After confirming that monsters like the Kabane were indeed very weak, Delta said, "The formation of Honkai energy crystals takes time. We should wait until the Honkai energy inside their bodies reaches saturation before harvesting them all at once."
The level system of that magical world was, in essence, the enhancement of an individual's energy.
Each time a creature was killed, a portion of its energy was plundered.
That was why losing a level upon resurrection was a common phenomenon.
As for the Honkai Player System, after multiple version updates, it was now practically a "cracked version."
Not only did it boast an extremely high energy conversion rate, it also possessed its own rapid leveling method.
Honkai energy would be released into another world, turning all living beings there into automatically leveling "experience packs," and then they would be harvested all at once in the end.
Although the quality of the Honkai crystals produced this way was rather poor, the sheer quantity made up for it.
In any case, when the system recycled them, it would convert everything into an equivalent amount of Honkai energy to raise the player's level.
"Sis, since there's nothing urgent right now, let's rest for a bit," Delta said, raising her hand. Her fingertips carried a faint coolness as she gently brushed them against Houraiji Kyuusyou's cheek.
"..." Houraiji Kyuusyou's eyes widened slightly as she felt the soft touch on her face.
She could smell the faint scent clinging to Delta's body, like flowers and morning dew in a forest, infused with vibrant life energy.
The fragrance instantly eased her taut nerves.
She did not pull away. She simply gazed quietly at Delta. Beneath the starlit sky, her younger sister's profile appeared especially gentle. The usually indifferent look in her eyes was now filled with a softness that was hard to detect.
"Here?" Houraiji Kyuusyou's voice was a little lower than usual, carrying a trace of shy hesitation.
She might act like a chuunibyou in front of others, but she would never say such things in front of Delta.
After all, they had grown up together. They knew each other too well.
Their abilities were both unstable and difficult to control.
Most fragile forms of life would be in mortal danger simply by approaching them without sealing or suppressing their powers.
Delta withdrew her hand, her fingertips seeming to retain the warmth of her sister's cheek.
Yet her gaze did not shift. It remained fixed on Houraiji Kyuusyou's face.
Houraiji Kyuusyou's heartbeat quickened for no reason. Staring at Delta's face so close to her own, she swallowed unconsciously.
"What's wrong?" Delta asked softly.
"N-Nothing." Houraiji Kyuusyou shook her head at once in denial, her eyes darting away.
Seeing her slightly flushed cheeks and evasive gaze, the corners of Delta's lips curved up ever so faintly.
She did not press further. Instead, she gently reached out and took hold of Houraiji Kyuusyou's hand, which hung at her side, wrapped in white bandages.
Her fingers lightly traced over the bandages, the movement both gentle and firm.
Houraiji Kyuusyou's body stiffened slightly, but she did not withdraw her hand.
As the white bandages were slowly unwound layer by layer, smooth skin as lustrous as jade was revealed beneath, yet its surface was covered in faint lavender lines resembling tiny cracks.
They were the traces left behind by the uncontrolled power leaking from within her body.
Delta clasped her hand. Her fingertips were cool.
She said nothing more, only gently tightening her grip around her sister's hand.
Their fingers intertwined tightly. Honkai energy flowed between their palms, the two forces silently blending and soothing one another.
No words were needed. No actions were required. Simply staying like this, quietly together, feeling each other's presence, was already enough.
...
Houkai Universe.
What Sirin enjoyed was complete freedom and the tranquility of having nothing to do.
Her "home" was situated in subspace, a private dimension constructed entirely by her own will.
There was no flow of time here, no spatial limitations—only everything she desired.
Unlike the grand and magnificent palaces of Kiana, Bronya, and Vita, hers resembled a massive, chaotic fusion of a game room and a library.
One wall was a gigantic floor-to-ceiling window. Beyond it was not a starry sky, but real-time images of various worlds that she casually accessed.
She watched the lives of those people with relish, as though binge-watching soap operas.
There was no throne in the center of the palace, only an enormous beanbag sofa covered in velvet cushions.
Sirin spent most of her time curled up there, surrounded by Kiana doll pillows she had crafted herself—there was the battle version wearing the Herrscher of Flamescion armor with a sharp, determined gaze; the majestic Final Herrscher form radiating overwhelming presence; but the one she held most often was always the childhood version, dressed in a simple dress with a slightly dazed expression.
Occasionally, she would feel a bit bored.
At times like that, she would project her consciousness into a particular world and interfere, reshaping it into what she believed to be a beautiful world.
She almost never took the initiative to contact others.
As for her work as the principal of St. Freya in the Honkai Academy timeline,
Sirin had handled it for a while before tossing it to Zofia, then stayed home as a shut-in.
She buried her face in the embrace of Final Herrscher Kiana. Though it was merely a doll pillow, aside from lacking consciousness and the original body's power, it was essentially identical.
"Mom..."
Sirin murmured softly. She had been staying home all this time preparing for resurrection, but the situation in the Honkai world was special, so she had yet to make her move.