Honkai Impact 3rd: Catching the Herrscher of Sentience at the Start

"Thank you for your help. Without you, it would've been difficult for us to fend off so many monsters." Gepard looked at Fu Shi with respect, recalling the overwhelming number of monsters earlier and feeling a lingering fear.

This wave of monsters was far larger than usual. Without her help, there would likely have been significant casualties. But... wait, I still don't know her name.

Feeling a bit awkward, Gepard asked, "Um... may I ask you..."

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"Gepard, stay here and hold the line," Cocolia interrupted Gepard, her gaze fixed on the approaching monsters in the distance.

"Lady Cocolia, are you heading to the front lines?" Gepard asked, also noticing the distant monsters as he looked at Cocolia and the two others walking ahead.

Cocolia responded, "Gepard, this is not something you need to concern yourself with."

"Thanks to Serval's kindness, these weapons should be enough to handle these monsters. I'll be taking them back later," Fu Shi said, glancing at the distant monsters. Although she wanted to rush forward and fight, she had more pressing matters to attend to. She then conjured dozens of crimson spears and tossed them to Gepard.

"...Thank you. On behalf of the Silvermane Guards, I appreciate your contribution," Gepard said as he distributed the weapons to his men, murmuring as he watched Fu Shi walk away.

After taking down one of the incoming monsters with a single shot, Gepard realized just how sharp the weapons were. He shouted to the guards, "Guards! Follow my lead—eliminate the approaching monsters!"

"Yes, Commander!" The Silvermane Guards raised their spears, their blood boiling with excitement as they charged toward the monsters.

Under Cocolia's leadership, after passing through layer after layer of defenses, they finally arrived at a mountain ridge.

"It's getting colder. It seems we're getting closer to the Stellaron," Fu Lin exhaled a breath of mist as she looked at the frozen remains of Voidrangers around them.

"What a massive mechanical hand," Fu Shi remarked as she gazed at the mechanical arm before them, far more imposing than anything Anti-Entropy had ever managed to construct.

"The Stellaron is inside that thing," Cocolia said, pointing at the glowing object ahead.

However, as she approached the Stellaron, a fragmented voice began to echo in her mind.

"Coco...lia... awaken... threat... advancing..."

"Must... eradicate... must... completely..."

"I... I..." Cocolia clutched her head in pain as countless images flashed through her mind, the Stellaron looming before her.

Lowering her arms slowly, she approached the Stellaron, embedding it within her body. Turning to face Fu Lin and Fu Shi, she conjured an ice spear and rose into the air, shouting, "Without breaking the old, the new cannot rise."

"As the Supreme Guardian, I command you to rise—'Engine of Creation'"

"Fu Shi, why did Cocolia suddenly attack?" Fu Lin dodged a massive hand from the Engine of Creation and moved next to Fu Shi.

"I didn't expect the Stellaron to have its own consciousness. It seems the one in the office earlier was also it. I let my guard down," Fu Shi said, her brow furrowed, looking displeased. She stared at Cocolia, whose mind had been altered by the Stellaron so easily. Just how strong was her obsession?

"...Let's deal with this big guy first," Fu Lin said, dodging the Engine of Creation's attacks while taking down the monsters Cocolia summoned.

"Capture the leader to subdue the army. Defeat Cocolia, and this thing should stop," Fu Shi said.

"On it," Fu Lin replied. Summoning her scabbard, Fu Shi grabbed Fu Lin and flew straight toward Cocolia. After evading the Engine of Creation's hand, she hurled Fu Lin toward her.

"Cocolia, surrender now," Fu Lin said, adjusting his posture mid-air and landing steadily on the Engine of Creation's platform. He faced Cocolia, who was gripping a spear.

"Hahahaha, listen... this power surges... it sings..." Cocolia laughed loudly as she looked at Fu Lin. Her body was enveloped in solid ice, and four ice-blue spears floated around her, transforming her appearance in an instant.

"The Stellaron's promise is the only hope for this world..."

"Seven hundred years ago, it drove away the Antimatter Legion—and today, it will erase your existence too!" Cocolia exclaimed, controlling the four ice spears to strike Fu Lin while extolling the Stellaron's greatness.

But just before the spears could hit Fu Lin, Cocolia clutched her head and stopped the spears, looking at Fu Lin in anguish. "I cannot harm the assistant of the Herrscher of Sentience... such disrespect..."

"Still retaining your self-awareness, huh? But what's with this Frozen Herrscher appearance?" Fu Lin said, summoning Twilight to shatter the suspended ice spears. She stood in place, watching Cocolia struggle.

"Fine, let me help you out," Fu Lin said, dashing toward Cocolia, ready to strike. But his rhythm was interrupted by the sudden appearance of two massive ice lances.

After shattering the ice lances, Fu Lin sighed as he looked at the further transformed Cocolia.