Honkai: You're telling me this difficulty is from Honkai Impact 3?!

Shu felt like his rebirth timing was a bit off.

If it had been earlier, he might have been able to stop Fu Hua and the others from entering the city center in the first place. If it had been later, Shu wouldn't have to consider whether or not to go to that shelter.

He was indeed very enticed by the power he could gain there, but the Honkai beast there was no joke. Shu didn't think that having some power would suddenly give him the right to go toe-to-toe with it.

That wasn't confidence, that was arrogance! How could he possibly be so reckless, like a pufferfish, immediately going wild the moment he got a small advantage or new power?

Here, being arrogant would only lead to trouble! The newbie protection period for new powers was ridiculously short!

Thinking of this, Shu suddenly felt that that power wasn't so enticing after all. With Kiana having her weapon, Bronya having ample ammunition, and Mei having her long sword, why did he still need to pursue that measly bit of power?

As long as they didn't encounter that Honkai beast, the rest of the small fry were easy to take down, right?

Right now, he was a "wounded" person! Being protected was normal, right?!

Shu almost convinced himself with that excuse.

But he hadn't sunk to that level of self-indulgence.

["If… when you're moving forward, there's another path in front of you, and it can also lead to the destination you want, and there's scenery you love along the way… would you choose it? Even if… it's… a bit roundabout?"]

Shu remembered that question. His response then had been "yes," because there had been no other path in front of him. Now, with two clear paths laid out in front of him, Shu hesitated.

This was a choice that no one else would know about. No matter which path he chose, Shu wouldn't be judged or praised by anyone.

Should he go directly to Fu Hua's martial arts school, or take a detour to that shelter to find the survivors?

And fulfill the promise he hadn't yet made this time?

A choice… it was that dreaded choice again. Shu hated this feeling of being forced to choose. Luckily, he wasn't alone.

"Kiana." Shu went closer to Kiana, whispering, "Ask you a question, help me answer it."

"What is it?" Kiana looked at Shu, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Why ask me when there's a problem? Mei's the genius! Asking me to solve a problem… I'd rather go punch another two dual-wielding Honkai soldiers!

Shu raised an eyebrow. She was exactly the kind of person who wouldn't overthink things. Mei and Bronya might be better choices, but if they were to analyze him and determine that he might make a truly heartless choice, who knew what would happen?

So, Kiana, sorry!

Shu made a cross in his mind, then finally asked his question.

"If there are two paths in front of you, one being the path you're currently taking, and the other also leads to the destination you want, and this path also has the scenery you love, but it's a bit roundabout, which one would you choose?"

"Can't I just walk both paths?" Kiana naturally asked back.

Shu was silent for a moment, feeling like that question sounded somewhat familiar.

"No, these two paths are very long, so long that you can only walk them once in your lifetime."

Perhaps I can walk them twice, but it would be best if I never saw this path again.

After Shu finished speaking, Kiana had already furrowed her brow. She instinctively sensed the situation wasn't simple.

"Uh… is this a philosophical question…" Kiana's face was full of distress and she practically had black lines forming on her head.

"Just tell me your choice." Shu observed her, reminding her, "There is no right or wrong answer to this question."

"Oh, is that so!" Kiana's eyebrows instantly relaxed. "If it was up to me, I'd definitely choose the better path! Why wouldn't you choose a better path if it's there?!"

Kiana's question was still as straightforward as ever, so straightforward that Shu wondered if he had asked a stupid question.

"What if that path isn't as good as you imagined?"

"Then just make it better! I know what I like, so I should just strive in that direction!" This time, Kiana really did look at Shu like he was an idiot.

But this time, Shu lowered his head.

Indeed, that's a stupid question.

"Yeah, everyone knows to choose the better path, so why am I still hesitating?" Shu murmured to himself. Kiana, who was close by, didn't hear it, and leaned closer with curiosity.

Shu looked up and offered a smile to Kiana. "Kiana, are you interested in becoming a hero?"

"Huh?" Kiana was completely taken aback. Shu didn't care about Kiana's reaction. Instead, he called out to Mei and Bronya in front of him. "Mei, Bronya, let's head in a different direction now."

"Eh? But aren't we headed toward the city center?" Mei paused, looking back in surprise.

Shu had just told them that there was a Honkai beast roaming around the city center, and now they wanted to change direction?

"That Honkai beast isn't much of a threat right now." Shu waved his hand. He had made his decision, and he already had a plan in his head.

A somewhat crazy plan.

"So where are we going now?" Mei didn't ask much, Shu definitely had his reasons for doing this, and they all knew about his mysterious side. If there was anything they couldn't say, they wouldn't pry.

"To a cake shop." Shu turned his head, looking behind him. "We'll wait for two people to give us a reason."

The three of them exchanged a look, and saw a hint of confusion in each other's eyes.

But the three of them still believed in Shu, and followed his lead, turning and heading towards the cake shop.

"Shu, how do you know there are two people there?" Kiana still couldn't contain her curiosity.

Shu had a warm smile on his face, and jokingly said to Kiana, "I can predict the future, what can I say?"

Yeah, right.

Mei and Bronya simultaneously rolled their eyes.

Even Kiana wouldn't fall for such a joke…

"Really?!" Kiana's eyes sparkled with excitement.

She fell for it!!

"Can you predict… uh…" Kiana excitedly started to say something, but then suddenly lowered her voice as if she had a guilty conscience. She glanced at Mei before whispering, "Can you predict my fate with Mei…"

Shu: "..."

"The two of you are hopeless. Being so fickle, you're destined to be single for life. You'll never have… never have any more girls like you." Shu maliciously made up a vicious answer.

"Eh?!" Kiana was shocked. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! My feelings for Mei are invincible! How could I be doomed?! How could no one ever like me?!"

Shu didn't answer. However, Mei, who had understood, slowly approached.

"Kiana~ Who else likes you?"

"Uh! No one! Absolutely no one! Mei, you have to believe me, my feelings for you are absolutely true…"

"Big Sister Mei, Bronya wants to report her. The first time Kiana saw Bronya, she wanted to…"

"Eek! You little Dwarf!!"