The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

[Lee] wasn't stupid. Outmatched, she'd chosen a strategic retreat… teleporting from Earth to the moon wasn't a short trip, even for her, but it was doable.

Now, what to do?

Safe from pursuit, [Lee] sat on the ground, hugging her knees, staring at the distant Earth.

Remaking humanity in her image, as she'd declared to Lihua, wasn't easy. Even if she wanted to use the Stigmata Project, this Earth lacked the necessary Previous Era infrastructure…

Building the project from scratch was impossible. She didn't even remember the complex designs from her inherited memories—but there was a solution.

[Lee] pulled out the 8th Divine Key, the gift meant to garner adoration and obedience, now reclaimed.

Unlike Mei or Lihua, she could fully control this Divine Key, including the consciousnesses within.

And among those consciousnesses were three of the greatest minds of the Previous Era. With their help, restarting the Stigmata Project in this world wasn't impossible!

Especially with Vill-V. Given basic equipment, she could bootstrap a production line, create the necessary environment, even build robotic workers—a lunar base was within reach.

"Hmph, good thing I didn't wipe them out after all…"

[Lee] fiddled with the Divine Key, a disgruntled look on her face.

Asking those she'd once defeated for help was annoying, and collaborating with them brought back unpleasant memories… especially since it was Lihua's intervention that had spared their lives.

Why choose humanity? Why not choose me? The thought made [Lee] bristle.

She just wanted everyone to obey her. What was wrong with that?

Not only had Lihua betrayed her, but she'd given her weapon to others to attack her…

"You'll all regret this!"

Clutching the box, [Lee] considered how to persuade the Previous Era geezers inside. While the Divine Key controlled their actions, it couldn't control their thoughts… if they deliberately slacked off, her plan might not even start before those Earthlings invaded the moon.

Sigh, if only I had a truly obedient, powerful companion…

If Kevin were here, she wouldn't be in this mess! He would have incinerated them all with the Might of An-Utu!

Though stubborn and prone to acting on his own, his power was undeniable. And overall, in both her memories and the game, he'd been on her side—though his support was what led to his tragic end, he was one of the only two who recognized her back then.

He would help her, right?

"Kevin…" [Lee] murmured, longing for her absent champion.

So many had arrived in this world, why not him—

A faint Honkai energy fluctuation rippled behind her.

Barely a step away.

"?!"

When did he approach? So close, yet she hadn't sensed him?!

[Lee] spun around, unleashing her most powerful Sword God—

But it failed. Her attack dissipated before it could fully form, and she was lifted off the ground, like Loki facing Thanos.

I'm done for! They even have ambushes on the moon?!

[Lee]'s heart sank. This opponent was far beyond her—but seeing her attacker's face, despair turned to shock and elation.

"Kevin?!"

It was Kevin! His expression cold, he held her wrist, then casually tossed her aside.

Kevin's silence didn't dampen [Lee]'s enthusiasm. It was divine intervention! She'd just been wishing for a powerful ally, and here he was!

What was there to fear now? She'd just take Kevin back to Earth and wipe them all out!

No, that wasn't satisfying enough… she still needed to complete the Stigmata Project. Humanity had no future otherwise—and she needed to prove Lihua wrong.

And when those fools came to stop her, Kevin could surprise them! How exciting!

"Kevin, let me tell you, they've been bullying me! Those humans are just…"

Finding a strong backer, [Lee] poured out her grievances, recounting her betrayals, especially Hua's. She described humanity's inherent flaws, the need to redefine them, to create a perfect world…

He listened silently, offering no opinion.

"That's why I'm launching the Stigmata Project in this world. Help me, Kevin!"

"..."

[Lee]'s eyes shone with anticipation. Kevin's answer didn't disappoint.

"Alright."

Yes! It's all coming together!

Humanity, say goodbye to your flawed nature!

Envisioning her triumphant future, [Lee] laughed, looking at the massive Earth.

Kevin glanced at her impassively.

Like her…

But not her.

Probably a Herrscher, somehow acquiring Lee's memories, her consciousness influenced.

Kevin had been in this world for a while. Unlike the others, he'd landed on the moon—where, for some reason, he'd found a massive, non-Honkai beast corpse, which he'd devoured to increase his power.

Perhaps because it wasn't Honkai-based, its power was difficult to digest, so he'd been acclimating on the moon. Until today, when he sensed a Honkai reaction… he'd approached out of curiosity, and his attention was drawn to the figure, his power fluctuating for a moment, revealing his presence.

The higher the hopes, the greater the disappointment. This wasn't her.

But Herrscher or not, if this Lee look-alike wanted to launch the Stigmata Project, he'd help.

She'd reset humanity, and he'd gain a new power of Finality. A win-win.

Though he hadn't sensed any Finality in this world… it was worth a try.

For the power of revenge, he'd try anything.