Bab 5: Volume 1, Chapter 5: Unleashing Hanna
[Your experience in the Honkai world simulation has ended. You may permanently retain one item to extract into the real world. Congratulations! You have obtained 'Supply Crate' x1. Extract now?]
When Xia Chen woke up once more, he found himself disoriented.
The pain of being pierced by the Aether Spear seemed branded into his soul. Staring blankly at the ceiling, he didn't want to move even an inch.
Initially, when Xia Chen first arrived in this world, he was thrilled.
After all, having the opportunity to interact closely with Valkyries is every Captain's dream.
However, after experiencing two simulation scenarios, he realized that he might be gradually assimilated by this world.
If he were merely a 'Captain', the Queen's arrival would not concern him directly.
But now...
He lay there for quite some time before finally gathering his composure.
"There's still one year until that moment arrives."
Xia Chen took a deep breath, determination flickering in his eyes.
First, he changed out of his sweat-soaked clothes and then remembered he hadn't claimed his rewards yet.
To be honest, Xia Chen wasn't sure about the criteria for System rewards, as there seemed to be no explicit rating system mentioned. However, it likely meant better performance equaled more substantial prizes.
If drawing a character from the supply crate could grant access to a Valkyrie, wouldn't that mean obtaining a Valkyrie becomes possible?
Xia Chen thought he might be dreaming too optimistically.
Decisively, he extracted the supply crate.
Just as he began examining it, another message from the System appeared:
[Congratulations! Player has drawn Stigmata: Hannah (Middle).]
Slightly taken aback, Xia Chen felt a burning sensation on his back.
He knew immediately—it was the Stigmata.
Stigmata serve as crucial genetic organs, capable of resisting Honkai Energy erosion and harnessing its power. They are distinct from compatibility with Honkai Energy itself.
Generally speaking, Valkyries with natural Stigmata have high potential to become S-rank, indicating exceptional compatibility with Honkai Energy.
Xia Chen initially thought that if he wanted Stigmata, his only option would be to undergo artificial Stigmata modification, even something as basic as three-star Hannah, which still carried the blessings of heroic spirits.
He couldn't help but ask the System, "Is this Stigma upgradeable? Does it provide similar enhancements like in the game?"
[The Stigma is indeed upgradeable, but advancement can only be achieved through combat against Honkai Beasts and Zombies.]
[The numerical enhancements provided by the Stigma closely resemble those in the game, including set skills. However, due to the absence of Quick Time Events (QTE), some bonuses cannot be triggered.]
"Can obtaining new Stigmata overwrite the current one, or is there a way to dismantle the existing Stigma?"
[Stigmata can be overwritten, but there is no function for dismantling them.]
"Will supply crates contain characters or character fragments? What exactly do they include?"
[Please explore this feature on your own, Player.]
Xia Chen nodded, eager to rush to the training ground and test the enhancements brought by his new Stigma.
Unbeknownst to him at that moment, within Saint Freya's Valkyrie dormitory, Himeko was slowly waking up from her bed.
"Ah, how did I suddenly fall asleep?" She looked at the ceiling, a hint of confusion flickering across her thoughts. "What a long dream it was."
At the Immortal Blades' base, the Valkyries who hadn't yet gone on leave observed Xia Chen's intense physical training and couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"He's already on his eighth set," one Valkyrie murmured, impressed. "Although not quite at Lady Durandal's level, this training intensity surpasses ours."
"Must be due to his natural talent as a male; he seems consistently energetic."
"But wasn't that guy rarely seen at the training grounds before? What happened today?" another Valkyrie questioned curiously. "Could it be influenced by Lady Durandal?"
Many Valkyries felt envious of the two-day training session Durandal had conducted with Xia Chen, some even considering it preferential treatment.
To them, Durandal was both their leader and someone they deeply admired.
However, most Valkyries in the Immortal Blades had never received individual training from Durandal. The primary reason was the significant gap in skill levels, while the secondary reason stemmed from Xia Chen's unique circumstances.
The Immortal Blades members were typically experienced Valkyries for over a year, each having established their own training routines. In contrast, although Xia Chen showed great potential, his time as a Valkyrie was too short, prompting Durandal to 'push' him harder.
Currently, Rita was out on a mission, and Durandal had taken leave.
Although they continued their training, subconsciously, some Valkyries felt somewhat lax.
One of them spoke with a hint of jealousy, "Maybe he's trying to catch Lady Durandal's attention? He'll likely slack off within a few days."
Xia Chen remained oblivious to the whispers of the Valkyries around him.
At that moment, he was focused on his body, nearing its limit.
However, he was already quite satisfied with his progress.
The Immortal Blades' training included weighted exercises. One set equaled the exertion of running 10 kilometers for an average person. His previous best was four sets, achieved even while using nutrient solutions.
This performance matched the typical capabilities of a B-rank Valkyrie.
After all, Valkyries heavily rely on their armor and weapons, making high physical endurance less critical.
Nevertheless, having robust stamina showcases many advantages, leading several Valkyries to envy Xia Chen's physical prowess.
"Let's stop here for now. Physical training should be gradual; pushing beyond your limits isn't worth risking injury."
He gradually slowed down and consumed some nutrient solution.
As his sore muscles began to ease, Xia Chen took deep breaths, aiming to recover his energy more quickly.
Next, he approached another Schicksal facility nearby.
Noticing this, the Valkyries couldn't help but gather around to observe.
The device was called the Memory Battlefield.
Regardless of the timeline, before the full-scale arrival of Honkai, the number of Honkai Beasts was actually quite scarce. However, Valkyries needed combat experience to face such threats effectively. Consequently, Schicksal's scientists developed the Memory Battlefield as a training tool.
It recorded past encounters with Honkai Beasts and Zombies, utilizing advanced virtual interaction technology to provide immersive training simulations.
Similar to a game, it featured health bars, weak point targeting, and other mechanics, replicating nearly 99% of a real battlefield's conditions.
As a result, when internal conflicts arose within the Immortal Blades, disagreements often ended with the question, "What's your score on the Memory Battlefield?"
Those with higher scores held more influence and authority.
After all, at its core, the military is inherently about power, and the pursuit of strength naturally exists within its ranks.
They were also curious about Xia Chen's current battlefield score.
"Is...is this for real? Two Emperors of Honkai."
Witnessing Xia Chen swiftly dispatch both Emperors in the Memory Battlefield left them astonished.
It's important to note that the practical exam for A-rank Valkyries involves single-handedly battling an Emperor of Honkai.
Although the Memory Battlefield doesn't fully replicate a real combat scenario due to differing mental states affecting performance, there is usually not much discrepancy between the two.
As Xia Chen exited the Memory Battlefield, one of the Valkyries couldn't help but remark, "You're incredibly skilled."
"I still have a long way to go." He shook his head, unsatisfied with his performance.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone