Honkai Impact 3rd: Starting with Handcrafted Black Tech to Save Pre-Civilization-Chapter 26

"I?" Mobius pulled out her phone and, sure enough, found a message sent from her account to Klein. "When did I..."

The next second, her phone switched to another interface on its own. Prometheus, depicted as a paper cutout, appeared on the screen. As it bowed, a speech bubble appeared beside it: "My sincerest apologies, Dr. Mobius. I summoned your assistant without permission, but Dr. Ai Yue specifically requested that you complete a certain project. I hope you can understand."

"Hmph. So he didn't forget about me after all." Mobius gave a light snort, but a smile appeared on her face. "Let's go, Klein. Your vacation is canceled. We're going back to work overtime."

"Understood, Dr. Mobius."

The Unethical Scientist Tricks an Innocent Underage Girl

While Dr. Mei and the others were being arranged with perfect clarity by Prometheus, a gray-haired girl was searching for something at the airport.

She eventually stopped in front of a small special-purpose helicopter and took out her phone, comparing it with the information in the mission message.

"12C... Is this the one?"

She hesitantly stepped forward and knocked on the cabin door. Soon, it opened from inside, revealing a white-haired man wearing a mask.

"Hello, I'm Hua from the Fifth Reconnaissance Squad." The girl who called herself Hua showed him her badge and identification. "I'm here to participate in the mission."

"Mm." The masked man gave a nasal response. Hua couldn't tell whether he was greeting her or indicating that he understood, but he immediately stepped aside to make room and motioned for her to board. "Go talk to him."

"Oh, okay."

Hua froze for a moment before boarding the helicopter. She didn't particularly care about the masked man's attitude. Ever since that incident, her reputation within Moth to Fire had steadily declined, and she had even grown more accustomed to acting alone during missions.

Besides, how many people in Moth to Fire were actually ordinary? In this place, you could run into all kinds of eccentric people just walking to the cafeteria for a meal. A masked man who didn't like to talk wasn't particularly strange.

But that masked man... Had she seen some discussion about him on the internal network recently?

Sitting in a seat to the side, Hua thought about many things, but someone soon interrupted her thoughts. "Hello. You're Hua, right? Can I address you directly by your name?"

A young man wearing glasses came over from the copilot's seat. He looked very approachable, with a gentle smile on his lips, and extended a hand as he spoke. He seemed to be a very enthusiastic person.

A cold masked man and an enthusiastic man with glasses. What a strange combination...

"No problem. Just call me Hua." Hua thought this to herself while looking at him twice more. "Are you the person in charge of this mission?"

"Yes. Just call me Ai Yue." Ai Yue nodded. "Come to think of it, we're both from the same hometown."

"Is that so?" Hua cooperatively smiled. She quickly recalled his identity. Dr. Ai Yue was probably the recently acclaimed rising scholar on the internal network. It was said that he had exchanged a valuable patent for a...

Hua suddenly stiffened halfway through her thought. She turned to glance at the masked man on the other side and finally connected the pieces before her. If the man with glasses was Dr. Ai Yue, then the masked man had to be Kalpas, the prisoner he had pulled out of The Deepest Place.

"Don't be nervous. Kalpas isn't scary at all." Ai Yue seemed to notice Hua's nervousness and offered her a few words of comfort. "You'll know once you get familiar with him. He's actually very easy to get along with."

Hua didn't know what to say, so she simply nodded.

While the two of them were talking, the helicopter powered up and rose smoothly into the sky. Hua froze for a moment before glancing around the cabin. "Uh, Dr. Ai Yue, are there only three of us on this mission?"

At first, the mission message had selected only her from the entire squad. Hua hadn't found that strange, because Moth to Fire often had a tradition of pulling individual members from different squads to form temporary teams for missions. She was used to it.

But she had never seen a temporary team with only three people, much less one that included a scholar, who couldn't be counted as combat strength at all.

In other words, only two people were needed for this mission?

She couldn't help finding it strange.

"It's a covert mission. Assigning too many people would actually make it easier to fail." Ai Yue gave a simple explanation. "Don't worry. The mission isn't very dangerous."

Hua looked at him in surprise, then nodded without saying anything else.

She was used to obeying orders. In the past, whenever she asked similar questions during missions, she would always receive answers like, "Don't ask about things you shouldn't." The fact that he was willing to offer an explanation already made him seem remarkably kind.

But why choose me?

Hua wasn't good at socializing, so during her free time she enjoyed browsing the various posts on Moth to Fire's internal network. Although she rarely posted anything herself, she enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the forums.

That was how she learned that the young and easygoing scholar before her was actually an extremely formidable person. Dr. Mei had personally recommended him to Moth to Fire, and the first invention patent he produced had already attracted the covetous attention of numerous factions. He was also very close to Dr. Mobius—one could even say he was closer to her than her favorite assistant, Klein. On top of that, people often saw him treating the various Fused Warriors as equals. Some had even seen Vill-V, the mysterious director of the Weapon Development Department, entering and leaving his research lab.

It could be said that he had connections with most of Moth to Fire's middle management. Why would someone like that choose her for a mission?

Hua didn't voice her doubts, but that didn't mean Ai Yue wouldn't ask first.

"You're wondering why I chose you, aren't you?" He seemed to see the conflict in the girl's heart, so he asked directly. After Hua nodded, Ai Yue continued, "I've read your files. Whether we're comparing your abilities and qualities or your past record, you're definitely one of the finest warriors in Moth to Fire. And you're from my hometown as well. Naturally, I chose you."

In truth, Ai Yue had been somewhat surprised when he saw Hua's file.

In the original storyline, Hua in this era couldn't be considered the protagonist, so she had received very little description. Moreover, the important characters active during this period were all exceptionally talented. Beneath their brilliance, Hua seemed even more ordinary.

However, if one took the time to understand the girl, it became clear that her strength was far from that of an ordinary soldier.

Before the Seventh Herrscher had awakened, when she was still a human named Himiko, Hua had already been a core member of her squad, responsible for handling Honkai disasters across the Australian continent. At that time, Himiko believed Hua was the warrior most likely to stand alongside Kevin and the others.

Later, when the Seventh Herrscher awakened, the Fifth Squad led by Himiko was wiped out in an instant. Hua was the only one to escape from her hands, and she even rescued Eden in the process. That alone was enough to prove her strength.

And now, Hua served as the vanguard of the Fifth Reconnaissance Squad. This position required her to shoulder the most dangerous and important responsibilities of every mission. Yet Hua could not only complete every mission perfectly, but also still had enough energy to look after her teammates.

With such outstanding strength even before becoming a Fused Warrior, it was no wonder Kevin placed such high hopes in her after she became one, believing that she could go farther than anyone else.

Of course, all of that was still too distant for Hua at present. What Ai Yue valued now was her excellent compatibility with the "Eighth Divine Key: Feather of Dust." That compatibility, combined with her strange connection to the Eighth Herrscher in the later era, led Ai Yue to believe that Hua could play an important role in this plan targeting the Eighth Herrscher.

The Financial Display Phase Begins

Hua naturally had no idea what Ai Yue was thinking. She was merely surprised that he was so certain of her abilities.

"You flatter me. There are actually many people stronger than I am." Hua lowered her head. Whenever the topic turned to herself, she habitually made this gesture. "Besides, you should have a good relationship with the Fused Warriors, shouldn't you? Perhaps you should ask them for help with a mission like this."

"The Fused Warriors have their own responsibilities." Ai Yue found it difficult to change Hua's lack of confidence in such a short time. "Besides, in the face of this mission, the Fused Warriors might not necessarily have any advantage over ordinary people."

Hua heard a deeper meaning in Ai Yue's words and couldn't help raising her head to look at him. "Is it a very dangerous mission?"

"The Eighth Great Honkai has erupted." Ai Yue didn't answer her question directly. "But we have no information about the Herrscher."

"This..." Hua froze. "The Eighth Great Honkai has erupted?"

Within Moth to Fire, soldiers like Hua could only be considered low-level members. Given her qualifications, she was actually already eligible to lead a squad of warriors and be promoted to middle management. However, because of her personality, the girl preferred to remain a soldier who simply followed orders.

That was precisely why she had not been informed. Since Dr. Mei could not determine the Eighth Herrscher's circumstances, she had temporarily refrained from spreading the news. At present, only a small number of people within Moth to Fire knew about it.

"So we're going to look for traces of the Herrscher?" Hua reacted quickly. After realizing what had happened, she combined Ai Yue's words and quickly deduced the situation. "But why would a scholar like you be needed for this?"

"Because I can save a lot of trouble by doing it myself." Ai Yue smiled. "That way, we can also reduce unnecessary sacrifices, right?"

At that point, he suddenly changed the subject and looked at Hua. "However, I understand the risks of this mission very clearly. If you don't want to carry it out, you still have a chance to withdraw."

"I have no intention of doing that." Hua glanced at Ai Yue before looking out of the cabin. "Besides, it's too late now, isn't it?"

Ai Yue said there was still a chance to withdraw, but the helicopter had already taken off. What could she possibly do by withdrawing now?

"I knew you wouldn't back down." Ai Yue patted her shoulder and pointed at the backpack beside them. "Of course, if you really choose to leave, there's a parachute in there."

And so, this simple and abrupt encounter temporarily came to an end. Before reaching their destination, they all needed to rest for a while.

Three hours later, the helicopter finally reached its destination and landed in a wasteland on the outskirts of a city. To Hua's surprise, however, the city was completely calm. There wasn't a Honkai Beast in sight, and there were barely even any pedestrians on the roads.

"Would the Herrscher hide in a place like this?" Hua asked doubtfully. "It doesn't even look as though there's a Honkai disaster here."

"The Herrscher may not be hiding here," Ai Yue replied. "But the Herrscher's tentacles are here."

Tentacles?

Hua couldn't understand what he meant for a moment, but her long-standing habits kept her from asking.

"Let's go. We'll take a look. Hua, bring this box." Ai Yue jumped out of the helicopter and did not forget to give another instruction. "Kalpas, you stay here."

"Oh." Kalpas, who had not said a word throughout the journey, finally spoke for the second time since Hua had met him.

"Come to think of it, I don't think I heard the pilot speak at all during the trip." Hua finally realized something.

The pilot seemed not to have shown herself from the beginning. She hadn't even spoken once along the way, making her seem unusually silent.

Kalpas, sitting at the other end of the cabin, was the same way, but surely there couldn't be two people with that kind of personality on one helicopter, right?

"It's her first time flying a helicopter, so she's a little nervous." Ai Yue opened the cockpit door, revealing an empty pilot's seat. "Come on, Rose. Say hello to Hua."

"Empty?" Hua finally showed a more obvious expression. She stared at the cockpit in astonishment, unable to believe how she had gotten there. "When did Moth to Fire get remotely piloted helicopters?"

"It isn't remotely piloted. It's being flown by Artificial Intelligence." While Hua was still stunned, a phantom appeared before her. A gray-haired girl with twin-drill ponytails gave her a slight bow. "Hello, Miss Hua. I am the Artificial Intelligence 'Prometheus,' serving as the pilot for this flight. Please rate my service. One: very satisfied. Two: extremely satisfied. Three: exceptionally satisfied."

"Uh, then I'll choose one." Although Hua's face was filled with confusion, she instinctively answered. "Wait, Artificial Intelligence?"

Had something even more outrageous than an unmanned helicopter appeared?

"You actually answered that question so seriously. It seems I need to make a slight adjustment to your personality model." Prometheus spoke expressionlessly, then looked at Ai Yue. "Dr. Ai Yue, the specific coordinates have been sent to your phone. Please check them."

"Okay. Then let's get going."

Ai Yue reached toward the cockpit's instrument panel. Only then did Hua notice the black object embedded in it. Many jointed, limb-like appendages extended from it and connected to the controls. It seemed that Prometheus was flying the helicopter through this object.

After Ai Yue removed it, the black object actually changed shape on its own, molding itself around his forearm and transforming into something resembling a piece of arm armor.

Hua stared blankly at the scene. For a moment, she thought she had returned to when she had first joined Moth to Fire.

Back then, she had still been a university student, and she had looked at all the high-tech equipment inside Moth to Fire with the same expression.

But this thing looked far too advanced! When had Moth to Fire acquired something like this?

"A little nanotechnology. It's still in the experimental stage, so its performance isn't fully developed." Ai Yue lowered his sleeve to cover Prometheus's sub-unit and explained when he saw Hua's gaze. "Want one? Once the technology matures, I'll make you a set."

"Ah?" Hua clearly hadn't expected Ai Yue to be so enthusiastic. After freezing for a moment, she hurriedly shook her head. "No, I don't need one... I wouldn't have any use for something like that."

Ai Yue merely smiled and said nothing more.

Not tempted? That's fine. Big brother has plenty of interesting things at home. I'm not worried that you won't be tempted.

Hua didn't yet know that Ai Yue's enthusiasm toward her concealed ulterior motives. His goal was to make her willingly become his subordinate.

Unfortunately, by now, it was already too late for her to run.

Ai Yue's First Attempt at Entering a Dream (4,000 Words)

The two of them made their way through the city and soon arrived in front of a residential building.

"So the comatose person is in here?"

Hua looked at the somewhat dilapidated detached house before her. On the way, Ai Yue had briefly explained the current situation, so she understood his plan. He intended to start with people affected by the Herrscher's abilities and use them to try to locate the Herrscher.

"Yes. I've already contacted her parents in advance." Ai Yue couldn't possibly act like some fortune-teller in front of Hua and explain everything in detail, so he could only be vague. "Don't say anything later. Just watch how I handle it."

Hua nodded and followed behind Ai Yue.

After Ai Yue pressed the doorbell, a sorrowful-looking woman soon came out. She looked at the two people before her suspiciously and asked warily, "Who are you?"

"Hello. Are you Mrs. Sara?" Ai Yue showed her an identification document. "I'm a doctor from the medical division of the United Nations Public Welfare Foundation. We contacted each other on the forum earlier. I've come to examine your daughter."

"You're Dr. Ai Yue?" The woman seemed to remember something and looked him up and down. "But... will this really work?"

Although Ai Yue was still wearing his white coat, his excessively young appearance made him rather unconvincing.

"You don't have any other options right now, do you?" Ai Yue said with a smile. "Don't worry. We don't charge anything. Why not give it a try?"

"...All right." Mrs. Sara was clearly in a state of panic, so she didn't hesitate for long before stepping aside to invite them in. However, her expression remained somewhat uneasy. "Oh, and please try to keep quiet. I..."

"Sallana? Sara!"

The woman hadn't finished speaking when an impatient, drunken male voice came from inside the house. "Where did you go?"

As soon as the two entered, they saw a man stagger up from the sofa with a bottle of alcohol in his hand. "Who's this pretty boy? Who let them in?"

As he spoke, he walked toward Ai Yue and rolled up his sleeves, apparently intending to use violence.

Hua narrowed her eyes slightly and took an unhurried step forward. If he dared to enter within three meters of Ai Yue, she could take him down immediately.

"Dear, he's the doctor who came to treat Rachel," Mrs. Sara hurriedly stopped him. "Don't get worked up. They aren't charging us."

"Hmph. They'd better not be." Perhaps he had been intimidated by Hua's gaze, or perhaps he didn't want to make too much of a scene in front of outsiders. In the end, the man abandoned his original intention, but instead grabbed Sara by the arm. "Since your daughter has someone to deal with her, come upstairs with me!"

Mrs. Sara instinctively tried to pull free at first, but then gave up struggling. She merely pointed at the door of a nearby room with her other hand and looked at Ai Yue pleadingly. "Dr. Ai Yue, I'm counting on you to take care of Rachel."

The two of them soon disappeared around the staircase. Only then could Hua no longer hold back. "Are we really just going to watch?"

"Domestic affairs are the hardest to interfere in." Ai Yue walked toward the room Mrs. Sara had indicated. "What's your assessment of this family?"

He pushed open the bedroom door. In the cramped room, where the bed, desk, chairs, and wardrobe left almost no space to stand, a somewhat haggard girl lay on the bed with a faint smile at the corners of her mouth.

"A typical blended family. Financial factors have placed the mother and daughter at a disadvantage within the household." Hua gave a brief analysis. "Judging from that man's attitude, the girl's life at home is probably not very good. Under those circumstances, she could develop psychological problems."

"Your analysis is reasonable, but this is only what we can see on the surface." Ai Yue picked up the phone beside the pillow. Prometheus immediately extended an appendage from beneath his sleeve and connected it to the phone. "How long can you manage this family? A temporary solution won't last forever. Without a suitable method of handling the situation, things could actually become worse for her after we leave."

Besides, if we're going to deal with it, we should wait until after the real business is finished.

"Search complete. A special keyword has been found." Prometheus's voice rang out. "Based on the current circumstances, there is a 99.2% probability that this person is one of the Original Anchors."