Starting as a Behind-the-Scenes Boss in the Honkai World

The opponent's mask was no ordinary item. Even though their clothes were tattered, the mask itself was completely undamaged.

"You can't escape. Rita and the others will be here soon."

After a moment's thought, Durandal spoke, trying to dispel Shi Hen's wishful thinking.

Although she didn't know where the opponent's accomplice was hiding, she believed Rita would be the first to arrive.

"Then let's make a bet. I believe it will be our Anti-Entropy people who arrive first," Shi Hen said with a smile.

For a moment, Durandal actually wanted to make a phone call and summon Anti-Entropy's people, just to see if this guy could still talk tough.

But glancing at Shi Hen's blood-soaked appearance, Durandal didn't say anything more. She casually found a spot to sit down and simply said:

"Fine."

Meanwhile.

After leaving the ruined castle where she had been hiding, Raven was on her way.

When she sensed the energy fluctuations from Shi Hen and Durandal's battlefield subside, she knew their fight had ended.

Later, through the scope of Seven Thunders of Sin's Purge, Raven saw the outcome where both sides were heavily injured.

The scope's focus lingered on the blonde Valkyrie for a full three seconds before Raven finally abandoned the incredibly tempting plan.

While she was confident she could kill the opponent with a Divine Key if she followed up with a finishing blow, what then?

If Schicksal went mad because of it, Shi Hen would be the first to suffer.

To Raven, the boy's life was more important than eliminating a major threat to an organization.

Furthermore, by leaving Durandal alive, she could be used as a valuable hostage later, forcing Schicksal to hesitate.

A series of thoughts flashed through her mind, and Raven immediately left the castle, speeding towards their location. Her speed was so great that she only left a blurred afterimage among the trees.

On the aerial battleship, the Valkyries of the Blade of Immortality Squad harbored the same thoughts.

At the deployment bay, as the cabin door slowly opened, Rita took a deep breath.

Soon, she would be able to reach Durandal's side.

After a fierce battle, she understood that Durandal needed her at this moment.

"Lady Rita, we've detected an unidentified target rapidly approaching Lady Durandal's location. It's likely an accomplice of that Welt."

A reminder suddenly came through the headset from a Blade of Immortality Valkyrie.

In such a critical moment, Raven could no longer afford to be stealthy.

With a flash in her eyes, Rita made a decision in an instant: "Mark the target's location. I'll stop her. Also, have the third squad provide support to Lady Durandal instead."

"Understood."

"What, do you think you're going to lose?" Shi Hen said with a smile, seeing the faint worry in the blonde girl's eyes.

Glancing at Shi Hen, Durandal replied seriously, "I have confidence in Rita and the others."

"But fifteen minutes have already passed. If your people were coming, they would have been here five minutes ago."

Shi Hen directly exposed her.

With the capabilities of the aerial battleship and the skill level of the Blade of Immortality Valkyries, ten minutes should have been enough for them to find their way here.

"I believe in them," Durandal's tone remained serious.

"Alright," Shi Hen was too lazy to argue with her about such things. "By the way, are you really not considering coming back to Anti-Entropy with me?"

"This topic is meaningless," Durandal said coldly. "If you truly had sincerity, why not take off your mask and reveal your true name?"

She disliked those who hid their faces and identities, and even more so, she disliked someone who could fight her with their full strength while being secretive.

Shi Hen: "I am Welt."

Once he decided on something, he had to see it through to the end.

Even if the Herrscher of Reason stood before him today, he, Shi Hen, would still be Welt.

Durandal: "...Then there's nothing more for us to say to each other."

From the very first words they exchanged upon meeting, not a single word this guy had spoken was true.

"That's a real shame. I actually quite like you," Shi Hen said with a sigh.

Fighting someone like Durandal allowed him to learn a great deal.

In the underground world, it was basically all rookies.

Like that Blood Axe Mafia from before, despite its imposing name, it wasn't even qualified to make him lift a finger.

If you only fight rookies, you'll become a rookie yourself.

Hearing Shi Hen's words, Durandal merely looked at him coldly.

She no longer believed anything he said.

Ding ding ding...

A series of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded.

Looking up, a faint smile appeared on Durandal's face: "My teammates have arrived.

This time, you lost again."

As if to confirm the girl's words, a string of shouts rang out simultaneously:

"Captain!"

"Captain Durandal!"

"Lady Durandal!"

Before long, three young Valkyries quickly arrived, surrounding Durandal and protecting her firmly in the center. At the same time, they eyed Shi Hen warily, their guns and swords unwavering.

Although Shi Hen was in a sorry state and appeared to be at the end of his rope, the power he had displayed earlier was too terrifying, making it impossible for the Valkyries to relax.

"Alright, he's out of strength, no need to be so tense."

Struggling to stand up, Durandal comforted them, but her eyes remained fixed on Shi Hen's every move.

Clearly, the girl was not as relaxed as she claimed.

While a comeback from the brink of defeat was rare, Durandal didn't want to become a cautionary tale herself.

"Now, are you willing to surrender?"

Durandal asked again.

Even with the arrival of new forces, she could forcefully apprehend Shi Hen, but the girl was still willing to give him a choice.

This was her respect for a strong opponent.

"Hahaha~" Shi Hen responded to the Valkyrie with unrestrained laughter. "Young Valkyrie, be proud of yourself, to have forced me, Welt, into such a desperate situation!"

"Are you still struggling in your death throes!?"

Durandal couldn't help but frown.

She really didn't understand why Shi Hen was still so stubborn at this point.

Durandal didn't believe he had any trump cards; otherwise, she would be the one lying on the ground right now.

"Prepare yourselves to face your despair!"

Shi Hen said in a low voice, his aura growing weaker and weaker.

Then, it abruptly stopped—

Durandal: ???

So, the despair Shi Hen spoke of was his choosing to commit suicide?

Sensing his aura, which was as calm as stagnant water, Durandal was completely stunned.

Why?

Why would Shi Hen choose to take his own life rather than give up his resistance?

Did doing this truly have any meaning?

Not only Durandal fell into self-doubt, but the three newly arrived Valkyries also exchanged confused glances.

But the next second...

Boom!

An incredibly powerful aura erupted from Shi Hen, lifting his body and suspending him as he slowly stood upright.

It was as if he had returned to his peak in an instant!

"Fall back behind me!"

Immediately positioning herself at the front, Durandal mobilized the little remaining strength within her to resist the powerful pressure emanating from Shi Hen.

"Hehehe, the moonlight is truly beautiful tonight." Shi Hen summoned a silver metallic ring with a wave of his hand and said with a low smile, "Don't you agree, Miss Durandal?"

"..."

Glancing at the sun that had already risen halfway in the east, Durandal chose to remain silent.

This guy definitely had some serious screws loose.

"I have the moonlight, and I invite all of you... to enjoy it together!"

As his voice fell, Shi Hen took several steps in the air, his figure shooting straight into the sky like a flying swallow.

Behind the boy, a metallic ring was emitting an incredibly brilliant silver light, like a moon magnified countless times, causing anyone who saw it to instinctively close their eyes, unable to look directly.

Within that resplendent silver light, the boy's deep voice could only be faintly heard:

"Schicksal Valkyrie, please tell that old thief Otto that the blood debt from fifty-seven years ago, I, Welt, will personally... come to collect!"

Chapter Nineteen: S-Rank Valkyrie is Born

The medical bay of the Blade of Immortality Squad's exclusive aerial warship.

Pale golden sunlight streamed through the porthole and onto the hospital bed, a warmth that could be felt even through the blankets.

It's a beautiful day today.

Looking at the clear blue sky outside the porthole, the girl couldn't help but think this.

After all, the warship was flying in the stratosphere, so even if it was pouring rain below, it would still be clear here.

But regardless, good weather always made for a pleasant feeling.

Enjoying the sunlight while reading a leisure book, the girl's mood was calm and joyful.

Creak—

The hospital room door opened, and a Valkyrie with short, ash-blonde hair, dressed in a black uniform, entered with elegant steps.

"It seems Lady Durandal is in a very good mood."

The Valkyrie, recognizing the girl's state at a glance, said with a smile.

"You're here, Rita." Durandal looked up and smiled, "How are things?"

"The combat report is out. The Honkai Beasts that appeared in Raymond have all been eliminated, and the Blade of Immortality Squad..." Rita paused slightly at this point, looking at Durandal with a hint of hesitation, before continuing after a moment, "Aside from you, Lady Durandal, there were no casualties."

Those selected for the Blade of Immortality Squad were almost all elites, naturally knowing how to protect themselves in battles against Honkai Beasts.

"Is that so." Durandal nodded, "Those Honkai Beasts, were they because of him?"