Chapter 175: I Can't Do Anything! Mei Breaks Down and Cries!
The update day for the brand-new version of Honkai Impact 3rd, [Dawn of Glory], arrived quickly. Pardo Felis invited the sisters Kiana and Bianca to the livestream to play together.
However... Seeing Kiana with two dark circles under her eyes, looking like a panda, Pardo was genuinely shocked. "Sister Kiana, what did you do last night? Did you not sleep at all?"
Kiana smiled, but it was a smile filled with madness and resentment. The fire in her eyes looked ready to devour someone whole! "All night. A whole, entire night! I was forced to relive the nightmare of my school days... Who on earth did Auntie Himeko learn her drinking habits from?! She caused a ruckus for most of the night before finally passing out. The house was so full of beer cans there wasn't even a place to step..." "I cleared away nearly hundreds of beer cans. By the time I finally found a spot on the sofa to sleep, it was almost dawn..."
Last night, facing a drunken Himeko, Kiana had to fetch water and help change her clothes... Fortunately, Su Mu didn't have the heart to leave her to face that hell alone and came up in the middle of the night to help tidy up. Even so, it took the two of them several hours to pull Himeko out of the "beer can hell."
In the morning, Su Mu and Kiana carried the bags of cans to a recycling station. After selling them, they earned a total of 102.38 credits. Su Mu gave the entire amount to Kiana. "This is your wage for today." "Why is it so little?" Kiana stared at the hundred-odd credits, her eyes wide. What could a hundred credits even buy? Su Mu shrugged: "A professional cleaning service costs about two or three hundred. You're a novice, and since your work wasn't up to standard, I had to deduct some." Kiana looked at the money: "I didn't expect it to be this hard just to earn this much..." "See? Now you get it." "Get what?" "You think housework is hard even when you're getting paid. Imagine how Sirin feels when she does it for free every day?" "But Sirin... she never complained to me about it." "People habitually ignore the kindness of those closest to them, taking it all for granted... Now that you've experienced what it's like to take care of someone, you should understand that nothing in this world is 'granted,' right?"
Su Mu's words left Kiana stunned. she didn't know how to answer. On the way back, she stared at the money in her hand, lost in thought.
Seeing Kiana complain, Bianca snorted and spoke: "Now you've finally felt a fraction of the burden Sirin carries. Kiana, don't take other people's sacrifices for granted." Kiana grabbed Bianca's arm and started pleading on the spot: "Sis, my dear Big Sister, I was wrong, okay! Please just let me go home!"
Looking at Kiana's pleading, puppy-dog eyes, Bianca felt a pang in her heart... she turned away, covering her forehead, and warned herself over and over: No, Bianca. Don't let her fool you! she hasn't learned her lesson; she's just scared!
Besides, the reason she went to such trouble to kick Kiana out wasn't just to teach her independence. It was to push her closer to Su Mu! If possible, having her move into Su Mu's place wouldn't be a bad idea—a lonely man and woman in one room, something was bound to spark, right?
—Of course, that particular idea was suggested by Rita. she appeared to be helping Bianca, but Bianca suspected Rita just wanted to see the "miracle" of a Kiana forced into self-reliance. It was like seeing a polar bear in Antarctica—a rare sight indeed.
However, after spending time with Su Mu, Bianca truly felt her sister's win rate was pitifully low. Though Kiana was pretty and good at acting cute, she was essentially a lazy bug whose IQ relied on external processors. Bianca couldn't see what about her sister would attract Su Mu. Her cuteness? Her ability to eat for free? Her ability to use the bathroom alone at night?
It was like a flower planted in cow dung! Oh, wait—don't misunderstand, Kiana wasn't the flower in that metaphor...
Thinking of the task Siegfried gave her, Bianca felt her head throb. she hadn't even been in a relationship herself; asking her to play matchmaker for Kiana was a tall order. "Maybe I should just let Auntie Theresa date Su Mu instead." An "irreverent" thought popped into Bianca's head. During the last stream, she clearly felt that Theresa and Su Mu got along well. Their bickering was interesting, and Auntie clearly liked him—otherwise, she wouldn't have made that avatar for him.
But as soon as the thought appeared, Bianca tried to squash it. Bianca, what are you thinking? The age gap between Auntie and Su Mu is huge; it's just elder-to-junior affection at most. And if they actually got together, the family tree would be a mess!
So difficult. she decided to stop overthinking. If she couldn't figure it out, she'd go to the gym or take a nap; the answer might come to her then. Bianca was a person of action, not a fan of useless internal conflict!
"Sis! How can you be so cruel... Do you know how Su Mu treated me! Wuu-wuu-wuu!!" Kiana was still wailing. "Give it a rest," Bianca rolled her eyes. "All you do is cause Su Mu trouble." Kiana gasped: "What! Why are you like Auntie! Aren't I your real sister? Sis, why are you siding with an outsider!" "You have the nerve to say that? Dad sent you here to run the company, and in the first month, you handed all the power to Su Mu... talk about siding with outsiders, you practically handed him the keys to the kingdom!" Bianca poked Kiana's forehead irritably. "You're just lucky. If it were anyone else but Su Mu, your company would have been stripped clean by now!"
Kiana looked shell-shocked: "Why are you, Dad, and Auntie all the same! Is Su Mu really as great as you say? You aren't saying this because you like him, are you?" "Yes, I like him. What of it?" Bianca's blunt response left Kiana speechless. "Compared to someone who shamelessly enjoys the fruits of others' labor as a mascot CEO... I certainly prefer the responsible and hardworking Su Mu. This company functions perfectly without you, but without Su Mu, I doubt it would last a month."
Kiana realized Bianca meant a professional kind of "like," but it still made her indignant. "If you like him so much, why don't you two just be together... you're both workaholics, you'd have plenty to talk about." she turned away with a pout.
Bianca raised an eyebrow at her sister's "fine, whatever" attitude. Kiana was the type who responded to praise but bristled at force. If you wanted her to do something, you had to stroke her ego and compliment her until she was floating; then she'd happily do whatever was asked. But Bianca was a straight shooter; asking her to lie and praise Kiana against her conscience made her physically uncomfortable.
"That's a separate matter. But I do think Su Mu's talents are wasted in your company. I'll find a way to bring him back to Schicksal with me." "No way!" Kiana's eyes widened. "That's the one thing I won't allow! I won't let Su Mu go to Schicksal with you!"
Seeing such a strong reaction, Bianca was surprised. This was the first time she'd seen Kiana show such emotion over a man. "Don't you hate him?" "Who—who said I hate him! Don't talk nonsense!" "Then it's 'like'." "It's not 'like' either! It's hard to explain... anyway, he's important to me!"
Kiana herself couldn't figure out her feelings. At first, he was just her "cash cow." When her plan to lose money failed, she felt he carried a debt of billions to her... No way I'm letting someone steal the person who hasn't paid me back yet! Later, through their time together, she realized he was a great cook and knew how to take care of people. When he stayed at her house, he was like a caring older brother. After Sirin returned, Kiana felt a bit out of place... and when Bianca kicked her out, the first place that came to mind was Su Mu's home. she could have gone to Mei's, but she didn't want to trouble Mei...
Strange. she knew that asking Su Mu to take her in was a "trouble" for him, but she hadn't even hesitated. she felt a mysterious sense of security around him—as if any problem could be solved as long as he was there. she didn't know the truth behind the feeling in her chest.
"Ahem, Sister Bianca, Sister Kiana, are you done?" Pardo Felis cleared her throat, reminding them that it was time to go live. "You... never mind." Bianca sighed. she didn't press Kiana further. But this exchange made her realize Kiana truly valued Su Mu, though not necessarily for his talent... It wasn't quite "romantic love" either; it felt contradictory. Bianca couldn't understand it. Is this what 'falling in love' looks like? Do I just not get it because I've never experienced it?
Kiana stopped talking too, and the sisters tacitly shifted their focus to the livestream. As Pardo went live, fans flooded in. Seeing the sisters together was a shock to the viewers. After all, the end of Chapter 14 featured Bianca arriving in Arc City, saving Kiana from a fall while blocking Raiden Mei. Everyone was curious about their relationship. While they were sisters in reality, the game was different—Sirin was Kiana's sister too, and she turned into the evil Herrscher in the game.
After logging in, Pardo checked the announcements and the new faction war. she found herself assigned to the Great Huang Empire. Since the war was in a truce phase, Pardo exited the event and started the new main story: [Lost in the Sand].
The story didn't follow the last chapter immediately but began in a Schicksal lab in North Africa. Otto was conducting experiments with the Second Divine Key. As the experiment began, a portal to the Sea of Quanta opened, and terrifying Quantum Shadows invaded. However, with Durandal there, they were easily dispatched. Otto's goal was to investigate the existence of the [Imaginary Tree].
[The laws of the universe, the cycle of life's mysteries, the place where all origins and roots are formed.]
This single sentence of narration made the viewers realize the Imaginary Tree was likely even more mysterious than the Sea of Quanta. If the Sea was where parallel worlds met, what was the Tree? Everyone was curious. They sensed the [Imaginary Tree]would play a vital role later.
However, after several tests, Otto was disappointed. Obtaining the answers he sought would take over eighty thousand hours of continuous experimentation. To fulfill his long-held wish before the Honkai destroyed humanity, he needed another way: the power of the Herrscher of the Void.
Suddenly, it all made sense. No wonder Otto had gone to such lengths; he had calculated that the Herrscher's power would be the ultimate shortcut to his goal. As for the answer he sought...
[It has to be about resurrecting Kallen.]
[True. Otto's 500-year life is fueled solely by the hope of bringing Kallen back. If he's looking for an answer, it's that.]
[Resurrecting Kallen is the only thing that's real to him. As for the world, he doesn't really care. But since Kallen's wish was to protect the world, he does it as a byproduct...]
[Actually, Schicksal really does protect many innocents. Even if Schicksal creates some of the disasters...]
[Correction: Otto creates them.]
As the North Africa segment concluded, the perspective returned to Arc City. Raiden Mei had reached the spot where Kiana fell, only to find herself confronting the Valkyrie Durandal. Mei had heard of Schicksal's strongest S-rank many times back at St. Freya. she knew how powerful she was. But she could not let Durandal take Kiana, even if it meant becoming an enemy!
With conviction and a death-defying resolve, Raiden Mei drew her blade against Durandal! However, the gap in power was too vast. It was a chasm that resolve alone could not bridge. They were on entirely different dimensions. Mei collapsed in battle, and Durandal pointed her lance at her.
["This is the end, Raiden Mei. You have no chance of winning."]
["It's not over.... I won't let you take Kiana!"]
[Mei was at her limit, but she grit her teeth and glared at Durandal. she couldn't give up!]
["A good look in your eyes."]
[Durandal expressed admiration for her conviction, but her next words were like a plunge into ice.]
["But currently, you do not possess the power to match that will."]
With that, Durandal took the unconscious Kiana and turned into a streak of light, bolting toward the sky. Mei pursued desperately through the night, giving everything she had. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't catch the trail of light.
After running for who knows how long, Mei finally stopped. Holding Kiana's abandoned jacket, she fell to her knees. Her strength collapsed, and a heartbreaking wail echoed through the night.
["I can't do anything...."]
Pain, regret, deep self-reproach, and a sense of helpless despair erupted at once. Durandal's casual words were a blade suspended over her heart, making it hard to breathe. Every time she looked back, the weight grew—she had watched her most important person be taken away so easily.
The sight of Mei crying sent the chat into a frenzy.
[Holy crap! Mei-bullying again? Still bullying her?]
[Where is the person hurting Mei! Come out! Oh, it's you! Old Thief Su Mu!]
[Mei can't take any more Ls! First the mechs, then the Herrscher, then Rita, and now Durandal... if she keeps losing, she really will just be a cook!]
[As a Mei fan, I'm speechless. People talk about Bronya taking Ls, but Mei is the true L-taker Queen!!]
[But you can't blame her. The mechs earlier were one thing, but look at who she's fighting now?]
[Forget the Herrscher of the Void—Theresa and Fu Hua both went down there. Rita is a Schicksal S-rank, while Mei is technically a B-rank in the plot? Even if she's A-rank level now, S-rank is a massive leap.]
[Teacher Rita might be a 'smurf' goddess in gold lobbies, but she's still an S-rank! Don't disrespect the profession; even a 'shameful' pro is still a pro!]
[And Durandal? she's the heavyweight champion. Even Fu Hua said only Durandal can rival a Herrscher. The Goose is Herrscher-level tier!]
[So Mei's defeat is actually well-deserved!]
"Making Mei cry like that... Sis, you're making yourself look like a villain," Kiana complained, looking at Bianca. she was unhappy about her friend being driven to tears. "In that cruel world, power is everything. Mei can't blame anyone; she can only blame herself for not being strong enough—far from strong enough." Bianca wasn't affected by Kiana's glare. she realized that this applied to reality too. The weak can protect nothing—not family, not friends, not even their own dignity. This was the lesson she learned in the business world: big fish eat small fish. To stay the big fish, you have to work desperately hard.
However, Bianca wouldn't tell Kiana or Sirin these harsh truths. Though blunt, she was the eldest sister. Some things were hers to bear alone. Kiana's ability to "slack off" at home for so long had drawn criticism from within the family, but Kiana never heard a word of it. Bianca had intercepted it all.
In a family meeting, someone once challenged Siegfried about Kiana. Hearing Bianca's response, they gasped: "Bianca, are you mad? Without the second daughter of the Kaslanas, how can our family rival the other two houses!" Bianca had raised an eyebrow: "Simple. I'll just become supreme myself." With that, she took over Kiana's share of the work too. of course, she never told Kiana and made Siegfried keep it a secret...
[Wait, didn't Seele also say 'I can't do anything'?]
[True, have you heard the story of the Quantum Seven-Injury Punch?]
[Even though Mei is taking Ls now, I believe she'll stand up eventually! Bronya and Kiana got their highlight moments; Mei won't be an exception!]
[But now one of the Trio isn't a Herrscher. Guess who?]
[I feel Mei will get her Herrscher power back later, maybe even go further!]
[Trust the Old Thief. Mei is the only one who hasn't 'ascended' yet; her time is coming!]
[Trust needs no reason!]
Amidst the discussion, Pardo Felis agreed. "I think Sister Mei will get her own animated short soon. Bronya and Kiana have theirs; the Trio can't leave Mei out, right?" Kiana shook her fist: "Exactly! Just you wait! Mei will get massive power and come back to give Durandal a real beating!" Bianca narrowed her eyes with a faint smile: "Kiana, you just said something quite rude, didn't you?" Kiana shivered: "I mean the game! The game! You're too sensitive!"
Pardo continued playing. In the following plot, Rita was cleaning up the World Serpent remnants and searching for info. World Serpent, despite the loss in Arc City, didn't stop; they were preparing for their next move.
On the other side: Kiana had a nightmare. she dreamed she became the Herrscher of the Void and destroyed the city. Arc City crumbled in flames, smoke and wails filling the world. It was a scene of total despair. Waking from the nightmare, she clutched her head, sighing in relief that it was just a dream.
["A nightmare? Wait... where is this—?"]The unfamiliar environment made her alert instantly. ["You're awake."]Beside the bed, a blonde woman held a book. The cover featured a detective with a pipe. ["You are... Durandal?"]The blonde woman made Kiana pause as she recalled the Valkyrie's info. ["It is me."]
As her eyes adjusted to the light, Kiana found herself in a heavily guarded, sealed room. she guessed what happened. ["What about Arc City? And... where is Mei?"]Durandal answered her: the city was safe, and Mei had left after meeting her companions. Kiana was currently in Schicksal's North Africa lab. Undoubtedly, this was the worst possible situation. she was back in Schicksal's hands, with the strongest S-rank right in front of her. Although she tried to remain calm, she knew the danger. she tried to contact Fu Hua, but there was no response. Recalling Fu Hua's last words, the sense of helplessness from three months ago returned. But she wasn't that Kiana anymore. she could only rely on herself. Kiana looked for a chance to use her spatial power to escape, but Durandal saw right through her.
["I told you, you need to rest."]Durandal leaned in, her sapphire eyes reflecting Kiana's shock, staring down the girl who dared to think of escape.
END OF CHAPTER
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