Volume 2, Chapter 16: Simulation - Tragedy of Constraints

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Back at the dormitory, Xia Chen's mood remained quite pleasant. During their conversation, he even shared some affectionate words with Ana, albeit clumsily repeating phrases like "I miss you."

Clearly immune to such sentiments, Ana noticed Xia Chen had been drinking and responded with concern, "Since you've had alcohol, it's best to rest well and relax properly."

"I've heard you've been training continuously lately; I worry about you overexerting yourself. Taking this time to unwind is great."

"You should give others a chance too; your dedication puts me under immense pressure."

Ana's voice was gentle, almost soothing Xia Chen as one would a child. However, her words held truth. Since Wendy joined their team, her combat abilities rapidly improved. Now, she could challenge Imperial Rank Honkai Beasts on the Memory Battlefield.

Despite still struggling, considering her young age and physical limitations, her innate talent was truly remarkable.

In comparison, Ana felt somewhat inadequate.

Additionally, there was Chen Tianwen. The young girl rescued from Manila's Honkai event, although possessing only A-rank Valkyrie talent, had rapidly improved through combat exposure. Despite her young age, she held her own exceptionally well in battles.

Surrounded by such prodigies, Ana found herself spending more time on the training ground and becoming increasingly strict with her teammates, almost as if transformed into a different person.

Xia Chen understood that Ana was feeling anxious.

"Once we have our next break, let's go watch a movie," he suggested. "It might help you relax a bit."

"I don't know when the next break will be," she pouted. "But since it's your invitation, let's pinky swear."

"You're not calling it childish this time?"

"Hmph, what's wrong with being a little childish?" She acted like a proud yet affectionate kitten.

Xia Chen smiled warmly.

Considering the time difference—night here meant daytime in Europe—their video call couldn't last long. After exchanging a few words, they ended the conversation.

Feeling utterly relaxed, Xia Chen even sensed a subtle breakthrough in his Heart Sublimation process.

However, lying on his bed, Xia Chen did not immediately choose to sleep.

Instead, he opted for simulation.

He wouldn't let current happiness hinder his diligence.

[Schicksal World Simulator activated.]

[Current Scenario: Herrscher of Binding's arrival during the previous era of the intrinsic world.]

[Equipped Weapon: Red Sakura.]

[Configured Stigmata: Ana Schariac; Sirin Ascension.]

[System generating records...]

[Day 1: You are a soldier from the United Nations...]

As Xia Chen regained consciousness, he found himself amidst chaos and mass exodus.

People were fleeing en masse. Those with vehicles used them, while others without cars ran desperately away.

Xia Chen instinctively looked towards the distance.

A golden barrier under the distant sky was rapidly expanding outward.

He reached around his waist and discovered a telescope attached there.

Using it, he observed individuals unable to outrun the barrier. As they entered the golden glow, they appeared stunned, collapsing onto the ground. Initially twitching, they soon succumbed and were engulfed by the light.

The Binding Barrier restricts all forms of energy - Honkai Energy, bioelectricity, thermal energy...

Countless individuals fell victim to this, providing even more energy to the Herrscher of Binding.

This was Xia Chen's first time witnessing such mass death, with people treated like insignificant insects. Even during the simulated arrival of the Herrscher of Flame, which incinerated all of Australia, the horror did not surpass what he now observed.

The process by which these people died closely resembled that of cockroaches being exterminated by insecticide: upon contact, they wouldn't instantly succumb to poisoning but rather dehydrate and lose their bodily fluids, struggling briefly before finally perishing.

The struggle near death seemed remarkably similar across all living beings.

Almost coincidentally, the light barrier halted right in front of Xia Chen. He couldn't see through it, but he could sense the eerie stillness within.

It felt like the boundary line between two worlds.

By this point, most of the city had been enveloped by the Herrscher of Binding.

He heard helicopter propellers overhead, clearly indicating a team from Fire Moth.

Xia Chen's expression shifted slightly, as if realizing something crucial.

Immediately, he searched for his communicator. Thankfully, it had a direct hotline to contact Fire Moth, allowing him to reach them promptly.

"Hello, I am a guard stationed by the United Nations at the birthplace of the Herrscher of Binding. I have vital intelligence about the Herrscher. Please listen to my information before taking any action, fusion warriors."

His communication was promptly acknowledged.

Xia Chen retrieved his identification from his pocket, verified his identity, and immediately stated, "Within the Herrscher of Binding's barrier, all forms of energy can be absorbed, including human bioenergy."

This was crucial intelligence.

He had forgotten how the tragic events involving the Herrscher of Binding unfolded in the original plot, but it initially stemmed from the lack of this specific information.

"Thank you; this is immensely important for Fire Moth," came the response.

The communication line abruptly cut off due to interference from overflowing Honkai Energy.

Xia Chen couldn't help but frown.

In the storyline, the protagonist group needed Bronya to replicate the hexagonal array Moonlight Throne to break through the Herrscher of Binding's barrier.

However, that barrier in the past was significantly smaller compared to the one now.

Otto had held back, enveloping only a small town.

But this current barrier of the Herrscher of Binding covers over 100 kilometers in diameter, resembling an enormous colossus. Clearly, shattering such a barrier would require more Moonlight Thrones for sustained firepower.

At this point in time, construction of the Moonlight Thrones likely hadn't even begun.

Thus, the previous civilized era chose a near-suicidal approach to create an opportunity for Kevin to strike.

Taking a deep breath, Xia Chen declared, "No, I must find Kevin."

Realizing the critical point, the young man immediately communicated through his Stigmata.

"Sirin, I need your assistance."

He opened a Virtual Space and swiftly headed towards the location of the MANTIS soldiers.

Meanwhile, within Fire Moth's ranks, discussions ensued following Xia Chen's statement.

"I believe we cannot blindly trust this person's words. What he observed was merely with the naked eye and cannot serve as reliable evidence," one MANTIS soldier spoke up. "I can enter first to assess the situation, setting a predetermined time limit. If I fail to return, it indicates an unknown lethal factor inside."

This reflected Fire Moth's values. In the face of Herrschers, any suspicion held significance.

Using lives to pave the way became ingrained since Fire Moth's inception, akin to their reliance on shortcuts. Just like the MANTIS Project, they bypassed biological testing and directly used human subjects for experimentation.

Though cruel, it proved highly efficient.

All MANTIS soldiers were accustomed to resolving issues this way, so when the suggestion was made, there was no opposition.