Honkai Impact 3rd: Starting to Save the Pre-Civilization with Hand-Crafted Black Tech

"Huh? What is it?" Elysia looked at Ai Yue blankly, but he had already strolled outside with a relaxed gait. "Wait, explain yourself! What do you mean by 'saved humanity'!"

Ai Yue naturally couldn't tell Elysia about the psychic plague. No matter the outcome, he had already decided to bear it alone. After all, only a savior could shoulder such a heavy responsibility; everyone else just needed to obediently be his oxen and horses.

Of course, the most important thing was that even though Elysia had said she didn't oppose modifying all of humanity, if she knew the specifics, she would probably aim her bow and arrow directly at Ai Yue's forehead.

Speaking of which, shouldn't he also find a way to improve his own strength?

But modifying his own body felt strange. It was better to go with the rich people's method first.

After reactivating the research for the "Portable Nanite Armor," Ai Yue returned home.

"Welcome back, Doctor Ai Yue." Prometheus greeted him at the door as always. However, for some reason, a "holding back laughter" emoji was hanging above her head. "Please remember to rest early."

"Oh, I'll go to sleep now." Ai Yue nodded, not paying attention to Prometheus's strangeness. "Don't play so many games at once tonight, or the cooling system will be too noisy."

"Don't worry, Doctor Ai Yue." Prometheus watched Ai Yue's retreating back as he went upstairs, and the emoji above her head changed to "laughing." "You probably won't be concerned about any noise in a little while."

Ai Yue didn't hear the latter half of Prometheus's sentence. Otherwise, he might have become a little wary and wouldn't have noticed until a figure tackled him onto the bed.

"A-Aponia?" Smelling the strong scent of alcohol on her and feeling the familiar touch, Ai Yue immediately recognized her. "What are you doing at my place?!"

"I don't know," Aponia showed a side completely different from her usual calmness, burying her head in Ai Yue's embrace with a hint of coquettishness. "I'm drunk."

Despite her words, her hands were quick. Ai Yue tried to stop her, but he couldn't stop her searching hands at all.

"Wait, something's not right! How did it suddenly become like this... Hey, don't touch there!"

The construction quality of Moth to Fire was very solid, so no one noticed that Prometheus's cooling system was much noisier than usual tonight.

Chapter 10: No, Bro

The next morning, Fifth Science Department.

Su stood at the main entrance with a subtle expression, seemingly waiting for something.

He would occasionally lower his head to check his phone – it displayed a message from Ai Yue sent a few hours ago, roughly stating that he wanted to visit the Fifth Science Department today.

Su couldn't help but recall his conversation with Ai Yue last night. The other party was indeed full of curiosity about the Fifth Science Department and had mentioned visiting, but he hadn't expected it to be so sudden.

He wondered what his teacher's reaction would be. Hopefully, the two of them wouldn't argue.

As he was thinking, a roar sounded from afar, approaching. Su looked up and ahead, and soon saw a car driving towards them.

When the car stopped beside Su, Ai Yue's face peeked out from inside. "Thanks for waiting for me outside, Su."

"It's nothing, Doctor Ai Yue." Su smiled and nodded, watching Ai Yue get out of the car. "Well then, I'll take you to meet my teacher, Minister Spasi."

"Okay." Ai Yue nodded, then turned to Hua, who was driving. "Hua, come find me after you park the car."

Hua, who was temporarily responsible for Ai Yue's safety, nodded and slowly drove towards the parking lot.

The Fifth Science Department consisted of two parts. Its above-ground section was a hospital dedicated to treating patients infected with Honkai Sickness, while the underground section was its research center, concentrating almost all of Moth to Fire's medical technology projects.

"Curing Honkai Sickness" was the core subject of this base. It could be said that eighty percent of the Fifth Science Department's current research projects revolved around Honkai Sickness.

Led by Su, Ai Yue soon arrived at Spasi's office and met the "stubborn old man" Mobius had mentioned.

Perhaps influenced by Mobius, Ai Yue had always imagined Spasi as a disheveled, long-bearded, short, and grumpy old man. However, in reality, he was a distinguished old gentleman. Judging by his build and appearance, Spasi must have been a heartthrob who swept countless girls off their feet in his youth.

"Doctor Ai Yue, it's a pleasure to meet you." Spasi extended his right hand with a gentle smile. "We are still analyzing the formula you sent last time; it was truly a brilliant concept."

"The situation was urgent at the time, and I used some crude methods. I hope Minister Spasi doesn't mind." Ai Yue glanced at the white-gloved left hand of the other party before extending his own to shake hands. "I've come this time mainly to see the research progress of your department regarding 'Honkai Sickness Serum.' I'm very interested in this technology."

"Of course, you have sufficient clearance now." Spasi smiled, showing no particular emotion on the surface. "Well then, please follow me."

The three quickly arrived at the adjacent laboratory. Using Spasi's clearance, they opened the computer and retrieved information about the Honkai Sickness Serum.

"I'm ashamed to say that since the research began, there has been no substantial progress in the artificial synthesis of Honkai Sickness Serum." Spasi said with a hint of helplessness. "The current Honkai Sickness Serum is essentially the antibodies naturally produced by patients with Honkai Sickness. But even separating them from the patient's remains is the limit of what we can do."

"We... cannot even analyze the components and structure of the Honkai Sickness Antibody."

Ai Yue remained silent, quietly browsing through various reports and data concerning the Honkai Sickness Serum.

The vast majority of the reports detailed failures – failure to analyze components, failure to simulate the antibody generation environment, failure in inhibitor research, failure in excision surgery...

Failure, failure, failure, failure!

In the war against Honkai Sickness, the Fifth Science Department had been steadily retreating. From the words in these reports, Ai Yue could even feel the despair deep within the scholars' hearts.

They couldn't even fully understand the pathology of such a disease, so how could they possibly defeat it?

"One dose of Honkai Sickness Serum requires extracting antibodies from the remains of one thousand patients."

Ai Yue read out the conclusion from one of the few successful reports, the one on serum production, and couldn't help but laugh. "In other words, if Honkai Sickness breaks out worldwide, our best outcome would be to have one in a thousand of the population left?"

Spasi and Su remained silent, because they knew very well that even the best outcome wouldn't reach one in a thousand.

"However, I think I understand now." Ai Yue released his left hand, which had been resting on the chassis, and a barely perceptible blackness retracted into his sleeve. "Minister Spasi, does the Fifth Science Department have any Honkai Sickness Serum right now?"

"Of course, we do. However, apart from the portion used for experimental research, the rest is kept under strict security for emergencies." Spasi said. "A single dose of Honkai Sickness Serum can save a crucial talent at a critical moment. For Moth to Fire, this can be considered a strategic material, and it cannot be used rashly without the permission of the higher-ups."

"Then give me the part you have the authority to use." Ai Yue could easily produce the so-called permit, but he felt it was unnecessary. "I want all the Honkai Energy Serum your Fifth Academy of Sciences has for research."

"Doctor Ai Yue, isn't that a bit..." Seeing the sudden tension between the two, Su stepped forward as a mediator. "Why don't you explain your needs first, and then we can see if there are other ways?"

"From the current perspective, it is clearly difficult for the Fifth Science Department to complete projects such as the artificial synthesis of Honkai Energy Antibodies, cost reduction, and mass production in a short period," Ai Yue said calmly. "Therefore, I will be taking over this project now."

Even Su didn't know what to say at this point.

"Are you even listening to yourself right now?"

The entire Fifth Science Department has over two hundred doctoral experts in the medical field. They've been researching Honkai Sickness Antibodies for at least five years, and even today, they can only manage to extract antibodies from the patient's remains.

At this rate, from artificial synthesis to cost reduction and finally mass production, even the most optimistic estimate would take at least ten to fifteen years.

Yet, Ai Yue's attitude makes it seem as if he'll achieve results the day after he obtains the Honkai Sickness Antibody.

Even Su, who held Ai Yue in high regard, didn't know what to say at this moment.

However, it was Spasi who spoke up at this time.

"I can," Spasi said, "but I have conditions."

Su looked back at his teacher in stunned silence, but Spasi was staring intently at Ai Yue.

Ai Yue nodded. "Tell me?"

"I can give you all the experimental antibodies the Fifth Science Department currently possesses, a total of one hundred doses of Honkai Sickness Serum," Spasi said. "But if you fail to make any effective research after using up all these antibodies, then you must join the Fifth Science Department and dedicate your efforts to antibody research."

Spasi paused, then slowly continued, "Doctor Ai Yue, I'm not looking down on you, but you need to understand how precious Honkai Sickness Serum is. It's a value that cannot be measured by money; it's countless living lives! Without sufficient resolve, can you truly bear this responsibility?"

"I came precisely to bear that responsibility. Ultimately, you should be thanking me," Ai Yue nodded calmly. "I accept your conditions. If you have no other requests, please bring the serum quickly."

Ai Yue didn't say anything like "What if I succeed?", because he knew very well that by the time he produced the corresponding results, the entire Fifth Science Department would follow his lead.

This time, Spasi said nothing more and simply left the laboratory. Su looked at Ai Yue with an expression of wanting to speak but holding back. In the end, he just told Ai Yue to wait there and then chased after Spasi.

He brushed past Hua in the corridor, then caught up to Spasi. "Teacher, I don't quite understand why you would do this?"

In Su's eyes, Spasi had always been a calm and professional scholar. He had no reason to agree to Ai Yue's somewhat rude request on such an important matter, nor should he have used a "bet" as a means.

In his opinion, Spasi was using the Honkai Sickness Serum as bait to lure Ai Yue into the Fifth Science Department.

After all, he couldn't imagine how Ai Yue could achieve a breakthrough with just a hundred doses of serum when the entire Fifth Academy of Sciences had spent several times the materials without success.

"It seems you think I'm playing tricks, right?" Spasi chuckled. "Indeed, even I cannot deny that I have a little bit of that intention."

Su remained silent, as he detected another emotion in Spasi's tone.

It was as if he was starting to feel useless.

"But do you know how Mobius evaluated Ai Yue?" Spasi said slowly. Whether it was Su's imagination or not, he felt his teacher seemed to have shrunk a bit. "She said Ai Yue is someone who can create miracles."

Su knew very well that Spasi detested the word "miracle" the most. He had told him before that there were no miracles or magic in the world; there were only countless people whose lives were taken by the Honkai Sickness, and doctors who moved forward on their corpses.

"Perhaps I am truly old," Spasi laughed twice, but it sounded like he was crying. "To actually start hoping that there might be some miracles in the world."

Thirty minutes later, Spasi and Su returned to the laboratory and solemnly placed a palm-sized box into Ai Yue's hand.

Inside the box was a container two sizes smaller than an eyedropper bottle, filled with a pale blue liquid.

It looked light, but as Spasi held it, it was as if he were carrying a massive boulder.

"Frankly, my reason tells me this is impossible," Spasi said, handing the box to Ai Yue with a complex expression. "But I sincerely hope I won't see you in the Fifth Research Institute in the future."

"That's impossible," Ai Yue put away the box and smiled. "I still have to come back to guide your work."

With that, he turned and left the laboratory, waving goodbye. "See you later."

His tone was so light and cheerful, as if he were casually making plans to hang out with a friend the next day.

Then, the next day, Ai Yue really did come back.

When Su received the news and hurried back to the underground research institute office from the ward, he saw Ai Yue sitting on the sofa, reading a book.

"Why have you come again?" Su asked, puzzled. "Could you have encountered some confusion?"

"Not at all," Ai Yue pointed to the box on the table. "I've used it up."

"Used it up?" Seeing the box on the table that Spasi had given Ai Yue just yesterday, Su's mind went blank. "All one hundred doses of antibodies, all used up?"

That was the research output of the entire Fifth Science Department for a month! Many projects couldn't even get Honkai Sickness Antibodies and were still stuck in simulation experiments. Such a precious resource was used up by Ai Yue in one day?

"How could I have used so much? What are you thinking?" Ai Yue looked at him strangely. "Never mind, my wording was imprecise. I should say the remaining ones are no longer needed."

There were still some left?

Su immediately breathed a sigh of relief and quickly leaned over to look at the box again. Then he frowned. "This... this is no longer needed?"

Su had expected Ai Yue to bring back only a little bit of the antibodies, but he hadn't expected there to be a lot of pale blue liquid left in the container, far exceeding his expectations.

"About twenty doses. Your research was quite useful and saved quite a bit," Ai Yue stood up. "Speaking of which, where is Spasi?"

"Teacher is still in the intensive care ward. He heard you were coming and asked me to receive you first. He'll be here shortly." Su then noticed Ai Yue was carrying a suitcase. "What's this?"

"Oh, just some prototypes," Ai Yue casually swung the suitcase. "Actually, he doesn't need to come. Let's go find him."

Although Su was a bit confused, he didn't ask any more questions. Soon, he led Ai Yue to the hospital section upstairs and found Spasi, who was still checking on patients in the intensive care ward.

"Su? Why did you bring Doctor Ai Yue here?" Spasi, wearing a protective suit, frowned as he looked at Ai Yue, who had walked in wearing only a lab coat. "Doctor Ai Yue, you should take more precautions."

"It's fine, what's a little Honkai Energy radiation?" Ai Yue, who had close contact with Fused Warriors (meaning Mobius had blown herself up in his face), waved dismissively. "Is this patient very serious?"

The wards treating Honkai Sickness patients were specially designed, with a protective shield over each bed to prevent Honkai Energy radiation from endangering more people.

He noticed the patient was wearing a Honkai Energy Absorber around their neck and raised an eyebrow—those people upstairs might be greedy, but at least they were doing something.

"The patient suddenly worsened an hour ago and fell into a deep coma. In this situation, neither the instruments nor the inhibitors are useful," Spasi sighed, his tone filled with deep helplessness. "It's estimated that within twelve hours, she will... Hey, what are you doing?"

Ai Yue nimbly opened the protective cover on the patient's bed, then opened the box in his hands. It was only then that Su noticed it was filled entirely with pale blue potions.

Amidst Spasi's subconscious attempt to stop him, Ai Yue unhesitatingly grabbed a potion and smoothly injected it into the patient's neck.

Three minutes later, the instruments monitoring the patient's bodily data began to change.

Five minutes later, the patient opened their eyes.

Ten minutes later, the patient, who had already been given a death sentence, was able to stand and walk with Ai Yue's support.

Spasi and Su remained motionless throughout the entire process, as if under some petrifying curse.

Only after Ai Yue helped the patient out of the room did the master and disciple exchange a look and utter a synchronized sound.

"Huh?"

Chapter 11: The Poet's Grasp

Even after Ai Yue had helped the patient walk around outside and return, Spasi and Su still found it hard to believe the scene before them was real.

"Looks okay, just very weak since their body just recovered." Looking at the patient who quickly fell asleep again, Ai Yue removed the Honkai Energy Absorber from their neck and replaced its internal core. "It seems to be due to a long-term illness, no need for modifications..."

"Ai Yue!"

Spasi finally rushed forward, grabbing Ai Yue's hand. "You, you actually..."

"Calm down, Minister Spasi." Ai Yue pointed to the sleeping patient, then to the door outside. "Don't disturb others' rest."

The three of them left the ward and went into the corridor.

"You really... did it?" Even though he had forced himself to calm down, Spasi still found it hard to believe what had just happened. "That's Honkai Sickness Serum! Did you really complete the project for the artificial synthesis of Honkai Sickness Antibodies!"

Spasi hadn't ruled out the possibility that Ai Yue had somehow managed to extract Honkai Sickness Antibodies from a thousand people to create the serum. However, to complete the antibody extraction from a thousand people in this short amount of time, Ai Yue would have needed at least twice the staff of the Fifth Science Department, and they all had to be experts in the medical field.

Since both possibilities were equally far-fetched, he naturally hoped that Ai Yue had completed the research for the artificial synthesis of Honkai Sickness Antibodies.