Progress on Kiana's side was not going smoothly; she had not found Bronya with Sakura.
However—
"This is good news."
The furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a gleam of wisdom emerged in her beautiful sky-blue eyes.
It had to be said, only under such circumstances could one see the intelligent Kiana.
"How so?"
Seeing this, the originally anxious Sakura couldn't help but ask hurriedly.
In her view, being unable to support Leo and unable to find the insider here meant the situation had undoubtedly reached a rather dangerous state.
—During the search for Bronya, Kiana had already explained Bronya's situation to her in passing.
"The momentum of our previous battle wasn't small, and it didn't last for a short time either. Given Bronya's current state, she should have come over no matter what."
Rubbing her chin, Kiana shared calmly.
"Moreover, if it were in other areas, it would be understandable if Bronya couldn't make it. But the Medical Room is right behind the Canteen; she could absolutely make it over."
"Conversely, if she hasn't appeared until now, and we haven't found her in this area..."
"Then..."
A trace of determination flashed in her eyes as she stated bluntly: "She likely entered the Medical Room before we arrived!"
Only this could explain the reason she couldn't find Bronya.
Of course, if one insisted, it was possible Bronya encountered an accident. But Bronya's state was very special; those monsters couldn't attack Bronya at all.
In fact, once the time was up, Bronya would return to the Treasure Chest, thereby avoiding the situation of being trapped.
Therefore, to sum up, she didn't believe Bronya would be in trouble.
So... Leo, it's all up to you!
Although her heart was still somewhat panicked, she believed in the abilities of Bronya and Leo.
"Then what do we do now?"
Seeing that Kiana had made a judgment, Sakura no longer asked about supporting Leo, turning instead to ask what else they could do.
She couldn't accept just doing nothing.
"Let's go back to the Medical Room."
Pursing her lips, Kiana looked back toward the direction of the Medical Room and said: "Since we can't support Leo, we must at least ensure that no monsters can go support those monsters!"
After speaking, she took the lead to walk back.
"Mhm."
Nodding, Sakura kept up with Kiana's pace, though her eyes inevitably revealed a few threads of anxiety.
Seeing this—
"Besides..."
Suddenly, Kiana realized the difference between herself and Sakura. She added: "Leo is definitely still fighting."
"I have a secret art that can determine his safety."
As the [Bond] between her and Leo underwent a [Qualitative Change], her Honkai energy could be accessed by Leo, ignoring spatial distance.
Precisely because of this, she could feel her Honkai energy being consumed at all times.
So she could be certain that Leo was still fighting hard.
"Is that so?"
Hearing this, Sakura couldn't help but perk up.
"It's good that he's still fighting."
Immediately, a relaxed smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of her mouth.
Undoubtedly, this was the best news she had heard in this period.
"Mhm."
Seeing Sakura's mentality stabilize, Kiana's eyes rolled, and she spoke again: "Actually, you have another way to help him."
—With Sakura's attention on that guy, perhaps I only need to pierce through that layer of paper, and she will form a [Bond] with that guy, right?
She knew the criteria for the [Bond] and understood that Leo knew Sakura.
Conversely, the only reason Sakura and Leo hadn't formed a [Bond] was that Sakura didn't understand Leo.
But from Sakura's concern for Leo, it was clear there was a spark between these two.
So—
"Mm?"
Hearing Kiana say this, Sakura couldn't help but speak directly: "As long as it is something I can do, just say it."
Leaving aside everything else, Leo had solidly helped her save her financial backer's daughter.
For this point alone, she owed Leo a favor.
Not to mention, she was also moved by Leo's noble spirit. Now that there was a way to help him, she naturally wouldn't be stingy.
"That guy has a secret art. As long as we understand each other, he can copy the attributes from our bodies."
Since the matter of Tongzi was hard to explain, Kiana simply used "secret art" as a substitute.
"There is such a miraculous thing?"
Her eyes widening slightly, Sakura naturally hadn't imagined there would be such a miraculous secret art in this world.
But her curiosity only lasted for an instant. Immediately following that, she asked: "Please speak frankly, what do I need to do?"
"You don't need to do anything."
Shaking her head, Kiana had already brought Sakura back to the Medical Room by this moment.
"Just listen to me."
"To be honest, I haven't known that guy for long, but he is indeed very magical..."
Speaking, she recounted the process of how she met and got to know Leo to Sakura in an extremely simplified manner.
Of course, she naturally used the "Spring and Autumn style" (selective editing) for some secrets, skipping over them with a single stroke.
But even so, she still tried her best to display Leo's charm to Sakura.
"I see..."
Vaguely, Sakura somewhat understood the special relationship between Leo, Kiana, and MEI.
At this moment, although her expression remained complex, her heart felt somewhat relieved.
If it were feelings cultivated amidst life and death, then it was indeed extraordinary.
Only—
"But I can learn about him from you, yet how does he understand me?"
Although Leo actually knew she had a younger sister, she didn't feel Leo could truly understand her.
After all, she had always appeared quite indifferent to the outside world. If not for the special circumstances this time, she wouldn't have even befriended Leo and the others... This was completely an accident!
Therefore—
"No."
Shaking her head, Kiana saw Sakura's confusion and stated bluntly: "He understands you better than you think."
"I can't say the specific reason right now, but you just need to know that it's enough for you to understand him."
Since she wasn't sure if anyone was eavesdropping here, she certainly wouldn't speak of Leo's true secrets here.
"...Mhm, I understand."
Silent for a moment, Sakura nodded.
Although she was very curious why Leo would understand her, just looking at the deep meaning hidden in Kiana's eyes, she understood that some things couldn't be discussed here.
Moreover—
"Enemies are coming."
Assuming a combat stance, she drew the tachi at her waist.
"Mhm."
Dual pistols in hand, Kiana said: "Let's talk while we fight."
Upon seeing that the enemies were all small fry, she decided to proceed with both tasks simultaneously.
"First of all—"
Raising her guns to shoot, the corners of her mouth hooked up into a slight arc of amusement.
"That guy is a huge scumbag!"
"And yet you still like him?"
With a horizontal slash of her sharp long sword, Sakura easily sliced apart the humanoid enemy before her eyes, whose body seemed composed of minerals.
—Her long sword was not dull either!
"But he is very good at pleasing people, and I don't dislike the partners he chooses."
Her pretty face blushing slightly, it was unclear if it was because the battle had become intense or because she had spoken her true feelings.
Regardless, while slaughtering monsters, she revealed a slightly shy smile and said: "If it's them, even staying together for a lifetime would be fine!"
"That's really... a very 'heavy' statement."
Recalling the vocabulary her sister taught her, Sakura's expression couldn't help but be somewhat subtle.
But—
"Indeed, if it's the right person, then even living together for a lifetime wouldn't be boring."
Just like her; if she could be with her sister for a lifetime, she would be willing too.
"Right!"
Seeing Sakura approve of her thoughts, Kiana laughed: "So really speaking, that guy is actually just an added bonus. Thinking of it this way, I feel relieved."
Though she said this, she understood that if it weren't for Leo, she absolutely wouldn't have had this thought.
And... without Leo, could she be with Mei for a lifetime?
Anyway, at least in their world, none of them had thoughts of finding a partner... they couldn't find anyone worthy of them.
So without Leo, they wouldn't be together for a lifetime in this way.
Now... they had become [Beep] sisters!
"Mhm..."
Understanding that was just an excuse from Kiana, Sakura didn't puncture it, asking instead: "Then does he have any flaws?"
"No need to mention being a playboy."
"Of course there are!"
Hearing this, Kiana revealed a slightly indignant expression and said: "Last time, the pudding I put in the refrigerator, that guy ate it without making a sound."
"Afterwards, he even said something like 'big deal, we'll go out and buy some together'... Truly detestable!"
"Uh..."
"Also, also!"
As if treating the enemies before her as Leo, the dual pistols in Kiana's hands rang out even more vigorously.
"That time playing games with him, that guy actually said Mei was coming, causing me to get distracted... Truly despicable!"
"This..."
"That's right!"
Having finally found a venting outlet, Kiana wouldn't be interrupted and continued: "That guy relies on his good cooking to actually badmouth me in front of Mei!"
"Really now, obviously if I want to cook, I can still make edible food!"
"Just... edible?"
Hearing so many of Kiana's complaints, Sakura's expression appeared even more complex.
Mainly, she felt Kiana wasn't telling her Leo's flaws, but was... showing off!
This feeling of forcefully distributing candy (PDA) made her feel somewhat cloyed to the point of panic.
"Otherwise... what else do you want from me?"
Pursing her lips, Kiana turned her body slightly, not daring to face Sakura.
However, since they were currently fighting, it was exactly the time when they needed to be back-to-back, so doing this wasn't considered wrong.
Moreover—
"Alright..."
Not wanting to listen to Kiana and Leo's cloyingly sweet daily life anymore, Sakura stated bluntly: "I already somewhat understand what kind of person that guy is."
Following Kiana, she also used "that guy" to refer to Leo.
Undoubtedly, her relationship with Leo had taken a step closer.
It was just clearly, this wasn't enough.
Or rather, only as the level of the [Bond] continuously increased would the support Leo received over there be greater.
Therefore—
"Don't be in a hurry."
Maintaining her "anger," Kiana said: "That guy still has many flaws, wait for me to tell you one by one!"
Thus, disregarding Sakura's interruption, she continued speaking of Leo's daily "flaws."
Just like that, clearly while both were fighting, they seemed like best friends having a boyfriend-bashing session at a tea party.
One person spoke incessantly, while the other listened on the surface, but inside was almost vomiting from the cloying sweetness.
—Truly a pair of despicable man and woman!
[Temporary Instance: ???]
"You lose!"
Sensing the powerful aura behind it, and that Leo in front of it had stopped attacking due to being deterred by this, the Eye Monster couldn't help but excitedly pop the champagne.
At this moment, its hands had already been severed. If not for the fact that its body no longer had blood, but rather a black fluid substance, it would have died from blood loss alone.
Of course, compared to blood loss, the large and small blade wounds on its body were even more terrifying.
Its chest, a vital point, had already been hacked open by Leo with a gap, through which one could clearly see the heart inside beating wildly.
It could be said, provided the maiden behind it opened her eyes even a little later, it might have died earlier than the nutrient solution tank.
But... made it in time!
Feeling the wild joy in its heart, it couldn't help but look at Leo with a face full of mockery.
It wanted to see Leo's expression trembling from fear, just like it was a moment ago.
However... why isn't he afraid?
On Leo's handsome face, it didn't find the slightest fear. Instead, there was still the previous madness, and a trace of... joy?
—Did this guy burn out his brain from fear?
In its view, Leo completely lacked any turning point.
Therefore—
"Don't even think about bluffing anymore!"
"The Adult is coming out immediately; that will be your doomsday!"
"The one bluffing is you, right?"
The corners of his mouth hooking up into a cruel arc, Leo pointed his long sword at the Eye Monster and said with a smile: "If I didn't guess wrong, this is also your first time doing such a thing, right?"
After all, if there were previous cases, then these monsters wouldn't be trapped in the Honkai Domain; they would have long since run outside to act tyrannically.
"You... what do you mean?"
Although it didn't answer Leo directly, the Eye Monster's counter-question undoubtedly gave the answer.
"My meaning is simple. Your... surgery?"
A look of contemplation appeared in his eyes; Leo temporarily regarded the Eye Monster's behavior as a surgery.
"The success rate isn't one hundred percent either, right?"
"And in this world, there is no such thing as one hundred percent success!"
"Am I right?"
His two eyes looked straight at the Eye Monster's sole large eye. In his eyes, it was full of confidence.
However—
"Heh!"
Sneering, the Eye Monster said: "So that's what you were hoping for?"
"Then unfortunately for you, we are Schicksal!"
"So for things like this, it is absolutely impossible for us to fail!"
When saying these words, it was even more confident than Leo.
"Mm?"
Seeing this, Leo even began to doubt himself somewhat.
But—
[Tiny Miracle] Activated!
—Let this surgery fail!
[Current required recovery time: 167:59:59]
Compared to the three days last time, this time [Tiny Miracle] actually took a week off!
But for the effect it played, this week was absolutely worth it.
Although... it might not necessarily succeed.
But, the fact that the monster in the nutrient solution tank hadn't launched an attack gave Leo hope.
Furthermore, just now, he constantly felt some strength being added to his body.
Precisely because of this, he felt he... could win!
"You guys are Schicksal?"
Revealing a disdainful smile, he stated bluntly: "You really are chuunibyou!"
Another one with religion on the brain; please, I beg you to play some capitalism instead!
"Ignorant!"
Facing Leo's mockery, the Eye Monster's large eye became covered in bloodshot veins.
"If not for intercepting Schicksal, we wouldn't have been able to get here."
"But a foolish generation like you cannot understand our lofty faith."
"Wait until I become a god; I will find time to resurrect you, just to admire your shocked, foolish expression then."
"Be grateful. Although I will treat you as a slave then, at least you can still resurrect."
Considering Leo was already a dying man, it spoke a little more information.
Of course, even so, what it spoke was irrelevant intelligence. In its view, it wasn't a big problem.
However—
"Is that so?"
A gleam of divine light flashed in his eyes, yet Leo didn't evaluate much.
—It seems this "Schicksal" is not that "Schicksal"!
Originally, in his view, the faction the opponent belonged to was the Schicksal organization... after all, both believed in religion.
But now, the opponent said they "intercepted" Schicksal, so perhaps he had guessed wrong from the start.
The "Schicksal" in the opponent's mouth might be a more substantial existence.
Precisely because of this, the opponent felt their first "surgery" would inevitably succeed.
But... my Tongzi told me there is a probability of failure on your side!
Moreover—
"Then can you tell me, since the Mandate is with you, why are you still trapped here, and turned into this monster appearance that is neither human nor ghost?"
"You!"
Having his sore spot stepped on by Leo, the bloodshot veins on the Eye Monster's single eye became even heavier.
"If not for traitors making trouble from within, how could we have failed?"
"Don't be smug; those people will be dragged out by us sooner or later!"
The single eye flashed with fierce light; it glared at Leo as if wanting to stare the other party to death.
To be fair, if it were in its peak state, it could indeed achieve killing with a look... the terrifying red light before had taken two of Leo's lives!
But now, it had entered a state of running on fumes. If not for the big shot standing behind it, plus the joy of the surgery's success, it should have even collapsed.
After all, to repeat that saying, a guy like it with empty power but no corresponding combat experience and will should have knelt long ago fighting until now.
"There are actually internal ghosts?"
Rarely having an opportunity to obtain intelligence, Leo continued to hook out the opponent's desire to converse.
"Seems you guys aren't very 'Schicksal' after all."
Provocation tactics, cliché but useful!
Sure enough—
"Don't think those insects will come to save you..."
Thinking Leo's hope lay here, the Eye Monster stated bluntly: "Those guys are just trying to swallow the results for themselves."
"And a spoiler like you, even they would definitely want to execute quickly!"
Because it wanted to see Leo's expression of despair after gaining hope, it said a little more.
Only—
"Why, why... why do you still have that detestable look?"
Seeing Leo's expression remained without the slightest waiver, it broke its defense first instead.
"What look do you want to see from me?"
Looking at the Eye Monster with a face full of banter, Leo said: "Despairingly begging you for mercy?"
"Can you even imagine that scene yourself?"
After speaking, he shook his head helplessly.
"You, you..."
Facing Leo's rhetorical question, the Eye Monster really couldn't retort.
"Furthermore—"
Understanding there was no hope of obtaining more intelligence through trickery, Leo pointed his long sword at the Eye Monster and said: "Now I give you a chance to beg for mercy."
"As long as you can say everything you know, I might not necessarily be unable to let you go."
He could tell that although the opponent wasn't high-level, they should be a mid-level character of some sort... at least they still maintained their sanity.
Therefore, if the opponent knelt now, he could consider...
Killing it a little later!
These people had committed numerous crimes; he wouldn't be benevolent.
Even if he lied to the opponent, there was no burden in his heart whatsoever.
If he wasn't afraid the opponent wouldn't drop the Diary, he would have chopped down with this blade long ago.
However—
"Are you confused because of fear?"
Facing Leo's reverse persuasion to surrender, the Eye Monster couldn't help but feel somewhat stifled.
"Or is it that you, this humble ant, cannot even feel the Adult's powerful aura?"
"Hmph! Wait until the Adult comes out; then you'll find it hard even if you want to die!"
"Can it really come out?"
Revealing a look of pity, Leo said: "If it could come out, I think it would have come out long ago, right?"
"Think carefully, why hasn't it come out until now?"
In fact, their conversation had already lasted for several minutes.
And with the prestige radiating from the opponent, there was absolutely no reason to continue staying in that tiny nutrient solution tank.
But—
"This, this is impossible..."
Slowly turning its head, the Eye Monster looked in disbelief at the maiden who had opened her eyes inside the nutrient solution tank.
"We are Schicksal; there is no reason to fail!"
At this moment, although the maiden had opened her eyes, there was no emotional fluctuation in her eyes.
And leaving that aside, if she were possessed by a monster, corresponding abnormalities would inevitably appear on her body.
But until now, she remained in the appearance of an ordinary person.
If not for the astonishing deterrence she was still radiating, she had absolutely no changes at all.
So... failed? Why?
Facing this scene, the Eye Monster couldn't figure it out no matter how it thought.
Only, no matter how much it couldn't figure it out, it had to face reality.
"Can you tell me..."
Corners of the mouth tilting up, Leo asked with a face full of pleasure: "Your answer now?"
At this moment, his long sword was already attached with [purple thunder].
Undoubtedly, following the battle just now, his control was greatly inferior to before.
But even so, for him to fight an Eye Monster running on fumes, there was still no problem at all.
"You, you..."
Turning its head back again, the Eye Monster watched Leo approaching step by step, and it finally felt the fear of death.
That gloomy suffocation was the fear it wanted Leo to feel, but now it was all reflected upon itself.
And it wasn't as brave as it thought itself to be. As the big shot behind it could no longer cover it, it completely collapsed.
"I... I'll speak!"
Seeing Leo's long sword stabbing toward its large eye, it hurriedly spoke up.
Only—
Bang!
As if triggering some mechanism, the Eye Monster actually exploded suddenly in front of Leo, and the power wasn't small!
So much so that Leo was sent flying far away under this explosion.
However, he was already guarding against the Eye Monster, so although this looked far, he had already dispersed the force and didn't receive any substantial injury.
"Tsk!"
Climbing up from the ground, he looked at the Eye Monster which had become a puddle of paste on the spot with a burst of dissatisfaction.
—Is there actually an anti-surrender mechanism? It seems I can only trick words out during combat in the future.
Understanding that these monsters would explode and die once they subjectively wanted to surrender, he could only change his thinking.
Furthermore—
"It actually didn't drop anything?"
Returning to the place where the Eye Monster exploded, he couldn't help but be even more dissatisfied.
Aside from [Imaginary Energy +307], he didn't have any harvest.
And fighting a [C-Rank] enemy only to get Imaginary Energy, he understood that in the future he couldn't even persuade surrender.
But—
"Phew..."
Sitting on the ground, he let out a long breath: "Finally won."
At the very least, he had finally survived a life-and-death calamity.
Although there was a maiden constantly radiating astonishing deterrence in front of him, he could feel that he was already in a combat-free state.
In other words, as long as he wanted, he could return home from here at any time.
He was safe!
However, it was meaningless if he just ran. Although the surgery before his eyes looked like a failure, he couldn't determine the cause of the failure, so he couldn't conclude that this maiden wouldn't be reused by those people.
Therefore, only by taking this maiden away would his mission truly be considered finished.
And in his current state like a candle in the wind, he didn't dare approach the nutrient solution tank; otherwise, if he triggered a BOSS battle again, it would be trouble.
So now... resting was the most critical thing!
Additionally—
Are Kiana and the others also fighting over there?
Sensing that the Honkai energy in his body wasn't stable, he understood Kiana's side was also using Honkai energy.
Of course, Kiana's side only reduced the supply to him, but didn't use a shred of his Honkai energy.
So in other words... the battle on their side shouldn't be serious!
After all, he had already started recovering Honkai energy here, yet Kiana's side still hadn't asked him for it, which also set his mind at ease.
And after sitting on the ground for a few minutes, he finally felt he had the strength to fight.
Standing up again, he walked toward the nutrient solution tank.
And with his approach, he could clearly feel that deterrence becoming stronger.
But this thing wasn't Reiatsu (Spiritual Pressure); as long as he determined the opponent had no substantial threat, he just walked over.
Judging from looks, this was another maiden who could at most be praised for having a good personality, so he didn't expect any special CG after the hero saved the beauty.
Shwack!
A swift slash; he cut open the nutrient solution tank, allowing the unknown liquid inside to flow out.
To be fair, it was only because he didn't have a container; otherwise, he would definitely have stored a little to hand over to MEI for research.
However—
"Mm?"
Seeing the system prompt, he discovered that there was a portion of high-concentration liquid inside that he could collect with the [system space].
Thus, in his space, a puddle of liquid appeared—
[Monster's Raw Liquid]
[Description: To ascend to godhood, they will pay any price!]
[Effect: Significantly strengthens the body's resistance to [Moon Light Concentration] erosion, but will cause monsterification, and a high probability of losing sanity.]
[—Shake, shake, sway, shake.]
"Isn't this too extreme?"
Looking at this "Class Change Book," he looked at the maiden in the nutrient solution tank again.
—Didn't monsterify... why is that?
Moreover, clearly the other party had opened her eyes, but there was no emotional fluctuation in her eyes.
In other words, she was still in a state of lost sanity.
So, now two paths were placed before Leo.
First, he directly kills the maiden with one slash; this would eliminate future trouble forever.
Regardless of what state the monster big shot was in now, at least the carrier capable of bearing the opponent was gone.
Second, he takes the other party back to the [Real World], but if this is the monster big shot acting, then he will bring a great disaster to the [Real World].
Therefore—
"It really makes one hard to choose."
Though he said this, his body had already acted, lifting the maiden out with one hand.
After all, he wasn't sure if there was still danger, so his right hand naturally wouldn't put down the long sword.
However, even achieving this step, the maiden still made no reaction, and no other monsters popped out either.
Everything around was still so calm; even the nutrient solution originally flowing on the ground had stopped flowing.
"Let's go back."
Seeing he was still in a combat-free state, he activated the teleport.
It was precisely because of this that he confirmed there were no enemies.
[Instance: Chiba Academy · 3rd Floor]
Of course, returning directly to the [Real World] was definitely impossible; he still needed to find Kiana to come over for further research.
And just as he condensed his form, he was hugged from behind.
"You came back..."
MEI buried her head deeply into Leo's back, her hands using all their strength, looking as if she wanted to merge herself into Leo's body.
However, although her body was acting on instinct, her rationality had not dissipated—
[MEI: Kiana, hurry and bring Sakura back; Leo has returned!]
Immediately after, she wholeheartedly revealed all the worry and longing in her heart to Leo.
After all, she knew clearly that Leo had no resurrection counts left!
Every time Leo died, the entire Honkai Domain would [Reset].
And people situated within it could naturally feel it.
So when Leo was left with only his last life, she was incredibly worried, but could only stay here.
—I can't do anything!
Faintly, a trace of [purple thunder] flashed in her eyes.
________________________________________
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