Honkai: Strijder (Honkai Impact 3 Male MC)

In the gaze of the original Wendy, the Darkened Wendy hesitated for a moment, then shook her head vigorously, dismissing her thoughts, gritting her teeth:

"Don't look at me like that! If it wasn't for that jerk forcing himself in, do you think I would be so polite to you!?"

Wendy shook her head, smiling:

"Indeed, I can feel your anger and stubbornness. If it were just the two of us, even if I resisted, you would still forcibly compel me to accept the power of the Herrscher—but I also understand that it's all for my own good, isn't it? You want to care for and protect me in your own way, right?"

"—I'm just doing it for myself!"

"But, I am you, and you are me."

"—Stop babbling! Nonsense! Ridiculous thoughts! I'm not that foolish!!"

As the Darkened Wendy resisted, the original Wendy sighed lightly and suddenly grabbed her hand.

The Darkened Wendy's movement halted once again, staring stiffly at the two clasped hands, suddenly feeling unable to move.

The original Wendy smiled apologetically, saying:

"Sorry."

"Huh? Why are you suddenly apologizing?"

"I didn't know about your existence. I never thought there would be another me, constantly enduring that sadness and despair, unable to relieve it, unable to share it with others, bearing it alone in loneliness. I can't imagine your pain, but I know it must be much worse than losing both legs."

The Darkened Wendy's expression froze for a moment. The eyes that had been filled with hostility since her appearance showed a moment of hesitation, then she glared darkly and said:

"I'm not that weak! Don't pity me!"

"But I can't help but pity you. You are me. If I can't even pity myself, then who will care about my feelings?"

"Naive! Stupid! Just obediently listen to me! Merge with me now, our combined power is enough to drive that annoying jerk away!"

"You know I won't agree."

Wendy said helplessly.

Then, as if she remembered something, her gaze shifted slightly, and she added softly:

"And besides, he's not... that annoying or a jerk, actually."

"You're blushing again!!!"

The Darkened Wendy was furious—but she didn't let go of the original Wendy's hand.

Then, she continued in frustration:

"Seriously, think about it. Since you've known him, have you ever successfully rejected him? At this rate, one day when he wants you in his bed, will you obediently climb into it, pretending to be virtuous? What's so good about that guy anyway? Can't you show some backbone!?"

"I won't!"

"It's not convincing at all!!"

"No, why are you so agitated?"

Wendy blinked, looking at the Darkened Wendy in confusion.

The Darkened Wendy's face was now flushed, gritting her teeth as she spoke slowly:

"Because I am you! I absolutely would not like that blockhead, idiot, and super jerk!"

"I don't— I don't like him— it's just... he helped a lot..."

Wendy lowered her head, even though it was in the consciousness world, she still felt like her heart skipped a beat and her breath stopped.

Upon hearing the words "like" uttered by the Darkened Wendy, the original Wendy suddenly understood something. A blush spread from her cheeks to the soft lobes of her ears in an instant.

The Darkened Wendy glared at her, wanting to curse but unable to find more harsh words.

The two fell into silence for a long time. Finally, the Darkened Wendy said angrily:

"In any case, I won't give up. Unless you kill me directly, I will never forgive those things!"

"Then, just for my sake, can you help me out?"

The original Wendy took the Darkened Wendy's hand, shaking it gently, blinking her eyes with hope and pleading.

The Darkened Wendy's pupils contracted, and uncontrollably, she took a step back.

"I— I won't agree! I won't agree with your weak and naive thoughts!"

"I'm not that foolish either! Your appearance also shows that I'm not someone who just accepts everything without resistance, am I? I remember those researchers who had completely different attitudes before and after, who deceived me, and those who mocked me. I won't forgive them easily— But I don't want to reject everything outright. If you are me, please, understand me. We only protect what we want to protect. If someone bullies us again, I will firmly say no. I will never allow myself to be wronged again, because I know that when I feel bad, there's you, who will feel even worse."

"You..."

The Darkened Wendy looked at her other self, her expression wavering.

"Please, the other me, I know this is difficult for you, but please give me a chance to prove myself. If I can't do it, then at that time, I will welcome you to become mine."

Wendy pulled the Darkened Wendy closer, embracing her waist, and said seriously and gently.

The fierce expression on the Darkened Wendy's face faltered for a moment. Trembling, she reached out and stroked the original Wendy's hair.

People couldn't deceive themselves.

Likewise, they couldn't refuse a request from themselves.

"Only this once..."

After a while, the Darkened Wendy reluctantly lowered her gaze.

The original Wendy looked up, flashing a brilliant smile at her other self.

The Darkened Wendy turned her face away.

It wasn't that she disliked it; it was just that the smile was too silly and too dazzling, making her feel uncomfortable, that's all.

...

Sigurd's vision blurred for a moment, returning to the real world, and his hollow eyes gradually regained their luster.

"How did it go, still smooth?"

Fu Hua stepped forward, asking Sigurd, who had regained his senses.

The realm of consciousness was a complex and dangerous place, especially with the influence of the gemstone's power. Fu Hua couldn't imagine the risks involved.

In the relatively short time they had spent together, Fu Hua had come to understand Sigurd's capabilities and limitless future potential. He would be the core force to combat the Honkai in this era, and Fu Hua didn't want anything to happen to him.

If Sigurd hadn't been given any room to refuse, Fu Hua wouldn't have agreed to help.

Sigurd closed his eyes, rubbed his brow, partly to relieve mental fatigue, and partly to digest the memories from the consciousness realm, saying:

"It went alright. The gemstone's power gave birth to the Herrscher persona. Fortunately, the girl showed some spirit and reached a reconciliation with the other side, persuading the Herrscher persona to cooperate with us."

"Persuaded... the Herrscher persona?"

Fu Hua's pupils contracted.

This was a miracle that not even the Previous Era had achieved. Could beings like the Herrscher really be persuaded by humans?

Of course, she was aware of Welt's existence, but encountering such a thing again, and with her own involvement, was undeniably shocking.

"It's not that simple. Firstly, my presence gave Wendy the confidence and opportunity to negotiate with it; secondly, the other persona hasn't been around for long, so its character hasn't fully distorted yet; thirdly, Wendy herself has an extremely strong will. Even without my intervention, she could have held on for several more years in that hellish place of the Oceania Branch. Convincing a newly born Herrscher persona isn't impossible for her."

"But it's still quite shocking. So, if everything goes smoothly, this child could become a human who wields the power of the Herrscher, just like Welt?"

"I said it's not that simple. The influence of the 'Gem of Desire is still affecting the Herrscher persona. If it continues to develop, she might not be persuaded the next time she goes berserk. Moreover, Wendy's body can't continue to withstand the erosion of the gem. Otherwise, she might actually die."

According to the data Sigurd possessed, Wendy's physical structure was already very unstable, with a risk of sudden death at any moment. In the original work, her ability to endure for several years in the harsh conditions of the Oceania Branch was nothing short of a miracle. But now, Sigurd didn't want to gamble on her ability to achieve the same miracle again.

"...You're right. Then, let's continue with extracting the gem."

Fu Hua pursed her lips, feeling a bit disappointed.

It wasn't that she lacked fortitude, but having a Herrscher with a human heart on the battlefield against the Honkai was of immense significance. It was a strategic unit even more crucial than the God Key!

Sigurd nodded.

"Phase Three— Instruments are functioning normally, and the Soulium is ready. Let me, see the true appearance of the 'Gem of Desire."

Sigurd calmly muttered to himself and input the next command. He watched as the concentration of Honkai energy displayed on the instruments kept rising.

Soon, a dark green rhombus-shaped gem floated slowly above Wendy's chest, releasing an eerie emerald light and an even more suffocating power of Honkai.

"So, this is the 'Gem of Desire?"

Sigurd whispered, a slight smile playing on his lips, feeling a hint of satisfaction.

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