Honkai Impact 3rd : This is My Revenge

Once upon a time, Ling ke still dreamed.

In his dreams, he lived under the sun, free from the torment of endless interrogations, not a piece of experimental flesh.

His initial sincerity... or perhaps naivety, was not betrayed.

Raiden Mei chose to believe him, simply because she sensed no malice from him.

Cocolia was not omnipotent.

Because back then, her artificial Honkai project had not fully launched, and Raiden Ryoma was still his daughter's protector.

The spies she had planted in Nagazora City were not as numerous as one might think.

So, even though Raiden Ryoma was swamped during that period, upon receiving a message from Raiden Mei, he rushed home in a hurry, after a long absence.

Not as the masked "Homu Sword Saint."

But as a "father."

He resolutely stood against Cocolia, the radical faction of Anti-Entropy.

Using the "leverage" he held, he threatened her to back down.

In the end, Cocolia had no choice but to compromise.

And thus, she harbored a grudge against that black-haired young man who seemed to have come out of nowhere.

Yet, in the face of such malice, his earnest heart remained unextinguished, and he still had the courage to move forward.

Nagazora City was saved, and millions avoided the cruel fate of untimely death.

He and Mei became close friends.

Later, he met the white-haired ball of energy who called herself "this young lady"—Kiana Kaslana.

And the one secretly sent by Cocolia, who ended up getting herself involved—Bronya Zaychik.

"Bronya, you wouldn't want Seele to remain unsaved, would you?"

At the time, he had jokingly teased her like this.

But in the end, he kept his promise.

As the "Savior Player," he saved all those who were on the brink of death and "brought back" all those who had already passed.

In his presence, there were no tragedies in this world.

A certain pink fairy girl said that he had created a true "Elysium."

A certain stubborn snake-like doctor said that he had ascended to the true "Throne of God."

Everyone who was willing to believe in him had a good ending.

And then...

The dream ended.

Once, what filled his vision was the cold prison cell, the blinding fluorescent lights, and the eyes that saw him as nothing more than expendable material.

Now, it was the moment after the farewell...

"..."

North Africa, the Sahara Desert.

The time is: the Previous Era.

There are... 208 days left until the Third Honkai Eruption.

Here, there is no so-called World Serpent headquarters base.

It is just an ordinary night.

Ling ke lies alone in the sand, silent.

The next moment...

"What a ridiculous, laughable, and utterly disgusting 'nightmare.'"

"The 'Enlightened One' who ascended... you, who can observe the timeline but cannot interfere with the world, are unexpectedly mischievous."

"These 'what ifs,' those 'supposes,' for them (my enemies), are like knives stabbing straight into their hearts."

"Hmm, it's just that the timing of the 'drama' arrangement was a bit off, somewhat stiff, and didn't fully bring out the ironic flavor."

Thinking this, as if suffering from "occupational disease," he gave a brief critique before letting out a big yawn.

Clearly, he didn't care about those "what ifs" and "supposes."

But he knew very well that while he didn't care, some people definitely would...

"Heh~"

Not to mention, after being played like this by the "Enlightened One," he was in a pretty good mood now.

Because this was the first time he hadn't arranged anything, yet someone was about to be emotionally destroyed.

Truly satisfying.

"But that last scene, why did it feel so much like the ending of Evangelion?"

Lingke couldn't help but complain.

As if he wasn't commenting on "himself."

Well, the so-called "Savior Player" could no longer be him.

As the name suggests, it was—a nonexistent memory.

At this moment, he was still wearing that neat evening suit, but he had no intention of maintaining an elegant image.

Having long resided in the "Theater," he no longer needed to "perform."

He just lay there, completely relaxed.

Letting some sand slip into his sleeves and the back of his collar due to his exaggerated movements.

The sand at night was cold.

But he was still too lazy to move his body.

Only because what he saw before his eyes was... too beautiful.

Forcing time to revert over 50,000 years... such an outrageous feat, he had accomplished it.

The price he paid was different from Otto's.

It was merely that his Domination Theater... the "Rebirth Chamber," now had a bonsai-like sapling.

A sapling of the Imaginary Tree.

It... or rather, "He," felt that this was the safest place.

A pure land free from the erosion of the Quantum Sea, capable of sustaining His eternal existence.

If, one day in the future, the true, massive Imaginary Tree were to collapse, this would be His "second chance."

To put it bluntly, in Ling ke's understanding... that little sapling, clinging to his leg like a child, constantly radiating goodwill, was like... the Honkai Impact 3rd world's plus-pro-max-super version of—Little Lord Kusanali?

Or perhaps...

"Like having a slightly special little pet?"

Lingke complained in his heart.

As for this little uninvited guest, he didn't mind its arrival.

Because now, he felt only gratitude toward the Honkai and the Imaginary Tree.

Even toward the belated "system"...

"I hate you, 'Creator,' for making me endure pain and suffering."

"I also thank you, 'Creator,' for granting me the power of revenge."

"But, no matter what..."

"I still praise you, great 'Creator.'"

He murmured to himself.

Of course, if we're talking about "pets"...

Now, in his Domination Theater, there were over a dozen "electronic pets."

They were also the "audience" for the upcoming acts.

Or perhaps even "participants."

As for them, in Ling ke's heart...

No hatred, but resentment.

Because they had helped Raiden Mei.

And that punch from Kalpas, though it didn't land on his (true form's) face...

Ling ke was quite petty and held grudges.

(TL/N: WE KNOW!)

"If Raiden Mei truly decides to destroy your era's 'second chance' for the sake of her own era..."

"What would you all feel in your hearts?"

Ling ke was very curious about this.

Suddenly, he thought of that pink figure, the daughter of the gods sent by the stars and moon.

"The starry sky?"

Now, after briefly ascending to godhood, though he had shed his divine authority, his essence had reached a higher level. He appeared "ordinary," but the "starry sky" in his eyes had faded.

No longer profound.

But as his unfocused gaze shifted upward, what he saw was the real, clear, boundless starry sky stretching across the heavens.

It was so beautiful, dazzling and brilliant.

Suddenly...

"Heh, 'Ymir's Rebirth,' huh!"

Ling ke laughed.

Looking at the scene around him, as he complained about himself, it was no longer that cold, forced, twisted smile.

But a wild, utterly unrestrained one...

At this moment, he felt that this new era, for him personally, even the air was fresh.

At this moment, he truly felt that he was living for himself.

His shattered heart had been reshaped.

No longer empty.

But his eyes still lacked focus.

The eyes are the windows to the soul.

He truly, once again, had a "heart."

No longer "void."

But still "turbid."

Even so, Ling ke didn't care.

He sat up...

"Tsk~"

Reached out and grabbed a handful of fine sand.

His palm naturally opened, letting the grains slip through his fingers, carried away by the wind.

In just a few breaths, little sand remained.

Just like his once-shattered heart.

Even now, though somewhat repaired, there wasn't much left.

He spread his palm wider, letting the wind scatter the last grains of sand.

Without a trace of attachment.

Just like those "nonexistent memories."

Because now, he knew very well... there was no need to force things that didn't belong to him.

He didn't care for them.

Of course, if he really wanted to force it... he would make the entire world (game) revolve around him (the player).

"Heh!"

Ling ke chuckled lightly.

Then, leaning on his knees, he stood up...

"You will know you're reborn tonight~"

"Must be ragged but I'll stay by your side~"

"Even if my body is bleached to the bones~"

"I don't want to go through that ever again~"

Unconsciously, Ling ke hummed a familiar, fitting song.

(TL/N: For those who not know. It's Song with title "Call of Silence")

Though without accompaniment, it lacked some beauty.

But he still amused himself, celebrating this "second chance" that belonged both to this era and to him alone.

Now, he no longer needed to shut himself in the Domination Theater, sitting alone on that ornate throne.

Because after briefly ascending to godhood and then shedding it, his essence had reached a higher level. His consciousness core had merged with the "Rebirth Chamber."

Thus, he himself, like those Domination Puppets carrying various game character templates, could die and be reborn again and again.

Or perhaps, it could be said: immortal and indestructible.

And so...

Tap~

Tap~

Tap~

Footprints were left in the soft sand, leading away.

Looking up...

The night sky seemed to have a shooting star.

It was as if it symbolized this era, about to welcome a glorious moment!

Perhaps this time...

It was forcibly bestowed by "malice": eternity!

******

"Mmm~"

Raiden Mei had a dream.

In the dream, it was all "nonexistent memories."

They were so beautiful.

So much so that even after waking up, she still felt an overwhelming reluctance to let go.

She was lost in thought for a long time.

Reality, as expected, was much crueler.

At this moment, she raised her head, looking around...

Under the night sky, yellow sand stretched everywhere.

Only she... was alone.

Whoosh~

The cold night breeze brushed her cheeks, stirring her hair.

(TL/N: The wind is truly paid actor 😭)

It wasn't until she felt the cool touch on the back of her hand that she realized she had already shed tears.

"So, that was the real (former) him."

Raiden Mei's expression was somewhat dazed.

At one point, unconsciously, like a devout believer, she stretched out her hands, holding a handful of fine sand.

As if cradling a "spark" in her chest.

But suddenly...

Whoosh~

The night wind of the desert blew, and the sand in her hands grew less and less.

No matter how she tried to hold onto it.

She wanted to clench her hands tighter, but that only squeezed more sand out...

At this moment, she restless inexplicably.

She wanted to gather more from the side, but after this "wrong judgment," the sand in her hands was no longer the original handful.

Nor did it belong to her.

At this moment, she broke down.

"I was wrong!"

"Really wrong!!"

"Wrong from the very beginning!!!"

"It's all because of me, all because of me..."

Raiden Mei collapsed weakly on the spot, tears dripping onto the back of her hand, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

By now, she could no longer tell who she was apologizing to.

Was it Ling ke, whom she already felt guilty toward?

Or... that era that had already vanished?

At this moment, bowing to fate, she couldn't see the shooting star streaking across the sky.

It was so captivating.

Even though the night sky was filled with stars, the first thing you'd notice was it.

But soon, it disappeared, falling below the horizon.

Just like the lost glory, everything that was lost.

All turned into "void."

After that, who knows how much time passed...

At some point...

Raiden Mei herself didn't notice...

The hair accessory that bound her hair shattered.

Her purple hair cascaded like a waterfall.

Her tears had dried.

But the tear stains on her face...

Were eerily red.

And at the tips of her hair...

Faintly, a desolate pale color seemed to spread upward.

But like an illusion, it flashed and disappeared.

Volume 1 : Tarnished. Finish.

(TL/N: Now how you guys feeling? should I continue the volume 2? or this story is actually trash? well anyway see you next month. perhaps. I will update season 2 one chapter a day while surfing the internet for a new fanfic!. but please give me reccomend for a good fanfic so maybe I can translate it into this platform. I mean it. and could you guys try comment or something. I love read all your comments tbh hehe)