As far as Ling Ke knew, ever since the "Cocoon of the End" arrived in the solar system and successively destroyed Venus and Mars… even more civilizations that might have existed, the experiments it carried out on Earth to "cultivate and embrace the same kind" had lasted for a very long time.
Or rather, the human civilization on Earth had been forced to reincarnate through many eras.
And among those civilizations, the pre-civilization era, as the "springboard" for the current era of civilization, was undoubtedly the most special.
It is that which directly caused Earth to lack an entire continent.
It is that which seals away the birth category of Herrschers of the next era.
It is that which gives the lawgivers of the next era hope of regaining their humanity.
In other words—
"Kevin and his first 'transcendence' wasn't the moment I let them transcend earlier."
"It was Alicia who cut the 'thread' entangling them, freeing them from fate."
"In this way, the Forerunners survived and entered the next era."
"Otherwise…"
Otherwise, faced with the final reset in the style of reincarnation, there would be no hiding in underground shelters or sleeping in inactive pods powered by the 'Stagnation Key.'
To put it bluntly, it must have been very clear. Even before the Twelfth Honkai Impact, Dr. Mei's "Shelter Project" should have been directly classified as top priority by the high-ranking officials of Fire Moth.
Just like in those soft sci-fi movie plots: Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, 2012, Don't Look Up.
To some, civilization may perish—but death must live on forever!
However—
"As a returnee who has experienced all kinds of despair, Kevin will not allow this era to walk the same path."
He had already begun to secretly build up his power. That alone was the best proof.
Maybe, in the future, we might still see a drama where "the savior destroys Fire Moth, and the World Serpent returns to reignite the age."
As for right now—
"Oh~ really."
Down below, the pink-haired girl who had just rescued the two from the collapsed building looked at the flames and lightning storms rising into the sky in the distance and sighed helplessly. "Even if you're in the mood, you should still pay some attention to the surrounding area—don't affect other people nearby."
As she said this, she seemed to sense something, turned her head, and looked upward in a certain direction.
It was the rooftop of another tall building—where Ling Ke stood.
At this moment, the latter, dressed in civilian clothes, stood alone on the edge of the rooftop with his hands in his pockets.
That location was extremely dangerous for an average person—it could easily lead to slipping and falling.
But Alicia could tell at a glance that this person had no intention of committing suicide.
His expression was far too calm.
Just moments earlier, the adjacent building had been shattered by the wreckage of a passenger plane that had fallen from the sky.
But the man still looked out at the distant battlefield with an expression of extreme composure.
No… where he was looking now—
Was your side!
Those eyes—
Without any focal distance.
But not empty—rather… indifferent and murky.
This wasn't the gaze of a "human."
At this moment, for the first time in her life, Alicia experienced a different kind of emotion.
Its name: Fear!
Subconsciously, Alicia tensed her body.
For the first time, when faced with an intriguing being, her first reaction was not to approach—but—
However—
"Seems like even for you, the distance for 'looking ahead' has a limit."
Without warning, a strange male voice sounded behind her. "At the very least, you couldn't cross the 'threshold of the final reset of reincarnation.'"
Alicia jolted in shock.
No one there?
Her heart alarmed, she instinctively leapt backward.
Clearly, unconsciously trying to distance herself from the mysterious other.
But… just like a stubborn cat toying with a mouse, the strange male voice sounded behind her once again:
"Interesting. I didn't expect you to have that side."
"In this way, you're a little more realistic."
"That expression just now almost looked like a 'person.'"
The provocative words drifted straight to her ears.
The visitor seemed very playful, and no matter how Alicia turned, she couldn't see him.
He whispered behind her the entire time.
Finally, Alicia reacted and quickly looked toward the tall building in front of her.
"!!!"
At the edge of the rooftop, the dark-haired young man with strange eyes smiled at her.
Well then—
Suddenly, Alicia winked back at him.
And the black-haired figure vanished.
"I suppose…"
Behind her, the strange male voice echoed again.
"Loss, sorrow, pain, loneliness, regret… apart from those, from the beginning until now…"
"Is this the first time you've shown anything else—just from your own negative emotions?"
Upon hearing this, Alicia turned around again.
This time, the other person "kindly" stayed in place.
Looking at her with a smile. "Very good."
"After all, no one is perfect. Being 'flawless'… is inherently inhuman."
Boom!
The distant battle still raged fiercely.
Lighting up the sky in a fiery red, tearing the heavens, the black-haired youth still acted with utter calm.
But this leisure, standing here so quietly, was undoubtedly the most bizarre thing of all.
"You—"
"You'd best leave Fire Moth quickly. The 'law of man' of this era."
"!!!"
Before she could ask his name—
The very first words he personally spoke had already stirred a storm in Alicia's heart.
Indeed, during this time she still hadn't fully clarified her true identity.
However, she had already begun to speculate on the related suspicions.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have left her beloved "Vostok-51" and the kind Mother Seria alone in her early years.
At that young age, she didn't want to—couldn't—didn't dare to admit…
…to admit that she was the only "Other."
So, after leaving that cozy orphanage, she began to search for the meaning of her existence.
And now, having already completed her journey around the world, she knew that there was no true paradise in this world that one could reach on foot alone to its borders.
Then she would create a paradise!
But—
"Your identity has been exposed."
The black-haired young man continued, "You can consider it a kind reminder from my temporary rise, or a small compensation for the incident caused by me… don't use your own innocence to measure human malice."
"Especially when facing a 'group of people.'"
At that moment, Alicia was stunned.
By the time she returned to herself, the black-haired young man had already vanished.
In the distance, the huge commotion that had continued until just moments ago had also ceased.
"It's over…"
Alicia murmured.
Yes, that battle between two people had ended.
And a certain part of her journey had also been forced to end.
But at the same time—
Many things were just beginning.
At that moment, Alicia looked at the two young people she had rescued from danger.
Kevin, and Mei.
"Has your story just begun?"