Chapter 135: Animated Short [Cyberangel]! Ghost Rider Girl Bronya!
The Core of Reason was right before her eyes, but Seele's sudden betrayal and backstab left Senti feeling numb.
"Holy crap! We were so close! Seele, what are you doing!"
The Core of Reason was within reach. If Bronya inherited its power, she could take Seele away... but Seele's other personality turned traitor at this critical juncture? Was this a joke?
"Mhm, it seems there's a reason Seele was able to enter these several worlds after all." Fu Hua's analysis cleared Senti's confusion. "It's likely the 'Snake's' power that sent her into these labyrinths to find a way to break the barrier... and indeed, without the 'Snake,' she probably wouldn't have been able to appear before Bronya at all."
"Even though she knows the 'Snake' is dangerous... after being trapped in the Sea of Quanta for so long and finally seeing a glimmer of hope for escape, it's natural for her to choose to believe in it."
Fu Hua's reasoning made things clearer for Senti, but she still felt frustrated. "That other Seele personality is a total little demon; she's way more aggressive than Seele!"
Fu Hua smiled. "Everyone has a dark side. I suspect this other Seele carries all of Seele's inner darkness. It's normal for her to act extreme, but from what we've seen, she's not beyond redemption. She's just a brat at most."
"True, she didn't actually hurt Bronya. You can tell she really cares about Seele." Thinking of it this way, Senti could accept it. From Seele's perspective, she had no way of knowing if Bronya could really save her with the Core of Reason. Rather than betting on an uncertainty, she chose to trade with the "Snake" who saved them.
Besides, as far as they could tell, the "Snake" might not necessarily be an irredeemable villain. Characters in Honkai Impact 3rd were always complex—take Cocolia, who committed heinous crimes but was still "Mother Cocolia" to the orphans.
At the same time, inside the office of miHoYo's Game Director, a voice suddenly sounded behind Su Mu.
"The Core of Reason was taken away. What will happen to Bronya-oneesama now?"
He turned around to find Seele standing behind him at some point, looking curiously at his computer screen.
"Seele?"
"....Brother Su Mu, I knocked but you didn't respond, so..."
"It's fine. Did you need something?"
"Mhm.... Sister Elysia sent me. The clothes are finished, and she wants you to try them on." Seele held the finished outfit, her face flushing as she mentioned it. After all, she had personally measured Su Mu for this set. "Sister Ellie hopes Brother Su Mu can go to her place to take a few photos for 'reference' once you're dressed."
Su Mu let out a dry laugh. "What is Elysia up to? Wouldn't it be faster to hire a model? Besides, my physique isn't that good; can it really be used as a reference?"
Seele froze, then blurted out instinctively: "....No, no, I think Brother Su Mu's physique is great!" Realizing her slip of the tongue, she quickly covered her mouth, her face turning as red as a ripe apple. She stood there, completely stunned.
Su Mu raised his right arm, flexing a bit. "Really? Thank you, Seele. Actually, I'm quite confident in my build."
His sudden boast left Seele blinking. "Eh? Brother Su Mu, you just said you weren't confident..."
Su Mu laughed. "I trust Seele's eyes. If Seele thinks it's good, then it definitely isn't bad." Seele was amused by his words, and the previous awkwardness softened considerably.
"By the way, Seele, are you interested in Honkai Impact 3rd too?"
"Yes! Ever since that stream with Sister Bronya and Sister Pardo, I downloaded it on my phone too."
"Really? I'll tell you a secret: Bronya's account ID.... she actually pulled Seele's character to SSS today, you know?"
"Eh?"
Under Su Mu's guidance, Seele added a Captain named "Alloy_Bronya" as a friend. On this Captain's Valkyrie showcase page, there was an SSS Stygian Nymph Seele and the magnificent, gown-clad Herrscher of Reason Bronya. The third slot was filled by the A-rank Soul Awakened Wolf's Dawn.
"Sister Bronya's new character is the Herrscher of Reason, right? Does that mean she finally becomes one?" Seele pointed at the gown-clad Bronya.
"Just in time—this part of the story is coming up soon. Stay and watch it with me." Su Mu looked at the livestream on his monitor.
At this moment, Senti had advanced the main story. Bronya woke up to Joachim's call, returning once more to the space within the labyrinth. However, unlike before, this experience wasn't about Joachim's past—it was about Bronya's own life. The memories within the world bubbles transformed into power for Bronya. She had to fulfill her mission and duties. Finally, after gaining Joachim's full approval, she woke up completely.
As Joachim's figure gradually faded, it signaled the end of his task. Seele was shocked to see Bronya awake. Under Bronya's persuasion, she finally chose to trust her.
But... no one expected that a mutation would occur at that very moment. The space shook violently, and the giant alien monster Tlaloc emerged from the black tide, dragging Seele down into the abyss. Bronya used every skill she had to save her, but she could only watch as Seele was swallowed by the endless tide. Seele's eyes shimmered with the blue of the ocean, just as Bronya remembered.
With Seele's body swallowed by the black tide, she vanished from Bronya's sight once again.
[??]
[No way? Again? Again?!]
[Old Thief, you're using the 'blade' now? Do you really want to live in a house of razor blades for the rest of your life!]
Seeing Seele swallowed by the tide, the viewers felt dizzy and instinctively aimed their metaphorical guns at the hateful Old Thief! They felt like they had been kicked in the gut. They had just watched Bronya pass three worlds of trials, and Seele had just finally believed Bronya could take her home. Then, the next moment, Tlaloc appears and Seele is gone...
Senti's face was covered in sweat. She had seen the plot direction and thought Bronya obtaining the Core of Reason would lead to a happy ending. Who knew Tlaloc would crash the party!
This is bad! If Seele really gets stabbed here, won't I officially become Su Mu's 'fishing accomplice'? I came out to stream and lay the bait for him to steal player tears! Won't Senti become the Old Thief's 'Animal Friend'?
After Seele vanished, the brand-new stage arrived: the previously teased Cyberangel.
[Amidst images of countless world bubbles, Bronya limped forward. Though battered and bruised, she never gave up.]
[She passed through reflections in the Sea of Quanta like an exhausted traveler.]
[Her body felt bound by heavy shackles; every step was agonizingly heavy.]
["Seele.... Bronya.... will definitely save you."]
[Bronya reached out her left hand.]
[In the next moment, the Core of the Herrscher of Reason appeared before her!]
[However, the Core erupted with terrifying power, re-summoning the monster Tlaloc that had been knocked into the abyss.]
[Countless ribbon-like substances wrapped around Bronya's body. Simultaneously, terrifying Honkai energy radiated from the Core, constantly eroding her!]
[Scarlet patterns appeared on Bronya's skin. She gripped the Core tightly, but amidst pain unimaginable to normal humans, she lost consciousness.]
["The Core.... is losing control..."]
[The Core slipped from Bronya's hand, and her consciousness faded into a coma.]
[Bronya's body felt like it was falling into a boundless deep sea. In this ocean, she could only continue to sink.]
[But at that moment, a butterfly appeared before Bronya, touching her fingertip.]
[Through the haze, Bronya saw Seele reaching out to her—]
["Seele...."]
[In that instant, a warm light appeared on Bronya's chest. A shimmering gem rested in her arms.]
[It was the Core of the Herrscher of Reason!]
[As the power within the Core bloomed, in the outside world, the ribbons binding Bronya were instantly shattered!]
[Countless butterflies scattered in a dream-like flurry. Surrounded by blue and white steel constructs, Bronya slowly stood up.]
[The power of the Herrscher of Reason manifested at that moment, transforming into the girl's ceremonial dress.]
[A butterfly merged into Bronya's chest, turning into a blue gem.]
[A staggering power erupted from Bronya!]
[The Herrscher of Reason, Bronya.... was born.]
[The roar of Tlaloc below the abyss shook the heavens. Now possessing new power, Bronya showed no fear toward the hideous monster.]
[The armor on her legs transformed into skates. Her legs swung in an alternating rhythm, her movements looking like a dance as she dodged every one of Tlaloc's attacks!]
[Tlaloc seized an opportunity when Bronya leaped high, firing a beam intended to tear her body apart.]
[But at that moment, Project Bunny appeared before Bronya like a fortress, constructing a barrier that blocked Tlaloc's beams entirely!]
[As the smoke from the explosion cleared.]
["All systems normal?"]
["Ride on!"]
["Ride on!"]
[As Bronya manifested the power of the Herrscher, Project Bunny instantly decomposed and reconstructed behind her, transforming into a cool heavy motorcycle!]
As the transformation finished, Bronya's singing voice rang out in sync!
When the singing started, the real Seele beside Su Mu widened her eyes. "Wow, Sister Bronya's singing! It sounds so good! But... why does it sound a bit 'milky'?"
Su Mu coughed. This was his persistence as a veteran Captain—an "Angel" short without Bronya's nursery rhyme-style singing wasn't a complete short... If Bronya didn't sing it herself, it didn't have that "flavor"! He remembered that when he first made the request, Bronya had frozen on the spot and given him an incredibly disgusted look, as if to say: You really are a total creep, aren't you?
[Holy crap! Project Bunny turned into a bike!]
[Wait, isn't Bronya a minor? A minor starting a biker gang?]
[I'm already imagining Bronya riding to Seele's house and saying to Cocolia: 'Old Timer, I parked my bike downstairs, is that a problem?']
[It's a motorcycle, okay! Bronya becoming a rider is too cool!]
[Little girl, your bike? Racing?]
[Bike? Definitely not an AE86!]
At this moment, Senti's livestream room was in an uproar. A kuudere girl paired with mecha style and a heavy motorcycle—it was an irresistible combo!
"Bronya is way too cool! Are all Herrscher forms this awesome?!" Senti's eyes were full of envy. "The Herrscher of the Void was cool, but I didn't expect the Herrscher of Reason to be this cool too! I, I, I... I want to be a Herrscher too! Hehe, I'd definitely be cool as a Herrscher!"
She desperately wanted to call Su Mu on the spot and have him arrange for her to debut as a Herrscher! After all, the two Herrschers seen so far were way too cool, completely satisfying Senti's fantasies!
[As Bronya drove the motorcycle, the roar of the engine echoed through the space. The power of the Key of Reason constantly paved roads before her, allowing her to speed across them!]
[Tlaloc chased her relentlessly, but its attacks couldn't land a single hit! Bronya's bike was too fast; the 'Old Timer' Tlaloc could only see her taillights! A total blowout!]
[Bronya circled Tlaloc, finally finding an opening to get behind its head, aiming the motorcycle directly at it!]
[The 'Keys of Reason' that had formed the roads previously all manifested at once, instantly turning into countless floating turrets, forming a terrifying fire net aimed at Tlaloc!]
[As a blue road manifested before Bronya, extending all the way to Tlaloc's face!]
[Bronya pushed the throttle to the max. The numbers on the dashboard surged, hitting 999 in an instant!]
[As the bike reached its limit, the engine roared like a fierce beast. At the moment the thrusters reached their peak—]
[Bronya and the bike merged, rushing toward Tlaloc like a blue meteor!]
[Tlaloc tried to block the attack, but it was futile. The motorcycle easily pierced through its defense, shattering Tlaloc's head with destructive force!]
[In the next moment, Bronya's body spun in the air, catching the hand of a redeployed Project Bunny.]
[Her hair ties fell away, and her silver hair danced in the wind. The power of the Herrscher allowed Bronya to complete her final transformation. It condensed into a blue and white dress, highlighting her noble and beautiful figure.]
[Just like a princess!]
[As the turrets of the Key of Reason surrounded Tlaloc, Bronya's eyes turned golden.]
[In the next second, a rain of light beams swallowed Tlaloc's body!]
[The blue and white explosion lit up the entire sky. As the light faded and the smoke cleared...]
[Bronya opened her arms and closed her eyes, floating amidst the countless particles of light that were once Tlaloc.]
[She took Project Bunny's hand, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.]
["Seele.... Bronya is coming for you."]
With Bronya's whisper, the animated short came to a close. Immediately following was the music for Cyberangel.
[A blue gem sinks into the deep sea. Upon touching a white barrier, the barrier shatters.]
[The gem flips and refracts light, acting like a North Star in the fragmented space.]
[Deep within that space, a butterfly breaks free from the shards, taking flight through the strange and magical void.]
[As the butterfly flies, Bronya's figure appears in reflections within the space.]
[The tiny butterfly brushes past these images, eventually merging into the blue gem. In the next moment, two similar but not identical butterflies meet, continuing their flight forward through the space.]
[Perhaps symbolizing... that the day of Seele and Bronya's reunion is in the near future—]
END OF CHAPTER
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