Chapter 141 Himeko Appears Again? Animated Short [Amazing Grace]
As Senti continued the game, she controlled Kiana to confront the incoming Honkai beasts. Despite Fu Hua's warning that Kiana could no longer use her powers, the wounded Kiana, hovering between life and death under the beasts' assault, felt the Herrscher of the Void constantly eroding her spirit.
Eventually, Kiana could no longer endure. After being knocked back by a beast, the power within her body erupted. As her eyes turned golden, her White Comet battlesuit summoned a giant cat paw from the void, instantly smashing the beast before her to smithereens!
Although the beast was dealt with, using her power once more allowed the Herrscher's consciousness to invade again!
["Eventually, you will yield."]
[The Herrscher of the Void had waited a long time for this moment; her voice was filled with excitement as she prepared to return to the world and manipulate Kiana's body once more!]
["I... will never let you!"]
[Feeling the Herrscher constantly eroding her mind, Kiana grit her teeth and made a shocking move.]
[She picked up a fallen gun from the ground and aimed the muzzle at her chin!]
[To prevent the Herrscher of the Void from hurting the innocent people of Arc City, she intended to stop her by committing suicide!]
Playing through this, Senti's heart leaped into her throat. No way? Is Kiana really going to pull the trigger? Is she really going down with the Herrscher? Where is the Old Timer? Isn't she there? Old Timer, save her!!
Just as Senti was so tense she nearly forgot to breathe, the familiar background music for Fu Hua's entrance played on screen. Accompanied by falling feathers, Fu Hua appeared behind Kiana, stopping her suicide attempt.
["Now is not the time for despair, Kiana... because... I am here."]
A simple sentence made Kiana feel as if she had suddenly found someone to lean on. Her exhausted heart finally felt a sliver of warmth again. It also made Kiana burst into tears.
The moment Fu Hua appeared, Senti practically stood at attention in her seat! "Old Timer! You're way too cool! This save was too timely! You must be the one who blocked Old Thief Su Mu's blade; you're literally my hero!!"
It wasn't just Senti who felt a rush of euphoria at Fu Hua's save. In the livestream, the hearts of the viewers, which had been hanging by a thread, finally landed safely with Fu Hua's arrival!
As long as Fu Hua was there, Kiana wasn't alone... Plus, the mysterious power of Fenghuang Down had helped Kiana avoid the Herrscher's erosion multiple times. One could say that Fu Hua deserved immense credit for Kiana not being possessed over these past four months. Every time Kiana's spirit was on the verge of collapsing, Fu Hua appeared just in time... a true rescue hero!
[At this moment, I just want to say: Class Monitor, you are my hero!]
[Look at that, the power of a Pioneer from the Previous Era!]
[You think the Class Monitor lived for 50,000 years for nothing?]
[The power of Fenghuang Down, baby!]
Many viewers already had a positive impression of Fu Hua. After all, as Shenzhou players, seeing her Azure Empyrea form and not falling in love instantly was impossible! Azure Empyrea satisfied all the fantasies Shenzhou players had regarding immortal grace and martial spirit. As the guardian of Shenzhou, there was naturally no reason for them not to love her!
"It's really thanks to the Class Monitor.... If it weren't for her, I might have actually done it." Kiana's expression was one of lingering fear.
Fu Hua sighed: "Suicide is a cowardly act. It doesn't solve anything; it only leaves pain for the living. But I can understand how Kiana feels. After all, she is currently bearing far too much."
Senti added: "This life was fought for by Himeko-sensei. If you committed suicide, wouldn't her efforts be in vain? If you lose your life, you can't turn a tragic story into the one you want!"
[Actually, Kiana probably can't even die right now. Doesn't she have the Gem of Serenity in her body?]
[True. A gunshot would likely fail to kill her, and the body would just be seized by the Herrscher again...]
[At that point, Arc City would be ruined by the Herrscher of the Void.]
[So, the Class Monitor's move didn't just save Kiana; it saved the whole city!]
Many comments deduced the potential aftermath of Kiana pulling the trigger, leaving everyone chilled with after-the-fact terror! Fortunately, with the Class Monitor around, that wouldn't happen!
However, the struggle against the Herrscher was not as easy as imagined. In the plot, Fu Hua entered an illusory realm created by the Herrscher to fight her. She challenged the Herrscher over and over, failing every time. Even so, Fu Hua did not give up. Her persistence even surprised the Herrscher, who couldn't help but feel a shred of respect for this human.
In the past, Fu Hua had committed many mistakes because she trusted others too easily, and she had lost faith in humanity, fulfilling her mission only out of habit. But this time, Fu Hua wanted to be stubborn once more, for no special reason. She simply believed in the person who had sacrificed herself for Kiana. To that end, Fu Hua would protect the current Kiana at any cost!
During the struggle, three silhouettes of Himeko even appeared within the illusion. Under Fu Hua's desperate resistance, the Herrscher's erosion was slowed. She used this method to buy Kiana incredibly precious time!!
No one expected what came next. After this plot segment, there was another brand-new animated short! Despite Cyberangel having just been released, another short appeared within this interlude. This unexpected surprise revitalized everyone in the stream! They all held their breaths, staring intently at the screen, afraid to miss a single frame!
[Noisy, chaotic.]
[Beneath the night sky, disorienting neon lights illuminate Kiana's exhausted face.]
[She pants constantly, her body feeling as heavy as lead. Despite her desperate attempt to flee, three Honkai beasts leap down from a nearby height, blocking her path and launching an attack.]
[A beast raises its spear, poised to pierce her body.]
[Kiana closes her eyes in fear, and the screen fades to darkness.]
[However, in the very next instant.]
[As Kiana opens her eyes again, the entire world seems to have entered a state of frozen time.]
[The beast's spear is suspended in mid-air; though inches from Kiana, it no longer moves an inch.]
[Kiana seems to sense something; she looks up, her pupils contracting instantly.]
["CRACK—"]
[The nearby space shatters like a broken mirror, and from behind the shards, a fiery red figure emerges.]
[In this world of dead silence, her footsteps are strikingly clear and powerful.]
[Just like the life creed she has always practiced: moving forward with conviction, without a shred of hesitation or doubt.]
The moment that fiery red figure appeared, everyone in the stream stopped breathing. Senti stared fixedly at the familiar silhouette, her voice trembling as she spoke her name.
"Himeko.... sensei?"
[Himeko's figure is reflected in Kiana's eyes, which have filled with tears at some unknown point.]
[A solemn hymn, like a heavenly voice from paradise—Amazing Grace—begins to play.]
[Himeko's figure brushes past Kiana.]
[She raises the God-Slayer Surtr, looking back at Kiana. Words filled with authority, expectation, and encouragement ring out at this moment.]
["Kiana, what are you waiting for?"]
[As her voice falls, Himeko's body dissipates into the wind as if she had never been there.]
[Tears soak Kiana's cheeks; she is already weeping uncontrollably.]
[She closes her eyes, and as a powerful energy erupts from her body, the three Honkai beasts are instantly blown away!]
[Within the light, the symbol of the Herrscher of the Void's authority—the Void Lances—appear behind Kiana!]
["Himeko-sensei.... I will no longer run away."]
[Kiana opens her eyes. Although they are filled with tears, her face shows none of her previous confusion.]
[In its place is an unshakable resolve.]
[She buries her cowardice and confusion in yesterday. From this moment on, Kiana truly completes her transformation, mastering a portion of the Herrscher of the Void's power!]
As the animated short ended, the interlude story drew to a close.
["Kiana, through sheer will, you have controlled the power of the Herrscher of the Void."]Seeing Kiana successfully master the power, Fu Hua let out a sigh of relief. It seemed there was no need for the worst-case scenario. However, Kiana's expression was one of indescribable pain and self-blame.
["But if only it could have been sooner.... If I could have done this sooner, maybe...."]She clutched her head. If this power had come earlier, wouldn't everything have been different?
["Kiana, what Himeko-sensei wanted to see was not your guilt and repentance."]
[Fu Hua comforted Kiana with a gentle voice.]
["The reason she was willing to gamble her life to teach you the final lesson was because she believed in you wholeheartedly—believed that you would eventually become the one to change everything."]
The current Kiana, after experiencing so much, made up her mind never to run away again.
["I understand.... I will not let myself sink into past pain again. I will fulfill my promise to Himeko-sensei."]
[The dawn light tears through Arc City's night. The sun rising amidst the ruins represents the end of the long night and the arrival of dawn.]
[Fu Hua's phantom extends a hand toward Kiana, her gaze filled with encouragement and expectation.]
["Let's go. Although the Second Herrscher's personality is temporarily sealed, no one can guarantee it won't wake up again."]
["From now on, we have a long road ahead."]
["....There are many things to be done."]
As the interlude ended, Senti leaned back in her chair, unable to snap out of it for a long time. To be honest, the interlude story wasn't long. The animated short at the end was also quite brief—compared to the previous three, it was exceptionally short. Yet, that one-minute short, combined with the brief plot, perfectly conveyed Kiana's confusion, pain, growth, and transformation.
Undoubtedly, Honkai Impact 3rd had once again delivered a massive surprise to the players. As the short finished, the stream boiled over once more.
[The Old Thief didn't lie to us! Kiana she.... she really underwent a transformation!]
[Himeko-sensei saved Kiana once again!]
[The Old Thief said Himeko-sensei would have a chance to appear; so this is how she appears? The moment I saw her, I couldn't stop my tears!]
[Kiana has finally conquered her demons. She is truly mature now!]
Many viewers shared their thoughts. Some who had come purely to vent their anger at Su Mu forgot their crusade for a moment, their emotions entirely submerged in Himeko's return and Kiana's growth. Soon, as they regained their senses, they began leaving messages again, though with less hostility than before.
[Old Thief, you bastard! Return my tears!]
[Dammit! The Old Thief might be malicious, but he's too good at this! The quality of this short is way too high! Is miHoYo really not an animation studio!!]
[I've decided to spare the Old Thief for today, just because he writes so well!]
[I have to say, he might not be a human, but he definitely has skills!]
[Wait, did you really think we wanted the Old Thief dead? If he dies, where are we going to play Honkai 3rd!]
Facing these comments, Su Mu sighed and said aggrievedly: "Sigh, I've told you all that Honkai 3rd is truly a heartwarming and healing game. Do you believe me now?"
Facing Su Mu's "shameless" remark, the chat lost it.
[Heartwarming and healing again? Well, thank you very much!]
[I can only say that since no one died in this chapter, it's heartwarming enough for the Old Thief!]
[LMAO, true!]
[Are your standards for 'heartwarming' too low, Honkai players? 'No one died' counts as healing?]
[Diagnosis: Brain rot from playing Honkai!]
[Give us some actual sunshine, please? I suggest continuing the crusade against the Old Thief!!]
Senti wiped the sweat from her brow, her expression also one of speechlessness. "Though I don't see how this is 'heartwarming,' at least Kiana mastered some of the Herrscher's power.... meaning the crisis is averted, right?"
Kiana was quite satisfied with the short. "Though I was chased around by three beasts and looked pretty pathetic earlier, at least I got to vent some frustration.... So Su Mu, are you really not planning to let Auntie Himeko return?"
"Who said that?" Su Mu adopted a serious expression. "As an important character, how could Himeko-sensei only have this much screen time? She will have opportunities to appear in the future."
Beside him, Senti rolled her eyes. Yeah, you said that before too. Himeko 'has opportunities to appear'! Event plots, side stories, the main story giving us a flashback kill.... technically she appears, but that doesn't mean she's alive!
Heh, all traps. It's all Su Mu's traps!
Su Mu saw Senti's hesitant look, but his mouth curled into a slight smile. This is just the beginning. The explosive parts like [Meteoric Salvation]and [Everlasting Flames]are still waiting for you.
Sigh, sometimes Su Mu truly envied the "ignorant" players of this world. They had brains that hadn't witnessed the full Honkai 3rd story yet. Su Mu wanted a brain like that too. But who told him to be such a responsible person? Though he couldn't re-experience the initial shock, he could pass this "healthy, sunny, and positive" heartwarming story to more people, so they could be "healed" just like him, right?
This is the essence of producing Honkai Impact 3rd in this world!!
After finishing the main story and seeing the "To Be Continued" screen, Senti looked a bit melancholic. "Sigh, I wonder how long until the next chapter."
Fu Hua understood her feeling; she wanted to see the continuation too. "Yeah, it feels like the story isn't over. I wonder if Bronya found Seele in the Sea of Quanta. And where will Kiana go now that she has some Herrscher power...."
Senti's eyes darted around, then she looked at Su Mu with a grin. "Hey, Su Mu, since you're here today, can you leak some info about the next version's plot and events?"
Su Mu, still wearing the Elysia emote mask, asked: "Do you really want to know?"
"I do!" Senti nodded vigorously and turned to the camera, inciting the fans to beg Su Mu as well.
[Old Thief, give the kid some 'cake'! The kid is starving for info!]
[How about this: if you leak something today, I won't call you Old Thief for the rest of the day. Deal?]
[I advise the Old Thief not to be ungrateful! Or I'll start making a scene!!]
[Leak! Leak!]
Su Mu didn't keep them hanging. He actually wanted to use this stream to build some hype for the next version. "Alright, since everyone is so enthusiastic, I'll share a bit—in the next version, Honkai Impact 3rd will release another brand-new animated short!"
[Another animated short! Heck yeah!!]
[Another one? Why doesn't miHoYo just make a full anime! I'd watch it every day!]
[Is miHoYo really an animation studio? Their animations are top-tier in the industry.... Can I really watch something of this quality for free?]
The announcement of another short for the next version shocked the audience. They had just gotten two this version, both of world-class quality. And now there was another? Is the productivity of the Honkai 3rd team demonic?!
Senti looked past the surface to the essence. Just knowing there was a short wasn't enough! "Don't just say there's a short, what's the content? Give us the content!"
Su Mu recalled the scenes from the animated short Seele. The girl next door growing up, her strength shaking the earth, crushing the Sea of Quanta with seven punches...
——"Have you ever heard of the 'Seven Quantum Slaying Strikes'?"
END OF CHAPTER
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