Honkai: It’s broken, I have become the Herrscher of Corrosion?

"As expected, you are just a mirror. Or rather... you are me. Facing the truest self... is this the qualification to take on the "end"? It seems that we are finally on the same starting line as Kevin.

Although his method was close to "stealing", "Cocoon" still recognized him and looked forward to seeing the winner among us. In this case, it will be difficult for us not to win beautifully!"

"Of course. After all, like Kevin, we each represent an era. Due to various coincidences... we have taken one step further than ordinary people, and therefore have come to the spotlight. We have indeed become Herrschers, but we are still human. What we have to do next is to carry out the "will of mankind" and have the final confrontation with the "gatekeeper."

“Humans are a species that seeks truth. Everyone grows up in the process of seeking truth. Yes, we will make mistakes and go astray. But the will of mankind is also revealed here——

If you make a mistake, just correct it. If you go astray, just turn back. Although the sins of the past cannot be changed... as long as we have the present, we can still create the future. "

"...It seems that you all have a high level of understanding. I think... Kevin, as the gatekeeper, also hopes to be defeated by you. In this way... he can also unload the mission he has been carrying for 50,000 years."

(Switching to Kevin's perspective...)

Earlier, on the moon, in the dark sky, the "throne" forged by the sacrifices of the times was hanging high above the barren soil, but it no longer contained any meaning of "ruling over everything"... It was just the "godly rank" of the usurper.

The strongest man in the world sat on the throne, looking down at Prometheus who came here with a slight condescension.

"I see."

After listening to the other party's story, the man's tone was the same as usual - but this was also the most abnormal part. After noticing this, the artificial intelligence began to sort out the previous story in its own way to see if anything was missed.

Otherwise, after knowing the whole story of that world bubble and hearing Dr. Mei's dying wish...why would the other party have no reaction? This man is indeed no longer ignorant - but his words and actions at this moment seem unreasonable.

"…You have nothing else to say?"

"No. The future of the Stigma Project will do you no good. Leave as soon as possible. Leave the Eigenworld. That way, you still have your own future."

The man could only repeat the same old things in his usual tone. The promises of the past carried too many memories, and he had no idea where to start.

But facing this old friend whom he had killed with his own hands... he didn't want to be too "perfunctory".

"Anyway…thank you for telling me all this."

"...I don't understand. Dr. Mei said that you are a "lonely boy". But in my opinion, compared to me...you are even further away from the definition of "human". "

"It is not difficult for me to accept a conclusion. Since Mei believes that future Herrschers will be able to shoulder the future of mankind... then I am willing to do my best to leave them much more than "half a day"."

"But all you do is just watch the fire from the other side. In a familiar but unfamiliar world, a long and desperate struggle against an unreachable existence - that is too cruel and should not be borne by a group of young people."

"…Do you mean them, or us?"

Obviously, the man in front of him was not the type to use words to ridicule others. But his question did dissuade Prometheus from asking more questions.

——Yes, that kind of struggle that takes thousands of years to be effective, even if it really happens to those girls, there is nothing special about it that is worth emphasizing. The man in front of him has also experienced this.

"Although I don't have complete evidence... but even if this plan completely completes the compilation of space, you... can't solve it once and for all, right?"

"Oh?"

There was a rare ripple in Kevin's tone.

"This is a guess made by me in the original world. Judging from the nature of the Cocoon of the End, it will never actively choose someone to become the so-called "Herder of the End".

In the past, people designed the existence of the "Will of Honkai" in the new era to prevent the birth of the Herrscher from being too random. Now, the Will of Honkai has dissipated; and the way you obtained the power of the end from the "cocoon" is almost like stealing. "

The artificial life paused - after all, she had just begun to try to analyze her "self" in a human way. Although she could sense the man's desire at the moment... she could not understand it.

"So... the great cause of the Stigma Project may never... truly succeed. You who can control the power of the End with your own will and conditions... must always carry it on your shoulders to prevent it from failing."

"That's how it should be."

At this moment, a gap appeared in the space around Kevin, and Mistlin, who could move freely between reality and the stigmata space, came to his side.

She looked at the man sitting on the throne and sighed with sympathy. In the 50,000-year journey, he fulfilled every promise he made. He defeated the collapse with a human body, and as a sinner, he took up the ideal of "saving the world" for the last time.

"Let's go, Seventeen."

"Now?"

There have been too many things that she couldn't understand in this place and now. Born from code, she still couldn't explain many seemingly abnormal behaviors of humans in her own way.

"Yes, although I also find it hard to believe, things have developed into what they are now. You and I... although we are not human beings yet, we have the freedom that belongs to humans. We can live according to our own wishes and we can die according to our own wishes.

"Resisting one's own destiny" is the privilege of human beings. But he... became a being who knew his destiny but still chose to throw himself into it. "

Prometheus.exe is not responding.

"Well... don't try to find a 'definition' for him. If you have to give this kind of existence a name, I think... the only word is 'hero', right?"

The mechanical girl still did not give an answer - for her, it would still take a long time to completely digest these ambiguous but extremely determined human hearts. After a short delay, she followed Mistlin's instructions and walked to the edge of the huge throne.

The door she left behind was right there. Behind the door was the starting point of their journey. However, before leaving...

"Number seventeen?!"

"Snapped!"

In her surprised gaze, Prometheus suddenly turned around and returned to the man. She stretched out a hand and slapped this god-like being with a pitiful strength. Even if he was not a real god, for an artificial intelligence, this action was too bold and completely contrary to reason.

...and naturally, it was in vain.

"You should at least shed one tear for her. This is my anger as her friend."

She knew she couldn't get any answer. Even if this man had ever woken up in the middle of the night with tears in his eyes... that was too long ago. All his sorrow had been tempered by time, and it was difficult for him to express it in an ordinary way.

She was not a fool, she knew all this. But because of this, she had to slap this man. After a long silence, Prometheus finally withdrew his action. With her silent back, she conveyed her disappointment for the last time.

The man said nothing, and watched the two visitors leave quietly - considering the power he possessed, the attitude he showed today was perhaps too "let it go".

But the truth is this. This man is not a "king", not a "god", but... "Kevin".

Shortly after Prometheus and Misterlin left, some tiny icicles appeared under the throne.