Thanks for the Invite, I'm in Honkai, Grinding Stats to Level Up

Gwen shook his head gently, smiling as he spoke.

This wasn't something Gwen said deliberately, but rather from the heart—

Suddenly arriving in such a completely unfamiliar and dangerous world, having someone who genuinely cared for him, how could Gwen not feel a sense of relief?

Chapter 8: A Mundane First Meeting

"Thank you for your understanding..."

Rita smiled and nodded, her evaluation of Gwen rising a few notches in her heart.

Suddenly appearing in a completely unfamiliar place in a severely injured state, yet still managing to remain calm, even smiling and conversing with others while his entire body was restrained—such a Gwen left a very good impression on Rita.

However, for such a well-behaved child, who knew what kind of future awaited him…

Looking at Gwen's face, which had regained some color but was still pale, Rita couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Although she hadn't undertaken many missions in the shadows, as an assassin who had received specialized training, Rita knew very well that Destiny wasn't as glamorous as it appeared on the surface.

Despite a mix of emotions churning within her, knowing she was merely an ordinary A-rank Valkyrie who couldn't sway the will of the Bishop, Rita showed no outward change. She skillfully replaced the flower bouquet on the nightstand.

As the daughter of a florist, Rita had been dealing with flowers since childhood; she had done this countless times before.

Yet, for some reason, Rita felt the flowers in her hands were slightly heavier than usual…

However, just as Rita was tending to the flowers, a voice interrupted her thoughts—

"Miss Rita..."

"Hm?"

Hearing Gwen's voice, Rita immediately snapped back to attention. She turned and looked at Gwen with a smile that was beyond reproach.

"Is there anything you need me to do, Miss Rita?"

"Excuse me... do you know anything about me?

I'm a bit... I can't remember..."

On the hospital bed, the pale, white-haired youth gazed at Rita with eyes that seemed to sparkle, his face showing visible apprehension as he asked cautiously.

Although he had some guesses about his situation, Gwen still wanted to gather as much information as possible.

Moreover, Gwen's expression wasn't an act. The system, which couldn't be leveled up without exercise, was useless to Gwen, who couldn't even move. The chat group without his friends was also useless. Gwen remained filled with anxiety.

Bright sunlight streamed into the ward from the window, but because Rita stood by the bed, Gwen's face was cast in her shadow, further highlighting the paleness and weakness on his face, making him seem out of place in the bright, sunny world.

"..."

Rita, who unconsciously recalled a stray cat that, after being abandoned, tentatively extended its front paw towards her without malice, met Gwen's gaze for a moment. Her hands, clasped in front of her, unconsciously tightened slightly, her eyes lowered as she gently shook her head.

"I'm very sorry, Mr. Gwen. You are a survivor rescued by Lord You Lan Dai Er during one of her missions.

As for your past... I apologize..."

"There's no need for that, Miss Rita."

Gwen blinked and smiled, shaking his head.

"I'm alive thanks to all of you."

As he spoke, Gwen mentally increased the probability that he was a survivor rescued from a Honkai event.

"Rita, Gwen, I've brought the doctor!"

In the time it took the two to exchange a few words, the door opened again. You Lan Dai Er, who had just rushed out, came back in, pulling the doctor along.

Hearing You Lan Dai Er's slightly excited words, Gwen and Rita exchanged a smile before both looking towards the door.

The doctor, dressed in white, wearing a mask, and a blue cap, followed You Lan Dai Er into the ward. Seeing that Gwen had woken up, he glanced at the readings on various instruments with his emerald green eyes. After confirming everything was fine, he smiled and greeted Gwen.

"Young man, how are you feeling now? Is there anything uncomfortable?"

In response to the doctor's inquiry, Gwen answered smoothly, just as he had when asked by Rita, stating that he had lost his memory.

The doctor, though surprised, comforted Gwen, telling him not to worry. It might just be a psychological reaction to danger, and he would likely recover after some time.

After asking Gwen some questions and conducting an examination, the doctor carefully reviewed and recorded the data displayed on the instruments. He closed his folder and said with a smile, "Young man, don't overthink it. Your injuries are not serious, and with the medical standards here, you will definitely recover.

Don't rush to recover your past memories either; it's just a temporary stress response, and you'll remember them someday.

Moreover, while the past is worth remembering, the future is what you should focus on more."

"Yes, thank you, Doctor."

Gwen nodded calmly, accepting the doctor's advice.

After all, what he said made perfect sense.

Just then, the door opened again with a slight sound, drawing everyone's attention.

When the figure of the newcomer appeared in their sight, You Lan Dai Er, Rita, and the doctor all froze, quickly straightened up, and said respectfully, "Bishop!"

"No need for formalities. I was inspecting things in this area today and stopped by. Please continue."

With his blond hair, green eyes, and handsome features, Otto, dressed in meticulously chosen clothing that highlighted his extraordinary demeanor, smiled and waved, turning his gaze to Gwen on the bed.

However, Gwen's eyes were currently scanning the three people beside the hospital bed, appearing somewhat flustered.

Upon hearing the three call out his name, Gwen, knowing Otto had arrived, felt his heart race uncontrollably, and he grew nervous.

Realizing he couldn't handle it like this, Gwen decided not to look at Otto. He turned his head left and right, looking at You Lan Dai Er and the other two, feigning helplessness in the presence of an important figure to avoid eye contact. Simultaneously, he tried to adjust his mindset in this short time, engaging in a simple self-hypnosis—

"I'm just an ordinary nobody. I'm nervous meeting such an important person like the 'Bishop'... so nervous..."

Although Gwen wasn't confident he could completely hide his emotions from the old fox Otto, he could at least appear more reasonable.

"There's no need to be alarmed, child."

Seeing that Gwen, despite his momentary helplessness and a hint of uncertainty in his eyes when looking at him, was relatively stable in his emotions, Otto nodded inwardly. On his face, he wore a smile as warm as a spring breeze.

"I'm just here to check if the doctors are diligently treating you patients.

If any doctor hasn't done their job well, please tell me."

"No, sir... Bishop, this doctor has been diligently treating me."

Although Otto's words and actions were as warm as a spring breeze, completely unlike the schemer Gwen had initially imagined, Gwen's mind remained tense.

On Gwen's face was an expression of nervousness, yet he tried to appear calm, much like a child meeting an important figure for the first time.

"It's good that you are satisfied..."

Otto smiled and nodded at Gwen, took the folder from the doctor, briefly reviewed it, and handed it back. He didn't forget to add, "Hmm, the examination was very thorough. Continue to work hard and do your best to treat every patient."

Chapter 9: Otto the Chicken Soup Master Goes Online

Gwen's first meeting with Otto was not as thrilling as he had expected; in fact, it was rather bland.

It was as if Otto had genuinely come to inspect his work and had simply passed by. After a few words, he left the ward.

After Otto left, the doctor also quickly exited the room.

"Hoo..."

Once the doctor had also left, You Lan Dai Er, who had been holding a tense expression, finally relaxed.

Similarly, Gwen's face showed a look of relief.

"Gwen, are you very afraid of the Bishop?"

Seeing this, a relaxed You Lan Dai Er asked curiously.

"A little..."

Gwen nodded honestly, his face showing clear relief as he maintained his persona.

"The Bishop, just hearing the title sounds like someone very important, right?

It's normal to be nervous when meeting such a person without understanding them, isn't it?

What about you, You Lan Dai Er? You seemed a little nervous just now..."

"Nervous... I guess?"

Hearing Gwen's question, You Lan Dai Er scratched his head and shared his thoughts.

"The Bishop gives off a very gentle impression, not arrogant like some of the so-called important figures I've met before.

I just felt that in front of him, I should act like a warrior, not a child..."

"Still a child, huh..."

Hearing You Lan Dai Er's explanation, Gwen chuckled inwardly, feeling even more relaxed.

Looking at You Lan Dai Er's adorable demeanor, Rita's pretty face also showed a few more smiles.

Since Gwen was in good spirits, You Lan Dai Er and Rita didn't rush to leave. Instead, they chatted with Gwen for a while.

As a survivor, Gwen naturally wanted to understand the disaster he had experienced.

Although they were worried that understanding these things might bring back bad memories for Gwen, You Lan Dai Er and Rita, who admired Gwen's courage in facing his fears, readily agreed and gave Gwen a brief introduction to the basics of Honkai—

Even before Gwen woke up, as the only ones who knew Gwen's identity, You Lan Dai Er and Rita had been summoned by Otto. They concealed Gwen's identity as a visitor from another world and unified their story, calling him a survivor of a Honkai event.

Originally, they would have needed to discuss this with Gwen, the person involved, but with Gwen's amnesia, it saved them some trouble.

Although You Lan Dai Er disliked lies, compared to losing his world, the identity of a victim of a Honkai event was clearly more acceptable.

Since they had only come to visit Gwen during the lunch break, You Lan Dai Er and Rita left the ward after sitting for a while.

Once Gwen was alone in the ward, he looked at the ceiling, recalling the various pieces of information he had gathered from meeting them today.

"Otto doesn't seem to pay any attention to me... Perhaps my previous guess was wrong. Am I really just a survivor of a Honkai event?"

After careful consideration, based on his utmost vigilance towards Otto, Gwen still couldn't finalize his identity—

You Lan Dai Er might not lie, but the problem was that Otto had the Feather of Dust package.

"Forget it, thinking too much is useless. I still need to be wary of the Feather of Dust package.

As long as I can endure until I'm discharged and stay out of Otto's sight, in a few years of development, by the time Otto makes his big move, I'll at least have the power to protect myself or seek refuge with my online friends. If all goes well..."

Thinking this, Gwen, whose only goal was to survive, opened the chat group interface again and continued his research…

However, as expected, Gwen's plan encountered an unexpected turn of events—

"You mean… I'm one of the 'Caslana family'?"

On the hospital bed, Gwen looked at Otto in front of him, his complexion restored to health, a look of surprise on his face.

"That's right."

Otto smiled and nodded. The fruit knife in his hand paused, and apple peels fell in beautiful arcs, while the peeled apple was handed to Gwen.

"Thank you…"

Gwen thanked him, took the perfectly peeled apple, still looking bewildered.

"You seem very surprised?"

Otto wiped the juice from the fruit knife with a tissue, put it back in the drawer, and smiled at the young man before him.

After a month of meticulous treatment, Gwen's body, which had required regular therapy, had healed. His complexion was rosy, though he still appeared somewhat thin and small.

"Mmm…"

Gwen, who had thought Otto had come to see him alone to offer him a Feather of Dust package, was indeed surprised that Otto would bring up his identity. He took small bites of the apple.

"Although some of my physical features do resemble those of the Caslanas, according to You Lan Dai Er and Rita, people from the Caslana family should be very strong and possess innate divine strength. But I am the opposite of these characteristics…"