The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

[Lee], losing control, was about to lash out, but someone was faster.

"Judah."

Lines shot out, binding [Lee] tightly. The power of restraint took hold, and the raging pseudo-Herrscher became a helpless prisoner.

"Combat awareness, but clumsy movements… like someone who aced the theory but has zero practical experience." Kallen frowned, examining the bound [Lee]. "Another one of Otto's homunculi? Has he extended his reach to other worlds?"

Was [Lee] strong? Absolutely.

But her combat skills were inherited memories from the real Lee, not her own.

And she was facing Kallen, a warrior honed by five centuries of fighting, the strongest of the Current Era. In a real fight, [Lee] was easily defeated before she could even react.

Despite restraining her with Judah, Kallen was puzzled. Why did this person look exactly like Lihua?

Arrival on this Earth through the spatial rift wasn't like a scheduled train. Kallen and Eleanor had arrived much later than the others.

Seeing [Lee]'s face in the news, they'd rushed to the scene, catching snippets about [Lee]'s identity and something called "Honkai Impact 3rd," but without time to investigate, they were clueless.

They'd arrived driven by the hope of seeing Lihua, ready to celebrate if it was truly her, or punish the imposter if it wasn't—their thought process was that simple.

"Who's behind you? Otto? Anti-Entropy? World Serpent?" Kallen approached [Lee]. "Why are you using Lihua's face to—"

"...Enough."

"?"

[Lee]'s low voice confused Kallen and Eleanor. How could she sound so defiant while bound by Judah?

Kallen wasn't the same person who'd almost been killed by a weakened Herrscher of Corruption. She was confident that even the Immortal Phoenix couldn't break free from her Judah.

After all, having her ultimate move easily countered twice, by the Empyrea and the Herrscher of Corruption, was enough—

Crack.

The chains binding [Lee] cracked, then shattered.

The Divine Key, famed for its binding power, had failed!

"All this chattering… acting like you've already won… can't you humans just shut up?!"

[Lee]'s head slowly rose, her azure eyes now blood red. Unlike Lee's eyes during battle, these held a manic glint. "Do you insects think you can decide who I am?!"

She'd had enough. Even mentally controlling everyone wouldn't extinguish the rage ignited by their repeated insults.

Collateral damage from using her full power? To hell with it! Today, she would annihilate them all!

Yes, her combat instincts weren't as sharp, but so what? Even an aging lion wasn't to be trifled with!

"Impressive aura, just a bit weaker than him." Seeing Judah shattered, Kallen's expression turned serious. The pressure emanating from [Lee] was second only to Kevin among all the enemies she'd faced. "There are too many civilians here. If we fight—"

"Still worried about others—"

BOOM!

[Lee] launched a surprise attack, just like Kallen had moments ago—but this time, her plan failed. A bolt of purple lightning intercepted her attack.

"It seems I'm not too late."

Raiden Mei hovered amidst the dissipating smoke, glaring at [Lee]. "Since the play has just begun, I should be able to join, right?"

Thanks to Lihua's early warning and [Lee]'s penchant (you can't...) for grandstanding, Mei had arrived just in time.

"Raiden Mei…"

Kallen and Eleanor exchanged a look. Though they'd teamed up against Kevin, they weren't exactly friends. Theresa's Far East Branch had recently rebelled against Schicksal, causing chaos at their HQ.

And since Mei was here, the others couldn't be far behind. Soon, three more figures appeared at the entrance: Theresa, Bronya, and Kiana.

"One after another… are you all trying to stop me?!"

[Lee]'s eyes were bloodshot, her plan foiled again. "Humanity's inherent ingratitude!"

"Wow, she looks really pissed…" Kiana stared at [Lee], a puzzled look on her face. "It's weird. She looks exactly the same, but I don't feel any connection..."

"Kiana, don't provoke her. It might lower our already slim chances of winning…" Bronya warned. Despite their numbers, they'd been outnumbered against Kevin, and numbers meant nothing against such overwhelming power.

Plus, many of them were injured, and according to Mei, this one could slice Herrschers like vegetables.

"Chances of winning? You think you have any?"

[Lee] scoffed, activating her Herrscher powers—freeze their minds, then wipe them out—?

It didn't work?!

Seeing their unfazed expressions, [Lee] felt a jolt of shock.

"What's so surprising?" Looking at [Lee]'s bewildered face, Mei felt a surge of satisfaction, pulling a snow-white cube from her pocket. "Did you think we'd come unprepared? The Divine Key, Ark of Dawn—wasn't this your gift to her?"

"But now, she's lent it to me."