I'm No MOTH Hero

"……"

Delta pointed at Elysia, and Lin spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness.

"I posted a bet on the MOTH internal network about Lin's true identity. After removing the most popular guesses, 'girl' and 'robot,' the remaining options are: a Mortal who's maintained their sanity, a humanoid Honkai Beast, a hyper-realistic projection…" Elysia listed her mischievous ideas one by one. With each suggestion, Lin's expression grew darker. By the end, he didn't even need the bandages to hide his face; his expression was shrouded in shadow.

Delta's interest was piqued. She pulled out her communicator and found the post. "Really? Then I'll place a bet too."

Lin leaned back in his wheelchair, speechless. Even Delta was joining in the mischief. He had no idea what to say.

"Alright, I'm betting a month's salary. Lin, you'd better not disappoint me."

Delta smiled, patted Lin's shoulder, and left to find something to eat elsewhere.

"Huh? Why hasn't the poll changed?" Elysia scrolled through the interface, unable to find Delta's vote. Then, at the very bottom of the betting pool, under the least chosen option, she found Delta's vote.

"This option is… 'Stunningly Handsome Guy'? There are only three votes total."

"……"

Lin's expression remained unchanged.

Lin spent the entire ball quietly observing the pairs dancing on the dance floor. He happened to see Hen, the captain of Squad Four, dancing with Mobius's assistant, Bianca. Seeing their smiles, his icy demeanor softened slightly.

Such days were rare for warriors who lived life on the edge.

"Is it nice to watch?"

"……"

The girl's hair brushed against his neck, lightly tickling the back of his head. A gentle voice came from above.

"This scene is what everyone strives for, and it's also why Lin fights. So, it must be very beautiful in your eyes."

"…And you, Elysia?"

"Me? Of course, I'm beautiful too."

"……"

She cleverly dodged the question.

Clinking glasses, harmonious music.

The dancing figures spoke of humanity's brief respite.

Lin gazed at them in a daze.

So far away.

Lin's fingers twitched, wanting to reach out, but he froze halfway, his hand suspended in the air. He stared at his bandaged fingertips, shook his head, and prepared to lower his hand.

Snap.

A hand grasped his.

Just like that time.

"Oh my, the master's orders are strictly followed by this maid, you know."

Elysia gently squeezed his hand and pulled Lin up from his wheelchair. With her other arm, she supported his waist, helping him to stand precariously.

"I'm Elysia. May I have this dance?"

"…Okay."

The girl's smile was so radiant under the lights.

Like the spring breeze of March, it brushed across his cheek.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Humanity's Despair

Lin's body was softer than expected.

Elysia had imagined, based on Lin's physical examination report, that his entire body would be covered in firm muscle lines, feeling almost like metal. Perhaps tapping him would even produce an echo.

But perhaps it was due to his current weakened state. When she touched the boy who usually felt like a robot, the sensation was surprisingly soft.

Lin could no longer lift his arm beyond ninety degrees. His limbs were weak and his legs struggled to move. For him now, dancing a single dance was a fantasy.

However, none of this was a problem for Elysia. She easily held Lin's left hand with one of hers and supported his waist with the other, bearing his entire weight with just her hands. This allowed Lin's free hand to firmly hook around her waist for balance, with her leading their every step.

As they entered the dance floor, Lin, who had never learned to dance, tried to mimic the steps of others by observing them. With his learning ability, he should have picked up some of the moves after just a few glances. But before he could even shift his gaze from Elysia, she whispered softly, "Lin, when you dance with a girl, you should look into her eyes~"

Lin gazed into her eyes, which held the depth of a clear autumn pool. "…I don't know how to dance."

"It's okay." She leaned closer.

Why?

Her captivating pink eyes stopped the words from leaving his lips. There was a magic that made him believe Elysia's words without question.

In the shadows of the dim lights, no one noticed as two people quietly joined the dance floor. Amidst the swirling "petals" of dancing couples, they twirled gracefully.

Tap—

With a step forward, Lin moved closer to Elysia. A faint fragrance lingered in his nostrils.

Perfume? It shouldn't be. He had never seen Elysia use any cosmetics.

He held her delicate hand, which could be easily grasped. Elysia took a step forward, and he took a step back. Elysia took a step back, and he took a step forward. Their movements were coordinated and smooth. Coupled with Elysia's standard and elegant dance steps, even the most basic slow waltz was quite enjoyable to watch.

It was strange. He had no dancing foundation at all, and his lower limbs could barely exert any force, yet Lin instinctively followed Elysia's steps, as if he were a born dancer.

Lin soon understood why. He was merely instinctively matching Elysia's movements. Every step she took was precise enough to be written into a dance textbook, which allowed Lin to land his own steps in the correct positions. Elysia would also subtly adjust his posture for him.

His clumsy dance steps became more proficient. Just as Lin had thought, he learned very quickly.

As the number of people increased, the tempo of the music quickened, and the dance steps changed from a slow three-step to a fast three-step. Lin felt a slight increase in the force around his waist.

A reverse turn, a swing, a tilt, a lift – all the movements flowed seamlessly. On this girl, who was like a crystal flower, everything was so natural and captivating.

Lin gazed into the girl's pink eyes, his lips moved, and he asked almost inaudibly, "At that time, was it you who was speaking to me?"

The voice that told him to keep living sounded exactly like Elysia's.

But why could Lin hear her call in that void where there was nothing? And why did she say those words to him?

"When was that?" The girl smiled slyly, her ambiguous expression unreadable.

"When I fell into the abyss."

"Lin." Her pink hair drew a perfect arc as she danced. The girl's thin lips were alluringly red under the dim, shifting light, outlining the curve of her smile. "Secrets add a touch of mystery to a girl, don't they?"

"..."

Everything before him felt like an illusory dream. Lin could hear people's laughter. They had forgotten their pain, burying their tears and sorrow in this dance, and were moving towards a new sunrise with renewed strength.

Yes, all of this felt unreal and untouchable to Lin, as if it could shatter at any moment.

Including the girl before him.

"But no matter when or where, Elysia will be here. Only this is not a secret."

The girl blinked, her smile twinkling like countless stars.

"Is that so?" Lin murmured, stopping his dance steps.

The music ended, and a new song began, but the two of them were nowhere to be seen.

"Splash."

The night sky over the sea was clear and vast, like a galaxy scattering stardust overhead.

Lin wiped his handgun by the moonlight. This standard-issue firearm, which had been fired only a few times, had inevitably acquired scratches after several battles. He ran his fingers over the rough marks, his dark eyes filled with surging thoughts.

"Click."

A flash captured Lin's profile, freezing the moment.

Lin glanced at Elysia, who was taking a photo out of the Polaroid. The night breeze brushed through her hair, cascading down like a waterfall.

"A great photo. We'll put it on MOTH's recruitment posters and label it 'The Thinker of MOTH'." Elysia flipped the photo over, allowing Lin to see his pensive reflection.

Lin asked softly, "Does MOTH have recruitment posters?"

"Yes, because we need to consider all possibilities. We predicted that Honkai and MOTH would eventually be exposed to the whole world, so we've prepared recruitment and promotional materials in advance."

If that day came, it would mean MOTH could no longer hide the disasters caused by Honkai. By then, human society would likely collapse instantly, like a sandcastle battered by the tide.

How far away was that day? Was it after his death or before? Or was it tomorrow?

The future was filled with terrifying unknowns.

"Lin, how long until the next major Honkai outbreak?" Elysia looked back at the brightly lit base, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she asked Lin.

"I don't know." Lin looked up at the sky. Under this curtain of twinkling stars, he had a vague sense of being watched. "But I believe humanity can continue to win."

"'Win'..." Elysia savored the word. She murmured, "Lin, do you believe in humanity because you believe in yourself?"

"No." Lin exhaled. "On the contrary, I believe in myself because I believe in humanity."

"I always see it."

"See what?"

Elysia smiled. "I always see Lin saying things that are emotional and impulsive, even though he appears rational and astute."

"That is my judgment based on reason." Lin lowered his head, looking at the handgun.

"What if one day humanity disappoints you?"

"Then it will only be myself who has disappointed myself."

Lin's finger traced the grooves on the handgun. Then, he turned the muzzle, pointing the dark, round opening at himself.

Once humanity despairs, they will block the path to the future.

He believed humans wouldn't be that foolish.

"But if that day truly comes..."

His finger, resting on the trigger, slowly tightened.

"That day will not come. I promise you."

A pink finger blocked the muzzle of the gun.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Daily Life Flows Again

"Good morning, Lin."

"..."

At 8:05 AM, Lin was doing rehabilitation exercises in the second gym. Kevin walked in, a towel around his neck and wearing athletic shorts. He greeted Lin casually and began his morning workout.

"I thought I was the only one who knew about this gym. I've been using it alone for a month."

Kevin jogged on the treadmill, his muscles rippling rhythmically under his control. In just one month, his physique had transformed beyond what it was during his school days.

Perhaps it was his exceptional Honkai Energy Adaptability that caused his body to change so drastically after exposure to Honkai Energy. At the very least, ordinary soldiers couldn't achieve such earth-shattering physical changes in a short period.

Lin averted his gaze and continued his simple, effective rehabilitation exercises. "Before you came, I was the only one using it."

"Oh, that explains it."

After Kevin joined MOTH, he had heard most of the strange rumors about Lin. In summary, Lin was a freak who could nullify Honkai Energy with his right hand, had a Gatling gun with 3,600 rotations per breath attached to his left, could shoot petrifying beams from his eyes, could transform his legs into speed wheels, and could even extend a day to twenty-five hours.

There was even a book dedicated to Lin called "One Hundred Questions About the Silent Helmet," which was already on its second edition.

"Lin, yesterday I... hmm... no, that's not right." Kevin's expression was odd, as if he wanted to boast about something but felt it was inappropriate. He subtly asked, "Where did you and Elysia go last night? A girl with an inner-dyed streak was looking for you everywhere."

"I..."

"How did you know Mei and I secretly went to the deck to admire the moon?"

"..."

Lin stretched his joints expressionlessly, remaining silent.

The smartest thing for him to do now was to get up and leave immediately. Otherwise, based on his understanding of Kevin, he would be subjected to a barrage of meaningless sentences composed of a lot of useless words, an assault on his nerves that would force him to listen even if he didn't want to.