Dark Seele's voice also rang out in her mind: "The power of the stigmata has completely gone out of control. Even I can't stop it. What exactly is in this place? Why are you so terrified?"
Seele didn't know either. In her consciousness, she spoke with dark Seele: "Just now, in that moment, I suddenly felt an extremely angry... and sorrowful emotion... What is going on with this world bubble?"
But...
There was no time left for her to delve deeper into this matter.
The alarm sounded once more: "All units, attention. Zombies have invaded underground level 31. The system will automatically activate the isolator in five seconds! Non-combat personnel immediately enter safety facilities and avoid contact with the wounded!"
Underground level 31 was only two levels away from level 33 where RIN was. SAKURA was extremely anxious now, worried that the zombies would reach RIN before she did.
Fortunately, they arrived here one step ahead of the zombies' invasion.
As the elevator doors opened.
Seele was instantly startled: "Ah... there's so much blood...!"
The floor around them, the walls, the prison cell entrances... almost everything was covered in bloodstains.
SAKURA remained unfazed by this and simply cautioned: "Seele, protect yourself. I'll go find RIN! Once I bring her back, we'll leave this place."
SAKURA raced through the corridor, her figure flashing past one iron door after another.
The intensifying alarm sounds constantly stimulated her nerves.
Faster!
Just a little faster!
RIN, where are you?
"...Ah!"
She was finally almost there—769... 767... RIN's room was just ahead.
"RIN! I've come to save you!"
The confinement room door was unlocked. SAKURA burst in—impatient—looking toward the depths of the room...
She froze instantly, as if all the strength in her body had been drained.
The air was filled with the smell of blood.
The scene before her eyes assaulted her brain, leaving a deep imprint in the depths of her consciousness.
"..."
Seele, following closely behind, also saw the scene inside the room.
Her voice became hurried from fear: "Ah... what... she... she..."
Seele covered her mouth, trying hard not to say the second half of the sentence.
But her trembling voice still leaked continuously from between her fingers.
"How could this happen? Who did this..."
The horrifying wounds seemed to recount the girl's despair in her final moments. It was unimaginable what kind of person would commit such demonic acts.
But even knowing who it was now held no meaning.
The space was filled only with bottomless malice, making one feel cold from the depths of their heart.
Watching this scene, the viewers also felt a chill throughout their bodies, as if falling into an ice cellar—this was fear originating from the depths of the soul.
Everyone couldn't help but send messages in the official group.
"What does this mean? Do you guys know what this means? The RIN that big sister SAKURA has been searching for is already dead? And she died from torture?"
"No, who exactly did this? How could they be so cruel? The room is full of bloodstains—those streaks of blood on the walls are from a whip dipped in her blood, right?"
"And those claw marks in blood on the floor—those were scratched by her fingernails after they were torn off, right? This is too ruthless."
"Even as an outsider watching this scene, I feel cold all over. I can't imagine how despairing it would be to see one's own little sister tortured to death."
"You still haven't figured it out? The ones who caused this tragedy are humans! It was the people in this base who tortured her!"
"It was actually like this? No wonder the earlier parts kept emphasizing the conflict between humans and MANTISes, emphasizing the internal struggles in the organization—they were vicious to this extent?"
"I've figured it out. Because of the tragedy of the 11th Herrscher, they feared Herrschers. After learning RIN might be a Herrscher and locking her up, driven by fear and vengeance, they treated her as a Herrscher and tortured her to death."
"It really sends chills down the spine. What kind of mental state was the director in when he wrote this plot?"
"Is it possible that it was written while you all were blocking his door every day and the company had spies arranged?"
"...So he really deserves to die. Even in this situation, he still tragedies us—my big sister SAKURA."
"Group up to kill the director. I want to torture him to death like this. Anyone joining?"
"I remind you all—the director has moved. No one knows where he lives now."
"..."
Messages in the group kept coming one after another.
And inside the Golden Courtyard.
SAKURA, seeing this scene, was filled with incomparable anger.
The corpse on the ground was clearly her real-life little sister. During filming, she knew her in-drama sister died, but she didn't know it was this tragic!
Anger, fueled by alcohol, could not be suppressed.
In the end, she drew her weapon and pointed it straight at Hessian: "Damn director!!"
Hessian had long prepared for this scene and immediately burrowed into Elysia's embrace: "Wife, I'm so scared!"
Elysia was also helpless. Her husband was absolutely talented—a genius—but he always loved courting death.
She protected Hessian in her arms and said to SAKURA: "SAKURA, that's just TV. It's not real..."
Eden also persuaded: "SAKURA, calm down. It's just television—it's all for the plot."
"But... he actually... actually made my little sister die like this..." SAKURA was still very angry.
Hessian, hugging Elysia's embrace, said: "Precisely because a cute and lively girl like RIN dies so tragically can people realize how terrifying human malice is, and understand how tragic life is in a world shrouded by the threat of Honkai."
SAKURA admitted he had a point.
But the anger in her heart was hard to dispel: "Let me kick him once—just one kick. Otherwise, I really can't be sure if I'll protect him in the future or secretly kill him."
Uh...
Hessian glanced at SAKURA's legs... bah, her feet. With that leg strength, one kick would probably put him in bed for days.
He immediately said: "My friend, it's not appropriate to get physical over a TV drama. How about I punish myself with three drinks instead?"
Seeing him take a step back.
SAKURA also couldn't press too aggressively—after all, it was just television.
She agreed right away.
She personally poured three full large glasses for Hessian and forced him to drink them all in one go, only then feeling a bit better.
Hessian was a bit dazed from the sudden drinking and leaned back to rest.
And Elysia also received a message from Mobius: "Kalpas is at the company with a knife looking everywhere for Hessian. Tell him not to come to the company today."
She also relayed this message.
Eden instantly understood— no wonder this guy chose to watch TV at home.
He had known full well that SAKURA and Kalpas would both go mad and had prepared a good safe haven for himself in advance.
Eden smiled and said: "Rest assured. Kalpas can't get into this Golden Courtyard. But you should think about how to appease him—otherwise, can you still eat the company food in the future?"
Uh...
Hessian pondered for a moment and said: "It's fine. I have a way. Everyone, let's watch TV first."
Hmph!
SAKURA huffed coldly and turned back to watch TV with everyone.
On the television.
Seele still wanted to remind SAKURA that the zombies were catching up.
But no matter what, SAKURA was in that state—she couldn't hear any voices anymore.
Seeing the zombies approaching, Seele drew her scythe, wanting to protect SAKURA well.
Crimson flames swept in, burning the zombies to ashes that scattered in the air.
In the center of the flame storm stood a white-haired man—it was Kevin.
Kevin's gaze swept over Seele, making her feel a wave of fear, but he seemed to have no intention of capturing her. After confirming no enemies remained, he sheathed his greatsword, and the flames extinguished accordingly.
He walked straight toward the two.
"SAKURA..."
His call received no response.
The girl before him seemed to have fallen, along with her deceased sister, into some invisible abyss.
He had thought she would be surprised, confused, angry, wailing—he had imagined countless possibilities.
But now, SAKURA just sat there quietly, unwilling to wake no matter how others called her.
He gently shook his head and connected to the communication channel.
"MEI, this is Kevin. The zombies on underground level 33 have all been cleared."
MEI's voice came through: "Good work. The zombies on other floors have also been completely eliminated. Any reaction from the Herrscher core?"
Kevin answered: "No abnormalities."
MEI continued: "We can't yet confirm the crisis is over. Continue observing. Support will arrive soon."
"Received."
Communication ended.
Seele quickly blocked Kevin, who wanted to approach SAKURA: "What do you want to do? Please don't hurt big sister SAKURA. She just wanted to protect her little sister. Her little sister was innocent."
Kevin stopped and explained to her: "The ability of the 12th Herrscher is to release a large amount of erosive virus spread through the air at the moment of death."
"Without our knowledge, the military personnel in the base executed her on their own, thereby awakening the Herrscher."
"This zombie crisis was caused by her."
"SAKURA was wrong. RIN is a genuine Herrscher. SAKURA must take responsibility for her intrusion."
Seele immediately argued: "But this wasn't RIN's intention! If those military personnel hadn't killed her, this tragedy wouldn't have happened!"
Kevin said: "Even if those military personnel were stopped, sooner or later there would be others, other events, becoming the final straw that broke her. When RIN was chosen to become a Herrscher, her fate was already sealed."
"This... is Honkai...!"
Kevin's eyes flashed with ferocity, his tightly clenched fists seeming ready to drip blood at any moment.
He tried to calm his tone, but the trembling of his body exposed his pain and anger completely.
MEI's communication came again: "Kevin... Kevin, can you hear me? Something's happened. The Herrscher hasn't been eliminated yet."
Kevin was shocked: "...What did you say?"
MEI continued: "The systems in the base have been attacked by the virus. The defense programs have been completely breached. All equipment and robots have fallen under the opponent's control. It's now further seizing control of the nuclear missile silos."
"Hold on—I'll be there right away!" Kevin said, turning to leave.
MEI said urgently: "The 12th Herrscher... is an ultimate virus with self-consciousness... This is... the true form of the Herrscher of Corruption..."
The communication system also paralyzed due to the Herrscher's invasion.
Seele was surprised: "What's going on? The room doors are all locked?"
Kevin immediately said: "You quickly take SAKURA to a safe place! The Herrscher's attack isn't over yet..."
"—Is RIN still alive?" SAKURA suddenly spoke. This abrupt voice froze the air.
SAKURA stood there blankly, looking at Kevin with lost eyes.
"Kevin, where is she?"
Kevin quickly asked: "SAKURA? What do you want to do?"
SAKURA answered: "I want to go find her."
"You're crazy—she's no longer RIN!" Kevin wanted to stop her.
Seele also pleaded: "Big sister SAKURA, don't go... It's very dangerous there. You will, you will..."
SAKURA looked at Seele with gentle eyes, her tone filled with infinite sadness: "Precisely because it's dangerous, I have to go. You won't stop me, right? RIN must be very lonely now. She's always been a child who fears loneliness."
"...She needs me."
"..."
Seele fell silent. The roar of artillery and alarm sounds intertwined endlessly.
She knew letting SAKURA leave here was destined to be a journey with no return.
Yet she couldn't say it.
She couldn't find even one reason to stop SAKURA.
Crying, she decided: "Then... Seele wants to go with you!"
Kevin scolded: "Don't joke! RIN is already dead!"
SAKURA just looked at the two gently.
Her hand touched the weapon at her waist: "Seele, I'm sorry..."
"Stop! SAKURA!"
Before Kevin's voice finished, SAKURA's sword edge completely froze space.
Time lagged, consciousness scattered, everything tended toward stillness.
In those brief few seconds, in this lightless domain, only she could move.
"Our journey together ends here." She passed by Seele's side, softly leaving her final words: "I wish you... can reunite with your big sister..."
When the space freeze vanished and Seele came to her senses, SAKURA had already disappeared.
Seele quickly asked where SAKURA had gone.
Kevin only said somewhat sadly: "She... left."
Seele hurriedly said: "We have to hurry and help her—she'll be in danger!"
"..."
Kevin was silent for a long time before speaking: "No, there's no need for that anymore."
Just as he said.
The previously paralyzed communication recovered. MEI's voice rang out again: "Kevin, I succeeded. The Herrscher fell into the trap and was confined in the main control system by the isolation program. I'll find a way to transfer her to the black box."
"Hm? Kevin, what's wrong? Can you hear me?"
Kevin's tone was low: "Sorry, MEI. Can you give me a little time? I have something... to handle."
He ended the communication.
Taking Seele, he arrived at SAKURA's location.
"Kevin... and Seele too..."
SAKURA lay amid endless metal ruins, like a solitary flower in the wasteland. Her most cherished pendant had withered along with her figure.
Seele cried out sadly: "Big sister SAKURA...! No... no..."
And Kevin, facing this scene, only remained silent.
SAKURA's breath grew weaker: "Kevin... I know you were right..."
Kevin said: "MEI has already sealed the Herrscher. She said that in the final moment, the Herrscher's activity showed unexplained disruption. She didn't miss that opportunity."
SAKURA also relaxed slightly: "That's good... I accompanied RIN... to her final moment... Until the end... she was still my little sister..."
"I protected... my pride as a big sister..."
"..." Kevin said: "You never regretted it until the end. That's enough."
SAKURA's eyes gradually dimmed, but a trace of smile flashed at the corners of her eyes. Perhaps she saw something—something only she could see.
"...Kevin, finally... I have one last request..."
Kevin said: "I'm listening."
"Seele... take her back to our homeland... I promised her I would take her to the square blooming with cherry blossoms..."
Kevin said: "I'll do my best."
Even at this moment, SAKURA was still thinking of Seele—this was her gentleness.
Seele also cried: "Big sister SAKURA..."
SAKURA said gently: "Seele... don't be sad... Some things... some regrets... we are powerless against... But you... still have someone you want to protect..."
"When you and she... stand together under the cherry blossom trees... you will discover... this world is still beautiful..."
"You will discover... your world... still has hope..."
As her words fell.
The last bit of light in her eyes vanished with them.
The world bubble gradually dissipated into illusion, returning to nothingness along with SAKURA's life.
"Big sister SAKURA... big sister SAKURA..." Seele's sobs dissipated into the darkness, leaving only silence.
Until that voice rang out: "Hector knew the kingdom would eventually fall, Achilles also understood he was walking toward death, but the two of them still stepped onto the battlefield without hesitation."
"In this story destined to be a tragedy from the beginning, no one ever hesitated or wavered because of it."
"They were like that, and we... are the same."
Seele quickly looked around, wanting to find who was speaking.
And that voice said again: "I brought her body back to our homeland. But when I arrived there... what I saw was only barren wasteland."
"The Herrscher manipulated the launch silos and used nuclear missiles to completely destroy the last three cities humanity had left."