The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

Taking down the Herrscher of Ice was important, but Lee didn't need much prep. Just her Seven Thunders and a ride to the drop-off point.

Fire Moth could swarm the first three Herrschers with regular soldiers, but starting with the Herrscher of Wind, it was a superhuman's game. Sending in normal troops was just a waste of lives.

So, the higher-ups' "recon mission" was a thinly veiled attempt to get rid of rivals, and Lee was clearly the target this time.

Herrscher of Ice… affects half the continent… Can I even beat her?

Lee stroked her katana, deciding that if she couldn't win, she'd use the system. Dying before getting a good energy return would be a waste. She needed to at least break even on her five-million-energy investment.

Sadly, the system shop hadn't offered anything good lately. She could spend a few million to add a Herrscher core, but after tearing through Herrschers herself, that felt like a rip-off.

The best outcome would be a near-death victory. Good energy gains, and no disruption to her long-term farming plans.

Lee's phone buzzed.

[Kevin: Lee, where are you? I can't find you at HQ.]

[Kevin: They put Ato and Kosma in that vanguard squad. I don't think it's right, but Mei says it can't be helped…]

[Kevin: I want to talk to the commander about taking their place. Think they'll agree?]

No way. They're banking on you as the new poster boy. They won't risk you getting hurt. Even if I hadn't volunteered, they'd probably send those guys to die just to improve your odds.

Did Ato tick someone off? He always seems to get the suicide missions.

Lee shook off the gossipy thoughts and typed a reply.

…

[Lee: Don't worry. I'll handle it.]

Leave it to Lee, always so reassuring…

Kevin ran a hand through his hair. Fighting Herrschers was fine, but dealing with politicians was a nightmare.

I'm stronger now, but I still rely on her…

He sighed. Lee was better at dealing with the higher-ups. She had more clout in the combat division. Maybe she could get them to cancel the mission.

Mei was too rational. She was climbing the ranks, too. When Kevin asked her to intervene, she actually thought sending soldiers on suicide missions was a reasonable choice.

Good thing Lee isn't like that. I like her better this way.

He looked at the troops assembling.

This time, I'll take down the Herrscher before Lee has to—wait, but fighting alongside Lee is a rare opportunity…

Lee wished the aircraft could take her directly to the epicenter, but the dropping temperature and rising Honkai energy made it impossible. Even if the aircraft was immune, the pilot wasn't.

She wasn't going to make someone die for her convenience, so she had him drop her off nearby. She'd walk the rest.

The drop-off point was about 50 kilometers from the source. Based on previous Herrschers, that was safe. But Lee felt a chill the moment she stepped out.

The closer she got, the colder it became. Even with her enhanced physique, she felt the cold through her combat suit. The temperature was dangerously low.

"It's summer, and it's minus twenty degrees… guess global warming's not a problem anymore."

The Herrscher of Reason creates pollution-free products. The Herrscher of Void does clean transportation. The Herrscher of Thunder provides clean energy… Is the Honkai some kind of extreme environmentalist group?

Lost in random thoughts, Lee drew her katana and headed towards the Honkai epicenter.

But as she approached the icy landscape, something felt wrong.

The energy readings were too high. This wasn't a normal Herrscher signature; it was like the aftermath of an all-out attack… That would explain the continent-wide cold snap.

But what could push a Herrscher that hard? Kevin's not here…

Lee frowned as she walked through the ruins of a village, mostly frozen and shattered.

The ice was normal, probably from the Herrscher's attack. But it looked like something had smashed through the ice. And judging by the damage, the fight was over in an instant. The Herrscher didn't even get a second attack…

Lee had a bad feeling. She could probably kill the Herrscher of Ice, but not that easily.

Which meant… something stronger than the Herrscher was here.

Lee gripped her katana tighter. She'd found it.