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

He looked at the calm expression on Shi Hen's face... ah, no, Shi Hen was wearing a black silk mask, so his expression couldn't be seen.

"Let's go, we're heading back."

Raven glanced at the young man one more time before turning to leave.

As long as the mission objective could be completed, World Serpent never cared about such minor details.

"Oh."

Shi Hen nodded, pulled off the mask, and threw it into the bonfire along with the baseball bat.

Just like the tactical mecha he encountered before, this baseball bat was already overloaded after a few uses.

Only weapons made of Soul Steel could withstand the load of conducting Honkai Energy.

However, if he left a baseball bat after each battle, perhaps he could create a legend for the "Galaxy Baseball Man"?

Lost in thought, Shi Hen disappeared into the exit of the underground garage.

A little later, at the Crow's Nest Bar.

Creak—

"Welcome, you two. What would you like to drink?"

As they stepped into the bar, Shi Hen and Raven were greeted by an unexpected guest... no, perhaps he shouldn't be called a guest, because Gray Serpent was standing behind the bar, wiping a glass. Although the black robe and metal mask didn't quite fit the image of a bartender.

"Iced absinthe, and don't mess with my stuff."

Sitting down at the bar, Raven instructed with a familiar, slightly exasperated tone.

Why can't this Gray Serpent get a different model?

This is her bar, bought entirely with her own money. Don't treat it like World Serpent's asset!

"This is quite surprising, Mr. Gray Serpent." Shi Hen expressed his surprise appropriately, then paused and asked, "Do you have milk tea?"

"Of course. Pearl milk tea, three parts sugar. Do you want it without ice?"

"Yes."

Shi Hen immediately decided.

This Gray Serpent is much more professional than a certain mercenary.

Shi Hen glanced at the mercenary out of the corner of his eye.

"Hey, hey, hey! This is a bar, a BAR! Do you even understand what a bar is!"

Raven tapped the bar counter forcefully with her fingers.

"Sister Natasha, have you considered expanding your business? You won't make money just selling alcohol..."

Shi Hen advised kindly.

He had been here several times and had never seen many customers at the Crow's Nest Bar.

Raven: "..."

"Here you go, please enjoy."

At this moment, the amateur bartender Gray Serpent handed out two glasses, carefully adding a decorative slice of lemon to Shi Hen's glass.

Taking a sip through the straw, Shi Hen's pupils widened, and he gave Gray Serpent a thumbs-up. "Mr. Gray Serpent, your skills are quite good. I'd rate this drink at least twenty yuan."

"Thank you for liking it, Mr. Shi Hen."

Gray Serpent replied in a hoarse voice.

Although he didn't understand what a "twenty yuan" rating meant.

Meanwhile, Raven, drinking her absinthe, had her cheeks puffed out in anger.

If it weren't for the fact that the brat next to her wasn't an adult, she would definitely show off her bartending skills!

"Getting back to the point, I've already read the mission report. Mr. Shi Hen's strength is truly astonishing."

As he spoke, the red light of Gray Serpent's electronic eye flickered.

Such a massive amount of Honkai Energy was a very rare type among Stigmata awakeners.

It seemed that the young man's Stigmata was related to physical enhancement, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to withstand such terrifying loads.

Gray Serpent sized up Shi Hen carefully, thinking to himself.

For someone at his level, it was very easy to deduce that the young man possessed a natural Stigmata based on his performance.

"Haha~"

Shi Hen just smiled at Gray Serpent's praise, offering no explanation.

As long as he didn't admit to cheating, he was the top genius in the world.

"Raven, do you have any other thoughts?"

Gray Serpent stared coldly at the mercenary, his red electronic eye fixed on her.

Sensing the warning in Gray Serpent's tone, Raven took a sip of her drink and said softly, "No."

Shi Hen had already displayed his talent and abilities, leaving her with no room to suppress him.

"If that's the case, then welcome to World Serpent, Mr. Shi Hen."

Speaking in a husky voice that carried a hint of amusement, Gray Serpent pushed a palm-sized silver card towards the young man.

"World Serpent?"

As he took the card and examined it, Shi Hen's tone held a trace of confusion.

"World Serpent, that's the true name of our organization," Gray Serpent explained. "This card is your proof of identity, Mr. Shi Hen. You can use it to access the organization's internal website. I believe you'll find the contents satisfying.

"It's also an anonymous bank card. Ten million Euros is a welcome gift from the Serpent to you, Mr. Shi Hen."

Shi Hen's hand, holding the card, trembled slightly.

World Serpent, they're really f*ing rich!

Having been involved in the underworld for so long, he only had about two hundred thousand Euros to his name. World Serpent, with a casual flick of their wrist, had just given him fifty times his net worth.

"You guys are quite generous."

After a moment of stunned silence, Shi Hen couldn't help but exclaim.

"Compared to your abilities, Mr. Shi Hen, this is merely a trivial gift," Gray Serpent chuckled softly, shaking his head.

In the underground black market, the bounty for a Stigmata Awakener was at least ten million Euros. For someone like the young man, who had already developed his powers to a certain extent, even a few hundred million Euros was barely enough. To true power players, money was just a number, insignificant compared to treasures as rare and elusive as natural Stigmata.

"It seems this ten million is a bit hot to handle," Shi Hen said with a smile, looking at Gray Serpent.

Being able to casually give away ten million meant World Serpent was naturally seeking greater benefits.

"Then what are your intentions, Mr. Shi Hen?" Gray Serpent asked unhurriedly.

"From now on, we're colleagues." Shi Hen flipped his wrist, making the silver card disappear from his fingers, a bright smile on his face. "I look forward to working with you, Mr. Gray Serpent."

As his words fell, a line of text, visible only to Shi Hen, appeared before his eyes.

[Newbie Quest · St. Freya's Gate: You have had a glimpse of this world's madness. It's time to join a secret organization fighting the Honkai, find like-minded companions, and save the world. (Completed)]

[You have received the reward: Coiled Serpent]

[Coiled Serpent: The snake eating its own tail is the closed loop of fate. When you receive a fatal injury, you will ignore the attack and recover to full condition. Cooldown: 24H.]

[Main Quest has been unlocked.]

[Main Quest · Path of Destiny: You have become a member of a secret organization fighting the Honkai. Now, hide in the shadows of the world and strive to become the ultimate boss. (Current Progress: 0.1%)]

[You have received a milestone reward: Void Herrscher Core.]

[Void Herrscher Core: A high-energy crystal containing powerful Honkai Energy, possessing the wondrous ability to communicate with the Imaginary Space. It may change when encountering the authority of other Herrschers.]

After reading all the text, the smile on Shi Hen's face widened.

World Serpent is even more generous than I expected.

Chapter Six: A Fateful Encounter

Ah, what lovely weather.

Raising his palm to shield his eyes from the fiery ball in the sky that emitted endless light and heat, Shi Hen's gaze swept over the crowded beach ahead, and he couldn't help but sigh softly.

This was a seaside city on Sicily, in southern Europe.

A week ago, Raven said she had received an important mission and brought Shi Hen all the way from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, leaving the Crow's Nest Bar facing closure once again.

They're always getting missions and running around the world, so why bother opening a bar?

Shi Hen couldn't understand the legendary mercenary's thoughts at all.

But after arriving in Sicily, Raven didn't seem to have any intention of taking him on missions. Instead, she was nowhere to be seen all day, and he didn't know what she was doing.

Bored, Shi Hen had been exploring Sicily.

He enjoyed the scenery, ate delicious food, and lived a relaxed and comfortable life.

Although the important mission Raven mentioned was intriguing, Shi Hen wasn't so bothered by it that he couldn't eat or sleep.

Living each day to the fullest was his life principle.

After all, this world could collapse at any moment.

Pulling his wandering thoughts back, Shi Hen walked towards the sea.

The scorching sun beat down, making the sand hot. Stepping on it barefoot, he could feel a wave of heat rising from the soles of his feet, giving him a strange sense of stimulation.

It felt quite comfortable.

Feeling the strange texture of sand grains under his feet, Shi Hen's mood also warmed up.

Sunlight, beach, girls in swimsuits… Sicily's coast felt very summery.

Even though Northern Europe had already entered autumn, with some places even experiencing snow, Sicily, located in the Mediterranean, was still bathed in bright sunshine.

Strolling casually along the seaside, waves lapped at his feet, leaving behind a bit of sand and foam. Shi Hen's gaze swept over the crowds around him, appreciating the exotic beach scenery.

Children playing in sandcastles, young men and women playing beach volleyball, girls applying essential oils to each other, a white-haired fluffball on a high chair… Wait, how did something so out of place get mixed in?

Blinking his eyes, Shi Hen looked at a certain white-haired girl sitting on a high chair, dressed in lifeguard attire, and couldn't help but question his life.

White hair, blue eyes, and that look that suggested she wasn't very bright as she glanced around – Shi Hen was quite sure this was the person he thought it was.

As if noticing Shi Hen's gaze, the girl looked over from afar, revealing an incredibly brilliant smile, her pearly white teeth sparkling in the sun.

What a radiant idiot.

Despite being strangers who had only just met, without even exchanging a word, and separated by more than thirty meters, this white-haired idiot still exuded her goodwill.

Thinking this, Shi Hen also blinked and offered a smile.

Considering it a rough greeting, Shi Hen turned and dove into the sea.

This encounter was merely a coincidence; he had no intention of approaching her to get acquainted right now.

His limbs churned the water, propelling him further from the shore. Shi Hen quickly put the matter out of his mind, fully immersing himself in his beach trip.

What a strange person.

Watching the black-haired youth in the distance gradually disappear into the waves, the lifeguard girl touched her head in confusion.

But, he's quite handsome.

Recalling that fleeting yet memorable face, the smile on the girl's face slowly turned dreamy.

Her job as a beach lifeguard was so boring; she could only find some amusement through these things.