Sometime earlier.
Through satellite observation, a violent energy reaction erupted from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The energy surge from the seabed triggered a tsunami, severely impacting the Southeast Asian region.
Because the deep sea water could block the leakage and detection of Honkai energy, Otto was unable to confirm what exactly had happened on the seabed.
But judging from the massive tsunami that was triggered, its energy fluctuations were no less than that of a Great Honkai Eruption.
To investigate the situation on the seabed, Schicksal's S-rank Valkyries, Mushoku Kika and Durandal, were dispatched.
If it was confirmed to be a dangerous Honkai Beast or a Herrscher, Kika would be responsible for sniping the target in the deep sea from the air. If the target were to escape, the aerial combat unit Durandal would give it a warm welcome.
———————————————
On a Schicksal transport ship, Durandal was warming up, while Kika lay on the side, absent-mindedly checking her weapon.
Durandal noticed that Kika was out of it and asked with concern:
"What's wrong, Kika? Is something on your mind?"
"It's nothing important, don't worry, it won't affect the operation later."
Kika shook her head, indicating that she was fine. Then she fiercely flexed her wrist and made a small fist.
"It's just that when I think about how I'm still working overtime out here, while that bastard Ryn is being all lovey-dovey with Mei and Kiana, my fists just clench."
"Haha…"
Durandal chuckled lightly, then showed a look of envy.
"Speaking of which, Ryn and Kiana went on a trip around the world for a month! It's so enviable!
Last time, Overseer Otto also gave me a short vacation, but Ryn had a mission, and Rita also had a mission, so I didn't know what to do by myself. After going out for a walk with Stan for a while, I ended up spending the rest of my vacation alone in the training room…"
Kika's lazy eyes lit up instantly. Acting like an experienced person, she patted Durandal's shoulder.
"Sigh, this is life! This long road can only be walked alone in the end! Durandal, there's nothing to be envious of. Let me teach you the secret of being a shut-in! For gloomy people like us with no friends, it's best to just rot in our little rooms…"
Durandal blinked, then put some distance between herself and Kika. "I have many friends, it's just that their schedules conflicted with mine."
"I get it, I get it. It's just that when I'm on vacation, they're at work, and when I'm at work, they're on vacation…" Kika said with an expression that said, 'I get it, I get it all.'
"Don't worry, it's just the two of us here. Tell me the truth, no one will look down on you!"
Durandal looked down at Kika, who was half a head shorter than her. Although Kika was about the same height as her when she wore her wooden clogs, her own combat boots also had heels…
Durandal stood up straight, puffed out her chest, and looked at Kika proudly: "I think you should call me 'big sister,' because in every aspect, I'm still the bigger one."
"…"
Kika looked at Durandal with a dark expression. Did you only hear the 'sis' part of that whole sentence? So what if your chest is big! When I get back, I'll stuff some more, and then we'll see who's bigger!
"No, even though you're bigger in every aspect, that's not important. According to the first-come, first-served rule, you still have to call me 'sis'!"
"I don't want to."
"No, you have to!"
Durandal pressed down on the unreasonably demanding Kika's head, letting her wave her arms around angrily.
"Speaking of which, this seems to be the first time it's just the two of us on a mission, isn't it?"
"Indeed. I'm usually with Ryn or on solo missions. The missions I've done with Durandal all seem to be team missions."
"Mmm, but there should be many more opportunities for us to work together in the future." Durandal took out a tablet, gave one to Kika, and kept one for herself. "We're approaching the location where the energy signal was detected. Should we exchange information on our combat styles to facilitate cooperation later?"
Kika took the tablet, thought for a moment, and put it aside.
"To be honest, it doesn't seem necessary. My melee combat ability is zero, and I don't need anyone to assist or coordinate with my long-range shooting."
"Alright then, I'll leave the main attack to you. I will protect you and provide you with a safe shooting environment."
"Mmm."
......
"Speaking of which, shouldn't we be considered rivals in love?"
"Hmm? Is that important?"
"Hmm? What do you mean 'hmm'? Durandal, don't you feel any sense of urgency?"
"No, why should I be nervous about that?"
"Never mind, never mind, it's nothing… The mission is what's important."
......
Upon arriving at the target location, Kika stood at the hatch of the aircraft, activated her tactical visor, and scanned the situation under the sea.
Durandal also activated the power unit of her Bright Knight: Excelsis armor and flew into the air on standby. The Throne of the Gods: Hel of Eternal Silence in her hand was ready to pierce any Honkai Creature that emerged from the water.
Beneath the ocean that Schicksal was so vigilantly guarding, two colossal beasts were currently chatting…
The two Honkai Beasts, Kukulkan and Maheśvara, were curled up in Maheśvara's lair, chatting away.
Kukulkan boasted loudly: "Let me tell you, Maheśvara, all these injuries I have are from fighting the Herrscher of Finality back in the day. You have no idea, that thing, if it weren't for her immortality, I, the Feathered Serpent God, would have finished her off long ago.
I hit her with a tail whip so hard her own mother wouldn't have recognized her. Then I used Scorching Rock Assault and Icy Cold Snow, giving her a taste of both fire and ice torture. Then I tore open space and banished her to another dimension, although she managed to escape and come back. But what awaited her was a light blast I summoned from the sun, which annihilated her at the material level.
In the end, if I hadn't taken pity on this land I so deeply love and controlled my power, she wouldn't have had the chance to counterattack… Sigh, the past is like smoke!"
Maheśvara: "Yes, yes! The mere Herrscher of Finality. She wanted to lay a hand on me back then, but one look from me scared her stiff. She was so terrified by me that she didn't dare move for over a thousand years.
Finally, she threw caution to the wind and tried to fight me, but you saw what happened. The aftershocks of our battle led to the destruction of the surface civilization. Although I successfully defeated her, the Earth returned to chaos, and I could only sleep here."
Kukulkan and Maheśvara hugged each other and wept, feeling sympathy for each other's plight.
However, their inner thoughts were the complete opposite of their expressions.
Kukulkan: I'm just bragging, what are you bragging about? You can't even beat my half-crippled self, and you dare to compare yourself to the Herrscher of Finality.
Maheśvara: All you do is brag. I've lived for so long and I've never even seen you. You're probably just some little snake born in some corner.
You must be a Honkai Beast born in this century that benefited from the version update, otherwise I shouldn't be losing to you…