At the bottom of the southern sea by Canghai City, Bronya and Cortana were analyzing data from a deep-sea ruin.
This so-called ruin was in fact the petrified corpse of a giant Honkai Beast, clearly the legendary Chiyou. Its body lay stone-like beneath the ocean floor, only its head protruding—yet even just the head was dozens of meters across.
"Based on Bronya's calculations, Chiyou's body holds a massive Honkai energy signature and an enormous inner space. Its gaping mouth should be the entrance to the nine realms..." announced Bronya, referencing the figures displayed on her virtual screen.
"All right. Once Theresa's group arrives, we'll prepare to explore. For now, everyone, take a look around," said Himeko.
"Yay, Ryn, let's go! The undersea world is so beautiful~" Kiana cheered, happily grabbing Ryn to explore.
Beautiful things are best shared with the one you love most~
"What are you looking at me for? Go by yourself if you want," replied Sparkle, rolling her eyes at Mei, too tired to swim.
"Oh, come with me~! Kiana and Ryn are already off, and Bronya and Judah have to keep working. Only you can come with me~" Mei hooked arms with Sparkle and dragged her away to marvel at the undersea oddities.
With everyone off enjoying themselves, Bronya also wanted to go, especially with Mei. But seeing Himeko's worried face, Bronya could only sigh and turn her attention back to work.
Still, as playful banter came through the comms from the pairs of Kiana and Ryn, and Mei and Sparkle, Bronya felt less and less like working.
"Hmph! If everyone else is having fun while Bronya and Judah are stuck working, then if Bronya can't be happy, no one should be!"
With that, Bronya sent the group an urgent alert—pushing some details from the database onto their virtual screens.
The pop-up showed Himeko's annual medical report.
"Why are you showing me Himeko's medical report? Wait—what is this?" Ryn was confused, then alarmed by what he read.
Himeko's health metrics were all dangerously low; by any measure, it was a miracle she was still alive.
"Bronya, what's going on?"
Bronya explained: "You've all seen Himeko's report. Her body has a very poor tolerance for Honkai energy, but even so, she chose to receive an artificial stigmata. As a result, the artificial stigmata has been corroding her body. Add the toll from the nexus system, and Himeko doesn't have much time left..."
Hearing this, Kiana's smile faded; the mood for play completely vanished.
"No wonder Theresa always said artificial stigmata are a double-edged sword. Is there anything we can do for Himeko?"
"Our current mission—if we can obtain the legendary natural stigmata left by Ji Xuanyuan in the nine realms—could help Destiny's research into artificial stigmata. It's all we can do..."
"I have a stigmata—does that help?" Mei asked with curiosity.
"It doesn't, Mei. Your stigmata, and Ryn's, are too unique; Destiny has no way to study their patterns. As for Sparkle's..." Bronya trailed off, but her meaning was clear.
"Stupid Bronya! So you're looking down on my 'Crimson Radiance', huh!" Sparkle huffed, nearly swimming over to strike Bronya, but Mei held her back.
"It's not that. According to Destiny's research, your artificial stigmata was made stronger—but consumes your life faster, too. From that, it's clear your stigmata burns away your life for power. So tell us, Sparkle: how much time do you have left?"
That question drew everyone's attention to Sparkle.
"I..." For a moment, Sparkle was speechless. But seeing Ryn and Kiana both watching, she stubbornly retorted, "Hmph! Bronya, stop talking nonsense! I'll live plenty long. By the time I die in battle, you'll be long gone from old age!"
"Really, Sparkle?" Ryn asked gently.
"Of course! Don't worry, I've got plenty of years left! Before I meet my white knight, there's no way I'm dying."
Ryn looked like he wanted to say more, but Kiana tugged his arm, signaling to drop the subject, and swam away with Sparkle and Mei.
Left with no other choice, Ryn headed over to help Bronya and Judah.
At first, Ryn thought this mission was just a routine search, not something that involved Himeko's life. And now, from Bronya, he learned that Sparkle was fighting with her life on the line too.
The nexus system—the doses Sparkle could use would kill an ordinary person outright. She always claimed to be especially compatible, but compared to another user, Murata Himeko, it turned out Sparkle was surviving by using her stigmata to offset the side effects...
Natural stigmata could prolong life and strengthen the body. But some, like Mei's , nearly killed her upon awakening.
And if Sparkle's "Crimson Radiance" really meant burning her life for power, no wonder her body was so fragile...
Beep beep beep—
While Ryn was lost in thought, an urgent message came through.
"This is the Hyperion, Theresa calling Ryn, calling Ryn!" Theresa's voice was frantic over comms.
"This is Ryn, what happened?"
"Ryn, hurry to us—quick! We need your help! The Herrscher of Corruption appeared on the Hyperion. We fought and subdued her, but much of the ship is destroyed! Hurry, the ship's about to crash!"