Honkai Simulator: Start with Confessing to The Herrscher of Finality

Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm working on. I upload at least 2 times daily for most novels - There are at least twice as many available chapters on Patreon, compared to here on Webnovel. Additionally, there are also free extra chapters available for Free Members, so head on over:

Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff

******

As Xia Chen approached the young girl, he saw her eyes closed, resigned to her imminent fate of being consumed.

She could barely recognize the once-kind villagers who now appeared as fervent cultists, guiding her onto this stage destined for oblivion, euphemistically named "sacrifice."

Tears flowed uncontrollably from her closed eyes, and her choked sobs were drowned out by the clamor of the crowd.

"It's almost time."

The voice, seemingly from nowhere, made the girl shudder.

She couldn't resist; when she was captured here, someone had warned her that any defiance would result in her family losing their food supply for the year, leading to the starvation death of her mother and younger brother.

It was a threat, an unyielding one.

Yae Village may be large, but even so, there was no escape for her and her loved ones.

With her eyes shut, she awaited her fate of being devoured.

As the girl closed her eyes, it also marked the villagers' most fervent moment. They sensed a peculiar power, believing it must be their sincere prayers summoning the fox god.

Xia Chen couldn't help but sigh.

Poor child, this special power is actually Honkai Energy.

Silently, he moved closer to the ceremony, seeking the right opportunity to intervene.

Timing his action was crucial. Although Xia Chen believed he possesses enough strength to destroy Yae Village entirely,

if he acted too soon, Fiery Prisoner's appearance might be seen as divine punishment, turning his well-intended act into something malevolent; if he waited too long, the girl would already be consumed by Fiery Prisoner.

To achieve this, he quietly gathered Honkai Energy within himself, striving to become 'more delicious' than the girl. As Fiery Prisoner was also a Honkai Beast, it would naturally be more interested in someone with a Honkai Source.

By provoking its cannibalistic nature, Xia Chen could protect the girl and justify his own resistance as righteous.

It must be acknowledged that Xia Chen's mind occasionally worked quite effectively.

And his plan clearly began to bear fruit.

As the 'Fox God' appeared, nearly everyone became overwhelmed with excitement, kneeling down and murmuring sacrificial prayers incomprehensible to Xia Chen.

However, Xia Chen paid little attention to them, focusing instead on the manifested 'Fox God'.

This 'Fox God' met his gaze directly.

Similar to Xia Chen's memories from his previous life, Fiery Prisoner had not changed much. Its fur alternated between red and white, resembling a mythical spirit, but its size was several times larger than a normal fox, causing an intimidating presence that made people tremble.

The priest, responsible for the ceremony, pleaded with the 'Fox God' to partake of the offering. Yet, Fiery Prisoner ignored him, its focus fixed solely on Xia Chen.

Xia Chen had captured its interest completely.

Ignoring both the priest and the offering, Fiery Prisoner leaped off the altar and circled around Xia Chen, like a lion eyeing its prey.

The crowd near Xia Chen gasped and swiftly scattered, clearly aware that the fox god they worshipped was far from benevolent.

The priest, nearly fainting with fear, finally managed to speak after a long moment, "Lord Fox God, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding."

However, it was too late.

The 'fox god' lunged directly towards Xia Chen.

Xia Chen's eyes narrowed; he had already equipped the Keys of Oblivion on his wrist. Facing Fiery Prisoner, he mimicked Fu Hua's technique - Short Concentrated Force.

Mountain-Crushing Short Concentrated Force!

A force akin to a collapsing mountain struck Fiery Prisoner squarely, bolstered by his body's strength comparable to an Imperial Honkai Beast, further enhanced by the Stigmata.

This punch elicited a painful wail from Fiery Prisoner.

Xia Chen had learned Fu Hua's Short Concentrated Force technique during their time on Coral Island. It wasn't difficult to master, as initially, Short Concentrated Force was just an ordinary martial arts skill akin to a specific way of channeling power. Its devastating potency only emerged when combined with Honkai Energy.

With his abundant access to Honkai Energy, Xia Chen could execute this technique effectively.

However, despite its agonizing cry, Fiery Prisoner swiftly charged at Xia Chen again.

This time, Xia Chen sensed an overwhelming wave of malevolence assaulting him, as if the Honkai Beast aimed to alter his consciousness directly.

Gritting his teeth, he slightly bent his knees and met Fiery Prisoner's charge head-on.

Short Concentrated Force: Cloud Mist!

He could hear what sounded like cracking bones in Fiery Prisoner's skull.

Capitalizing on his advantage, Xia Chen unleashed a series of techniques he had learned from Fu Hua.

Short Concentrated Force: Chaotic Thunder,

Short-inch Strike: Thunderbolt, Short-inch Strike: Rockbreaker, Short-inch Strike: Skybreaker!

After executing this series of Short-inch Strikes, Xia Chen noticed that the overwhelming malice had vanished.

The reason was clear—Fiery Prisoner's leg lay broken, and it now whimpered on the ground.

"Lord... Lord Fox God?"

Almost everyone was stunned by this scene.

No one could have imagined that the fox god, who protected Yae Village from harm, would be so effortlessly dominated. The villagers hiding at a distance began to view Fiery Prisoner with a peculiar mix of emotions.

In the Far East region, resources have always been scarce, leading its people to develop a nature characterized by superstition and opportunism.

Their superstition stems from an extreme devotion to mythological beliefs, bordering on fanaticism. On the other hand, their opportunism reflects a deep admiration for strength, often resulting in swift shifts in loyalty.

This applies equally to humans and gods alike.

If a deity displays weakness here, they risk immediate abandonment by their devout followers.

And if a god can be defeated... is there still any need for worship?

Unconcerned with these societal dynamics, Xia Chen stared at Fiery Prisoner and gestured provocatively.

"Come on, let's continue?"

"Aroo!"

The Honkai Beast swiftly recovered, disregarding everything else as it unleashed flames directly towards Xia Chen. However, just as it did so, a sudden chill enveloped its body.

Xia Chen had manipulated frost to freeze the beast solid.

"This is... Divine Power?"

The temperature around them plummeted instantly, yet the villagers seemed oblivious. Their gazes upon Xia Chen now held a peculiar mix of emotions.

Outside Yae Village lurked demonic beasts, but the village remained unharmed due to the belief that its miko possessed Divine Power for protection.

The villagers' looks towards Xia Chen became increasingly curious, filled with admiration and suspicion alike.

However, none of this concerned Xia Chen.

As he began concentrating his ice powers, a blade's glow sliced through the air, heading straight for him.

It was Sakura Petal Fall.

The newcomer wore a black robe and a fox mask, their identity unmistakable despite the disguise.

The miko of Yae Village, Yae Sakura.

Xia Chen narrowly avoided the strike, but his sleeve was still torn.

"What are you doing?" he couldn't help but question her.

"That should be my question," Yae Sakura replied with a detached expression, "Attacking a priest and obstructing the ritual—what is your intent?"

Her voice seemed devoid of emotion, almost as if she were being controlled.

Xia Chen glanced towards Fiery Prisoner, only to find it had already broken free from the ice and vanished swiftly.

As part of the Herrscher of Corruption, its fox form served merely as one battle mode. If it wished, it could infiltrate anyone's consciousness for combat.

Over these years, it exploited Yae Sakura's hatred towards Yae Village, gradually corrupting her thoughts.