282. The Unchangeable Uniqueness
After Aponia's explanation, both Ling and Mobius showed some interest.
But their interest wasn't in Aponia, but in the Honkai Beast named Mitra, which possessed the ability to connect to parallel worlds.
Moreover, according to Aponia, this type of Honkai Beast seemed to have the characteristic of being 'unique'.
There is only one Mitra in all parallel worlds, and this uniqueness is already bound to Aponia, inseparable.
"No wonder it's just an Emperor-level Honkai Beast, yet it could create such a powerful mental perception-type MANTIS warrior like you..."
Mobius stroked her chin.
Although a MANTIS warrior's strength isn't entirely linked to the Honkai Beast INCHOR they fused with, it's still greatly related.
There's no one else like Aponia in the entire Fire Moth.
Even a monster like Kevin couldn't resist the discipline emanating from her.
"Hey, your lover from another world has come knocking. Don't you have anything to say?" A rather strange expression appeared on Mobius's mischievous face.
"Don't be silly. Even individuals from parallel worlds are vastly different. Aponia, I have some unpleasant news for you: the Ling in your heart is long dead." Ling didn't mince words, directly piercing the veil of secrecy.
If Aponia had truly experienced Ling's death time and time again, then it was best to help her face reality and escape this torment as soon as possible.
"No, Ling is different… Just like the many Dr. Mobius I've met, each parallel world's Dr. Mobius does indeed have a different soul."
"But Ling… you will always be that 'unique' existence."
Aponia wasn't discouraged by Ling's words; instead, she explained to him.
"So, in parallel worlds, I don't actually appear in multiple forms?" Ling raised an eyebrow.
"Impossible. If such an individual truly existed, then on the imaginary level, he wouldn't belong to a physical entity. Everything he did would have no impact on any world, let alone descend into different parallel worlds in a spiritual form."
Mobius refuted Aponia's viewpoint.
Although the Mitra that Aponia merged with was also the 'unique' she described, the difference was vast!
According to Aponia's description, the Mitra is a unique individual existing in plural forms across countless parallel worlds. While unique, it's not comparable to Ling's uniqueness.
Its uniqueness is similar to being bound to Aponia's destiny; that is, it cannot change or sever its connection with Aponia.
This is the drawback of uniqueness—the inability to change its inherent nature.
However, Ling has different identities in different parallel worlds, experiences different lives, and even tries different ways of dying, which conflicts with the concept of 'uniqueness.'
"Indeed, Aponia. Based on your descriptions of the experiences, you seem to have tried to change the events surrounding 'Ling's' death, but you failed each time, didn't you? And this… perhaps that's the only thing that matters about you."
"You wanted to change everything, but each time you were powerless to reverse it. Mitra gave you the ability to connect your mind to parallel worlds, but it also plunged you into an abyss, repeating the pain of separation again and again."
"So… give up, Aponia. If it were you, you couldn't do it." Ling presented the stark reality to Aponia.
Unlike the Ling Aponia had encountered before, this Ling was a true scientist, thus able to see further and understand the underlying issues.
Hearing this, Aponia's face paled slightly, but she still stubbornly shook her head.
"There will always be a way, there must be a way to save Ling…"
"There is indeed a way. Breaking the uniqueness is simple: you just need to stay away from him, ideally having no contact with his life at all. That way, your uniqueness will gradually separate from Ling; at least he won't die because of your 'uniqueness.'"
"However… if it's really as you say, that he's the only soul in countless parallel worlds… then he must have done something extraordinary in some world to be like this." Mobius's fingers traced Ling's cheek.
Her beautiful snake-like eyes seemed to hold a hint of worry. If what Aponia said was true… Ling might be in great danger.
"Alright, let's put everything else aside for now. Could you do me a favor?" Ling was completely unconcerned about his potential death.
In this world, countless people die every day. Stripped of their halos, he was just one of the masses.
He wasn't as obsessed with pursuing immortality as Mobius; he just wanted to stick to what he wanted, and that was enough.
Immortality... let's put that aside for now.
Aponia's eyes dimmed slightly, but she obediently nodded.
'Aponia is so pitiful... I really want to hug her.'
'But this is Aponia's choice, we have no right to interfere.'
Two more strange sentences inexplicably appeared in Ling's mind.
Ling glanced at the two people beside him, and seeing that they didn't react, he simply pretended not to hear them.
Ling and Mobius led Aponia to an extremely cold room, the temperature so low that even MANTIS warriors would shiver.
Because the Seventh Herrscher—Himiko—was being held here, this method was unavoidable.
"This is the Seventh Herrscher we captured in our last battle. She was originally Himiko, the captain of the Fifth Squad, but unexpectedly became a Herrscher..."
Ling briefly explained the background, and Aponia nodded, indicating that she understood.
Then she began to connect with Himiko's mind. Although so much time has passed, Himiko's humanity hasn't been extinguished by her Herrscher personality; this is the biggest drawback of Herrscher's forced arrival.
With someone like Himiko, for the Honkai to completely control her in a short time is nothing short of a pipe dream.
Soon, a look of pain appeared on Himiko's face; her body writhed and struggled on the ground.
The two personalities were constantly vying for control of the body.
The surrounding temperature began to rise, turning into mist that dripped onto the ground.
"Kiana, cool down Captain Himiko temperature."
To prevent any unexpected situations, Ling naturally called Kiana over.
In just a moment, the temperature returned to its initial level.
Aponia's eyes gradually turned red, and two butterfly wings faintly appeared behind her.
"What is this?!" Mobius's eyes were filled with fear and disbelief.
"Shh..." Ling quickly covered Mobius's mouth to prevent her from interfering with Aponia.
The current state of Aponia is precisely the branch of evolution they've been researching, or rather... an Active Honkai Reaction!
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