Volume 1, Chapter 63: Simulation - The World of Finality's Descent

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With Wendy's situation temporarily resolved, Xia Chen found his days becoming increasingly challenging.

During this time, Wendy and Xia Chen were virtually inseparable. If there was any significant impact, it would likely be the suggestive glances from other Valkyries.

Currently, he didn't officially hold the title of boyfriend but fulfilled all the duties one would expect. However, it couldn't be helped; Wendy feared being taken back for further laboratory research, so she spent most of her time close to Xia Chen.

As someone from Headquarters with recognized talent, becoming an S-rank Valkyrie was just a matter of time for him. Although not widely publicized, the Ocean Branch personnel held great respect for Xia Chen.

Although reluctant to admit it, staying by Xia Chen's side was currently the safest option for Wendy.

Moreover, her recovery allowed the Ocean Branch to provide Headquarters with at least a satisfactory explanation. Despite their desire to understand the underlying cause, they ultimately abandoned further investigation due to Wendy's resistance.

In any case, conducting another experiment with a second Herrscher Core was unlikely, making the pursuit of understanding insignificant in practical terms.

To aid Wendy's recuperation, Xia Chen adopted Durandal's rigorous training methods, pushing her relentlessly.

Durandal's teaching style disregarded physical limits entirely, which is why the Valkyries under the Immortal Blades underwent remarkable transformations.

While Xia Chen wasn't as rigid as Durandal, he wouldn't go easy on Wendy either. It would be disrespectful to her abilities.

During this period, he didn't even have time for simulations, choosing instead to stay by Wendy's side from dawn till dusk, concerned about the Gem of Desire potentially causing further strain on her body.

Only when Wendy fully recovered to a B-rank Valkyrie level without any apparent side effects did Xia Chen feel relieved. On that day, after returning to his room, he activated the system.

It was already the last day of the week.

[Schicksal World Simulator Activated.]

[Current Scenario: End of Previous Civilization Era in the Intrinsic World.]

[Equipped Weapon: Red Sakura.]

[Assigned Stigmata: Ana Schariac.]

[System generating records...]

[Day 1: You are an ordinary soldier of Fire Moth...]

As Xia Chen regained consciousness, he noticed the entire world around him had drastically transformed beyond recognition.

In the Fire Moth's final base, the cold communicator transmitted one command after another.

"Detection of the Fourteenth Herrscher about to be born on the moon. As per the plan, the battlefield will be established there. Prepare the Moonlight Throne for calibration; in five minutes, lift off with the heroes aboard."

"The Ark is completed; initiate the Ark Plan."

"Regular soldiers, maintain order within the base and perform your duties diligently, ensuring the survivors' supply needs in the air-raid shelters."

"Soulsteel computers containing civilization records have been dispersed worldwide. The preparatory stages of the Kindling Plan are finished, awaiting execution."

"..."

Mei's weary voice echoed through every communicator, reaching everyone's ears. Xia Chen noticed the soldier standing beside him, his eyes filled with sorrow and devoid of spirit.

Despite Mei's best efforts to sound confident, Xia Chen could hear the underlying despair.

Everyone was speculating about the abilities of the Fourteenth Herrscher.

Everyone wondered if the already devastated world could withstand the destruction of the next Herrscher.

The heroes had embarked on the Moonlight Throne battleship, heading towards the moon, leaving behind a world filled with palpable despair.

From top to bottom, no one held confidence in this impending war.

Humans always triumphed, their victories leaving the world scarred and desolate.

"Hey, buddy."

Standing alongside Xia Chen during duty, another soldier spoke up, "Do you have any cigarettes left? I'm craving one now."

Xia Chen instinctively reached for his pocket.

However, apart from Honkai-specific medication and some identification documents, it was empty. He shook his head.

"You're right; where would we find cigarettes these days? Every cultivatable land is used for food crops now." The man chuckled helplessly.

Xia Chen couldn't see the soldier's face clearly due to the mask covering it. As of yet, nobody knew the Fourteenth Lawbringer's abilities, so even the air required constant vigilance.

He could sense that beneath the mask, the soldier's face likely bore signs of immense fatigue and weariness.

Perhaps it had been too long since speaking aloud, as Xia Chen's voice sounded slightly hoarse. "Sorry, I let you down."

"No worries, we both know the answer, don't we?"

The unnamed soldier spoke, "Yet I persist in asking with hope, just like this world itself."

Despite being filled with despair, there remained a glimmer of optimism, clinging to the possibility of victory.

After a long silence, Xia Chen said, "Humans will undoubtedly triumph over Honkai."

The soldier neither scoffed nor agreed.

He stood steadfast, resembling a decaying statue, poised to crumble alongside this shattered world.

Even the faintest spark of hope is a precious seed worth preserving in this realm.

Xia Chen patiently waited, observing silently.

Despite being at civilization's final moments, these warriors fighting till the end showed no signs of collapse or disorder; not even one soldier chose to flee.

They were bound by Commandments.

Xia Chen could feel the influence of these Commandments within his mind, as a voice repeatedly told him to hold onto hope, believing humans would surely overcome Honkai.

However, humans are not incapable of discerning their surroundings.

In a world overwhelmed by despair, these Commandments became curses, twisted forms of punishment.

Xia Chen already felt a throbbing pain in his head—how long had the person facing him endured such agony?

Perhaps they had become numb to it.

Or maybe, for them, the destruction of civilization was a form of liberation instead.

Xia Chen couldn't dare to imagine how many Fire Moth warriors might have chosen suicide before Finality if not for these Commandments.

It wasn't that they lacked fighting ability; rather, in this increasingly despair-filled world, there ceased to be any meaningful purpose for combat.

Xia Chen, unable to witness the battle on the moon, continued standing at his post as assigned.

Outside the base, the world lay devastated.

Silently, they awaited the outcome of the conflict.

"How long should we wait here?" Unable to hold back, Xia Chen asked, "Apart from standing guard, is there nothing else we can do?"

"Of course not, you could always pray," replied the other person, their voice tinged with indifference. "Prayer may be futile, but it offers relief."

He added, "Hey, I mean, if we win again this time..."

"Just kill me then," Xia Chen said quietly.

"I don't want to be a warrior, I'd rather desert. When the time comes, will you end my life? I can't bear it anymore."

"Yes, I'll grant your request."

"At that moment, I'll shoot three times directly into your head, ensuring complete release."

"Thank you. In my old home, there's still some gold left. If by chance you survive, feel free to take it."

Unable to contain himself, Xia Chen cursed, "This goddamn world."

"Yeah, this goddamn world," echoed the other person in agreement.