The Honkai beast of Emperor class emerged from the cracks in the asphalt like a corrupted colossus: a young Ganesha-class, a gigantic warthog over 12 meters long, with a stocky body armored in white organic-metallic plates covered in bright pink lines that pulsed with Honkai energy. Its curved tusks gleamed like scythes under the purple light of the eruption, and its wide snout gathered power for devastating attacks. Each step shook the ground like a minor earthquake, releasing waves of corrosive purple energy that cracked the pavement and saturated the air with lethal radiation. Its roar was a guttural growl mixed with electronic buzzes—a sound that chilled the blood and vibrated through the bones.
Mikael felt the destructive pulse hit his body like an invisible wave. "Grade 1... almost special grade. Its Honkai energy is overwhelming."
The wounded Valkyrie—a young woman with short brown hair, her white battlesuit torn and bloodstained, likely a B-rank Schicksal recruit—was trying to stand, her weapon shaking in her hand. "Run! It's too strong for a civilian like you!"
Mikael ignored the warning, his calm expression hiding the cold calculation in his mind. "I can't. If I run, she'll die... and maybe more innocents." He summoned all his accumulated spirits: the four zombies emerged from black shadows like stumbling puppets with purple eyes, while the Chariot—a spectral armored gorilla-rhino hybrid with curved horns—charged head-on, roaring in echo.
The spirits formed an improvised barrier. The Chariot struck first, crashing into one of the Ganesha's front legs with a metallic clang that sent Honkai sparks flying in all directions. The zombies flanked it, clawing at the lower plates with corrupted nails, leaving smoking gouges. But the colossal warthog twisted sharply, its pink plates glowing with increasing intensity. It began spinning in place, building speed like an armored armadillo, the ground trembling from the friction. Then it launched into a straight rolling charge—a destructive whirlwind that crushed the Chariot in a burst of black smoke and scattered the zombies like dry leaves in a hurricane.
Mikael didn't wait. He reinforced his body with cursed energy, muscles tensing like steel cables, black veins pulsing under his skin. He leaped with supernatural agility, landing on the Ganesha's back just as it straightened after the roll, snarling furiously. He struck with fists infused in dark aura, piercing a weak plate near the core. The impact released a black energy explosion that spread through the armor like corrupting veins, making the warthog howl in agony and buck violently to throw him off.
[System Alert: Honkai overload detected. Internal damage imminent.]
Burning pain coursed through Mikael's body, like Honkai acid running through his veins, scorching from within. "It hurts... but it won't stop me!" Pure Honkai energy flowed into him, converting to cursed energy at a frantic rate, but the excess burned him. The Ganesha counterattacked in rage: it reared up on its hind legs, snout glowing intensely, and fired a condensed purple laser—a wide beam that carved the ground like a plasma river, exploding nearby and hurling Mikael through the air in a shockwave that wrecked nearby vehicles.
He rolled across the cracked asphalt, crashing into an overturned car. Blood trickled from his mouth, vision blurring for a moment. Reserves at 30%. "Not enough... but it weakened it. That laser drained a lot from its core."
The reformed spirits returned with renewed fury: the spectral Chariot pierced a hind leg with curved horns, making the Ganesha limp and roar in pain, while the zombies climbed its pink armor, clawing and leaving gouges. Enraged, the warthog initiated another roll—this time tracking, spinning like a destructive ball that chased Mikael directly, crushing everything in its path and kicking up clouds of dust and debris.
Mikael dodged a stomp by millimeters that cratered the asphalt, the wind from the impact whipping his trench coat. He ran parallel to the roll, using zombies as bait to buy time. The Ganesha shifted direction, tusks gleaming as it tried to gore him from the side. He jumped high at the last second, landing on its back again, hand extended directly to the glowing core in the colossus's chest. "Exorcise and Absorb!"
A black aura swirled violently around the Ganesha, enveloping it like an absolute darkness vortex. The beast, in final panic, unleashed a desperate area explosion—a full body slam after rearing up, Honkai shockwaves destroying nearby buildings in a rain of debris and purple fire. Mikael was hurled again, body slamming the ground with brutal force, blood splattering the asphalt.
But this time he held the ethereal grip. The Honkai core extracted with a deafening snap, like a heart ripped out. The massive warthog form collapsed with one last choked growl, dissolving into a gigantic dark sphere that flowed into him, filling his reserves with a cold, addictive torrent.
[Honkai Beast (Emperor-class – Grade 1) absorbed successfully → Cursed Spirit: Controlled Emperor]
[Cursed Energy +300 → 500/500 (limit increased by massive conversion)]
[Secondary Mission completed: Defeat a Grade 1 threat → +200 template points]
[Passive Ability improved: Honkai Resistance (reduces overload damage by 50%)]
[Template Progress: 400/1000]
Mikael panted on the ground, body trembling but alive. The pain faded quickly thanks to the new resistance, leaving only a residual buzz.
The Valkyrie approached limping, eyes wide in astonishment. "Impossible! How did you defeat an Emperor alone? Who are you? What... what kind of power is that? It's not a battlesuit!"
Mikael stood, wiping blood from the corners of his mouth. Voice calm: "Nothing special. Just someone who hates watching innocents die."
In the distance, purple thunder lit the sky: Raiden Mei, in full Herrscher form, devastating infested zones. The sky remained covered in Honkai clouds.
The Valkyrie looked that way. "The Herrscher of Thunder... The city is lost. We must evacuate."
"I'll help you get to safety," Mikael said, offering his arm. "Schicksal will arrive soon. Maybe it's time to contact them... but I have to be careful."
As they walked through the ruins, Schicksal helicopters appeared on the horizon like metallic shadows, rotors cutting through the dust- and radiation-laden air. Searchlights swept the ground, illuminating terrified civilian groups and exhausted Valkyries coordinating evacuation.
The rescue team landed nearby: three Valkyries in formation, weapons ready. The leader—short silver hair, impeccable maid uniform with military touches—stepped down first. Rita Rossweisse, vice-captain of the Immortal Blades.
Her red eyes scanned the area, stopping on Mikael and the wounded one. "Report: peripheral zone of the Eruption. Any remaining civilians?"
The wounded Valkyrie straightened as best she could. "Miss Rita... this man saved me. He defeated an Emperor-class alone. His power... it's not standard."
Rita smiled politely, but her eyes were sharp. "Interesting. Please board the auxiliary Hyperion. Director Theresa wants personal reports on field anomalies."
Mikael helped the Valkyrie aboard. Rita Rossweisse... close to Otto. This speeds things up.
During the flight, Mikael watched the destroyed city from the window: Nagazora in flames, Mei's thunder still echoing in the distance. "The canon is advancing. Kiana is saving Mei right now. If I join St. Freya, I can stay close and prevent future tragedies. But I need to get stronger; right now, I'm barely Grade 1."
The helicopter landed at a temporary Schicksal base. They took him to an improvised medical room. The wounded Valkyrie was treated, and Mikael was "gently interrogated" by Rita.
"Name and origin," Rita said, serving tea with impeccable elegance.
"Mikael von Lindeman, foreign orphan," Mikael replied. He'd changed his name for this second life; it sounded good, and with no records in this world, no one would question it.
Rita observed closely. "Your 'power' absorbed Honkai Beasts. It's not a known stigma. The Overseer will want details."
"Otto, huh?" Mikael smiled slightly. "I'd prefer to talk to someone who doesn't want to control me."
Rita laughed softly. "Director Theresa will arrive soon. She runs St. Freya Academy, Schicksal's educational branch. It might interest you."
[System Notification: New missions available]
[Join Schicksal (St. Freya) and reach Template Level 5 → +100 points]
[Join Schicksal (Otto) and reach Template Level 5 → +100 points]
[Join Anti-Entropy and reach Template Level 5 → +100 points]
[Join World Serpent and reach Template Level 5 → +100 points]
[Join no faction and forge your own path → +500 points]
Choose the path you wish to take and begin your adventure -
Mikael thought carefully. "Definitely not joining Otto. Anti-Entropy is still weak, and World Serpent is too radical; besides, I have no way to contact them. Going solo is risky and would leave me adrift, especially without knowing all the details of how this world works."
"I'll choose the first option: join St. Freya and enter the academy."
Hours later, a small but authoritative figure entered: Theresa Apocalypse, in her nun habit and serious expression.
"Well! The 'mysterious hero' who defeated an Emperor alone." Theresa crossed her arms. "Rita informed me. What exactly are you?"
Mikael explained the minimum: power to absorb and control Honkai beasts (only beasts, not humans), block radiation, etc. He omitted the system and his isekai origin.
Theresa frowned. "Sounds dangerous... but useful. Schicksal needs talent against the Honkai. St. Freya trains young Valkyries—and exceptions like you. Join us: we'll offer training, resources, and protection. In exchange, you'll carry out missions and fight the Honkai."
Mikael thought. "Perfect. Close to Kiana and the others. I can watch Otto from inside and prevent the worst."
"I accept. I'll be in your care, Director."
Theresa smiled. "Great! Welcome to St. Freya. But remember: Grandpa Otto is the big boss. Don't cause trouble."
Rita, from the door, added: "Lady Durandal has been informed of your 'anomaly'. She's the strongest S-rank Valkyrie. She might evaluate you personally soon."
Durandal... Among the protagonists, she was the strongest from the start. And the only one without hints of... particular romantic preferences. It'll be interesting to meet her, Mikael thought.
[System Notification:]
[New main mission: Enter St. Freya and meet the main protagonists → +50 points]
[Secondary mission: Save at least 50 civilians in upcoming operations → Extra progress]
As he prepared for transfer to the main Hyperion, Mikael looked at the horizon. "This is the real beginning. I need to prepare; in the future, I'll face gods and cosmic beings that want to eradicate humanity."
In the shadows of Schicksal HQ, a tall figure reviewed reports: Bianka Ataegina Durandal, intrigued by the "new talent" who defeated Emperors alone.
What would happen when they meet?