When Bella saw the terrifying combat power of the S-Rank Valkyrie, she abandoned her previous idea of escaping.
If she were to escape now, whether it was suspicious or not was one thing; the main reason was that Bella had no confidence in escaping from that figure.
The most pressing matter was to come up with a reason for her presence here to get by.
"By the way, they shouldn't be able to see you, right?"
Bella gave Paimon a look.
"Of course not. Most people can't perceive me, and the system's panels are the same; ordinary people can't see them."
Paimon patted her chest and said confidently.
"That's good."
Bella breathed a sigh of relief. There shouldn't be creatures like Paimon in this world.
If they could see Paimon, it would be very troublesome to explain.
"This way, I just need to think carefully about my origins."
"Hmm, my parents both died in a disaster when I was young, and I was adopted by an old man who survived here. I've lived in this snowy plain since childhood. But a few years ago, the old man also passed away, and I've been living alone in this snowy plain ever since."
"Oh, and add some details about my life."
"Here, when I'm hungry, I go out to find food, and when I'm thirsty, I drink melted snow. But a few days ago, when I went out to find food, I accidentally encountered a monster like the one just now. I ran desperately, and although I successfully escaped, I got lost until today when I encountered that kind of monster again, and then those two people saved me."
Hmm, that should be about right.
Oh, and also, I need to adjust my facial expression.
Thinking of this, Bella's face showed an expression of joy at surviving a disaster, with a hint of unease about the future.
"Perfect!"
Bella gave herself a thumbs-up.
"Kiana, I told you this mission had a certain level of danger, and you messed up again!"
At this moment, Bella finally saw that the figure carrying a cross was a seemingly very young, white-haired little girl, about the height of a sixth-grader, wearing a nun's habit.
The little girl was angrily scolding the girl who had just used the giant cat's paw to fight.
"The... Theresa, wasn't the situation urgent?"
Kiana said with an embarrassed expression.
"Don't call me by my name during a mission, and don't call me Auntie."
"You should respectfully call me 'School Director,' understand?"
Theresa's cheeks puffed out, looking as angry as a hamster with its mouth full of food.
"Got it, Theresa... uh, no, School Director."
Kiana scratched her head.
"Never mind, you were also saving someone this time, so I won't hold it against you."
"So, this is the survivor you found?"
Seeing everyone look at her, Bella quickly put on a pitiful expression.
"So, Miss, what's your name? And why are you here?"
Theresa asked curiously.
"The most crucial step is here."
"My name is Bella, when I was little..."
Bella spoke timidly, slowly beginning to recount her tragic (fabricated) life story.
The three listeners were all a little moved.
"You've lived here alone for so many years; it must have been very lonely."
Kiana held Bella's hands, tears seemingly glistening in her eyes.
When she was young, after her father Ziegfried suddenly disappeared, Kiana also wandered in this snowy plain for a period.
Therefore, she knew the hardship of living alone in this harsh environment.
"Uh, actually, it's fine."
Seeing the clear and pure blue eyes of the girl in front of her, Bella guiltily turned her head away.
Why did she suddenly feel a sense of guilt?
Bronya also spoke at this moment.
"Bronya was also alone for a long time, so Bronya knows that loneliness doesn't feel good, but everything has passed, and we will protect you."
Oh no, the guilt increased again.
Although Theresa felt something was off, she didn't ask further when she saw the situation.
The three seemed to believe her story, and Bella also breathed a sigh of relief.
Next was to see if there was a chance to escape when they weren't paying attention.
"By the way, since you have nowhere to go, Bella, why don't you come back to St. Freya Academy with us?"
As if remembering something, Kiana said excitedly.
Bella's alarm bells went off.
"It actually seems plausible. After all, the Honkai energy concentration in this area is quite high. Being able to survive here without turning into a Deadwalker indicates high Honkai energy adaptability, which should meet the conditions for becoming a Valkyrie."
Theresa observed Bella with her gaze.
Bella: Uh, that...
"Then let's go back to the Hyperion first. Bronya can conveniently use the instrument to check Bella's physical condition."
Bronya nodded beside them.
Bella: Um, I won't...
"Ding, System Mission Issued."
"Mission: Become the Strongest Dragon Girl by Joining an Organization."
"Mission Requirement: Within 1 month, choose and join any Honkai Resistance Organization (Currently available organizations: Schicksal Far East Branch - St. Freya Academy). You can choose whether to join."
"Mission Reward: Skill: Aura Concealment (Can conceal your aura so it won't be detected!)."
--------
The Hyperion slowly ascended.
Standing on the deck, watching the ground get further and further away, Bella, on the verge of tears, felt her ideal retirement (lazy) life gradually fading away.
Life is hard, Bella sighed.
Unable to come up with a reason to refuse Kiana's suggestion, Bella could only resign herself and follow the three to the Hyperion.
Given the situation, Bella could only fully conceal the fact that she was not human.
Fortunately, the mission issued by the system could solve her immediate problem.
She glanced at the new skill on the panel.
"Aura Concealment: When in human form, you can conceal your aura, making it indistinguishable from that of an ordinary human."
With this skill, unless she exposed herself, no one could discover the fact that she was not human.
Of course, Bella would not expose the fact that she was not human.
"By the way, Paimon, are you the one who sets and issues these missions? What happens if I don't complete them?"
Despite the sudden mission already being completed, Bella felt it was better to be cautious.
"You could say I issue them, or you could say I don't."
Paimon sat on Bella's shoulder, swinging her small legs back and forth. This was already her exclusive spot.
"Actually, it's quite complicated. You can think of the system as a tool, and I am the spirit of this tool."
"Every system has its own way of operating, but it's very formulaic and cannot adapt flexibly."
"This is where the flexible role of spirits like us comes into play. When necessary, we can control the system's operation to a certain extent to help the host, maximizing the system's effectiveness."
Paimon explained.
"Meaning the system is like a completed program that usually runs according to its pre-programmed instructions. And creatures like you, system spirits, are like backdoors to the program."
"That's roughly the idea."
Paimon nodded.
"But generally, the system doesn't interfere with the host's development, and there usually aren't too many missions, as we advocate for free development."
Paimon put her hands on her hips and snorted with a smile.
"Like this time, the system issued the mission because it detected your current situation, Bella."
"There won't be any punishment. After all, our existence is to assist you, and the mission just gives you a direction to choose in the current situation."
"So that's how it is."
Bella nodded, roughly understanding.
"Hey, Bella, so you're here."
A voice sounded behind Bella.
Bella turned around; it was Kiana.
"Is something wrong?"
"Hehe, come on, Mei and the others are back. I'll introduce you."
With that, Kiana pulled Bella's hand and ran into the Hyperion.
Helpless, Bella could only follow.
"She's truly a fiery and impetuous girl, but she's quite kind."
Bella thought to herself, looking at the girl holding her hand.