Honkai Impact 3rd : This is My Revenge-Chapter 38 - 037 : The "Branch-Cutting" Plan

The Will of Honkai.

Once, before Ling ke transmigrated and reached the final chapters of Honkai Impact 3rd, he thought this was some god-like, transcendent concept.

But it turned out that the so-called "Will of Honkai" was actually a bug-like creation from the end of the Previous Era, created by the world-class scholars led by Dr. MEI, in collaboration with the last few MANTIS warriors.

Prometheus-17.

This super AI, designed by Dr. MEI, was formed during the "Final Battle" over 50,000 years ago, when the Flame-Chaser Pardofelis sacrificed herself to open a "gate" directly connected to the "Cocoon of Finality." This created the shackle known as the "Will of Honkai."

Her existence ensured that the types of Herrschers born in the Current Era, over 50,000 years later, remained nearly identical to those of the Previous Era.

And on this foundation, she provided humanity with as many conveniences as possible.

This is why, during the Second Honkai Eruption, a multi-core Herrscher who had no idea how to properly use her abilities suddenly appeared.

At the same time, the reason Otto was able to achieve the status of "False God" in the original storyline was also due to this convenience.

After all, his "Tree of Origin Plan" was inspired by hints from the so-called Will of Honkai.

Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m freewebnøvel.com.

During the Second Honkai Eruption, the Will of Honkai even kindly fed him a lot of advanced knowledge.

Of course, there were benefits too.

Because Otto’s successful "tree rush" directly bugged out the most troublesome Herrscher of Binding.

Well, enough digressions.

Right now...

"Hello there, Fire Thief (Prometheus)."

In a pure white space.

Ling ke saw another version of himself.

A statue-like figure, with only an outline and no color... himself.

This is the so-called "Will of Honkai."

"You should know what I’m about to do."

Without waiting for the other party to silently ask, Ling ke spoke on his own. "My true revenge plan... the ’Branch-Cutting’ Plan."

"To turn time back... to over 50,000 years ago!"

Yes, this is the "main course" Ling ke has meticulously prepared for his enemies.

At the same time, it is also the "salvation" plan through which he, the "Apocalypse Player," will reap the greatest rewards alongside Kevin.

This is the truth behind Kevin’s sudden betrayal.

For Kevin, defeating the Honkai is an obsession, a promise.

For Kevin, the humans of this era cannot necessarily be considered his "kind."

For Kevin, the "Stigma Project," which promises a beautiful dream for billions of ordinary people, is the worst plan, but he would still carry it out without hesitation.

For Kevin...

If someone can surpass everything in the "Final Trial" he has become, he wouldn’t mind becoming a stepping stone for the new generation.

But...

"I will give the Previous Era a ’second chance.’"

"Or, I will make the entire Earth cease to exist."

"Do you want to see the spectacle of stars shattering?"

"Or... abandon this era and reclaim everything that was lost?"

At that moment, Kevin felt the greatest malice in the world.

Or perhaps... the most twisted "kindness."

Ling ke... a Herrscher born from the evils of humanity.

A post-natural paradox.

He wants to help me "save the world!"

But not to make the world a better place.

Rather... purely out of a desire for revenge against a specific group of people.

Because one thing is obvious.

If his plan succeeds...

"If I successfully turn time back over 50,000 years, then when the Previous Era... that is, the Previous Civilization Era, escapes its doomed fate, this Current Era will, like a branch cut from the Imaginary Tree, simultaneously... cease to exist."

"I will ensure that this timeline does not produce any branches."

"At that time, the special state of this era will be neither a terrifying ’hell’ nor a deeper ’abyss,’ but... complete ’nothingness.’"

"Salvation" is also "destruction."

"Destruction" while also bringing "salvation" to another era.

The two are cause and effect.

Except, one side wins everything.

And the other side will... lose everything!

And who benefits and who suffers will be decided solely by Lingke.

Because this... is his revenge!

On this foundation...

"Just as Otto’s Tree of Origin Plan included a backup that allowed people inside Kolosten to travel back 500 years, I can also bring the people I designate to the Previous Civilization Era over 50,000 years ago."

"They are unaffected by ’temporal paradoxes,’ transcending time and continuing to exist."

"But only they will continue to exist!"

Once, someone asked: What is more cruel than everyone dying?

Someone answered: Being the only one left alive.

Clearly, Ling ke is now facilitating this scenario.

"And when that happens..."

Inside the Dominator Theater, Ling ke’s expression is manic. "Cause precedes effect... My ’guests (enemies)’ who wish to save their era, to turn this rotten fruit from ’nothingness’ back into ’existence,’ must..."

"Allow the Previous Civilization Era to once again march toward its predetermined end."

"Thus..."

Ling ke stands up from his throne. Though there is nothing in front of him, he still laughs with a crazed, unhinged expression, as if addressing an invisible audience.

He mocks, his demeanor having long shed the mask of "elegance."

"You self-righteous hypocrites who fight for all that is beautiful in the world, will you abandon your era and let it become true ’nothingness,’ or will you strive to save it by personally destroying someone else’s ’second chance’?"

"HAHAHAHA!"

"Otto, Rita, Bronya, Raiden Mei..."

"Transcending time, unbound by ’paradoxes,’ you will surely put on a magnificent show for me."

"At that time, I will choose the most comfortable seat and watch your disgraceful performances."

"With Otto around, I won’t even need to stir the pot. You’ll tear each other apart on your own."

"Spend the rest of your lives struggling in endless torment!"

"That sight will be truly beautiful."

"This ultimate performance, staged on the world itself, betting on two eras... will surely fill the ’void’ in my heart."

Ling ke gently touches his chest. "In the end, I will be reborn..."

"I will... be reborn!"

---

In Ling ke’s homeland, there is an old saying:

"One man’s hero is another man’s enemy!"

Now, as a Herrscher seeking to destroy humanity, Ling ke stands on the opposite side of the world.

And what he plans to do is: switch sides.

Without a doubt, as a villain, he doesn’t care about any of this.

But his enemies...

Aside from Otto, none of them can bear it.

"Fight for all that is beautiful in the world?"

What if... the beauty in your eyes must be built upon the suffering of others?

Don’t you love to self-deceptively ignore those who are "sacrificed"?

Then I will bring everything into the open, forcing you to no longer selectively overlook it.

Belief? Mission?

Without Schicksal, who will fight against the Honkai?

Sorry, but for the Previous Era, which has been given a "second chance," you are the "evil" ones.

Especially Raiden Mei.

She has been to the Elysian Realm and received the gifts of the "Thirteen Flame-Chasers."

To her, Elysia, Eden, Vill-V, Sakura, Griseo... they are all her friends.

And once Lingke’s "Branch-Cutting" Plan is completed...

How will she face them, now that their stances have diverged?

Thus, there are only two outcomes.

Either she gives up everything and lives a life of regret.

Or she persists to the end, still living a life of regret.

No matter what, pain will forever accompany her.

This is the worst kind of deadlock, where no choice is right.

Of course, if Raiden Mei and the others had the chance to obtain the power to rewrite the timeline, they could also "break through with sheer force."

But would Ling ke, sitting in the audience, allow such a thing to happen?

Obviously, not!

He is like the Emperor Nero, who had a twisted obsession with art, and he will absolutely protect his Golden Theater.

Before the "performance" ends...

No one can leave.

And no one can remain untouched.

Thus, today...

"Then, the deal is done."

In the pure white space, Ling ke smiled with satisfaction.

When he came to his senses, he was already standing within the Finality Ruins on the Moon.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

"Domination Puppet: Ling ke" had also arrived at the Elysian Realm.

Kevin, true to his promise, did not follow him in.

He came here alone.

This place, which connects the past (Previous Era) and the present (Current Era).