Honkai Impact 3: The Captain's Story

Chapter 8 Speculations

[3rd person pov]

After instructing Himeko to bring some valkyries to eleminate the Honkai beasts, Theresa went back to her office to read some "Homu Adventure" manga from a hidden compartment in the room. She was also sipping some homemade bitter melon juice from a ceramic cup.

She laid back in her chair and read manga for quite some time. The time of day turned to late afternoon now.

There was then sudden footsteps outside the door and a woman barged in.

"Theresa, something unexpected has occurred!" It was Murata Himeko.

"Ha wha-"

Theresa instantly slammed her manga shut and slid the book between the chair and her bottom. The speed of those movements were simply inhuman.

"Knock before you enter! Grandpa taught me that when I was small!"

"...and yet you're still small." Himeko said in a quiet voice.

"What?!"

"Nothing, anyways, the Honkai beasts were dealt with but it was out of my expectations."

"Oh? What are the details."

"There were 13 Honkai beasts in total: 5 Radical class, 4 Cavalier class, 3 Chariot class, and 1 Alloy Chariot class Honkai beast."

"Seems like a small sized invasion which could be handled by 5 or 6 experienced B-ranks, maybe except the Alloy Chariot class. But you and Diane were there so the girls should be fine. So what's so unexpected?"

"Well the thing is... Kiana, Mei, and Bronya defeated 12 of the 13 Honkai beasts, the missing one being the Alloy Chariot class."

"WHAT!?" Theresa seems quite baffled and could not believe what she heard.

Theresa continued, "I know the 3 of them are quite talented but defeating 12 Honkai beasts by themselves just doesn't seem right. Did you weaken them beforehand?"

"I did not, the girls really did handle all 12 of them at peak condition."

"How is that even possible?!" Theresa still could not believe it.

"Here, take a look at this." Himeko took out a tablet and played a video in front of Theresa.

It was of Kiana, Bronya, and Mei using QTEs against the Honkai beasts.

Theresa stared wide-eyed at what was shown.

"Their teamwork and attacks, they are so well connected! It's like they're a single entity dishing out powerful attacks against the mob of enemies! They never displayed this strategy before, did you come up with it and taught them that, Himeko?"

"Obviously not, I would have introduced it long ago if I could come up with something like this."

"Then how did they do something that they've never shown before?"

"It was Captain's idea."

"Captain came up with it?!" This came as a surprise for Theresa.

"Yes, he calls it QTE, which stands for Quick Time Event. He said that he analyzed their movements and came up with an attack pattern that could utilize their teamwork to the fullest."

"Haha, so this was the "knowledge" he mentioned during the interview. He certainly wasn't lying, this is actually brilliant."

"It is indeed, this QTE that Captain came up with might change the way we valkyries fight from now on."

"He also seems determined to not have valkyries hurt. His future might be very promising."

The two of them went silent for a few seconds and took in their exchange of words.

Himeko was first to say something.

"I have to admit that I didn't have high expectations for him and thought of him as just somewhat of a puppet commander, but his abilities far exceeded my expectations in this incident. We might have to reevaluate his worth and give him more authority."

"Yeah, I originally intended for the new captain to help share your workload since you're still recovering from your injuries(and that you're always drunk and going on dates)." Theresa said with with the last part barely audible.

"What was that?!"

"Um, to help ease your workload since you're recovering....yea."

Himeko stared at suspiciously at Theresa who had an awkward smile on.

"Haaah, I want my own QTE. " Theresa finally said to change the topic.

"... to be honest, me too. Seeing how powerful Kiana and the girls got, it makes me want to enhance my battle technique as well."

"Maybe we could ask Captain at some time. Anyways, the Alloy Chariot class Honkai beast was still too powerful for them and you had to deal with it, right?"

"No, and actually to my second discovery- Captain was the one who defeated the Alloy Chariot class Honkai beast."

Himeko showed the photo of the corpse to Theresa.

"This amount of damage using a Desert Eagle should only be possible by A-rank and above valkyries."

"How?! Wasn't Captain a regular human? Did he lie about being powerless?!"

"I'm not sure myself, I don't actually sense any Honkai energy from him."

"Me too. Then how did he do it?"

"Captain claims that his gun malfunctioned and it caused the weapon skill to increase in power. The shot caused him to lose the gun and he had to flee."

"Hmm, malfunctions do happen, although very rarely. I'm just not sure if he's actually hiding his powers."

"Right, with the battle strategy he came up with, it wouldn't surprise me if he were actually to have abilities of a A-rank valkyrie."

"We need to investigate the capabilities of Captain".

"Yes, maybe through a battle simulation."

Growwwl

There was a sound of a stomach growling. It came from Theresa.

"Haha, maybe later when we have a chance, I kinda wanna eat Mei's dinner now. Alright, let's go!"

"...."

When Theresa stood up, Himeko saw the manga on the seat.

"Were you secretly reading manga when we were on a mission?"

"Eh? No, of course not! Anyways, I'm going to go eat Mei's dinner now! "

Theresa tried her best to hide the book with her hands behind her back and she ran backwards out of the office.

"..." Himeko face palmed and followed after her.