Sunset and Moonlight

"..."

"This isn't..."

Vill-V was looking at the device in the center of the room with a surprised expression. She turned to look at Mobius and Eden, but they also had solemn expressions.

How did this thing get here?

"Everyone, I can assure you that I am one of you, and you will all do this sooner or later, won't you?"

"Eri".

Eden approached Elysia and, gazing at the device, said to Elysia, "Do you remember the device you wanted Vill-V to create to preserve personality memories?"

Elysia immediately realized what Eden say that, "Could that be...?"

"Yes." Eden funded all matters concerning the Thirteen Heroes, and Eden was responsible for purchasing and overseeing the Thirteen Heroes ' "base," the Golden Courtyard, and the research conducted by Vill-V.

"But that device should have been in the Spiral Workshop, and it wasn't finished yet." Vill-V stepped forward, her personality switching to that of a meticulous expert, and said solemnly, "And Mobius needs to undergo the SO-1129 surgery to preserve his personality memories, this device..."

"Is it really not you?"

Mobius glanced at them and naturally received a negative answer.

"Hmm... let's give it a try then."

Elysia hesitated for a moment, then said to them with a smile.

"Huh? Are you crazy?" Mobius asked in surprise. "The situation is very abnormal. We need to have Vill-V investigate this."

"Brother Lin, what's going on here...?"

Pardo and Prometheus walked up to Lin, who was deep in thought. She looked completely bewildered and had no idea what had happened.

Why did Serpent Sister and the others suddenly become so serious? And what is this "restoring Brother Lin's memories" thing? Can it really be restored?

Lin Cong his thoughts and shook his head.

But... can I regain my memories?

Lin looked at the enormous device. He had indeed developed a strong urge to regain his memories during his time with others these past few days. At the same time, the lingering anxiety and palpitations in his heart reached their peak at this moment.

"Hmm... It can be confirmed that it is the same device, but it has been redesigned and improved. Look at these helmets, a slight Honkai Energy has been detected inside. Judging from the frequency... it belongs to the Herrscher of Reason."

"In other words, this is a device that uses the power of the Herrscher of Reason to preserve memories and personality without surgery."

After a brief investigation, Vill-V shared the results with everyone.

Mobius, with his hands tucked in, asked, "Is there any danger?"

"No, it's a one-way transmission. The device doesn't have a structure that can continue to transmit outwards, and it doesn't have the potential to interfere with human consciousness enough. It even has a 'fuse' system that will automatically disconnect if any danger occurs."

Vill-V's curiosity was piqued. "Who could have done this? A genius! I really want to exchange ideas with them."

The other party even anticipated that they would suspect the device of being dangerous.

Kevin, his face as cold as ice, asked the group, "What exactly is going on?"

"..."

"Aponia, do you really know who it is?" Kevin turned to Aponia. "The situation doesn't allow us to continue 'playing'."

"Hehe..."

Aponia seemed unconcerned by Kevin's chilling, almost cutting tone; her voice, appearing in everyone's minds, soothed their anxiety.

"No need to worry... I know who it is, and He is indeed among us. He has no intention of harming any of us."

"After Lin's memories are 'restored,' the truth will be revealed."

"..."

"I agree to use this device."

Lin raised his hand calmly.

Elysia smiled and raised her hand as well.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

Lying on the device, Lin put on the helmet and quietly closed his eyes.

"Sizzle—"

His anxiety grew stronger, but he deliberately ignored it.

Bring it on.

Bring it on...

Most people remained calm, while a few nervously lay on the device and put on their helmets, while Prometheus monitored the entire process and prepared to deal with any emergencies.

Then, she pressed the start button.

The moment the device was activated, Aponia turned to look in Lin's direction, the direction where the Threads of Fate represented by that man was located. But at that moment, something unexpected happened, even to her.

The silk thread, which should have been teetering on the brink of collapse, swayed and disappeared before her eyes.

"——————"

Memory--

"Lin... the plan..."

"Betray..."

A flood of memories rushed into Lin's mind, causing his entire body to tremble violently.

"Destruction... the future..."

"... Humanity's... fate..."

"Buzz—"

The operation of the device has ended.

"Lin, how is she!"

Kevin was unusually excited. As soon as he left the device, he went to Lin's side, who was covering his forehead, and asked him.

"... I'm fine."

Inhale.

Exhale.

The unease and restlessness in my heart gradually disappeared.

"I know who organized this game."

The rainbow deep within my eyes rises and falls like the tide.

Yes, that's the answer.

It was him.

Mei gritted her teeth, recalling the "truth" she had witnessed not long ago.

Lin... betrayed humanity.

During the Twelfth Honkai outbreak, he, along with the Herrscher of Reason and the Herrscher of Erosion, nearly wiped out all the remaining humans in the world.

The monster, clad in a suit designed for warriors, looked down upon the world like a god.

Chapter Thirty-One: Sunset and Moonlight

Ancient people often described dusk as a time of sorrow, with the setting sun and thin clouds often being both breathtakingly beautiful and despairing, making people forget to breathe.

Should everything be at its most beautiful moment just before its destruction?

The boat rocks and sways, unable to enter people's dreams.

A dark-haired man sat cross-legged on the deck bathed in the cruel sunset, gazing at the beautiful distance.

"Forest..."

"What is it, Hua?"

The gray-haired woman hesitated as she looked at the man a few steps away, bathed in the blood-red setting sun. Before she could speak, he had already turned his head, half of his cold face in shadow, making it exceptionally indistinct.

She is very sensitive to people, and the person in front of her gives her an indescribable feeling.

After using that device, Lin appeared no different from before. He could communicate normally with others and answer some questions about his memories. However, Hua thought Lin had changed.

Some warm things disappeared from his sight, and in their place, something cruel and cold spread.

Are you feeling... alright?

Hua asked this question twice during this trip: once after Lin lost his memory, and once after he "found" his memory.

"I'm fine," Lin replied.

He gazed at the girl before him, pondering some things.

In that challenge room, different challenges are arranged according to the different people who enter, and the challenge that Lin designed for himself... he never intended to let him leave from the very beginning.

To be precise, he prepared multiple plans, intending to make himself fail.

But then, he and Hua had that kind of thing happen, something he never expected.

However, as he said, he had prepared multiple plans, including the one involving "kissing all the women in the sixteen-person group," but from the moment the treasure at the end of the game was Qianqi's, he could not complete the task.

Is this his own... twisted sense of humor? There's no reward for completing the mission, but there's a punishment for failing. Lin's punishment for himself is to find out the truth about something else.

The truth about someone's background.

"So you still don't know who organized this game?"

"..."

The initial planning for this game began long after the Tenth Honkai War.

During the year-long gap between the Tenth Honkai War and Eleventh Honkai War, many things happened. It was during that time that Lin and another person must have devised a shocking plan... That might not be accurate; the plan was conceived even earlier.

"Magnificent."

"What... um?"

Suddenly, Hua was grabbed by the wrist and pulled into an embrace by a strong hand. She was so shocked that she couldn't say a word. The person holding her waist sat quietly, looking at the evening sun.

Whether out of surprise or shyness, she did not struggle and remained very docile, motionless like a rag doll.

Lin's nostrils were filled with Hua's sweet fragrance, and his hand was placed on her waist, without being impolite by moving it upwards or downwards.

The girl's body was very soft, and Hua had a sunny and healthy scent about her; it was very comfortable to hug her.

That's what he thought.

The two waited silently until the sun had completely set. A cool night breeze blew across the sea, brushing against their temples. Only then did Lin silently release his hand. Hua, her face flushed, climbed out of his arms, not daring to look at his face.

"Sorry, I suddenly wanted to hug you." Lin kept his eyes straight ahead, his deep pupils revealing nothing unusual.

"Ah... no, it's nothing."

Hua Qiang responded calmly.

Actually, she felt quite good; Lin's embrace was warm, and she could smell that special fragrance.

It seems she was mistaken; Lin is still the same Lin.

"I'll go in first."

After saying that, she fled like the wind, probably afraid that Lin might do something else. Even Hua, who has always acted like a mature-beyond-her-years younger sister, would show that kind of expression? How interesting...

Lin ignored her, sitting upright in the rising moonlight, his expression becoming slightly indifferent again.

After a few minutes of silence, another person emerged from the shadows, a cold smile playing on their lips beneath their mask, "What a show! Want to give me a hug too?"

Lin calmly looked at the shimmering sea surface that reflected the full moon. "If you want."

"Don't disgust me." The masked man sneered. After the Hypervariable Surgery, he became even more irritable, and his whole being was filled with an aura of destruction.

"I have something to ask you. You've regained your memories now, right? Tell me, what was that guy like before he died?"

"..."