Thanks for the invite, I'm in Honkai, leveling up stats

Seeing this, Gwen could only hold the girl pressing against him, patting her back as if comforting a child, and whisper words of solace.

Gwen's attempt to comfort her only made Anna's fragile emotions shatter further. Tears streamed down her face as her small fists beat against Gwen's chest. She mumbled incoherently, "I'm so scared," and "Why did you have to take it all on yourself?" All her usual composure and grace were gone, leaving her like a small child.

Gwen could only share a knowing smile with You Lan Dai Er before continuing to soothe the girl in his arms like a child…

Chapter 53: I'll Eat You for a Lifetime

After crying for a good while, Anna jolted as footsteps echoed in the distance, her reason gradually returning, and she suddenly realized her current situation.

However, upon realizing this, Anna found herself in a dilemma—

Should she get up before the follow-up personnel arrived?

But Gwen would surely tease her if she did that, right?

Surely he would?

That guy loved to make fun of her…

Or should she just pretend she hadn't realized anything?

Wouldn't that make her the laughingstock of the entire headquarters?

She, who had only provided support from the rear, had collapsed into the arms of the main fighter on the front lines, and now needed him to take care of her… Wouldn't the name Schariac be disgraced because of her?

As Anna's pretty face flushed, locked in an internal battle as she seemed forced to choose between these two difficult options, Gwen's voice suddenly reached her ears—

"Anna seems to have fallen asleep…"

Sensing the girl's intense emotional turmoil in his arms, Gwen whispered to You Lan Dai Er beside him.

As he spoke, Gwen blinked hard, signaling You Lan Dai Er to pay attention to Anna.

Seeing this, You Lan Dai Er blinked, a confused expression on her face, unsure why Gwen was signaling her. However, she decided to play along with Gwen's words and continued:

"It's understandable. After all, the attack by an Emperor-class Honkai Beast and the destruction it caused could leave a significant psychological scar.

If Anna's nerves were overly strained, it's possible she might have fallen asleep from exhaustion now that she's relaxed."

This wasn't You Lan Dai Er realizing Anna's state and covering for her; she was simply recalling similar cases from the data she had reviewed.

However, despite playing along with Gwen, the increasingly straightforward You Lan Dai Er still couldn't quite understand his signal. She hesitated and said, "But, Gwen, your injuries…"

"Don't worry, I know my own injuries."

Although frustrated that You Lan Dai Er hadn't understood his hint, Gwen could only respond with a smile to her concern.

"My injuries will heal in a few days.

Let the medical team tend to others first…"

Although he lacked mind-reading abilities, Gwen, who was very familiar with Anna, could roughly guess what the girl in his arms was thinking. Therefore, he declined.

"But you were attacked multiple times just now,"

Hearing Gwen's words, You Lan Dai Er couldn't help but frown—

"You might not feel anything now, but if you don't get treatment promptly and delay it, it could very well turn into a lifelong hidden injury."

Besides Gwen himself, You Lan Dai Er was the most aware of how much damage Gwen had sustained during the recent battle.

Therefore, she did not agree with Gwen's statement.

Meanwhile, Anna, who had been slightly excited moments ago at the thought of having "escaped unscathed," suddenly turned pale.

Anna understood all of this from her mandatory courses, but her emotional breakdown had caused her to completely disregard it.

Now, hearing You Lan Dai Er mention it, Anna instantly realized the seriousness of the situation.

The moment she thought of You Lan Dai Er's words, an icy chill shot up Anna's spine, reaching her very soul—

"Anna, Anna, when did you become so selfish?

Because of your own embarrassment, you're going to cause Gwen to carry such a serious hidden danger…"

Scolding herself fiercely, Anna completely forgot her shyness and her idea of pretending to be asleep. She pushed herself up and said, "Gwen, Bianca is right. All injuries must be taken seriously and absolutely cannot be delayed!"

Seeing Anna's serious expression, with a trace of blush still lingering on her face, Gwen blinked and then smiled faintly.

"Since you both say so, then I shouldn't delay any longer…

But Anna, do you want to consider getting up first?

You know I have injuries on my back.

If I get a secondary injury, I'll eat you for a lifetime…"

"Still joking around at a time like this!"

Hearing Gwen's words, the serious expression on Anna's small face immediately crumbled. She lightly punched Gwen's chest with her small fists.

As she spoke, Anna quickly got up and carefully helped Gwen to his feet.

Soon, the medical team dispatched by Rita arrived and directly lifted Gwen onto a stretcher.

"I only sustained minor injuries, there's no need for a stretcher..."

Gwen, pinned to the stretcher by Anna, could only offer a weak complaint.

"If you're injured, just lie down and rest. Talk less."

Anna, who had subdued Gwen with one hand, twitched her nose. Although her small face had turned into a smudged mess from the mixed dust and tears, she still looked endearingly clumsy.

Watching the two interact, members of the medical team couldn't help but let out soft chuckles.

In the end, Gwen was carried back to the camp to receive treatment. As one of the first to return, he was sent back to headquarters for comprehensive examination and treatment.

As for You Lan Dai Er, who had only sustained minor injuries, she would remain stationed for a few more days with Rita, leading the Valkyrie forces. They would only withdraw once the Honkai energy levels in the city dropped to a safe level.

Of course, in addition to guarding against any new enemies that might appear at any moment, the Valkyrie forces stationed here also had the task of assisting subsequent units in completing work that was beyond the capabilities of ordinary people.

For example, dismantling and transporting away the mountain of Schariac's corpse.

However, that was something to be done after the relevant units arrived.

As for now, Schariac's corpse was simply isolated and monitored—

Even though it had been killed, the residual Honkai energy from an Emperor-class Honkai Beast's corpse was still enough to be fatal for most people. No one would be foolish enough to come into contact with that thing.

However, this Honkai energy coincidentally helped the "foundation" buried deep underground, specifically the clown α, or rather, Otto—

Otto's Soul Steel body was indeed powerful, but when crushed by Ganesha, whose weight matched its size, it inevitably sustained damage.

The Honkai energy emanating from Ganesha's corpse would allow Otto to restore his Soul Steel body and then leave this place.

"Perhaps... if you hadn't used Mimic Judas to weaken this Ganesha earlier, they could have dealt with it themselves?"

Although Void Archives really wanted to mock Otto, who was currently smashed into the ground, it considered the situation and decided to change the subject, adding a jab.

As Void Archives had said, when Ganesha last smashed down here, Otto used Void Archives to launch a Mimic Judas, which weakened Ganesha's Honkai energy and assisted Gwen and You Lan Dai Er in completing the kill.

However, Mimic Judas also weakened Otto's own Honkai energy, causing a decrease in the strength of his Soul Steel body, which made it somewhat troublesome for Otto to leave.

Chapter 54 Ganesha: Yours to Pick

In a hotel in a seaside town in Southern Europe, a rookie mercenary lady, who had just completed a mission and was comfortably soaking in a bathtub, heard the news over the phone. The relaxed smile on her face instantly froze—

"What?

You want me to steal Ganesha's body tissue tonight?

And right under Destiny's nose?

Jackal, if you want me dead, just say so!"

Her soft, damp gray hair bristled slightly due to her owner's agitation, and her dark red eyes were filled with displeasure.

Although Natasha Sciola, who had been meticulously trained by World Serpent as a Honkai energy adapter, was outwardly just a rising star in the mercenary world, she already possessed the strength to kill the current number one on the Charon roster in a direct confrontation.

However, Natasha, who had no interest in fighting and only wanted to make money and live her life, found stealing under the nose of Destiny, the uncrowned king of this world, to be too thrilling.

At least, for Natasha, who had not yet become the World Serpent cadre "Raven," stealing the body tissue of an Emperor-class Honkai Beast, something that would inevitably attract close scrutiny, was a risky endeavor and not worth it—

"I don't want to be chased by Destiny's Valkyries!"

"What, are you scared?"

Hearing Natasha's exasperated words, the woman on the other end of the communication, who wore a Jackal mask and went by the codename Jackal, curved the corners of her mouth under the mask, seemingly casually provoking Raven.

"With your current strength, a mere A-class Valkyrie is no match for you.

Moreover, with the equipment provided by the Serpent, killing those few young girls wouldn't be much harder than the task you completed today."

"..."

Listening to the words coming from the communication, Natasha admitted that she had been provoked.

However, Raven, raised by Gray Serpent, was not a delicate flower like Anna, who would only exclaim "bad guy" when angered.

A mocking curve appeared on her lips, and Natasha sneered, "But why should I kill these little sisters who are even younger than me?

Because they protected this world before the Serpent surfaced?

Or because they are too young and beautiful?"

Natasha wasn't very familiar with Jackal, but she was certain that the person wearing the dog-headed mask was definitely not young, so she decided to try her luck.

"Hmph!

Ignorant!"

However, in response to Natasha's casual mockery, Jackal, who had been smiling moments ago, immediately put on a stern face, as if she were not the one who had just teased Natasha. She said coldly, "The Valkyries stationed there are too confident in their deterrence against the Emperor-class Honkai Beast's corpse itself and haven't assigned anyone to guard it, only setting up simple banners and monitoring.

Even if you walk in and take samples brazenly, as long as you're quick, you can get the item back.

Ganesha appeared not long ago in the current civilization. The Serpent needs to update its database. You decide for yourself."

With that, the ill-tempered Jackal hung up the phone, leaving Natasha with a busy signal.

"This person..."

Natasha stared at the ended communication with a strange expression, recalling a phrase she often used when arguing online:

"Lol, are you triggered?"

Although she had occasionally heard from Grey Serpent that the Jackal had a bad temper, Natasha truly hadn't expected the guy to get so agitated just from a little teasing.

However, this also helped to significantly lift Natasha's spirits as she opened the newly received mission information to read it.

A moment later, looking at the location of the Emperor-class Honkai Beast carcass on the map, which was quite far from the camp, Natasha pouted:

"How careless can you be, leaving an Emperor-class corpse just like that..."

As she spoke, Natasha rose amidst a splash of water.

In the misty steam of the bathroom, her blurred yet alluring curves were encased in World Serpent's specialized combat suit, resembling a fragile bird adorned with black feathers and claws.

"Well then, let me teach you a lesson. Be sure to protect your belongings..."

Pulling down the hood that covered one eye, Natasha was no longer the delicate girl enjoying a relaxing bath, but the rising new star in the mercenary world—

Raven!

That night, an unrecorded private jet cut through the darkness, approaching the city that had just undergone a Honkai cleansing.