Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 21

“Dammit! Even with A-Tech’s resources, a 2000-era supercomputer is still trash—failing at the worst possible moment.”

As the Falling Ice Lanterns hurtled through the air, Enoxia drew her bow, attempting to replicate her earlier counterattack. But within the distorted gravitational field, the lanterns’ trajectories became a chaotic mess.

“No choice now. Survival depends on luck.”

The moment she realized external support had failed, Enoxia immediately issued a self-destruct order to the Emperor-class Honkai Beast under her control.

Though the explosion of an Emperor-class beast paled in comparison to the Herrscher of Falling Ice’s power, the resulting shockwave succeeded in hurling everyone off the ground—saving Cheng Lixue and Shi Yuqi Luo, who had been directly in the lanterns’ path.

But not all Valkyries were so fortunate.

Cecilia and Salome stood directly in the trajectory of two lanterns.

Mid-air, Cecilia tightened her grip on Black Abyss White Flower and struck the lantern looming before her, sending it rebounding away. The recoil flung her and the unconscious Theresa in her arms dozens of meters across the snowfield.

Salome hurled all twelve of her throwing knives—only for them to be deflected uselessly. She could only watch as the lantern expanded before her eyes…

Then, her body was sent flying like a ragged sack.

Her vision blurred, shifting—

May 1996

This was Salome’s first mission after joining Team Snowwolf—and her first time partnering with Shub-Niggurath.

The report indicated roughly a hundred Honkai beasts in Zaporizhzhia, none stronger than Sanctus-class. Normally, such a threat wouldn’t warrant Team Snowwolf’s involvement; a few B-rank Valkyrie squads would suffice.

But the disaster zone housed a nuclear power plant.

A breach would be catastrophic.

Additionally, the two were paired to test their compatibility.

As a team, Snowwolf’s members had distinct roles: Patricia handled intel, Shigure Kira provided long-range support—both deferred to others outside their specialties. Cheng Lixue, the undisputed strongest among the six A-rank Valkyries, acted as deputy leader in Cecilia’s absence.

But Salome and Shub were both close-to-mid-range fighters.

They had to coordinate.

Both were rising stars of similar age and skill—yet polar opposites in temperament. One was calm and refined; the other, fierce and unbridled.

A recipe for friction.

Salome understood HQ’s “thoughtful” arrangement. On the plane, she studied the elite from the South American branch, anxiety gnawing at her.

What if she charges recklessly? I can’t command her.

After landing, as Salome still strategized, Shub raised Bloody Howl and plunged straight into the horde.

Salome’s heart lurched. She sprinted after her.

“Wait! We should plan—”

Before she finished, the first wave of low-tier beasts had already been obliterated.

Shub turned, locking eyes with her.

“Why did HQ send us?”

“The nuclear plant.”

“Exactly. No Emperor-class threats. Just a time-sensitive crisis. So why not blitz through?”

Salome froze.

She’d braced for defiance—not a logical rebuttal.

She’d misjudged Shub.

As a second, larger wave approached, Shub charged again. Guilt-ridden, Salome shifted to support, precisely eliminating beasts outside Shub’s sightlines.

Against their coordination, mere Sanctus-class foes stood no chance.

The battle was a slaughter.

“Thank you for your assistance.”

The local Valkyries bowed. From the moment the duo arrived, the others merely watched—the fight ended without them firing a single shot.

After debriefing HQ, Salome noticed Shub scrutinizing her.

“What?” She blinked.

“Huh. Nice figure. No wonder you move like a dancer. Trained professionally?”

Salome nodded. She came from a lineage of dancers—training since childhood.

Shub smacked her forehead. “Right, I read your file. Forgot. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have recruited Kira.” She grinned, baring shark-like teeth. “Thanks for earlier. Haven’t fought that freely in ages. Your backup let me go all out without getting wrecked.”

…She’s surprisingly easy to get along with.

Salome smiled back.

Then, the comms crackled again.

“Understood. We’ll ensure the plant’s safety before returning.”

“What’s up?” Shub tilted her head.

“HQ wants us to assist local forces in a full sweep—thorough inspection.”

Shub cracked her knuckles. “More stragglers? I’ll dig ’em out!”

Salome frowned.

“This isn’t combat. We need methodical checks. You can’t rush it.”

“Relax! I’ve got this.”

Though Shub grumbled, she followed Salome’s instructions meticulously—albeit with comical clumsiness.

Salome, a rigorously trained Valkyrie, never laughed at such things.

…Unless it was unavoidable.

From then on, the two became an inseparable duo—the sharpest fangs of Team Snowwolf.

…

“Why… am I remembering this now?”

The pain dragged Salome back to reality.

After being struck by the lantern, she’d skidded nearly a hundred meters across the Siberian snow—leaving a crimson trail in her wake.

She strained, but couldn’t move.

Every bone was shattered.

“So this… is a Herrscher’s power? Even an A-rank Valkyrie is… this insignificant?”

Her vision darkened.

Time was running out.

“Niggurath… from now on… someone else will have to… plan for you. She’s easy to work with… Hope others… sync with her too.”

“Niggurath… that parfait shop… 200 meters down the right turn past the Louvre’s third alley… I wish… we could… have it again…”

The snowfall intensified.

Each flake landed with rhythmic precision—a funeral dirge for the Comber.