Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

"We're forced onto a stage we didn't choose, to play a role we didn't want. Yet, we still hope for an ending we desire."

Lin Wei paused, a sudden thought making him stop mid-stride. He murmured the words to himself.

The Herrscher stopped, glancing back at him, wondering what he was up to.

Lin Wei smiled, offering no explanation. He truly was just talking to himself this time.

He stepped forward, past the Herrscher, reached for the doorknob, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open. If this was a journey through his life, he should be the one to begin it.

He didn't look back, even though he might never return.

He'd said his goodbyes. No point in lingering. He would let go of the past and embrace the future.

Lin Wei had always been decisive. But now, it seemed he had to revisit his short but heavy life, to re-examine it from the depths of his memory.

Not a bad idea, actually.

He was looking forward to this journey. He wondered if he could still maintain his indifference when confronted with his forgotten or unforgettable, painful, sorrowful, and despairing past.

He didn't know.

And that's what made it exciting.

He believed that if these memories hadn't broken him before, they wouldn't break him now.

So, what was there to fear?

He tightened his grip on the spear, his heart filled with a mixture of apprehension and excitement.

Besides, he was a tour guide now, with a new, shy, fifty-thousand-year-old companion who refused to show her true face.

That made it even more intriguing.

"Hey, could you change your form? It's hard to tell which way you're facing."

He addressed the indistinct black figure beside him. Seriously, if he hadn't been paying attention, he wouldn't be able to tell her front from her back. Anyone else would have to look at her feet to figure it out.

The Herrscher glanced at him, snorted, and shifted back into Lin Wei's form, looking down at him with disdain.

"...Fine. Whatever makes you happy."

Lin Wei was speechless. Showing off her tsundere side even after the fight was over?

He wouldn't stoop to her level.

It was a shame, though. He really wanted to see her pink-streaked red hair. It looked amazing in his memories.

"Rin, I know you've seen my memories. But memories are just records of information, like pages in a book, photographs, film reels, or just lines of text in a story. I want to see them too. I want to use this opportunity to re-examine my life."

"Viewing my own memories… that's a new experience. Heh, well, it's new for a traveler from another world. Forgive my country bumpkin ways."

The Herrscher ignored him, pretending not to hear.

"I'm new to this, Rin. You're the expert. What do you suggest? Chronological order? Reverse order? Or maybe a highlight reel of the most impactful moments?"

Are you looking for a video editor?

The Herrscher couldn't help but glare at him.

What was wrong with this guy?

With a wave of her hand, Lin Wei's memories separated, forming a vast, abstract corridor filled with a chaotic mix of information, sounds, colors, and images. Lin Wei reached out, grasping a green leaf. A complete image emerged from the chaos—a childhood memory of visiting his grandparents in the countryside, climbing a tree with the neighbor's kid, and falling.

That leaf was the one he'd desperately grabbed before falling. It hadn't held, crumbling in his frightened grip.

Then, thud. It hurt. The little Lin Wei in the memory wailed, and the present Lin Wei winced, remembering the sharp pain.

"How fascinating."

He held the leaf, captivated by the image of his innocent, carefree younger self.

He'd forgotten he'd once had such a happy childhood.

It was so short, like a fleeting dream.

Now, back in that dream, he didn't want to wake up.

Little Lin Wei, unable to stand, rolled on the grass, crying.

The neighbor boy jumped down, checking for injuries, clumsily trying to comfort him.

His grandmother, alerted by the commotion, rushed over, scooped him up, brushed off the dirt and leaves, and scolded him for being disobedient.

The memory was so vivid. He could almost smell the dirt and grass, the scent of memory.

Then, the image vanished.

Lin Wei realized he'd crushed the leaf. The memory fragment had returned to the chaotic sea, lost again.

He felt a pang of loss, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Then, a low chuckle escaped him, growing into a disturbing, almost manic laughter.

The Herrscher watched him silently.

She'd seen the sudden surge of suppressed rage and killing intent the moment his grandmother appeared in the memory.

For a moment, she almost liked him.

That darkness wasn't the childish anger of his younger self. It was the true Lin Wei.

The demon within him.

His laughter grew louder, wilder, until he gasped for breath, leaning on the spear, bent over, consumed by it.

Then, it subsided. The Herrscher saw the demon retreat, a flicker of disappointment crossing her mind.

Lin Wei straightened up, wiping away tears, then chuckled again.

"That was… interesting. I'd forgotten what I was like back then. So foolish. You can laugh at me all you want, Rin."

Rin remained silent, anticipating more scenes like this.

She hadn't expected such… entertainment when she'd initially browsed through his memories.

Lin Wei sighed, his emotions complex. He looked around at the memories—the chaotic jumble, and the vast expanse of faded black and white fragments that formed a sky and an ocean, occupying over ninety percent of the mindscape. 

He touched one, and a brief, silent, fragmented image flickered—a few frames of a forgotten moment.

It made sense. Ninety percent of life was… meaningless.

"What a fascinating place."

The previous experience caught his attention.

A dangerous smile spread across his face, the kind that would terrify children.

The Herrscher, wearing his face, mirrored his smile, hers even more menacing. She, too, was anticipating the show.

Hers was the kind of smile that would make children cry.