Bab 19: Volume 1, Chapter 19: Dr. Magi's Defection Incident
As Xia Chen swiftly defeated the Emperor and Queen of Honkai within the Memory Battlefield, he was now just one step away from becoming an A-rank Valkyrie.
That final hurdle required obtaining a satisfactory performance in actual Honkai incident handling.
The theoretical test had clear standard answers, and manipulating the Memory Battlefield system privately was challenging. However, the actual Honkai handling process could easily involve some underhanded tactics.
To prevent such manipulation, typically, two individuals unfamiliar with each other would be assigned—one as the candidate and the other as the observer.
However, Ana's situation was exceptional, as Headquarters granted her this opportunity to take a break and clear her mind.
With Durandal recently handling global Honkai incidents, and after the Manila event, the world fell into an eerie calm. Consequently, the Science Division failed to detect even small-scale Honkai occurrences.
Xia Chen was aware of this pattern; following each Major Honkai Eruption, unless artificially induced, the world would enter a period of tranquility where even minor events wouldn't occur for some time.
This held true after both the Siberian and Nagazora City Honkai incidents, so logically, it should be similar post-Manila event.
As a result, Xia Chen's assessment mission had naturally changed accordingly.
"Following Headquarters' orders, we need to eliminate the remaining Honkai Beasts from the Singapore incident without alarming the public," Amber explained. "Lady Amber mentioned that the Honkai Beasts encountered in Singapore were not of high rank, which you should be able to handle."
"The Singapore incident?"
Slightly taken aback, Xia Chen quickly realized what event she referred to.
In Schicksal's archives, Dr. Magi, responsible for guarding the Gem of Serenity, was swayed by Anti-Entropy agents. He defected with the gem, aiming to replicate the Nagazora City Honkai event amidst the densely populated Singapore, intending to create a deranged Herrscher.
In the end, thanks to the combined efforts of Schicksal's special intelligence agents, A-Class Valkyrie Fu Hua from the Far East Branch, and B-Class Valkyrie Kiana Kaslana, Anti-Entropy's plot was thwarted. Dr. Magi sacrificed himself during this operation, while the cunning Anti-Entropy operatives left behind several clones before escaping.
However, amidst the chaos, the Gem of Serenity went missing, likely taken back to Anti-Entropy Headquarters by their agents. Consequently, Singapore experienced a small-scale Honkai outbreak.
This incident occurred two months ago.
Although Singapore narrowly avoided a large-scale Honkai event, the leakage of Honkai energy led to the emergence of Honkai Beasts, which now reside in an area centered around the Queen Hotel.
The Singapore government has successfully evacuated citizens and contained information about the situation. However, these Honkai Beasts remain unresolved.
The lack of resolution isn't due to insufficient strength of the Valkyries.
According to intelligence, these Honkai Beasts were not particularly powerful, with the strongest being approximately at the Templar level.
The primary reason lies in their location within the city, where Anti-Entropy had installed Honkai Energy reactors following the Singapore incident. These reactors, situated close to the beasts, attract them easily, complicating matters further.
Thus, there was no way to dismantle the reactor without alarming the Honkai Beast.
If disturbed, it would inevitably trigger the Honkai Energy reactor, leading to catastrophe—especially given Schicksal's current resources, they could not afford another disaster like Manila.
Left unchecked, the Honkai Energy might gradually dissipate over time.
Xia Chen couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Here was exactly what he sought - abundant Honkai Energy!
However, he also felt puzzled and asked, "I remember reading that the Singapore incident is highly significant. Is it appropriate for this to be part of my assessment?"
It wasn't due to fear, but rather, something seemed inherently wrong about involving such a critical event.
Clearing the Honkai Beasts wouldn't be difficult; the challenge lay in doing so without causing the Honkai Energy reactor to go out of control.
Ana shook her head and explained, "According to calculations by the Science Division, the Honkai Energy within the reactor has already started decaying, reducing its concentration significantly compared to before."
"I understand."
Understanding the mission requirements and objectives, Xia Chen informed Rita and requested to utilize a flight vehicle.
Rita naturally didn't hesitate to accommodate him and even suggested, "If time permits, you can stay a few extra days in Singapore. Opportunities like this might not come again."
Her words held truth.
As an A-rank Valkyrie, even taking ordinary breaks became a luxury. Despite Schicksal providing generous benefits, they were earned through the Valkyries' duty to combat Honkai incidents.
Honkai events do not respect one's leisure time.
Apart from these crises, Schicksal also faced opposition from other organizations such as Anti-Entropy, the clandestine World Serpent, or governments of certain powerful nations... All of which could be considered adversaries for the Valkyries.
The pressure on them was immense.
This indeed presented a rare chance for a break, and if Ana chose to turn a blind eye, taking off for half a month wouldn't be an issue.
Upon arriving in Singapore, Xia Chen didn't rush into action. Instead, he discreetly inquired about the Queen Hotel from locals.
As a Valkyrie of Schicksal, managing public opinion was also part of their duties.
Fortunately, the Singapore government had already done well on this front. Most people knew something happened at the Queen Hotel, but they believed it involved a spreading virus. Consequently, the area surrounding the hotel was sealed off, preventing anyone from getting close.
Clearly, Singapore's control over public sentiment was effective.
During this time, Ana observed quietly from a distance.
Watching Xia Chen actively engage with various individuals, she couldn't help but recall her own past self.
Once upon a time, Ana had been equally proactive.
However...
Her resolve flickered momentarily. "Captain, I will restore the Snow Lotus Squad's reputation."
After confirming that public opinion was under control, Xia Chen prepared to enter the Queen Hotel.
He successfully coordinated with the local authorities and donned a set of Singaporean military attire over his Valkyrie Armor before proceeding inside. Meanwhile, Ana monitored him closely from afar using a military-provided aircraft.
Contrary to Ana's expectation of directly engaging the Honkai Beasts, Xia Chen first ascended to the upper floors of the Queen Hotel. In a blind spot where Ana couldn't see, he produced Scarlet Sakura.
Sensing the demonic blade's craving for Honkai Energy, he reassured it gently:
"Just wait, you'll have your feast soon."
Adjusting his viewpoint, Xia Chen squinted and spotted the gathered Honkai Beasts.
Through relentless digging by the Honkai Beasts, the buried reactor was nearly exposed, with only a thin layer of earth remaining above it.
These creatures were dangerously close to the Honkai Energy reactor. Their instincts drove them to absorb the energy here, aiming for evolution.
Honkai Beasts aren't foolish; instead of destroying the reactors outright, they slowly absorbed the energy.
Xia Chen had two options: either instantly destroy the reactor to contain the Honkai Energy or swiftly incapacitate the Honkai Beasts, ensuring no chance of the reactor going out of control.
Narrowing his eyes, he found an opportunity as the Honkai Beasts congregated closely.
"Scarlet Sakura, time for your meal."
[Hmm.]
He felt the demonic blade's joyful response.
"Sakura Petal Fall!"
The vibrant red blade glowed, and Xia Chen leaped from the high-rise, effortlessly severing the head of the Temple-level Honkai Beast while simultaneously cutting through the entire gathering of beasts below.
One strike, instant kill!
A vivid crimson blade flash descended as Xia Chen leaped from the tall building. With his swift strike, Scarlet Sakura cleanly severed the head of the Templar Honkai Beast and simultaneously cut through all the gathered creatures.
One hit, instant kill!
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone