The Coming Storm

"That is..."

Seeing the figure in the corner of the research room, Fang Li couldn't help but pause slightly, narrowing his eyes and staring intently at it.

The next second, the figure in the corner was fully revealed to Fang Li.

Upon seeing the person's full appearance, Fang Li was startled.

"Hibari?"

That figure was none other than Hibari.

However, at this moment, Hibari was handcuffed and lying on the ground with a cloth stuffed in her mouth. When she saw Fang Li, she kept making "woo-woo" sounds.

Fang Li then realized what was happening and quickly stepped forward to remove the cloth from the Hibari's beak.

"Mr. Fang Li." Hibari seemed to be on the verge of tears of joy.

"Hibari," Fang Li quickly asked, "What are you doing here?"

"After you left the Russian Branch, Captain Rollwright had me brought before him and imprisoned." Hibari bit his lip and said, "I never expected the captain to be this kind of person."

Upon hearing this, Fang Li looked at Hibari, who was firmly handcuffed, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

That makes sense when you think about it.

Although Hibari was just a communications officer, he was still a member of the Far East Branch.

If even a common soldier like Fang Li was framed, Hibari was naturally not immune.

However, instead of dealing with Hibari directly, Rollwright kept her behind.

"I'm afraid Rollwright intends to keep Hibari as a hostage, to use against the First Unit at a crucial moment, right?"

After all, the deaths of the First Unit have not yet been confirmed, and it is very likely that Soma and his group have escaped and returned to Rollwright's side.

With this in mind, Rollwright imprisoned Hibari just in case, so that she could use him in case of emergency, rather than killing Hibari outright.

"This Rollwright is indeed quite capable. His entire plan was almost flawless. Unfortunately, he underestimated my abilities at this most crucial moment."

If it's not Fang Li ultimately finds this research lab, but rather God Eater from the First Unit, then Rollwright will likely use Hibari as a hostage to restrain Soma and his group, right?

At that time, the whole situation will definitely be completely different.

"All I can say is that it's all fate."

Thinking this, Fang Li suddenly swung the Moon Blade in his hand.

"Clang—!"

Amidst the clanging of metal, the sharp Moon Blade severed the handcuffs binding Hibari.

Then, Fang Li helped Hibari Que up.

"Hibari, since you've been here all along, you should be aware of the current situation." Fang Li said directly to Hibari, "Next, I'll be escaping the Russian Branch with Eros. What are you planning to do?"

Upon hearing Fang Li's words, Hibari's face tightened, as if she had already thought about this matter. Without hesitation, she replied, "Mr. Fang Li, let me help you."

"You'll help me?" Fang Li asked aloud, "How do you plan to help me?"

"I've been imprisoned here for several days now, and during that time I've been observing this place, which has allowed me to figure out the function of many of the devices and instruments." Hibari said, pointing to the huge Culture Tank that was immersing Eros. "That Culture Tank seems to be able to be ejected directly out of the research lab. If there are no problems, the ejection point should also be set to be outside the Russian Branch."

"There's such a device?" Fang Li was immediately surprised, then suddenly realized.

In order to secretly study Eros, Rollwright colluded with the head of the Russian Branch, ostensibly to study Eros for the sake of the branch head, and tried every means to find a way to control Eros.

However, naturally, Rollwright did not genuinely intend to hand Eros over to the head of the Russian Branch. Once the research was completed, she would definitely find a way to get rid of the head of the Russian Branch and enjoy the research results all by herself.

Given that, it's not surprising that Rollwright would install a catapult here.

Once the research is completely finished, Rollwright will be able to use this catapult to launch Eros directly out of the Russian Branch, while she herself will find a pretext to go out and find Eros.

At that time, Rollwright will be able to begin to realize her ambitions, using Eros's power to lead the army of the Aragami, sweeping away all opposition throughout the world and achieving her goals.

Now, this device has actually done Fang Li a great favor.

"Can you manage on your own?" Fang Li asked Hibari. "The outside world is in complete chaos. The army of the Wild Gods is approaching the Russian Branch. I don't know how a friend of mine is doing. I might not be able to stay here to protect you."

"It's alright," Hibari quickly said. "There's a device here that can house the gluttonous factor. I can use it to avoid the Aragami's attacks. The Russian Branch is currently dealing with the Aragami, so I'm actually safer here by myself."

Hibari's words made Fang Li still somewhat hesitant.

To this, Hibari simply smiled and said, "Please don't worry about me. After all, I am a soldier. Although I am only a communications officer, I can still escape without any problems."

Seeing Hibari's smiling face, Fang Li felt a little relieved.

Fang Li nodded and said, "Then I'll leave this to you, Hibari."

"Yes." Hibari replied, then seemed to remember something, took out an earpiece-style communicator from his pocket, and said to Fang Li, "Mr. Fang Li, please take this. Because of Captain Rollwright Wright's personal interests, communication and camera devices have also been installed here to monitor the entire Russian Branch at any time. Although I don't know if it has been destroyed by the Aragami just now, please take it with you just in case. If there is any important intelligence, I will notify you immediately."

"Understood." Fang Li had no reason to refuse, so he took the communicator, put it on his ear, and then said to Hibari, "Be careful."

After saying that, Fang Li didn't linger any longer, stepped onto the ground, and rushed out of the research room.

Seeing this, Hibari took a deep breath and turned around to look in Eros's direction.

A moment later, the Hibari's voice echoed softly in the research room.

"I am also a member of the Far East Branch."

Therefore, at this time when everyone is striving, I must also work hard.

In the manner of acting as a communicator.

Thinking this, Hibari glanced around and then jogged off in one direction.

"Boom—!"

A clap of thunder flashed across the sky outside, and finally, it started to rain.