Making Honkai Impact lll In A World Where Kallen Exists [Continuation]

"I don't believe it! I don't believe I can't grow!" Theresa exclaimed, her tone becoming almost petulant.

"Neither do I. Hand it over!" Kongming gritted her teeth, clutching Luo Mo's sleeve. Her sharp gaze shifted toward Luna, whose identical appearance had led her to assume they were both stuck at this stage.

But now one of them had grown.

Unacceptable!

Luo Mo coughed awkwardly. "Fine, here you go. But I'm telling you, there are no growth costumes," he said, handing cards to Irene and Kongming. "These are just outfits. Once I've fulfilled everyone's requests, I'll let Schicksal research them…"

Wait—did he just see Mobius's old skin card earlier? Was that also a costume?

"Hmph, I'll give it a try," Kongming huffed. Her transformation left her with twin pigtails and a refreshing, elegant outfit. A leg ring complemented her look, adding a touch of playful innocence. It was a decidedly cute transformation.

She glanced down at her feet and pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied.

"Haha…"

Irene also sighed, her expression subtle. Her costume was the Wanxi Sha attire—elegant and beautiful. But alas, it didn't make her smaller or more adorable. She could only continue teasing Theresa for comfort.

Luna, on the other hand, was brimming with joy. Her bright eyes sparkled as she examined herself in the mirror, pleased beyond words.

This moment truly highlighted the disparity in their emotions.

"Am I about to lose a bet?" Bronya muttered belatedly. Neither she nor Delta had received cards, which wasn't surprising.

But the wager…

It seemed like Luna was determined to win.

(TL: I won the bet~)

Bronie had been certain that Luna, with her close relationship with the Captain, wouldn't fail. Besides, now that she'd grown, there was no need to fuss over something as trivial as a nickname—she might only care a little, just fingertip levels of concern.

Would Kongming end up a "loser"?

Bronie's brow furrowed as an unsettling thought crept in.

Thankfully, it was a best-of-three challenge: one contest in gaming and hacking skills, and another comparing physical growth. There was still time. Bronie resolved to get more sleep and nutrition.

"Teenagers competing with teenagers, I've got the upper hand!"

Meanwhile, everyone's attention remained fixed on Luna. Kongming and Theresa's eyes practically burned with envy as they stared, overwhelmed by the sight of her sudden transformation.

"Hmph! I refuse to believe I won't grow in the future!" Theresa declared, standing abruptly. Her small legs carried her away—only to return moments later with a carton of milk. Pouting, she took small sips, staring at Luna with a determined expression as if she'd found her life goal.

(TL: don't worry Theresa. You will grow... just...🤭)

Luo Mo couldn't help but suppress the smile tugging at his lips.

Kongming observed his expression, and a peculiar thought crossed her mind, should she start drinking more milk too? But then, she noticed the faint smile on Luo Mo's face...

Suddenly, anger bubbled up. She clenched her fists, grinding her teeth slightly.

At that moment, the door creaked open.

A small, delicate face peeked in, framed by long, soft pink hair that gently fell to her shoulders. She hesitated for a moment, retreating slightly as if shy, but her surprise at the people gathered in the living room soon outweighed her bashfulness. She stepped in openly, no longer concealing herself.

"Oh? Let me see… It seems we've gained another lovely young lady. Luo Mo, who might this be?"

Elysia's gaze landed on Luna, now in her grown-up form. The resemblance was unmistakable.

"Eh? Wait… Why are you here so soon?" Luo Mo asked in mild surprise. Normally, Elysia didn't show up so quickly after these events. Could it be coincidence this time?

"Why not? I'm just dropping by since I'm nearby!" Elysia replied with natural ease, settling herself comfortably on the plush sofa beside Luo Mo. The faint floral scent she carried seemed to fill the space between them.

Leaning in closer to Luna, Elysia's curious gaze scanned her from head to toe. "So, this is what Luna looks like grown up? Absolutely stunning~"

"... Thank you," Luna responded softly, glancing briefly at the newcomer.

She was still adjusting to her new body. Though it didn't feel uncomfortable, there was definitely some awkwardness...

For instance, her shoulders now bore an unfamiliar strain. She instinctively massaged them, her gaze briefly sweeping over Elysia's figure. Surprisingly, she didn't feel the usual envy but instead a competitive urge.

The difference isn't that big. I'll catch up soon.

Of course, neither Kongming nor Theresa could relate to this "burden." In this misfortune, at least Luna had found a silver lining.

"By my estimate, this should be Luna from… a million years in the future? Vampires sure have long lifespans," Luo Mo remarked, casting a glance at Elysia's curious expression.

This revelation wasn't particularly groundbreaking, but he hoped it might restore some of Theresa and Kongming's confidence. After all, hadn't Theresa already started her pure milk regimen?

Even Kongming, usually so composed, now seemed to burn with a jealous fire. Her unwavering, piercing gaze was quite unnerving.

"A million years…"

Theresa's face shifted between relief and despair. Relief, because at least Luna's transformation wasn't a result of something recent. Despair, because… what if it really took a million years for her to change?

She didn't want to wait that long!

"By the way, Kongming looks really cute like this," Elysia suddenly noted, her gaze falling on Kongming's twin pigtails.

"... Heh." Kongming 's lips barely moved, a cold sneer escaping as she held her chin high. "If you can't say anything sensible, it's better to stay quiet. Also, you, how do I revert from this state?"

Though her expression remained frosty, the childlike pigtails framing her face softened her image, giving her an unexpectedly adorable air.

How cute, Luo Mo mused to himself. But hearing her refer to him as "you" made his lips twitch. "You just need to focus on changing back. It should happen naturally. Give it a try?"

What happened to calling him "Mister Assassin"? Had their bond grown so distant?

"Heh, I think I'll stay like this a bit longer. Time to get used to it." Luna's tone carried a faint trace of triumph. Towering above Guan Xing now, she seemed to bask in her newfound superiority.

"Hmph!"

"Alright, alright. So, what's the deal with this, Luo Mo? Can it make me younger? I kind of miss those days," Elysia asked, tugging at his sleeve with unabashed curiosity.

"No… This is just a costume card. It only changes someone's outfit to an existing design I've seen in a game. That's all," Luo Mo explained vaguely, avoiding details about his system.

Elysia raised a delicate eyebrow, intrigued by his explanation but not pressing further.

Her mind whirled with ideas before she let them go. If this ability truly related to a game, perhaps there was more to it than she first assumed.

Could it be... all the heartbreak his actions caused was actually to save the world?

For some reason, Elysia felt a faint toothache as her thoughts spiraled. She couldn't help but suspect her fate was tied to some tragic conclusion. Perhaps it was better not to dig too deep.

"Speaking of which… the story won't end in tragedy, will it? In Honkai Impact 3, the main characters won't… you know…"

"Why are you even asking that? Of course not! At least for the next eight years, the world will still exist," Luo Mo replied, feigning shock at her sudden worry.

His response only deepened Elysia's unease. Eight years? Did that mean everyone else wouldn't exist? Was that what he meant?

"..."

She stared at him in silence, her cheeks slightly puffed with a hint of girlish affection.

"The next plotline will unfold in just a few days during a side quest. You'll see then. By that time, Mei will have become an auntie~"

"Huh? How could that be? Who's being so rude? But… eight years into the future?"

Elysia squinted slightly, lost in thought.

(TL: APHOOOOOOOO!!)

She was aware that Mei had been juggling work as a voice actress lately, unlike Kiana, who hadn't even received a single offer. It used to be Kiana's favorite activity, but now that the opportunity was right in front of her, she seemed uninterested. Instead, Kiana preferred dragging Elysia into training sessions—clearly out of concern that Mei was growing too close to her. Naturally, Elysia went along with it.

Truth be told, she found Kiana intriguing. She didn't mind helping her improve her abilities.

Though, it felt a little like training a female version of Kevin, a thought Elysia dared not share with anyone.

"To be precise, it's eight years after defeating Honkai. You might even catch glimpses of some old friends," Luo Mo remarked nonchalantly, shrugging.

He was, of course, referring to Otto. Back then, Otto's surprise at Theresa becoming Archbishop had been something to behold.

"... Defeating Honkai. It feels so far away, yet also so close," Elysia murmured, extending her hand toward the slanting rays of sunlight spilling through the door she had just opened. She tried to grasp the light but could only feel its warmth.

Warmth… something they hadn't felt the last time.

"When the time comes, you'll witness it with your own eyes," Luo Mo said softly. "After all… it's the future you helped create."

"... Hehe." A smile spread across Elysia's face, her lips curving as her eyes misted over. She reached out as if to embrace him—

Click.

A soft sound interrupted her. Luna, reverting to her smaller form, deftly shrank to avoid Elysia's attempt at a hug.

(TL: good job Luna. Dog doesn't deserve Goddess's hug)

The now-tiny Luna raised her head slightly, glaring at Elysia's empty hands and awkward smile with puffed-up cheeks.

If she hadn't reacted quickly, she might've been caught.

This person was so annoying! Always trying to hug her. What's with that?

Although her grown-up self no longer endured the indignity of having her face smothered, Yuexia still didn't like it.

"hmm. So stingy, Luna. You won't even let a moved person have a hug," Elysia lamented, feigning sadness, her eyes shimmering with mock tears.

But Luna, long accustomed to such tricks, remained unmoved. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Luo Mo, shifting closer with a triumphant smile that carried a hint of provocation.

Elysia burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as she doubled over. Luna's tiny form was surprisingly possessive.

"Well then, I'll go find Mei and ask her about this. Maybe she knows something. Oh, and I'll let her know that their Headmaster might grow up someday…"

With a slap to her thighs and a bright grin, Elysia turned to leave, waving casually behind her. "See you later."

"What do you mean 'might'? This Headmaster will grow up someday!"

Theresa's indignant roar from behind was met with nothing but the wind and laughter.

---

As time passed, the Elysian Realm continued to reveal more stories about the MANTIS. Whether it was the turning points in their growth or the truths buried in history, the realm had undoubtedly become a fitting vessel for preserving an entire civilization's legacy.

As Elysia had once said, the Elysian Realm held different meanings for everyone.

For players, it was a chance to experience their favorite Valkyries in new ways, exploring fresh gameplay mechanics and abilities. With more Valkyries joining this update, the Elysian Realm had become even more vibrant and engaging.

Although the main storyline had slowed to give casual players time to catch up, the extended downtime allowed deeper exploration into the Flame-Chasers' stories. Luo Mo even considered commissioning a series of comics to enhance the game's immersion and storytelling, a decision he found quite satisfying.

He entrusted these plans to the company's creative team, hoping for some Flame-Chasers visuals before the next major update.

But this version was far from an ending. Luo Mo had already prepared for the next phase.

The Post-Honkai Odyssey—set eight years after Honkai's defeat—showcased both humanity's new crises and the Valkyries' growth. It set the tone for a future free of Honkai while reassuring players that the main characters wouldn't face untimely deaths.

(TL: LET'S GO!!!!!)

Sure, there was a disclaimer that the Post-Honkai Odyssey might not align with the main storyline, but who seriously paid attention to such details? At least it offered a sense of security.

Luo Mo specifically scheduled its release after Mei's "Ten Days of Death" arc. The attention to detail was impeccable.

And in this post-Honkai era, who had grown the most over the eight years?

The answer was obvious, Bronya. Starting with the least favorable conditions, her development was nothing short of astonishing.

---

In the company's recording studio,

"The post-Honkai era… It's a time we weren't supposed to reach for ages," Kiana murmured, her tone tinged with melancholy.

Seeing it firsthand brought the weight of time's passage. For Kiana and others who understood Honkai, the game's profound message carried even more significance.

"..."

Su Lu's gaze flickered to the screen, her expression complicated.

The fiery hues of the sunset drenched the scene in red. A massive floating structure loomed in the sky—a stark contrast to anything in their current civilization. It was a bizarre city, alien in design.

Either humanity had undergone a massive transformation, or… it wasn't human at all.

In her heart, the core stirred faintly. Had it not been for her surroundings, the Herrscher of Dominance Voices might have lost control already.

"Honkai... has failed??"