Honkai Diary: Start With Picking Up A White-Haired Treasure

Though it was akin to seeking skin from a tiger, at least Vera now had hope for survival.

Afterward, Zeke took Kiana and journeyed east, venturing deep into the vast, frigid Siberian plains.

More than a month later, Kiana fully recovered her health—at least, according to Honkai Energy levels and physical data, no issues were detected.

In the heart of winter, amidst Siberia's snow-laden forests.

Kiana wore a white Cossack hat and had her long silver hair braided into two thick plaits. Clad in a fluffy, snow-white coat, she left footprints as she strolled through the snowy landscape with keen interest.

Finally fully recovered, the pervasive pain that had plagued her vanished over the past few days. Her cheerful demeanor and bright smile suggested she had emerged from the shadows cast by events a month ago.

But Zeke knew well that whenever Kiana walked down the street and spotted blonde-haired little girls, she couldn't help but fixate on them, as if seeking Vera's presence within each one.

He understood this sentiment—though admittedly, it would seem somewhat creepy if their genders were reversed.

"Stop playing around; break time is over. Let's continue our journey."

"I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Suddenly, a gust swept through the tranquil snow-covered forest, causing branches overhead to sag inexplicably, as though weighed down by something descending from above.

"Ugh!"

The accumulated snow on the tree shook loose and piled onto Kiana, some even falling into her mouth.

"Zeke!"

Kiana stomped her feet, glaring indignantly at Zeke perched high above her.

Beneath him, there appeared to be nothing but empty space.

But Kiana knew that hidden beneath was an airship capable of soaring through the sky. It featured a glass canopy shielding against the wind, allowing its occupants to sit, stand, or even lie down inside, along with a massive cannon powerful enough to shatter small mountains. Additionally, it boasted various other miscellaneous gadgets and functions—such as invisibility.

Only God knows how Zeke managed to create such a marvel, but regardless, it was undeniably impressive—Kiana genuinely believed this.

Yet, it didn't stop her from getting furious over his prank.

"How dare you pull something like this on me! Are you looking for a fight?" She pretended to roll up her sleeves.

In response, she encountered Zeke's deathly glare, accompanied by the giant cannon revealing itself, its pitch-black muzzle directly aimed at her.

"Oh geez, isn't this snow just so white and wonderful? I absolutely love it. Whistle... whistle... whistle..."

Whistling silently, Kiana stood innocently still as if nothing had happened.

"Get on," Zeke said mildly.

"Oh."

Kiana hopped onto the airship, took a few steps forward, and entered the cabin interior where the hidden space revealed itself beneath optical camouflage.

It was a small room of about forty square meters, divided into cozy living quarters, a cockpit with various controls and large screens, and a workspace filled with mysterious instruments.

The living area essentially belonged to Kiana, allowing her free rein to lounge around as she pleased.

The cockpit and workspace were Zeke's domain; typically, Kiana didn't bother venturing there.

Clear division of spaces, right?

"Take your medicine."

As soon as the airship started up, Zeke handed Kiana a glass of water and several pills.

Her face immediately fell.

"Do I have to? I'm feeling fine now."

"Don't you want dessert after dinner?"

With swift motions, Kiana grabbed the pills, popped them into her mouth, and gulped down the water.

"Gulp gulp!"

"All done."

Kiana opened her mouth wide, trying to let Zeke see down her throat as proof that she'd indeed swallowed the pills.

Zeke flicked his finger against her forehead.

"Just this once. These meds aren't ideal; I won't have you taking them unnecessarily."

"Yes sir! You're absolutely right, Mr. Zeke! Whatever you say!"

Then Zeke flicked her forehead again, creating a crisp sound akin to tapping a watermelon—suggesting just how juicy it felt inside.

Sticking out her tongue playfully, Kiana wrapped her arms around Zeke's and shook him gently. "We've been flying for half a day already. Where exactly are we going? How much longer?"

"We're searching for someone—a crafty woman, most likely. But before that, we stumbled upon a promising talent, so there's still time to poach her."

"Huh?"

"You'll find out when we arrive. Why so many questions?" Zeke pinched the girl's plump cheeks but suddenly furrowed his brow.

"By the way, haven't you gained some weight lately?"

"No way! Absolutely not! Ladies never put on pounds!" Kiana shuddered, hastily drawing a big X with both hands across her chest as she vehemently denied it.

Zeke stroked his chin thoughtfully and replied with a cryptic tone, "No worries, you'll slim down again."

In the city's affluent district, near a grand and imposing noble mansion—

As night fell, sudden screams erupted, followed by raging flames that swiftly engulfed the residence, filling the air with smoke.

The surrounding residents descended into chaos—shouting, fleeing, calling for help to extinguish the fire. Amidst this cacophony of sounds, such incidents became just another part of ordinary life.

Amidst the turmoil, not far from the burning mansion, on a seldom-used street, a small figure slowly trudged forward. Barefoot on the snow, her steps were unsteady, revealing horrific burns covering much of her body as one looked upward.

Suddenly, she halted.

Ahead, two figures emerged.

To most observers, one was a composed boy with hands casually tucked in his pockets, expressionless yet strikingly handsome. The other appeared as a cute girl, her eyes filled with concern, exuding an aura of innocent purity.

But through Sin Mal's eyes, the scene was entirely different.

The girl manifested as a colossal mass of black flames, pulsating with pure rage and hatred, entwined by countless dark vengeful spirits, radiating unprecedented terror and power.

The boy was... immeasurable, without discernible top or bottom—a towering shadow of the Void, holding the world in one hand, his lofty gaze peering down disdainfully upon all living beings below.

As Sin Mal stared intently, the shadow seemed to sense something, turning its emotionless eyes towards her.

"Ah!"

Sin Mal let out a pitiful scream and collapsed, sitting stunned amidst the snow.

"Am I already dead? Is what I'm seeing now a devil? Or perhaps God?" Sin Mal thought dazedly.

Zeke approached her, knelt down, and gazed contemplatively into Sin Mal's heterochromatic eyes.

Sin Mal possessed eyes that could perceive the seven deadly sins, as per the storyline. So, what might she be seeing within Zeke and himself?

Curious but not eager to solve it, Zeke started from the beginning, asking:

"You're... Sin Mal?"

"...Do you think I still resemble a human now?" Instead of answering, Sin posed this question with anticipation, yet there was a hint of intoxication in her eyes.

After the indescribable apparition glanced at her, the unusual aura around Zeke vanished, replaced by his boyish, delicate features.

This was the second purely human face Sin had encountered, reminiscent of Bronya's past appearance—equally beautiful and innocent.

Thus, she wanted to know Zeke's response.

Having allowed herself to become stained with blood and sin, just like any other human, would she no longer be considered a monster? Perhaps Zeke before her could provide the answer?

Sin raised her head, half of her face burned and disfigured—ugly, even repulsive—but Zeke responded nonchalantly:

"It's not about whether you resemble one or not; you simply are human."

"Really?" Sin Mal's scarred face lit up with joy and surprise, revealing a smile.

"Yes, but..."

"But?"

Confusion flickered in Sin Mal's eyes as a syringe was inserted at the back of her neck.

"But if we don't treat you soon, you'll be dead," Zeke calmly stated, pressing down to administer the injection.

Sin Mal didn't concern herself with what liquid entered her body. She strained to widen her eyes, trying desperately to etch this beautiful moment deeper into her memory, even for just one more second.

Yet, the heaviness of her eyelids gradually became unbearable.

Soon, she swayed and collapsed into Zeke's arms.

"Zeke, is this the person you were looking for?" Kiana knelt nearby, gazing at the horrifically injured girl cradled in Zeke's embrace, unable to suppress a deep sigh.

Just looking at it caused pain—what could she have possibly endured? Filled with empathy, Kiana couldn't bear seeing young girls hurt; they were all adorable little angels meant to be cherished, not harmed.

"Zeke, why don't we adopt her!" Kiana exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Zeke glanced sidelong at her.

"Sure, you can be her mom."

"And Zeke can be the dad..."

"Nope, I'll be her grandfather."

"...Zeke!"

******

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