Today, Ryn woke up again to the noise that echoed throughout the entire base. As expected, it was probably Yiselian making adjustments to the Hyperion's power reactor again.
He checked the time and estimated Emisha's walking speed. Ryn figured that in a little while, he'd be able to hear Emisha's angry curses coming from the Engineering Department.
Suddenly realizing how busy Yiselian was…
On one hand, she was responsible for analyzing and researching the insect-type new species samples. On the other, she had to repair the gate that Himeko had blown up with a cannon blast, and also modify and maintain the Hyperion. From time to time, she even had to upgrade the warriors' weapons, and she also bore the responsibility of daily maintenance for the base and its robots.
Unfortunately, it was all thankless work. Although it's said that with great ability comes great responsibility, and it's all for the big family, Ryn felt that exploiting Yiselian like this wasn't right.
He decided that after returning to his own world, he would let Yiselian have a proper vacation!
As for the Yiselian of this world… Ryn could only shrug, wishing her the strength to hold on for a few more years and not die from overwork.
They say if you master math, physics, and chemistry, you can go anywhere in the world without fear. But if you're too good, you end up like Yiselian, where you're the only one who knows how to do everything, so you're the only one who can do it…
Ryn yawned, walked outside, and brought the daily distributed food into the room.
As soon as the food was placed on the table, Penglaiji Ryn opened her eyes.
The girl pulled the blanket up to cover her body, but on second thought, it seemed unnecessary.
So she let the blanket slip off as she sat up, extending a fair-skinned arm towards Ryn.
"A strange energy is awakening within my body. I need a powerful sealing item to suppress it!"
"So it was this power that caused you to fall into a deep sleep? Coincidentally, I possess the sacred object capable of suppressing the entity known as 'Hunger.' O awakened maiden! I now bestow it upon you…"
Ryn held up the food with both hands and solemnly placed it in Penglaiji Ryn's hands.
After receiving the food, the girl couldn't be bothered with any more theatrics and began to eat her breakfast in large mouthfuls. From noon yesterday until now, Penglaiji Ryn hadn't eaten for nearly a full day.
Ryn sat on the edge of Penglaiji Ryn's bed, gently patting her back as she choked from eating too fast.
"Eat slowly, I'm not going to fight you for it…"
Penglaiji Ryn patted her chest and swallowed the food. Then she held up the food in her hand, high enough for both Ryn and herself to see what ingredients it was made of.
"But I'm just so hungry… how come I never realized this stuff was so delicious before?"
"That's because you were starving. Of course, anything would taste good," Ryn said, poking the silly girl's forehead.
"By the way, have some of your memories returned?"
"Uh… not yet. I just said that on a whim…"
Penglaiji Ryn thought about the words she had subconsciously spoken in the morning while she ate.
How strange and embarrassing. What kind of person was I before?
"Big Brother, what kind of person do you think I used to be?"
"I don't know, but definitely not like me."
"Why? Didn't you say we were... counterparts?"
"Yes, otherworld counterparts. It's basically the consciousness of another you and me in a different world. But it's just like 'Kevin' and 'Kiana.' Even if they're counterparts, they are two completely different people."
(Kevin's initial setting was as Kiana's gender-bent counterpart. He appeared at his and Mei's wedding, only for Kiana, who had broken into this world, to crash the ceremony and steal the bride.)
"I don't get it. You could have just said you don't know…"
"Even if you don't get it, saying it this way makes me sound profound and knowledgeable."
"Idiot."
Penglaiji Ryn made a face at Ryn, then giggled and burrowed back into her quilt.
"??? Seele, Bronya, and I taught you so earnestly, and you ended up learning how to curse from Emisha!!"
Ryn got angry and yanked the quilt off Penglaiji Ryn.
Then, Ryn's movements froze.
Under the covers, the girl was curled up shyly. The few bandages that should have been wrapped around her body had long since loosened and fallen off from the friction with the bedding, revealing her beautiful, snow-white body.
Penglaiji Ryn clearly hadn't expected Ryn to just rip the covers off, and in her haste, she could only cross her hands over her chest.
"Hey! What are you doing…"
"Whoa… so big…"
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Penglaiji Ryn went with Seele to guard the area near the gate, assisting the Engineering Department personnel with the repairs.
Meanwhile, Ryn, sporting a large red handprint on his face, went to complete a request issued by Yiselian.
This morning, no cursing had come from the Engineering Department, which felt a bit unsettling for Ryn as he was kicked out the door.
But maybe Emisha was busy today… busy…
Halfway through his thought, Ryn saw Emisha collapsed at the entrance to the Engineering Department.
"Emisha! Emisha, what's wrong?"
Emisha barely managed to open her eyes to look at Ryn, who was helping her up, and used all her strength to utter her last words.
"Don't… call me… Emisha…"
"No! Emisha, don't die… If you die, I won't be able to hear you curse anymore, and I won't be able to wake up on time!"
Ryn held Emisha and cried out in anguish.
Himeko's cold voice came from inside the room, interrupting Ryn's wailing. "You must be Ryn! Stop your crying and wailing. I just knocked Emisha out, she's fine. Get in here and help."
"Oh, coming."
Ryn let go with both hands, stood up, and walked into the Engineering Department. Emisha rolled onto the ground with a thud and continued to sleep.
"Such thick smoke… what are you guys doing… ?"
Ryn waved his hand, trying to disperse the thick smoke in front of him. The smoke filled the entire room, making it difficult for Ryn to even see where Himeko and Yiselian were.
"Cough, cough, cough… Just a small accident," Yiselian said, coughing as she ran out of the smoke. "I was planning to optimize the Hyperion's engine system again. The previous noise was just too loud."
"You've been optimizing this for days… That noise echoing through the base has been quite a nuisance for everyone's daily life."
"Yes, so this is the mission for the request. We're taking the Hyperion's engine system outside to test it. You and Himeko will be responsible for dealing with the Honkai Creatures attracted by the noise."
"Let's go. We can also see your strength for ourselves. Bronya and Seele both have high praise for you and Penglaiji Ryn. I'd like to witness it with my own eyes."
Himeko's hands were hidden by her shawl, and her face was covered by her bangs, making it impossible to know what she was thinking or what she would do. Her voice was ice-cold, with a tone that brooked no refusal.