Volume 1, Chapter 52: Is Schicksal Technology Already This Advanced?

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Nagazora City was once the second most prosperous city in the Far East region.

Densely populated, with advanced transportation and vibrant commerce, it all now stands as a cold line in history books:

"Nagazora City suffered massive casualties due to a severe infectious disease outbreak, leading to its complete quarantine." - This narrative circulated outside Nagazora City throughout the Far East area.

The government bowed in apology, people mourned helplessly, and just like that, an entire city vanished.

When Xia Chen arrived, all that remained were ruins, countless Honkai Beasts, and Zombies.

A surge of excitement involuntarily coursed through him.

The Ocean Branch's environment had become too comfortable, almost to the point where he felt himself growing stagnant, rusting away.

Xia Chen knew that even though Rin had dulled his memories from simulation scenarios, the combat experiences within them had already ingrained themselves into his instincts.

With his blade raised, Xia Chen charged directly at the Zombies.

After the Major Honkai Eruption in Nagazora City, it became a testing ground for Saint Freya's students to hone their combat skills. Filled with Chariot and Schwertkreuzer-class Honkai Beasts typically handled by B-rank Valkyries, this area provided practical assessments of their abilities.

Due to the lingering Honkai Energy in Nagazora City, these creatures remained contained within its boundaries, making them somewhat 'compliant.'

These aberrant life forms even formed tribal-like communities within Nagazora City. If they were to develop human-like intelligence, perhaps they could establish an alternative civilization.

Of course, none of that concerned Xia Chen.

Wearing the Mark-III Valkyrie Armor, he effortlessly navigated between Honkai Beasts using the Space-Time Distortion System embedded in it.

Blade Technique: Sakura Petal Fall.

A crimson glow resembling sakura petals swept through, clearing three Chariot-class Honkai Beasts in an instant, shattering the tranquility of Nagazora City.

The Honkai Beasts stirred, converging towards Xia Chen, precisely what he desired.

"Rin, how is this Honkai Energy working out for you?"

"Mm-hmm."

Within the Red Sakura, Rin emitted a contented sound.

To maintain their synchronized consciousness, she required Honkai Energy, which Xia Chen had just provided abundantly with the fallen Honkai Beasts littering the streets.

After extracting their Cores, the beasts would transform into stone-like forms and eventually crumble into dust due to weathering, much like abandoned industrial waste.

"Dealing with these Honkai Beasts hardly takes any effort now," Xia Chen remarked, furrowing his brow slightly. "If only there were Imperial Honkai Beasts here."

However, it had been over a year since the Honkai outbreak in Nagazora City, and any Imperial Honkai Beasts would have likely been eliminated by now. Currently, the city lacked conditions suitable for breeding large-scale Honkai Beasts.

Feeling somewhat unsatisfied, Xia Chen realized that these lesser creatures were barely enough for a warm-up.

Nevertheless, they were better than nothing.

Muffled sounds echoed throughout the city, startling the resting Raven from her nest.

"Hm? A sudden Honkai Beast uprising?" Surprise flickered in Raven's eyes as she noticed a young girl running towards her.

"Teacher, what's happening outside?"

"I'll go check it out." Raven paused and said to Sora, "As the eldest here, make sure they stay put and don't wander off. I'll be back shortly."

These were the children she had taken under her wing in Nagazora City.

All of them were survivors of the Major Honkai Eruption, remarkably fortunate few who manifested Stigmata amidst the chaos.

However, Raven could only hide them here. After all, their Stigmata might attract the attention of Jackal. This city, ravaged by Honkai, was free from World Serpent's spies, ensuring their safety.

Otherwise, falling into Jackal's laboratory...

She vividly recalled what happened to a boy named Chen Tianwu, despite receiving a substantial referral fee for his capture.

Sometimes, Honkai serves as the best cover. If any unexpected incidents occur with these Honkai Beasts, she would need to consider relocating the children elsewhere.

It would indeed be troublesome, especially since her villa on the island is not yet completed.

After giving some instructions to the girl named 'Sora', Raven ventured outside.

As a renowned assassin listed in the Charon Catalog, her ability to pinpoint sound sources was highly acute. Quickly, she determined the location.

Like a crow, she moved swiftly across rooftops, her hooded gaze observing the chaos below.

How should Raven describe the scene unfolding before her?

It resembled a slaughterhouse, with Honkai Beasts collapsing one after another, almost as if queuing up, and then disintegrating into sand.

The zombies met no different fate, being harvested like crops, batch after batch.

As she watched the man clearing the battlefield, she couldn't help but frown.

For Raven, who effortlessly dealt with Imperial Rank Honkai Beasts, mowing down lesser enemies akin to cutting grass, would not have been challenging. However, there was simply no need for such action.

Honkai served as the perfect cover for Nagazora City, requiring only the beasts near her nest to be cleared.

What puzzled her was Xia Chen's identity. Clearly, someone with such skills yet unknown to her must either hail from Schicksal or Anti-Entropy.

And given his attire of Valkyrie Armor, his affiliation spoke for itself.

Raven didn't believe Schicksal intended to cleanse Nagazora City of Honkai, considering too much time had already passed. If they were going to act, it would have been done long ago.

For a brief moment, she even wondered if her adopted child's identity had been exposed.

"Should I take action?"

Raven's eyes narrowed slightly before deciding to suppress her impulse for action.

Regardless of whether the person below hailed from Schicksal or Anti-Entropy, their combat skills were undoubtedly formidable. It was not yet the time for World Serpent to draw attention.

She opted to observe as Xia Chen cleared wave after wave of Honkai Beasts, trying to discern his intentions.

Meanwhile, Xia Chen sensed someone watching him.

After dispatching another Honkai Beast, he instinctively looked up.

From this angle, all he could see were towering buildings.

"Strange." Xia Chen furrowed his brow.

His senses wouldn't deceive him.

Even though Rin had dulled his memories, his battle instincts remained intact. A warrior's intuition is often inexplicable, and Xia Chen trusted it implicitly.

He squinted briefly, then feigned nonchalance, continuing to clear the Honkai while slowly moving towards that particular building.

Witnessing this, Raven couldn't help but scoff, "So you did notice? But your disguise is far too careless."

Swinging the Black Feather Blade, she prepared to resume observation when suddenly sensing imminent danger.

Drawing upon her warrior's instincts, Raven swiftly evaded just in time.

An ice shard struck the spot where she had been standing moments earlier.

"I know you're there; you can come out now."

"Damn." Raven's expression turned grim. "Is this one of the Valkyrie Armor's auxiliary functions? Has Schicksal's technology advanced so much?"