Honkai Impact: Become Their Hero

In the desolate Siberian snowfields, a towering structure stood tall against the sky.

True to its name, "Babylon" seemed like the very tower from myth that reached toward the heavens.

To the outside world, Babylon Laboratory was presented as a medical research facility dedicated to treating Honkai energy-related illnesses. In reality, it was a facility for researching the fusion of Honkai energy with the human body—what was known as Artificial Stigmata technology.

And since this research involved human experimentation, there was never a shortage of test subjects.

Every year, Schicksal "recruited" thousands of experimental subjects from various regions, most of whom were young girls.

Because of this, Elias, as a young boy, was considered a rare sight in Babylon Laboratory.

"Give this arrogant brat something strong."

Elias' earlier request had been rejected.

To these inhumane scientists—who saw lives as nothing more than disposable resources—his words were as meaningless as a rat begging for freedom.

How could they possibly agree? Who would care about the demands of a mere lab rat?

Instead, they cruelly decided to increase the intensity of the experiment. Since Elias was male—and in this world, males had a significantly lower resistance to Honkai energy—they unanimously assumed he would die instantly.

And they felt no remorse. Their only hope was that Elias' death would provide them with some valuable data before he inevitably turned into a mindless Honkai zombie.

"Bring it on. Let's see what happens."

Elias showed no fear, allowing the white-coated figures to strap him to the experiment table.

Truth be told, the gleaming surgical tools and ominous syringes were terrifying, but if he simply closed his eyes, he wouldn't have to see them.

He knew bargaining was pointless for now.

So, he would let the results speak for themselves.

"Test his Honkai energy resistance first."

"Test what? A kid like this? What a waste of time."

"He's going to turn into a Honkai zombie anyway. Might as well hit him with something strong right away and see if we can gather some unexpected data."

"Make sure the containment units are ready, just in case. Look at his eyes—like he wants to bite each of us to death."

The scientists spoke coldly, their humanity long eroded by years of watching test subjects perish in agony.

Elias felt a chill on his neck as a high dose of liquid Honkai energy was injected into his body.

A strange, indescribable power coursed through him, but perhaps thanks to his double "Pain Resistance" traits, he barely felt anything at all.

At the same time, the scientists monitoring him began to react with shock.

"T-This data is...?!"

"The subject's vital signs are stable! Blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse—all normal!"

"What?! His Honkai energy adaptation is this high? This surpasses even S-rank Valkyries!"

"Hiss... Those idiots in the recruitment division finally brought us something useful!"

Separated by the soundproof glass, Elias couldn't hear their words, but from their astonished expressions, he could tell that he had piqued their interest.

After thoroughly recording the experiment's results, the same people who had just looked down on him moments ago were now staring at him as if he were a walking treasure trove.

Especially when Elias casually hopped off the experiment table, stretched lazily, yawned, and remarked, "That's it?"

With the "Honkai Adaptability EX" trait, Elias knew that in this world, the only ones who could compare to him were the Kaslana family monsters.

"So, will you agree to my condition now? Do whatever you want with me, but leave Sirin and the others alone."

"You think you have the right to negotiate? No matter how rare you are, you're still just a test subject. Do you really believe you can dictate terms to us?"

To them, every person in this facility was just another experiment. Elias was undoubtedly an exceptional anomaly—one in a billion—but that didn't mean they would abandon the other test subjects.

Yet, Elias' next move shattered their illusion of control.

BANG!

The boy slammed his head into the wall.

The impact resounded like a hammer striking their hearts.

"Test Subject X1! What are you doing?!"

"If you don't agree, I'll kill myself right now!" Elias growled.

No one doubted he was serious. His forehead was already split open, blood flowing freely. That impact just now—if he'd used a little more force, he might've died on the spot.

Elias knew his own value.

And the scientists knew it even better.

His adaptability was beyond 99.99999% of the population. To them, his existence was more valuable than every test subject in this facility—including the researchers themselves.

If he lived, his unique physiology might pave the way for male Honkai resistance.

"If you don't agree, I'll kill myself."

Blood trickled down his face, dyeing his bangs red. It dripped into his eyes, turning everything he saw into a crimson haze.

Elias stared at the stunned scientists, his silent rage like a lion cub baring its fangs.

Wiping the blood from his eyes, he spoke calmly.

"I know this place is hell. I know you're the ones in control. But... maybe I can't choose heaven or hell—but I still have the right to choose death."

"Y-You think this will work? Wait! Stop! We'll agree!"

Seeing him about to slam his head into the wall again, they panicked.

They couldn't risk it—this brat was insane.

Reluctantly, they conceded. After all, the other test subjects were expendable. If sacrificing a few meant keeping this priceless one alive, then so be it.

But the fear in their eyes lingered.

When they looked at Elias now, it was like staring at a lunatic.

They wondered: Where the hell did Recruitment even find this guy?! A kid this young, already this suicidally fearless.

"Hmph. Should've said yes earlier."

Elias scoffed, wiping the still-bleeding wound on his forehead with his sleeve.

Thanks to his Pain Resistance B and Extreme Pain Resistance A traits, all he felt was a bit of dizziness—about as painful as a forehead flick.

In the end, it was the scientists who frantically treated his injury, checking for serious damage.

When they saw his scans, their expressions twisted in disbelief.

The fractures in his skull, the severe concussion—

This wasn't a bluff.

This maniac was really willing to die. For real.