Invited, In Honkai, Grinding Stats to Level Up

So, while Gwen couldn't quite figure out Otto's true objective, he wasn't discouraged. Instead, he threw himself into his studies and training with even greater enthusiasm—

A bad chess player knows they're bad, but if I can't play well, can't I just smash the chessboard?

I can still become a grandmaster of chess.

With such resolve and effort, Gwen, armed with a cheat code in one hand and technology in the other, naturally progressed at a breakneck speed. He was like a rising star, drawing the attention of everyone—

In late 2012, during the Valkyrie selection trials, Gwen officially became a C-rank Destiny Knight.

For the first time in years, a male figure reappeared in Destiny's combat ranks.

In the summer of 2013, after participating in and performing exceptionally well in multiple missions with his team over six months, Gwen successfully passed the B-rank assessment and was promoted to B-rank Knight.

At B-rank, while not yet capable of fighting independently, he was considered a core member of Destiny's Valkyrie force. On the battlefield, in addition to personal combat, he was required to command a group of C-rank Valkyries.

Although there were individuals in this world whose teammates' sole purpose was to assist them and clean up the battlefield, such powerhouses had been exceedingly rare throughout history.

The vast majority of others needed to rely on teamwork and collective strength to contribute on the battlefield against the Honkai.

Honkai Beast swarms and hordes of Dead soldiers were no joke.

Moreover, even those few exceptional individuals required the cooperation and assistance of teammates during their growth.

While Gwen believed he would eventually become as strong as, or even surpass, Kevin, he didn't deny the power of the collective.

To deny objective laws due to his own uniqueness would be far too narrow-minded.

Of course, while acknowledging this, Gwen also refused to compromise himself or alter his development path to fit the team.

Admitting universal truths also meant acknowledging the existence of special cases.

Consequently, despite his all-around excellence as a C-rank, Gwen did not receive perfect marks in his B-rank evaluation.

Rather than racking his brain to integrate into a team significantly below his level, Gwen preferred to have his teammates act as his support, developing tactics with himself as the tactical core.

This was undoubtedly the most suitable choice for Gwen, but it ultimately clashed with the B-rank training philosophy.

While a certain Grand Bishop who made the evaluation was pleased that Gwen could make choices appropriate to his situation, he lowered Gwen's rating to prevent him from pulling a "sacrifice myself to save the army" stunt, as some Caslanas had done in the past.

In addition to this, Gwen's fierce combat style, always charging to the front lines, also drew criticism from a young woman.

"Gwen, I know you're confident in your abilities, but this is really dangerous!"

Anna exclaimed, hands on her hips.

They were in a city in Southern Europe that had recently experienced a Honkai outbreak. Both of them, still only B-rank, were leading their respective teams on a support mission.

The battle had essentially concluded, and the two, who had fought for most of it, had returned to their encampment, only to find they had been assigned to the same location.

Anna, still shaken from seeing Gwen charge into the Honkai Beast horde, couldn't help but lecture him.

However, as she looked at Gwen smiling at her, the worry that had fueled her dissatisfaction instantly vanished. She could only continue her earnest persuasion, "You're still only B-rank, and you need to rely more on the team's strength.

It won't be too late to do this once you're promoted to A-rank or S-rank, improve your abilities, and get better armor!"

Over a year had passed, and Gwen's height had surged. The boy who once needed Anna to look down at him, resembling a shota, had matured into a young man several inches taller than Anna. His handsome face had sharp, defined lines, hinting at rigorous training.

Anna looking up at Gwen as she lectured him drew the attention of the C-rank Valkyries relaxing nearby.

"Wow, is Group Leader Anna always this naggy?

I never really noticed before..."

Aino, from Anna's team, quietly asked her comrade as she listened to her leader's lengthy lecture.

"Heh heh, you wouldn't know this.

Group Leader Anna was apparently Gwen's instructor back in the day, so they must have a good relationship..."

Martha, with her red hair, replied with a low chuckle.

"Relationship?"

Aino blinked, perfectly catching the emphasis in her comrade's words, and her expression became quite interesting.

"No way?

Are those rumors from the community true?"

"Heh heh...

I didn't say anything, I just heard it from Alvit in Gwen's group..."

Martha offered a polite smile, selling out the grey-haired Valkyrie nearby...

"Hmm... Don't worry, Anna. When have you ever seen me push myself too hard?"

Gwen, the center of his subordinates' discussion, simply smiled at the pouting chestnut-haired girl before him and said, "Besides, it's precisely because I want to get promoted to A-rank faster, get better equipment, and play a bigger role on the battlefield that I need to be more courageous in combat..."

"Huh?

You're already preparing for the A-rank assessment?"

Hearing Gwen's words, Anna was stunned. Her eyes widened slightly, her small mouth agape, and her face, still bearing a hint of battlefield grime, showed a dazed, cute expression.

To be promoted, Destiny's Valkyries must not only pass assessment requirements but also achieve a certain number of kills on the battlefield to prevent past mistakes from recurring.

For the vast majority of people, this isn't a problem. After all, the strength increase required for promotion is significant, and it usually comes down to waiting for that strength to develop.

However, for Gwen, what he lacked was battlefield merit, which required time to accumulate.

Although the few people he saw regularly, even having meals together, would discuss their progress, Gwen, who had no desire to show off, wouldn't specifically mention that his strength was already sufficient for an A-rank promotion.

So, when Gwen heard that Gwen was already preparing the combat achievements needed for an A-rank promotion, Anna couldn't help but be surprised.

However, after her surprise, Anna didn't find it difficult to accept—

As one of the people closest to Gwen, Anna was well aware of Gwen's "talent" and hard work.

With both talent and hard work, progress was only natural.

Chapter 46: Who Else But Me?

Of course, while she could accept it, Anna's surprise didn't diminish much—

"Gwen, I remember...

You were only promoted to B-rank not too long ago, right?"

Licking her slightly dry lips, Anna slowly asked, her voice cautious.

Looking at the young man before her, who was a few inches taller than herself, Anna suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, as if the scene of her teaching the frail child just last year was still vivid in her memory.

And in her daze, Anna seemed to hear the joke she had made with Rita back then...

"Mm..."

Seeing the girl's small face, still bearing traces of gunpowder, looking as cautious as a small animal tentatively extending its tiny claws towards a terrifying upright ape, Gwen couldn't help but chuckle. He raised his hand, his index finger slightly bent, and gently rubbed the girl's nose, which was smudged with dark ash.

"With Instructor Anna's guidance, isn't this only natural for me?"

"You're teasing me again!"

Hearing Gwen's words, Anna rolled her eyes playfully and batted away Gwen's mischievous hand, but a wave of sweetness unknowingly surged in her heart.

"Oh?"

Facing the girl's shyness, Gwen smiled and remained silent, simply placing his hands behind his back as if nothing had happened, admiring the girl's pretty face.

Seeing their intimate interaction, the onlookers in the "stock-watching army" became even more enthusiastic—

Setting aside their Valkyrie identities, these girls were all high school age, at a time when they were most interested in matters of romance and relationships. Coupled with the pressure of daily training and combat, they were naturally even more interested in such gossip.

As these topics unfolded, the somewhat suppressed atmosphere in the tent became more relaxed.

Gwen didn't comment on this, continuing to chat with Anna.

The emergency assembly and departure had kept them on the battlefield almost the entire time. Even veteran B-ranks like Gwen and Anna felt exhausted, let alone these girls who were only C-rank?

Rather than remaining silently tense, it was better to have a topic that allowed them to relax after the intense battle.

As for whether these topics were too embarrassing...

Gwen often heard such topics at headquarters and was already used to them. Moreover, they discussed them with discretion and didn't overstep any boundaries, so Gwen naturally wouldn't say anything.

It was Anna, however, who couldn't help but blush again as she heard the "whispered discussions" around her growing louder. She pulled Gwen closer, trying to hide from the team members' gazes.

Gwen didn't try to tease her embarrassment any further, just quietly chatting with her.

However, in this gradually easing atmosphere, Alvit, who had clearly become the topic leader, suddenly changed her expression. Her aura instantly became solemn, and she swiftly got up and went to a nearby instrument.

Seeing Alvit's actions, the relaxed atmosphere in the tent immediately tightened, and all eyes focused on the gray-haired girl, who was unusually well-informed about all sorts of gossip.

Alvit was seen operating the computer with a serious expression, her face visibly darkening.

However, even though her heart was already pounding uncontrollably, Alvit still looked up at Gwen:

"Team Leader, Honkai energy is abnormally increasing in the K3 region to the northwest. Comparing it with the database, we suspect a new Honkai Beast has been born, with a probability of it being a high-tier Honkai Beast."

High-tier Honkai Beast?

Hearing this term, the rosy complexions of the girls in the tent instantly turned pale—

High-tier Honkai Beasts, including Emperor-class and Judgment-class Honkai Beasts, which are recorded to have only appeared in the Second Honkai War, possess strength and threat levels far exceeding ordinary Honkai Beasts. It requires multiple A-ranks to cooperate under full preparation to have a chance of defeating them.

Although in the absence of a Herrscher, a high-tier Honkai Beast would almost certainly be Emperor-class.

But whether Emperor-class or Judgment-class, for their team, whose highest rank was B-rank and had just finished a battle and was resting, it was undoubtedly a disaster of apocalyptic proportions.

"Alvit, immediately synchronize the news with the command center and headquarters."

Hearing Alvit's words, Gwen's heart tightened, but knowing he absolutely couldn't panic, he spoke before the fear could spread, saying in a deep voice, "Everyone, pack your gear immediately and await orders."

The man's steady voice echoed through the tent, causing the panic in everyone's hearts to pause, as if they had found their backbone. They responded in unison and quickly began to act.

"Anna, the signal source is closest to us, but we are quite far from the command center, so we might not receive support in time. If we are indeed attacked by a high-tier Honkai Beast, then I'll leave the team's command to you."

Seeing that the team's morale had stabilized, Gwen breathed a slight sigh of relief and looked at Anna, whose face was also pale, and said in a deep voice.

"What are you going to do?"

Anna's mind flashed back to Gwen charging into the Honkai Beast horde. Almost instinctively, she spoke, her small hands gripping Gwen's shoulders tightly, as if afraid he would fly away from her. Her pink eyes were filled with worry and fear.

"If an Emperor-class appears, we definitely won't be a match for it."

Meeting Anna's gaze, Gwen felt a warmth spread through his heart, but he still said in a deep voice, "To hold out until reinforcements arrive, we must utilize all our strength.

Your command skills are far superior to mine, so I'll hand over leadership of the team to you…"

Feeling the strength of the hands gripping his shoulders, Gwen met the trembling gaze of her pink eyes. His voice changed slightly, but he remained serious.

"As for me…

To tie down an Emperor-class, with our current forces, we need an advantage, and that advantage has to be me."

"But…"

Anna, her mind in a jumble, instinctively tried to say something. But seeing Gwen's serious expression, she finally forced herself to calm down, biting her red lip tightly, and nodded forcefully—

"Yes!"

Just then, Alvit, who was communicating with the command center, arrived in front of Gwen in two steps.

"Team Leader!

The command center orders the third and seventh squads to evacuate the camp immediately, converge on the command center, and prepare to face a powerful enemy."

"……"