Fiancés

Gu Yan's angle was incredibly precise. The remaining few cores were either shattered or completely exposed to the air, and he didn't hesitate to destroy them.

With that, the Emperor-class Honkai beast Kui Niu was successfully vanquished.

It had only been forty minutes since the Honkai beast appeared, and the most significant damage caused was minor hearing loss to a few navy personnel, easily treatable with current technology.

Exhaling, Gu Yan returned to the ship. This battle hadn't been particularly intense; in reality, it was just a clash between noobs playing support and tank roles.

If a Herrscher had fought that Honkai beast, it would have been instantly killed in a single encounter.

"Good, good! Hahaha!" Qin Hong'an let out a hearty laugh, a hint of fatigue vanishing from his eyes, which hadn't closed in a long time.

Was it worth celebrating a victory? Of course!

Who wouldn't be happy to win a battle without suffering injuries or deaths?

"Brother Gu, you've been hiding your strength!" Li Shi said, his face full of respect. He exchanged a friendly glance with Gu Yan.

"It was my fault for rashly going to provide support earlier, almost causing casualties. I'll report Brother Gu's achievements to my superiors and also conduct a self-reflection." Li Shi rambled on, but he didn't actually intend to do that; he was hinting at someone.

Qin Hong'an, whose communication hadn't been cut yet, blushed. He realized Li Shi was being sarcastic and said, "Li Shi, that's enough. I know you're hinting at me."

His tone became somewhat teeth-gritting towards the end.

"There's no need for that. You didn't know the situation, so it's not your fault. Besides, I don't need the recognition." It was all just empty fame. What good were money and status in the face of disaster?

No recognition? The young man has great ambitions. Why refuse such a good opportunity? Qin Hong'an was a little confused, but only a little. Not seeking fame or fortune could also be a sign of noble character.

"Li Shi, ask him if the monster's brain was preserved intact." Qin Hong'an finished speaking, and Li Shi understood his intention.

"Brother Gu, is the monster's brain still intact? A monster brain of this level would be very helpful in deciphering information."

Investigating Honkai using this method? Gu Yan understood, but then shook his head with regret.

"All of the monster's energy cores were destroyed by me. Without the energy cores to repair its body, it would have disappeared quickly, and its brain couldn't have been preserved."

After a Honkai beast dies, its corpse doesn't linger for long. Instead, it transforms back into Honkai Energy, seeping into the world and giving rise to more monsters.

Hearing this answer, Qin Hong'an and Li Shi both felt a bit of regret.

"It's alright, Brother Gu has already done more than enough. Take some rest here."

"Oh? I don't need to go reinforce other locations?"

Li Shi shook his head. "The disasters in various parts of the country have largely subsided. There will be further counterattacks soon, so it's better to recuperate now."

Gu Yan didn't refuse again.

"Just thinking about fighting the Herrscher soon makes me feel like the future is pitch black."

"What? Tired?" Xu Muchi's voice came through the communication.

"No, I just want to go home. I'm afraid if I go back too late, my mom will have already bought a wreath for me."

"..."

"After we finish fighting the Herrscher, you can go wherever you want."

"But after fighting the Herrscher, I won't even make it in time for my own funeral feast."

"..." Xu Muchi fell silent.

"Just kidding. I'll be waiting by the Bohai Sea. Let me know when it's time to depart." Gu Yan cleared his throat twice before getting down to business.

"Alright, there's no rush to surround and kill the Herrscher. We still can't determine her location. You can rest for two days first."

Morr could turn invisible, and if Ji herself wanted to hide, it would be very difficult to find her.

"Oh, right, can Ability Users heal those who have contracted that strange illness?" Gu Yan asked, recalling a post he'd seen a few days prior.

Although his sister was confirmed to be an Ability User, his mother was still an ordinary person and at risk of contracting Honkai Sickness.

"Yes."

Hearing this answer, Gu Yan was pleasantly surprised.

"Don't worry, if you need it, the higher-ups will help you arrange for someone." Although that particular person was hard to invite.

"Thank you, then."

The girl walked alone down the street.

The setting sun cast her shadow long before her. She lowered her head, and by the roadside, unmelted snow sparkled in the afterglow.

So tired...

Perhaps she lacked exercise, or her body was inherently weak, but after walking for a short while, her legs began to ache.

Maybe this was normal for such a petite and frail girl?

But the girl continued to walk.

For some reason, her grandmother had been home very little these past few days. Her grandfather had boldly brought his mistress home today. She disliked this situation and "sensibly" went out to find a place to stay for the night.

She'd leave the house to her grandfather and his mistress. She hoped they'd be doing something disgusting when her grandmother returned.

Even though she disliked her grandmother intensely as well.

The girl was no longer surrounded by those filthy, greedy gazes. Even in the biting cold wind, the setting sun on her back felt exceptionally warm.

She detested those looks, but she couldn't resist. Various subtle yet powerful threads controlled her body. If the girl dared to break free, a giant hand would crush her like an ant.

Disobedient puppets get taken apart.

The girl wanted to find a place to stay for the night, but alone, she could only wander aimlessly.

How could anyone show pity to a puppet on strings...

The shadow beneath her feet solidified further. The warm afterglow was covered and driven away by some unknown light, and the girl's back turned cold again.

Numbly, she turned her head and saw a familiar car approaching. Her expression became flustered.

Is it that scumbag? How does he know I'm here? It must be Grandfather. No, no!

The girl wanted to speed up, but her sore feet slipped on the wet road, her steps becoming frantic. The girl lost her balance at the lower body and was about to fall to the ground.

This is bad!

Her heart turned ice-cold, and a glint flashed in the corner of her eye.

The embarrassing fall she expected didn't happen; instead, she fell into a soft embrace.

The girl quickly steadied herself, like a startled fawn.

Looking up at the person, she asked, "Are you, Fornia?"

Fornia didn't speak. She simply pulled the girl behind her, acting like a mother hen protecting her chick.

"Nelly, I'm here to pick you up." Simon's car had already pulled up in front of them.

Nelly hid behind Fornia, not daring to peek out.

If she were taken away by Simon now, it wouldn't be a simple matter of borrowing lodging. She'd rather freeze to death in the cold alley.

Simon was her nominal fiancé, but Nelly knew exactly what kind of person he was. If he were to discard her after having his way, her purity and her life would vanish with him.

"Duke Simon, Nelly is going to my place as a guest. Please turn back."

"I remember you, Fornia, right? You must know that Nelly is my fiancée."

Simon's eyes narrowed, his gaze seeming to want to flay Fornia alive.

"Nelly, get in the car!"