The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

Worried about him?

Kevin didn't understand. What was there to worry about?

He was the strongest in the world, unmatched on either Earth or Blue Earth. He walked steadfastly towards his goal, never wavering. He would seize the power of the End, claiming everything for himself.

He had achieved everything he desired, steadily realizing his dream. What was there for this phantom to be… worried about?

"What will happen after the Stigma Project is complete?" Lee asked softly.

"Humanity will slumber peacefully, the world will be free from the Honkai's influence, and I will use this power to make those responsible pay a hundredfold for their sins."

Everyone would get their wish, a peaceful future.

But Lee shook her head.

"But what about you?"

Kevin frowned, thinking the phantom was becoming delusional. "I told you, I will take revenge on the Honkai civilization."

"No, Kevin, that's not what you want…" Lee sighed, planting her greatsword in the ground. "Even if you avenge me and humanity, you're still living for others, continuing their fight—I'm talking about you."

She tapped her chest, looking at him. "What will happen to you if you do this?"

"You'll become a tool, living solely for revenge."

Existing without purpose, living only for revenge?

Kevin realized he hadn't considered this, not because he was incapable of such thought, but because he didn't care.

Wasn't he already living for revenge?

Kevin had died long ago, along with Lee and human civilization, 50,000 years ago. Since then, he had been a walking corpse, existing only to destroy the Honkai civilization.

Whether he implemented the Stigma Project or not wouldn't change that.

"I don't care," Kevin said flatly.

"But I do," Lee replied earnestly.

"Kevin, you know better than I do what the Stigma Project truly is. You understand that the price isn't just paid by humanity, but by you as well… In fact, you pay the greatest price of all."

Kevin fell silent.

The Stigma Project wasn't without cost for him. On the contrary, the price he had to pay was agonizing.

While humanity slumbered in blissful dreams, Kevin would bear the burden of everything. The power of the End, the dreams of all mankind, all would be contained within him.

He would imprison the Honkai within himself, a path made possible by Project Chimera—but that didn't mean he could easily contain such power.

The price of carrying the world on his shoulders was being torn apart and instantly reassembled by that power, trapped in a perpetual cycle of agonizing death and rebirth, a torment that would continue until the end of Earth.

Even if everyone else found happiness, it would never include him.

"…I don't care," Kevin repeated after a long silence.

Lee's answer remained unchanged. "I care, Kevin. I don't agree."

… Don't agree?

Looking at Lee's unwavering gaze, a nameless anger stirred within Kevin.

What right do you have to say that? What right do you have to look at me like that and say such things?

Kevin found himself resenting this phantom. The resemblance was too uncanny. Her eyes reminded him of when Lee had tried to stop him from undergoing the MANTIS surgery.

Back then, Lee had also told him she didn't agree. While everyone expected him to become the first MANTIS warrior and save humanity, only she had opposed it, for him, for Kevin.

He hadn't listened to her then, and later, he realized how deeply his decision had hurt her… But with the Herrscher threat looming, he hadn't had a choice.

And now, a phantom was stopping him with the same expression… What right do you have?! Even if he gave up, would she stay with him?

No. If he gave up, this phantom of Lee would vanish, leaving him alone once more.

So, he couldn't stop. Only by continuing his quest for revenge could he keep her memory alive… He was afraid to stop. 50,000 years was too long. He feared that if he lingered on the scenery, he would forget her face.

"Just a… false phantom…!" Kevin gripped his sword hilt, the flames of the Might of An-Utu freezing over where he held it. "Born from MEI's modified bloodline, ultimately serving only humanity's survival…"

"If it makes you feel better, think of it that way." Lee sighed, drawing her own Might of An-Utu. "But I will stop you, Kevin. Unless this consciousness is completely erased, I won't let you fall into the abyss."

"I don't object to your revenge against the Honkai civilization, but I refuse to see you bear such a tragic fate, spending your life in an endless hunt for the Honkai… Kevin, you shouldn't become the price for anything."

"…To avenge her, I must descend into the abyss!"

"No, you don't, Kevin…" Lee shook her head, looking deeply into his eyes. "What matters is that you live happily too."

"..."

Hmph, meaningless.

Kevin scoffed inwardly. Live happily? How could he possibly do that now?

No one was waiting for him, expecting him. The one he loved was long gone. If he abandoned the hatred that had sustained him, only emptiness would remain.

He couldn't stop, shouldn't stop. He would eliminate this phantom, slay everyone who opposed him.

He couldn't indulge in any hope for happiness, even if… even if that's what she wanted for him.

But this phantom was Lee, a fragment of her past self…

On the silent lunar surface, Kevin stood motionless, his once-blazing greatsword now mostly encased in ice. The conflicting frost and flames on the blade mirrored his inner turmoil.

Classic Kevin. Even with his ice-cold facade, he still hesitates when it comes to things he cares about… Looks like I need to give him one last push.

Watching Kevin's internal struggle, Lee sighed. He probably won't snap out of it until the very end. He was pretty decisive when he slaughtered those chefs, though—though it seemed his hand moved faster than his mind.

"Kevin."

Her voice brought him back. He looked up, and for a fleeting moment, he saw her, his Lee, reaching out to him.

"Why not trust your instincts one more time?"

"Instincts…?"

Trust his instincts? Had he ever done that before?

Kevin's eyes flickered with confusion, then widened in sudden realization.

He had trusted his instincts once, but that was—this Lee shouldn't know about that!

No, no, maybe it was mentioned in that game. This phantom is just repeating it…

But once the doubt took root, it couldn't be suppressed.

Lee showed no intention of attacking, making the hilt of his sword feel burning hot.

After a long silence, Kevin finally moved.

His horns receded, and his demonic wings vanished—he deactivated his Devil Trigger form, signaling the end of his fighting spirit.

"One last chance."

Kevin sheathed his weapon, his voice cold.

"Before this world's Finality emerges, show me a power that surpasses it, a power capable of destroying the Honkai without the Stigma Project."

Yes, this was the right course of action… His goal was to destroy the Honkai. Any method would do, not just the Stigma Project.

This Blue Earth held many wonders. Perhaps they could find a better way to destroy the Honkai… Even if they didn't, it would only delay the Stigma Project by a few months.

He wasn't hesitating, nor was he abandoning his revenge. He was simply taking a detour…

"That's the spirit! You have to have hope—and this time, I'm not lying." Lee smiled. "I hope you'll never have to do this, but it seems we don't have much time left…"

"You…"

Are you really Lee? Are you leaving me again? Will you ever return?

Countless questions flooded Kevin's mind, but he remained silent.

Too much pointless hope would only slow him down…

"Staying any longer might strain Lihua's body. I think I'll go back to sleep."

This was a complete lie. As a Synchro Summoned entity, Lee could remain active in this body as long as she wished—but why bother?

She would be constantly scrutinized by Kevin and possibly pestered by Otto and the others, who might think she was a cyber-ghost possessing Unit-1… Too much trouble.

Since Unit-1 was already the designated scapegoat, she might as well leave the mess for her to clean up. She was probably used to it by now.

Looking at the unconscious [Lee], Lee chuckled. "She's a good kid, just needs a bit more… guidance."

"I wanted to chat more with Elysia and the others, but it seems I can't. Haha… Please give them my regards, Kevin. And if you can, remind them to be a little more tolerant of each other, less fighting. They're scaring Lihua."

"The future I want is a world where everyone can smile. If everyone's filled with bitterness and hatred, my life feels meaningless."

"…Mm."

Kevin noticed faint light particles drifting from Lee's body, a sign of her departure.

Just a phantom vanishing. Nothing to be concerned about… Thinking this, he still averted his gaze, unable to watch.

Lee turned to assess her fallen teammates, her eyes meeting Otto's complex, cautious gaze.

Heh, that guy's been cut in half and he's still staring. What tenacity…

"Don't look at me like that. Your girl… I'm returning her to you now…" Lee smiled gently at Otto.

"After all, this is your story now, isn't it?"