Damn it, this Mobius is from the Kongtong sect, right? Can't beat me, so she comes with a Seven Wounds Fist to hurt herself first?
Ryan walked aimlessly around the headquarters, going to the surface and then back down in the elevator, repeating the cycle, his head aching from thinking.
Mobius sudden attack was completely unexpected, and her subsequent self-inflicted trouble was incomprehensible. It can only be said that it was indeed her; she had an extraordinary obsession with winning or losing.
I originally wanted to just let it go. Fine, you want to go against me, right? One day I'll settle the score with interest.
Ryan also kept a fierce tally, but after thinking about it, he understood Mobius very well and was also grateful to Mobius.
Idiot, I told you to be stubborn, do you really think I'd be afraid?
And with your soft mouth now, when I want to take advantage in the future, no, the experiments will have less guilt.
Although it's a bit of a headache now, essentially this is an assist, because Ryan understands the Flame-Chasers in the Golden Courtyard too well.
Except for Griseo and Pardofelis, every one of them is a battle-hardened warrior, a ruthless person who can blow up a building with one punch. How could they cry helplessly or sigh like a resentful woman?
But then again, I seem to be in a bit of danger.
Ryan looked at the rapidly jumping numbers on the elevator and decisively decided not to go back to sleep tonight. Precisely because they were warriors, they were not easily fooled. As a rational person, he absolutely could not walk into a trap now.
So he circled around and walked to the medical area. The innermost special care ward slowly opened its door, and he saw Kevin lying on the bed with tubes inserted, while Mei was indeed sitting next to him.
"Why are you here?" Mei was guarding Kevin while flipping through documents, raising an eyebrow, looking very strange.
Since the smell of coffee still lingered in his mouth, Ryan didn't feel like he was eating dog food. Instead, he felt a bit envious, but upon closer thought, his personality wouldn't be as 'submissive' as Kevin.
"I just suddenly remembered Kevin. He and I are good friends." Ryan gave a dry laugh and walked to the window. The white-haired young man wore an oxygen mask, like a sleeping beauty.
He was in much more danger than Ryan this time, basically hanging by a thread, relying entirely on Vinal emergency rescue to hold on until Mobius arrived.
Hmm, could Mobius have been stimulated by Kevin? After all, he was literally snatched back from the god of death. She probably saw Mei vulnerable side too.
But she didn't share such a joyful thing with me. As expected, she's still very afraid of Mei.
"Did something happen between you and Mobius?"
Just as he was thinking, Mei suddenly said, making Ryan look back in horror.
"How do you know?"
"Klein just came to deliver the bio-agent, and I forced it out of her after seeing her abnormal expression." Mei propped her head, her expression a bit amused, "Is it a bit difficult? As a friend, I can give you some advice."
Her expression clearly indicated that she knew something but deliberately didn't say it, just to help Mobius out and return the favor of saving Kevin life?
How smart Ryan was, he instantly understood the meaning, and said sullenly: "When did you become so gossipy? It's okay, I can handle this. I've seen bigger storms."
"Can you really solve it?"
"To put it bluntly, it's just the sequelae of fighting Honkai. As long as I don't die, I can naturally solve it."
"Alright, then I'll wait to see a good show." Mei didn't press further and continued to read her documents.
What do you mean by watching a good show? You guys are indeed fueling the fire.
Ryan didn't reply, listening to the 'beep beep beep' of the monitor, and then looking at the sleeping Kevin, he gradually understood Mobius feelings.
Kevin, with his protagonist halo, a strong man second only to himself, was still crushed by the Seventh Herrscher, almost causing the Golden Courtyard to lose a resident.
Staying in the sickroom, the cruelty of war suddenly diluted the comfort of daily life. A new chapter had begun. According to Honkai's targeted characteristics, the Herrschers that descend might not be very strong, but they will definitely become more difficult to deal with.
The future was still uncertain, and Ryan likewise dared not guarantee whether the Golden Courtyard would lose a few people, leaving a few empty rooms.
His heart rate quickened. He suddenly felt that helping Elysia realize her dream wasn't necessarily a good thing. The deeper the bond, the more painful the separation.
In this world, separation is too easy. You might get sliced just going for a walk.
"Too much closeness brings pain, but maintaining distance leaves regret. The truth of the world is entanglement and suffering."
"What are you saying?" Ryan stiffly raised his head, looking at Mei still sitting elegantly.
"Nothing, I'm just reading." The girl closed her book as if she knew nothing, her eyes bright behind her glasses. "I don't know the future either, but at least the present is pleasant."
Too smart, she saw right through my thoughts?
Ryan didn't dwell on his surprise, nodding slightly: "Yes, so I have no regrets. Since I've started, I'll do my best to keep everyone alive. I just can't be a cold weapon."
"I can tell. Your initial approach to me and Kevin indeed had a purpose. I was very curious back then, even if my grades were a bit better, Kevin didn't have any special skills, so why did you deliberately approach us?"
"This question only began to emerge during the Qianyu Academy incident. You were very weak back then, but the shock you gave me was greater than it is now."
"A bit better grades" is fine, but Kevin is very good at basketball, okay.
"So I've been a clown all this time?"
"No, I didn't deliberately change your mind. You changed your goals yourself, probably after the Qianyu Academy incident. This doesn't quite fit your smart person persona. I never thought you'd be a hero before, someone who shouldn't rely on others, but should use others by any means."
"Smart people always avoid harm and seek benefits. How could they fall into a quagmire themselves? For example, the current you, wanting to return to your original goal, it's probably as difficult as ascending to heaven now."
Ryan couldn't refute. In fact, the change happened even earlier. Take his initial goal, for instance: he just wanted to survive until the post-civilization era, then do nothing, change nothing, use his foresight to cling to powerful figures, and watch the finale unfold.
So his initial skill points were all in 'hiding.' Later, he met Hua, Su, Kevin, and Mei, and decided to do a little something to prevent their tragedies. After all, spending years together, he simply couldn't stand by idly.
He gradually expanded his goals, eventually reaching this point. Looking back now, he still felt a little dazed.
Did fate change me, or did I choose my fate?
Ryan had no answer. He just couldn't go back. If he asked himself, whether it was Kevin, Hua, or Mobius, if they were in despair, would he protect himself?
Just like the Seventh Herrscher, even knowing he was no match, he still fought with all his might. Three years ago, he wouldn't have even dared to think about it.
"It seems I have no choice but to be this hero."
"You are already a hero, bearing all our expectations, and we will also contribute our strength, regardless of whether the outcome is sorrowful." Mei said decisively. She had said the same thing to Mobius.
"No regrets!"
What a beautiful "no regrets."
Ryan also smiled. Just then, the automatic door opened, and a somewhat bewildered Su walked in, carrying a fruit basket.
"Hey, you two are here too."
"What a coincidence, is it a class reunion today?" Ryan waved, took the fruit basket, and then peeled an orange and popped it into his mouth. "Didn't you come here during the day? Do you miss Kevin that much?"
"Mainly, Elysia wanted to hold some secret meeting and asked me to leave, so I just came over. Huh, why do you look so bad?"
Ryan face was disgusted, as if the Herrscher of Binding had breathed on the back of his neck, making his hair stand on end.
A strategy meeting? It's not targeting me, is it? And why is Elysia getting involved?
"Don't look at me, I don't know either." Su gently waved his hand. He was a true gentleman, a gentle elder brother, never getting caught in the vortex. "If you're afraid, ask Mei. She's smarter than me."
"Me, afraid? What a joke, I'm the Director-General, humanity's strongest! Please, Dr. Mei, teach me!"
Pffft.
Su directly burst out laughing. He had watched the scenes of Ryan destroying mountains and parting seas on TV, and thought Ryan had become a demon king. Now, seeing him again, this guy hadn't changed at all.
Still outwardly cold as ice, inwardly hot as fire.
"Alright, I was just going to watch for fun." Mei stifled a laugh, crossed her legs, and held up her tablet, "Actually, it's easy to solve. Distract them, then defeat them one by one. Don't forget you are first and foremost the Director-General. These private matters cannot delay the fight against Honkai. Personal feelings can never be placed above humanity's interests. This is the iron rule of Fire Moth."
Her tone was light, but the content was serious. Ryan eyes lit up, and he immediately hailed Dr. Mei as invincible.
"Yes, work is the most important thing. At least most people can distinguish priorities. First, delay, then defeat them one by one when there's time. Once the progress is at the same level, no one will have any objections."
"You control the timing yourself. Be careful not to get distracted again, and be careful not to mess up." Mei warned, having already seen that there were more than just these few who wanted to participate in the war.
"Hmm, I'll identify the important targets first. Secondary targets can be put later, following the principle of easy first, then difficult."
"I still recommend you focus your energy. Don't bite off more than you can chew."
"It's okay, I know myself well, and don't underestimate my abilities."
The two of them spoke back and forth, completely astounding Su next to them. Was this some kind of strategic meeting? And Mei smile was faint; she must be waiting to watch a good show. Had Ryan offended her badly recently?
Su was bewildered, realizing he couldn't Insert into the conversation of these two geniuses at all. How much trouble had Ryan caused? Mobius, Hua, Sakura, maybe Elysia, and besides them, were there others?
He retracted his previous statement. He had changed. The Ryan who once loved foreign languages was gone.
"There's an opportunity recently." Mei raised her tablet again, sliding to the first page. "The Thirteen Flame-Chasers have been organized, and we can gather personnel. This way, they will be separated. At least they won't get sick from idleness in that villa. After a few more days, the open competition will turn into a hidden one."
That's right, they're too idle. That's why trouble arises. Look, once the playful Vil-V has work, she barely appears.
I need to increase the workload, make them work hard overtime, especially Elysia. That pink fat lady keeps digging holes for me with her shovel.
Ryan gritted his teeth and looked intently. He indeed saw that the plan was complete. Mei had edited it and submitted it to Prometheus for inspection. All the MANTIS were divided into thirteen large teams according to their performance in simulated battles.
He didn't even bother to look closely at the groupings inside; he clearly trusted Mei.
"When do you plan to start?"
"Now is a rare window of opportunity to gather the high-ranking MANTIS. Tonight, we'll send messages to all branches, telling them to drop everything and come as soon as possible." Ryan rose seriously, as if his entire being had entered work mode.
"So fast? We haven't even set up the venue."
"These are extraordinary times, everything should be kept simple. Su, go back and tell Elysia that I'll be working overtime tonight and won't be coming back." Ryan had an expression of urgency, and in a trance, he exuded the aura of a superior.
Su silently opened his mouth, somewhat unable to distinguish what was true and what was false.
"You're really doing this for work??" Ryan looked at him, then slowly shifted his gaze to Kevin on the sickbed, sighing:
"Half true, half false."
....
"Ryan really not coming back tonight." Elysia looked at the clock, it was already two in the morning, and she couldn't help but yawn.
With her as a golden wingman and strategist, the 'Ryan Scramble Operation' plan was already very beautiful, but without the main character returning, there was nothing she could do.
"I already said that Senior Brother wouldn't avoid it. He just has more important things to do." Hua sat cross-legged on the carpet, rubbing her smooth knees with her fingers.
"Actually, I just want to know how far he and the platypus have gone. What if things progress too quickly?"
"That's easy. I'll just ask Nuwa. That girl is greedy and can be won over with two cups of milk tea." Sakura seemed unusually enthusiastic.
Elysia, hearing this, immediately patted her chest: "Then let's first get the intelligence. Don't worry, with me, Elysia, the love master, involved, you'll definitely catch up on progress." Why do you sound like an expert? And you're too enthusiastic, I always feel it's not that simple.
Sakura and Hua exchanged glances. Before they could speak, a voice came from beside them.
"I advise you not to do that."
"Why, Aponia?" The few turned their heads to see the nun, who resembled an old grandmother, knitting a scarf in a reclining chair.
The latter still had that compassionate and gentle expression.
"Because the timing is not right, and I estimate Mobius is still stubborn. She planted the seed, but doesn't intend for it to bloom now, so you don't need to rush at all. Just maintain a normal state of mind."
"I don't believe it. Would dear Mobius, after finally mustering up courage, just let this opportunity slip away?" Elysia shook her head. According to her, it was their turn now, and they should activate the 'Night Raid' card. Aponia didn't explain, only looking faintly at Sakura.
This assassin took a deep breath, as if she understood something.
"I think it's very possible. For a warrior, having too many emotions in their heart will affect the speed of drawing their sword. For Ryan, who is fighting on the front lines, this is fatal." The living room immediately fell silent. Sakura was right.
At least no one present wanted Ryan to take a hit for them, but after thinking about it, they were still a little unwilling.
"It's okay, I can avoid affecting Senior Brother, but—" Hua suddenly wasn't stupid anymore, gently tapping the table.
"I can also keep an eye on Mobius!"