Chapter 42: Friend or Foe?
"Tell me… are you friend, or foe?"
To be asked such a question by Kevin… what an honor!
Lin Wei thought. This line alone earned him a character portrait and a 3D model in his mind.
Even Otto, upon their first meeting, only received the generic "submit or perish" treatment.
He'd won!
His emotions were a chaotic mix.
He'd imagined countless scenarios, various dialogues, serious or playful, cryptic or straightforward.
But he hadn't anticipated this. When the legendary hero stood before him, when the symbol of strength and invincibility spoke to him, when he finally stepped into the story, into the myth…
The awe, the inspiration, the understanding, the bittersweet recognition—all these emotions collided within him, burning away his preconceived notions, his carefully crafted plans.
The simple question cut through all pretense, straight to his core.
"Friend, or foe?"
The weight of the question, the sheer force of Kevin's will, demanded an honest answer. There was nowhere to hide.
"Neither. I'm just a lost traveler, fulfilling a promise, returning a lost child to her home. I apologize for the intrusion."
Lin Wei met Kevin's gaze, his voice calm and steady.
"It's an honor to meet you, warrior of the Previous Era, pioneer of the new age, Kevin-san."
It wasn't flattery. He truly felt honored.
This man, in a way, represented this world.
Kevin studied Lin Wei's eyes, accepting his ambiguous answer without judgment. He moved on to his next question.
"Gray Serpent mentioned Rin. Where is she? I want to see her."
"She's with me, but…"
Lin Wei chuckled wryly, then paused, his expression shifting, his lips moving silently. He shook his head.
"She doesn't want to talk to you. She doesn't want to see you."
He sighed, glancing at Gray Serpent, then back at Kevin.
"She's afraid… afraid of hurting Gray Serpent-san again."
Kevin's eyes flickered. He walked towards Lin Wei.
Though just a holographic projection, his presence was immense, like an approaching storm.
Gray Serpent turned, his red mechanical eye following Kevin's movement.
Lin Wei stood his ground, meeting Kevin's gaze.
He had nothing to hide.
"Impressive resolve."
Kevin stopped, nodding slightly, his imposing aura receding, as if acknowledging Lin Wei's will.
What's your criteria? Lin Wei wondered.
Kevin sat down on the chair Lin Wei had vacated, his gaze fixed on the empty space before him, lost in thought.
Wait, how did you do that? Lin Wei thought, confused. You're a hologram!
And you stole my seat!
"Tell me everything about Rin. Don't leave anything out."
Kevin's voice was still flat, but his tone was commanding, almost demanding.
Arrogant…
Lin Wei felt a flicker of annoyance.
He knew Kevin wasn't being arrogant, but he still felt irritated.
For the first time, he was being shown up and couldn't retaliate.
It was infuriating!
"Five hundred years ago, Kallen Kaslana, a Schicksal saint… betrayed Schicksal and fled to the Far East, taking the black box with her."
Lin Wei glanced at Kevin. Your family and their white hair… never a dull moment.
"After arriving in the Far East, the black box was breached, and the Herrscher escaped, corrupting an innocent girl. Through the girl's resistance and Kallen Kaslana's efforts, the Herrscher, the black box, and the girl were sealed away again."
Kevin had been trapped in the Sea of Quanta for fifteen hundred years. Lin Wei felt obligated to provide some context.
Not everyone likes cryptic conversations!
He finished the history lesson and moved on to the present.
"A month ago, the 3rd Honkai Eruption occurred in Nagazora. The Herrscher of Thunder was born at Chiba Academy."
He paused dramatically, glancing at Kevin, who remained impassive. Lin Wei sighed, disappointed, and continued.
"The eruption broke the seal, and the Herrscher escaped, roaming the ruins of Nagazora."
He wondered how Gray Serpent, acting as a communication relay, felt about this. Raven, standing behind the bar, rolled her eyes.
You just happened to stumble upon her? How convenient.
Lin Wei recounted his experiences of the past three months, his futile attempts to warn people, his desperate search for a safe haven, omitting any mention of World Serpent.
Kevin listened silently, his gaze fixed on the empty space.
Gray Serpent stood motionless.
Raven listened to his story, and instead of laughing at how absurd it sounded, she felt a twinge of sympathy.
just another desperate soul… she sighed.
She no longer disliked him as much.
Lin Wei continued, explaining how he'd sought Fu Hua's help, then contacted World Serpent's executive, the British Museum's curator, to arrange this meeting.
He stuck to the facts, letting his audience draw their own conclusions.
Technically, not lying.
At the mention of "Fu Hua," Kevin finally reacted. He turned, his eyes scrutinizing Lin Wei.
"Hua helped you?"
Lin Wei nodded.
It was true. Without Fu Hua, he wouldn't have been able to return to Nagazora.
But he needed to clarify something.
Fu Hua was weakened. He didn't want World Serpent to misjudge her strength and put her in danger.
He glossed over his coercion of the Herrscher, simply stating that he'd been corrupted. Then, he recounted his battle in the mindscape, the details carefully chosen, the underlying danger conveyed in his calm tone.
Raven listened, her heart pounding.
This monster!
Lin Wei's image in her mind shifted again.
He finished, pulled up a chair, sat across from Kevin, and chuckled.
"See? Life always finds a way. Facing death, civilizations, individuals… they can achieve incredible things. I never thought 'weakness' would be my greatest weapon against a Herrscher."
The strongest and the weakest in the world, sitting as equals.
And the strongest didn't object.
The scene was absurd, yet perfectly logical.
Lin Wei had earned his seat at the table by defeating a Herrscher.
"Lin Wei, you bastard!!!"
Rin, realizing the full extent of his manipulation, raged internally.
She'd known she'd been played, but she hadn't understood how, when, or where.
Now, she knew…
He'd played her from the beginning!
Unforgivable!
Kevin sensed the other consciousness within Lin Wei, the surge of human emotions.
He had his answer, but he remained silent. He had time.
"Of course, it wasn't that simple. I had no guarantee of victory. It was a gamble. So, I asked Fu Hua to guard my body. If I failed, she would end it all, using the blade I took from the Herrscher."
He glanced at Raven, who retrieved the ancient blade she'd taken from him.
Kevin glanced at the blade, then dismissed it, asking,
"And this is your purpose here?"
Lin Wei nodded, meeting his gaze.
"I promised Rin I'd take her home. I'm here to fulfill that promise."
"She's been betrayed and deceived too many times. I won't hurt her again."
As he spoke, the turmoil within him subsided.
"You want to take her to the Elysian Realm?"
"Yes. It's the only place she can call 'home' now. You understand, don't you?"
"..."
Kevin was silent for a moment, then spoke.
"Hua agreed?"
"Yes. I told her everything."
Not lying didn't mean revealing everything.
He'd been honest with Fu Hua. He had nothing to hide.
"Then I grant you permission."
Kevin nodded, turning to leave.
"...Hua has lost her memories. Aren't you… hesitant?"
Lin Wei couldn't help but ask. Kevin was being too trusting.
"It doesn't matter. I trust her judgment."
Kevin didn't turn back.
He trusted his comrades, as they trusted him.
"Even if she's the Herrscher of Corruption? Even if she still hates you? Even if she might destroy the Elysian Realm?"
Lin Wei persisted, his own motives unclear.
"...Yes."
Kevin's voice was quiet.
They'd been given two gifts, and they'd lost one.
They owed her this. Perhaps it was time to repay their debt.
His purpose here was fulfilled. He was leaving.
"Wait!"
Lin Wei stopped him again.
He walked over and offered Kevin the USB drive he'd retrieved from Raven.
It was just a hologram, but he felt Kevin could take it.
"I owe someone a favor. A message to deliver."
It was time to fulfill his promise to Bronya. He trusted Kevin to do the right thing.
Kevin took the drive and left without a word.
His image vanished, as if he'd never been there.
The red light in Gray Serpent's eye dimmed.
"The transaction is complete. It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Lin Wei."
Gray Serpent's voice was still calm and even.
"The pleasure was all mine…"
Lin Wei murmured, his voice filled with genuine emotion.
Meeting Kevin truly had been an honor.
…
Kevin stood beneath a giant Sakura tree, gazing at its blossoms in silence.
The Sea of Quanta, a realm beyond the world.
Direction was meaningless here, space distorted, time fragmented.
It was a bizarre, chaotic, yet beautiful place.
The space between reality and possibility, the boundary between existence and nothingness.
Kevin's presence anchored this small space, making it real, solid, undeniable.
But his gaze was fixed on the Sakura tree.
He lowered his head, a self-deprecating smile touching his lips.
"Perhaps… this isn't so bad."
"But will you be disappointed, Elysia?"
Rin wasn't just a descendant. She could have been a comrade.
Would Elysia be happy? Because she wasn't the only one?
Or would she be sad? Because their era could have been different?
It didn't matter. It was done.
Regret was pointless.
His gaze hardened.
The past was immutable. He could only shape the future.
He sighed, dismissing his thoughts.
He looked at the USB drive in his hand.
Quantum encryption was child's play to him. He was in the Sea of Quanta, after all.
He saw the message, knew who it was for.
He tossed it into a corner, into the hands of a trapped girl.
A hundred years ago, he'd seen someone fall into the Sea of Quanta. He'd been too late to save her, watching helplessly as she lost her physical form, sinking into the depths.
He'd learned his lesson.
A few years ago, he'd sensed another presence falling.
This time, he'd intervened, using his powerful will to observe, to prevent the girl from completely losing her form, keeping her in a superposition between collapse and expansion.
It was painful, a form of imprisonment, but it was the best he could do.
Without a world fragment, he couldn't stabilize her.
He could only wait.
He hoped this message would give her strength.
He glanced at Seele, then turned away.
Seele, her consciousness adrift in the Sea of Quanta, felt like she was trapped in a dark, empty room, shivering in fear.
Slowly, she adapted to the fear, the loneliness, the presence of the other consciousness within her.
She was becoming stronger, though she didn't realize it yet.
"What's this…?"
She sensed a message, a familiar presence, entering her dark room.
"Bronya… Onee-chan's voice? Am I dreaming…?"
She gasped, covering her mouth, tears streaming down her face. She reached out, trembling, towards the message.
"Wait, Seele! Something's not right. How could Bronya know you're here?"
The other consciousness within her was wary, sensing danger.
"No, that's Onee-chan! I know it is!"
Seele smiled through her tears, ignoring the warning, reaching for the light.
"You idiot!"
The other consciousness was furious, but helpless.
The light was harmless, a message from Bronya, filled with love and concern.
It really was Onee-chan!
Seele reached for the familiar face, the once vibrant expression now still and lifeless. It was just an image.
The cruel reality made her want to cry again, but she suppressed her sobs, wiping away her tears, smiling at the image as if Bronya were really there.
She listened to the familiar voice, nodding happily.
Bronya expressed her longing, told her about her new school, her new friends.
"Yes, Onee-chan, I'm fine too! Don't worry!"
Seele wanted to hug her sister, but she was afraid the image would shatter. She waved her hand, sending her love across the vast distance.
Then, Bronya warned her about the man who'd delivered the message, telling her to be careful, not to trust him, not to put herself in danger.
Finally, she promised to find a way to rescue her, that they would be reunited.
The message was short, but Seele cherished every word, her face lit up with joy and tears.
Bronya must have gone through so much to send this message.
"Onee-chan…"
She couldn't hold back any longer, collapsing into sobs.
The other consciousness within her plugged her ears with something she'd found, rolling her eyes.
This girl… she'd never stop crying!
Chapter 43: Kevin, the Recruiting Disaster
"He just... left?"
Lin Wei felt a sudden, surprising wave of disappointment.
Perhaps it was Kevin's aura of loneliness, a feeling he understood all too well.
One, a solitary traveler through time.
The other, a wanderer across worlds.
This world was both familiar and alien to them both.
The loneliness of standing in a crowded room, surrounded by people, yet utterly alone.
He sighed, sitting down in Kevin's vacated chair, mimicking his posture, staring at the empty space.
He thought he understood what Kevin had been looking at.
"Hey!"
Raven glared at him, irritated by his melodramatic act. Did he think he was Kevin now?
"Save the performance art for when you're alone. No one will disturb you."
Ouch, that stings, Lin Wei thought, rolling his eyes.
But her sharp words dispelled his melancholy. He stretched, shaking off the unnecessary sentimentality.
Did Kevin's brooding rub off on me? he wondered, conveniently shifting the blame.
His mission was accomplished. He'd met Kevin, secured permission for the Elysian Realm, delivered Bronya's message. The only downside was that he was now firmly on World Serpent's radar, and Kevin's lack of a clear stance on their "relationship" was slightly awkward.
He'd expected a job offer. He'd done Kevin a huge favor… or had he?
He remembered Kevin's disastrous track record with recruitment.
(ノへ￣,)
He'd fished a girl out of the Quantum Sea, thinking she was talented, worth training.
Seele: "Bronya Onee-chan, save me!"
Kevin sighed. Oh well, can't force it…
After the Sea of Quanta experiment, he'd approached Welt, offering him a grand vision, a noble purpose.
Welt, being straightforward: "Fuck you! I'm going to self-destruct!"
Boom! He did.
Kevin sighed. Well, at least I can put him back together…
Then he'd approached Bronya: a girl with strong will, exceptional talent, exactly what he needed.
Bronya: "I'll fight you!"
Newly reassembled Welt: "Me too!"
Kevin sighed. Fine, I won't push it. Don't want any more casualties…
Back in the real world, he'd set his sights on Kiana…
Fu Hua, barely alive: "Kiana, run! I'll hold him off!"
Kevin sighed. Fine, for old times' sake…
Then he'd targeted Mei…
Kevin looked around. No one else left. He couldn't afford another failure. He had to report to Elysia!
He changed tactics, resorting to threats and promises—
"Come with me, if you want Kiana to live."
Mei, with the resolve of a martyr, followed him into the abyss.
"I will fall into darkness, so you may return to the light…"
And the result?
The Elysian Realm was amazing! She didn't even want to leave…
(￣▽￣*)ゞ
Lin Wei facepalmed.
(ノへ￣,)
Kevin, what were you doing?
He glanced at Gray Serpent, feeling a pang of sympathy.
Jackal… he didn't remember. But Raven, Hare…
They'd all been recruited by Gray Serpent…
Maintaining a large organization with an absentee leader… it must be exhausting.
He would ask Kevin to give him a medal.
"Do you have any other questions, Mr. Lin Wei?"
Gray Serpent sensed his gaze, misinterpreting its meaning.
Honestly, his muffled voice was getting on Lin Wei's nerves.
"No, nothing."
Lin Wei shook his head, dismissing his thoughts about Kevin.
He couldn't share these things with World Serpent. They were all Kevin fanboys. It would be disastrous.
"I just wanted to ask, when are we leaving?"
A reasonable question. Gray Serpent didn't press him further.
He assumed no one could remain calm after meeting Kevin. Strange behavior was expected.
"A leaf withers only with the tree's permission. Just as evil flourishes with the silent consent of the crowd. Only at the end do people realize: the one who stood, and the one who fell, were the same person all along."
Gray Serpent recited a cryptic poem, making Lin Wei narrow his eyes.
Then he continued,
"Forgive me, Mr. Lin Wei. This was… unexpected. We need some time to prepare. Don't worry, it won't take long. Raven will escort you to the Elysian Realm shortly."
"Very well."
Lin Wei nodded, agreeing readily.
He was still wary of Gray Serpent, but with Kevin's approval, he was safe, for now.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. Raven, take care of our guest."
Gray Serpent bowed elegantly, like a nobleman, then walked out, opening an umbrella as he stepped into the sunlight.
Lin Wei watched him leave, a thoughtful expression on his face.
What was Gray Serpent's angle?
He couldn't tell. He was too polite. Was it hostility, or something else?
But at least he was safe until Gray Serpent fulfilled Kevin's request.
He would deal with the rest later. He was used to it by now.
Transmigration was hard. He sighed…
"Gray Serpent, that…"
Raven was annoyed by his instructions, but she couldn't disobey.
She glanced at Lin Wei, sighing.
"There are often World Serpent operatives training in the Elysian Realm. We need to recall them. Given the… sensitive nature of this situation, it will take some time. Two or three days at most."
World Serpent was very time-conscious. Lin Wei couldn't help but compare their efficiency to the sluggishness of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.
Learn something from them!
"You'll be staying here. I'll prepare a room for you. It's not much, but…"
"Thank you. I appreciate it. A place to sleep is all I need."
Survivors were easily pleased.
Lin Wei smiled at Raven, then examined his arm, tracing the lines of his veins, the pores of his skin, the fine hairs.
No purplish-red Honkai markings. Clean, as if they'd never been there.
He'd never appreciated these ordinary things before.
It was a feeling of peace, of safety.
"...I was just being polite. You don't have to…"
Raven was taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor. He'd been so sharp-tongued before.
"Common courtesy. Treat others with respect, and they'll treat you with respect. Isn't that how it should be?"
Lin Wei smiled gently, trying to make things easier for her.
He wasn't sure when he'd adopted this habit, but he felt the world shouldn't be so cold. He would start by being kind.
And it often made things easier.
"..."
Raven, despite her tough exterior, was softhearted. She didn't know how to respond.
She couldn't be rude when he was being so polite. It was awkward.
Lin Wei didn't mind. He looked around the bar, then at the open entrance, then at Raven with a strange expression.
Was this the seat Mei would occupy in the future?
What an honor.
"What?"
Raven finally found something to say.
"Nothing. Just… surprised. Don't bars usually close during the day?"
He gestured at the spotless glasses, the neatly arranged cocktail shakers.
"Oh, these? I need to keep myself busy."
"Makes sense."
Lin Wei smiled. He'd achieved his goal.
Even trivial conversations eased the tension.
Raven understood.
"A drink? My treat."
She looked at him appraisingly.
"You're of age, right?"
"Yes. What would you have given me otherwise? Milk? Juice?"
He tried to lighten the mood.
"Not a bad idea. I could just give you some milk and send you on your way."
"Haha, I wouldn't mind. I don't usually drink."
He was telling the truth. He hated alcohol, partly because of his father's alcoholism, partly because he didn't want to numb his senses.
He preferred clarity.
"But I'll make an exception for a friend."
"Friend? Don't flatter yourself."
Raven scoffed.
"It's fine. At least I don't think you'll hurt me. That's enough."
He leaned against the bar, pushing aside the knife she'd been polishing.
"What are you making? I'll have whatever you recommend."
Raven looked at him, then, without a word, mixed him a mojito, adding mint and lime.
A few minutes later, she watched him slumped against the bar, fuming.
One drink? Seriously?
"Lightweight," she muttered, feeling cheated. She was certain she hadn't messed up the drink.
She calmed down, looking at him with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
He hadn't lied. He'd never drunk alcohol before.
I owe you one, she thought, sighing, then hoisted him over her shoulder and carried him upstairs to a guest room.
…
St. Freya infirmary.
Mei stood outside the examination room, her head bowed.
She'd heard about the survivor from Nagazora and hadn't left since.
She blamed herself, the Herrscher, for the disaster.
This was her penance…
"Mei, Mei, look at my new hairstyle! What do you think?"
Kiana, who'd been waiting with Mei, had snuck away upon hearing the survivor was their former classmate.
Mei never refused Kiana. She looked up, despite her somber mood.
Kiana had styled her beautiful curls into two thick braids, her face beaming with pride.
"How… silly…"
Mei managed a weak smile, accepting Kiana's attempt to cheer her up.
"Heehee, if you like it, I'll keep it!"
Kiana didn't mind acting silly if it made Mei happy.
"You idiot…"
Mei's heart warmed, the icy grip of grief melting into tears. She hugged the shorter girl, sobbing.
Kiana stroked her back, comforting her.
"It's okay, Mei. I'm here. I'll always be here for you. I'll always protect you, forever…"
"Mm!"
Mei nodded, hugging her tighter, her sobs echoing through the hallway.
In the examination room, Yuno lay unconscious, her breathing steady.
Theresa had gone to the library, searching for information that might help her.
In the doctor's office next door…
"Fu Hua… senpai. The results are in."
Durandal, holding the medical report, handed it to Fu Hua. She'd almost called her "senpai," but corrected herself, remembering the doctor's presence.
"There's no need to be so cautious. She can't hear us."
Fu Hua didn't mind. Fenghuang Down was useful.
"Alright, Fu Hua-senpai."
Durandal nodded, getting straight to the point.
"The Honkai beast's activity has decreased, the cellular degeneration is halted, and her body is beginning to heal. Everything is progressing well. However, when she wakes up… she'll be facing a very different reality."
Durandal felt a pang of sympathy for the girl.
Not everyone could accept becoming a monster. She knew that firsthand.
"I didn't expect Abyss Flower to have such… remarkable effects."
Dwelling on the inevitable was pointless. She touched her Divine Key, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Indeed. Divine Keys hold many secrets."
Fu Hua agreed.
Durandal's communicator beeped.
Fu Hua stepped back, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed.
Durandal answered the call.
"Overseer, what are your orders?"
"Hi, Bianka. How are things progressing?"
Otto's voice was cheerful, almost friendly.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly, Overseer. The subject is stable. The only concern is whether the consciousness that awakens will be… her."
"Is that so? Do you think we should take… precautionary measures?"
"That's not for me to decide, Overseer."
Otto chuckled awkwardly, rebuffed.
"The purpose of the 2nd Herrscher experiment was to enhance our capabilities against the Honkai, wasn't it? So, what difference does it make whether the power comes from a Herrscher or a Honkai beast?"
Durandal's tone was subtly challenging.
"Alright, alright…"
Otto sighed, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"However…"
"There's no one else here, Overseer. Speak freely."
Durandal, seemingly forgetting Fu Hua's presence, pressed him.
"Heh…"
Otto sighed, defeated. He gave her what she wanted.
"K423 has enough… complications. According to our calculations, all the necessary elements are in place. We don't need any more variables. Therefore, I want you to bring the girl to Schicksal HQ. Keep her away from our experiment."
Fu Hua's brow twitched, but she remained silent. Durandal would handle this.
Durandal stared at the communicator, waiting.
"I know my reputation precedes me. Bianka, I assure you, she won't be a lab rat."
Durandal remained silent. It wasn't the answer she wanted.
She had her own way of dealing with Otto.
"Fine, fine… you decide what to do with her. I won't interfere. How about that?"
"As you command, Overseer."
Durandal ended the call, satisfied.
"What will you do?"
Fu Hua, still leaning against the wall, asked. She cared about this girl.
She was her friend's responsibility.
"I'll take her to HQ. Those are the Overseer's orders. I apologize, Fu Hua-senpai, but I can't disobey."
Durandal was honest. Fu Hua understood.
"I'll ask Rita to look after her. When she wakes up, I'll teach her how to control her power. We shouldn't let this… cruel gift go to waste, should we?"
Sacrifice was inevitable, but it shouldn't be meaningless.
That was Durandal's principle.
"Then… take care of her."
Fu Hua approved.
She walked over to the bed, her hand glowing, sending the warmth and gentleness she'd witnessed in Lin Wei into the girl's dreams.
She hoped that when she awoke, she wouldn't be consumed by despair.
The rest… she would leave to Durandal.
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