Chapter 27: Solobolo

A few hours have passed and I'm just on my bed, thinking about the trio. "This will change them, I hope for the better." They can power through this I am sure. The damage is done after all, there's no other choice but forward.

As he was lost in thought there was a soft knock on his door. "Yes, come in." The door slowly opened and Himeko came in.

Himeko: "Ein, I can't sleep. Whenever I close my eyes I just... See that guys face, contorted in pain, eyes turning bright yellow." She shuddered. "What if we turn like that?"

He sat up and patted the side of the bed "Sit here first. You know, that guy was probably sitting on honkai energy for a couple of days now. Men are more susceptible to honkai corruption too."

Himeko nodded "I know, but I just can't get it out of my head. Do you get me?"

Ein: "Well, that's just how it is. This the first time you saw someone die in front of you?"

Himeko: "Yes."

Ein: "And he died a gruesome death as well. It's only natural that you won't forget it anytime soon. Honkai corruption is some nasty stuff, good thing you guys didn't see him mutate."

We then became silent for a minute. I hugged her as I saw her frowning "It's okay Himeko. These things happen, you can tell me what you feel."

Himeko: "I'm scared... I know we signed up for this but this is honestly terrifying." She said while shivering.

Ein: "I know, we're just still teens after all. This certainly is too much, but as you said. We signed up for this, we have to soldier on. This won't get any easier but we sure will get used to it."

Himeko went silent for a bit "So it won't get any easier huh. At least you guys are with me." She snuggled on my chest.

I put my chin on her head "Yes, honestly... This will only get harder with time. But we're a team and we have to adapt, or we become cold bodies. Forgotten on the field."

Himeko: "Yeah, we have much to learn huh? I'll train hard so I won't be a burden to you." She looked up at me.

Ein: "Good, I'll train you guys when we get back. Be prepared to become perfect soldiers, I'll make sure to make you guys be the best."

She closed her eyes as she puts her head on his chest. "Can I sleep here? I don't really want to be alone. Whenever I remember what happened earlier your face just pops up in my mind, corrupted by honkai energy."

Ein scratches his cheek, I already kinda am. "Well, if you want to. Then come here, we can fit on my bed."

I then went to the edge and positioned myself sideways. She crawled to the other side and lied down. We went silent and I faced the other way, trying to sleep.

As I was about to sleep, a hand gripped my uniform. I turn to her and saw her, wide awake. "You still can't sleep?"

She just shook her head and looked at me. I sigh and put my arm under her neck and hugged her closer to my body. "Better?"

Himeko gave a slight nod "Un, much better." She then closed her eyes, as did I. Now I'm the one that can't sleep. I guess it won't matter anyway, Himeko's relaxed breathing might let me sleep. As I waited for sunrise, after a few hours my door opened again, and a pink haired girl lied down on my other side.

"Are you okay Elysia? Come here, I also did the same with her like with Himeko.

Elysia: "Ein... Earlier, you looked used to it. Did you do it before?"

Ein: "Yes... Yes I did." He looked at the ceiling slightly dazed.

Elysia: "Was it... Them?" Her voice trembling

I sigh and looked at her "Yes. Enough about that Elysia, are you sure you're alright?"

Elysia: "I... I don't know Ein, a lot happened after all."

Ein: "It's okay, take all the time that you need. This is a pretty big thing for all of you."

Elysia then looked at Himeko "I want to sleep here too."

Ein: "Then you're free to. No one's stopping you."

Elysia went closer and rested her head on my right chest as I hugged her closer.

Ein: "Sleep for now Ellie. You have to relax, we'll be going back to the main base tomorrow."

She nodded and closed her eyes.

____________________________________________

Himeko woke up first, rubbing her eyes as she yawned. Slowly becoming lucid.

Ein: "Hey, good morning beautiful." He wiggled his eyebrows.

Himeko: She blushed and was about to shout at him but she then noticed pink locks on his other arm. "So Elysia is here too, tch." she muttered.

Ein: "Go on, wash up and get prepared. When Elysia wakes up I'll prep us some breakfast."

Himeko then slowly sat up and went out of the room.

Ein: "Ellie, come on. Wakey wakey sleepy head. It's morning now." He nudged her softly.

She yawned and slowly opened her eyes "It's morning already? I had the best sleep in ages."

Ein: "Well, maybe because you were dreaming of me? Come on, let's go and get something to eat after we clean up."

Elysia: "I actually did. I dreamt of us, just living our lives. Carefree, with nothing to worry about. A peaceful life... Hanging out with our friends and enjoying what the world can offer. But I guess that's not possible now huh?"

I frown at her words "Maybe, or maybe not? We will see in the future... Is that what you desire Elysia?"

Elysia pondered "Un, I just want us to lead normal lives and enjoy it to the fullest. Why can't we do just that? Why does all of this have to happen?" She said sadly.

He went silent for a bit "We don't know. Maybe it's the will of the world." I remember Genesis mentioning a will of the world. "All we can do now is to build the future that we want don't we? And I'm right here for you guys." He smiled.

Elysia smiled as well "Right, we just have to do it ourselves, don't we? And you're supporting us too, so we surely can!"

He patted her head "Yeah, the only way is forward. And we'll tackle everything together. Now let's go and return to HQ."

____________________________________________

We finished breakfast quickly and everyone has lightened up a bit. Well, except Kevin, he's still upset. I'll talk to him later.

The replacement squads arrived after a few hours and we returned to HQ. I told them to rest and do anything that they enjoy afterwards. I have something I need to do.

I arrive at Mobius' lab and entered.

"Good afternoon Klein, is Mobius doing well?"

Klein: "Mr. Einheri, the professor is fine. The pet you have bought together is still a bit afraid of her, but it's getting used to her."

Ein: "Ohh, so Hamsuke's slowly accepting her huh, she must be in a good mood. I'll talk to Mobius, Klein have a nice day." He waved at her as she walked away.

Mobius: "What do you need Ein?" She raised her brow.

Ein: "Mobius, the eruption at Nagazora is still being taken care of right now, correct?"

Mobius: "Yes, after the herrscher, Shesha, and Vishnu has been taken down. MOTH has been cleaning up the city."

Ein: "I need a part of the city all by myself, I'll clean it up. The most honkai infested preferably."

Mobius: "Are you insane! Now you really want to kill yourself huh?" She shouted.

Ein: "I need more honkai beast bodies for an experiment that I have to do by myself. And I need to face enemies that are stronger than seraphs Mobius. I can't fight to my full potential surrounded by allies too."

Mobius sighed "Go then, see if I care." She then wrote a circle on a map. "This is a red zone that's irradiated with a lot of honkai energy. Our troops can't get near it for now so it satisfies your suicide. It must be teeming with honkai beasts." She huffs.

Ein patted her head "Thanks Moby-chan, don't worry I'll come back in one piece. We have to take care of Hamsuke after all."

Mobius: "Hmph, a stupid name. Just like you! Now leave me and Klein alone. We are busy."

He laughed as he walked out of the lab.

Klein: "Dr. Mobius, is that fine? His life will be forfeit on that area."

Mobius stared at the door of the lab for a moment "He'll be fine. That bad guy is capable, I've seen what he can do."

As silence returned at the lab and they started work again.

Now, before I depart I'm gonna say my goodbyes and check my stats I guess.

____________________________________________

Stats:

Strength: Class 5 (1-5 metric tons)

-Capable of lifting small trucks, cars, etc.

Speed: Subsonic+ (600-1200 km/h)

-Capable of moving at speeds faster than the eye can track reliably, includes move, reaction, and combat speed.

Intelligence: Genius

-Has immense knowledge at different branches of science. Capable of executing complex strategies under pressure and calculating future actions to a certain extent.

Durability: Superhuman

-Capable of taking hits that will destroy walls consistently.

Stamina: Superhuman

-Capable of persevering through hours of intense movement and combat. Doesn't need to sleep for multiple days at a time without consequences.

Skills

Honkai energy resistance

-Tolerance type skill that can resist the effects of Honkai energy i.e. corruption, mutation, etc.

Honkai energy manipulation

-Control type skill that can manipulate the innate honkai energy to perform supernatural feats (Currently Telekinesis)

natural elements resistance

-tolerance type skill that resist stimuli i.e. heat, cold, toxins, chemical irritants, electricity, diseases, etc.

resist physical damage

-tolerance type skill that resist physical types of damage to the body. i.e. blunt force, slashing, piercing damage, etc.

neural signal acceleration

-enhancing type skill that lets neural pathways be more efficient and faster due to increase in synaptic activity, neurotransmitter production, dendritic spines for more neuron connections, and increase myelin in axons for faster electrical signals. Gives more calculating power to the brain and increase to reflexes.

Eidetic memory

-Mental type skill that can perfectly store any information in the brain with perfect recall

Metabolic Control

-Physical type skill that can control the metabolic processes of the body i.e. hunger, hormones, heart rate, healing, anabolism and catabolism, etc.

(Basic explanation on catabolism: muscles, sugars, and fat turn to energy. anabolism: protein, sugars, minerals turn to tissue, fat, bones.)

Enhanced body

-enhancing type skill that increases the body's durability, flexibility, senses, elasticity etc. Gives: harder and denser muscles, bones. flexible joints, elastic tendons, etc.

____________________________________________

I'm faster now and I can attack at range, giving me more options. That's why I'm limit testing myself.

I called Kevin 1st to have a talk with him.

Kevin: "Hey, Ein. Why did you want to talk to me?"

Ein: "I have to go to another base for at least a week maybe. So I called you guys over to say goodbye for now."

Kevin looked around "Where's everyone though?"

Ein: "I need to talk to you about what happened at the village Kevin."

Kevin frowned at my words "You had to do what's the best for him Ein. I know already."

Ein nodded "Good, but I need to tell you Kevin. That wasn't a one time thing. It will probably happen again, and when it does. Do you have what it takes to make a firm decision?"

Kevin: "I... I don't know." He looked at the ground.

Ein: "It's okay to worry about it Kevin. You're young after all, but difficult things like this will come in spades as we go on more missions. Why did you became a soldier here in MOTH? Always remember that."

Kevin: "Thank you, I'll remember that."

Ein nodded and slapped him on the back "Good, you followed Mei here. Don't give up now and strengthen your resolve. I'll be with you on the way, remember that."

There was a pleasant silence for a bit before Mei, Elysia, and Himeko came.

Ein: "Hey guys, I'll be going outside HQ for a week at least. I just want to say goodbye so you won't try to find me all over the place."

They all nodded and quickly said their goodbyes.

Elysia: "Stay safe!"

Himeko: "Don't overwork yourself."

Mei: "Take your time and don't worry about us."

He then gave them some lunch boxes and waved as he walked away.

____________________________________________

I'm currently in a VTOL and about to be airdropped on the border of the red zone.

Driver: "This is the place sir. I can't fly closer any longer."

Ein: "Thank you. Don't land I'll get off here."

He then jumped out and gracefully landed on the ground with a bit of dust.

I crack my knuckles and inhaled deeply. "Ahhhh, this place is loaded with honkai energy. Time to unleash some primal chuuni rage."

My legs tense as I prepared to run. I inhale one breath and dashed like a bullet, almost breaking the sound barrier. I scan my surroundings and see tons of seraphs hovering around a big, open area.

"Perfect... Let's try this, it's fake but I can't help it." He clapped his hands and focused on every honkai beast that he saw as circuits of honkai energy appear all over his body and glowed. "Chibaku Tensei!" Dozens of honkai beasts flew to each other and quickly became a small sphere.

Blood came out of his nose from the strain "Tch, this takes a lot out of me. Gotta take them all out quickly." His great sword appeared in front of him and he gripped it immediately.

Cleaving multiple of them with a single slash he made quick work of the helpless beasts, as he quickly stored them. "Phew, I've gotten quite a lot. I feel that my energy reserves are quickly getting filled too, must be all the honkai energy here."

A horse like honkai beast that was rode on by a zombie wielding a lance then appeared. It wasn't that big and the rider looked at him menacingly. Then the mount quickly ran at him but in his eyes they were quite slow. He brandished his sword and side stepped the attack. He cleaved it horizontally and it died immediately. "Huh, those things are a non threat, got it."

He quickly dashed and killed everything he saw. Zombies, seraphs, catapults (Throws elemental bombs), knights.

He then went face to face with a massive chariot class. It was as big as a house and was built to destroy buildings. (insert pic)

It leaned back and raised both of its arms. Intent on crushing him like a bug. He quickly jumped back and its attack hit the pavement with a resounding boom. Creating a miniature earthquake, a shockwave hit him and he used it to retreat a bit.

There was a crater on the hands of the beast and the nearby buildings crumbled from the attack. "Wow, this big guy sure can throw a punch." He whistled. "Alright, two can play at that game."

He infused his arms and back with honkai energy as they glowed. He dodged another swing and jumped right above its head and raised both of his arms, doing a hammer fist "Eat this!" He swung his fists and it hit true.

Boom! Its head exploded like a watermelon and its body slumped to the ground like a ragdoll. With a heavy thud that shaked the ground it fell. He then grasped a mass produced spear and threw it like a javelin with all his might right on the center of its torso.

It didn't move and he quickly stored away its corpse. "Well, this one's not alive, but Mobius might be interested on this one." He dusted himself off and went to find other enemies to kill.

____________________________________________

After a few days of relentless hunting, the surroundings became a bit deserted. "Phew, I think I've cleared a lot. But those special zombies were quite interesting."

Earlier, as he was slaughtering seraph classes a woman wielding two blades appeared. He quickly noticed that she was not friendly. "Hey, you don't think we can talk this out, could we?"

It then dashed immediately and swung at him. He dodged and countered with a horizontal swing, but it dodged quickly and backed away a few meters away.

"Ooh, you can dodge huh. That was a bit surprising, but try and dodge this." He used his telekinesis and willed the zombie to fly towards him as he bisected it in half. "Must be a corrupted soldier that wielded swords. Rest in peace." (insert pic)

____________________________________________

He was eating a meal and sitting inside a house he found when heavy thuds resounded just outside. He took a peek and there it was, a 3 story tall storm templar (insert pic)

It was glowing pink all over as it was encased by honkai energy. "Now this will be a good fight." He then walked out of the house and it noticed him as it turned its head to him."

"Come on big guy, come at me!" As he dashed like a bullet with a sword in hand.

____________________________________________

Thank you for reading! Ciao