Honkai Simulator: Start with Confessing to The Herrscher of Finality

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Early the next morning, Xia Chen headed to the uninhabited reefs of Coral Island to practice boxing.

In the Immortal Blades, every Valkyrie's initial education began with combat techniques and firearms handling. Only after mastering these basics would they choose additional weaponry like heavy artillery, bows, scythes, swords, or knives based on personal preference.

There was no other reason; combat skills and firearm proficiency were the most versatile abilities for a Valkyrie.

Naturally, Xia Chen also possessed knowledge of combat techniques.

In contrast, having primarily served as Durandal's sidekick, Xia Chen only mastered combat and firearms proficiency. He learned swordsmanship through memory transfer from Rin, along with some additional training from Himeko.

While he could hold his own now, in terms of skill, he still fell short compared to even an average A-rank Valkyrie.

Nevertheless, being formidable was what mattered most.

For Xia Chen, revisiting hand-to-hand combat skills was merely driven by excitement after acquiring the five-star weapon.

The Keys of Oblivion were indeed powerful but designed for use alongside the Herrscher of Sentience's abilities. In his possession, it undoubtedly felt like a waste.

If this era's Herrscher of Sentience remained attached to Fu Hua, transferring the weapon to her would be sensible. The System hadn't mentioned any restrictions against gifting weapons.

Of course, his greatest concern was that the Herrscher of Sentience might be someone else entirely.

Since he had already altered the future, past plotlines could no longer serve as reliable references. Each day moving forward held uncertainties.

He seemed left with placing hope in Otto, trusting that the current Otto possesses the ability to 'select' a Herrscher; otherwise, there wouldn't be such secrecy around it.

Despite feeling capable of handling most situations now, Xia Chen didn't believe for a moment that the dangers in the future had diminished.

On the contrary, with his increased compatibility to Honkai Energy, Xia Chen felt even more vulnerable.

He had an inexplicable intuition that he was being 'cultivated' like livestock.

Much akin to fattening up a pig before it's time for slaughter.

After practicing boxing for a while, Xia Chen began using Taixuan Sword Qi. As he trained, he couldn't help but ponder his current situation.

To be precise, this reflection had been ongoing since Ana's death in one of the simulations. It wasn't until yesterday's simulation that he reached some preliminary conclusions.

Firstly, the System itself is unlikely to harm him.

This point seemed indisputable; if the System intended harm, there would have been no need for such complexity. Although he didn't know why the System chose him, from what he could tell, it has consistently aided him thus far.

However, just because the System isn't directly harmful doesn't mean it poses no risk at all.

The System is merely a tool, but who controls this instrument?

Whether it's Stigmata or weapons... everything obtained through the System so far shares a common trait: consciousness.

There appears to be another dimension within the System where these conscious entities reside. This space might be similar to the stigma space or possibly an entirely separate realm beyond it.

It's even possible that there exist higher-dimensional beings beyond this space.

In any case, regardless of which dimension, multiple consciousnesses seem to be observing him. Some acknowledge his efforts, others watch indifferently... while there are those intent on harming him.

Xia Chen surmises that his death might provide something valuable to certain consciousnesses, akin to animals hunting for sustenance, making him their prey.

Although uncertain what exactly would happen upon his demise, it seems sufficient to create 'food' consumed by these entities.

Moreover, the very 'worlds' he dies in could serve as nourishment for these consciousnesses.

The existence of the simulator makes Xia Chen feel like he is experiencing a vast version of the 'Elysian Realm.'

While exploring possibilities, he also creates countless new ones.

To reiterate, the System serves as a tool, but the various consciousnesses residing within may not merely be tools themselves.

Each simulation inherently explores 'possibilities,' focusing on the future.

But what positive significance does simulating past events hold?

After all, there is no known method in this world to reverse time; otherwise, Otto wouldn't have needed such extensive efforts. Furthermore, regardless of how many times he alters the past, it has no discernible impact on reality.

At least so far, Xia Chen has not witnessed any such effects—though perhaps the World Serpent's favor towards him counts as half an instance.

In yesterday's simulation, he found the answer.

Or rather, he should have discovered it earlier.

The consciousnesses that once perished in the past now seek to return to this world through the power of the simulator.

Rin is one example; however, due to her divided consciousness, only Rin's 'virtuous' aspect remains.

The Herrscher of Sentience undoubtedly falls under this category as well.

This represents the purest form of meme pollution. If resurrected in this world, it would directly lead to its destruction.

Similarly, there is Sirin's Stigmata consciousness... although currently, Sirin's primary consciousness resides within Kiana.

It resembles what Mobius has been continuously attempting—the experiment of consciousness transfer.

However, Mobius has yet to achieve success.

Returning to his original thoughts, the System itself was merely a tool. However, observing through it revealed various intentions among those involved.

Some aimed for good, others sought evil, and some simply watched indifferently.

The primary purpose of the System, indeed, seemed to be bringing possibilities to this crumbling world.

But these possibilities were not necessarily beneficial; they could just as easily lead to even greater catastrophe.

Much like his current predicament.

"If I suddenly lose my sanity and transform into a Herrscher, the resulting disaster would be unimaginable."

"And I already sense that someone is consciously grooming me as a vessel for a Herrscher."

Possessing only partial control over the Authority of Wind has become his greatest concern. Moreover, his foreboding goes beyond merely becoming the Herrscher of Wind.

"Embracing future possibilities... somehow feels eerily similar to Otto's vision from the future."

Xia Chen's thoughts could only go so far.

The biggest unanswered question remained - the origin of this system. Unfortunately, lacking sufficient information, he couldn't even begin to guess.

He suspected that perhaps someone had performed a similar act as Otto, leading to the emergence of this system. Of course, these were mere speculations.

Since Xia Chen relied on the simulator to enhance his abilities, dwelling too much on such matters was more detrimental than beneficial at this point.

With that thought, Xia Chen retracted his Taixuan Sword Qi.

Then, he noticed Fu Hua had arrived without him realizing.

"Your Taixuan Sword Qi is progressing rapidly," Fu Hua observed keenly, recognizing that Xia Chen had likely achieved some mastery in both Heart and Form Accumulation.

Xia Chen casually replied, "I've been practicing amidst distractions, surprised by the decent results."

A peculiar glint flashed in Fu Hua's eyes, seeing a reflection of another person in Xia Chen:

Cheng Lingshuang.