Chapter 241: The [Fear] of the Past

When the lightning disappeared and the dust dissipated, everything around it was destroyed. The few buildings that were luckily left were also destroyed, leaving only ruins.

But...it seems that due to the limitation of its own ability, or some other reason, its attack range is only 900 meters...

But even so, it was already outrageous. With it as the center and a radius of 900 meters, everything was destroyed by thunder, which reminded some people of the situation of the "Third Herrscher".

"He is such a difficult [senpai] to get along with..."

Nozomi, who was barely hiding behind the ruins, checked his magazine and muttered to himself.

"Come to think of it, you should have a [human body], right? According to what I saw [before], you all seem to have a female body... Should I still call you [sister]?"

Nozomi jumped up quickly and watched the place where he had just stood being "moved" away in an extremely strange way. While talking half-jokingly, he climbed over the ruins and started running and jumping quickly.

"After all, you guys always call me 'younger' or something like that... it's okay for me to return the favor a little, right?"

There is no other way, he has to run and jump, otherwise, it will forcibly drag the ground under his feet, causing mistakes... and then the purple thunder will follow.

"Nozomi, are you okay?"

"um!"

Nozomi once again used the ruins to avoid a "forced displacement" on the ground. He exerted force the moment he landed and made a quick dash to avoid the incoming attack.

'This time, in addition to thunder, there is also fire... Tsk, although I really want to complain that it can do too many things, it doesn't seem surprising.'

"It's okay, I can still hold it back! You guys should output now!"

"You think you're playing games?!"

"Just tell me if it looks like it or not!"

Nozomi dodged the sudden flames again, and at the same time turned his head to look at it. Finding that it was still facing him, Nozomi concentrated on continuing to "escape".

"How did you provoke it? Why is it targeting you?!"

Hen's slightly joking voice came through the communication.

"Maybe it likes me?"

"Good boy, I'm not as narcissistic as you!"

"Ha ha..."

Nozomi laughed casually twice as a response.

But Nozomi was not wrong... After all, as an angel, it came for Nozomi.

But compared to the other [Angels] "before", the one in front of him... seems different.

"Ugh! Not good!"

Almost within a moment, several exclamations were heard over the communication.

Then, Nozomi could see with the corner of his eye that, in addition to him, there were six people present who were forcibly moved by the ground beneath their feet out of the cover of the ruins, and as it spread its wings, blazing flames and lightning appeared in an instant.

"Tsk...what are you doing?! Didn't you remember when I told you to watch your step?!"

In response to this, Nozomi had to find an opportunity to shoot interference bullets at it, and Hen also discovered this in advance and pulled the trigger first.

The attacks from both sides hit it one after another, and then several other members who were not controlled provided covering fire... They managed to interrupt its attack, allowing the six people to run again...?

No, it couldn't do that. It seemed to be able to do several things at once. After discovering that its attack was interrupted, it immediately seized the opportunity, moved the area under Hen and several other members, and forcibly pulled them out from behind the cover.

Afterward, it continued to repeat the process, making it difficult for everyone to cope with it for a while... Damn, if everyone wasn't wearing protective equipment, they wouldn't be able to withstand these attacks.

Ah... they have to praise the engineering department, praise Vill-V's design, and praise Nozomi for helping them get the most advanced equipment... otherwise, they wouldn't be able to withstand this combo alone.

"What's wrong with this guy? Is he multitasking? How can it control so many things so smoothly? How come it is the same as you, Nozomi?!"

"Are you praising me or scolding me? Where is the backup? When will it arrive? We can't stay on the ground any longer, or we will be exhausted to death! Let the aircraft carry us to fight back!"

'Otherwise, if this continues, I will have to find a way to make a "rainstorm" come here' Nozomi muttered to himself.

"Here we go! Who's calling for backup?"

A familiar female voice came into his ears.

"Himeko? Oh... come on, cover us first!"

"Understood! Also, Nozomi, your equipment is here, pick it up!"

Himeko signaled her team members to suppress it and then raised her hand to signal the members on another aircraft, asking them to drop the "box" in the aircraft.

"Isn't it a bit too much for you to just throw it down?"

"Vill-V said that you can directly use the password to authenticate, and then the 'box' will automatically pair with you. Anyway, only you can use it."

After completing the initial order, Himeko also began to respond to Nozomi's words, but there seemed to be a hint of...smile in her words.

"Oh, by the way, Vill-V said you know the [password], so I don't have to shout it."

"Ha?!"

Nozomi looked at the "box" falling from the sky and about to crash into the ground. He didn't care about anything else and shouted quickly while running.

"[I like Vill-V the most!]"

[Password confirmation!]

The "box" emitted the voice of Vill-V, and then the entire "box" started to move autonomously and quickly flew behind Nozomi. As the "Soulium" flowed like water, the special combat uniform was also put on Nozomi's body. Then the "box" lifted Nozomi into the air, thus avoiding its subsequent attacks.

"......"

It's just that the [command] that Nozomi just shouted… really silenced everyone else on the communication line. In the end, they could only suppress their laughter and uttered a sentence.

"Awesome."

"Don't be distracted. Himeko, you brought ammunition with you, right? Give some to Hen and the others. Keep suppressing it! I'm trying to figure out a way to get rid of it."

"No need for your instructions, I'm already doing it."

"Vill-V, I know you are here, speak."

"Hi, hi~ Vill-V, the intelligent combat AI, is here~"

A voice belonging to Vill-V came out of the "box".

"Stop playing around, connect to our team communications, and assist in the battle... What functions did you add to the 'Box'? Use them all!"

"Free play?"

"Play freely!"

Nozomi, whose combat uniform had completely covered his body and who had also put on a mask, replied immediately.

"Okay! Then... let's start our [grand performance]! [Brother]!"

Vill-V cheered in the communication, and then the sound of her quickly typing commands could be heard on the other end. On the side of Nozomi's mask, one command after another popped up quickly.

Immediately, the "box" began to follow the instructions and dropped some equipment... At first, there were eight small floating cannons, and then three strange-looking things were dropped onto the ground. After touching the ground, the things quickly unfolded and formed three different styles of turrets.

And these things all followed Vill-V's instructions and automatically attacked it.

Coupled with the bullets that could affect Honkai fired by other members of the team, it was suppressed for a while, and one could even see scars on its white wings.

Even if it wanted to spread its wings again, unleash powerful Honkai energy to offset the surrounding attacks, and give itself another chance to change its form... it couldn't do that now, as the fierce firepower would soon push it back.

"By the way, Nozomi, what's up with that 'box' of yours?! Can that thing hold so many things?"

"You have to thank Vill-V's genius design and the two little ones in the laboratory. Oh, if I remember correctly, Mei should have also made some suggestions."

"Wow, what kind of black technology collection is this?"

Hen complained subconsciously.

"Okay, let me try it first..."

He bent down and put the rifle he had obtained earlier into the "box" for storage, then took out another special rifle from the "box".

Raise the gun, concentrate, let the light of energy shine, and then... pull the trigger!

Boom!

It didn't sound like a gun at all, but more like some kind of cannon.

The glow of energy disappeared in an instant, and when the vision became clear again, it was found that... nothing serious had happened.

Although the folded wings were covered with wounds, the harp with scattered starlight in the center was not damaged at all.

"Sure enough... Vill-V, please help me."

"No problem!"

Understanding what Nozomi wanted to do, Vill-V quickly input instructions, allowing the floating guns and ground turrets to increase their output.

"Let's have some suppressive fire."

"Are you going to be so nagging as soon as you start giving orders, Nozomi?"

"Just treat it as my habit, Himeko."

Taking advantage of the moment when it was still suppressed, Nozomi let the "box" fall back to the ground. After confirming that it could not continue to control the surrounding ground for the time being, Nozomi input commands on the control panel of the "box", reached out, grasped the handle that popped out of it, lifted it, pulled it, and a [crossbow] began to slowly take shape.

"Can we start the Final Act?"

Vill-V spoke excitedly in the communication.

"If there are no accidents, of course."

Nozomi said so.

Well... yes, if nothing unexpected happens.

Speaking of which, when the Honkai broke out, it appeared at dusk.

Between the previous rescue and the current battle... it seems like quite a while has passed.

In other words... the day is about to pass.

The night is coming.

When the last ray of light at dusk disappears, when the silver moon fully reveals itself in the sky, and when the sky is shrouded in night... it will also undergo changes.

The wings covered with scars suddenly spread open, treating the surrounding attacks as nothing, as if it had completely given up resistance.

However, this is not the case...

Flames began to burn and lightning began to rage.

The flame melts the bullets and the lightning shatters the energy.

The shape inside it also gradually changed, from a harp scattered with starlight to a twisted key shaped like a crescent moon.

Then, the "key" slowly fell down a little, as if it was inserted into a lock, and twisted slowly. You could even faintly hear a "click" sound, like the sound of a lock being opened.

At that moment, a great fear weighed on everyone's hearts. They wanted to concentrate their minds and look at it, but it was difficult to do so... As long as they stared at it for a while, its shape would gradually change from the shape of a "key" to another more distorted and more terrifying shape.

Almost no one can describe what that look looks like exactly, but everyone has a perception - it is angry, it is furious.

That terrifying and distorted appearance was caused by its anger. It seemed as if it existed just to scare others away, making it difficult for people to look directly at it. They might even instinctively look away, or their hands and feet would become cold and their bodies would become sluggish because of fear.

Then, there was the sound of the "door" being pushed open.

An inexplicable force swept around, and even Nozomi was not spared... No, it should be said that it was particularly targeted at Nozomi.

What Nozomi could feel was a power similar to spiritual ability, and it was the power that could most influence other people's emotions.

Nozomi was not worried about this. As he was getting closer to his "mother" and had already recovered most of his "past", he would not be affected by this level of spiritual power... Even the "Eighth Herrscher" who controlled the [Spirit] would hardly have an impact on him at this stage.

Not to mention that when facing the [Angel], he had already been on guard and should not be affected.

...Well, that's as it should be.

But at this time, the "memory" that Nozomi retrieved became his weakness... No, it would be better to say that it was aimed at this point.

After all, [Fear] is also within its jurisdiction.

After all, what it opens up is [Hell].

[Hell] targeting Nozomi alone.

...

"What is this? A reappearance of the past?"

Nozomi frowned and muttered to himself.

What he saw "before his eyes" was a world covered in crystals... Countless buildings were covered with a thick layer of crystals. It was even raining in the sky. When the rain fell to the ground, it would not form water, but instead become a small flower made of crystals.

Nozomi remembered this place, remembered this situation... It was the [ending] he chose by himself "last time".

If nothing unexpected happens, he will give the world [liberation], allowing people to get rid of physical suffering and continue to survive in another way.

but...

"wrong..."

Nozomi whispered softly.

"This is not right…"

"The rain last time... wouldn't be this heavy. At least it wouldn't turn into crystals when it hit the ground."

"and..."

"There is no voice…"

Nozomi could realize that everything before his eyes was just an illusion. The "memories" in his mind were still so clear, but... everything before his eyes was not right.

Everything is wrong.

He thought that he would join in as a "third party" and watch a drama that, in his opinion, was just boring.

But now it seemed as if it was pressing his head, allowing Nozomi to read the "memory" again in the "first person", a "memory" that had become a little weird.

But what's the use of this? Nozomi didn't think there was anything wrong with his "last" choice, or rather, Nozomi felt that looking back on the "past" that could not be changed was meaningless.

Since Nozomi made this choice and did this "last time", he will not regret it.

'Because I can't regret it, and there is no way to regret it.'

He has already done it. Even if he could start over again, what has been done has been done. This cannot be changed. Nozomi is very clear about this.

So, what's the point in letting him watch this "memory" again, which has only become a little weird?

Nozomi didn't quite understand, but he began to actively try to break free from this somewhat false "memory"... but everything around him just shook slightly, and no changes occurred.

Even... everything around him became a lot clearer.

'Hey, hey, hey... What's going on? I'm not the one who's restraining myself in the end, am I?' Nozomi felt a little headache.

"What the hell… this [senpai] is too scary… huh?"

Nozomi, who subconsciously wanted to cover his head, suddenly noticed something.

'My body... seems to have returned to the way it was "last time".'

'Damn, why is it getting clearer?'

'If that's true... then I should be able to hear "their" voices as well.'

'No, I will definitely hear it, even if it is in my "memory", this part will still exist.'

'So… what's going on?'

Nozomi raised his head, looking at the world that was gradually covered by crystals, this deserted world, this... world that Nozomi himself chose to give "liberation".

Logically speaking, at this time, Nozomi should have given "liberation" to all the living people in the world, even Elysia is no exception.

Logically speaking, at this time, Nozomi's vision would be very lively and the environment around him would be very noisy. After all, everyone had escaped the invasion of the Honkai. Although the way of survival was a bit strange, at least everyone survived.

Logically speaking... it should be like this.

But now, there is nothing here.

There was no one, no sound, and no life at all.

Except for the crystals, except for the rain that will turn into crystals, except for everything that will eventually be covered by the crystals.

Except...Nozomi himself.

It was as if Nozomi was the only one left in the whole world... No, not as if.

In this whole world, Nozomi is the only one left.

"Ah... I see... that's how it is."

Nozomi was a little dazed... He suddenly remembered what he was most worried about before he made up his mind to give the world "liberation".

'Ah... yes, that's the situation... Just like what others are worried about, after being covered by crystals, will I get "liberation" or just death?'

Are the voices of "them" that Nozomi heard really "them" or are they simply... Nozomi's own imagination?

"Hmm… huh…"

Nozomi had to admit that when he actually saw this scene, this scene that was similar to the "memory" but completely different from the [ending], he felt a little panic in his heart... because he had indeed had such worries and thoughts before.

but...

"It's okay. It doesn't matter."

Nozomi whispered to himself.

He did not face this kind of [ending], the kind... where he was the only one left, and all the others disappeared, died, or were even... killed by his own hands, and even the world was about to be covered in crystals and was on the verge of collapse.

He did not meet this kind of [ending].

But if that's the case, does that mean that in this [ending], he personally... killed his "blood relative"? And when Skadi didn't resist... he killed her again, once again?

'Does this mean that I have murdered Eden? Along with her parents...'

'Does it mean that I killed Sakura and Rin?'

'Does this mean that Vill-V believed his own "lie", and finally voluntarily accepted the crystallization, and eventually shattered and died?'

'Yes or no...'

"sigh..."

'No... No, I can't keep thinking about this. This is just scaring myself...'

Adjust your breathing, adjust your breathing, and control your emotions...

'I have not experienced this kind of [ending]. Don't think about it, don't overthink it, don't scare yourself, don't let fear spread in your heart...'

Nozomi adjusted his breathing, trying to calm his thoughts which had fallen into a misunderstanding.