Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 48

A few days later, at World Serpent’s headquarters…

Deep underground, thousands of meters below the surface, Enoxia met with World Serpent’s executive, Dr. Cleo “Jackal.” Despite knowing the true nature of the Stigma Project, Enoxia didn’t harbor much dislike for World Serpent—after all, they at least provided a last-resort plan for the continuation of human civilization.

However, she had absolutely no goodwill toward Dr. Cleo. Compared to other researchers—like Schicksal’s Durandal, Anti-Entropy’s Einstein and Tesla, or even the previous era’s Mobius and Dr. Mei—Cleo was, without a doubt, the least ethical and the least competent of them all.

She claimed to stop at nothing in the name of science, yet she had no notable achievements to her name. Most of the impressive technology under her name was actually inherited from the previous civilization’s remnants, not her own work. Her entire “research” on Stigmata was just a smokescreen to hide the true Stigma Project. And when it came to missions? She failed over and over again, no different from the trash-tier villains in cliché power fantasies who talk big only to get instantly humiliated.

The moment they met, Jackal showed an intense interest in studying Enoxia, the Herrscher. Throughout their encounter, she alternated between threats and bribes. Already irritated, Enoxia finally had enough and placed a hand on Jackal’s shoulder.

“Wh-what are you doing?!” Realizing she might be turned into a mindless husk by the Herrscher of Corruption at any second, Jackal stumbled back in fear.

Enoxia merely spread her hands. “You wanted to study me, right? And this is all you’ve got? Though, to be fair, if I wanted to drain every bit of knowledge from your brain, it wouldn’t take much effort.”

“I-I warn you, World Serpent isn’t Schicksal or Anti-Entropy! If the Sovereign returns—”

Enoxia scoffed at her hollow bravado. “Without Kevin, do you really think World Serpent would even qualify to work with me? The speed at which the Gray Serpent network transmits information is the same speed at which I can cripple it entirely. If I wanted something from here, I could just take it. Don’t believe me? I can demonstrate right now.”

She gestured to the nearby equipment. “The ones qualified to negotiate with me are World Serpent as an organization, not you. Look at these devices—yes, they’re advanced, but they’re relics from the previous era. They have nothing to do with a loudmouth like you.”

“Y-you—!” Clearly, no one had ever spoken to Dr. Cleo like this before. But after a moment of impotent rage, she finally shut her mouth. Because everything Enoxia said was true.

Not wanting to escalate things further, Enoxia didn’t press the issue once Jackal backed down. Instead, she walked straight to the end of the corridor and slipped through a crack in the wall.

The moment she stepped into the data space, a flood of information rushed into her mind. After processing it, she realized—this place was a precious legacy of the previous civilization: the Elysian Realm.

“Hi~! Feeling… huh?” A familiar voice greeted her, but the speaker abruptly cut off mid-sentence.

“Sorry. My appearance might cause trouble for you and the other Flame-Chasers. If it bothers you, I can change how I look at any time—” Before Enoxia could finish, Elysia was already in front of her, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

“Hmm~… Did you model yourself after me?”

Enoxia nodded.

“Why?”

“Because everyone loves beauty… and you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.”

“Oh my~ Such good taste! To recognize at a glance that the girl before you is as dazzling as blooming flowers~?”

As if confirming something, Elysia began making increasingly bold physical contact. Enoxia stood perfectly still, her face gradually flushing as Elysia’s hands wandered.

(Internal screaming in Qingque’s voice)
“If I just stand here… Elysia will come over and cling to me herself… This… this is… TOO GOOD!!”

When Elysia’s arms wrapped around her waist and their bodies pressed together, Enoxia felt like she’d ascended to heaven.

More. Please, give me more.

“Mmm… Yep, exactly like me. As expected—I look good in any color~… So, this is the Herrscher of Corruption’s power?”

Seeing Elysia finally pull away, Enoxia nodded reluctantly.

“Yes. And it’s not just in the data space. Even in the real world… this is how others see me.”

Elysia tilted her head curiously.

“Well… you might not believe this, but… I once dreamed of you. After that, I started using this form.”

Enoxia knew that mentioning “past-life memories” would sound absurd, so she settled for the dream explanation.

Elysia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“My, my~ That’s… unexpected, yet somehow fitting. Or is this just how people in this era flirt with pretty girls?”

“I—”

“Kidding~! If a lovely girl like you takes the initiative, I don’t mind at all~… Hm? What’s wrong?”

Enoxia’s gaze flickered upward briefly before returning to Elysia.

“Ever since I entered the Elysian Realm, I’ve felt two people watching me nonstop. Not that I blame them—even among Herrschers, I’m probably the most dangerous existence for a data space like this.”

“But… they’re worrying too much. If I had ill intentions, wouldn’t the Realm have already collapsed? The fact that everything’s still intact should be proof enough.”

She raised a finger and casually swiped at the empty air.

Miles away, beneath the Bodhi tree, Su’s eyes snapped open. Deep within the abyss, Aponia’s breath hitched. For a full minute, no matter how they observed her, Enoxia’s location appeared as nothing but garbled static before finally resolving back to normal.

“Oh dear, you’re quite the mischievous one, aren’t you? You gave Su and Aponia quite the scare~! I’m curious—what does the Elysian Realm look like to you?”

Enoxia pondered for a moment.

“Theoretically, any known information is within my grasp. Not just knowing—I can alter it as I please. For example, in just this short time, I’ve already learned the names, order, and current locations of all thirteen Flame-Chasers. Even the secrets you all love to keep cryptic? I could just pluck them straight from your minds.”

“Tsk tsk~ Peeking into others’ privacy isn’t very polite, you know?” Elysia chided playfully.

“I know. So even though I can, I won’t. It’s much more fun to have you introduce everything to me personally.”

“Oh? So you’re treating me like a tour guide now? Well, no matter when or where, Elysia will always live up to your expectations~! Let’s start from the main hall, then.”