Honkai: Strijder (Honkai Impact 3 Male MC)

Two long-separated close friends, whose last parting was due to a violent conflict, should theoretically have endless things to talk about upon reuniting.

However, in reality, one of them had been a shut-in in a small world for millennia, while the other had spent 50,000 years mourning his wife, now focused solely on the "Stigmata Project" and defeating Honkai.

In short, they didn't have much to say to each other. Inevitably, the conversation shifted to the eternal topic—Honkai.

"So, Su, after all these years, have you seen a world where Honkai has been successfully defeated?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Then the Stigmata Project remains the only option. Su, you know Mei's abilities. Only she is absolutely flawless."

Kevin sipped his tea, speaking in a calm, detached tone.

Years and years had passed, and only now could Kevin talk about Mei in such a tranquil manner.

But Su understood—this calm was only surface-deep. The longing and grief for Mei had never faded from Kevin's heart. Otherwise, the once life-loving Kevin wouldn't have chosen such a ruthless plan to extinguish humanity.

Kevin had been driven mad by Mei's death.

Su sighed deeply in sorrow, but there was nothing he could do. Even with his spiritual mastery and profound wisdom, Kevin's hollow heart was beyond his reach. After a long pause, Su hesitantly said:

"Kevin, do you really think that plan was only meant to defeat Honkai?"

"...What else could it be?"

"You hesitated. Deep down, you're uncertain, aren't you?"

"What are you implying?"

"Think about it carefully. The Stigmata Project—rather than a plan to defeat Honkai, doesn't it seem more like Mei's way to ensure you kept living?"

Su sighed again, deeply and sorrowfully.

Perhaps, in her final moments, the fate of humanity and Honkai had become irrelevant to Mei. What truly mattered was Kevin—how to ensure he lived, how to give him hope and allow him to live like a human.

Thus, Mei left behind a child carrying both her and Kevin's genes and the Stigmata Project.

But upon closer inspection, these two things contradicted each other.

If Kevin chose to become a father, he couldn't implement the Stigmata Project, as it would inevitably affect the descendants of that child.

And if he chose the Stigmata Project, humanity's numbers would dwindle drastically, leaving only a handful of strong Stigmata-bearers. In such a scenario, that child's existence would become redundant.

"I've thought about it during these long years. If Mei had truly committed to the Stigmata Project, she wouldn't have left behind a child—it might make you hesitate, introducing uncertainty into the plan. And yet, she left behind both the child and the project. Why? It can't be a careless oversight, right? You've said it yourself—Mei never makes mistakes."

Su smiled faintly, his expression both reminiscent and filled with helpless admiration for Mei's genius.

The child and the project—likely, they were two paths Mei had left for Kevin.

Either he could become a father, find solace in the warmth of parenthood, and heal from Mei's death.

Or he could choose to be the executor of the project. While abandoning compassion, he would have a long-term goal and a reason to keep going. Who knows—perhaps, many years later, Kevin might find a new girl to fall in love with.

Thinking this way, it seemed Mei's considerations weren't about defeating Honkai but were entirely centered on Kevin. The fate of humanity after them likely mattered less to Mei than Kevin's life.

"…I don't know what you're talking about."

Kevin fell silent for a long time before responding nonchalantly.

But Su shook his head.

"No, you know. If I could deduce Mei's intentions after all this time, you must have realized it far earlier. But you ultimately chose to execute the project. For you, choosing the child would mean letting go of Mei—letting her will and actions end there. And you couldn't accept that."

"Su, I didn't come here to listen to a sermon."

"You chose the project because it represents Mei's brilliance and will, and it is also a form of revenge against Honkai. But Kevin, if Mei could see what you've become, she wouldn't be happy—"

"Enough."

An abyss-like presence surged briefly. Even the legendary beast Chi You paled in comparison to the terrifying Honkai energy that flashed within Kevin's not-so-large frame. The bubble universe trembled, and fissures appeared in the sky.

Moments later, Kevin calmed down. The broken teacup lay shattered, and tea stained his hands resting on the table.

Su waved his hand. The sky's cracks began to mend, and the broken white table slowly returned to its original state.

Then Su offered a new cup of tea and placed a dry towel beside Kevin's hand, his expression calm, his sky-like clear eyes filled with deep sorrow.

"Kevin, if I could choose, I'd rather you had died on that final battlefield long ago. Perhaps leaving together with Mei would have made you happier?"

Su's voice was soft, devoid of malice, filled only with heartfelt pain for his friend.

Kevin stayed silent, unable to respond. As Su said, if he could have left with Mei, he would have been happy.

In fact, after learning of Mei's death, Kevin had considered putting the barrel of his god key into his mouth and pulled the trigger to follow her. But, just as Su said, Kevin had understood Mei's intentions—Mei wanted him to live. So, even if it meant being unrecognizable, if it was Mei's wish, Kevin would live on, even with a heart shattered and scarred beyond repair.

At this moment, Sigurd finally set down his empty teacup and interjected:

"So, Mei and Kevinloved each other dearly, and Su, you're just Kevin's close friend."

Sigurd's gaze alternated between the two, his comment directed at Su's earlier suggestion about preferring Kevin's battlefield death.

Although Sigurd had never met Dr. Mei nor pondered her designs deeply, Su's deductions resonated with him.

Putting himself in Mei's shoes, if he were dying and wanted Kiana to live well—he could see himself doing something similar.

"…You're right," Su admitted after a pause.

"That's probably what I didn't understand—the so-called 'love.' Love is beautiful, but sometimes, it can also be terrifying."

"Speaking of which, if you want to understand what that genius was truly thinking, why not try reviving her?"

Sigurd asked, his tone calm and casual.

"Hmm…" ×2

"Hmm??" ×2

"HMM!!!" ×2

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