"Um..."

"Er..."

After we fell from the ground, Joule and I woke up and saw X and Zero were unconscious on the ground. They were uninjured but their positions were inappropriate. X was on the ground and Zero was on the top of him in reverse.

We tried to move Zero away from the top of X but he was too heavy.

"What should we do? It's an accident fall but I didn't know it turned out in a... you know the numbers," Joule gulped nervously.

"Chillax... All we need to do is to pretend not to see them and focus on this location. Besides, they won't blame us for a prank because they're very heavy to carry," I pointed out.

"You're right. Their armors are super heavy. We should look around," Joule nodded as she turned on her flashlight and looked around.

I did the same as we discovered that the tunnel walls were filled with crystal jars. We went closer to them.

"They have pretty jars in here... Wait... They have names on them," Joule spotted the names on the crystal jars.

"Rosemary, William, Sun, Qu, Dan? All those names... I don't think they're not jars. They're urns with the ashes of the deceased," I guessed.

"Nani?! We're in a cemetery?!" Joule gasped.

"Ah! Zero, get off!"

"Oof! Ow!"

We heard the boys as we looked at each other. And then, I started.

"X, Zero, Are you two there? Our flashlights aren't bright enough to see you," I asked as I winked at Joule as a cue.

"Yeah! She's right. We're over here!" she called them.

"Glad that you two girls are alright. Let me guess, our group is separated," X guessed worriedly.

Joule nodded. "I hope the others are okay."

"Don't worry. They can find us," Zero blushed as he felt embarrassed about the accident. "Holy shit! Are those urns?" he was shocked.

"How? Who did this?" X asked.

I rechecked the urns. "I don't know. Joule and I just found them. It appeared that someone wrote the names but no dates of birth and death. Also, others didn't add their surnames."

Zero looked at the urns and nodded. "You're right… Maybe the deceased ones were humans and reploids. I'm guessing that they were cremated because the cremation and urns are more affordable than burials and caskets or they have infection diseases like the virus from the plague or corona."

"Or the First Honkai Hunt," I mumbled.

"What's the First Honkai Hunt?" Joule asked. Ah shit! I shouldn't say that. XI

"Oh! I'm surprised that you know the First Honkai Hunt. Did Dr. Angelo tell you about it?" X dumbfounded.

I sighed. "Yes, he did. I have a report written by him," I took out my smartphone and opened my document from the MS Word app. "Wanna read for you guys?"

"Sure. I need a recap," Zero nodded.

I began to read.

The First Honkai Hunt

Two years ago, the Maverick Hunters, the Valkyries, the scientists and I headed to Enda City as the Honkai's final destination for their existence.

The Honkai monsters and zombies guarded the whole city and killed many people that they spotted, while the survivors hid in their hideouts for shelter.

We did rescue them but we discovered that some of the survivors got infected by the Honkai virus. As a result, we scanned them for virus detection and separated them from the infected tents and the evacuation tents.

Two weeks later, the scientists cured six people of the Honkai virus. Sadly, twenty people died. The rest were still recovering from their health as the scientists helped them.

The Honkai monsters and zombies were decreasing.. While I was taking a bath, someone called me that Noir was in danger. So, I had no choice but to spread into action… While I'm naked in battle.

"Wait?! Are you certain that Dr. Angelo wrote that?" X dumbfounded.

I showed the document to them. "Yup! He did."

"Pffft! I can't believe it that he wrote that. I don't know what they react to that but it's still funny to me," Zero snickered.

"Oh dear! Naked in battle is embarrassing," Joule blushed.

Thus, I continued the reading.

I fought the mavericks with their Honkai virus in them. Their strengths were much stronger than the regular maverick virus. Luckily, they had no match for me because I defeated them easily.

Then, I spotted Noir who was in a bad shape and carried by a pink alicorn, a horse with a unicorn horn and wings. They were with Weiss.

They were dumbfounded that I fought the mavericks in my naked body. Then, the alicorn spoke.

"Whooooa! Papa Bear is Puri-Puri Prisoner from One Punch Man!"

I can't believe that my daughter arrived and rescued them. /0o0\

"What the?! I didn't know Tyro was involved!" X shocked.

"How old was Tyro in the First Honkai Hunt?" Joule asked.

"According to Dr. Angelo, she was ten years old," X replied.

"TEN?! That's so young?!" Zero and Joule jolted.

"Also, transforming into a horse with horn and wings is another one of her abilities," I reminded.

"Oh yeah… I didn't know she can transform into any animals but she created and used vehicles while going on the missions," Zero remembered.

"Oh! About that, she said that she can transform for an emergency. She did complain if my teammates ask her to transform for the ride and she said that they are too heavy," I added.

"Oooooooh…" X and Zero understood.

"I understand her. The same thing that I flew around with GV but I can't carry two or more people," Joule chuckled.

"Noir and Weiss were also involved," Zero noticed.

Oh! Dr. Angelo mentioned Noir in the report. I wanted to know him more. "Did you know them, X, Zero?"

"Of course, Noir and Weiss were our friends a long time ago as co-workers. They were both S-rank hunters. Noir was a cheerful and mischievous one as he always teased Weiss. While Weiss was a quiet and serious one as he tried to get away from Noir. After Noir was forced to resign by his parents, Weiss was getting lonely and couldn't stop talking about Noir," Zero responded.

"So, we told him about Noir's job as Dr. Angelo's assistant as Weiss successfully visited him. In the end, they were in a relationship. However, we didn't hear from them after the First Honkai Hunt," X clarified sadly.

"Right. Moving on," I turned back to my reading.

After rescuing Noir, the hunters suggested joining Tyro for the hunt but I said 'no' because 'it's child laboring'. So, I sent her to the safehouse as her punishment and her safety. Of course, I added the computer, and USB with a lot of her favorite cartoon and anime shows, videogames, books, toys, food, and drinks for not to get bored and hungry.

I know that Tyro can be a good support but she's too young and there's more room to improve. Also, I can't let her see the dark side of this world as her emotion can't handle the stress and pressure. As her father, I want to give her everything she wants and needs.

Within 3 days, the last remaining Honkai monsters and zombies are gone as I returned to the safehouse. Suddenly, the safe house was opened violently. All the stuff was messy and destroyed. My worst fear was my daughter got kidnapped.

I used my Honkai Energy to sense her. I followed the trail as I found Tyro. She was held hostage by Mrs. Violette, who got infected by the Honkai virus as Weiss and Noir tried to convince her. Mr. Violette lies down dead in the pool of blood. When I went closer to hear their conversation, Mrs. Violette admitted that she wanted to kill Tyro and steal her powers for their business because half of their business was destroyed by the mavericks.

I was able to take the action but Tyro bit Mrs. Violette's arm and escaped. Then, Noir shot her to save Tyro. Serpent arrived too late as he tried to attack Noir but we restained him.

After Mrs. Violette's and Mr. Violette's death, the First Honkai Hunt ended and we prepared a private trial for Noir. The government, H&R Alliance, and the Maverick Hunters watched every memory from our memory chips. In the conclusion, they gave Noir 'Not Guilty.

A few days later, they announced that all the infected patients and the medical staffs need to transfer to the island of Eden that the hunters and I cleared the mavericks off 3 years ago because we don't want to cause a world pandemic. Everyone agreed and Noir volunteered as the leader of the Cure Team.

When the patients were cured without detecting the virus, we offered a free flight to send home. If some of them were dead, we used the cremation to exterminate the virus and send their urns to their loved ones. However, some of them didn't accept cremation and wanted a burial because of religious beliefs or family traditions. We buried their caskets in the closest cemeteries.

Noir sent the latest reports on the patients' and medical staff's conditions as the government and I delivered their needs and funds for their support.

"And that's it," I finished the reading… Damn! I didn't know what Tyro had been going through. I remembered that we chatted on our private messages as she was depressed or stressed out from her experiences that I didn't know. So, I gave some advice that I had and comforted her as a friend. For now, I wonder how she is.

"So, that's the report of First Honkai Hunt. How about these urns? Why are their urns on this island?" Joule wondered.

"I don't know but I don't think they were abandoned or don't have family relations," Zero guessed.

X took pictures of the urns. "We can ask Alia or Dr. Angelo for more info-"

"Excuse me…"

X moved away. "Oh! Sure-Ah!" X gasped.

"What's wrong, X? You look like you see a ghost," Zero raised a brow.

X held Zero's head and turned in the right direction. Zero gasped as we saw a male reploid in white armor and coat but covered with dirt and the scent of blood. His long, black hair was messy, and didn't clean himself in one month.

"Oh my god! It's Sadako!" Joule whispered in a panic. A male Sadako.

I covered my mouth as I watched the male reploid carry an urn and walked towards the wall. He placed the urn on the top of the empty slot. When I looked at him closely, I saw his white skin and pink veins. After that, the male reploid walked away from us.

"Oh shit! Is that… Weiss?!" Zero shocked.

"Weiss? From the report of the First Honkai Hunt?" Joule asked.

"I can't believe that he's here. Hey! Weiss-"

I blocked my hand on X as I couldn't let him go closer. "Sorry about that, X. If you look closer, he got infected."

Zero, X, and Joule stared at Weiss as they realized.

"Oh no… Poor Weiss," Joule mumbled as her hand placed on her chest sadly.

"Oh god… Not you too," Zero was shocked.

"Is there anything that we can approach him? I want to know what happened to him," X wondered worriedly.

"I can check his memories with my Soul Connection," I volunteered as I rose my hand.

"Soul Connection. Is it your power?" Joule raised a brow.

"Yes. It's not for combat. It's a support and navigation power that I can connect with my closest companions and copy their abilities. Since Tyro is still here and knows Noir and Weiss, I can see through Weiss' memory," I explained my power to them.

"Alright but be careful," Zero nodded.

"Thanks," I smiled and decided to step in as I searched Tyro's soul for her power.

...

...

...

"Lailah?"

I found her. I wanted to know her location but I needed to check on Weiss first.

"Tyro, I found Weiss but he was beyond saving. I need your connection so that I can read his thoughts while he was infected," I said through my thoughts to her.

I heard her gasp. I knew she was shocked.

"Yes, please. Do whatever you can to help him."

"Thanks," I thanked.

Suddenly, I felt a strong aura as I gently touched Weiss' shoulder. His memories entered to my mind. It turned out… It was aghast.

All the medical staffs were murdered.

Noir was shot in the head.

Professor Vanzo and his men pointed at him.

Weiss screamed in a battlecry as the flames burst wildly.

"I'm sorry, Noir… I'm sorry, everyone…"

"Lailah!"

I woke up from reality as someone pulled me back away from Weiss. It was Joule as we dodged from Weiss' spike of ice.

"Phew! I'm also dead meat. Thanks for the rescue, Joule!" I sighed in relief.

X and Zero defended us as they unleashed their weapons. Weiss summoned huge meteors as he threw at us. Luckily, Zero slashed all of the meteors. Then, Weiss blasted with fire as X took out of it with a water blaster. I discovered that Weiss was the Herrscher of Elements.

"WEISS! IT'S US! X AND ZERO!" X shouted.

"TRY TO REMEMBER US! HAVE GOOD TIMES! AND NOIR!" Zero yelled.

"X… Zero…" Weiss spoke up with a weak tone as he groaned and held his head. He tried to control the Honkai's manipulation from the Herrscher Core.

"Control it, Weiss! X, Zero, Joule, and I try to rescue you" I persuaded him.

"You can do it, Weiss! We're here for you," X cheered him up.

Weiss stopped as he felt like he came back to normal. "X… Zero…" He stared at us with sorrow in his eyes.

Zero went closer to him. "It's alright. Glad you got your senses… Tell us, Weiss. What happened to you?"

Weiss was attempting to speak but he cried.

"Take your time, Weiss. I know that you're been through a lot," X calmed him down as he patted Weiss' shoulder. He didn't care if Weiss had infected. He wanted to help and comfort him.

"They… They killed the medical staff and the survivors at Eden…. They shot Noir in the head and fell into a coma… So mad that I burned the murders into the ground… I brought the medical staff's and survivors' bodies to the island and did the proper cremation... I gave Noir a room with life support so that he can live longer," Weiss sobbed as he shed tears.

"Oh god!" X shocked.

"Weiss, who murdered them?" Zero asked.

"...Professor Vanzo and his soldiers."

All of us gasped as we discovered the true culprit.

"Guys, we shouldn't tell Professor Vanzo about him. He might be planning to get the Herrcher Core of Elements from Weiss," I suggested.

"Wait?! Weiss is the Herrscher of Elements?!" Zero shocked.

"Well, we saw his powers that we didn't see before. He's more on swordsmanship and kung fu," X remembered.

"Yeah… Although, we can't get the signal or connections to the navigators and Commander Signas. We only have memory chips in our brains if we want to check them out. Lailah, is it okay that you're going to confront Professor Vanzo with Tyro and Senti?" Zero requested.

"What about Copen, GV, and Axl? They didn't meet Weiss and didn't he's a Herrscher," Joule asked.

"Copen is Professor Vanzo's assistant. He could be a spy or not. GV and Axl can go with them. You stay here, Joule. You already knew Weiss' secret," X reminded.

"Yeah. I don't want to tell GV and the others about it. It's better to arrest Professor Vanzo first before checking on the others," Joule nodded.

"Don't worry, Tyro, Senti, GV, Axl, and I will tell the truth about what happened and stop Professor Vanzo," I agreed. Then, I looked at Weiss with a smile. "It's alright, Weiss. We'll bring justice for Noir, the medical staff, and the patients. After that, we can wake Noir up-"

Weiss pushed me as I collapsed.

*BANG!* *SPLASH!*

I suddenly looked up as Weiss' head exploded with blood and fell to the ground lifelessly.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Joule and I screamed in horror.

"NO, WEISS!" X was terrified.

"My! My! Guess that your plan to arrest me is too late."

All of us glared at Professor Vanzo as he held the rainbow-colored Herrscher Core of Elements. His smirk was like a demon that was the hunger for power. He had guards behind him.

"Vanzo, how dare you kill my friend?! Are you here to steal the power of the Honkai?!" Zero yelled outrageously.

"Indeed. I'm very interested in Honkai and the power of the Herrscher. My dearest lover, Mirian Violette told me about them. Honkai energy releases a kind of energy that has never been seen in past technology. As well as grievous when it comes to infection and transforming into soulless monsters or zombies. I want to get the Herrscher Core of Creation from her but I finally got the Herrcher Core of Elements instead," Professor Vanzo clarified.

"You don't deserve that power! We won't let you win!" X shouted.

I had to stay calm. I remembered the conversation between Dr. Angelo and the girls about our secret plan last night. We watched the video and the connections between Mrs. Violette and Professor Vanzo. I tried my best to ask him carefully. I turned on the hidden camera from the eye contact that Dr. Angelo invented. I can see the red dot on the left side as a sign of recording and sending it to him.

"Professor, do you know Mirian Violette? What is your relationship with her?" I asked the first question.

"We were collaborating on the Energy Transition Project and became lovers in secret. She truly hated her husband but she won't divorce him for money. After we discovered the Honkai Energy and cores, we planned to murder Mr. Violette and remarry. Killing Mr. Violette was easy but Mirian was killed by motherfucker," Professor Vanzo glared at us.

He was talking about Noir. "And that's how you murdered Noir, the medical staff, and the patients from the island of Eden before Weiss became a Herrscher of Elements. I saw his memory before you killed him. Is this your reason?" I asked the second question as I put my hand on the right side of my waist.

Professor Vanzo chuckled. "You already knew my motive. I didn't know you can read minds or carry a device to see them… Unfortunately, I won't let you escape. Guards, seize them!" Professor Vanzo demanded as the guards readied their guns.

Unexpectedly, the red chains were unleashed from the ground as they attacked the guards and tied them up. Senti, GV, Copen, and Lola arrived at the right time.

"Lailah, are you and the guys okay?!" Senti asked loudly.

"I'm fine but Professor Vanzo got the Herrscher Core of Elements!" I pointed at him.

"Acura, glad to see that you're alright. I thought you try to eliminate Gunvolt for murdering your father," Professor Vanzo said as he rubbed his chin with his index finger.

Copen went silent at the moment and sighed. "Professor Vanzo, please be honest with me. Did you lie to me about the adepti murder of my father?"

Professor Vanzo hesitated to answer. Within 5 seconds, he responded. "... No."

"Boss, based on his heart readings-"

Copen took out the gun and pointed it at Professor Vanzo. "I already knew the truth. Your brother killed him. Since you plan on the Herrscher core, I will send you to hell."

Lola didn't continue to say it because her boss knew it already. Then, she glared at Professor Vanzo. "Yeah! What he said. We already reported Dr. Angelo and the hunters about it."

"Well, your men are still alive soooo…. Guys, Professor Vanzo became a wanted criminal now. If you surrender and follow the government's orders, just help us already. If you don't," Senti warned them as she gave them a sign for decapitation.

Professor Vanzo's men shivered as they looked at each other. "We surrender!"

Senti snapped her fingers as the chains untied them. The men got up and all their guns pointed at Professor Vanzo.

Based on their actions, I saw Professor Vanzo glaring at us and gritting his teeth. He was outnumbered and no one will team up with him.

"All of you! You all imbeciles! I will kill you all!" Professor Vanzo shouted in rage as he placed the Herrscher Core of Elements into his chest.

I gasped. "Vanzo, No! The Honkai will kill and possess you!"

I was too late.

The Herrscher Core of Elements absorbed Professor Vanzo's energy. He was groaning and screaming as he felt the extreme pain in his body. We watched him suffer as his skin turned white with the pink vein. His eyes and nose became to bleed as he roared.

The light from the core shone as I covered my eyes with my arms. As the light lowered down, all of us gasped as Professor Vanzo became a Honkai Mutant Dinosaur.

Holy fucking shit! It's a dinosaur!

Oh my god! What the fuck!

Oh my fucking god! Fucking dinosaur!

Holy shiiiit! What the fuuuuuuuuuck!

"Senti, you ruined the horrifying moment," I commented.

"It wasn't me! I can't sing that song!" Senti shocked.

"It was meeee! ANGELOOOOO!" Dr. Angelo appeared behind us. I didn't know how he got here but what matters is that we need to fight Professor Vanzo's monstrous form.

We held our weapons and readied to fight.