The Popular Chen Ran, the Truth About the Moth of Flame

Elysia, who had been watching the show, stretched lazily. "Oh my, it ended just like that? I thought they'd start fighting."

Eden smiled and shook her head, then took another sip of wine.

After a long while, Eden slowly spoke. "Elysia, do you miss him too?"

"Oh, Eden, what are you talking about?" The girl feigned surprise. "My dear Eden, you've always been my favorite."

Bounty Deadline & Thoughts on Launch

If nothing unexpected happened, tomorrow would be the day this book went premium.

The author wasn't exactly a newbie on Ciweimao anymore. Although the previous book I wrote there hadn't gone smoothly, it had at least been completed. This time, at least so far, the writing had been going fairly smoothly too.

Everyone read books for a bit of fun, and I'd do my best to give everyone that fun, so don't worry about getting fed crap at crucial moments.

The Bronya section in Chapter 28 was where I hadn't handled the transition properly, and I apologize for that. But it was necessary foreshadowing, and it couldn't be changed anymore. Also, as the plot developed, I would add some secondary settings to Changkong City with Guns Girl Z as reference, since there was too little information about Changkong City in Honkai Impact 3rd. But I guaranteed that what I wrote wouldn't create any barrier to reading.

This book was a harem story. No need to emphasize that further.

Anyway, everyone had already seen what kind of book this would be from the free chapters. Since you'd made it this far, I hoped you could give me a first subscription tomorrow and support me.

This was actually quite important to the author.

As of the time I wrote these launch thoughts, this book's performance had gone from "absolutely terrible" to "barely presentable."

Monthly tickets: 1392, recommendation tickets: 12321, tips: 2476, blades: 154.

According to the bounty rules, I owed 10,000 words for monthly tickets and 6,000 words for recommendation tickets. Including the original 4,000-word update, I would release 20,000 words all at once tomorrow. If there were extra words, that meant I was starting a massive update spree.

The premium chapters would be released around 10:30 tomorrow.

I just didn't know whether everyone's cat coins could handle it.

Anyway, the author had already proven through the free chapters that I could write this book well.

So I hoped everyone would support the author and let me keep writing.

Give me a free blade now, then give me a first subscription tomorrow.

Please ○△○0

The Popular Chen Ran, the True Flame-Chaser (4k, Please Subscribe!)

When the Fourth Honkai War erupted, an emergency meeting was convened at Flame-Chaser headquarters.

Aside from Mobius, nearly all the senior figures from every research institute had gathered there.

There was only one reason they had been summoned.

"Everyone, MEI should have already completed her rotation through each of your research institutes."

The leader seated in the center spoke in a heavy voice. "I would like to hear your evaluations of her."

At the same time.

Inside Flame-Chaser, Durandal followed behind MEI, showing off.

"Yay! I successfully predicted the Fourth Honkai War. Next, I can try predicting where the next beautiful woman will appear."

The self-learning computer, manifested as a tiny doll with blue eyes and long golden hair, chattered endlessly beside MEI. "You promised me. You can't stop me in this regard."

MEI could only sigh at this biological computer that had somehow gone astray. "When did you become like this?"

Durandal clenched her tiny fists and copied a human cheering gesture. "Lewdness is the driving force behind learning!"

MEI said, "Forget it."

She brought Durandal to Flame-Chaser's Administration Bureau.

"I'm MEI. I'm here to claim my independent laboratory."

Flame-Chaser did not possess the ability to predict Honkai. Otherwise, the Third Honkai War would not have been so devastating.

Using satellites to predict the occurrence of Honkai was merely Flame-Chaser's excuse. In truth, Flame-Chaser had not accomplished it—Durandal had.

The learning module within her had played a vital role.

When Durandal had first been created, Mu Continent had approached the project with the mindset of, This will be the first self-learning biological computer. It must be made as well as possible.

Thus, her body was made of expensive Soul Steel, while her learning module used specialized chips capable of highly efficient operation. Although she had started from scratch in learning human knowledge, her learning ability was exceptional. In terms of memory and comprehension, she directly surpassed more than ninety-nine percent of humanity.

And the purpose of Mu Continent creating this biological computer in the first place had been to derive "the unknown of humanity" from "the known of humanity" more quickly.

In other words, Durandal's crucial mission was to learn, understand, and master knowledge related to Honkai.

So far, the results had been extremely encouraging.

She could already predict the arrival of large-scale Honkai outbreaks half a month in advance. To Flame-Chaser, even the warning function alone was immensely significant.

As an organization on the front lines against Honkai, every large-scale Honkai outbreak was a test for Flame-Chaser.

However, when MEI reported the time and location of the Fourth Honkai War, she encountered something many people would face.

Doubt.

Her seniority was too shallow.

Although she had received outstanding evaluations during her rotations at every research institute, and both her overall academic performance and theoretical knowledge had reached a remarkably high standard—even earning a doctorate in her spare time—

she was still met with doubt.

Although Flame-Chaser's greatest taboo was using ordinary people's standards to define the limits of geniuses, the higher-ups had still instinctively criticized MEI, believing that predicting Honkai was impossible.

MEI did not choose to argue heatedly. Instead, she made a bet with the higher-ups.

She used her father as the stake, promising Flame-Chaser that if the Fourth Honkai War did not occur as predicted, she would persuade her father to join Flame-Chaser.

But if the Fourth Honkai War arrived as expected, she would receive an independent laboratory instead of being assigned to work under someone else.

For MEI, it was a bet she would not lose regardless of the outcome. Her father was a renowned scholar on Mu Continent, and if he joined Flame-Chaser, she would naturally gain access to more resources as well.

Likewise, Flame-Chaser would not lose from such a bet. No matter the outcome, it would gain something.

The higher-ups accepted this mutually beneficial wager.

After successfully predicting the Fourth Honkai War, MEI swiftly established herself within Flame-Chaser and acquired her own independent laboratory.

Though it had not yet been granted the title of a research institute, it could already receive some preferential resource allocations.

Of course, what MEI valued more were information access and freedom.

Leveraging Durandal's predictive advantage, MEI also recommended Kevin to participate in this battle against Honkai, even though he had only joined Flame-Chaser recently.

Mobius's assessment of MEI as a rational monster was entirely accurate.

MEI understood very clearly that relying on herself alone would not be enough if she wanted more resources and freedom within Flame-Chaser. During her rotations through the various research institutes, she had long learned that Flame-Chaser contained long-standing and complicated political relationships.

If she remained alone, she could easily be swept into a political vortex.

Therefore, she needed allies.

Within Flame-Chaser, she found it difficult to trust anyone.

Except Kevin.

Soon, a Flame-Chaser staff member led her into her new independent laboratory.

"According to the higher-ups' arrangements, MEI will be awarded a doctorate and granted Flame-Chaser Level III internal clearance. All permissions associated with your clearance have been activated, and your monthly salary, benefits, and subsidies are listed here."

The young woman who had led her there smiled faintly. "I look forward to you creating a better tomorrow for all humanity."

After the staff member left, MEI fell into thought. "A better tomorrow..."

Just then, she received a message from Chen Ran.

"MEI, there's a problem. I need your help."

News that MEI had obtained an independent laboratory quickly spread through every department of Flame-Chaser. Whether they were newcomers who had just joined or veterans who had been there for years, everyone found it somewhat surprising.

Inside the First Research Institute.

Blanca watched Mobius teasing little Griseo and could not help saying, "Doctor, you really called it. MEI truly isn't an ordinary researcher."

"Her ambition is written all over her face. Wasn't it only natural that I'd guess it?"

Mobius paused, then patiently said to little Griseo, "Little Griseo, I brought you a new picture book. Do you like it?"

"I like it. Thank you, Teacher."

Little Griseo answered sweetly.

Mobius had no descendants, so she doted greatly on little Griseo. She had even intended to cultivate her into a biological researcher once Griseo was old enough to study.

However, Griseo only liked painting.

Mobius did not force the matter. Not everyone possessed her talent and aspirations.

"MEI is a genius, but she will also die from her arrogance." Mobius paused before saying, "Compared to that, how is Chen Ran's situation?"

What concerned her more was Chen Ran's body.

It had also been Mobius's suggestion that Chen Ran participate in the campaign against the Herrscher.

"According to the information Chen Ran sent back, the Fourth Herrscher has been successfully eliminated. Chen Ran now possesses the ability to fight Herrschers alone."

Blanca hesitated slightly. "Doctor, First Squad hopes Chen Ran can remain permanently in the combat division."

Mobius only spat out two words in response. "What a waste."

"Help me refuse First Squad. Chen Ran's value does not lie in combat."

Blanca nodded. "I already refused them for you."

To Mobius, Chen Ran's body held tremendous significance.

If she had previously desired to help humanity evolve, then now she had found the path by which humanity could evolve.

The field of Honkai was constrained by thought, while Chen Ran's body could carry genes capable of resisting Honkai—what were known as stigmata.

Under such circumstances, exploring Chen Ran's body meant limitless possibilities. Even compared to the Herrscher corpse Mobius had been studying, his body held greater value.

Therefore, it was impossible for Mobius to release him.

Blanca hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Understood. But there's one more matter."

"Vill-V, the head of the Engineering Department, wishes to borrow Chen Ran for an extended period."

Mobius grew somewhat irritated. "Why is everyone coming to me for people? Does Flame-Chaser have no one else?"

Blanca said, "Chen Ran's weapon was provided by the Engineering Department. She said that only a small number of people have the physical strength to support testing for the new weapons, and Chen Ran is an excellent candidate."

At this time, Vill-V was busy adjusting the weapon parameters.

Within Flame-Chaser, both people and equipment were important.

Previously, Flame-Chaser's weapons had been general-purpose weapons created by Mobius based on her research into Honkai. Although she was not a weapons expert, the weapons she made were quite useful.

That was why the biological research institute ranked first.

But things were different now. Since the Third Honkai War, the damage general-purpose weapons could inflict upon Honkai Beasts had begun to feel barely adequate. Under such circumstances, even Mobius, who had not specifically studied materials science, had become somewhat powerless.

In gaming terms, their strength could no longer keep up with the current version, and they were about to be phased out.

The higher-ups had once tasked the First Research Institute with upgrading the equipment, but after Mobius encountered the Third Herrscher's corpse, how could she have had the mood to tinker with weapons? Thus, the matter had been delayed.

And delayed.

Until it became the Engineering Department's task.

This was the second task Vill-V had taken on after delivering the Abyss. Now, she was practically nothing more than a tool.

However, she knew far too little about Honkai, so she dragged Chen Ran to the Engineering Department every day. It could be said that the Engineering Department's first-generation weapon was a fluid weapon jointly designed by Vill-V and Chen Ran.

Chen Ran's knowledge of fluid mechanics had been indispensable.