Seele's Assist?

Jing Yan froze as he watched the Frigid Prowler come to a halt before him, though after a moment of contemplation, he understood why.

He had a rough idea of why this mechanical construct had stopped.

The reason was that even among mechanical constructs, there was a slim chance of a malfunction that could lead to the awakening of human-like emotions.

Such an existence actually existed in Rivethown, an area abandoned due to Fragmentum corruption; it was a mechanical body named Pascal.

Because Svarog, the leader of the mechanical settlement, believed that Pascal held the hope of allowing all robots to develop emotions, he had sought to erase it.

In short, this case was sufficient proof that even a machine had a chance of becoming a sentient life form akin to a human.

It seemed that his own divine power had successfully helped this Fragmentum creature complete a transformation once it reached a certain intensity, and he had immediately followed up by controlling the creature through its Eros.

In this way, his power could be used not only to deal with or influence humans but could also affect non-human existences.

It was, indeed, incredibly overpowered.

Meanwhile, Seele noticed the Frigid Prowler stop its attack and then saw Jing Yan's outstretched hand, causing her to realize what had happened in an instant.

She knew it was some power Jing Yan had unleashed that had successfully brought the Frigid Prowler to a halt.

A flash of surprise flickered in Seele's eyes.

She hadn't paid much attention to this new young medical staff member at Natasha's clinic; despite having met a few times, she had assumed he only possessed basic medical skills.

Now, it seemed that was not the case.

This guy was no simple person; his strength was likely on par with her own. She would have to find an opportunity to spar with him and put that to the test.

At the thought of potentially having a new sparring partner, a smile of excitement tugged at the corners of Seele's mouth.

Good kid, you've been hiding your strength well!

Of course, there were many people with unique powers, and everyone had their own secrets. Seele didn't want to start prying into his business right after he had saved her life.

That would likely come across as very offensive.

For the sake of the Underworld Fire organization's strength, recruiting talent, or perhaps just to secure a future sparring match, she took the initiative to approach Jing Yan and said, "Thanks, Jing Yan."

"What are you..."

Looking at the bandages and medicine in his hands, Seele momentarily forgot that Jing Yan's true identity was that of a clinic medic.

"Come here, let me dress your wounds first," Jing Yan said, speechless.

He couldn't help but mutter softly, "Miss Seele, I seem to recall you saying your fighting prowess as a child was on the level of ten Hooks. And yet, now that you're grown..."

Upon hearing this, Seele's expression turned uncharacteristically awkward. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "That..."

"Jing Yan, what, what do you mean by that? Don't think that just because you saved me once, you can talk nonsense and look down on people. My strength, ahem..."

"It's mostly because I just got back from a mission. I had a scuffle with some vagrants in the mines to keep them from messing with the ore, and then I ran into these Fragmentum creatures. I haven't slept or eaten properly in days. Plus, I heard something happened in the Overworld—something about 'outsiders'—and I need to head there, so..."

Jing Yan's eyes lit up at Seele's words; he immediately understood what she meant by "outsiders."

These "outsiders" were naturally the Nameless of the Astral Express who had come to the planet Jarilo-VI to resolve the Stellaron crisis.

This included March 7th, Dan Heng, and the Trailblazer, "Stelle."

Because Cocolia, the Supreme Guardian of the Overworld in Belobog—the planet's last remaining city—was colluding with the Stellaron, these "visitors from the sky" who claimed they were here to solve the crisis were viewed as variables and enemies.

They were to be captured and detained.

Originally, Sampo, a merchant who traded between the Overworld and the Underworld, had been saved by March 7th and her companions on the snow plains. Unwilling to owe them a debt, he had brought Seele along to lead the "visitors from the sky"—the Nameless who followed the Aeon of The Trailblaze, Akivili—down to the Underworld during their moment of crisis.

In the process, he had inadvertently brought along Bronya, the Supreme Guardian's adopted daughter, who was also a commander and the future Supreme Guardian.

After that, the Fragmentum had expanded, Hook had gotten into danger, Seele had come to support her, and then Jing Yan had arrived to help.

However, these events hadn't fully unfolded yet, or rather, they were about to.

Seele looked uneasy, likely because she had always prided herself on being the most formidable fighter in the Underworld Fire organization.

Now, due to her own negligence and poor condition, she had nearly been taken out by a Frigid Prowler, only to be saved by a new medic from the clinic, Jing Yan, who had also managed to finish off the enemy she couldn't handle. It seemed quite embarrassing if word of this got out.

At this thought, a flush of red crossed Seele's face, though it quickly vanished. She looked at Jing Yan, who was busy performing CPR on Hook, curled her lip, and said, "Um, Jing Yan?"

Jing Yan was buried in his work trying to save Hook and hadn't noticed Seele's expression. Hearing her, he asked, "Yeah, what is it?"

"Um, could you not tell anyone about what happened here? I'll keep the power you just used a secret, too. How about that?"

Seele asked.

At that moment, Jing Yan saw that Hook still wasn't fully responding to the CPR.

She was in a state of cardiac arrest and respiratory depression, so he immediately switched to rescue breaths to save her.

In the distance, Julian watched with a look of envy.

Before long, Hook's breathing returned.

Jing Yan let out a sigh of relief, looked up at Seele, and asked, "What? What was that you said just now?"

"Keep what happened here a secret?"

Jing Yan paused for a moment, then replied, "No problem."

Seeing Jing Yan answer so readily and frankly, Seele felt a bit guilty. Then, remembering something, she continued, "Hook, how is Hook? Are you alright? Oh, right, Jing Yan..."

"I recall you and Natasha from the clinic seem to be getting quite close. Surely you must have some thoughts on the matter, don't you?"

Seele stood with her hands on her hips, looking at Jing Yan with a meaningful expression.

It only left Jing Yan feeling even more speechless.

This Seele clearly wasn't much older than him and had no experience with romance herself, yet she was putting on the airs of an adult.

Was she actually trying to lecture him?

Just as Jing Yan had expected, Seele continued, "In exchange, I'll do you a favor."

"Do you know how to make Natasha's heart flutter?"

Seele said, looking completely composed.

"Are you planning to help me woo Natasha?"

Jing Yan was stunned.