Damn it, exploding together with Otto! (cont.)

One of the survival crises, Lin Yu confirmed, was temporarily over after defeating the Herrscher of Thunder and claiming the reward.

But on that day, the system's distribution of rewards confirmed that he had to face a new survival crisis once again.

After he defeated and sealed Rin away, the survival crisis disappeared along with the reward he received.

Based on his past experiences, it can be deduced that he will face another survival crisis.

But in the past, he had always felt that this survival crisis was brought to him by Otto Apocalypse.

However, it now appears that this was a huge misunderstanding.

After meeting Otto, he received a reward, but if this reward wasn't for 'surviving a survival crisis,' then it meant he would have to face a new survival crisis.

As for who brought about this survival crisis—who else could it be? Anyone with a brain knows that Otto might threaten his safety.

Thinking about it carefully, if he fails to complete the mission, Otto might not just be targeting him out of boredom when he returns to Schicksal...

Damn, I was too tired before, I didn't even realize it.

If the previous survival crisis was just like my guess that 'if I didn't complete the mission, I would die,' then I should have received the reward the moment I completed the mission.

So, besides the crisis Otto is bringing me now, is there another crisis I need to face?

That's exactly right.

Don't tell me this is a long-term task...

[A long-term mission? The moment you utter that word, you instantly understand where the danger truly lies.]

[K423, the girl now known as Kiana, possesses a personality that hates humans.]

[Once this personality awakens, according to the original story, even if you're not by her side, you might still be affected by the Great Honkai and lose your life.]

Oh, so this really is a long-term task, right?

[This is your own way of referring to it; the system wouldn't categorize it that precisely.]

Okay.

Lin Yu, who was casually claiming his reward, saw a [Advanced Item Gacha Ticket].

In Otto's eyes, the boy in front of him was tense and looked nervous.

However, for Otto, Lin Yu's reaction was actually quite normal.

Lin Yu is currently eighteen years old, and even according to the standard birthday calculation, Lin Yu will still be more than half a year away from turning eighteen.

It's not surprising that a teenager under the age of eighteen, no matter how capable, would be nervous in front of an organization leader like Otto.

"Okay, don't be too nervous."

Looking at Lin Yu's tense body, Otto smiled and said.

"I just wanted to ask you a few questions."

"Is that so?"

You're kidding me!

The system has clearly warned me that if I don't speak well, I'll face a survival crisis. Will it react like this if I ask a few questions?

System, give me some points!

[I've already told you to stop using this meme. This system doesn't add points, it only lets you draw lots.]

[Ding! (Special item - Advanced Item Gacha Ticket) has been used. Begin drawing items.]

At that moment, Lin Yu even saw the card-drawing screen, which wasn't particularly fast before, flash by at lightning speed and then explode with a...

Ah, deep red?

[Special item - Title: Cold-Faced Hunk, acquired.]

[Item Description - Only those who can maintain a blank expression longer than the average person, and are indeed handsome, can equip this title.]

[Special Ability (Cold Face) - You can maintain a blank expression at all times. When you maintain a blank expression, your combat power will slightly increase.]

[Special Ability (Handsome Guy) - Your charm towards the opposite sex will be further enhanced on top of your existing level.]

[Special Ability (Noodle Eater) - After consuming pasta, you will randomly gain a buff.]

This feeling is one of apparent strength, yet it's also full of flaws...

Forget it, let's get the gear!

"Don't ask me a few questions, Bishop Otto. If you have any questions, as a member of the organization, I will certainly answer them."

Seeing Lin Yu snap out of his daze, quickly get off the bed, and stand nervously in front of him, Otto smiled helplessly.

"Relax, lad."

"You are Schicksal hero, not a criminal I'm going to interrogate. I just want to have a good talk with you. You don't need to be so nervous."

"Lord Otto."

Rita, who was standing nearby, spoke up to Otto after hearing this.

"A'yu has been confirmed to have woken up, so I won't disturb you and A'yu any longer."

"Ah, good, you've worked hard this time too."

After glancing back at Rita, Otto offered words of comfort.

"Go to the infirmary and get some rest. It's okay if you submit this mission report a few days late."

"Your subordinate obeys."

Before leaving, Rita took a deep look at Lin Yu and then revealed a worried expression.

In the end, she said nothing and simply left the room quietly.

After Rita left, Otto really had to admit that Rita Roseweisse was indeed too sensible a subordinate.

Just now, Otto tapped the door from the side, letting Rita know that it wasn't convenient for her to stay here by saying that he planned to talk to Lin Yu.

After saying those words, Rita deliberately chose to disappear from his sight.

Rita undoubtedly cared about Lin Yu, but in this situation, her rationality prevailed over her emotions, which was truly commendable for Otto.

As for Lin Yu, after equipping this strange crimson title, he did not actively use the special ability (Cold Face) to make himself expressionless.

Based on Lin Yu's somewhat unpredictable but actually clever mind, it's normal for ordinary members at the bottom of an organization to feel nervous when they meet the organization's leader.

Lin Yu's nervousness stemmed from the thought that 'Otto is so realistic, he might kill me,' but Otto had no idea why he was nervous.

Lin Yu's current nervousness inadvertently aligns with his public persona. If he were to deliberately maintain a blank expression at a time like this, Otto would likely instantly see through Lin Yu's ulterior motives.

"Okay, okay, you really don't need to be so nervous."

Looking at Lin Yu, whose body was tense, Otto smiled and said to Lin Yu.

"Relax, relax."

"Yes, sir!"

If the system were to pop up a reward for me right now, then I could finally relax.

"Sigh, okay."

Seeing that Lin Yu seemed even more nervous, Otto could only shake his head with a helpless smile.

"I won't insist on these things. So, Agent Lin Yu, you've done a very good job on this mission."

"Not only did they bring back Kiana Kaslana, but they also captured the daughter of the Cocolia -Anti-Entropy Enforcer Kaslana, defeated and brought back the Herrscher of Thunder, and rescued Theresa from the attack by the Herrscher."

"If you have any rewards you'd like, feel free to ask."

At this moment, Otto looked at Lin Yu and spoke calmly to Lin Yu.

"As long as the reward isn't too outrageous, I can give it to you on the spot."

"Ah, can I retire now?"— Lin Yu really wanted to say this to his face.

The problem is that, after understanding Lin Yu's character, Lin Yu absolutely cannot do anything that would ruin that character.

In Bianca and Rita's eyes, he had become a vengeful ghost who would stop at nothing to avenge the Honkai.

Rita is Otto's subordinate, while Durandal is practically Otto's last disciple.

Even if Otto doesn't know that Lin Yu has such thoughts now, what if he asks him in the future and finds out, "Oh ho, why has this person suddenly changed his personality?" Lin Yu will be finished today and he'll be finished later.

He wouldn't treat Otto as a comedic character who kills indiscriminately and is persecuted every day just because he's watched too many fan-made works.

That old bastard has seen countless people over the past five hundred years; he's cunning.

If Lin Yu is not careful, he might face a tragic future because of saying the wrong thing.

There's no way around it; he'll inevitably start thinking about me based on the premise that I'm using the Feathered Dust.

"The reward I want... is actually very simple!"

At this moment, Lin Yu was thinking rapidly while nervously shouting to Otto.

"Your subordinates want more advanced equipment so that they have the power to fight against the Honkai!"

"Oh, this can't even be considered a reward..."

At this moment, Otto, upon hearing Lin Yu's answer, asked without any surprise.

"What's the reason?"

"Because my family members died in the Honkai, I do not want more people to be harassed and persecuted by the Honkai."

"And..."

At this point, Lin Yu's gaze became somewhat evasive.

"I'm sorry, there's nothing there."

"Hey, just say it."

At this moment, Otto saw Lin Yu's gaze and smiled at him.

"It's normal for young people to have some ulterior motives, but I still hope you can tell me about them."

"If you have any worries, I might be able to offer some suggestions, and I won't let anyone else know about our conversation today."

"... Oh well."

Following Otto's suggestion, Lin Yu sighed slightly and then spoke to Otto.

"If possible, I hope I can help Rita and Bianca."

"I don't want to be left alone at home and watch the two of them outside fighting dangerous monsters."

As expected.

Looking at Lin Yu's expression, Otto roughly confirmed some things.

What Lin Yu said might not be entirely false, but he still kept some of his true feelings to himself.

Judging from Lin Yu's evasive gaze, there's a pretty high chance he didn't finish his sentence.

But it doesn't matter. We'll see what he's really up to after we use the Feathered Dust.

"Okay, now for the second question."

At this moment, Otto, who was staring at Lin Yu, had a strange look in his eyes.

"How did you subdue the Herrscher of Thunder?"

"Besides the HSN drug that the organization gave me, I obtained this in Changkong City."

Knowing that Otto wouldn't believe his explanation of 'reaching the Herrscher of Thunder with his bare hands,' Lin Yu first covered the back of his right hand with his left hand, revealing the Stigmata on his right hand.

"After awakening the Stigmata in Changkong City, I gained a certain degree of combat ability enhancement, which is why I was able to seize an opening in Siegfried Kaslana's battle with the Herrscher of Thunder and inject the HSN Serum into her body."

"I see, then..."

Seeing Lin Yu's current predicament, Otto asked with a hint of curiosity.

Why cover up this Stigmata?

"This..."

Upon hearing Otto's question, an undisguised embarrassment immediately appeared on Lin Yu's face.

And this time, he really wasn't faking it.