Honkai Diary: Start With Picking Up A White-Haired Treasure

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"The Herrscher of Death's abilities encompass Creation and Withering. To some extent, these can be divided between the two of you, significantly reducing the burden and risk for each. This is my suggestion; feel free to discuss it among yourselves."

"I don't need..."

"I can! I can do this!"

In the dimly lit room, just as Veliona began expressing her resistance, Seele leaned forward, bracing herself against the table, firmly asserting her willingness.

Bronya glanced at Seele, then looked at Veliona with gritted teeth, unsure whether she should intervene or not. Despite never having met Veliona before, they were both versions of Seele, leaving Bronya conflicted.

"I don't need your useless, weak, and tearful love! Just get out and cry by yourself!"

Veliona extended her index finger, repeatedly poking Seele's forehead, forcing her to lean away continuously.

After a while, Seele finally reached out with both hands to grasp Veliona's fingers, tears welling up in her eyes as she said,

"But I haven't seen you for over a month already. If it weren't for Big Bro Zeke bringing us here, I wouldn't have known what you've been going through. This is our problem together; we should face it side by side. I won't let you bear it alone!"

"Well, I... Stop crying in front of me!" The fierce Veliona, confronted with Seele's teary gaze, gradually grew more agitated, her expression intensifying in anger.

Suddenly, Seele opened her arms and embraced Veliona tightly.

"You...I..." Veliona froze on the spot, unable to form a coherent sentence for quite some time.

Eventually, her expression softened, returning the embrace. She closed her eyes and sighed helplessly, "Alright...you can let go now. It's getting a bit too warm."

In the consciousness domain, there is no such thing as normal temperature perception. Veliona's warmth referred to the heat she felt on her own face.

"Sorry, it's just that we haven't seen each other for so long, and I missed you terribly." Seele lifted her head, her tears turning into a smile, as she wiped away the lingering moisture from her eyes.

Veliona paused at this sight, then crossed her arms and turned her face away.

After a moment, regaining her cold and sharp demeanor, Veliona declared, "Anyway, I don't need your help. Just get out."

"I won't."

"Have you lost your mind, daring to defy me?"

"I-I...I just won't!" Rarely did Seele show such defiance—not only towards Zeke and Bronya but even Veliona, despite their shared existence.

Then, Veliona started pinching Seele's cheeks.

Seele fled, clutching her head with a helpless expression.

Veliona chased after her, looking fiercely determined.

The once-serious discussion had devolved into a playful squabble reminiscent of childhood games.

Bronya blinked, surprised yet amused: "(?ω?)!"

Having two Seeles around might not be so bad after all!

That was what she believed.

"Thump! Thump!"

At that moment, Zeke raised his hand and rapped on the table.

"Let's get back to the topic at hand. Although time flows differently inside the consciousness domain compared to the outside world, with all the Herrscher of Death's power currently confined within it, every minute we spend here also passes for that restless force. We don't have much leeway."

Seele stopped running.

Veliona caught up to her, pinched Seele's cheeks, then hmphed before both returned to their seats.

"To be frank, I hope you accept my proposal. It's the safest approach, ensuring maximum protection for both sides."

"I can do it, Seele!" Determinedly facing Veliona, Seele continued, "Don't let my appearance fool you; I've had...combat training too. I've been working hard to learn Fu Hua-sensei's martial arts. I can handle this!"

Her resolute expression clearly conveyed her courage and determination.

"Tch!" Veliona, feeling exasperated, playfully flicked Seele's forehead.

Knowing this confrontation would unfold, Veliona chose not to say anything earlier, intending to bear the burden herself.

Seele was a crybaby—timid, shy, and prone to tears even at the sight of a tiny bug—but she also possessed moments of bravery and stubborn determination, just like now.

"It's incredibly dangerous!"

"Exactly because it is, I can't let you face it alone!"

"Don't compare yourself to me; I'm much stronger!"

"That doesn't matter! Seele must stand with you, no matter what!"

"You... You're not listening to reason, aren't you?!"

"In any case, absolutely not! On this, I will never agree!"

Seele firmly grasped Veliona's hands, likely for the first time in her life showing such unwavering persistence.

For a moment, Veliona felt both angry and frustrated, yet there seemed to be nothing she could do about Seele's resolve.

Zeke then made his decision: "Then it's settled."

Veliona swiftly turned, exclaiming indignantly, "Wait, I haven't agreed to this!"

"The decision lies with Seele, not you. There is no reason for me to deny her taking on the responsibility she must bear, nor can I stop her from helping her friend."

"Are you people even listening?!"

"I'll help regulate your energy output. Both of you carry the Mark of Death inherently—a miracle in itself—and possess far greater affinity for these powers than any known Herrscher. This transformation will be successful. Bronya, you need to leave first; ensuring your safety won't be possible during this process."

Zeke disregarded Veliona's objections, knowing that once they started, she would undoubtedly do everything in her power to care for Seele, allowing the rest to naturally unfold.

After waving Bronya's consciousness away, Zeke raised his hand and grabbed a black chain. With a firm squeeze, amidst the sound of metal shattering, boundless Honkai Energy transformed into an infinite blood mist engulfing the world.

In the real world, just as Kiana finished eating her third apple, her antenna-like hair stood straight up.

Beside her, Sin also assumed a combat-ready stance.

They exchanged glances.

"Sin, did you feel that too?"

"A sense of ominous pressure... It's the Herrscher's presence, emanating from that crybaby!"

"Nothing better go wrong! All three of them are inside there!"

"Tsk! Don't jinx it! Zeke and Bronya won't face any danger!" Sin fiercely rebuked, simultaneously donning black armor. A pitch-black, lightless spear materialized in her hand, ready to assess which part of Seele would be most suitable for striking first—after all, if things spiral out of control, taking care of the Herrscher should ensure Zeke and Bronya's safety.

Suddenly, Bronya opened her eyes.

"Activate the anti-Honkai Energy shielding device in the bedroom, cut off physical communications, suit up in black armor... And before anything else, notify Fu Hua-sensei to come immediately!"

"Yes ma'am!" x 2

Upon receiving their orders, the panicked duo swiftly regained composure and sprang into action.

Draped in black armor, Bronya stood by the bed. After tapping away at the information window that popped up, a deep blue pyramidal light shield enveloped Zeke and Seele, sealing off their massive Honkai Energy leakage.

Soon, irregular ripples began to spread across the surface of the containment field.

Bronya furrowed her brow.

"Connect to the Selene Throne system and absorb this Honkai Energy. Activate defense mode for all units; evacuate civilians from the area and prepare for impact at any moment."

Sin and Kiana followed her instructions promptly, dashing out of the room and splitting up in different directions.

Bronya remained behind, expressionless as she watched over the two figures within the shield.

"You must be safe," she murmured softly.

It's difficult to gauge time within the consciousness domain, but in the real world, after counting 87 seconds, Bronya witnessed the protective barrier shatter before it could connect with the Selene Throne system.

BOOM!!

The devastating shockwave erupted, shaking the entire Headquarters Inner City.