Herrscher of Dominance in Honkai, starting with the abduction of Kiana

Schicksal HQ, Sky Island.

The airtight door of the specialized laboratory hissed open, and a blond man stepped out. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the long, quiet corridor.

Otto pressed a finger to his forehead, his eyes filled with exhaustion. Even his Soulium body couldn't mask the mental fatigue. But he was no stranger to such weariness after five centuries of relentless pursuit. The only difference was whether the results were satisfactory.

Clearly, the results of this observation experiment were worth the countless sleepless nights.

The data retrieved by the Thousand Realms had confirmed many of his theories, filling in the gaps in his knowledge of imaginary space. More importantly, within that data, he had finally glimpsed a glimmer of hope for Kallen's revival.

It was a much-needed boost, making all the exhaustion worthwhile.

He walked down the corridor, returning to his office. As he opened the door, he saw a girl sitting on his desk, lost in thought.

Otto paused, then greeted her with a smile.

"Sushang, you're back." His familiar tone, unchanged from five hundred years ago, made the girl feel at ease.

"Mm." Li Sushang, who had been waiting for him, turned, hopped off the desk, and landed gracefully. "You look exhausted."

"Not at all. I'm in excellent spirits." Otto closed the door, walked over to the coffee machine, and poured himself a cup. "What about you? Can I get you anything?"

"An iced cola, please."

"It seems your vacation has broadened your horizons. What do you think of the modern world?"

Li Sushang took the glass, took a small sip, and savored the sensation of the bubbles bursting on her tongue. "It's quite fascinating, but for someone from the 'unfettered world,' it's mostly just… more ways for ordinary people to enjoy life, without all the rigid customs and formalities."

She paused.

"What is it?"

"In the end, people are still people, and the martial world is still the martial world. Even with the changing times, some things never change." A hint of melancholy touched her expression. "Just like five hundred years ago, when you, the Luocha, embarked on your solitary journey to find the immortals, even now, five centuries later, some still make the same choice."

"It seems you've met someone similar to me."

"Yes. Just as enigmatic, with the same unspoken sorrow in their eyes. Even when I look into their eyes, I can't see through their heart." Li Sushang shook her head slightly, her hair shimmering in the sunlight.

Otto noticed that Li Sushang's hairstyle was different from when she had left, seemingly styled by her own hand. He took a sip of his coffee. "Tell me about this person."

Based on the lure devices Susannah had deployed, Otto had noticed the anomaly in ARC City and suspected that the person Li Sushang was referring to was Ren. However, he only knew that Ren was alive, nothing more. Gathering more information from Li Sushang would be ideal.

But Li Sushang simply shook her head, refusing to elaborate. For some reason, she didn't want to tell Otto about Ren. Perhaps she felt it was inappropriate, or perhaps she felt obligated to protect his secrets.

After all, it was a story shared only between her and the boy.

She recalled the bright moonlight, their shadows stretching across the ground, the dance of the sword, and the boy's form, pierced by the Ink-Dyed Fragrance, dissolving into motes of light.

Even in death, she hadn't seen any regret in his eyes. If he had just called her "Senior Sister," she would have saved him, no matter the cost.

But he hadn't. Even consumed by inner demons, his eyes had remained clear.

Initially, Li Sushang hadn't understood why. Later, she had seen the reflection in his eyes—he hadn't been looking at her but at the Herrscher girl.

The girl who had endured her Taixu Sword God to find him.

"Luocha," she asked, her voice laced with a quiet curiosity, "why would you go to such lengths? With your abilities, there must have been easier ways to achieve your goals."

She wasn't judging, only seeking understanding.

Otto, and now Ren, both willing to bear the weight of sins, to fall into darkness, for the sake of another person, even if it meant walking into the abyss.

Otto paused, his hand holding the coffee cup freezing mid-air. He looked out the window at the bright sunlight. "Perhaps because when you're drowning in despair, you can't see the sun, mistaking the darkness for hope."

"I don't understand."

Otto chuckled softly. "Just the ramblings of a fool. You're too young to understand, Sushang."

At fifteen, Li Sushang was still a child, her understanding of emotions still nascent. Even if she felt something stirring within her, she wouldn't be able to comprehend it fully.

She scratched her head, slightly confused by Otto's cryptic words. Fortunately, her easygoing nature prevented her from dwelling on it, and she quickly changed the subject.

"Well, I don't understand you people. I came back to fulfill my promise."

Five hundred years ago, Otto had saved Li Sushang's life, and she owed him a debt. Now, awakened, she had promised to fight for him, no matter the danger, to repay that debt.

"Of course. But it's not time yet. You've only recently awakened; there are still many things you need to adjust to. I'll arrange for someone to help you familiarize yourself with your new identity."

"New identity? You mean the 'S-rank Valkyrie' thing?"

"Ha, it seems Susannah has been quite informative."

"Indeed. She told me a lot, about Herrschers and such."

Otto's eyes lit up with interest. "Herrschers? Have you encountered one?"

"No." Li Sushang shook her head. She knew Ren was a Herrscher; he had revealed his identity to her. But Otto was her friend, and so was Ren. She couldn't betray Ren's secret.

Beep, beep.

Her phone suddenly rang. Li Sushang took out the phone Ren had given her and saw a message from Susannah. Still slightly clumsy with the device, she typed a reply, a smile touching her lips.

"Well, I'll be going then."

"Go on."

Otto waved his hand dismissively, amused that Li Sushang had learned to use electronic devices.

Li Sushang pushed open the office window and jumped, landing gracefully on her flying sword. Her clothes billowed in the wind, the Crimson Empress plushie at her waist swaying gently.

An unsullied blade, even touched by the dust of the world, she remained the pure and unyielding Li Sushang.

Watching the girl's retreating figure, the smile on Otto's face faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.

"Ren… a Herrscher that cheat Death, a Herrscher who can open portals to imaginary space. I'm curious to see what makes you so special."