I'm Not a Flame-Chaser - Chapter 618
If it were someone else, they would be holding a megaphone and blaring it in their ear right now, and might even go to the Shencheng Pharmaceuticals to broadcast Kevin's dark history.
... He actually gets nostalgic; people really do all the same when they get old.
Before you go to see them, finish what you need to do.
Lin slept peacefully under a starless sky, the past like bubbles, shattering one by one in the darkness before her eyes.
"Kiana, I made your favorite curry rice. Anyway, take a good rest first, okay?"
Finally, and this is advice from someone who's been there: cherish your friends and don't let them go down a completely different path from yours.
The man's words before he left were deafening: he came alone, and he left alone.
When he removed his mask, his undisguised self-loathing manifested as a new mask, warning Kiana at that moment not to come near him.
No one could get close to him; all those who could have approached him were gone.
Removing the mask doesn't signify an improvement in the relationship; it signifies complete estrangement.
All his experiences, his pain, choices, anger, numbness, and suffering are condensed on his expressionless and emotionless face, becoming a transparent mask.
As someone who's been there...
What happened to his friends?
Kiana stared blankly ahead until Mei placed a plate of fragrant curry rice in front of Kiana. Only then did she snap out of her reverie and manage a forced smile at the purple-haired girl.
"Okay, it's been a long time since I've had Mei's cooking, hehe, it'll definitely taste as good as before."
"Honestly, you already know before you've even eaten." Mei's words sounded like a complaint, but she smiled gently, her eyes full of heartache. "You must not have been eating properly these past few months... You can't cook, how much hardship must you have to endure all by yourself."
"One person..."
Come to think of it, the guy who deliberately distanced himself from her was also a person.
She also had her Class President by her side. For the past two weeks, he had appeared in front of her every day. Even though he didn't always make her happy, he did make her feel that someone was with her after a long period of loneliness.
After each endurance training session, he would leave her a meal before leaving alone.
That guy is the one who's all alone.
No "Mei" would look for him, and no "Class President" would stay with him; he was like a machine...
What was he doing at this very moment, while she was having dinner with Mei?
Picking up a spoon, amidst Mei's gentle smile, Kiana also returned the smile, then scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth.
... It's delicious.
But it doesn't taste good.
When Lin woke up again, it was almost dawn. He had regained some of his strength and, still dizzy, managed to stand up. He touched the wound on his neck.
It was still damp to the touch, indicating that a lot of blood had been lost overnight, but the wound was showing signs of healing. The remaining Herrscher part was working to repair the damaged tissue as best it could.
Lin leaned against the wall, looking at the room full of leftover food, and rested his chin on his hand in deep thought.
The Gray Serpent's stronghold has been destroyed. This must have been done by the World Serpent. The reason they did this is obviously because they realized that Lin was able to keenly perceive that there must be a reason for their actions. So they found the Gray Serpent's stronghold and burned it to the ground.
If he hadn't gone to find Kiana to stop her, he probably would have run into the World Serpent destroying their base.
There's no need to continue speculating about what might have happened back then. Now that it has occurred, the only thing to consider is the World Serpent's purpose.
Currently, World Serpent's plan has been thwarted, experimental materials have been destroyed, and three cadres have been defeated. There is no need for them to continue fighting to the death in Sky City. However, their act of destroying the Gray Serpent stronghold makes Lin feel that they may have other purposes.
But Jackal said at the time must have been the truth. The experiment had failed. As a cadre, theoretically no one knew the inside story of the plan better than her.
But it's impossible for him to infiltrate and investigate now. He's tried every method he could. The World Serpent isn't an inflexible program; if he were to enter and continue investigating in his current state, he might be discovered before he even finds anything.
Before the final battle with Kiana, take a stroll around the city.
Lin dragged his legs as he walked into the city.
Kiana, are you worried about the World Serpent?
Mei, Kiana medical expert, spent the night without sleeping. She had read the information Kiana had collected about the disaster site. The detailed photos and notes were carefully pinned to the map, which Mei found hard to believe was something that lazy and carefree girl would do.
The life of wandering made Kiana strong and hardworking, even though it wasn't what they wanted.
"Yes, although that maid is untrustworthy in many ways, she is indeed fighting for this city, so we can trust her in this matter."
Kiana nodded.
Although, she wasn't just thinking about the World Serpent.
Tonight, the agreed-upon final battle will take place.
The shadow of death from the darkness she once faced will now loom over her.
It swallowed her up.
The Journey Begins in the Sky: Chapter Thirty-Eight - The Intersecting Routes
Lin hadn't really looked at Sky City properly after returning to his Intrinsic World. To him, it was just a highly technological city that was quite different from the Shenzhou style he remembered. Perhaps replacing the lanterns with projectors would make it a futuristic Shenzhou city.
But Sky City was more prosperous than he had imagined. When he calmed down and wandered the streets, avoiding the patrolling guards, what he saw was the scene of the times.
If we were to compare the Previous Civilization with the present to see which is more advanced, Lin wouldn't be able to definitively say which is superior; the only difference lies in their styles.
Even though people are in a state of panic now, Sky City is still bustling with activity during the day. Perhaps the sunshine gives them courage, but Lin prefers to believe that their lives give them courage.
He chose a spot against the wall, both to rest himself and to silently watch people come and go.
Fifty thousand years ago in Australia, he was also watching people in the sweltering summer heat.
The scene before me overlapped with my memories, the only difference being that back then, there was another singer who also chose to sit down and watch people busy at work.
... It's true that when people have free time, they realize that everywhere is a place filled with memories.
Speaking of which, the purple-haired girl I saw last night was Raiden Mei, mentioned in World Serpent's database, who is the Herrscher of Thunder. However, Kiana has taken her core, so she is no longer Herrscher.
However, World Serpent still considers Mei a key focus, possibly because they want to obtain a Herrscher subject for research.
Lin also had some other ideas about the World Serpent.
The World Serpent's leadership appears rather loosely organized, and their roles aren't exactly clearly defined; they each have their own areas of expertise. However, the fact that they assign research personnel (Jackal) and combat personnel (Raven) to missions together suggests that the leadership may be quite small, and...
Lin thought of Raven and owls, his fingers tapping lightly on the wall, a glint in his eyes.
Raven are mercenaries, while Night Owls... Unlike the Previous Civilization that trained people formally before they joined the Fire-Chasing Moths, the World Serpent likely absorbed all sorts of talents and used them directly, which is why there is a loose leadership structure and a chaotic job position system.
Of course, World Serpent must have given them enough benefits to make them work willingly. Lin knew that the benefits that make people loyal are often not material. For example, Raven is currently employed by World Serpent, but she clearly agrees with Kevin's idea of wanting to realize the Stigmata Project, even though she herself is opposed to human experimentation and releasing Honkai Energy into the entire city.
He might not be able to win over the enemy, but he could consider it, since he was currently all alone in the current civilization and many things he could do were restricted.
However, he did consider whether to cooperate with others.
There are two directions for candidates. One is Anti-Entropy. Since Lin has already returned to the Intrinsic World, Welt and the others have also come out. They are also fighting against Kevin, and they are also Herrscher who help humanity.
As for the second one...
Lin sighed, a rare complex feeling rising in his heart. He looked up at the sky, his thoughts drifting to the image of a magnificent golden hair.
Bianca, which side do you belong to...?
"Mei, I have to go out."
After lunch, Kiana casually spoke to the purple-haired girl who was clearing the table.
Mei smiled and said to Kiana, whose smile seemed forced, "I'll go with you. Are you investigating Shencheng Pharmaceuticals?"
"No, it's just a small matter. The investigation into Shencheng Pharmaceuticals can only proceed tonight." Kiana tried to speak to Mei in a casual tone, as if they were having a casual chat. "I'll be back in a bit, don't worry."
"But..."
"Haha, I can't go anywhere in this city, so you don't have to worry about me running away. Besides, with Mei here, I don't want to go anywhere."
Kiana hates who she is now.
She can now lie without batting an eye, uttering words that contradict her true feelings, and her heart remains calm and undisturbed.
... It's all Lin's fault for teaching her this personality.
However, this lie was very effective on Mei, who believed that Kiana had decided to go back with her. She happily nodded in agreement without any suspicion. As for what exactly they would do... Kiana thought and thought but couldn't come up with a good excuse, but she didn't need to. She didn't want to use another lie to cover up the previous one.
So after greeting Mei with a smile and walking out the door, she put away her smile, lowered her pretty face forlornly, and leaned against the door.
After walking out of that door, perhaps she will never come back; perhaps this is the last time she will see Mei.
Kiana wanted to say goodbye properly, but if she did, Mei wouldn't allow her to see Lin. She knew very well that even if Lin came looking for her, Mei would protect her without hesitation.
That's wrong.
Lin will not give up just because someone stands in his way, and Kiana also believes that she must face herself and the Herrscher of the Void within her.
This might not be the best way to Mei, but the truth is... Mei can't do anything.
Her only fate in front of Lin was to be knocked unconscious and thrown aside.
So... it's best to say goodbye in your heart.
"Tick-tock".
The neon lights are still so dazzling and bright at night.
"Tick-tock".
The second hand passing through 12 symbolizes both the beginning and the end.
"Tick-tock".
A puff of white mist escaped from beneath the hood, then the head was raised, and an eerie rainbow appeared like a floating sphere of light beneath the indistinct hood.
"Tick-tock".
He put down his hand and looked up at the silver-haired girl wearing the same combat uniform he had worn when they first met. She jumped down from the high platform and landed not far away. Then she walked up to him with a serious expression.
The watch is covered in scratches, but the hands are still moving.
"... You've never been late, that's the only thing I can praise you for without reservation." Lin put away the watch on his hand, staring at the girl, looking at the golden light in her right eye, and at himself standing within that golden light.
No matter what one goes through, no matter what the process is like, in the end, people will stand on the final stage to achieve self-realization and transcendence.
"You said there would be a punishment for being late." Kiana's serious face turned serious, she chuckled lightly, put her hands on her hips and laughed smugly, "Don't think that I don't know what lewd things you want to do to me, so I'm never late."
"... Then you must have misunderstood."
"I don't believe it."
"..."
Lin shook his head, then put the mask back on and faced Kiana with the same cold demeanor once again.
"Is there anything else you'd like to say?"
"There should be... a little bit left."
Kiana smiled, and then...
"Bang!"
Without hesitation, he drew his gun and fired!
The Journey Begins in the Sky: Chapter Thirty-Nine - Victory and Defeat
This period is destined to be extraordinary for Sky City.
A series of Honkai disaster, continuous explosions in the industrial zone, rumors circulating among the people...
Every night, they would pray that they would get through the night safely.
"Bang!"
Two figures, one leading the other, leaped from the top of the building and the other towards another platform. They fought continuously in mid-air, the sounds of gunfire and limbs clashing barely audible amidst the city's clamor, and they themselves went unnoticed by anyone.
"Smack!"
When the silver-haired girl attacked the man's head with her signature leg techniques, he blocked the attack, leaving her lower body vulnerable. She was then punched in the abdomen and sent flying backward.
"Bang!"