Where the Lights Dim, Someone Waits For You to Return

In this disaster called Honkai, no one could remain unscathed. When a pale giant beast savagely slammed its claws down from above, the only thing reflected in their pupils was despair.

"Someone, please save me…"

Crack—

Accompanied by the sound of a Void Lance piercing through the carapace, the last rampaging Honkai beast was reduced to faint purple Honkai energy and disappeared. Kiana, who jumped down from it, was panting heavily as she picked up the little girl who had collapsed on the ground.

"Don't worry, I'm here." Kiana's smile carried hope, dispelling the fear in the little girl's heart.

Affected by her emotions, the little girl, who had originally wanted to cry out loud, forcefully stopped herself. She raised her hand, wiped away her tears, and looked at Kiana with her pure eyes. "Big sister, are you an angel?"

No, I'm just a sinner who wants to atone.

She had wanted to answer like this, but looking at the longing gaze of the little girl in her arms, she reached out and gently rubbed her nose, half-jokingly saying, "Yes, I am."

Soon, the people affected by the disaster had gathered around. Seeing that her daughter was unharmed, her mother kept thanking Kiana.

"The monster has been eliminated, you should all quickly go seek refuge."

Although the pain in her body was constantly intensifying, she still mustered her spirits and urged the survivors to evacuate quickly. Only after everyone had left safely did the smile on her face gradually disappear.

The Honkai patterns beneath her clothes had become faintly visible, and the flowing sweat had soaked through her clothes.

"The range of Honkai beast attacks has become larger. In the past, they would only target the city, but now even the suburbs aren't spared?" A deep worry filled her eyes. The Honkai in ARC City was becoming increasingly severe, as if something was constantly attracting them.

She had originally thought that the Herrscher of the Void's power was attracting the Honkai, but as Kiana's mastery over the Herrscher power continued to grow, and the Honkai energy that emanated from her body was no longer as unknown as before, she clearly understood that these Honkai beasts weren't chasing after the Herrscher's power.

Moreover, if they were attracted by her, then these disasters should be happening around her.

ARC City was definitely hiding some unknown secret. During her search for Griseo, she had occasionally discovered some strange clues. Perhaps Griseo's disappearance was also related to this.

After confirming that there were no more survivors in this disaster zone, Kiana continued walking towards the suburbs. Fu Hua had become withdrawn after their conversation that afternoon, and now, she was completely alone.

"After saying goodbye to him, I'll investigate this thoroughly." She looked up into the distance. It was now moonrise, and the lights of ARC City had already begun to illuminate, but the suburbs on the edge were still shrouded in darkness.

Just one peek, I'll leave after confirming he's safe.

As the Honkai continued to occur, various parts of ARC City were being locked down, and transportation to and from the suburbs had been cut off. Kiana could only head to the suburbs on foot.

Walking along the deserted streets, she was accompanied only by the bright moonlight and the stars that filled the sky. The entire world felt as if it had been forgotten.

She suddenly thought of the first time she had met Ren. There had also been rampaging Honkai beasts, and the same starry sky overhead. Only the dim streetlights had illuminated the streets.

Kiana remembered that it was Ren who had carried her, who was in a coma at the time, down that street. She wondered how someone with such poor stamina had been able to carry her across half the city.

However, when she arrived in the suburbs, all she could see was pitch darkness. Aside from the streetlights of public facilities, there wasn't a single light to be found.

At seven or eight o'clock, it should have been lively, but the huge suburbs were eerily silent.

"It doesn't look like it was attacked by Honkai beasts."

The buildings weren't damaged, and it seemed more like a planned evacuation. Continuing to walk forward for a while, Kiana stopped. The road ahead was blocked by roadblocks, and a dusty sign stood there.

[Due to a Honkai beast attack, all residents of this area have been relocated to the West District. Please do not approach.]

According to the sign, it had happened three days ago.

"They've already been relocated?" For some unknown reason, she breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to the inner city with its many shelters, the defensive forces in the suburbs were too weak. In this situation, relocating was the best option.

However, she couldn't help but feel some regret. After this farewell, she didn't know when she would be able to meet him again.

She stood there, looking in the direction of the residential buildings, not leaving for a long time.

"Oh well, I'm already here, so I might as well go take a look," after wandering around for a long time, Kiana ultimately convinced herself with the traditional "I'm already here" excuse.

Ren's house was some distance away from the main road. She would need to go through an alley. Because all of the residents had moved out, the alley was extremely dark. Fortunately, Kiana had the powers of a Herrscher. Night vision was no problem for her.

There used to be stray cats and dogs roaming in the alley, but now there wasn't even a trace of a mouse.

It was narrow and cramped. As she continued to go through the alley, a strange sense of unease gradually grew in her heart.

But the length of the alley was limited. After Kiana followed the path in her memory, a vast residential area suddenly came into view.

Unfortunately, the residential area was just as it had been before, but without any lights. Even the moon seemed uninterested in this area, not even letting its white glow fall upon it.

All the lights in every house had gone out. There were no families returning home.

Would he be at home?

Even though she knew it was an impossible answer, Kiana still couldn't help but think it. The path to Ren's door was dark and without light. She was only a dozen meters away from her destination, but she didn't dare go forward again.

Perhaps she was afraid of being disappointed.

Let's just stop here.

She turned around to leave, but at the moment she glanced back, in the extinguished sea of lights, she saw the only light that was lit.

The grey-haired boy had just pushed open the window, and their eyes met.