The Fusion Warrior Project's Advancement

In Canghai City, Squad Five watched Mobius solo the [Judgment-class] Honkai Beast, Sasha.

"Sister Snake is so amazing! Are all researchers this strong?" Pardo exclaimed, watching Mobius one-sidedly dominate Sasha.

The others remained silent, wary of any unexpected developments.

However, things proceeded smoothly, and Mobius returned victorious without any suspense.

"Heh, then I'll trouble you to deliver the corpse to my First Institute."

"Mobius, are you sure you want to become a Fusion Warrior?" Elysia asked seriously.

"Oh? Elysia, are you questioning my skills? Do you think I won't succeed?"

"How could I? My dear Mobius, I'm just concerned about you."

"Why don't you practice on Elysia first? Your chances of success might be higher," Yoshikage Kira interjected.

"We're good friends, aren't we, Yoshikage Kira?"

"You had this plan all along, didn't you?"

"Mhm~ Yoshikage Kira, you're quite adept at uncovering a maiden's secrets."

With that, Elysia turned to Mobius.

"Then, Dr. Mobius, please use me to your heart's content!"

"Hmph, a Herrscher, huh? Let's see what happens."

The result was Elysia perfectly mastering the Hyper-Evolution Factor of the [End of Dharma-class] Honkai Beast, Mahāsvayaṁ.

If there were any side effects, it was only that Elysia's ears grew longer, making her look even more beautiful.

Mobius collected experimental data, preparing for her own surgery.

Three days later, Mobius also underwent the Fusion Warrior surgery, performed by Mei, Klein, and the former Assistant, Blanca.

Mobius's surgery was naturally successful; she only appeared to have gained snake-like pupils.

However, due to Mobius's poor reputation and the fact that she usually wore dresses that completely concealed her legs, coupled with her acquiring a new mode of transportation, some people speculated that her lower body had transformed into a snake.

But Mobius herself didn't care. On the contrary, she was quite satisfied. She was satisfied with Sasha's ability, Snake Shedding—after death, only the physiological age regressed. This was close to her goal: eternal life.

The emergence of three consecutive Fusion Warriors was a significant shock to the Flame Chasers.

People marveled at the power of the Fusion Warriors, which greatly increased their combat strength against the Honkai.

But humans always feared powerful things. Many were afraid of the Fusion Warriors. After all, by fusing Honkai Beast genes into their own bodies, were they still human, or Honkai Beasts?

Opposition to the Fusion Warrior Project had existed since its inception, but when Mobius's form was revealed to the public, the opposition reached its peak.

Within the Flame Chasers, a faction emerged that opposed creating non-human monsters by fusing Honkai Beast genes.

To halt the Fusion Warrior Project, the opposition dispatched a member of the Flame Chasers' assassination unit, [Poisoned Pupae]—Forget-me-not, also known as Sakura, to undergo the Hyper-Evolution Factor experiment.

Some time later, Sakura successfully fused with the [Emperor-class] Honkai Beast, Yaksa.

Looking at the pair of long fox ears that had grown on her head in the mirror, Sakura's expression was grim.

"Forget it, gaining power always comes with a price."

"Well then, it's time to report back."

With Sakura's return, the opposition considered who to target next.

Mobius? Mobius had also undergone hyper-evolution surgery, and her current combat strength was unknown.

That left only other key figures to consider.

Ultimately, they set their sights on Mei, an ordinary person essential to the advancement of the Fusion Warrior Project but lacking combat power.

"Dr. Mei, you should rest for a few days."

Mei looked up and gazed out the window. The leaves were losing their green, turning a faint yellow.

"Has it already turned autumn?"

Mei stood up and began tidying her documents before leaving the research institute.

I should go find Kevin. Come to think of it, he's been deliberately avoiding me since he became a Fusion Warrior.

At the Squad Five training grounds, although Fusion Warriors no longer needed training, Kevin still rigorously pushed himself.

"Excuse me, everyone, I'm looking for Kevin."

"Eh, Sister Mei is here! Brother Kevin, Sister Mei is here to see you!" Pardo said loudly to Kevin, sitting on a nearby chair and enjoying the peaceful moment.

"Kevin, let's go on a date," Mei said directly, without beating around the bush.

After all, he had been through a lot, and Kevin was now troubled by various factors. He hesitated.

Yoshikage Kira nudged him.

"Go on, that's an order."

"That's right, Kevin. If a girl makes the first move, a guy can't hesitate."

"Senior Kevin, hurry up and go."

Hearing everyone's urging, Kevin sheepishly scratched his head and walked over to Mei.

"Then let's go, my princess."

Kevin said the same playful words as before, but the coldness emanating from him kept them from getting as close as they used to.

"There's a lake nearby. Let's go boating there. There aren't many people, and the scenery is quite nice," Mei suggested.

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say."