Chat Group: Starting by Swapping Bodies with Elysia?

"It's a Honkai Beast! Its energy levels are… approaching, no, surpassing, that of the Judgment-class Benares from the Second Eruption!"

Despite Schicksal's suppression, Anti-Entropy had its own satellites. Einstein, accessing the satellite feed, displayed the image on the main screen. The massive shadow lurking beneath the waves, and the alarming data it generated, made her tense.

While Judgment-class Honkai Beasts had a somewhat lackluster track record, they were officially classified as Herrscher-level threats.

"How…? How can a Honkai Beast of this level be hiding in these waters?!"

Judgment-class beasts only emerged from large-scale Eruptions, usually as a Herrscher's companion. While this rule had been… bent recently, this creature's appearance baffled the two scientists.

The Third Eruption in Nagazora hadn't happened yet, nor had the Fourth in New Zealand. And this was Shenzhou's territory! According to their database, Shenzhou rarely experienced major Eruptions. The most recent one had been far away in Siberia.

"It's Chiyou." [Bronya], staring at the massive shadow, recognized it instantly.

The two scientists looked puzzled. "Chiyou? Isn't that a figure from ancient Shenzhou legends?"

Due to the lack of major Eruptions in Shenzhou, they paid little attention to the region. Their knowledge was limited.

The silver-haired girl explained, "It's a Judgment-class Honkai Beast from the beginning of civilization. A consequence of the early Project EMBER rapid technological advancement, Chiyou devastated early Shenzhou. The survivors sealed it in the abyss known as Jiuyou at the cost of their lives. Due to the passage of time, and… incidents affecting those involved, the details weren't recorded, only remembered as a myth."

Chiyou was a unique Honkai Beast. It was unlikely that the survivors of the previous era had been wiped out by a Judgment-class beast. If so, the First Herrscher should have emerged then. Given Chiyou's ability to grow by consuming land, Jiang Qiao suspected it had started as an Emperor-class beast, only escalating to Judgment-class due to unchecked growth.

He didn't hide Chiyou's ability. While the source of his knowledge intrigued the Anti-Entropy trio, they wisely refrained from asking.

"Chiyou is heading towards the Liangguang region of Shenzhou. It's likely trying to consume the land to regain its strength." [Bronya] observed Chiyou's trajectory, understanding its intentions.

"We can't let that happen!" Tesla exclaimed.

Even with their limited knowledge of Shenzhou, she knew Liangguang was densely populated. Chiyou's arrival would cause massive casualties, and the Honkai truth would be exposed.

"Indeed. We can't let it reach that area."

"—And…" [Bronya]'s silver eyes flashed with a cold light as she looked at the map. "Kiana's ship is nearby."

"Welt, make your choice." She fixed her gaze on Welt.

"I don't want an unnecessary conflict. It wouldn't benefit anyone, not humanity, not you, not even me."

"...I understand." Welt sighed, finally relenting. "I'll give you the core, but I want you to promise me something—"

"If you can't control the Herrscher of Reason's power, I want you to relinquish it, along with the Void authority. Don't misunderstand. I don't covet that power. It's not something I can wield."

"This is simply… concern between fellow Herrschers fighting for humanity." He clarified, worried about being misunderstood.

It was true. Other Herrscher powers were meaningless to him. Even wielding the Herrscher of Reason's power inherited from Joyce was a burden. He couldn't imagine carrying multiple cores like Sirin.

"That won't happen—" [Bronya] began, making Welt think she was refusing, but then she added, with a forced smile, "But if you deem it necessary, I agree."

"Don't look at Bronya like that. I'm not unreasonable." She chuckled at their surprised expressions.

If she wanted to, she could simply take it by force.

"Now, watch Bronya's performance. I'll prove your worries are unfounded."

"...I hope so." Welt sighed, a blue gem materializing in his hand.

It was the symbol of two generations of Herrschers of Reason—the core.

He looked at the treasure Joyce had entrusted to him, feeling a twinge of sadness, not for the power itself, but for the parting. He'd hoped for a worthy successor, someone to inherit the Herrscher of Reason's power. Then he could finally retire.

He hadn't expected it to happen like this.

He watched the silver-haired girl leave, his heart filled with both worry and a sliver of hope.

He hoped this girl, wielding the Void authority in a human body, could create another miracle.

—[Bronya] didn't teleport. She left normally.

The burden of using Herrscher powers in a human body was too great. And during their conversation, the Anti-Entropy battleship had reached the designated area. There was no need to show off and strain [Bronya]'s body further.

Not that it was much of a strain anymore.

After all—

"Bronya can feel the Herrscher of Reason's power." She placed the blue gem against her chest, pushing it into her body. A surge of power flowed through her, a confident smile spreading across her face. It was surprisingly charming on Bronya. Her voice, still tinged with baby powder, was filled with excitement.

She could feel her body transforming, shifting from human to Herrscher.

"You… you monster!" Sirin exclaimed, incredulous.

What the hell?!

She'd been celebrating, thinking this newbie would destroy herself trying to wield two cores. Even the strongest human body couldn't handle it. She'd reclaim her Void authority, and maybe even snag the Herrscher of Reason's power as a bonus.

But…

What… what just happened?!

The newbie had achieved Herrscher transformation the moment she absorbed the core?!

When did Herrscherfication become so easy?!

As a natural-born Herrscher, Sirin knew how difficult the process was. Even [Bronya], with complete control of the Void authority, hadn't been able to transform. But with the Herrscher of Reason's core… she'd instantly succeeded?

Besides shock, there was also a sense of… injustice.

My core became your toy, and you couldn't even transform! But with his core, you instantly become a Herrscher?!

Void core—fail.

Reason core—success!

So you're saying my Void powers are inferior to his Reason powers?!

The competitive Sirin felt both angry and dejected.

You think you can turn this body into a full-fledged Herrscher of Reason?

Think again!

A strange sense of rivalry prompted her to channel her remaining power, working alongside the Herrscher of Reason's power to reshape the body. Like a game of coloring, even if it was a temporary body, she wouldn't let the Herrscher of Reason take over completely! She, the Herrscher of the Void, would have her share!

—This intervention wasn't harmful to [Bronya]; it was even beneficial. They were both working towards the same goal—Herrscher transformation. And whether it was a Herrscher of Reason or Void body, the end result was the same.

After the transformation was complete, a thought struck Sirin—

—Oh no!

She was supposed to be his enemy! Why was she helping him?!

By assisting with the transformation, she'd only made herself more vulnerable!

"Hmm, this small fragment of Void power… you stole it while I was using it, didn't you?" Jiang Qiao's voice made Sirin's face twitch.

Stole?! It's mine!

You're the thief! The robber! You stole all my power, and now I'm the thief for taking back a tiny bit?!

"Forget it. It's not important. I won't punish you. Just don't do it again. I'm confiscating this." Jiang Qiao, ever so kindly, confiscated Sirin's hard-earned progress.

Feeling her progress reset, reduced back to a bound captive, Sirin remembered the humiliation she'd endured for that tiny sliver of power, and tears streamed down her face.

Jiang Qiao, I'll kill you! When I get out, I'll fill the entire Pacific Ocean with foot-washing water and force-feed it to you!

Wait… there's still a tiny bit left… Even that infinitesimal amount was a comfort in her utter powerlessness.

…He has a conscience, after all… Her murderous rage subsided slightly. She'd only fill half the Pacific with foot-washing water.

…

—Jiuyou Abyss.

The area was a raging storm.

A Honkai Beast of Chiyou's size caused a massive disturbance just by awakening. Thankfully, it was in the middle of the ocean, minimizing casualties. Only the unfortunate marine life suffered.

And occasionally, some unlucky humans.

Like—

The ship Kiana was on.

The weather had been rough, but that was normal for sea travel.

But today's storm was exceptionally violent.

"Bronya, are we about to reenact the Titanic?" Kiana, awake now, watched [Jiang Qiao], who was engrossed in her handheld console, and commented on the raging storm outside.

Due to the severe weather, all passengers had been gathered in a specially designed hall, built to withstand rough seas and provide shelter in case of a shipwreck. This was why the company dared to operate in such conditions.

—Judging by her address, Kiana knew Bronya was currently piloting [Jiang Qiao]'s body.

"I wonder where he went. The crew can't find him." Kiana looked at the empty seat beside her, muttering worriedly.

Jiang Qiao's sudden disappearance had baffled them and caused a headache for the crew. A missing passenger! They'd searched the entire ship! The captain was already preparing for the worst.

Thankfully, [Bronya]'s… family wasn't worried.

"With Project Bunny, he'll be fine. He's probably off doing something." Bronya, still glued to her game, said dismissively.

With the invincible Bunny, even if he fell overboard, he could cross the ocean solo. The Bunny could fly and didn't require any energy… as long as it was near [Bronya]. The only downside was its slow speed.

"Ah! I left something important in my room!" Bronya suddenly looked up, putting down her console.

—Seele had left her a hair clip, besides Project Bunny. It was her most treasured possession, always kept close.

But before the body swap, she'd taken a shower and left it under her pillow. Jiang Qiao wouldn't have known to take it.

"I forgot to grab it!" Bronya smacked her forehead. In her excitement to play games in a fully functional body, she'd only taken the console.

"Project…" She instinctively reached for Project Bunny, then remembered she'd lent it to [Bronya].

She pouted. Without her trusty Bunny, things were so inconvenient!

Fine, I'll go myself.

Bronya put down her console. "Bronya is going to get something. Don't touch Bronya's game, dummy."

"Hmph, fine! Like I'd want to!" Kiana, who'd been eyeing the console, rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Bronya's retreating figure.

"Mean!"

"Rita, what's wrong?" Kiana noticed Rita's sudden change in expression.

"Lady Kiana… don't you feel it?"

"Feel what? I don't feel anyth—"

Suddenly, both of them stood up, staring out the window.

—Bronya, unaware of the change, hurried back to her room. While lacking the enhancements of her exoskeleton, her healthy legs felt good. The only difference was the increased height. She still preferred being carried by Project Bunny.

"Here it is~" She lifted her pillow and smiled, finding the butterfly hair clip. She tucked it into her pocket.

She was about to leave when she saw Kiana and Rita hurrying past.

"That's… the deck?" Puzzled, she followed them.

—In this weather, the deck was off-limits. But for a Valkyrie like Rita, and the infamous Ural Silver Wolf, a simple lock wasn't an obstacle.

"Dummy Kiana, Lady Rita, what are you doing on the deck—?"

The wind and rain on the deck were fierce, making it hard to see. Bronya shielded her eyes with her hand as she caught up to them.

But before she could finish her question, her—[Jiang Qiao]'s—eyes widened.

In the distance, a massive shadow, like a mountain, loomed over the ocean.

None of them mistook it for an island. The terrifying Honkai energy and its movements clearly indicated—it was alive.

"What is that?!" Bronya gasped, a mixture of awe and fear.

While the Ural Silver Wolf was no stranger to danger, this was beyond human comprehension. Her restored nerves weren't entirely a blessing. She felt a fear she'd never known before.

But fear wasn't always a bad thing. It taught you what to avoid.

"A Honkai Beast… at least Judgment-class… I've never seen one this big." Rita frowned. "Even Schicksal's database has no record of a Honkai Beast this size."

She felt a headache coming on. As a Schicksal Valkyrie, it was her duty to eliminate Honkai Beasts. And as an S-rank, she was capable of taking down Emperor-class beasts solo.

But this one… it wasn't Emperor-class. It was Judgment-class! And a massive one at that!

As a humanoid-specialized Valkyrie, this was her worst matchup.

Rita sighed, abandoning any thoughts of fighting. "Inform the captain to turn back. We'll need Lady Durandal to handle this…" Even with her Divine Prayer stigmata, she doubted she could win. This monster required the invincible Durandal.

"Ah…" Kiana didn't argue. While a Kaslana's duty was to protect people, she wasn't delusional enough to think she could fight that. Her baseball bat would be like a toothpick against that thing.

But then, she tilted her head. "Wait… do you hear that?"

"?" Bronya and Rita exchanged glances.

Kiana pointed towards the source of the sound. "It's like… singing…"