The stronger Kevin became, the happier Chang Yuan was. If Kevin could achieve the Savior form of later generations ahead of time, Chang Yuan would be even more pleased.
At that point, Kevin might not be guaranteed to defeat the Herrscher of Finality, but he would definitely have the ability to contend with her.
And as long as they possessed combat power strong enough to oppose her, the scales of victory would no longer lean entirely toward the Cocoon of Finality.
"Strong, but not strong enough."
Chang Yuan clenched his fists and spoke with some regret.
Likewise, he had gained no additional abilities—only an extraordinarily powerful body.
"Yo, Vice Captain Chang Yuan."
A white-haired man in the distance waved when he spotted Chang Yuan.
Chang Yuan looked up at the voice and saw Kevin, who was still sunny and cheerful at this point.
"Kevin, do you need something?"
"Hehe, well... I heard there's some kind of Fusion Warrior program that can make people really strong. So I want to become stronger too, so I can protect everyone—and Mei—better in the future."
"...There is. You can look for Mebius or Velvie. Though it's been perfected, there's still a possibility of failure. I think you should ask Mei what she thinks first."
"Better not. If I ask her, she definitely won't let me join."
This was no longer a time when reinforcements desperately needed combat power. Even if they did, there were already quite a few Fusion Warriors, so there was no need for Kevin to step in.
As Kevin's girlfriend, Mei would absolutely never agree to let him put himself in danger.
When it wasn't necessary, Mei did not want Kevin to face danger because of this.
In the original story, there had been no other choice. Kevin had risked himself to support Mei, and Mei had been equally helpless, with no option but to agree.
"Yo, so you're scared of your girlfriend."
"Ahem, Vice Captain Chang Yuan, don't say things like that out loud. It's embarrassing."
Kevin, an innocent young man, blushed slightly at Chang Yuan's teasing.
"But it's best to tell Mei about this. Or rather, before that, make sure you don't leave behind any regrets. Even if the surgery succeeds, there's still a certain chance of side effects.
"Quite a few Fusion Warriors before you developed side effects. Some had body temperatures above sixty degrees all year round, while others lost certain symbols of their humanity.
"So if you really end up with certain side effects, the price might be never being able to touch Mei for the rest of your life. This doesn't just concern you—it concerns Mei too."
"N-No one told me that."
Hearing that the price could be so great, Kevin admitted that he hesitated for a moment.
It was not the prospect of never being able to touch Mei for the rest of his life that frightened him, but the thought of losing certain symbols of humanity.
"So before doing anything, you have to think it through. A decision made in the heat of the moment might be something you regret later."
Chang Yuan patted Kevin on the shoulder, his tone laden with meaning.
Even Airi had gained exactly the same ability as in the original story, so there was a ninety-percent chance Kevin would also suffer the side effect of lowered body temperature.
If that happened, he and Mei would become another pair of star-crossed lovers.
So Chang Yuan was determined to help him to the very end.
Of course, if Kevin still insisted on undergoing the Fusion Warrior surgery, there was nothing Chang Yuan could do.
But before that, Kevin had better do everything he wanted to do and everything he needed to do.
"Got it, Vice Captain Chang Yuan. I'll go back and think it over first."
Scratching his head, Kevin left with a smile.
Seeing that he had done another good deed, Chang Yuan nodded in satisfaction.
One good deed a day—merit fulfilled.
"I remember Fusion Warrior surgery was only the first step. Later, there seemed to be something called metamorphosis surgery, which allowed people to undergo Artificial Honkai Eruption.
"I think Kosma became the first case of Artificial Honkai Eruption because of certain circumstances, and then metamorphosis surgery was developed from that."
As Chang Yuan carefully recalled the various details of the original plot, he unconsciously returned to his dormitory.
But unlike before, someone was already inside his room this time, and that person was Kevin.
"Vice Captain Chang Yuan, you're back too."
"Yeah, but just call me Chang Yuan from now on. Calling me Vice Captain makes things feel a little distant."
Chang Yuan went to his bed, stared at the ceiling, and began thinking about the future.
He had currently gathered six of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, with seven remaining.
"Apocalypse's 'Discipline' and her ability to see the future are the most useful to me right now. I wonder how much all these changes have altered things. Tomorrow, I'll have someone bring Apocalypse here."
Having made up his mind, Chang Yuan closed his eyes to rest.
Meanwhile, Kevin picked up his phone and frantically sent Mei messages.
Getting one reply out of more than a dozen messages was already considered lucky.
"Su, do you want to join the Flame-Chasing Moth? I can recommend you. I think pretty highly of your medical skills."
"Sure, but I'll have to resign from this hospital first."
"That's great. Then you can share a dorm with me."
Having easily lured his best friend into the Flame-Chasing Moth, Kevin wore a delighted smile.
That smile was far brighter than the ones he wore when chatting with Mei.
A few days later...
"Chang Yuan, you alive? I need to talk to you."
Standing outside Chang Yuan's dorm room, Mebius shouted loudly.
The moment he heard her voice, Chang Yuan leaped off his bed, rushed to the door, and opened it.
"Mebius, what do you need me for?"
"This isn't convenient. Come to my private laboratory."
Without giving Chang Yuan a chance to refuse, Mebius swayed away.
Left with no choice, Chang Yuan could only follow.
When they arrived at Mebius's private laboratory, it was filled with preserved corpses of strange creatures floating in formaldehyde.
The sight made Chang Yuan's mouth twitch.
"Good, right here. Kill me with everything you've got."
"...?"
Chang Yuan was utterly dumbfounded by Mebius's request.
What did she want him to do? Kill her? Was this some kind of joke?
Then Chang Yuan suddenly thought of a possibility.
A few days ago, when he and Airi had left, Mebius had gone to Velvie for Fusion Warrior surgery.
That meant Mebius had already fused with the Sesha Factor.
Then there was only one reason Mebius wanted him to do this: she wanted to test whether she had gained Sesha's ability to revive after death.
"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up. Kill me with everything you've got. Don't refuse like Airi did."
"No wonder you came to me instead of Airi, who's stronger. So he refused you."
Realizing why Mebius had come to him, Chang Yuan gave a helpless smile.
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