I'm No MOTH Hero

Chapter 53: "Lin"

"Zzzzz..."

The clear, cloudless sky was covered by something resembling garbled data. The scenery spun wildly, and dim colors replaced the original warm tones, making the already ferocious monsters appear even more monstrous.

"Huh?" Mei parried a Void-like monster in front of her. A giant hand beside her drew its blade, and lightning engulfed the enemy's form. She frowned and looked up at the dark sky.

What was going on?

It felt as if she had fallen into an inner world. The ground beneath her feet let out a mournful cry of erosion, and the patterns of three floating gates in the distance were overlaid with a hazy, monochrome filter.

Mei sheathed her sword and approached the gates to observe the unexpected situation. "Three paths? This has never happened before. Have I reached a new area, or..."

"No... the Imaginary Tree is indeed experiencing some problems," a strange voice she had never heard before sounded directly in Mei's ear.

"Who!" Mei flicked her thumb on the hilt of her sword, crouched low, and scanned her surroundings warily.

This gloomy place felt like it could spawn something that would make one's scalp tingle at any moment. Mei's understanding of the Imaginary Tree wasn't deep enough; it wasn't impossible that she might trigger some trap-like mechanism.

"Time is limited, there's no time to explain. In short, there are problems with the memories that constitute your current area, and your consciousness and self-perception have also been affected to a certain extent," the voice, lacking any strength, spoke at a speed completely at odds with its content, betraying no urgency whatsoever. "So, please don't trust your common sense from now on. Follow my guidance, and I will return you to reality."

"Why should I trust you? A stranger who won't show themselves. At least you should reveal your identity."

"...A strange name and an unknown name should make no difference to you. It's better to focus on your current predicament, experimental subject. The area you're in is likely about to undergo some unexpected changes."

Mei didn't sheathe her sword. The identity of this strange voice was unknown; it could be a new Hero or a member of the World Serpent. Moreover, the term "experimental subject" reminded her of someone she'd rather not meet.

"You are currently very close to an anchor point. I've already analyzed it... The path on your left has become chaotic and might lead to an unimaginably strong enemy. The middle anchor point connects to a normal area, belonging to Heavenly Wisdom."

Mei looked up at the Heavenly Wisdom mark on the far left and the Onslaught mark in the middle, a seed of doubt growing in her heart.

The last teleportation anchor point resembled an antique clock with only the hour and minute hands. That was... Lin's mark?

"Do not approach that anchor point."

As Mei drew closer to the last anchor point, the strange voice suddenly issued a warning.

"The area connected to that anchor point contains a special existence. With your current abilities and imprints, I do not recommend you go there."

"So this is the so-called corrupted data?" Mei stared at the clock pattern, which had turned dark blue, and asked the voice.

"No... The area connected to the anchor point and the existence within it are normal parts of the Imaginary Tree. However, it's not an area you can currently reach normally. Corrupted data has linked the anchor point to it."

"A normal area? Then why can't I enter?"

"That existence is too special and involves the core of the Imaginary Tree. If you go there now, it's highly likely to cause some unstable situations."

"The core of the Imaginary Tree..." Mei looked at this gate with a heavy heart. Wasn't this what she was seeking answers about?

Should she trust this person's guidance, or trust her own judgment?

Weighing the pros and cons, Mei said firmly, "I'm going in."

"..." The voice suddenly fell silent, whether from surprise or anger at Mei's decision, it was unclear.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

"No... If this is your choice, I have no right to interfere. But please leave there as soon as possible. I need to begin repairing the data for that area."

"Okay."

Mei took a deep breath, maintaining her sword-wielding stance, and activated the teleportation anchor point.

"————"

Rain.

Melancholy, cold rain fell from the sky.

Mei looked in surprise at the raindrops falling at her feet. In her memory, the Imaginary Tree only rained when she visited Lin's grave.

But this was not a graveyard; it was a desolate space with nothing but a metallic floor.

So, what was this situation now...

She nodded slightly, gazing straight ahead. In this vast, empty expanse, only a black dot, too far to discern clearly, stood there.

It was as if the steel ground and that "thing" of unknown identity were the only things left between heaven and earth.

With the eyes of a Herrscher, Mei could see the appearance of the black dot.

"Should I say it's expected, or unexpected..." Mei tightened her grip on her long sword and muttered to herself, "All of this points to only you."

A man wearing a helmet sat in the rain, water flowing down the grooves of his helmet. The extinguished visor made him look like a discarded robot.

The Lin she saw now was somewhat different from his usual appearance. Apart from the deathly stillness, the most obvious difference was his armor.

"What is that?"

It was a significant departure from his usual design, filled with a high-tech feel and a mechanical style layered with various devices. What Lin was wearing now was a stern, gray outfit that didn't seem to have as many mechanisms. Apart from some parts that still showed mechanical structure, the rest was outerwear similar to Kevin's.

The sensation emanating from that armor felt like a viscous texture sliding over Mei's body. She didn't realize that the more intently she observed, the stronger the invisible pressure became, and a strange aura enveloped her entire body from the soles of her feet without her noticing.

Mei suddenly jolted awake: "No, he's not Lin."

The moment she realized this, the black dot, which had been far away, suddenly flickered and appeared less than a hundred meters in front of her. The strangeness, which had been diluted by distance, instantly erupted from the person.

The gray outer armor, starting from the chest, was dyed a sapphire blue, illuminating along with "Lin's" visor. He slowly stood up, calmly gazing at Mei, who had already adopted an offensive stance, her face filled with hostility.

There was no time to overthink the current situation. Was this enemy, who looked so much like Lin, related to the core of the Imaginary Tree?

What is this feeling? A Honkai Beast? A Mortal? A Herrscher?

None of the above. This was the undeniable aura of a "person."

"Lin" didn't unleash the near-instantaneous speed from before. Instead, under Mei's disbelieving gaze, he raised his hands. In his left and right hands, a pure white, flawless knight's lance and a pitch-black, deathly still long spear appeared respectively.

Black Abyss... White Flower?

The sight of "Lin" holding these Divine Keys, which shouldn't have been here, instantly reminded Mei of Lin's engraved mark. Weren't these two spears, held low, just like the hour and minute hands on a clock?

Was this also a construct of memory? No, Divine Keys shouldn't be able to be simulated by memory. Then what exactly was this "person" before her?

However, it wasn't over yet. After wielding these two weapons symbolizing the authority of creation and decomposition, "Lin" raised Black Abyss high. Data rapidly converged above his head, forming the shape of a mechanical humanoid.

"Boom!"

A Titan, vastly different from the one in Mei's memory, landed with a muffled thud. Unmanned, it drew the ion cannon from its back and aimed it at Mei.

"This ability has nothing to do with Black Abyss and White Flower, it's more like..." Seeing this, Mei's pupils widened in shock.

There was no time to think. The Titan's cannon muzzle was already gathering energy. After being compressed to the limit—

"Bang!"

Scattered iron fragments whizzed past "Lin's" helmet with a cold scraping sound.

The sapphire blue visor held no killing intent, only an inorganic... stillness.

Chapter 54: Imaginary Enemy

"Bang!"

Sparks flew as the long sword collided with Black Abyss, illuminating both their faces.

Mei fiercely commanded her giant arm to swing down her greatsword, but before it could hit "Lin," he had already vanished. The slash was blocked by the Titan wielding a massive blade. The Vulcan cannons on the Titan's sides were cut in half by Mei's sword before they could even fire.

The floor beneath her feet loosened, and a verdant sprout pushed through. Mei's heart leaped, and she retreated backward. Before she could even take a step, thick vines grew wildly like venomous snakes, coiling around her ankles.

Behind her, the cold-faced man in the helmet raised the black spear, its condensed death energy appearing almost tangible, and thrust it towards Mei's back.

"Tsk..."

Mei's eyes narrowed. The electric field around her suddenly exploded, dark purple lightning shooting out like light spears, forcing "Lin" back.

Failing to strike, "Lin" took a step back, releasing White Flower. Flowing data energy once again converged in his hand. This time, a rifle bearing the MOTH emblem appeared. Without needing to pull the trigger, flames continuously spewed from the barrel!

Lightning formed a shield, and the bullets were shot down before they could penetrate the shield. Before Mei could even catch her breath to attack, "Lin's" elusive figure vanished again.

The Titan also retreated, its ion cannon charging, forcing Mei to defend.

Mei, having never experienced or witnessed Lin's fighting style, found it incredibly troublesome. It wasn't that "Lin's" power was truly that great, but his combat style was like a sudden cold shot from the shadows. Her destructive power was greater, but she couldn't unleash it, while Lin could always find an opening to launch precise and fatal attacks.

Simply put, Lin's fighting was about "seizing opportunities."

Either it was flawless, or he would seize an opportunity to kill her, maximizing the narrowing of the gap in their raw strength.

Moreover, the current "Lin" could not possibly be in his prime. He could use the abilities of Black Abyss and White Flower, but only the most basic parts. He used them merely as two long weapons. His ability to construct creations, apart from that one Titan, was almost useless so far.

Was this a battle between a so-called "human" and a "Herrscher"?

A smoke bomb was thrown at her feet, and gray-black smoke obscured her vision. Mei's pupils lit up, piercing through the smoke to see the figure attacking her from the left.

Mei drew her greatsword horizontally, unleashing a full-power, chilling slash!

"Screech—"

The figure was cut open, but Mei felt no feedback of hitting flesh.

"Lin" vanished, turning into an afterimage.

"A projection?"

"Above you." A familiar, cold voice warned Mei. She suddenly looked up, and the tip of Black Abyss was already inches from her eyelashes.

Damn it!

Such a simple trick had easily fooled Mei. It was too late for her to raise her hand in defense. She could only activate her authority, sending the current flowing through her body towards the spear.

"Clang—"

The spear was deflected, but... no one was holding Black Abyss.

Mei stared at the empty space above her, stunned.

This was a double feint.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Mei's pupils contracted. The heat of the bullets grazed her abdomen. They hadn't hit her, but the phantom pain of a burning sensation shot through her brain. 69.493.6135

"Lin" stood not far away, releasing the handgun in his hand. He became still, looking at another person who had just appeared in the space.

The familiar man in the helmet was directly behind Mei. He also lowered his handgun. It was he who had shot "Lin's" bullet in mid-air just now, causing the attack that should have hit Mei to miss.

"You're no longer needed here," Lin said, holstering his pistol and addressing the motionless "Lin."

There was no response. "Lin" vanished along with the Titan.

Mei, still shaken, watched "Lin" fade and disappear into thin air. Then she turned and saw the real Lin standing there quietly.

Honestly, after the brief but deadly fight she'd just experienced, Mei had developed a bit of a phobia of that helmet. She carefully examined Lin's armor, confirming it wasn't the same as "Lin's," before forcing herself to calmly lower the tip of her blade.

Of course, Mei didn't put her weapon away. She was still wary of that elusive black spear and asked Lin, "Why are you here?"

"That's what I should be asking you. Why are you here?" Lin's visor lit up, causing Mei to raise her blade again. "This isn't a place you should be."

"I... something's wrong with the Imaginary Tree."

"Something's wrong... Where's Klein?"

"Klein?"

"A lethargic workaholic."

"Lethargic workaholic? I haven't met them, but I did hear a lethargic voice."

Lin crossed his arms and scrutinized Mei. "Then why didn't you do as she said?"

"I have the right to act freely." Mei crossed her arms defiantly as well. Her tall frame, standing at 1.72 meters, plus her heels, meant she wasn't much shorter than Lin, and her presence was just as imposing. "This is supposedly the core of the Imaginary Tree, but it seems... it's not that simple."

"You don't need to know."

"Do you guys just love making people guess?"

"I'm just stating facts. I don't care about Elysia's or anyone else's attitude or expectations towards you. To me, you're just a visitor, even if you are a Herrscher." Lin's expression beneath his helmet was unknown, but Mei guessed it must be an icy face, paired with a monotone voice, making him seem like a complete ice mountain, inside and out.

Having witnessed the "Lin" from earlier, Mei believed some of what Lin was saying. However, her previous disadvantage was simply because she hadn't fought him before. So, she replied with a cold expression, "Your current attitude is exactly the same as that hot-headed guy with the mask. Did I misunderstand your personality? Or are all you people who wear masks just as irritable?"

"Chrono is different from me, but if necessary, I will do the same as him."

"..."