, or terrible—was that person's show?

Vill-V abandoned rational thought and immersed herself in her delight over the surprises her magic could bring.

"It seems... I've heard of that before. You mentioned it once, and I even searched for it but found no clues," Eden said, frowning slightly.

"Hmm... In terms of impact, they should be similar," Luo Mo concluded after a moment's thought.

Both left audiences captivated, unwilling to wake from the enchantment. It felt about the same to him.

"Your phrasing is so strange. Is this how you write scripts? 'Impact'... never mind. If it doesn't exist now, it'll show up someday," Elysia said, her curiosity piqued.

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

In the game, the storyline shifted to a cutscene, a conversation between the real Vill-V and Elysia.

"After all, I'm a trickster," Vill-V admitted.

"The first time we met, it was that night when you barged into my room. I realized it then..."

Vill-V hesitated over her words. Elysia's eyes seemed to peer straight into her soul. And unfortunately... Vill-V wasn't good at making eye contact, especially with Elysia—it made her nervous.

"This big sister seems to have a... secret. Or perhaps..."

"A lie?" Elysia tilted her head and leaned closer, her voice soft.

"No… I think it's just a secret…"

Vill-V shook her head. She trusted her intuition and what she had seen.

"That's so unfair. How could you call a beautiful young lady 'big sister'? We're about the same age. In fact… I might even be a little younger."

"Let's set that aside and look at this… Kevin's weapon, Model 666."

"A terrifying invention that could erase the entirety of the Elysian Realm in one stroke... Vill-V, you must carefully consider its activation conditions."

Elysia sounded troubled.

"It concerns everything left behind by the Thirteen Flame-Chasers. Whether it's a unanimous decision or a majority vote… neither feels like the right choice."

Vill-V spoke softly, though her mind had already decided on the activation conditions.

"But right now, it's hard to imagine a scenario where we'd have to use it."

"So, I think..."

"Elysia, since you're the one who left us with this story..."

"The one to bring it to an end… should also be you."

"Your secret… I hope it will unfold in the most grandiose way possible and then… conclude just as magnificently."

This was her promise to Elysia.

It was also the true reason she refused to accept the Evil Vill-V plan.

-----

[The activation condition—it must be Elysia. The Flame-Chasers would only acknowledge her choice.]

[Vill-V discovered Elysia's secret from the very beginning and has kept it as a promise until now.]

[Big sister? Does that mean Vill-V has to call Elysia her little sister?]

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

It had been an especially long journey. Mei had witnessed the complete Helix and felt life slipping from her grasp. She also came to understand who their true enemy was.

Finally stepping forward and seeing the light again…

She felt a sense of renewal. Even the sunlight seemed blinding, and the empty amusement park felt oddly comforting.

Emerging from the oppressive Theater of Dominance, the familiar scenery felt as fresh as a new world.

But there was still part of her plan she had to complete.

Yet at that moment, a hidden enemy extended its lurking claws. Countless faded Honkai beasts emerged around her, encircling her with ceaseless roars and cries.

She wasn't the only one taking action. The Herrscher of Corruption had also finished their business.

At this very moment, they were lying in ambush, waiting for her to arrive.

This was not an ideal time. The complete Helix carved into her mind caused intense pain, affecting her combat ability. And the sheer number of monsters this time…

It was unlike anything she had faced before, countless, seemingly endless.

Before long, she was swallowed by the tide of Honkai beasts…

"Hmm? Is it over already?"

Before losing consciousness, she heard a final voice, eerily familiar and reminiscent of someone she once knew...

Of course, that was impossible. Vill-V had told her, "Her data has been completely erased by the enemy."

The voice she now heard could only belong to an imposter, a fraud occupying another's place.

"Oh my, still alive? Then next, should I say this…"

Maliciously, a figure identical to Elysia appeared before her. Mei looked up, taking in the identical appearance, outfit, and eerily lifelike mannerisms.

Her eyes filled with shock and fury.

That vibrant girl who had once spoken to her… was now echoed by someone using her face, who had killed her, only to mimic her so perfectly.

The figure smiled with curiosity and anticipation, brushing aside faded locks of hair. She clasped her hands behind her back, exuding a girlish elegance.

"Hi, how does it feel?~"

Her eyes shimmered with the familiar cheerfulness of the past.

But to Mei, it felt bone-chillingly cold, followed by an uncontrollable rage.

How dare she use Elysia's face?!

The empty amusement park's lights continued to shine. The facilities operated as usual, leaving only two figures standing opposite each other, seemingly close.

Strangely, the figure did not attack Mei.

In her words, she harbored no malice toward Mei at all.

"Why so angry? It's strange. I'm using a face you know so well, calling you by a name you like; why aren't you happy?"

She blinked and chuckled softly.

"My dear Mei... In their memories, she called you that, didn't she?"

"Ah… Mei, don't look at me like that, okay? I'm sincere."

"Why did you take on Elysia's appearance?" Mei asked coldly.

This behavior felt like an insult to her deceased friend. Every interaction with the figure brought back memories of that vibrant girl.

"Oh… That's what bothers you? Aside from making you feel more comfortable…"

She trailed off, teasingly, but Mei showed no interest in indulging her.

She twirled a strand of blue-purple hair, seemingly enjoying the silky texture, a habit of the person she imitated.

"Don't you think I look particularly cute with this face?"

She pointed to her cheek with a feigned look of anticipation, as if waiting for Mei's praise.

(TL: How DARE YOU! I'm fine with Senti copying Hua. But Elysia... there will be only one Goddess of Beauty.😠)

"…"

Mei remained cold and silent, suppressing the fury in her heart.

Without a doubt, the Herrscher of Corruption had erased Elysia's data and even taken her form, trying to claim everything that had been hers.

Having gained life, they now feared death. Having gained a body, they sought beauty. Having nothing, they yearned to treasure everything.

These were Elysia's words.

And they were lies.

--------

[Intrusion, making Mei feel violated.]

[Simply because Elysia was too beautiful, causing the Herrscher of Corruption to become deeply obsessed.]

[Argh—this is infuriating! You're the second character to make me grind my teeth in hatred. The last one has already been buried under the Imaginary Tree.]

[Why use Elysia's image to torment me again?!]

[The Audacity! What a Disgrace! How Dare You! *cold rage eyes*]

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

In the golden courtyard hall,

Pardofelis was also angry. The opponent's shamelessness was beyond belief.

"Too—too much! Why would they appear in Elysia's image?!"

She complained, gritting her teeth as she glared at the Herrscher of Corruption within.

Even a cat could get angry at times.

"Is it because… I'm already dead?"

Elysia tentatively asked, noticing Pardofelis' devastated, near-tearful expression as if she'd been deeply struck again.

She continued explaining with a calm tone,

"But you know, the Herrscher of Corruption is also voiced by me. It was a challenging role to voice."

"If you round it up, it's almost equivalent to being me, right?"

"Ugh—how could that thing ever be equal to Elysia?!" Pardofelis muttered angrily, rubbing her cheek against Can's fur.

The girl was upset, angrily messing with her cat ears.

"She has the same appearance as me, the same voice… she might even share the same memories," Elysia said softly.

"But don't be silly; she's nothing good and can't fool anyone."

Mobius interjected with frustration written all over her face.

"Hmm… does that mean, Mobius, you think I'm a good person? It's rare to get a 'good person' card from you; I'm touched."

Elysia nodded appreciatively, her gaze at Mobius filled with emotion.

"...Hmph."

"Fine. Compared to the Herrscher of Corruption, I suppose you count as a good person," Mobius replied begrudgingly.

"Sigh, who would've thought the Herrscher of Corruption noticed something and blocked this path by using Elysia's image…"

Vill-V clicked her tongue in surprise.

Whether by accident or cunning, eliminating Elysia first and then impersonating her was indeed a clever move by the Herrscher of Corruption.

After all, there was only one condition to activate the secret weapon: Elysia.

She was the ultimate weapon that decided the fate of the Elysian Realm, and the one Vill-V was willing to trust completely.

---