I'm No MOTH Hero

Lin shook his head, speaking before Kevin could excitedly open his mouth, "Kevin, the base has an artificial lake. Boating at night lets you see a more beautiful moon than from the deck."

"Really?" The treadmill's speed increased, but Kevin still ran at a steady pace without even panting. He chuckled with a rosy complexion, "Okay, next time when Mei has free time, I'll... Huh? Where did Lin go?"

Before Kevin could finish his sentence, Lin had already pushed his wheelchair out of the gym and headed towards Mobius's laboratory.

"It's too late. Did you sleep too long in the repair pod and mess up your biological clock?"

The tall woman with green hair had her hands tucked into the pockets of her white lab coat, looking displeased at Lin, who had just entered.

Lin glanced up at the clock. 8:27 AM, standard Mu Continent working hours. Most soldiers also departed for missions and training around this time.

Lin scanned the empty laboratory. Compared to last time, he clearly felt it was much emptier. Some documents and items had been taken away.

Simply put, one person was missing.

"Where's your assistant?" Lin asked.

"Tsk..." Mobius's brow furrowed sharply, and she clicked her tongue in annoyance. "She left. Last night."

"..."

Lin thought of the atmosphere he saw last night when Bianca and Hen were dancing together, and he had some idea.

"She has good talent, yet she was still seduced by a man." Mobius anxiously traced some marks on her arm with her fingers, gritting her teeth. "Is this a human flaw that cannot be avoided?"

The instinct to reproduce is etched into a creature's genes. This is the objective condition for humanity's continuation, not a flaw. You should know this.

Lin wanted to correct Mobius's statement, but after thinking about it, he decided not to speak.

After all, he himself was someone who had gone against the instinct to reproduce.

"Forget it, none of that is important. A new assistant introduced by Bianca will be here today. Until then, you can help me with some simple experiments." Mobius's anger flared up and died down quickly, or rather, her emotions were insignificant compared to her research.

She picked up Lin's latest physical examination report, looked over the various values with satisfaction, and then took a test tube from the nearby rack, placing it into the mixer.

"Take off your shirt and let me see your back." Mobius commanded Lin from above.

Lin was now like a willing test subject for Mobius. He had no right to refuse, so he simply reached out and took off his shirt, revealing the parts that protected his skin.

Mobius narrowed her eyes and walked past him, circling to his back. Upon seeing the situation behind him, she let out a cold laugh.

Several faint purple lines were distributed across Lin's back, emitting a strange fluorescence.

These were traces of Honkai erosion. Ordinary people who were now showing similar symptoms were called Honkai disease patients. Those unaware of the Honkai mistook it for a new disease, unaware that it was a death sentence even in the early stages of Honkai disease.

Mobius held the report and combined it with her observation of Lin's condition: "The erosion rate is around 2%. How much time has passed, and it's already risen by one percent. Your life might end even faster than I predicted."

"When will it start disrupting my bodily functions?"

"At 15%, you'll start feeling it physically." Mobius made a few changes to the report and said, "Most people experience symptoms of discomfort around 15%, such as nausea, itching, and disorientation. This means Honkai Energy has begun to erode internal organs."

"40% is the limit of erosion that ordinary people can withstand. The Honkai Energy erosion reaches nearly half of the human body. After this, you will either die at this critical point or begin to transform into a Mortal or Honkai Beast. As for you, unfortunately, you probably won't have the chance to become a Mortal or Honkai Beast."

"From 70% onwards, human rationality will disappear. At this point, the difference between humans and Honkai creatures will be negligible. The pain will stop, but at the same time, bodily functions will be strengthened and amplified by Honkai Energy."

"100%... Heh heh..."

The meaning didn't need to be explained. Judging by Mobius's eyes, which were glowing green with excitement, she seemed to be looking forward to some events that were not in line with human morality.

"Beep—"

The mixer stopped. Mobius walked over, casually picked up a syringe, and drew the liquid from the test tube. Then, she walked behind Lin, grinning as she eyed where to administer the injection.

"Ahhh! I'm going to be late! Cangxuan, why are you also waking up so late today!"

"Mmm... I think I drank too much last night. I feel so sick..."

Two similar figures rushed into the laboratory in a hurry and swiped their ID cards. The result was a bright red warning from the card reader, and both of their faces turned pale simultaneously, as if a bucket of paint had been splashed on them.

"You two are truly 'early'."

A chilling wind blew from behind them, making their legs tremble.

Lin stood still with a calm expression. He didn't know whether to remind Mobius, who was about to scold the two intern assistants, that she had just been startled and had accidentally jabbed the syringe into Lin's shoulder.

Yes, it was still sticking out, shining brightly.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Discussion on the Form of Human Existence

"Regarding adjustments to Honkai Energy Adaptability and resistance, headquarters has not assigned the Science Department or the research institute to conduct research. As far as I know, only the Fifth Science Department is currently conducting related research."

"The 'solution' they provided for Honkai Energy erosion is, in my opinion, somewhat... Heh... crude. But it's practical. After all, humans have been using this method for a long time. It's a practical validation of its feasibility, and I also have a complementary plan here to help you with post-operative issues."

"Well... In short, this method is..."

Without any flashy flourishes, the scalpel was held steadily in a hand as precise as a robotic arm. The sharp silver tip glided over the exposed back, poised to strike at any moment and splash blood.

Mobius stopped the scalpel behind the lines and looked at the back of Lin's head, saying with a mocking smile, "Excision of diseased tissue."

"..."

Although her actions were intimidating, and the name Mobius was notorious, Lin remained remarkably calm about her current demeanor, which seemed as if she were about to dissect him.

Since she had told him the method and hadn't acted directly, it meant there were still crucial parts to be added.

Observing Lin's attitude, Mobius uninterestingly put down the scalpel, picked up her coffee, and took a sip, exhaling the rich aroma of coffee. "But your situation is not suitable for this method."

Lin thought for a moment and said, "...Because of where it's located."

"You certainly have a clear understanding of yourself," Mobius said, letting Lin get off the operating table after putting on his clothes. She gently swirled her coffee, the surface of the liquid in the cup perfectly reflecting her distinctive pupils. "In the end, Honkai erosion isn't like a simple poison spreading. Once you start surgical removal, the erosion speed will skyrocket. If it were just your hand or leg that was eroded, I could guarantee the complete removal of the diseased limb before the erosion reached your torso."

"However, your erosion patterns started on your torso, and very close to your heart. With your fragile, glass-like constitution, forcing a removal would only lead to your heart being eroded and you dying immediately."

"..."

Mobius, who had been watching Lin, took small sips of her coffee. Seeing that he still hadn't reacted, she let out a cold hum. "You don't seem to find it a pity at all."

Meaning there was no solution.

This was something Lin had already known. Now, another door had simply been shut, and there was nothing to be disappointed about.

Besides, he didn't really care.

"But what if I said there's still a sliver of uncertainty?"

Uncertainty... If there were truly a method close to bringing the dead back to life, it would have already been used to heal other erosion victims.

Lin, who was also observing Mobius, finally reacted. He tried to appear as interested as possible and asked, "What is it?"

"Heh heh... You're finally starting to interest me a little."

Mobius was pleased with Lin's display of a will to survive. A smile spread across her maturely charming face as she tapped her fingers on the table.

"I asked Mei one question: would she be willing to oppose humanity for the sake of a better future for all mankind?" she said, changing the subject.

Lin had heard from Himiko that Mobius had personally gone to see Mei. At that time, she had already decided to recommend Mei for MOTH, but the specific details of their conversation were not recorded in the files.

What Mobius was saying now was the key conversation that had made Mobius believe Mei was the person they were looking for.

Mobius's green eyes narrowed with delight. "She didn't take long to give me a satisfactory answer."

The answer was, of course, yes. And this was likely the fundamental reason why dissenting voices had begun to emerge within MOTH.

"After dissecting the Herrscher's corpse, I came up with a preliminary concept." Mobius's smile was beautiful, yet incredibly chilling. "Since Herrschers were originally human, why can't humans become beings like Herrschers?"

For humanity, to oppose humanity.

Lin combined this statement with what Mobius was saying now, and a rough outline began to form.

It was likely a question concerning the very form of human existence.

"Little lab rat, tell me, how do you define humanity? Bipedal ape-like creatures? Socially complex herd animals? Highly developed adaptable organisms?"

Mobius suddenly leaned in, her eerie smile filling Lin's entire field of vision, appearing both excited and calm, mad yet rational.

She reached out a hand and slowly began to choke him, smiling. "Come on, tell me."

Lin thought for a few seconds and replied earnestly, "...I believe humanity is a race that exists through inheritance."

"...What?"

Mobius's expression froze.

Lin swayed back, breaking free from Mobius's grip, and said calmly, "Passing life on to others, to the next generation, that is humanity."

"Inh... inheritance? Someone like you would say something like that..." Mobius's expression became somewhat uncontrolled, a mix of surprise, disgust, revulsion, and contempt. Every word that could express "lack of understanding" flashed across her face.

"Don't you think humans are fragile? Haven't you felt the insignificance of humanity from your own experience? Don't you have any desire to survive?"

Mobius didn't need others to understand her; she was unwavering in her goals. Disagreements with others' ideologies were commonplace for her.

But Lin, who was practically waiting for the guillotine blade to fall at any moment, had negated her viewpoint in the simplest and most direct way possible. Even Mobius felt her face twitching at that moment.

"No," Lin shook his head.

"Without the inhibitor, you would have died during the Third Honkai War. Let alone killing the Third Herrscher, you wouldn't even have qualified to enter Changkong City. Compared to a Herrscher, your life is like a candle in the wind!"

"But I'm alive now, and the Third Herrscher is dead."

"...Did you misunderstand my question?"

"No."

Mobius understood. She felt there was no need to continue.

"Dr. Mobius, I believe humans are not fragile. If they were to change their form of existence, they would no longer be human," Lin simply stated his opinion. "However, Dr. Mobius, if you need to conduct relevant experiments, I can be the first one on the operating table."

"What does that mean? Are you trying to pity me with your noble moral code?" Mobius sneered.

"No, it's because I must obey your orders."

"Merely to uphold our previous agreement?"

"Yes. I am a soldier, so orders are absolute."

"Very well, little lab rat... no, Lin." Mobius couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Then, if you're still alive at that time, even if you regret it, I will still send you to the operating table."

"Absolutely."

Chapter 30: Someone Objects

"So Lin sent you to find me? Sigh, honestly, couldn't Lin have just brought you to see Mobius himself?"

Whenever Elysia was needed, she always appeared at the right time and place, smiling as she waited for Mei to arrive.

However, this time, she complained, which was rare for her.

"…If you don't want to help, then forget it," Mei said, making a move to leave.

Of course, Elysia's complaint was fake, and her intention to leave was also fake. In the blink of an eye, Elysia was right in front of her, blocking her path. "Oh, I was just kidding! How could I refuse a request from the adorable Mei?"

Mei didn't stand on ceremony. She took out the tube of glowing green liquid that Lin had given her and asked with a serious expression, "He gave me this."

"Ah, this is…" Elysia's eyes widened in surprise when she saw the potion.

So, this is something important after all.

"This is truly incredible. Lin actually gave it to you," Elysia mused, tapping her chin as she examined the highly suspicious tube. "You know, no one in MOTH, besides Lin himself, would dare to try this."

"Then what is it? Did Mobius make it?"

"Mobius did give this to Lin, as for what it is…" Elysia gave a sudden mischievous grin and said to Mei, "Mei, just open the cap and waft some towards you, and you'll know."

"Isn't it dangerous?" From the descriptions of other Heroes in the Imaginary Tree, especially Hua, Mobius was a completely mad scientist. Her creations were as dangerous as Honkai Energy itself.

"Dangerous? I remember I tasted a little back then and almost passed out. But Mei, you're a Herrscher, so it should be fine."

Hearing Elysia say that made Mei even less willing to try it.

But it seemed Elysia wouldn't continue the conversation if Mei didn't try it, so Mei could only frown, twist open the cap, move a bit further away, and gently waft some of the scent towards her nose.

"——————!"

Mei's expression trembled, and she immediately snapped the cap shut.

"Hahahaha… As expected, Mei, you fell for it too."

She looked at the item in her hand with disbelief, then at Elysia, who was laughing uncontrollably.

"Th-this is, wasabi?" Mei twitched her nose in disbelief, but the scent had already gathered in her nasal cavity, refusing to dissipate.

Why was this thing, which looked like some evil potion, wasabi? And this smell was beyond what an ordinary person could tolerate; it wasn't normal wasabi at all.