Collapse, I'll Transform and Punch You Directly Chapter 45

"Bishop Otto?" Bai Chen asked, a hint of mischief in his voice as he feigned ignorance.

"I'm more curious, how did you obtain Kallen's power?"

Otto had investigated and discovered that Bai Chen's power came from people he knew around him. So, was he borrowing Kallen's power? Kallen had been gone for five hundred years.

Although Kallen's remains were preserved to this day, there was no way Bai Chen could have come into contact with them.

"Kiana and I once accessed a special database within Schicksal, and there…"

Bai Chen truthfully told Otto the method by which he obtained his power, without any concealment.

Otto initially listened with a sense of familiarity. He did indeed notice Kiana and Bai Chen entering the information repository once.

But as he listened further, he became agitated.

"Impossible! Simulated data can't possibly give birth to consciousness! And it certainly can't possess Kallen's memories!"

Otto declared it impossible! He knew the limits of the NPCs created in that data space; how could he not know their simulation limits?

Furthermore, even if that one-in-a-billion chance occurred, and Kallen's data broke through the singularity to achieve self-awareness, how could it possess Kallen's memories?

Because all of that was just programmed settings. In reality, that Kallen data entity should only know of the concept of Sakura, and wouldn't even recognize her if she saw her!

Chapter 77: Serenity Gem

Although Otto questioned Bai Chen, Bai Chen stated that he didn't know either.

What could be done? Did this Kallen truly possess some of Kallen's memories? Though not entirely complete.

He hadn't specifically studied such things. They were asking him about profound matters, but he couldn't provide any clear answers.

"Consciousness can be matched with a new vessel, but a vessel cannot collect a dissipated soul…"

Otto muttered to himself, a dreadful suspicion forming in his mind.

But it was only a suspicion. It wouldn't shake Otto's resolve to carry out his original plan, but it could add a new line of inquiry.

Calming himself, Otto looked at Bai Chen again, feeling much better. He then said, "Since your strength is so great, and you're idle anyway, I should find some proper work for you to do."

Otto then began operating the system, and soon found a task that seemed suitable.

"Huh? Aren't you hiring child labor?"

Bai Chen felt lazy and unmotivated when Otto mentioned finding him work.

"Then let's treat it as an internship. You'll get credits, no money. That way, it's not child labor."

Otto narrowed his eyes and smiled, his words laced with malice.

"I think we should consider things separately. Actually, I'm an adult when I transform."

Seeing that Otto was trying to withhold his wages, Bai Chen immediately corrected his attitude and stated, Who would refuse money?

Otto smiled without saying much. Suddenly, an urgent notification came through on his communicator. Otto glanced at it twice and then directly sent the task to Bai Chen's communicator.

"I originally intended to assign you a different task, but by coincidence, an accident has occurred here. Bai Chen, would you like to take a look at this?"

An accident just happened? Bai Chen opened the received task and carefully examined the mission objectives.

As Bai Chen read the task, his brow furrowed deeper, and some memories were gradually awakened.

Simply put, Schicksal was about to initiate a new experiment, the goal of which was to study how to unleash the power of the Serenity Gem.

Because the Herrscher of Death's core was full of uncertainties, there needed to be at least one person present who could serve as a safeguard, preventing the experimental subject from going berserk.

"Back to your old ways, haven't you always been doing human experiments!?"

A surge of anger suddenly welled up in Bai Chen's heart. What did Otto mean by this? Didn't he know how much Bai Chen detested such things?!

"Otto!"

Bai Chen suddenly glared at Otto, his sharp gaze seeming to pierce through Otto's soul.

That look… it's the same as when I was caught doing human experiments on Kallen back then. Perhaps you truly are alive in some way, Kallen?

No! That's ridiculous.

Otto dismissed the thought and then spoke to Bai Chen, "Please don't misunderstand, my friend. All these experimental subjects are volunteers."

Bai Chen looked at Otto's explanation coldly. They were indeed volunteers, at least for the previous experiments.

Human experimentation had also yielded benefits; many of Schicksal's subsequent God-Slaying Armors were built upon that bloody data.

But so what? Human experimentation was still human experimentation, and it didn't change Otto's attitude of treating Valkyries as expendable commodities.

This was also why Anti-Entropy primarily used machinery. In that sense, Anti-Entropy was indeed more humane than Schicksal, but unfortunately, they had Cocolia, that scoundrel.

Getting sidetracked, Bai Chen decided to accept the mission. After all, his presence could not only ensure the safety of those present but also potentially save another person who was destined to die.

Bai Chen gazed at a useful item in the system space, his mind made up.

"I'll take it."

Bai Chen dropped his flippant demeanor, accepted the mission with cold indifference, and walked out.

The mission time was in the afternoon, and the location was also displayed on the communication device. All Bai Chen had to do was wait there after finishing his meal.

Returning to his original form, Bai Chen looked down at the floating clouds with a melancholic expression. 'Is Otto that kind of person? I remember back in the Middle Ages, Otto wasn't this inhumane.'

Could five hundred years truly change a person that much?

At this moment, Kallen, inside Bai Chen, was somewhat confused. She didn't understand why Bai Chen was angry about observing an experiment, as she currently didn't know what it represented.

"You seem to have something on your mind."

Rita followed Bai Chen, who had walked out looking displeased, and asked with concern.

"Sister Rita, is Schicksal really that good?"

Bai Chen knew this was a naive question, but sometimes he just wanted to know an attitude.

"Bai Chen, at times like these, we just need to do what we're supposed to do."

Rita didn't directly answer Bai Chen's question, nor could she do anything that would betray Otto.

"Do what we're supposed to do? I understand. I'll do it."

A glint flashed in Bai Chen's eyes. 'Otto, you old geezer, hurry up and abdicate!'

In the afternoon, Bai Chen followed the signs to the experimental site.

Although he felt he had arrived early enough, a group of people had already gathered in the laboratory. It seemed they were quite enthusiastic... He didn't really get along with these kinds of people.

"Lin, are you really going to participate in the experiment? This experiment is dangerous."

An elderly man, who clearly held a high position among the research personnel, spoke to a young girl with evident worry.

"If you refuse the experiment now, I'll immediately apply to the Great Herrscher. You don't have to do this kind of experiment."

The young girl, known as Lin, refused the old man's kind offer with a calm and sunny smile on her face:

"Don't worry, Grandpa. If the Great Herrscher succeeds this time, we can better fight against the Collapse. I will definitely become a Valkyrie who can protect everyone!"

Lin, you have noble ideals, but unfortunately, your body cannot bear them.

Bai Chen calmly watched the two people before him and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. 'Since Lin is the one doing the experiment, does that mean the people sacrificed before were...'

That old man, it's better to call him Dr. Maki. Although he's a rare genius, he's also an old fool who won't feel pain until the stone hits him.

During a previous experiment, he complained about the lack of test subjects. When his granddaughter stepped up, he panicked and suddenly realized it was too cruel and refused to continue.

Then, damn it, he stole the Serenity Gem and gave it to Cocolia!

Damn Cocolia! She's a notorious bitch in the Honkai world! Otto can get away with his misdeeds!

Cocolia is a beast who does nothing humanly! She caused trouble in Changkong City, and if it weren't for Kiana stopping her in the manga, Singapore would have been doomed too.

Two cities, millions of lives sacrificed!

What kind of beastly person does that? They had the ability to research the gem, but she chose to sacrifice everyone for a quick outcome.

I can't trust people like that... Should I go beat up that old man now to vent my anger?

Hmph, with my current strength, one punch would cost me hundreds of thousands in compensation.

No, it seems there's a way to legally beat him up.

Chapter Seventy-Eight: Died, Alas

The experiment began as scheduled. Otto, as the Great Herrscher, had also arrived early at the scene to observe.

"Bai Chen... could it be..."

Kallen, inside Bai Chen, also realized something was wrong. The atmosphere indicated this was no ordinary experiment!

Her voice began to tremble with anger.

"Hmph, what kind of thing is that."

Bai Chen watched the experiment proceed with a calm expression. 'In the world of Honkai Impact 3rd, major powers all have some dark aspects...'

'It's normal. There are all sorts of birds in a big forest. As long as I don't see it, I'm too lazy to actively investigate such things. I'm not that noble either.'

"..."

Although Kallen fell silent, as Bai Chen's vessel, he could still clearly feel her rage, which was like a volcanic eruption.

"Don't worry, I'll take action."

After slightly comforting Kallen, Bai Chen continued to watch the experiment in the laboratory, his mind racing.

Seeing Maki, who clearly knew this experiment would be fatal, yet still prayed for his granddaughter's safety, Bai Chen found it amusing.

Bai Chen found it amusing now, but he would make the old man have a good laugh later.

"Dr. Maki, you don't seem as excited as usual today? You didn't even break a sweat when five Valkyries died because of experiments last month. You're always complaining about not having enough test subjects, why are you so nervous now? Oh, perhaps it's because the test subject is your granddaughter?"

Otto, that scoundrel, was sarcastically provoking Dr. Maki from the side. It was unclear if he was doing it intentionally; he naturally enjoyed poking at people's wounds.

"..."

Maki, sweating profusely, stared at Lin in the laboratory, recalling the happy moment when Lin had just become an A-rank Valkyrie.

Lin, the innocent girl, had always believed that Valkyries were a team dedicated to protecting world peace. She had been happily celebrating for days after becoming an A-rank Valkyrie.

"Such a kind child, to willingly participate in the experiment just because I told her that unlocking the gem's power could protect humanity..."

"Enough!"

Unable to bear Otto's words, Maki slammed his fist against the isolation wall in front of him. Only now did he truly understand the unforgivable sins committed during previous experiments.

Bai Chen, however, paid no mind to his repentance. He even found it a little amusing. At this moment, he was solely focused on observing the experiment's progress.

Just as the experiment was about to place the Serenity Gem into Lin's body.

As the gem fused, a Stigmata mark identical to Seele's appeared on Lin's chest.

Bai Chen looked at the mark with a hint of curiosity. If he were to call Seele over to fuse with it now, would it cause the Herrscher of Life and Death to appear prematurely?

No, it should be different. After all, there's a big difference between artificial creation and self-birth.

A classic example is Mei's two Herrscher of Thunder forms.

When the fusion progress of the Serenity Gem reached 7.2%, Lin's face showed clear signs of pain.

Alarms blared from the laboratory instruments, and the flashing red lights on the equipment shattered Dr. Maki's last shred of hope!

"Warning! Warning! Fusion error! The experimental subject's body cannot withstand the Honkai energy..."

"Bang!!!"

The container that had held Lin exploded instantly, and all the nutrient fluid inside leaked out.

"!"

The staff members in the same room as Lin turned deathly pale and cowered in the corners of the room when they saw Lin run out of the container!

Black gas was visibly emanating from Lin's body! Those staff members were doing their best to avoid this substance.