The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"Kevin, your first solo mission. Excited?"

As Kevin, fully armed, waited for the aircraft, he wasn't greeted by a pilot or fellow soldier, but by the commander, dressed impeccably. He looked at Kevin with approval, like a craftsman admiring his finest weapon. "Do well, kill this Herrscher, and you'll be the new 'hero'."

"Not interested." Kevin frowned, wondering why the aircraft was late.

"I understand. A young man's passion isn't easily extinguished." The commander wasn't offended.

"I was like you once. But trust me, when you reach my position, you'll realize those things you valued mean nothing. Money, women, friends… When you can have anything you want, you'll see there was no need to work so hard for them."

This guy's annoying. That was Kevin's only thought.

"Kevin, you liked that previous hero, right? Lee. Excellent, almost perfect. Looks, personality, strength… Honestly, a bit scary. When someone has that much power and influence, but no one knows what they want, it breeds fear."

The commander stroked his beard. "If she stayed strong, it wouldn't be a problem. But the moment she weakens, the backlash will be swift."

"…What's your point?" Kevin turned, his expression cold.

"I'm giving you some friendly advice, Kevin. Once you're a hero, you'll have plenty of women. Why waste your time on someone with no future?"

"Her future isn't for you to decide."

The aircraft finally arrived. Kevin stood, his tall frame casting a shadow over the commander. "And she's no longer a threat to you… Know when to stop."

Kevin boarded the aircraft without waiting for a reply. The commander smiled.

He couldn't control Lee, who had no weaknesses, but this stronger warrior clearly had a soft spot.

If he couldn't be turned, he could be controlled through his weakness. If only Lee were easier to control… Fire Moth would have a powerful weapon they didn't have to fear.

But will that ever happen…?

My strength… a threat to Lee?

Kevin gripped his weapon on the aircraft.

No, he became strong to protect Lee!

He would prove it, starting with this 6th Herrscher.

Kevin had never faced a Herrscher; Lee had handled them all. He'd only seen the aftermath: ruined cities and dissected corpses.

What were Herrschers?

Emotionless killing machines? Arrogant gods looking down on humans? Avengers, empowered by human cruelty, seeking revenge?

Kevin was ready. No matter how monstrous the enemy, he would kill it.

[Lee: Kevin, be careful. Herrschers aren't easy opponents.]

[Lee: Don't hold back. Don't give them a chance to breathe.]

[Lee: Don't believe anything they say.]

Lee's messages filled his phone. Kevin smiled, carefully putting it away.

6th Herrscher, your time is up!

The 6th Herrscher's power was terrifying, not just its destructive force, but its nature.

Lightning, wind, and ice inspired awe, but the 6th Herrscher's power evoked primal fear: death.

Her black mist dissolved anything it touched, turning living beings into… more mist.

She appeared near a major city. Three Fire Moth branches responded, fighting off the Honkai Beasts, but their resistance against the Herrscher was futile.

Countless soldiers vanished into the mist—but thankfully, Kevin arrived before they were all wiped out.

Since the mist obscured vision, Kevin used the same tactic as with the Herrscher of Wind: a high-altitude strike.

It worked. The Herrscher's power was devastating over a wide area, but less effective against a single, powerful opponent.

Kevin didn't let up. Even with her rapid regeneration, he severed her limbs and pinned her to the ground.

The city was close, but the disaster was averted. If she'd reached the city, the death toll would have been a hundred times higher.

But despite his victory, Kevin wasn't happy.

He knew the 6th Herrscher.

He'd met her on his first mission. She was a senior member, but more shy than him, barely able to speak…

Now, she was a Herrscher, responsible for countless deaths.

He knew Herrschers took over their hosts' minds.

Despite his sadness, Kevin raised his gun.

At this range, Fire Moth's special weapons could kill a Herrscher—

"K-Kevin…?" The mortally wounded Herrscher looked up, her eyes clearing. "Where… I… what happened?"

Kevin froze. How did she know his name?

And she looked… human?

Did Herrschers regain their consciousness when near death? Should he still—