Necromancer, but pre-collapse civilization

　Although the Key of Revelation possesses the extraordinary ability to replicate weapons and tools that the user understands the principles of their construction, and even other Divine Keys are no exception, its essence remains a magnificent library containing all the knowledge and wisdom of a pre-civilization.

　This very nature dictates that Dr. Mei needs to regularly incorporate the latest research findings to continuously enrich and improve this treasure trove of knowledge.

　This time, naturally, it is no exception.

　To avoid being caught off guard at crucial moments, she has developed the habit of periodically recording her latest research findings and knowledge about combating Honkai into the Void Archives.

　Of course, in order to ensure that the Void Archives, which has the ability to think independently, can steadfastly fight against the Honkai, Dr. Mei also joined hands with the artificial intelligence AI Prometheus 17, which she created herself, to deeply imprint the core instruction of "fighting against the Honkai" into the underlying logic of the Key of Revelation, making it its unshakable mission.

　This is undoubtedly one of the most precious legacies Dr. Mei left to future generations of civilization.

　If the collaboration between the Firemoth and the Necromancer can defeat the Herrscher of the End, that would naturally be the most ideal outcome.

　However, with Dr. May's intelligence, she would never overlook the possibility of defeat in the battle.

　She had already developed a detailed contingency plan in preparation for that situation.

　According to Dr. Mei's vision, if the battle is lost, the Key of Revelation and the elites who successfully entered the hibernation pods will become the strong foundation and core force for the reconstruction of human civilization in the next era.

　This is why she has shifted all her attention to this.

　Dr. Mei needs to import all the data collected by the Moth of Fire's outposts around the world, along with the calculation scheme she used to deduce the time of the Herrscher of the End's descent, into the Void Archives.

　She knew that if their generation of human civilization failed to survive the test of the final judgment, then these data and calculation schemes would become a valuable guide for the next generation of human civilization to fight against the collapse, lighting a beacon in the endless darkness and guiding them to continue forward.

　Just as Dr. Mei was racing against time to input the data and calculation plan into the Void Treasury, the Cocoon of the End, high above the bright moon, once again cast its majestic gaze upon the azure star not far away.

　it's time.

　As the thoughts of this terrifying being, comparable to a star god, flowed, the imaginary space within the entire Earth-Moon system began to boil violently.

　Although the true form of the Herrscher of the End has not yet truly descended, the return of this divine apostle, representing the Cocoon of the End and responsible for assessing human civilization, has still caused a frenzy of Honkai to sweep across the world almost simultaneously.

　Admittedly, the Great Collapse is usually a prerequisite for the birth of a Herrscher, rather than the Herrscher causing the Great Collapse.

　But the Herald of the End is an exception.

　Unlike the previous twelve Herrschers, neither End nor Origin needs to rely on the energy supply of the Great Honkai.

　They are a special group.

　On the contrary, the immense Honkai energy brought by the Herrscher of the End has even begun to feed back into this world.

　The Great Collapse, a natural phenomenon originally beyond human control, is now being triggered by the Herrscher of the End.

　The terrifying Honkai energy radiation rapidly leaked into Honkai erosion zones and Honkai beast gathering areas around the world, creating terrifying death zones.

　The original site of the continent of Mu in the South Pacific, which was swallowed by a pseudo-black hole (the first, second, fifth, and ninth Great Cataclysms); Honshu Island in the Far East (the third Great Cataclysm); Stewart Island (the fourth Great Cataclysm); the Rocky Mountains in North America (the sixth Great Cataclysm); Egypt (the seventh Great Cataclysm)...

　The will to judge, decide, and destroy the world, represented by the Herald of the End, begins to awaken.

　As a result, those crumbling structures dwelling in the city ruins...

　The beasts began to stir and became increasingly ferocious.

　On this blue planet, the rampaging Honkai energy, like a wild horse, surged from a meager 1 or 2 HW to an astonishing 100 HW or more in an instant, and this power continues to intensify.

　This number is already quite high!

　It's important to know that when the instantaneous power of a Honkai outbreak reaches over 1000HW, the epicenter of the disaster may give rise to terrifying beings known as [Pseudo-Herrscher] or [Judgment-class Honkai Beast].

　Reaching 2000 HW signifies the arrival of the [Herrscher].

　Bathed in the crimson glow of Honkai energy, pairs of alien beast eyes opened.

　As the Honkai Beasts sensed the Honkai energy permeating the surrounding air, they straightened up, their crimson eyes gazing at the sky, and let out a long howl, seemingly cheering for the return of their king.

　"Roar!!!"

　The hazy sunlight fell on their pale, glossy bodies, adding a touch of horror to this apocalyptic scene.

　Then, the largest Honkai Beast began to move.

　As it moved, more shadows shimmering with purple light followed suit, quickly coalescing into a rustling, chilling, and terrifying noise.

　"Roar!!!"

　From those disaster areas eroded by intense Honkai, new Honkai Beasts are forming and being born every moment. They gradually converge into a massive and unstoppable Honkai Beast tide, sweeping towards the nearest human city like a purple torrent, attempting to turn everything into ruins.

　"Woo——"

　At this moment, signs of the impending Great Collapse began to be detected in both the territory of the Firemoth and the domain of the Necromancer.

　The shrill and urgent alarms blared instantly over the monitoring points on the outskirts of the various collapsed disaster areas, shattering the tranquil night sky and tolling the death knell.

Chapter 705 The Struggle of Mortals (Part 1)

　Earth, northeast of the Kola Peninsula, Murmansk.

　As the largest port city on the Arctic Ocean coast, this city not only boasts the Moth of Fire Arctic Fleet, but is also equipped with the most advanced city-level anti-missile interception system.

　It was precisely because of this advantage, plus a tiny bit of luck, that the city miraculously survived the attack launched by the Twelfth Herrscher of Erosion, Bell, with a ballistic missile carrying a Honkai energy fission warhead.

　Given Murmansk's advantageous geographical location and its outstanding industrial production capacity, the Moth of Fire organization could not possibly ignore the city.

　Even now, as civilization is nearing its end, this city still possesses considerable defensive capabilities.

　Warships and tanks equipped with Honkai energy electromagnetic cannons and energy cannons together form an impregnable defensive barrier on the blue sea and the vast land, while the new Honkai energy missiles are like unsheathed swords, ready to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy at any time.

　Furthermore, the combat power of elite units equipped with the latest Honkai energy weapons should not be underestimated.

　Most importantly, a second-generation Fusion Warrior company equipped with the [Relic] series weapons is stationed here. They are the last and strongest guardians of this city.

　Although these high-tech-armed defense forces cannot compare with the heroic-level fusion warriors such as Kevin, Qianjie, and Kosmo in terms of power, they are still capable of dealing with ordinary Honkai beast tides and ensuring the peace of the city on ordinary days.

　However, in the face of the Honkai energy tide unleashed by the Herrscher of the End, such defensive forces appear so weak, far from meeting the needs of resisting this unprecedented disaster.

　"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

　"Da! Da! Da! Da! Da!..."

　On the outermost defensive positions of the city, which served as a perimeter, numerous drones began to carry out the sacred duty assigned to them from the very beginning of their design—to fight against the Honkai and protect humanity.

　Amidst the roar of heavy Honkai energy cannons and rockets, a small number of human troops returned fire with automatic rifles while retreating in an orderly fashion to the next pre-designated defensive line.

　However, even with all restrictions lifted and the drones continuing to fire despite warnings of overheating weapon systems, they could not reverse the situation and help the human garrison successfully evacuate.

　There are too many Honkai Beasts attacking, and they are too strong.

　Whenever a drone kills a Honkai Beast with its machine guns and rockets enhanced by Honkai energy, two new Honkai Beasts roar out from the depths of the snowfield to fill the gaps on the battlefield.

　They surged in from all directions, constantly joining this brutal battle.

　On the cold, frozen ground, the wreckage of drones lay scattered everywhere, and human bodies were torn to pieces.

　Even more serious is the appearance of those Aegis-class and Overseer-class Honkai Beasts, which are tens of meters tall, completely exceeding the firepower response capabilities of the city's outermost perimeter.

　Each attack by these behemoths is a fatal blow to humanity's defenses.

　"Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

　The massive, lance-like limb suddenly thrust forward, easily piercing through the empty space.

　The mechs' alloy armor, enhanced by Honkai energy and capable of withstanding close-range direct hits from 120mm tank cannons, turned those steel behemoths weighing tens of tons into burning scrap metal.

　At the same time, countless winged Honkai Beasts loomed over the human positions like dark clouds, recklessly dropping massive amounts of crimson [split bombs].

　These aerial strikes, entirely condensed from Honkai energy, landed on the ground and effortlessly created a firepower coverage effect comparable to the dense bombardment of Tomahawk cruise missiles.

　Indeed, the human positions occasionally fired Honkai energy anti-aircraft missiles, but such resistance seemed so futile.

　Aside from causing the hoverwing-class Honkai Beasts to drop more [Split Bombs] at the anti-aircraft missile launch sites, it didn't bring about much substantial change.

　Yes, the Honkai Energy anti-aircraft missiles shot down some Wing-class Honkai Beasts, but compared to the number of Wing-class Honkai Beasts swarming over human positions like locusts, those shot down were just a drop in the ocean.

　At some point, the clamor of the fighting on this defensive line, which once served as the perimeter of Murmansk, gradually subsided, replaced by the deafening roars of the Honkai Beasts and the dull thuds of their hooves pounding the snow.

　Having completed a carpet bombing, the swarm of hovering-winged Honkai Beasts, like a dark cloud symbolizing death, slowly flew towards humanity's next line of defense.

　"So, the warning line has been completely breached?"

　After listening to the adjutant's detailed report, Lieutenant General Petrov, the highest-ranking commander of the Moth of Fire unit stationed in Murmansk, asked with a solemn expression.

　"Yes, General."

　The adjutant's reply was calm and forceful.

　"I see."

　Lieutenant General Petrov responded and then slowly turned around, his gaze focused on the center of the command room, where battlefield images were being transmitted in real time by advanced military satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

　"Order: Artillery group, open fire! Target coordinates: original warning line location."

　"As you command, General!"

　As Lieutenant General Petrov gave the order, the entire sky above Murmansk was set ablaze.

　Long, thick cannons ranging from 105mm to 280mm in caliber were raised one after another, and these war gods quickly calibrated their firing parameters based on the data fed back by the firing drones.

　One after another, massive cannons spewed forth intensely hot flames, and the shells, like shooting stars streaking across the night sky, carried immense power capable of destroying everything, accurately striking the designated target area.

　The explosions were deafening, dust and smoke mingled, and flames illuminated the sky, making the entire battlefield seem to be engulfed by a raging sea of ​​fire.

　However, this is just the beginning.

　Lieutenant General Petrov's artillery group was also equipped with more advanced Honkai energy electromagnetic guns and Honkai energy cannons.

　These high-tech weapons immediately entered combat status upon receiving the order.

　The Honkai Energy Electromagnetic Cannon uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate projectiles, giving them astonishing speeds.

　When these shells hit their targets, the energy they release is enough to instantly reduce even the most fortified defenses to dust.

　Honkai energy cannons are even more terrifying, as they directly use Honkai energy as an attack method to fire high-energy beams or energy balls.

　These attacks are not only incredibly powerful, but also extremely fast, making them almost impossible to dodge.

　When they hit the ground, they unleash a powerful energy shockwave that obliterates everything around them.

　Under the fierce bombardment of the artillery cluster, the already devastated battlefield became even more horrific.

　Wherever the artillery fire reached, both sturdy fortifications and tenacious hordes of Honkai appeared so fragile in the face of this destructive force.

　The entire battlefield seemed to be shrouded in a thick layer of smoke, with firelight and smoke intertwined, creating a chilling scene.

　However, despite the intense artillery fire, Lieutenant General Petrov and his officers knew that this was only the beginning of a more brutal battle, and the real test was yet to come.

Chapter 706 The Struggle of Mortals (Part 2)

　The number of Honkai Beasts directly annihilated by this round of artillery fire was actually quite limited.

　The Assault-class and Wing-class Honkai Beasts, with their flight speed comparable to that of armed helicopters, can move nimbly across the battlefield. Unless they happen to be in the path of a shell, it is almost impossible for live ammunition to reach them, let alone kill them effectively.

　As for the Honkai energy electromagnetic cannons and Honkai energy cannons that incorporate cutting-edge Honkai energy technology, they have indeed successfully killed quite a few rush-class and hover-class Honkai beasts.

　However, compared to the vast total number of these two types of flying Honkai Beasts on the battlefield, the number eliminated by this round of bombardment was just a drop in the ocean.

　While the Honkai Beasts that lacked the ability to fly did indeed endure this barrage of attacks, their damage tolerance far exceeded that of the Assault-class and Wing-class Honkai Beasts.

　For Honkai Beasts smaller than ten meters, human forces still need to use man-portable missiles or medium-caliber artillery to deal with them; but when facing Honkai Beasts larger than ten meters, even more resources are required.

　It would take 270mm or even 430mm railguns to destroy it.

　As for those Emperor-level Honkai Beasts that are over 100 meters tall, they require Fusion Warriors to personally don their armor and fight them to even have a chance of being defeated.

　Unfortunately, in this Honkai frenzy triggered by the return of the Herrscher of the End, powerful Honkai Beasts have sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

　There's no need to mention Honkai Beasts of the Knight, Ballista, and Chariot classes.

　Their numbers were so great that they could completely cover the entire snowfield.

　Even the once rare Temple-level Honkai Beasts, Warlord-level Honkai Beasts, and even the lofty Honkai Emperors, are now emerging from the depths of the snowfield in astonishing numbers.

　What's even more alarming is that the number of Emperor-level Honkai Beasts that actually fought on the battlefield reached a staggering thirteen.

　Surrounded by so many high-level Honkai Beasts, it is not surprising that the artillery barrage under Lieutenant General Petrov's command did not achieve satisfactory results.

　However, although the number of Honkai Beasts directly destroyed by this bombardment was limited, the Honkai energy shields on the vast majority of lower-rank Honkai Beasts had begun to show signs of crumbling.

　Once these shields dissipate completely from the attacks, the various weapons developed by the Firemoth will show them how foolish it is to fight steel with flesh and blood.

　Even though Honkai Beasts are silicon-based life forms, and their ability to withstand artillery fire far exceeds that of carbon-based life forms, they still cannot escape this ironclad rule.

　After round after round of artillery bombardment by Lieutenant General Petrov's artillery group, the outer defensive positions of Murmansk did not get a moment of peace as hoped, but were instead swept up in an even more turbulent wave of Honkai Beasts.

　On the snow-covered plains, before the dust and smoke had even settled, the Honkai Beasts surged in from all directions like a tidal wave.

　Knight-class Honkai Beasts, clad in thick bio-armor and wielding massive lances, charge at the forefront of the battlefield.