Becoming a Behind-the-Scenes Boss from the Honkai World

Only a minority of people can overcome their inner fears and bravely fight against them.

"Does it still hurt?"

Looking at the blood-stained glove on the youth's hand, Raven felt a pang of apology.

In a sense, they were both kindred spirits, burdened by similar destinies and pasts.

"Huh?"

Taken aback by Raven's sudden concern, Shi Hen was momentarily stunned. 'Is this chick hitting on me?'

Shi Hen became instantly wary.

Noticing the alertness in the youth's eyes, Raven shook her head and chuckled, offering no explanation.

For people like them, who walked in the shadows, sudden kindness was even harder to believe than outright hostility.

But it was fine. She had always been patient, especially with prey she had her sights on.

Chapter 2: In the Night

"Natasha, Natasha Sciola. That's my name."

With a gentle smile, Raven unhesitatingly revealed her true name.

Looking at the female bartender before him, the youth frowned, clearly hesitant, but after a few seconds, he finally spoke, "Shi Hen."

Although he didn't know why her favorability had suddenly skyrocketed, he at least understood the principle of reciprocity.

"A newcomer..."

Raven scrutinized the youth, certain she had never heard his name before.

Of course, a name didn't mean much. Who didn't have alternate accounts these days?

She herself had dozens of codenames; "Raven" was just the most commonly used one.

Most importantly, Raven couldn't find anyone matching Shi Hen's description in her memories.

Moreover, the youth's eyes were pure, indicating he hadn't been in the shadow world for long and hadn't had time to become a seasoned veteran like her.

"It's just that this World hasn't had time to sing my praises yet," Shi Hen said casually, without a trace of shame on his face. "Things like being number one on Charon's List will be mine sooner or later. For now, I'm just letting Senior Sciola have it."

Raven couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Charon's List was a ranking of renowned assassins in the underworld.

While the rankings were influenced by mission completion rates and success, those on the list were generally not weak. "Raven" had held the top spot for five years.

Of course, the list itself wasn't very meaningful, as the truly powerful individuals who could wield Honkai Energy were rarely on it.

The truly strong had already moved on. Who would be foolish enough to become an assassin?

Even with the name "Raven" topping Charon's List, the strength displayed by that title was far from Raven's true limit.

Charon's List was essentially just a self-congratulatory circle for the ignorant.

However, in another sense, Charon's List was quite useful.

With the popularity boost from Charon's List, Raven generally received good commissions. She held five spots within the top ten, making her earnings five times that of others.

"Of course."

Faced with Raven's dismissive doubt, Shi Hen's expression was firm.

Raven waved her hand. "Do as you please with that. Just don't interfere with my earning money."

Considering the youth's strength, the title "Raven" might not actually be enough to maintain the top spot on Charon's List.

But it was fine. At worst, she could promote her other alternate accounts, and her earning speed wouldn't decrease significantly.

"And also..." Raven said slowly, her eyes narrowing. "Just call me Natasha. I'm not that old yet."

Although she had high seniority in the underworld, she was still young.

"..."

Shi Hen's gaze swept up and down Raven, and he fell silent.

Even so... Raven is at least half a generation older than him.

It was fortunate that Shi Hen hadn't entered the underworld earlier; otherwise, he could have proudly said he grew up hearing Raven's legends.

"Hey, are you thinking about how you're going to die!?"

Raven bared her teeth.

"Sister Natasha!"

Shi Hen immediately exclaimed.

To be clear, he wasn't backing down.

He just felt an instant connection with Raven and really wanted to acknowledge her as an older sister. It had nothing to do with being scared.

Nodding with satisfaction at the youth, Raven re-holstered the pistol she had un-safety-locked.

"Getting back to the point, what brings you here to see your big sister?"

In a cheerful mood, Raven got straight to the point.

Since he was a visitor from the underworld, the youth definitely wasn't here for a drink; he must have had other intentions.

Gently rubbing his fingertip on the glass, Shi Hen hesitated for a few seconds before slowly speaking, "...Sister Natasha, do you know someone named Gray Serpent?"

Raven's expression shifted slightly.

"It seems Sister Natasha does know him," Shi Hen said with a knowing smile. "About a month ago, I met an information broker who told me that if I came here, I could find the truth of the world."

Shi Hen mused for a moment before speaking again, pulling out a palm-sized card from his inner pocket.

"Serpent..."

Upon seeing the card the youth handed over, Raven's pupils contracted.

On the jet-black card with a metallic texture, a silver-gray Ouroboros serpent was clearly printed.

"So you do know the origin of this card, sister," Shi Hen's smile widened as he noticed Raven's reaction. "I've searched many places before, but I couldn't find any trace of this card."

Although everything related to the underworld was inherently secretive, making it difficult for ordinary people to encounter even once in their lives if they weren't actively looking, the World Serpent organization was hidden with exceptional depth.

Shi Hen strongly suspected Gray Serpent suffered from persecution complex.

"Did Gray Serpent send you to find me?"

Staring intently into the youth's dark eyes, Raven's voice involuntarily carried a hint of pressure.

Whether the youth came here of his own volition or was instructed by Gray Serpent were two entirely different matters to her.

"He only provided the coordinates for the Crow's Nest Bar,"

Shi Hen shook his head gently.

Biting her lower lip, Raven's mind suddenly recalled something.

Gray Serpent had mentioned to her a month ago that a new member would be joining the organization soon and asked her to keep an eye out.

In Raven's opinion, this was an extremely unusual request.

She didn't usually concern herself with the addition of ordinary members, and the onboarding of important members was always handled by Gray Serpent himself. It didn't make sense for this task to fall to her.

But as a diligent worker, Raven had accepted the task without much thought.

Though, in reality, she didn't have much power to refuse.

After receiving the task, Raven waited and waited, but she never found anyone qualified to join the organization, and gradually forgot about it.

Now, looking at the warm and sunny youth before her, Raven knew in her heart that he was undoubtedly the new recruit Gray Serpent had mentioned.

Moreover, judging by his strength, Shi Hen certainly met the World Serpent's requirements.

Now, a clear question presented itself to Raven: should she bring Shi Hen into the World Serpent family?

Being favored by Gray Serpent, the youth's potential was undeniable, and he would surely become an executive-level figure in the organization in the future.

However, the World Serpent was never a good place!

Rooted in the shadows of the world, the World Serpent was a bona fide evil organization, the kind that would be nailed to the pillar of history and damned for eternity if exposed.

Even after spending twelve full years in the organization, Raven never felt much sense of belonging. She only stayed because she had grown accustomed to the place.

While others would go out of their way to avoid it, Shi Hen actually wanted to jump in willingly?

If it were anyone else wanting to join the World Serpent, Raven wouldn't hesitate. After all, there was a substantial bonus for recruiting new members, especially a high-caliber talent like Shi Hen who could become an executive.

But... meeting the youth's clear, autumn-water-like eyes, Raven couldn't bring herself to invite him to join the World Serpent organization.

"Why do you want to know the truth of the world?"

Taking a deep breath, Raven asked in a steady voice.

"Why?" Shi Hen tilted his head, looking a bit confused. "If I had to say, it's probably because the truth of the world is right there."

Although the world under the sun was indeed beautiful, once one had glimpsed a corner of this world's reality, who could truly step back and convince themselves to live under that false peace?

Whether it was fear or curiosity, those who had witnessed the abyss would inevitably be drawn to the darkness.

And fortunately, Shi Hen also possessed the ability to seek the truth.

"But sometimes, ignorance is not a bad thing,"

Raven shook her head.

When people knew nothing about the world, they could still live in their perceived hope.

But once they understood the truth called Honkai, this world would only hold despair.

"Perhaps," Shi Hen said noncommittally. "But I still want to know the truth. Burying one's head in the sand might bring comfort, but those monsters won't stop just because you're weak, will they?"

Even though the world currently appeared to be flourishing, Shi Hen knew in his heart.

In just a few years, the disaster called Honkai would spread to every corner of the world, turning it into a complete inferno.

"But..."

Raven, seeing the youth's stubborn gaze, was about to persuade him further when a hoarse, low voice suddenly interjected:

"It seems I've arrived at a rather inconvenient time."

No, you've arrived at the perfect time.

Turning his gaze towards the masked man who appeared on the projection screen to the side, Shi Hen couldn't help but inwardly praise him. A bright and friendly smile spread across his face. "It's been a long time, Mr. Gray Serpent."

"It has indeed been a long time, Mr. Shi Hen. I'm very pleased to see you here," Gray Serpent replied politely from the screen. "It seems that compared to other places, our Serpent is more appealing to you."

As he spoke, Gray Serpent's gaze towards the youth grew more satisfied.

From the moment he first noticed Shi Hen, he had been closely observing the youth's every move.

He watched the youth fight and struggle alone in that chaotic, dark world, gradually getting closer to the truth about the Honkai, a truth hidden by numerous factions.

Finally, just as the youth was about to reach the truth, Gray Serpent contacted Shi Hen before any other organization, extending an invitation from the Serpent.

However, even after receiving clues from the Serpent, the youth did not act impulsively. Instead, he maintained his usual caution and meticulousness, spending a month carefully verifying everything before finally choosing to step into this Crow's Nest Bar.

Such talent, possessing both great strength and a prudent mindset, clearly had a destiny with the Serpent.

Gray Serpent decided then and there: their World Serpent needed talented individuals like Shi Hen!

"As long as the Serpent can provide me with the truth I seek."

Faced with Gray Serpent's eagerness, Shi Hen appeared quite calm.

"Believe me, Mr. Shi Hen, the truth the Serpent provides will surely satisfy you," Gray Serpent chuckled deeply, looking at the youth on the screen. "Moreover, as long as you are willing to join us, the Serpent can even grant any wish you have."

"Can you even bring the dead back to life?"

Shi Hen raised an eyebrow.

Gray Serpent: "..."

What's with young people these days? Can't they ask for something more realistic?