NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 261: Succumbing to Inner Demons
Because the existence of Honkai wasn't hidden like in other cities, the people here had a higher tolerance for these attacks. As the Honkai Beasts' influence gradually receded, the citizens of ARC City, long accustomed to such incidents, quickly returned to their normal lives.
However, although the immediate threat was gone, the situation was far from over. Otto's gambit involved more than just one device. These lures, as they decayed, would continue to release Honkai energy, attracting more Honkai Beasts. It wouldn't be long before a new wave arrived.
"With Schicksal's shielding devices in place, there shouldn't be any more Honkai eruptions, right?" Susannah put away her signal device. Her logistical skills were quite impressive; she had placed all the cubes discreetly throughout the city, just as Otto had instructed.
"So, Miss Susannah, did the Luocha people specifically send you to find me?" Li Sushang held the breakfast she had just bought, walking back to the ward with Susannah.
"Not exactly…" Susannah seemed a bit embarrassed. "My original mission was just to deploy these shielding devices. But right after I arrived in ARC City, the Honkai eruption occurred. I had no choice but to follow Lord Otto's instructions and seek you out."
"Honkai eruption? You mean those monstrous beasts?" Thinking of the recent attack, Li Sushang recalled the familiar figure beneath the mask, a sense of unease settling in her heart. "Do you know the reason for these beast attacks, Miss Susannah?"
"Well, I'm not entirely sure, but Lord Otto mentioned Herrschers when I contacted him. So, I suspect this eruption might be related to a Herrscher." As she mentioned Herrschers, Susannah shivered, recalling the horrific images from the Schicksal database, a flicker of fear in her eyes.
Li Sushang noticed the change in Susannah's demeanor but couldn't comprehend her fear.
It had been less than a week since she was awakened. Aside from some basic knowledge about modern life, Li Sushang knew almost nothing about this era.
It wasn't that she had a poor memory; on the contrary, her memory was excellent. She could remember almost anything she understood. However, during her time at Schicksal, most of her time was spent on physical rehabilitation, and no one had explained the details of Honkai to her.
To be precise, Otto had attempted to explain Honkai energy and such, but terms like "Imaginary energy" and "Quantum transition" were beyond her comprehension. To her, the concept of True Qi was far simpler.
"Herrscher... I think I've heard that term before."
"Have you encountered a Herrscher, Sushang?"
If Li Sushang remembered correctly, the white-haired girl she had fought earlier had also called herself a Herrscher.
Although their battle was brief, Kiana's Taixu Sword God had left a lasting impression. Kiana was the only person besides her master whom Li Sushang had seen wielding Taixu Sword God, making her impossible to ignore.
Moreover, after mentioning the name "Ren," Li Sushang had felt an immense pressure from her.
Fortunately, the "Ren" the girl was looking for didn't seem to be an ordinary person, whereas the Ren she knew was just…
The image of a sharp sword flash suddenly appeared in Li Sushang's mind, the memory echoing with a chaotic, negative aura. The words she was about to speak caught in her throat.
Was he truly just an ordinary person?
The answer was becoming increasingly obvious, but Li Sushang couldn't quite accept it. She resolved to have a proper conversation with Ren once she returned to the ward. If he had deceived her because he was in trouble, she would do everything in her power to help him.
"You said the eruption was caused by a Herrscher? Do you know what a Herrscher Core is?" Li Sushang recalled the information she had seen last night after clearing the mysterious Jumping Snake stage in the arcade.
"A Herrscher Core is the, well, core of a Herrscher. According to the records, it allows them to connect to imaginary space and draw upon limitless Honkai energy." Susannah recited from the Schicksal database. "Those Honkai Beasts also emerge from imaginary space. If a core exists, it will continuously attract them, causing eruptions like the one today."
Susannah continued her explanation, but Li Sushang was no longer listening. If a core meant the birth of a Herrscher, then the text she had seen, "[Herrscher Core… ARC City… Ren…]", that last name…
Her heart sank. She remembered Ren's game ID: [Ren]. Li Sushang didn't recognize the character for [REN]. but comparing it with the fragmented text, the answer was clear.
"Herrschers cause Honkai eruptions and are enemies Schicksal must eliminate. Records show that the First Eruption caused nearly 300,000 deaths, and the Second Eruption nearly destroyed half the world…"
Susannah continued her account, unaware that much of the information had been carefully curated by Otto, omitting details like the true cause of the Second Eruption being the Babylon Labs experiment and that the current Herrscher of the Void was actually protecting the world.
The only information Li Sushang gleaned from this exchange was that Herrschers destroyed cities and harmed humanity.
"Can a Herrscher Core turn an ordinary person into a Herrscher?" Li Sushang interrupted, her voice urgent.
"Yes. Most ordinary people exposed to a Herrscher Core would die, but those with special constitutions can adapt and become new Herrschers."
"What if the core is removed before they fully transform?"
This question was beyond Susannah's knowledge. She didn't understand Li Sushang's sudden urgency but replied hesitantly, "If the candidate hasn't been completely consumed by the core's influence, then their consciousness might be retrievable. Lord Otto might have a way to resolve it."
A Herrscher Core attracts large numbers of Honkai Beasts and can turn ordinary people into Herrschers.
What if Ren wasn't deceiving me from the start but was influenced by a Herrscher Core…?
"Taixu Sword Qi is the style most susceptible to demonic influence. Throughout history, countless talented individuals have attempted to learn it, but most have succumbed to madness. The closer one gets to Sword God, the greater the risk."
"Ren!"
All the pieces clicked into place. Li Sushang's expression changed drastically. Without even saying goodbye to Susannah, she transformed into a blur of motion, racing towards the ward.
"There's still time!" At a speed imperceptible to ordinary humans, Li Sushang reached the ward's door. She burst through, shouting, "Ren, I…"
The quiet ward was empty. Only the white curtains by the window swayed gently in the breeze, as if waving goodbye.
Li Sushang froze, her momentum abruptly halted.
She slowly walked to the bedside. The Homu mask on the table was gone, replaced by a brand-new Crimson Empress mask.
It was Ren's silent farewell, the final blow shattering Li Sushang's illusions.
He had succumbed to inner demons.