Physical Anesthesia

"I remember these records are only kept at Schicksal headquarters. Why would you know about them, Teacher Welt?" Li Ming feigned a bit of panic, though a part of his alarm was genuine.

He strategically revealed some information while appearing somewhat flustered and outwardly strong but inwardly weak, aiming to lower their guard.

This was one of the few experiences he'd had in his two lives. Based on his understanding of Welt Yang from the game, if he wanted to ask for help, he'd probably have to put on an act right now.

However, this would likely mean he'd have to join Anti-Entropy.

But it wasn't a big problem. It was indeed difficult to manage in this situation without latching onto someone powerful. He lacked both the channels and the funds for many materials. As for why he wouldn't go to Destiny... well, before Otto was gone, he wouldn't consider it.

At worst, he'd stay in the Americas for over a decade and outlive Otto.

Welt glanced at the disingenuous Li Ming, assessing his current state. If Li Ming showed any signs of abnormality, he would immediately eliminate him.

But Li Ming was now playing along with him, which piqued Welt's interest. Did he really think Ryoma hadn't reported his trip to Schicksal? And Ryoma had even used public funds for that trip!

However, Welt was also momentarily amused and decided to tease Li Ming. "Are you denying it now, the great figure we call the Night Flame Demon?"

Night Flame Demon? What the heck is that?!

Multiple question marks flashed through Li Ming's mind. At this moment, Welt Yang said nothing. He simply raised his hand, and a blue stream of light assembled like building blocks, forming a complete screen. It displayed the recording from last night, showing Li Ming dressed in the [Candlelight Armor: First Light], going out to kill and set fires— no, to uphold justice.

Li Ming's heart leaped in shock, his pupils constricting as he stared at the screen. Welt Yang had adjusted the footage to several angles, all clearly showing Li Ming's movements.

Even when Li Ming was engulfed by the flames of an explosion, the screen could precisely pinpoint his location.

After watching all the clips, Li Ming finally understood what he had done last night. But then again, what kind of expression should he show? Should he directly admit he didn't know, or boldly confess? Still, he had looked quite cool last night!

Welt Yang observed Li Ming's flickering gaze and didn't immediately reveal his purpose. Instead, he decided to continue teasing him, putting on a profound demeanor. "'Hatred,' 'Confusion,' 'Despair'—these are the pillars of everything, the purest and strongest power. In every dark night devoid of light, I dream of that man, falling in pools of blood, over and over again... Finally, I returned, in his name, fulfilling the promise to fight for humanity.

'Power,' 'Belonging,' 'Ideal'—when I inherited the name Welt, I also received everything that man had. But beneath this name, there was nothing that belonged to me. I was merely playing the role of a shadow that had died years ago. But why should I play the role of a failed shadow? That's right, I saved this world. I accomplished what that man could not. I have surpassed him. I have conquered this world. This is my own power, my own belonging, my own ideal. This is the real me! Let me reintroduce myself, my name is..."

Oh no, quickly shut him up! He's about to say it...

Li Ming immediately used the skills he learned from his grandfather to preemptively interrupt him. "I know, your name is Welt Yang Transcendence. Don't make a move, I'll leave on my own!"

"...The executor of [Alahato], Welt Yang! Uh, what did you say?"

Welt Yang had painstakingly built up the atmosphere and tone for that lengthy, misleading speech, only to be completely thrown off by Li Ming's "Welt Yang Transcendence."

"Nothing, please continue!" Li Ming breathed a sigh of relief and found a chair, his legs feeling rather weak. He had genuinely thought Boss Yang was about to evolve into Welt Yang Transcendence, and he had almost unleashed an Inch Punch: Extreme Thunderclap in his panic.

Seeing that his purpose of intimidation had been achieved, Welt Yang smiled and asked, "So, are you interested in joining us at [Alahato]?"

"Shouldn't it be..." The word "Anti-Entropy" got stuck in Li Ming's throat. He almost blurted it out, but thankfully, while his mind was a mess, he wasn't completely foolish. Without a second thought, he agreed, "I do!"

"In our organization, you will receive..." Welt rubbed his temples with a slight headache. Why wasn't this kid following the script? According to the Schicksal playbook, shouldn't he be shouting his willingness to go through fire and water for his lord after I displayed some of my might?

What was happening now?

"Fine," Welt felt a bit weary. Looking at the troublesome kid, Li Ming, he felt annoyed. He changed the screen in his hand and asked, "Why do you want to join us?"

Didn't you just ask me to join?!

Although Li Ming was complaining internally, his face remained subservient and sheepish. He smiled and said, "To make money!"

This statement was absolutely true, not a single word was false.

Even without this incident, Li Ming would have started trying to make money. This was just going with the flow. By joining an organization led by a prominent figure who was stirring things up, he would have a chance to join Anti-Entropy in the future.

"Alright, record the personal information. From now on, you are one of us at [Alahato]. Our company is E.T.Studio, I'm sure you're familiar with it. Our mission is to protect this world from destruction!"

Welt began to deceive Li Ming—no, he began to reveal some truths about this world to Li Ming.

"Monsters called Honkai are invading this world. Our special abilities are also because of this. Honkai Beasts, Mantises. Oh, these are also called demonic beasts and fallen ones in Schicksal."

Knock, knock, knock!

"Is anyone there? Is Doctor Slawek in?" a nurse's voice called from outside the door.

"It seems this isn't a good place to chat. Let's go, we'll find another spot."

Welt stood up, his coat fluttering behind him, and flew straight out the window, ascending slowly. Seeing Welt's receding figure, Li Ming was somewhat astonished. He's leaving without me?

However, Li Ming only glanced down. Below was the street, bustling with traffic, and strangely, no one was paying attention to the commotion overhead.

Clinging to the edge of the wall, thankfully, it was slightly sloped, allowing him to climb up.

Using his hands and feet, he scaled the building in a few leaps and reached the rooftop. Welt Yang was already waiting for him there.

"Based on last night's events, you've shown signs of losing control. The markings on your right hand are a manifestation of Honkai Energy erosion. I will explain the difference between Honkai Energy erosion and Honkai disease to you later. The most urgent matter today is to resolve your erosion phenomenon."

He subconsciously glanced at his right wrist, where faint red patterns were branded.

"Let's go to our secret base!" Blue light shot towards Li Ming as Welt extended his hand.

Before he passed out, Li Ming had only one thought: This old trickster, I'm truly impressed!

After knocking Li Ming unconscious, Welt held him up with his finger and flew west.

Houston, Texas. Welt flew Li Ming all the way to this location. During the journey, whenever Li Ming showed signs of waking up, Welt would knock him out with a slap.

Finally, they landed in a desolate area. A manhole cover opened, and the two fell into it. After passing through a long, dark underground tunnel, they entered a laboratory. Tesla was sitting nearby, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Welt.

"The Alliance Leader initiated a safe house just for this?"

"Please call me Executive Officer. I am now the Executive Officer of [Alahato]: Welt Yang," Welt Yang said solemnly, earning a roll of Tesla's eyes. "Is this kid the clue you mentioned?"

Welt simply raised his hand, and blue light enveloped Li Ming, his figure faintly visible within.

After the blue light dissipated, Li Ming's clothes appeared in Welt's hands. On the monitoring equipment, Li Ming was wearing a form-fitting life support suit, revealing his slender thighs and strong arms.

Despite her sharp words, Tesla manipulated the instruments and began examining Li Ming's body, with data appearing one by one on the screen.

This was especially true for the detection of Honkai Energy within him.

"Huh? That's strange. There are no signs of active Honkai Energy in his body, and this energy fluctuation..."

Hearing her words, a gentle smile appeared on Welt's face. "Doesn't it seem familiar? Li Ming had close contact with a Type I Clone yesterday, and the Type I Clone even used its core to perform what appeared to be energy extraction or transfer. Although his body shows signs of erosion, his mind hasn't shown any signs of resistance or confusion."

"If this method of using Honkai Energy can be inherited and mastered, then he would be the best vessel to contain Honkai," Tesla understood Li Ming's current state following Welt's explanation. "However, this is just a hypothesis. Our understanding of Honkai is still insufficient, and he has no antibodies. He will eventually collapse from being unable to withstand the powerful Honkai Energy."

"Um, can I ask what's happening right now?" Li Ming, who had been forcibly sedated by Welt multiple times, finally stirred awake.

Welt Yang wore an innocent expression, but his eyes flickered with a faint red light as he spoke, "Naturally, we're helping you alleviate the Honkai Energy erosion. Let me ask you again, have you decided to join Alahato?"

"I'm already like this, Teacher Welt, can I even refuse?" he joked, but Li Ming's thoughts were quite clear. Based on the images Welt had shown him, the Li Ming who appeared in his dream last night was likely the one controlling his body. The reason for this situation was likely the deepening Honkai Energy erosion. Therefore, if this problem could be resolved quickly, what was wrong with joining Alahato? It wasn't like Welt Yang was going to eat him.

"It's good that you agreed. Let's start the anesthesia now!"

Tesla, standing by, remained silent as she watched their exchange. What was strange was that she clearly remembered not preparing any anesthetic, as anesthesia would affect the efficacy of the immature serum.

Then, she saw Welt roll up his sleeves and deliver two solid punches to Li Ming's head. The massive fists flashed before Li Ming's eyes, and he promptly passed out.

Watching the person on the monitor pass out, Tesla's mouth twitched. Welt simply wiped his fist. "Physical anesthesia. It's been like this all the way. It was harder to control earlier, but now I guarantee he won't wake up for at least two hours. Let's start injecting the experimental serum!"

Tesla sighed and manipulated the instruments. Dozens of needles pierced Li Ming's body, and a pale blue liquid was injected. The lines on his right wrist, which had been eroded by Honkai Energy, gradually faded. However, Li Ming's arms became covered in bulging veins, and his brow furrowed as if he were enduring immense pain. Both of them could only watch, unable to do anything to help Li Ming. This kind of pain, akin to cellular reconstruction, could only be endured through gritted teeth.