Lin shook his head and spoke before Kevin could excitedly open his mouth. "Kevin, there's an artificial lake in the base. If you go boating at night, you can see a moon even prettier than the one from the deck."
"Really?" The treadmill sped up faster and faster, yet Kevin continued running at a steady pace without even breathing hard. With a ruddy smile, he said, "All right, next time when Mei is free, I'll... Huh? Where's Lin?"
Before Kevin could finish speaking, Lin had already pushed his wheelchair out of the gym and headed for Mobius's laboratory.
"You're late. Did you sleep in the Repair Pod for so long that you messed up your body clock?"
The tall green-haired woman had both hands tucked into the pockets of her white lab coat as she looked displeasedly at Lin entering through the door.
Lin raised his head and glanced at the clock. It was 8:27, the standard starting time for work on the Mu Continent. Most soldiers also set out for missions and training around this time.
Lin swept his gaze across the empty laboratory. Compared to last time, it was noticeably more vacant. Some documents and objects had been taken away.
Simply put, one person was missing.
"Where's your assistant?" Lin asked.
"Tch..." Mobius's brows suddenly knitted together. She clicked her tongue irritably. "She left. Last night."
"..."
Lin thought of the atmosphere between Bianca and Hen when he had seen them dancing together last night, and he more or less had his answer.
"She clearly had talent, yet she was still lured away by a man." Mobius's agitated fingers left several marks on her arm. She gritted her teeth. "Is this one of those unavoidable defects of humanity?"
The reproductive instinct was engraved in the genes of living things. It was an objective condition for humanity's continuation, not a defect. You should know that.
Lin wanted to correct Mobius, but after thinking it over, he ultimately said nothing.
After all, he himself had to be counted among those who went against the reproductive instinct.
"Forget it. None of that matters. A new assistant Bianca introduced will be coming today. Until then, just help me carry out some simple experiments." Mobius's anger came quickly and went quickly, or perhaps her emotions simply meant nothing before her research.
She picked up Lin's latest medical report, examined the figures with satisfaction, then took a test tube from a nearby rack and placed it into a vortex mixer.
"Take off your shirt. Let me see your back." Mobius ordered Lin from above.
Lin was now little different from a test subject who had voluntarily accepted Mobius's experiments. He had no right to refuse, so he simply reached out, took off his clothes, and removed the protective covering from his skin.
Mobius narrowed her eyes as she walked past his side and circled behind him. Upon seeing the state of his back, she gave a cold laugh.
Several faint purple markings spread across Lin's back, giving off an eerie glow.
These were traces of Honkai corrosion. Similar symptoms had now begun appearing among ordinary people outside. They were called Honkai Sickness patients. Those ignorant of Honkai treated it as a new disease, unaware that the moment Honkai Sickness appeared in its early stages, a death sentence had already been passed.
Mobius studied Lin's condition alongside the report. "The corrosion rate is around 2%. It's gone up one percentage point in such a short time. Your life may end even sooner than I estimated."
"When will it start interfering with my bodily functions?"
"At 15%, you'll begin to feel it in a tangible way." Mobius made several changes to the report. "Most people develop symptoms of physical discomfort at around 15%, such as nausea, itching, and lapses in awareness. That means Honkai Energy has begun corroding their internal organs."
"Forty percent is the corrosion limit an ordinary person can endure. Once Honkai Energy corrosion reaches nearly half the human body, they either die at that threshold or begin transforming into zombies or Honkai Beasts. As for you, unfortunately, you probably won't get the chance to become either."
"At 70%, a person's sanity begins to disappear. At that point, the difference between a human and a Honkai creature is only a few insignificant details. The pain stops, but at the same time, bodily functions are enhanced and amplified by Honkai Energy."
"100%... Hehe..."
There was no need to explain what that meant. Judging from Mobius's excited green-glinting eyes, she seemed to be looking forward to certain events that did not align with human morality.
"Beep—"
The vortex mixer stopped. Mobius stepped forward, casually picked up a syringe, drew the liquid from the test tube into it, then walked behind Lin and cheerfully inspected where to inject it.
"Ahhh! We're going to be late! Cangxuan, why did you wake up so late today too?!"
"Mm... I think I drank too much last night. I feel like throwing up..."
Two similar figures rushed into the laboratory in a flurry, took out their ID cards to clock in, and then received the time clock's bright red warning. Their faces both went pale at once, as though buckets of paint had been splashed over them.
"You two are really 'early.'"
A chilling wind seemed to blow from behind them, making their legs tremble.
Lin straightened his posture with an impassive expression. He did not know whether he should remind Mobius, who had gone to discipline her two intern assistants, that she had just been startled, her hand had shaken, and she had driven the syringe into Lin's shoulder.
Yes, it was still sticking out of him, glaringly obvious.
Human Forms of Existence
"Regarding adjustments to Honkai Energy Adaptability and resistance, headquarters has not assigned any science department or research institute to conduct studies. As far as I know, the only department currently conducting related research is the Fifth Science Department."
"The method they proposed to 'solve' Honkai corrosion is, in my opinion... heh... crude. But it is practical. After all, humanity has been using this method since long ago, so its feasibility has been proven through practice. And I happen to have a supporting solution here to help you recover from postoperative complications."
"Mm... In short, the method is..."
There were no flashy flourishes. The scalpel was held steadily in a hand as precise as a mechanical arm. Its sharp silver tip moved across the exposed back, ready at any moment to plunge down and send blood splashing.
Mobius stopped the scalpel behind those markings. Looking at the back of Lin's head, she smiled with obvious mockery. "Remove the diseased area."
"..."
Although her movements were intimidating, and the name Mobius was infamous enough, Lin remained exceptionally calm as she looked as though she were about to dissect him.
Since she had explained the method to him and had not directly acted, there had to be a crucial part she had yet to mention.
Seeing Lin's reaction, Mobius boredly set down the scalpel, lifted her coffee, took a sip, and breathed out its rich aroma. "But your case isn't suitable for this method."
Lin thought for a moment. "...Because of where the markings are distributed."
"You do have a clear understanding of yourself." Mobius had Lin get dressed and step down from the operating table. She gently swirled her coffee, the surface in the cup perfectly reflecting her distinctive eyes. "Honkai corrosion isn't simply poison spreading. Once excision surgery begins, the corrosion rate rises dramatically. If it were only your hands or legs that were corroded, I could guarantee the diseased limb would be completely removed before the corrosion reached your torso."
"However, your corrosion markings began on your torso, and they're especially close to your heart. With a constitution as fragile as glass, forcing an excision would only let the corrosion reach your heart and kill you directly."
"..."
Mobius had been watching Lin the entire time. She licked at her coffee in small sips. When he still showed no reaction, she gave a cold snort. "You don't seem to find that regrettable at all."
In other words, there was no solution.
Lin had known that long ago. Another path had merely been blocked. There was nothing to be disappointed about.
Besides, he did not actually care.
"But what if I told you there really was a slight uncertainty?"
Uncertainty... If there truly were a method close to bringing someone back from death, it would have long been used to heal other victims of corrosion.
Still watching Mobius, Lin finally reacted. He tried his best to appear interested as he asked, "What is it?"
"Hehe... You've finally become a little more interesting."
Mobius was pleased by Lin's apparent desire to live. A smile appeared on her mature and charming face as her fingers lightly tapped the desk.
"I once asked Mei something: would she be willing to become humanity's enemy for a better future for all humanity?" Her topic abruptly shifted.
Lin had heard Himiko mention that Mobius had personally sought out Mei. It was then that she had decided to recommend Mei for entry into MOTH, but no record contained the details of their conversation.
What Mobius was speaking of now was that crucial exchange that had convinced her Mei was the person they were looking for.
Mobius's green eyes narrowed happily. "She didn't take long to give me an answer that satisfied me."
The answer had naturally been yes, and that was likely the fundamental reason different voices had begun emerging within MOTH.
"After dissecting the Herrscher's corpse, I came up with an initial concept." Mobius's smile was beautiful, yet extraordinarily chilling. "Since Herrschers were all human at the beginning, then why can't humans become beings like Herrschers?"
For humanity, become humanity's enemy.
Combining those words with what Mobius was saying now, Lin formed a rough outline.
It was probably something concerning the form of humanity's existence.
"Lab Rat, tell me. How do you define humanity? An ape-like species standing on two feet? A social animal with complex social structures? An adaptive life-form with a highly developed brain?"
Mobius suddenly moved close. Her eerie smile filled Lin's entire field of vision. She looked excited yet calm, mad yet rational.
She extended one hand and slowly gripped Lin's throat, smiling. "Come. Tell me."
Lin thought for several seconds and answered seriously, "...I think humanity is a race that exists through inheritance."
"...What?"
Mobius's expression froze.
Lin leaned back and broke free of Mobius's grip. "Passing life on to others, to the next generation. That is humanity."
"Inheritance...? Someone like you actually said something like..." Mobius's expression became somewhat uncontrolled. Bewilderment, disgust, revulsion, contempt—every word that could express incomprehension passed over her face.
"Don't you think humans are weak? Haven't you personally felt humanity's insignificance? Don't you have even the slightest desire to survive?"
Mobius did not need others to understand her. She was unwavering in her goals, and disagreement with others' beliefs was commonplace to her.
But Lin, who was practically standing beneath the guillotine waiting for the blade to fall, had denied her viewpoint in the simplest and most direct manner. Even Mobius felt her face twitching.
"No." Lin shook his head.
"Without inhibitors, you would have died in the Third Honkai War. Forget killing the Third Herrscher—you wouldn't even be qualified to step into Changkong City. Compared to a Herrscher, your life is like a dying candle in the wind!"
"But I'm alive now, and the Third Herrscher is dead."
"...Have you misunderstood my question?"
"No."
Mobius understood. She felt there was no need to continue.
"Doctor Mobius, I do not think humanity is weak. If we change into another form of existence, then we are no longer human." Lin merely stated his view. "However, Doctor Mobius, if you need to conduct related experiments, I can be the first to lie on the operating table."
"What does that mean? Are you taking pity on me with your lofty morals?" Mobius sneered.
"No. I have to obey your orders."
"Only because you're following our previous agreement?"
"Yes. I'm a soldier, so orders are absolute."
"Very good, Lab Rat... no, Lin." Mobius could not stop herself from coldly laughing. "Then if you're still alive by then, even if you regret it, I'll put you on the operating table."
"Absolutely."
Someone Objected
"So Lin had you come find me? Honestly, couldn't Lin have taken you to see Mobius himself?"
Whenever Elysia was needed, she always appeared at exactly the right time in exactly the right place, waiting for Mei with a smile.
Only this time, she made a rare complaint.
"...Forget it if you don't want to help." Mei made as if to leave.
Of course, Elysia's complaint was fake, and Mei's attempt to leave was fake too. In a flash, Elysia appeared directly in front of her, blocking her path. "Oh my, I was joking. How could I refuse a request from adorable Mei?"
Mei did not stand on ceremony. She took out the tube of fluorescent green medicine Lin had given her and asked with a grave expression, "He gave me this."
"Ah, this is..." Elysia's eyes widened in surprise when she saw the medicine.
As expected, it was something important.
"This is really something. Lin actually gave it to you." Elysia pinched her chin and examined the extremely suspicious-looking tube, putting on a thoughtful pose. "You should know that, apart from Lin, no one in MOTH dares try it."
"Then what is it? Did Mobius make it?"
"Mobius did give it to Lin. As for what it is..." Elysia suddenly gave a mischievous smile and told Mei, "Mei, just open the cap and fan some of the smell toward yourself. You'll know."
"Wouldn't that be dangerous?" From what the other MOTH Heroes in the Elysian Realm—especially Hua—had said, Mobius was completely a mad scientist. The things she created were as dangerous as Honkai Energy itself.
"Dangerous? I remember tasting a little bit back then and nearly passing out. But Mei is a Herrscher, so it'll definitely be fine."
Hearing Elysia say that made Mei even less willing to try it.
But it seemed that unless she tried, Elysia had no intention of continuing the conversation. Thus, Mei could only frown and unscrew the cap, hold it farther away, and gently fan a little scent toward her delicate nose.
"——!"
Mei's expression twitched as she immediately snapped the cap shut again.
"Hahahaha... As expected, Mei fell for it too."
She looked uncertainly at the thing in her hand, then at Elysia, who was laughing so hard she bent forward and backward.
"Th-this is... wasabi?" Mei incredulously wrinkled her nose, but the smell had gathered directly inside her nasal cavity and would not disperse.
Why was this thing, which looked like some sinister potion, wasabi? And the smell had already exceeded the limit of what ordinary people could endure. It was absolutely not normal wasabi.
Before you continue