Note: This is my first fanfic, and I'm not sure if you'll like it or not. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to let me know!
Chapter 1
The last thing I remember is the smell of burnt coffee and the sound of glass shattering.
I was closing the night shift at the coffee shop—my part-time job to pay for university—when three guys in balaclavas walked in. One of them pointed a gun at me while the others emptied the register. I tried not to do anything stupid. I'm no hero. I just wanted to finish the day, go home, play an old game I'd reinstalled for nostalgia, and sleep.
Then the guy saw me move a little—just trying to raise my hands—and he fired.
The impact felt like being hit in the chest with a hammer. I fell backward, the cold floor against my back, feeling hot blood soaking my shirt. My vision started to blur. I heard distant screams, sirens, and then... nothing.
Darkness. Silence. I thought: So this is dying... It's so...
Before I could finish the thought, the void swirled violently, and an irresistible pull dragged me forward.
The world reformed.
When consciousness returned, there was no hospital, no light at the end of the tunnel.
Just chaos.
(Nagazora City – February 15, 2014)
Emergency sirens wailed in an agonized tone under a sky tinted purple. Honkai radiation fell like invisible rain, saturating the environment. Buildings collapsed under their own weight. The air smelled of burnt ozone and molten metal. Civilians ran in panic, while the first infected—zombies with glowing eyes and purple veins—attacked stragglers with inhuman ferocity. Cracks in the asphalt spewed colossal beasts that roared, defying the stormy sky.
This can't be real...
In a dark alley, ignoring the roaring chaos around me for a moment, I noticed the discomfort of my own body. Something didn't fit: my steps were lighter, my lungs breathed colder air effortlessly. I approached a murky puddle, its reflection distorted by the purple light descending from the sky.
I looked at my hands: younger, stronger, veins marked under pale skin. Long black hair tied in a messy bun, sharp and piercing eyes, a face identical to Suguru Geto's in his student days. I wore a long black trench coat, dark cargo pants, and tactical boots.
What the hell happened to me? Panic hit me like an icy wave. This wasn't a dream; the cold Honkai-infused wind prickled my skin, the smell of blood and smoke was real, the collective fear crushed my chest like a vice.
A translucent blue screen appeared in my vision without warning.
[Cursed Legacy System activated. Welcome, Host: Mael.]
[Initial Stats:]
Level: 1
Cursed Energy: 100/100
Unlocked Skill Templates: (Suguru Geto) Cursed Spirit Manipulation (Level 1: Absorb weak Honkai beasts).
Passive Abilities: Honkai Block (Cursed energy neutralizes Honkai radiation; automatic conversion of Honkai energy into cursed energy reserves).
[Notification: Suguru Geto's technique adapted. Absorb and control Honkai beasts as spirits. (Does not work on humans, Valkyries, or Herrschers).]
[Initial Mission: Survive the Eruption and absorb 5 Honkai beasts. Reward: +50 Template Points.]
[Template Progress: 0/1000 | Template Level: 1 | Points for Level 2: 0/100]
What the hell is this? A system to help me get stronger, like in manhwas? And... The thought hit me hard. Wait a second... Honkai Eruption? This is... Honkai Impact 3rd. That old game I played in high school. Damn, looks like I'm seriously screwed. Of all the universes I could have ended up in, Honkai Impact is one of those impossible to survive: Honkai eruptions, wars, megacorporation conspiracies, aliens, cosmic and multiversal beings wanting to destroy humanity...
Even if I now have a system that seems based on character templates, especially from Jujutsu Kaisen. And starting with Geto's template. I'm not sure I have a chance to survive no matter how cool this might seem. And I have no idea where exactly I am.
Right at that moment, I heard a girl's cry, barely audible amid the chaos.
A few meters away, a zombie lunged at a girl curled up beside an overturned car, her sobs barely audible over the city's roar.
Instinctively, I ran and extended my hand.
"Exorcise and Absorb."
A black and cold aura enveloped the zombie. Its body writhed in silent agony, dissolving into a dark sphere that flowed into my palm. There was no need to swallow it; it integrated directly, an icy torrent coursing through my veins like sweet poison.
While I finished thinking, the Honkai radiation from the newly absorbed zombie turned into a revitalizing pulse, filling my reserves. And once again the system appeared.
[Honkai Beast (Grade 4 Zombie) absorbed. Converted into Cursed Spirit #1: Controlled Zombie.] [Cursed Energy +20. Current: 120/120 (Limit increased by Honkai conversion).]
It feels... strange. Like its corrupt essence is fusing with mine, expanding something dark inside me. I suppressed the shiver of guilty pleasure. If I absorb too much... will it corrupt me like the infected? No. I control this.
The girl looked at me with wide eyes.
—Th-thank you, sir!
—Run. Find shelter —I replied in a calm but firm voice, hiding my inner storm.
I proceeded to walk into the chaos. I was determined to plunge into it. If I wanted to survive, I had to get stronger.
Walking, I encountered lesser beasts—flying Seraph-class—swooping down on a group of evacuees. I summoned my first spirit: the zombie emerged from the shadows like a grotesque puppet, ramming one of the beasts and giving me time to absorb two more in quick succession. The air vibrated with Honkai energy, each absorption a cold burst racing through my veins.
[Mission Progress: 3/5]
Then, a deep roar shook the street. A Chariot-class charged, crushing vehicles like toys. Trapped civilians screamed, the smell of blood and smoke permeating everything.
Shit, I'm barely level 1... This thing could kill me if I make a mistake. I frowned, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and concern. But running isn't an option. I need to grow. I need power to survive... to live.
I summoned my three spirits to distract it—twisted shadows clashing against the armored shell. I leaped with agility enhanced by my cursed energy, landing on its back. Strikes imbued with black and blue energy pierced the armor, each impact sending waves of pain through my muscles, but also excitement from the power.
The beast released a wave of pure Honkai energy. Instead of burning me, I felt it convert into fuel, a warm torrent flooding my core.
Somehow, thanks to the system, basic cursed energy use felt natural, instinctive.
"Exorcise and Absorb."
The Chariot collapsed into a dark mass, entering me without resistance. The power grew like an internal wave, expanding my limits.
[Chariot (Grade 3) absorbed → Cursed Spirit: Controlled Chariot]
[Mission completed → +50 template points]
[Cursed Spirit Manipulation → Level 2]
[Cursed Energy limit increased to 200]
I gasped, cold sweat beading on my forehead. This... is real. And I... think I'm changing.
Raiden Mei... it looks like she just awakened as the 3rd Herrscher. I could make out the purple lightning and thunder in the distance.
I absorbed another minor wave of zombies while analyzing. I think anything with energy equal to or weaker than a zombie can be absorbed instantly, but if the energy amount starts approaching my reserves, the absorption process becomes painful and requires weakening the target first.
A massive pulse shook the city. Stronger beasts emerged.
Suddenly, a colossal shadow rose: an Emperor-class (Grade 1 - semi-special), roaring with primal fury.
This is getting worse and worse... I smiled coldly, adrenaline mixed with caution. I'm not ready for a Grade 1 - semi-special...
Before I could react, a female voice shouted from a nearby rooftop:
—Watch out!
A secondary Valkyrie —torn white battlesuit, blood staining her arm— tried to intercept, but she was gravely wounded.
Just then the Emperor charged.
[System Alert: Honkai exposure exceeding current limit detected. Risk of severe cellular damage.]
I clenched my teeth, pulse racing. I'm still weak... but if I run, that girl will surely die...
—End of Chapter 1—