Chapter 140 Senti: Honkai 3rd is just too sweet! I'm not crazy, I'm really not!
As Senti continued to push through the plot, she felt as if a knife were being twisted in her heart. Every time she looked at Su Mu, she either sighed and shook her head or hesitated as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
Clearly, the thought that this tragic Kiana was born from Su Mu's pen made Senti want to grab him by the collar and ask: "Old Thief, do you even have a heart?!"
In the game, Kiana cried out for Fu Hua to leave, unwilling to stay with a traitor. However, Fu Hua told Kiana something shocking. She couldn't leave Kiana even if she wanted to; at the moment Otto fired his gun, she had activated Fenghuang Down's Zeroth Power. Now, her consciousness was eternally bound to Kiana's. They could not be separated.
[??]
[Does this mean the Class Monitor is... dead??]
[So that bastard Otto really shot her dead?]
[The Class Monitor is a walking tragedy. As a Pioneer of the Previous Era, she protected human knowledge for so long... only to lose her memories, forget her comrades, and now be backstabbed by that jerk Otto to become this half-human, half-ghost state...]
[Sigh, seeing Kiana like this, the Class Monitor must be suffering every second internally too, right?]
The viewers in the stream sighed. They knew Kiana's blame was natural. It was indeed Fu Hua who had handed Kiana over to Otto, even if she was being used. After realizing she was a pawn, Fu Hua did everything to stop Otto, ending up in this state...
In the game, Fu Hua tried to persuade Kiana to return to Theresa and the others, arguing that only with allies could she be better protected. But at the thought of the Herrscher of the Void lurking within her, Kiana's expression turned to terror. She could never go back... she didn't want her companions to be in danger because of her again.
Fu Hua wanted to persist, but Kiana refused to speak further.
["Get away! Get out of my head!"]
Kiana crouched down, clutching her head in pain. A flash of sorrow crossed Fu Hua's eyes. If things truly reached an irreversible point, Fu Hua was prepared for the worst: for the three of them—herself, Kiana, and the Herrscher—to perish together.
[No way? Are they really going to kill everyone off?]
[Old Thief Su Mu, if you actually make the three of them die together, I will literally cry for you to see!?]
[No, no matter how low he is, he wouldn't kill Kiana, right? She's the protagonist!]
[True, if he kills the protagonist, he's not just mentally ill, he's...]
[Wait, Fu Hua said 'if absolutely necessary.' It's not that time yet.]
Senti cast a questioning gaze at Su Mu. Su Mu, still wearing the Elysia tongue-poking emote mask, looked somewhat ridiculous in this serious scene. The contrast between the atmosphere and the cute Q-version mask was jarring.
"Sigh." Beside them, the real Kiana sighed, a look of distress on her face.
"Kiana, what's wrong?" Fu Hua asked curiously.
"I just feel like life is unfair..." Kiana complained. "Think about it, half a month ago was Bronya's Herrscher of Reason short Cyberangel. She had a mecha, a motorcycle, and got to show off like crazy... then it gets to me, and it's all life-and-death struggle and taking Ls?"
Finally, she turned to Su Mu with a question: "Am I really the protagonist? This is a bit too miserable!"
Su Mu replied righteously: "Precisely because of this, you are the protagonist! Think about it—enduring trials to become a peerless powerhouse. Isn't that the classic hot-blooded protagonist growth route?"
Senti interjected from the side: "I don't see the 'hot-blooded' part. I only feel my heart is cold."
[Hot-blooded? Is he referring to Himeko's blood being hot?]
[Because Vermilion Knight's heat was so terrifying, her blood literally boiled, right?]
[Heh! Don't you guys remember what the Old Thief said last time? Honkai 3rd is a healthy, positive, uplifting game!]
[I believe you like I believe in ghosts, you old trickster.]
[But the Old Thief did say it was a story of girls growing up, right? There might be setbacks, but they'll overcome them for a happy ending...]
[Brother, you believe that? I don't believe a word of it!]
Faced with the skepticism in the chat, Su Mu could only sigh: "Sigh! These days, no one believes the truth. It's truly disheartening."
"Look on the bright side, Kiana," Senti said, patting Kiana's shoulder. "At least Su Mu didn't write you as dead, or half-dead like Sakura and Kallen—or turn you into a Stigma for Mei so you can only 'accompany' each other that way in the game."
[Pfft!]
[Streamer, are you a demon?!]
[Are you really the Old Thief's 'best buddy'? We thought you were joking!]
[Why are your thoughts identical to the Old Thief's? Are you for real??]
Senti's casual comment made the chat explode. They never expected Senti, despite her friendly face, to have such "malicious" ideas! To write a "sugar-coated blade" like that?
"Not bad. You have the potential to be a writer," Su Mu commented, looking at Senti with newfound respect.
"What? I-I was just talking nonsense! It's all your fault; now I'll never clear my name!" Senti hadn't expected her banter to be taken as proof of her close ties with Su Mu. Then again, being able to invite him on stream already proved they were close; having the same dark humor was just the cherry on top.
"Sigh, you saying that really hurts. Didn't you say we were good brothers?" Su Mu shook his head and sighed. "We agreed to be brothers for life, and you said you'd do anything for me..."
Senti's eyes widened. For the first time in her life, she felt a grievance she couldn't voice: "I NEVER SAID THAT!!"
[Eh? For life?]
[Streamer, you really are full of him, aren't you!]
['Do anything'? What kind of resolve do you have to say that? Can you carry someone else's life!]
[When I type a question mark, it's not because I have a problem, it's because you have a problem.]
But no matter how the girl explained, no one believed that Senti and Su Mu weren't close. Looking at Senti glaring at him as if she wanted to eat him, Su Mu said earnestly: "Feel the darkness of society? Welcome to the adult world, my friend."
Fu Hua, on the side, felt a sense of satisfaction. Seeing her sister take a loss felt like a secret treat. This brat needed a lesson. Now you know what it feels like to have no way to defend yourself? That's what happens when you speak without thinking!
However, Fu Hua also knew Su Mu didn't mean to embarrass Senti. He was technically helping her streaming career. In this era, engagement is king, and "negative" fame is still fame. Besides, Senti's situation wasn't even truly negative; while players denounced Su Mu, it only showed how much they cared about him. If the "Old Thief" actually died, the ones crying the loudest would be the ones who cursed him the most. If he's gone, who fills the hole in their lives? The ideal state was to keep him dangling—not too comfortable, but not too miserable! Just enough to make the game, but not enough for him to enjoy himself! It was a bit like an "edge" challenge.
Senti mumbled under her breath and continued the game.
In the weeping golden twilight of the game, Kiana began to wander aimlessly through remote streets. She recalled the past. She had known for a long time that there was a terrifying existence within her. That monster first woke up when she was twelve. That awakening caused massive destruction and injured her father, Siegfried.
What Kiana didn't know was that Himeko-sensei's teacher, Ragna Lothbrok, the captain of the Valkyrie Assault Squad, also sacrificed herself during that awakening. Ragna had a chance to wound the Herrscher, but she hesitated upon seeing a young girl, leading to her death. The squad was wiped out; Himeko only survived because she missed the mission. In other words... when Himeko first met Kiana and learned her identity, she likely knew Kiana was the "killer" of her teacher.
Yet, she treated Kiana as a student, guiding her in her own way, and even sacrificed her life to wake Kiana's consciousness... Since then, Kiana had been wandering. She never stayed in one place too long, fearing the monster inside would hurt others. It was only after meeting Mei, Theresa, and Himeko that she felt a desire to stay—to have a home.
The flickering neon lights interrupted her thoughts. The noisy crowds and the scent of food triggered her fear. Like a startled beast, she darted into a deserted alley. For the current Kiana, she was afraid to appear before people, even afraid of warm, bright places.
This warm night market was so familiar. It was like the streets she had walked for many days and nights with them. Eventually, her feet disobeyed her body's command, walking forward like a moth chasing a flame.
And it was then that Kiana fell into memory once more. She thought of her early days at St. Freya. Having just met Himeko, she was dissatisfied with her teacher's words. Thus, in May 2014, at the entrance training, she—the "combat genius"—challenged the "ordinary human" Murata Himeko.
There was no suspense. Before the "ordinary human," Kiana lost utterly. Himeko had no flashy moves, wasted no effort; her greatsword swung and hacked simply, accurately judging every footing, pursuing relentlessly. It was the strength of an "ordinary person." The strength of "nothing special" forged through ten thousand swings. By the time Kiana reacted, the sword was at her neck. Himeko had taught her the first lesson.
[True. Compared to Kiana, Himeko was undoubtedly just a normal human.]
[She didn't have the Kaslana genes or talent. She became a Valkyrie at 19, and her body was on a countdown due to the artificial Stigma modification...]
[But such an ordinary person stood side-by-side with gods, saving her student from a divine Herrscher....]
[But a mortal killing a god carries a price.... Himeko's already dwindling life was completely burned out at that moment.]
The Himeko in Kiana's memories made the viewers feel a wave of sorrow. Undoubtedly, Himeko's achievement was a feat for the history books—defeating a Herrscher as a human to save Kiana. But the price... was her life.
In the game, the memories continued. After class, Himeko stopped Kiana and, under her guidance, Kiana spoke about searching for her "idiot dad."
["If you ask me, you're much luckier than I am. At least your father let you understand the true face of life early on."]
["I.... until I was 19, naively believed the future was rose-colored."]
["Back then, I believed life was a road with infinite possibilities."]
Himeko spoke of her past. Life isn't a script you can write freely. Her father died because Honkai erosion turned him into a mindless monster. To find answers, Himeko left everything to join the Valkyries. For the Himeko of that time, it was too late. But she met someone who told her that it's never too late to do what you want; the important thing is to start. That person wanted to be a gardening teacher later. But she died in action, the team disbanded, and Himeko remembered her words, so she came to St. Freya.
To cheer Kiana up, Himeko wanted to give her an after-school training session. But the session didn't happen because she drank too much that day and couldn't even lift her sword. Finally, Kiana struggled to carry the dead weight of a woman back to her bedroom. For a moment as she closed the door, she saw in Himeko's sleeping face that 19-year-old girl who still believed the future was rose-colored.
In the third memory, Himeko led Kiana and the others into their first real battle, warning them: Valkyries gain power from Honkai energy, but they risk losing control and becoming monsters themselves. Therefore, Himeko issued a serious order.
["If one day your comrade loses control to the Honkai, you must end her life without hesitation."]
[Kiana asked hesitantly: "If it's Himeko-sensei who loses control, do we have to do it too?"]
["I said, you must not hesitate," Himeko replied firmly. "Trying to protect the life of a lost Valkyrie only results in more Valkyrie sacrifices. If you don't understand that, I won't let you on the battlefield."]
["Then if one day, I... if I lose control, then Auntie Himeko, you must..."]
["I won't let that happen."]
[Himeko interrupted Kiana, pressing the elevator button and looking at them with a smile.]
["As your instructor and captain, I will do everything in my power to protect every one of you and keep you out of danger."]
["Eh?? That's such a cunning thing to say...."]
["That is my principle."]
The memories rushed in like a tide, eventually becoming the battered Vermilion Knight holding the Surtr sword.
["You said, if a comrade loses their mind and is controlled by the Honkai, we must end her life without hesitation.... so why.... why you...."]
Kiana's trembling voice rang out, full of self-blame and pain. She could never forget what happened that day. Himeko could have killed her with one strike, but she didn't. She chose to inject the God-Slayer spear into Kiana instead. It was the only one... a precious thing. Himeko could have used the serum to save herself, but to save Kiana, she didn't hesitate to have Tesla turn it into a weapon.
At that moment, Himeko's image seemed to appear before Kiana again. Kiana knelt on the ground, tears falling. At some point, Honkai beasts surrounded her. She had to dodge their attacks while resisting the Herrscher's erosion.
["Humans always make the same mistakes. Sacrificing everything to save someone else."]
["But she didn't realize that her sacrifice would leave a wound in your heart that never heals."]
["That is why you will never escape me."]
["Any brief distraction, any painful memory, gives me more freedom to turn every place you stay into ruins."]
["Escape? Where can you go?"]
["Because, I am you, Kiana!"]
The contrast between the gentleness of the memories and the agony following Himeko's sacrifice was stark. Himeko spoke so fairly, yet when faced with a lost Kiana, she chose to give her life...
Just like Kiana, Himeko was too "cunning" (self-sacrificing).
The Herrscher's cruelty made the viewers furious, but they felt a deep sense of futility. Where could Kiana go? The Herrscher was like a nightmare following her. Himeko had saved Kiana's consciousness, but the void left behind gave the Herrscher an opening.
[Sigh.... though it's tragic, this plot is written so well.]
[The monologue, the memories, the Herrscher's mental attacks....]
[No, why do you have to make me think of 'Final Lesson' again!]
[Help, please, stop the blades. My heart can't take it anymore!]
A tragedy is essentially destroying beautiful things for you to see. The previous focus on the Trio's daily life at school was all to build a bond. That bond... was why Final Lesson was so heart-wrenching. You lay the bait to wait for the fish. Clearly, the players were now hooked, being reeled in by the "sweetness" of Honkai 3rd.
"Su Mu, you really aren't human! How much more torture is there!" Senti complained, wiping her face with a tissue.
"I'm now certain you have a problem with me." Kiana felt her scalp tingle. This interlude had been angst from the start, and that happy memory in the middle only made the following pain more effective... Su Mu, are you even human? You're a total beast!
Su Mu sighed, putting on a deep expression: "Sigh, as the saying goes: when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on any man, it will first exercise his mind with suffering and his sinews and bones with toil..."
Senti interrupted: "Stop! You're just like the Old Timer, speaking in riddles!"
Su Mu spread his hands: "The point is, Kiana is at a critical moment of growth. In this story, she will undergo a true transformation."
Senti rolled her eyes: "I'm just glad you didn't write her dead. Transformation my foot..."
Su Mu acted innocent: "I'm telling the truth. At most, the path is a bit twisty, with just a few more blades..."
Senti just wanted to send Su Mu a "suppressed laughter" meme.
A few more? A BILLION MORE!!
Sweet, too sweet! Sugar from start to finish! Haha! I'm not crazy, I'm really not! Waaaaahhh!!
END OF CHAPTER
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