After confirming that Hanabi had left, Van raised his hand and lifted the barrier enveloping the area.
As his hand fell, the apocalyptic scenery around them peeled away like a shattered mirror, revealing the familiar hotel room underneath.
At the same time, the invisible force binding Sirin also dissipated.
"Van, I'm sorry..." Sirin knelt on the floor, her voice full of guilt. "I shouldn't have dragged all of you into this because of my own selfish desires..."
After that, Sirin briefly explained in a few words how she had met Hanabi.
And how, under her guidance, she had unknowingly used the powers of the Herrscher of the Void to silently transport everyone into this dream labyrinth.
Speaking up to this point, Sirin raised her tear-filled face and said, "That woman said this was just a harmless illusion, that it could make time loop... I didn't expect it to turn out like this... and even more, I didn't expect her to take advantage of this chance..."
Van crouched down and gently rubbed her hair. "Let's leave here first. As for everything else, you can apologize properly to everyone once we're out."
———
Inside a dimly lit room, Hanabi lounged lazily in a chair, her slender legs casually resting on the table.
In her hand, she toyed with a kendama, the wooden ball bouncing lightly on the sword tip.
Suddenly, the string snapped without warning, and the ball rolled across the carpet.
"Speaking of which... that famous savior actually mastered the power of Fate..."
Hanabi's gaze followed the rolling ball, finally landing on a shadowy corner of the room. A bright smile curved her lips. "You must have known about this long ago, but chose not to tell me, right?"
After a brief silence, a cold female voice came from the shadows, "So, are you blaming me?"
"Oh, come on~ how could a humble contractor like me ever dare to blame her employer~" Hanabi spread her hands dramatically. "But next time you plan to give me such a 'surprise,' remember to warn me in advance~"
"Your task is only to buy time. You don't need to know so much." The woman's voice was flat. "How is the situation in the dream labyrinth?"
"Vil-V's design is flawless. Everyone is deeply immersed in the tailored scripts I made for them. As long as nothing unexpected happens, they'll just keep sinking deeper and deeper....."
At this, Hanabi paused, her eyes glinting subtly. "Of course, that is, unless some outside force interferes, like a certain savior who's already broken free..."
"That's not something you need to worry about." The woman's tone grew colder. "Prepare to enter the next dream."
"Fine, fine, you're the boss, whatever you say." Hanabi slowly stood up, walking barefoot toward the door. "If I'd known I'd have to run back and forth, I'd have asked for double the payment from the start!"
With that, she pushed the door open. Blinding white light spilled through the crack, faintly revealing the outline of another world.
Just as she was about to step into the light, Hanabi suddenly turned her head, shooting the woman in the shadows a meaningful smile.
"I can't help but be curious, if you really wanted to trap that savior and all his lovely companions, why didn't you just strip him of all his powers right from the beginning..."
Her eyes shimmered, the corner of her lips curling into a sly arc.
"Or maybe... your goal isn't actually to trap them, but rather..."
"Get back to work. Don't make me repeat myself."
"Alright, alright~"
Hanabi chuckled, making a playful face before transforming into Van's appearance and stepping into the radiant light.
———
Mobius opened her eyes to find herself standing in a pure white laboratory.
Frowning, she scanned her surroundings, and then her gaze abruptly froze on the cold metal wall, a black-and-red moth insignia was boldly imprinted there.
"This is... MOTH..." Mobius murmured. "A dream, huh?"
At that moment, the laboratory door was suddenly knocked on, and a woman's voice came from outside.
"Doctor, it's about time. We should get going."
Mobius instinctively narrowed her pupils, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
'Even if I don't know what this dream is trying to show me, I suppose I can play along for now....'
Thinking that, she strode confidently toward the door and pushed it open without hesitation.
The scene before her twisted and warped instantly, the walls of the lab retreating like ebbing tides.
In the next second, Mobius found herself standing on a ruined street.
Broken buildings surrounded her, the remains of Honkai beasts scattered across the ground.
At the center of the ruined street, a black-haired boy stood with his back to her.
A long sword in his hand dripped with purple liquid, and his clothes were so stained with blood and dust that their original color was unrecognizable.
Sensing her gaze, the boy slowly turned around.
Mobius' pupils narrowed slightly.
Because that bloodstained face, was unmistakably Van.
This was the first time she had met Van.
Mobius opened her mouth to say something, but the scenery around her suddenly shifted again.
She saw the day she first brought Van into MOTH, the firm light shining in the boy's eyes.
The scene shifted once more, Van, through his outstanding battle achievements, being promoted to special operations captain in just a few short months.
Then, the fragments of memories flashed by like a revolving lantern.
In the conference room, Van and Kevin having a noodle-eating contest because of a ridiculous bet, the two of them awkwardly staring at each other when Mei caught them red-handed.
At the training grounds, after a fierce sparring session, Van and Kalpas stood amid ruins, locking eyes with the flustered logistics chief who had just arrived.
In the lounge, Eden's slender fingers danced over piano keys, Van holding a glass of red wine, the two of them sharing a quiet smile to the sound of the melody.
In the deepest corridors, Van, carrying a box of pastries, walked familiarly toward Aponia.
And in the laboratory...
Van forcefully pulling her out after she'd been working for 48 straight hours, sternly threatening that if she didn't rest, he'd spank her.
At this point, Mobius' cheeks flushed slightly, but the corners of her lips couldn't help but curl upward, her heart sweet as if filled with sugar.
But in the very next moment, the image suddenly shifted, to the moonlit garden at night.
Elysia, affectionately linking arms with Van, sat shoulder to shoulder with him by the fountain as they gazed at the moon.
And when Mobius saw Elysia resting her head gently on Van's shoulder, her expression darkened instantly.
"Heh~ I knew it. No wonder this guy always shows up late every morning with some ridiculous excuse... Turns out, he's been delayed by a certain pink cheating cat!"
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.