I'm No MOTH Hero

"I won't go into the specifics of the principle, but the technology used in this blade is the same as the vibrating knives you've used before. However, I've incorporated some new tech, so it can utilize its freezing capabilities if operated correctly. This time, I've modeled it after a Japanese katana, making it more suitable for slashing and more durable."

It was obvious this blade was meant for Lin; otherwise, it wouldn't have been presented to him separately.

A new technological weapon...

"Did you think that was all?" Delta asked with a mysterious smile. He reached into a hidden corner of the cargo hold and pulled out another katana, its hilt looking almost identical to the Plasma Shadow Show, complete with a scabbard. "You've been favoring close-quarters combat lately, Lin, so I thought I'd equip you with more melee weapons. How about calling them the Seven Sword Armament?"

"..."

Setting aside the name that felt a bit too familiar, Lin carefully examined the new sword. Delta, being perceptive, tossed it directly to him so he could inspect it himself.

Lin pondered for a moment, grasping the scabbard in one hand and the hilt in the other, then drew the blade.

"Shing."

Matte metal components extending from the hilt deployed a sky-blue blade edge, within which tiny bolts of lightning flickered unstably.

For some reason, seeing the blade's sky-blue edge reminded Lin of the Third Herrscher who had reached out to him in the rain.

Her final smile flashed in his mind, causing Lin to grip the hilt tighter.

"This blade was crafted based on the principles of the Third Herrscher's shield. It's still a bit unstable, but the hilt generates a powerful electromagnetic field to protect the user. It should be quite practical for someone like you who often ends up with all their gear destroyed."

Delta watched Lin gaze intently at the blade and smiled. "This sword doesn't have a name yet. You should be the one to name it."

"...Let's call it Raikiri," Lin said after a long moment of contemplation. His thoughts raced, and he then sheathed the sword and handed it back to Delta.

"Raikiri? A good name."

Delta excitedly took Raikiri back and placed it alongside the Plasma Shadow Show, planning to integrate them when he redesigned Lin's armor later.

Watching him, Lin asked, "Why are you giving me special treatment?"

This had been Lin's long-standing question. He was often on missions before, with no time to ponder such things. Now that he had the time to settle down, it was time to address these issues.

"Special treatment?" Delta blinked in surprise, then tapped his chin in thought. "Hmm... that involves many factors, such as your physique, your information processing ability, your identity, and our friendship..."

"..." He probably wouldn't get much out of listening anyway.

"But the most important reason is probably that you're simply 'human'," Delta said with a hearty laugh.

"..."

"While not entirely, most of us in research and development don't have very good Honkai Energy Adaptability or resistance, myself included."

Delta chuckled with a mix of helplessness and regret. "I actually wanted to fight on the front lines alongside the soldiers, but everyone told me I could be of greater use in the R&D department."

Confined to non-combat roles due to his own limitations?

"So, when you, a kid who has terrible Honkai Energy compatibility yet is unbelievably strong, appeared, all of us cowards in R&D were ecstatic, as if we could finally fight ourselves. You are the embodiment of our ideals."

"You showed us the potential of humanity, so we're building armor worthy of you. It's that simple."

Delta patted Lin's arm and gave him a thumbs-up, uttering words that Lin would remember for a lifetime:

"You are my hope, Lin."

Chapter 21: Never Forget

"Squad Seven has been wiped out. There are vacancies in the MOTH's squad configuration, and the headquarters will reassign combat personnel."

"Designation MSA-079, Lin. In consideration of your combat achievements and abilities far exceeding those of a typical private, you have been specially promoted to Captain and appointed as the leader of Squad Seven after evaluation."

This was more than a three-rank promotion, a treatment even martyrs wouldn't receive. Furthermore, he was directly appointed as a squad leader, setting a precedent for MOTH. Typically, combat squad leaders were officers of Colonel rank or higher; a Captain had never held such a position before.

Lin, sitting in his wheelchair, appeared much more energetic than he had half a month ago, his previous haggardness gone. He sat with his back to the notification officer, in this somewhat somber environment. The soft glow emanating from the lettering on the wall illuminated the bandages on his face.

Perhaps his reclusive nature had already spread, as the notification officer was not surprised by Lin's silence. He produced a solemn box and handed it to Lin; this was the primary purpose of his visit.

"This is your new MOTH badge. Please accept it."

"..." Lin glanced at the badge in the box. It was significantly different from the one he had received when he first joined the team, with superior craftsmanship and detail. It was likely a captain-level insignia.

It's just an identification and a box for storing things, why make it so ornate?

Lin didn't voice the thought. He simply gave a faint "Mm" and took the badge, tucking it into his pocket.

"Regarding the handover for Squad Seven, it will be handled via communication later..."

"I know."

Lin raised his hand, stopping the notification officer from continuing. He turned his head and made a shushing gesture.

"...Alright, then I won't disturb your remembrance. Today, headquarters is hosting a ball to celebrate the completion of the follow-up work for the Third Honkai War. I believe everyone would very much like to see Mr. Lin attend."

"I will not go."

"..."

Lin didn't offer any further explanation. He crossed his arms over his lap and paid no more attention to the notification officer.

A fleeting look of disgust and disdain flashed across the notification officer's face, but he quickly concealed it. He bowed to Lin and then departed.

Silence returned to the room.

Lin tilted his head back, looking at each name on the wall, engraving them into his heart. His gaze finally settled on the newly added names.

This was MOTH's "graveyard."

Those who died in service to MOTH would have their bodies transported back to their hometowns for burial, while their names would be left here, to be looked up to by their comrades.

Lin stared silently at the unfamiliar names of Squad Seven, as if gazing at stars in the night sky.

The cleanup work, which lasted over a month, was finally complete. This tug-of-war with the Honkai had ultimately ended in victory for humanity. And as per tradition since ancient times, humanity celebrated victories in battle with fine wine and song and dance.

"Cap-Captain, is this outfit a bit too revealing? It doesn't feel right..."

"Haha, my adorable Soul, have more confidence in yourself. You're so cute, you should show yourself off more. Don't be like Lin, always covering your face."

The red-haired woman, wearing an evening gown, put her arm around the young girl's shoulders from behind and admired her reflection in the mirror, very pleased with the white dress adorned with blue accents.

It was indeed her taste, perfectly suited for Soul.

"Being called cute or whatever..." Soul's peripheral vision flickered towards Himiko's considerable "assets," and she sighed with frustration, "But Captain, you're so mature and sexy, I feel so inadequate."

Himiko's figure was voluptuous, and her dress, a low-cut, high-slit design that accentuated her curves, made Soul look like an underdeveloped child standing next to her.

Was it really too early for her to attend such a ball? If only teammate Lin were here. At least seeing his icy, distant back would calm her nerves.

Himiko, while tidying Soul's hair, turned to the silent, grey-haired girl standing beside them and asked, "Where's Hua? Since Lin isn't here, why don't you join us?"

"I..." Hua shook her head nervously, her gaze fixed on her toes. "I'll pass. Captain probably wouldn't like me attending these kinds of gatherings."

"Oh my, what do you take Lin for? He's not that possessive. Besides, you were just assigned to his team, weren't you? Hehe, are you already worrying too much about his feelings?"

"N-no, I just, um, um..." Hua was not good with words. Faced with Himiko's teasing gaze, the overly innocent student girl didn't know how to respond.

For the past month, Hua had been mostly undergoing new recruit training at headquarters. The rest of her time was spent with members of Squad Five.

In her understanding, after such a brutal battle, MOTH was already eager to host a ball. The somber atmosphere had completely vanished, and even the conversations of passing staff in the corridors had shifted from work to gossip.

Lin would hate this, wouldn't he? He was such a heavy person.

"Ooh~ I get what you mean. You're thinking Lin hates balls after battles?"

Himiko chuckled and ruffled Hua's hair.

Why was this child so naive?

"Lin doesn't actually hate these things. He understands that people need a way to wash away their grief, and he hopes others can move past the shadows of losing friends and comrades."

Himiko spoke earnestly. She was the oldest and most experienced person there, and saw things most clearly. These two new recruits, who had only recently stepped onto the battlefield, and who, to varying degrees, held a sense of reverent respect for Lin, focused mostly on his actions rather than his personal life. This could, to some extent, lead to a skewed perception of him.

"But he himself doesn't want to forget his sorrow." Himiko smiled helplessly. "Should I call him mature, or childish?"

He simply didn't want the dead to be forgotten, so he forced himself to remain immersed in negative emotions.

Lin's life was not a blank slate, but he forced himself to become one, allowing the deaths and emotions of others to be painted upon it. Gradually, the part that belonged to Lin himself became smaller and smaller.

Sooner or later, Lin would be crushed by the accumulated sorrow within him, and the reason for that day's arrival would likely be the departure of those around him.

"Then let's go find teammate Lin."

"Huh?"

Soul's delicate face put on a determined expression. She clenched her small fists, looking at a surprised Himiko.

As a recruit who had joined less than two months ago, she had fought alongside Himiko to defeat the resurrected Shesha. In just a month, she had learned things from Lin that she had never experienced before.

Though their time together was short, Soul had developed a complex feeling of admiration for this perpetually cold person.

Even if it was just her own one-sided wish, she wanted Lin's gentleness, which he had never shown before, to continue. Not just as a soldier fighting the Honkai, but as an ordinary person named Lin.

"You've grown up, Soul," Himiko stretched and smiled charmingly. "Alright, since you're both so worried, let's go find him. Also, Soul, he's the captain of Squad Seven starting today. Don't call him 'teammate Lin' anymore."

"Th-then what should I call him?"

"Just call him Lin, directly. How about that?"

"Th-that's too... too intimate..."

"Hehe."

Under Himiko's almost explicit gaze, Soul's face quickly flushed, and the little bit of determination she had just mustered vanished instantly.

Chapter Twenty-Two: Heartbeat Memory

"As expected, he's here."

The tranquility of the "graveyard" was broken as Lin opened his sleepy eyes, like a dim lamp lit in the darkness.

Three girls entered from the doorway in single file. The scattered footsteps suddenly made the place lively, and they all crowded around Lin.

Hua saw the names glowing faintly on the wall and bowed her head respectfully, her voice softening. "Are these all fallen warriors? Excuse me..."

"You always hide in these gloomy places, kid, that's why you're as cold as ice," Himiko said, grabbing Lin's face from behind and playfully pinching it. "Aren't you going to see the dress I picked out for Soul at the ball today? What, are you looking down on me now that you're captain?"

"Captain, keep your voice down," Soul said, feeling incredibly embarrassed. She tried her best to stop Himiko from disturbing the slumber of the heroes, but her peripheral vision caught Lin's eyes, and finding that he wasn't even interested in looking at her, she couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment.

But this was indeed teammate Lin.

Soon, she comforted herself and cheered up.

"What are you afraid of? Half the names here are old acquaintances of mine. Hmph, do they dare have opinions about me?"

Lin sighed, thinking that peace would not be found today either.

"What's wrong? The ball is about to start, why are you looking for me?" After taking off his helmet, Lin's voice softened considerably. He turned his wheelchair around and asked the three of them.

"Here, these two can't stand seeing a certain aloof boy suffer in solitude. There are plenty of handsome guys at the ball, but they'd rather come find a lonely guy who hides his face all day," Himiko pouted and said with a casual laugh.

Lin turned his gaze to the two standing further back.

Lin's gaze, capable of freezing a thermometer, would make anyone nervous if directed at them.

At this moment, they were a little afraid that Lin might coldly dismiss them as superfluous. Lin rarely scolded people, but when his rare sarcasm did come out, it was as sharp and precise as the dialogue in The Legend of Zhen Huan.

But Lin didn't do that. As Himiko understood, he was capable of understanding others; it was just that his reticence made him seem rather unapproachable.

He nodded gently and said, "It's fine, you don't need to worry about me."

"No, if Squad Member Lin continues to mope like this, it'll be bad for your health. You just got out of the recovery pod," Hun said, her short hair quivering as she pursed her lips and stepped forward to persuade him.

Lin wanted to say that he wasn't moping, and that it had been about half a month since he'd left the recovery pod, but before he could speak, Hua chimed in with agreement.

"Yes, even martial artists have mental states. If one wallows in negative emotions all day, the healing of injuries will slow down, which won't help you get back on the battlefield at all."

"..."

Lin hesitated when he heard that his injuries would heal slower. Hun secretly gave Hua a thumbs-up.

Squad Member Hua, good job!

After considering it, he nodded. "Alright, let's go to the ball."

"Huh?" Hun blinked in surprise.

Lin cast a questioning glance at her.

"N-nothing."

Initially, they just wanted to keep Lin company, but they never expected him to willingly go to the ball.