Chapter 3: If Applicable

"The third question, and also the crucial one,"

She grew serious, "Do I possess the power of a 'Commandant' level?"

This determines whether she can be arrogant later or must crawl with her tail, and she must not waste this impressive lineage.

The system was silent (or processing data) for about two seconds, then replied: "Answer: If applicable."

Heimu: "…?"

She almost thought she misheard: "What does 'If applicable' mean? Can you speak human language?"

System: "Based on current analysis, your answer is: It depends."

Heimu placed a hand on her forehead, feeling a bit weary: "Be more specific!"

"Analysis: The Silent Lord (Bolka Kakam)'s attack inflicted near‑irreversible 'damage' and 'power seal' on your current vessel, Emperor III."

Therefore, you cannot regularly exert the full Commandant‑level power originally possessed by Emperor III.

Heimu's heart thumped: "So…?"

"You can currently tap a short, limited portion of the power, but strict limits apply."

The System Panel displayed icons resembling an energy bar and a Warning symbol, "Based on the current state, you can exert Commandant‑level output at most three times. Each output must be spaced by at least one standard day for Concept Stabilization. Forcing a fourth use, or exceeding the safe threshold in a single output, will cause the vessel's Concept Collapse, plunging it into an irreversible Destruction state."

Heimu frowned as she listened: "... So, I'm essentially a limited‑edition three‑use Commandant?"

It feels like having a top‑tier sports car but being told the fuel tank only holds enough for three kilometers.

"That's a fair way to put it."

"Then, how can I restore to... um, at least a usable level?" She doesn't want to be a three‑second true hero forever.

"A solution exists. This system can assist the lady in gathering a specific 'Resource Point'. By intervening in events across various worlds, resolving their 'troubles' or completing particular 'tasks', you earn points proportional to your contribution. Accumulating enough points can be used to gradually repair your vessel, lift the seal, and restore power."

Heimu mused: "So I have to traverse worlds, become a 'trouble resolver' or 'Task Master', earn points to fix myself, right?"

"Exactly."

"Then what about this... humanoid form right now?" she pointed at herself.

"This form is a 'human avatar' created after the Emperor III's power highly condensed, facilitating activity and interaction in most world environments. Your true body, the Iron Tomb form, is currently in a Concept Convergence state and cannot manifest unless necessary or when power is fully released."

"So I'm just the avatar now, with the true body hidden?"

"Correct."

Heimu thought for a moment, then asked the final and most pressing question: "Then... the Honkai Star Rail abbreviation world, what's the situation now? Emperor III vanished suddenly; did it cause any chaos?"

"According to the last received data stream: the moment you were struck, the system triggered an emergency protocol, transferring your core consciousness and vessel fragments into this space. From the Honkai Star Rail abbreviation world's perspective, Emperor III, after receiving a fatal blow from Bolka Kakafuni, completely disintegrated, turning into pure energy dust that dispersed into the cosmos, leaving no traceable entity. Consequently, within that world's Cognition, Emperor III has been utterly eliminated by the Silent Lord."

Upon hearing this, Heimu briefly exhaled in relief, and the system immediately added:

"However," the system's electronic tone carried a subtle weight, "there remains a lingering issue, or what could be called a 'trouble'."

Heimu's newly eased mind rose again: "What trouble?"

"Tracking," the system replied concisely. "Bolka's Surgical Knife, its attack is not merely destructive but also carries a potent 'Concept Tag' effect. Although the system has isolated and shielded as much as possible, the residual 'aura' of that Knife is now bound to you. Once you leave the System Space's absolute shielding zone and enter any other world, that 'Tag' has a high chance of being sensed by the Silent Lord."

Heimu was dumbfounded; her pretty face was filled with incredulous confusion, a vivid expression on her otherwise lifeless visage.

"No way?!" she nearly shouted, "Even the Silent Lord, no matter how powerful, can chase across realms?! Isn't that scope a bit too broad?!"

The system replied calmly, "Based on the assessment of the Silent Lord's stature and abilities, and the special nature of the Concept Tag, this possibility exists. The probability cannot be precisely calculated, but the risk cannot be ruled out."

Heimu fell silent.

She stared at the grim‑colored system panel with the Q-version Black Tower Head, then glanced down at her own lavish yet potentially lethal 'skin', feeling the future was 'bright'—literally, since she might constantly be chased by a Silver Light Blade.

This transmigration starts at hellish difficulty.

She sighed, pressed her fingertips to her brow.

"So," she concluded, "I'm now a globally wanted, power‑sealed, three‑use explosion‑limited, former Commandant, current trouble‑solver, Black Curtain Lady?"

System: "... A concise summary."

Heimu: "..."

She felt that her upcoming 'journey' would likely be quite 'spectacular'.

Heimu lifted her purple‑black eyes, lacking highlights yet still beautiful, and gazed at the uniquely styled panel.

"Alright, small talk ends here."

Her tone was even, bearing a calm that matched her appearance, seeming to adapt quickly: "Now, let's discuss the practical matter. I, now, what abilities do I have?"

She spread her delicate, pale hands and observed, "Aside from this seemingly expensive outfit, I feel no different from an ordinary person; a single punch might not even kill a phantom soldier."

The Q-version Black Tower Head on the System Panel blinked its electronic eye: "Ms. Hui, you are currently in an absolute protection and isolation state within System Space; all external ability expressions are suppressed to prevent unnecessary leakage and... um, spatial damage. Hence you feel no different from ordinary people."

"As for your abilities..."

The system paused, seemingly retrieving its lexicon, "Lady, have you heard of the Invasive Lawgiver?"

"..."

Heimu's previously expressionless delicate face twitched at the corner of her mouth visibly, causing the small skull pendants on her chest to sway gently.