Chase had been pondering the hidden crisis in Sky City. Was it the World Serpent's inefficient Stigmata Plan, the Herrscher of Void, or the Entropy, or a combination of the three that caused the crisis? Or were there other factors, such as the leader that Grey Serpent and others always mentioned—Kevin Kaslana?
As the strongest mantis warrior of the previous civilization, Chase hadn't yet faced Kevin's current strength. Fortunately, Kevin was currently in the Quantum Sea. Although Grey Serpent was preparing to rescue their leader, it still required time.
At least for now, Kevin couldn't interfere with events in reality.
This gave Chase significant operational and margin of error space.
[Act 1: Arc City Meteor: Identify and resolve the hidden crisis in Arc City.]
But now, he felt that he had a lead.
He was currently in Jackal's laboratory, listening to the excited Jackal describing her grand plan.
This arrogant and rarely smiling scientist's emotions were unusually high at the moment. Even with the dog-headed mask, Chase could imagine the smile she couldn't restrain.
"Hehehe, although that woman Rita cost us dearly by ramming our base with a battleship, causing us quite a bit of trouble," Jackal sneered, "she would never have thought that her reckless decision would plunge this city into an endless abyss."
Jackal showed her results to Chase and Raven: "Now that the Stigmata Plan has been exposed, we must accelerate the process. Fortunately, the Honkai Engine that Rita sent with the Eos is the catalyst for this plan."
"Remove the protective shell, then let the engine core overload for a while, and it will become a timed bomb releasing a massive amount of Honkai energy... and then..." Jackal paused, hands open, exaggeratedly said,
"BOOM!"
Raven, expressionless, applauded with complex feelings. Honestly, she wasn't very supportive of the World Serpent's Stigmata Plan, but...
Raven couldn't help but recall what Grey Serpent had said—
Cattle and sheep fall, offering blood and flesh. Ear spikes fall, offering seeds. Trees fall, offering firewood and fruit... Countless destruction creates a segment of life, but this cost is extremely high.
Chase lowered his head in silent contemplation, thinking about something.
The hidden crisis in Sky City was still uncertain. The Honkai bomb modified by the Honkai Engine was just one possibility.
Maybe he could terminate Jackal's plan here and now, testing it in the cradle, but not now.
With three parties involved, one party withdrawing, the World Serpent has already taken its place, and on the other side, Schicksal is still preparing. Before the situation becomes clear, he prefers to observe.
This time, with Rita flipping over again, it must have brought considerable pressure to Otto.
Chase had spent some time as Otto's adopted son, and he understood Otto to some extent. The place that made an S-rank Valkyrie flip twice would undoubtedly attract Otto's attention.
At least wait until Otto makes his move...
Suppressing the urge to overturn the table and reveal the cards, he decided to be a well-behaved officer for now.
..........
After experiencing multiple Honkai events and the tremendous shock caused by the battleship crash, the once vibrant Sky City had now cast a shadow. Residents living here were filled with anxiety, everyone was on edge, afraid that the next person to be attacked would be themselves.
Accidents and tomorrows, you never know which one will come first.
Chase stood on the side of the street. Neon lights filled the city, but the streets were not as lively as before. It was no longer bustling, no longer vibrant.
The streets were devoid of playful children and shouting vendors. However, the office workers were still as usual, meticulously dressed, tired clerks with disheveled ties, and workers with dust on their skirts briefly intersected on the streets, then hurriedly dispersed toward their destinations. This might be the life of a corporate drone. They always walked aimlessly on the life road that was about to be cut off by a horizontal knife. Day after day... regardless of whether tomorrow is doomsday.
Chase turned away, and the windbreaker he was wearing rustled in the cold wind at the road junction. Not finding Rita's trace here, he was ready to investigate elsewhere.
Knowing the enemy's movements was also indispensable. He had already greeted Kiana's side and found no trace of Rita. With the idea of trying his luck, he continued searching in the city.
Suddenly, just as Chase was about to use his abilities to leave the area, his body tensed suddenly, like a spring bouncing out, sharply retreating half a step...
Buzz—
The sharp blade cut through the evening breeze, and Chase could even hear the hum of the blade cutting through the air. The blade reflected the moonlight, revealing the attacker's face. Chase exclaimed in shock as he was kicked to the ground by the attacker.
Then, the blade stopped in front of Chase's neck.
"Thank you, Mr. White Dove. Dr. Tesla should be satisfied." Raiden Mei satisfactorily put away the recorder next to her, thanking Chase.
"Although it's a bit crude, it's enough to fool Tesla," Chase got up from the ground not hurriedly, patting the dust off his butt.
"Sorry, this is how Dr. Tesla is..." Raiden Mei sighed, apologizing.
Raiden Mei continued, putting away the katana, conveying her goodwill.
"I don't remember having a falling out with Dr. Tesla?" Chase, who had just cooperated with Mei in acting out a play, couldn't help but be puzzled.
"Your colleague Grey Serpent is not dead. He set a virus program in the humanoid machine, invaded the system of Hyperion, and caused quite a bit of trouble for Dr. Tesla. But Dr. Tesla couldn't find Grey Serpent, so she took it out on you as a substitute."
"..." Chase's silence was deafening.
Raise the salary! Must raise the salary!
Speaking of it, Mei was also a straightforward child. Tesla's words were obviously just anger, but Mei took it seriously and even wanted him to cooperate in recording a video to make Tesla happy.
Chase didn't mind, after all, it was quite enjoyable.
"So, Miss Raiden found me just for this matter?"
"No," Raiden Mei shook her head, "We found information about Kiana through the humanoid machine. However, due to the long decryption time, the information about Kiana has lost its timeliness..."
"So I came to Mr. White Dove to inquire about the information about Kiana." Raiden Mei's two purple eyes stared at Chase tightly, her eyes full of expectation, hoping to get the information she wanted from Chase.
After a pause, she added:
"The Headmaster is paying."