I am a former Flame Chasers

Fate was cruel, but for Aponia, it was even crueler.

Ignorance may be bliss for some, but not for Aponia.

She could vaguely see the future, but she couldn't change it. she had tried many times, but always failed. Fate was stubborn, as if mocking her helplessness.

This is the greatest sorrow, and it makes her more pessimistic about the world. Even when she knew something would happen in Sundown Alley, she couldn't avoid it.

But then, Ryan arrived. Not only could she not see his future, but even the fate she knew had slightly changed. The outcome wasn't perfect, but it was different.

"So he can resist fate, and my innate ability is finally useful."

Aponia's eyes cleared. In her eyes, Ryan represented a chance to turn her curse into a real ability, one that could be used.

Ryan looked at her directly, feeling like the gaze was a little familiar. After a moment's thought, he realized—it was the same gaze Mobius had given him earlier.

Mobius wanted to use him for "evolution", and Aponia wanted to rely on him to resist "fate." Both were after his personal value and showed their closeness because of it.

That's right—there's no such thing as a free lunch in the world. In utilitarian terms, all interpersonal relationships are transactional; it's just a matter of who leads.

Ryan didn't fall for the temptation; he was far too rational for that. Besides, Aponia was different from Mobius. She wasn't obsessed and didn't want anything from him, at least not in a harmful way.

"Let's cooperate happily and avoid trouble. This nun is dangerous," Ryan thought.

"I'm also resisting fate, so our interests align." Ryan quickly defined the relationship between them.

Aponia continued praying, raising her head with eyes that now seemed excited and fanatical.

"The devil is causing chaos in the world, and God will send his angels to guide the lost. To me, you are that angel. Please use me as you see fit."

"Angel? Me? Use?" Ryan immediately noticed the ambiguity and felt a slight unease. As a scientist, he disliked being associated with those who spoke in riddles. He looked more closely at the nun, and the odd sensation grew stronger.

Her allure intensified, as Aponia seemed ready to sacrifice herself at any moment. Her clear blue eyes were filled with fanaticism. Ryan recognized this look from Snow Prison Town.

It was the fanaticism of faith. Yes, Aponia had once been a nun, and her abilities weren't something science could explain.

'It's better this way. At least I don't have to deal with someone as stubborn as Mobius.' Ryan adjusted his posture. Aponia's forwardness made him slightly uncomfortable.

In essence, both Mobius and Aponia wanted his power. Aponia confessed outright, while Mobius often made Ryan feel like he was the one begging.

"Since you're so honest, I won't beat around the bush. Aponia, you're also very valuable to me."

"I will fulfill all your requests. Please speak directly." Aponia's face showed a slight sense of expectation.

What did she mean by "fulfilling her requests"? She was so compliant.

"I hope you can become a fusion warrior and enhance those two abilities," Ryan said directly.

Originally, this requirement was part of a plan that required a specific opportunity.

Aponia's "talent" was terrifying. Both "discipline" and "precognition" far exceeded the scope of normal abilities, reaching the level of authority.

Among the thirteen heroes, aside from Kevin and Elysia, her abilities were the most terrifying, even surpassing Kalpas and the others.

After observing her abilities, Ryan saw that they had started to show some potential. However, they were still far from as powerful as expected. At most, they could only be called "induction" and "premonition."

Aponia froze, unsure of how becoming a fusion warrior would relate to her abilities, but she trusted him.

Her belief made her hesitate.

"This will make my situation worse. What others envy is actually a curse for me."

"I know, but haven't you decided to resist fate? Please trust me, this curse will turn into a blessing," Ryan said, reassuring her. He knew well that her abilities had brought her much despair.

The commandments couldn't save anyone, and foreknowledge only led to despair.

"Yes, I have decided. So..." Aponia placed a hand on her lips, her beautiful face now seeming more enticing. "I hope you will take responsibility until the end. Otherwise, that despair will turn into hatred."

Why did it sound a bit like guilt? Aponia seemed no simpler than Mobius.

Ryan paused, instinctively sensing something was off, but he couldn't back out now. Aponia was irreplaceable in his plan.

"Of course, this is my request, and I will take responsibility."

"Alright, then I'll follow your plan." Aponia accepted his promise without hesitation. She looked out at the lights, curious.

"So what is the collapse you foresaw that makes you feel like you're facing a great enemy?"

Everyone, including Mei, was curious about this, as Ryan's involvement meant that even if the honkai presented itself with organizational characteristics, a little calculation would show that humanity still had the upper hand.

Just like the lights of thousands of houses—there is darkness, but most places remain illuminated.

Ryan was reluctant to explain, though, because he could sense the growing optimism. In the original world line, Rome had never been so calm, nor could they hear the sweet violin music.

But he knew that just like the Herrscher of Binding gave the world a devastating blow, he hadn't found a way to confront Him yet.

"Like you, I can't show what I see, to avoid influencing too many people."

"But the fate you see is not unchangeable, that's our biggest difference."

"Yes, that's why I'm so anxious and unscrupulous. Fortunately, some smart people trust me." Ryan looked up, his gaze focused on the bright moon. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, and distant, beautiful music drifted from the opera house.

On such a night, a stroll along the Tiber River should have been romantic.

But Ryan's eyes were sharp, as if piercing through the thick night. He had a nagging feeling.

The Seventh Herrscher... is he here?

Ding—

He checked his phone and saw an anonymous message with a short line:

[The Seventh Herrscher has come, Himeko is fine.]

How did he know the moment the Herrscher arrived?

Ryan was puzzled at first, then let out a sigh of relief as he turned to Aponia.

"Because I know how terrible this Honkai is."

Southeast Asia, Indonesia

The flames still covered the land. From above, it looked like a red, undulating star, but with a little focus, it became clear this wasn't a natural wonder.

It was a city—burned out. Red Mars covered the land, stretching to the horizon.

At the edge, hundreds of tanks lined up in formation, their steel melted, and everything was silent.

But further inside, it was hard to recognize it as a city, for there were no signs of civilization—only twisted and melted steel and mushy concrete. A breeze blew through, turning it all to slag.

Nothing remained. The wreckage of several giant robots was swept away by the wind. Amid the dead silence, in the center of this "nothingness," long purple-red hair fluttered in the wind.

A woman, wearing long boots and a shirt with lotus sleeves, was squatting on the ground. She held a giant sword planted into the soil as if sensing the remnants of the heat. After a few seconds, her black pupils slowly opened.

"Nothingness. Complete nothingness."

She stood up, the high heels of her boots clicking on the ground as she passed the only humanoid form in the central area—still in a charging position.

"Is this what a fusion warrior becomes? Now, just a slightly stronger ant."

There were signs of the Herrscher's arrival. Although the warning time was too short, just like the Canghai incident, the Fire Moth mobilized the South Pacific branch for defense. Before that, a high-level fusion warrior had rushed to the scene.

The Herrscher had arrived, and his actions were unbelievable, but what happened afterward was even more terrifying.

Facing missiles, shells, lasers, and the high-level fusion warriors stationed at the Light Sadro River, there were two full punishment sword squads.

In the plan, this kind of force should at least be able to stall the Herrscher, if not defeat it. But one sword—just one sword—was all it took.

They, along with the city's hundreds of thousands of people, were wiped out in an instant—not a building remained, as though it had been erased.

The woman raised her hand and gently touched the charred statue. The breeze blew, and it crumbled to ash.

"You're too close, but—" She raised her head and looked at the pink stars flying in the sky.

"It's not just ants. Forget it. No need to fight you. After all, she's calling me."

Boom!!

A mushroom cloud rose from the ground. The remaining energy pushed away the dark clouds, extinguished the last sparks, and allowed the moonlight to shine down.

Elysia stood in the big pit, her face usually smiling, but now it was serious. She looked around.

"Mei, it seems the Herrscher escaped."

After receiving the news, she rushed straight from Neon. It didn't take too long, so her face showed confusion.

"Didn't they say the fight had just started? How did it become like this?"

The girl felt as if she were in purgatory, everything grayed out as her heart raced.

"It's because the fight just started, which makes it particularly terrifying." On the Raven No. 5, Mei answered almost as if speaking to herself. After the parliamentary questioning, she volunteered to lead the operation. Of course, the superiors were happy to approve. It only took a few hours from detecting the traces to the appearance of the Herrscher. She didn't have time to plan carefully, so she could only hope that the stationed fusion warriors could hold on until Elysia and Kevin arrived.

"According to the usual plan, Kevin and Elysia can join forces to deal with the Herrscher," Mei bit her lip. "But with the combined efforts of Elysia and Kevin, there should be a chance to take him down. Judging by strength, though, not giving him any opportunity to fight back is even more terrifying."

Kevin missed the observation and felt confused. He glanced at the main screen and his eyes widened. The Honkai energy surged, ravaging several dozen square kilometers. The shock from the explosion was more intense than any previous Herrscher's appearance.

The earth had turned into purgatory. The assistant at Sadro died on the spot. The Honkai energy reached a terrifying level—4500HW.

"This... this increased several times, right?" Mei muttered through clenched teeth. "I predicted the seventh Herrscher would improve, but this huge leap is beyond my expectations. It's not just the Honkai energy..." Mei's voice trembled.

Ryan had been right: the Honkai hadn't reached its upper limit yet.

"If I remember correctly, the Herrscher of the Wind was only 2000 HW."

"That's a huge jump. And judging from the remaining traces, it's pure combat authority."

The fire still burned, enough to leave a haunting impression, but Mei didn't entertain the thought for long. She glanced at the panicked soldiers.

"Kevin, do you know what I'm thinking?"

"What?"

"Has Honkai changed the way it destroys the world? Is it trying new methods again?"

Kevin licked his dry lips, feeling a chill run down his spine.

"Trial and error," Mei said, eyes narrowing. "If this is true, the threat of Honkai has risen to a whole new level. Humanity is far from invulnerable."

"Mei..."

"I'm fine." Mei waved her hand, her face now reflecting a terrifying cruelty. "I know what such a terrifying existence represents. If He's even a little shameless, human civilization will end."

With such instantaneous destructive power, He could wipe out a city before Fire Moth could react.

"No matter how powerful the Herrscher is, I'm thinking it through, but thankfully, I chose to trust him. Kevin, get me my phone."

"Aren't you under close surveillance?"

"It doesn't matter. I have to admit, Ryan sees farther than I do. There's no safe way out, and no reform left."

Mei stared at the scorched earth, her face hardening with resolve.

"Even the smallest loophole cannot exist. Whoever dares to obstruct us, regardless of their intentions—"

"Must be eliminated!"