Honkai Impact 3rd: Catching the Herrscher of Sentience at the Start

"Let me go! If I don't dismantle that gun today, I'm not the Herrscher of Sentience!" Fu Shi said, flailing her fists in frustration.

"The great Herrscher of Sentience shouldn't get mad over a mere gun. Let's check out the next artifact," Fu Lin said with a faint smile, holding back his laughter as he comforted her.

"This stack of cards counts as an artifact?" Fu Shi asked, looking at a tower made of cards with a puzzled expression before moving on.

"Huh? This crown is entirely made of crystals. No wonder it's so heavy!" Fu Lin muttered as he read the description of Artifact No. 458, "The Unbearable Weight," then walked toward the next display without a backward glance.

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"Hmm, I don't understand, but I'm deeply shocked." Fu Lin examined Strange Object No. 269, labeled "Packaged Joy," then glanced at its description, puzzled, before moving on to the next one.

"Absorbs heat? That's interesting. Excludes food? It accumulates?" Fu Lin read the introduction for Strange Object No. 2691, the "Heat Black Hole," and couldn't help but show some interest, but soon he shook his head in disappointment and walked toward the next item.

"What kind of stuff is this Herta collecting? Aside from the Judgment Gun, which is somewhat interesting, the rest is useless." Fu Lin picked up the Star-Reading Probe, examined it briefly, then put it back with a bored expression and muttered.

"Really boring. I thought there'd be something fun." Fu Shi stretched lazily, looking at the hodgepodge of strange objects, finding them less intriguing than the little gadgets she made herself.

"Is this… Wings of Wind? How did something from Genshin Impact end up here?" Fu Lin stared in surprise at a pair of black wings in the distance.

"What's so surprising? Welt also came to this world, didn't he? Maybe it's all part of miHoYo's universe, so finding Easter eggs here makes perfect sense." Fu Shi rubbed her chin, explaining seriously.

"Reasonable… so this world is part of miHoYo's new game?" Fu Lin nodded, half-understanding.

"Maybe. Thinking about it, Old Welt is really busy—he's everywhere. Hopefully, he won't have to do sit-ups again. Either let him die swiftly or let him live well; he's had enough bad luck."

Fu Shi put one hand on her hip, feeling sorry for Welt. At his age, even miHoYo wouldn't give him a break.

"...Ahem!"

Fu Lin heard a cough behind him. He turned to see Old Welt leaning on a cane, slowly walking over, followed by Stelle and the Herta, who had just completed the Simulated Universe.

"Welt, when did you get here? You didn't even say anything." Fu Shi quickly dropped her hand from her hip and nervously hid behind Fu Lin.

"When you said, 'let him die swiftly'..." Welt adjusted his glasses, looking at the two with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"So you heard everything? I… didn't mean to curse you… don't get the wrong idea." Fu Shi clasped her hands behind her back, mumbling and avoiding Welt's gaze.

Talking behind someone's back and getting caught is always awkward. She turned her attention to the Wings of Wind and said, "Welt, look at these wings—they're as black as Otto's heart."

"…You don't have to say that, and you're not wrong either. What's past is past; let it fade away, and let's embrace a brighter future." Welt shook his head, sharing his inner thoughts as Fu Shi tried to change the subject.

"That's more like it. Let go of everything, live freely. You should've done this long ago; you're way better than that old antique." Fu Shi scratched her head and spoke to Welt.

"Really?"

"Ahem! You may have lost your father, but you still have me! I can totally be your… Ow!"

Fu Lin cleared his throat and began imitating Otto's tone, but before he could finish, Welt whacked him on the head with his cane.

"I thought you said you'd let it go. Also, what brought you here?" Fu Lin crouched, clutching his head, looking at Welt pitifully.

"You should learn some tact, like me. Welt was clearly being polite, yet you still had to rub salt in his wounds. Serves you right." Fu Shi crossed her arms and shook her head at Fu Lin.

Welt turned and slowly explained, "I was worried since you hadn't returned, so I got off the express to look for you. On the way, I met Ms. Herta, who said you were here."

"How are my collectibles? Pretty impressive, right?" Herta asked proudly, hands on her hips, as she glanced at the displayed strange objects.

"Somewhat dull. There's only one left I haven't checked out." Fu Lin stood up, rubbing the bump on his head.

"If it's so boring, hurry up and leave. I don't even care to show you. You, of all people, should talk less—you might get beaten to death for that mouth someday."

Herta's face darkened as she snapped back at Fu Lin's complaints.

"Why does that sound familiar? I think someone's told me that before." Fu Lin rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

"Dad, have you seen my phone?" Stelle approached and asked.

"Ahem! Here, with me. The 50 million credits inside is hard-earned, so don't…" Fu Lin pulled out the phone and handed it to Stelle, glancing at the 50 million credits inside.