LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 110: Chapter 109: The Archbishop Is Dead? Hooray—Wait, Is Senti Coming?!
Chapter 109: The Archbishop Is Dead? Hooray—Wait, Is Senti Coming?!
『Pink Fairy Miss:』 'You're joking, right? Playing with a girl's expectations is a terrible habit~'
『where did the little lab rats hide?:』 'So when the game says "To be continued," it really means "To be continued," huh…'
『Hard Work Always Pays Off:』 'Ugh, I really thought the new version would have tons of content, but it's already over? And now they're drip-feeding the story bit by bit. How annoying.'
The chat flooded with complaints.
Hokuto took them all in—
He could feel the frustration of the viewers…
A less experienced streamer might panic and cave in at this point.
But Hokuto wasn't that easy to pressure.
If anything, he knew exactly why it was better to leave people wanting more.
At the very least—
It kept them coming back the next day.
Take Mobius' earlier comment about how the new update had "no content," for example.
The main story was too straightforward—
In less than an afternoon, Hokuto had cleared all of it.
The only things left were daily tasks, Abyss runs, and Exorcism missions.
Even then—
There was too much free time left over.
And if things kept going like this…
Soon enough, his stream would devolve into nothing but idle chatter.
At that point, people would lose interest and stop coming.
And that?
That would hurt his precious crystal income.
So…
"Ahem. It's not my fault the game is set up like this. Abyss is cleared, dailies are done, home base gold and assignments have been collected. As for the event, the next chapter will be released in a few days, and the event itself will wrap up soon."
"I'll try to stream everything, but before the next big story update, I need to take care of some personal matters."
After dropping that announcement, Hokuto patiently waited for chat's response.
He wasn't worried—
At this point, there was nothing left to do in the game.
Whether they liked it or not, it wouldn't change anything.
Besides—
After finishing his daily streams and clearing the game content,
He really did need to take care of some work-related stuff.
After all—
If he took sick leave for too long,
Even Otto Apocalypse himself would start asking questions.
"Ahem, so… that's it for today?"
『Pink Fairy Miss:』 'Aww~ Alright then, but make sure you start early tomorrow!'
Seeing Elysia's pink chat bubble take the lead,
The other viewers reluctantly accepted it too.
One by one, messages of "See you tomorrow" filled the chat.
With that, Hokuto ended the stream.
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host! Livestream completed.]
[Based on today's viewership engagement, you've earned 3,200 Crystals!]
Hokuto grinned in satisfaction.
The content wasn't even that long today,
Yet he still got a good payout.
This proved that splitting up the content into multiple streams was a good strategy.
Now, onto the next issue…
Hokuto glanced around his hotel room in Arc City.
Then it hit him—
He hadn't seen Rita in days.
Nor had he seen any of the other Immortal Blades members.
Had they… forgotten about him?
With Schicksal's level of medical technology,
There was no way they didn't realize he only had minor injuries.
And yet—
He had been "recovering" for days.
Why hadn't Otto assigned him a new mission yet?
Had the Archbishop actually forgotten about him?!
Hokuto reached into his pocket—
Where the homewear Rita had given him was completely empty.
Then, a horrible realization struck him.
He had no cash.
He couldn't use digital payment.
And worse—
Arc City was still in a state of panic from the recent Honkai disaster.
In other words—
He was about to experience "Schicksal Operative: Wild Survival Edition."
"Damn it, Schicksal is useless. Guess I'll have to figure something out myself…"
Hokuto flopped back onto his bed, letting out a sigh.
Then—
He called upon his greatest ally.
"System, you there?"
[What does the host wish to discuss?]
"I've got a question. What's the current level of Honkai disaster in Arc City? Also, what's the survival rate for ordinary civilians?"
[Current Honkai disaster level in Arc City: Minor.**
Survival probability for civilians: 56%.]
Oh… over half of them would survive?
That wasn't too bad.
Then, Hokuto asked another question.
"Alright, so what's my survival probability if I stay here alone?"
[2%.]
"You're kidding, right?! 2%? Your calculations have to be wrong!"
[Host, please understand.**
Your organization is currently in direct conflict with the most powerful faction in this city.
Even if World Serpent isn't directly targeting you, there are plenty of smaller factions that would love to get close to you—either to recruit you or to extract information.]
Hokuto narrowed his eyes.
So the system was warning him that he'd soon be in danger?
Alright.
That meant it was time to cash in on some reinforcements.
"Got any good enhancements for me?"
"Something that won't be detected unless I actually use it?"
[Yes. The system recommends the Honkai Beast Gene Serum, Version 11.0.**
This serum is derived from the DNA of the Emperor-class Honkai Beast, 'Pavanti.'
Upon injection, you will gain the ability to:
Lightly control ice-based attacks and freezing effects.Enhance cellular regeneration and rapid healing.
Since this is a heavily weakened yet optimized fusion variant, your physical appearance will remain unchanged.]
"...Pavanti? Wait, isn't that the Honkai Beast Kevin merged with?!"
Hokuto rubbed his hair.
"Hold on. If I inject this, will I turn into a white-haired guy too?"
[Host need not worry.**
This serum has been modified to prevent extreme physical alterations.]
"Wait, wait, you don't get it—
I want white hair."
"Give me one."
[...Host, the system cannot grant this request.**]
"Useless system."
After a long and "friendly" conversation,
Hokuto realized the truth.
There wasn't a single enhancement available
that balanced both safety and aesthetic appeal.
Fine.
No white hair.
But as long as the enhancement worked and kept him alive,
that was all that mattered.
After spending 6,000 Crystals,
Hokuto purchased the recommended serum.
[Host, please inject the serum immediately.**
Delaying the process increases the likelihood of mutation or unwanted side effects.]
Not wanting to risk anything,
he followed the instructions and injected it on the spot.
And then—
he blacked out.
[Additionally, due to your body's adaptation process,**
you will experience temporary unconsciousness.]
The system's "friendly reminder" echoed in his mind—
But by that time,
Hokuto was already gone.
Meanwhile…
As time passed,
Arc City grew darker.
The city saved by a Herrscher
had not truly found peace.
Although the Herrscher had left,
Honkai disasters still erupted.
As long as Honkai existed,
tragedies would continue.
But—
whenever disaster struck,
there would always be heroes.
Before, it was Kiana, the Herrscher of the Void.
Now—
it was the Valkyries of Schicksal, stationed in Arc City.
"Vice-Captain Rita, the western district has been cleared. We've detected more Honkai energy reactions in the north. Squad Three is requesting permission to deploy!"
"No, wait. I'll go with you."
Under the moonlit sky, Rita, her scythe in hand, prepared to depart with the squad.
Then—
Her communicator buzzed.
There was no option to decline.
A holographic projection immediately materialized in the dark alley.
"Rita, how are things progressing?"
Otto Apocalypse.
Even in a projection, his presence was oppressive.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly, Your Excellency. Do you have any further orders?"
"Hmm... Since you're asking, you must already have the answer."
Here we go again.
Just like always, Otto refused to speak directly.
He played this game often—
Instead of explaining things outright,
he guided people toward the conclusion he wanted.
A less experienced Valkyrie would easily be led in circles.
Rita, however—
had long grown accustomed to it.
She paused, thinking carefully.
Then, she took a guess.
"Are you concerned about World Serpent?"
Otto let out a disappointed sigh.
"Oh, Rita, you wound me."
"You're worried about a snake that's already lost its fangs?"
His expression remained calm,
his smile unwavering.
Yet—
in that moment, he resembled a serpent far more venomous than any in World Serpent.
Rita felt a chill crawl down her spine.
"I apologize, Your Excellency. I was careless."
"Forget it. The situation is urgent—there's no time for idle chatter."
"Return to base immediately and secure our 'guest.'"
"You mean that person? Why?"
Otto turned away, glancing at a recovery chamber nearby.
Inside—
a fully restored body lay still, motionless.
The body of the Immortal Phoenix.
"Because I need him to take some research burdens off my shoulders."
Rita followed his gaze—
Her expression remained unreadable.
But her mind raced.
Fu Hua's body had recovered…
Yet her consciousness remained absent.
This must have something to do with Pre-Civilization Era technology.
Even with all his resources, Otto still lacked crucial knowledge.
Now that his experiments in Nagazora were complete,
he had other matters to attend to.
So, naturally—
he would delegate secondary tasks to his subordinates.
"For the exploration site, choose Taixuan Mountain."
"There should still be plenty of valuable relics waiting for us there."
"Understood. I will depart immediately."
"Good. Also, supply him with the necessary tools."
"I expect him to be useful—and to bring back information I don't yet possess."
With that, Otto cut the transmission.
As the highest authority in Schicksal,
his orders took absolute priority.
Rita couldn't afford to delay.
She immediately sent the other Valkyries ahead to clear the Honkai threat.
Then, without hesitation—
she made her way to retrieve "that man."
For a Valkyrie of her level,
the journey wasn't far.
At full speed, it only took seven or eight minutes to reach the hotel.
"Mr. Hokuto, please open the door.
The Archbishop has assigned you a new mission."
Rita knocked.
There was no response.
She knocked again.
Still no answer.
"Strange… is he still sleeping?"
A vein twitched on Rita's forehead.
She had been running around the city nonstop, eliminating Honkai threats, cleaning up disasters—contributing to Schicksal in countless ways.
And yet—
this man had been sitting around doing nothing?!
Rita was not amused.
With a calm smile,
she raised her leg—
BOOM!
With a single powerful kick,
the hotel door flew open.
As Rita kicked the door open—
She froze.
Hokuto lay motionless on the floor.
"Mr. Hokuto! You can't die here!"
Panic flashed across Rita's usually calm demeanor.
If he died, she'd be the one answering to Otto!
Without hesitation,
She rushed forward, grabbed Hokuto, and dragged him into the bathroom.
Turning on the faucet—
She splashed water onto his face.
"Mr. Hokuto! Wake up! If you die, Lord Otto will have my head!"
"Mr. Hokuto! Get a hold of yourself!"
She held his pale, unresponsive face in her hands, desperately shaking him.
Then—
"PFFT—!"
Hokuto spat out a mouthful of water.
He coughed violently, gasping for air.
"Cough—cough! What the hell—"
"Are you trying to drown me?!
Do you have some kind of grudge against me?!"
As his vision cleared,
He realized what was happening.
And he was not amused.
Rita, however—
Calmly wiped her wet face, suppressing her irritation.
"Hehe, you jest, Mr. Hokuto."
"I'm here to protect you. Lord Otto requires your services immediately."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Forgive my methods, but I had to ensure your safety."
Hokuto rolled his eyes.
"If you really wanted to 'save' me—"
"Why not start with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?"
He cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Never mind. I really don't feel like arguing with you right now."
Hokuto slowly stood up, rolling his shoulders.
Something felt… different.
His entire body buzzed with newfound energy.
His senses—sharper than ever.
His vision—clearer.
His hearing—enhanced.
And then—
He focused on the water droplets still clinging to his skin.
With a simple thought—
The water instantly froze into ice.
Ah.
So the genetic modification worked.
The Version 11.0 Pavanti Serum had successfully integrated into his system.
Now the real question was—
How strong was he now?
He'd find out later.
For now, he had more pressing matters.
"You came here to drag me back to work, didn't you?"
"Most likely."
Hokuto sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Problem is—
All my equipment got wrecked when the plane crashed.
You got spares?"
Rita smiled pleasantly.
"Already prepared for you, Mr. Hokuto."
She handed him a briefcase.
Inside—
A Schicksal-issued laptop, fully equipped for his research.
"We should depart for Taixuan Mountain immediately."
Hokuto paused.
Wait—
Taixuan Mountain?
Oh.
Oh no.
His mind began racing.
If his calculations were correct—
The Herrscher of Sentience was about to awaken.
And if that happened—
He absolutely did NOT want to be anywhere near her.
"Wait. Wait a damn minute."
Hokuto pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Whose orders are these?"
"Lord Otto's, of course."
"And… he's still alive, right?"
"Indeed. His Excellency is in good health."
Hokuto exhaled in relief.
Alright. No problem then.
After all—
The Sentience Herrscher's awakening was directly tied to Otto's death.
As long as Otto was alive,
He wasn't in immediate danger.
This trip to Taixuan Mountain?
Just a harmless little business trip.
As long as he got out before the Herrscher showed up,
he'd be fine.
With that thought, Hokuto accepted the communicator and laptop from Rita.
Then—
He changed clothes and left the hotel.
Aboard the Schicksal Transport Ship
Schicksal's transport ships were fast.
Within a few hours, they were already approaching their destination.
Hokuto set aside his laptop,
Leaning forward, he stared at the main display screen.
Something felt off.
A vague sense of unease crept up his spine.
"...Hey, Rita."
"Are you absolutely sure Otto is okay?"
He couldn't shake this feeling.
Something wasn't right.
Why did it feel like—
the moment he left, Otto was about to get his ass kicked?
Rita sighed.
"Mr. Hokuto, please refrain from asking me that question again."
"Your deep concern for Lord Otto is making me suspicious—"
"Excuse me. I'm receiving an emergency transmission."
Rita raised a hand to her earpiece.
A holographic screen materialized in front of them.
A familiar face appeared.
Arvette.
Her expression?
Pure panic.
"Vice-Captain Rita! Bad news—huge, terrible, awful news!"
"I just received intel from Headquarters—"
"Schicksal has been attacked—"
"Lord Otto… is dead!"
"..."
"..."
Hokuto and Rita locked eyes.
Both of them—
Completely. Stunned.
"…What?"
End of Chapter 109