Sin's heart stopped for the nineteenth time, now remaining still for nearly three minutes.
"Ba-dump! Ba-dump!"
Four metal wires, as thick as index fingers, were inserted into Sin's chest, pulsating rhythmically to mimic her heartbeat and maintain circulation along with Honkai Energy connectivity.
"Hum~hum~hum~~"
In the brightly lit laboratory filled with mechanical tentacles, Mobius hummed a chilling melody reminiscent of the Grim Reaper. She slowly floated around the experimental table, her supple waist swaying gently to the tune, resembling an elegantly undulating serpent amidst her long jade-green hair—an eerie sight indeed.
"Tap!"
Suddenly, the petite Mobius spun gracefully in mid-air like a dancer, snapped her fingers, and spoke cheerfully:
"Three minutes thirty seconds. Klein, administer another dose of Inhibitor 23."
"Doctor, we've already given seven doses of Inhibitor 23. Continuing further might..."
"Hm? Are you questioning me, my dear Klein?" Mobius halted her fluid movements.
"No, I'm merely expressing my concerns. If the doctor believes this is necessary, then let us proceed."
Klein's voice remained flat and emotionless, unaffected by Mobius' interrogation. A hint of weariness crept through—like that of an overworked employee on the brink.
A robotic arm extended from above the laboratory to inject Sin with a gray-green serum.
Mobius leaned forward, tilting her head as she pressed her ear close to where the mechanical tentacle connected to Sin's chest. She squinted slightly.
"Perfect. Now, this is my Klein!"
"Well, you did create me, Doctor. You're speaking nonsensically again."
"Hahaha, that's what I find most endearing about you, Klein."
"Even more bizarre... The latest round of data collection is complete. The next report will be delivered in 45 seconds. I need a break now."
Klein ended the call.
Mobius turned to glance at the audio camera in the laboratory, puffing out her cheeks unhappily before letting out a huff. With no choice but to continue monitoring the changes in Sin, she refocused her attention.
Outside the laboratory, or rather, beyond Dr. Mobius's personal world, was the main control room of the Elysian Realm filled with various screens. Klein sat on a swivel office chair facing Zeke, whose expression remained indifferent. She tightly embraced a tablet computer, her face devoid of emotion.
"This is Dr. Mobius's experiment. Are you here to stop it, Zeke? Let me clarify, isolating the entrance and exit of the doctor's domain physically was done entirely by the doctor herself; I had no involvement. And my capabilities clearly fall short of breaking through her blockade. If your intent is to halt the doctor, I'm sorry, but coming here has been a wasted trip."
"No, I only want you to synchronize the experimental data with me."
"You can retrieve it yourself. As proven last time, I cannot truly hinder you. There's no need for you to specifically come here just to tell me this."
"... Rest now, then continue your work as if I don't exist."
Zeke looked down at the diminutive armed doll. Though significantly larger than the Book of Fuxi, which could fit in a human palm, she still barely reached his knees. With the monocle eye patch, black crown, bee-like green tail, and other elements removed, her expressionless face actually appeared quite endearingly cute.
Klein furrowed his brow, puzzled, and continued, "But you're clearly here right now? Ah, never mind. Since that's what you prefer, I'll do my best to ignore you... Oh, it's time to report the latest data to the doctor. Alright, I'll make a copy for you as well. The doctor hasn't specifically prohibited sharing this information."
The swivel chair automatically turned back towards the screens and control interface, Klein's face illuminated by the screen's glow. His fingers flew across the keyboard, leaving trails of afterimages.
Zeke also activated a projection screen, reviewing the data with occasional frowns or slow nods of approval.
After about an hour, Zeke finally turned to leave.
"Sync the data with me in real-time. Tell Mobius, this is the condition."
Klein ceased his frenzied typing, glanced over, watching Zeke's figure disappear, then reconnected with Mobius.
"Doctor, Zeke has left. He demanded real-time synchronization of the data and insisted it be conveyed to you as a condition... Doctor, does he suspect that you asked me to monitor him?"
"As if he wouldn't know! Ha, all talk and bravado, yet here he comes groveling for data. Hypocrite! Indeed, I am the true genius!"
"Doctor, I believe Zeke is merely concerned about the test subject."
"No, you don't understand, Klein. We're of the same kind—he pursues victory while I chase Infinite—but at their core, it's all about survival! I trust that he values this experiment, but more importantly, he covets my technology and capabilities! By capitalizing on this, freedom lies just within reach!"
Mobius, with a dangerous smile, clenched his fist, causing the green finger guards resembling venomous fangs to emit a chilling metallic sound as they rubbed against each other.
Klein responded only with silence.
"..."
"What are you thinking, Klein?"
"Doctor, continuing like this might not be wise; it seems you can't defeat Zeke."
"Hahahaha... Care to repeat that to my face?" After a burst of manic laughter, Mobius abruptly turned serious, his tone turning threatening towards his assistant.
Klein's voice remained as calm as ever, stating:
"I'm serious, Doctor. Based on their recent confrontation, Zeke's physical capabilities far exceed those you had years ago. Considering that now you're merely a Memory Fragment, there's no comparison between the two of you. At any moment, he could potentially format the entire Elysian Realm. Moreover, we must consider the numerous Herrschers Zeke brought here; who knows what reserves of power he has outside this world? In essence, logically speaking, it would be best for the doctor not to confront him directly. The risks are too high."
"Hmph! Enough with your nonsense. When have I ever failed to capture my prey?"
"Well, actually, the number of times isn't insignificant..."
"What was that?"
"Fine, I won't mention it further. The latest data analysis is complete. What should our next step be, Doctor?"
Klein fulfilled her duty by analyzing the situation and offering advice. Since Mobius had made a different decision, Klein wouldn't interfere; she simply needed to follow the doctor's directives.
Mobius clenched her fists, emitting an irritated snort through her nose, then spoke coldly:
"Hmph! Next step—prepare Inhibitor No. 1."
"...Are you certain? Very well, since it's the doctor's decision, let us proceed accordingly."
Klein recognized she had already asked enough questions for today. After a brief inquiry, she promptly followed Mobius's instructions.
As the new serum was injected into Sin's body, Mobius simultaneously withdrew the metallic tentacle from her chest.
Four bloody holes appeared at the center of Sin's torso, and crimson blood flowed onto the laboratory table.
Mobius leaned forward, peering through the wounds on Sin's chest at her completely still heart. With hands cupping their face, an unusual flush spread across their cheeks.
"Ah~ Yes~ Just like this~~"
"Don't fear death; to me, it is merely another state. It isn't an end nor a final destination. Experience death, comprehend death, and with those extraordinary eyes, witness firsthand the realm beyond!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Zeke, oh Zeke! Thank you for delivering your perfect genetic blueprint and introducing a natural-born ESP carrier surpassing stigma awakeners. This discovery adds yet another piece to the puzzle of evolution... When I crush your head into the mud, rest assured, I will express my gratitude most sincerely!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Crunch..."
In the break room, Elysia munched on watermelon, watching Mobius's holographic image projected from Zeke's palm without any hint of surprise.
Nobody...
knows Mobius better than me!
—From the Miss Pink Elf Accordion Wisdom Collection
Elysia then nudged Zeke's arm.
"Hey, aren't you mad?"
"Not at all."
"I don't remember you being particularly easygoing?" Elysia murmured, biting into her watermelon with a suspicious look.
Zeke retracted the projection and turned towards Fu Hua, who was wiping glasses behind the bar. "I have a question for you."
"Hm? Sure, go ahead."
"Do you think hanging in space or being submerged in lava would cause more pain to a serpent?"
Fu Hua & Elysia: "..."
If referring to ordinary snakes, such elaborate methods wouldn't be necessary to kill them. But if he meant Mobius—well, who else could Zeke possibly be talking about?
Amidst the silence, Zeke received no rational response. With a regretful shake of his head, he decided to ponder further before making a decision. He then resumed focusing on Sin's experimental data.
Regardless, he decided to keep this matter noted for now.