Ah, the best way to improve one's mood is to beat someone up.
Ryan, with a white towel around his neck, showered and changed after thoroughly pummeling Kevin. His mood had improved considerably.
Despite a touch of personal resentment, he was ultimately helping Kevin. This wasn't a game; difficulty couldn't be adjusted based on skill level.
If Kevin suddenly encountered an Emperor-Class Honkai Beast, he wouldn't be paralyzed by fear.
"Mei certainly understands me. She probably thinks that after being crushed, Kevin will realize the world's true horror and quietly leave. Unfortunately, this kid will only work harder."
A warm breeze ruffled his hair as Ryan looked in the mirror. A thin scratch was visible near his collarbone—a final blow from Kevin before he lost consciousness. He smirked.
Kevin, you have an inexplicable and exceptionally strong power boost.
This fight allowed Ryan to assess Kevin. Two months ago, he was a normal student with good physical fitness, an honest personality, and no fighting experience.
But in such a short time, his swordsmanship, martial arts, and agility had skyrocketed. Armed with elite single-soldier military weaponry, he could likely challenge a Templar-Class Honkai Beast; and while unconscious, he still managed a powerful counterattack.
It was unscientific. Ryan himself had the Path's enhancement, combined with honed skills and close-combat experience. Only one conclusion remained.
Some people are simply born warriors, born with the right to bear the title of 'Savior.'
"Once the Warrior Fusion Project is successful, this kid will take off. And after being beaten up, his desire to become stronger will be even more intense. Now, only one thing remains—"
Click.
Ryan closed the window, putting on a fresh white coat.
"How to keep Kevin alive until the fusion surgery is perfected."
He no longer intended for Kevin to be the first Warrior Fusion; the outcome would depend on the battle against the third Herrscher.
Leaving the bathroom, Ryan was about to find Mei for an explanation to prevent misunderstandings, when the automatic door opened, revealing an older man.
"Director Edwin, thank you for today."
"It was nothing. All the combat records have been archived. But your strength truly exceeded my expectations. Few in this world can control Honkai energy like you." Edwin gestured, walking with Ryan down the empty corridor.
Ryan had undergone many such interrogations; he answered without hesitation. "There are a few others, and my background is hardly mysterious."
Ryan had been a transmigrator since infancy; his family was influential and powerful. His history was meticulously documented, far cleaner than someone like Elysia. Besides, he'd already done plenty of dirty work for Fire Moth.
Even if Fire Moth wanted to eliminate all special individuals, he'd be one of the last.
"I'm not interrogating you. Those behind you could find any excuse to send you to the Arctic branch." Edwin paused, speaking in a low voice. "Therefore, within the organization, both the young progressives and the Integrated progressives have considerable confidence in you, at least publicly."
Ryan subtly tilted his head; the statement wasn't entirely accurate. He hadn't participated in the first two Honkai events; the young progressives wouldn't know him.
But Ryan wasn't foolish; he knew Edwin was a core member of the young progressives; there was no reason for such praise.
"Director, please be direct."
"Good. I appreciate your straightforwardness. It's like this." He produced a tablet, showing it to Ryan as he explained. "An Emperor-Class Honkai Beast appeared in the Far East. It's incredibly cunning; we've deployed massive forces, but can't capture it."
Emperor-Class?
Ryan's interest piqued. He'd been worried about this; ordinary Honkai Beasts offered limited insights, and hunting them wasted time.
He swiped across the tablet, seeing a photograph—a jet-black monster, five or six meters tall, seemingly covered in hardened rock, with six segmented legs, and a circular structure behind its head, vaguely humanoid.
Looking closer, it resembled a Yaksha from a Buddhist temple. Emperor-Class Honkai Beasts were named, and this one was called 'Adieto.'
"The detectors estimate its Honkai energy level at around 300HW. That's quite high; no wonder you deployed so much heavy equipment." Ryan recalled the busy airport. "Are you worried about civilian casualties?"
"No. This monster is unpredictable. By the time reinforcements arrive, it's gone." Edwin shook his head, sighing. "Emperor-Class Honkai Beasts possess a degree of intelligence. They won't foolishly wait to be attacked, especially this cunning one. Intelligence suggests it might have some form of spatial displacement ability."
A seasoned commander indeed; Edwin's words spoke volumes.
Human technology was powerful, but required coordinated efforts. Deploying troops, planning operations—it was a significant undertaking. Organizing a few hundred people for a trip was challenging, let alone an army.
Therefore, C.E Valkyries weren't necessarily more powerful than fleet bombardments, but their individual agility made coordinating a hunting party far easier than commanding a massive army.
"Have you considered a wide-scale hunt?"
"An Emperor-Class can't be handled by a couple of squads. Even fighter jets can't patrol 24/7 in all weather conditions. And I've already tried." Edwin's face showed grief and bitter resentment. "Two hundred casualties, and we only gained minimal intel; it was like a tasty dessert devoured in a flash."
Ryan leaned back, seeing the intelligence gathered at the cost of lives. He swiped through the photographs; along with the screams, the camera lens was stained crimson.
Before the Warrior Fusion Project is complete, high-powered individuals are a persistent headache. The most difficult aspect of dealing with a swarm of ants is coordinating millions of them. And this isn't a Herrscher; there's no need to mobilize global forces.
"What's your plan?" Ryan didn't press further.
"Intelligence has calculated its probable trajectory. A highly skilled unit will ambush the area. Once Honkai energy is detected, they'll engage it, followed by a heavy bombardment from first-tier forces."
A meticulous plan, requiring hundreds of pages of detailed procedures. The challenge lay in the word 'elite.' Without a successful engagement, it would be a suicide mission.
"So, you need me to participate, to deal with this 'Adieto.'" Ryan paused, observing the increasingly grim expression of the older man before reluctantly agreeing. "Fine, I'll help you. Remember, you owe me one."
"I, and the Far East Branch, are deeply indebted to you." Edwin breathed a sigh of relief; he'd feared a refusal. "I'll have the combat data sent to your room. Please prepare for deployment."
Ryan nodded, calmly walking towards the elevator, but his hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched into a fist. A manic grin flashed across his face.
Perfect timing. He'd been worried about a lack of high-quality targets, and now he had a whole team backing him up. It would be much safer than solo hunting.
'Killing it would be best, but even if I can't kill it, I can contain it until Fire Moth reinforcements arrive.'
Facing an named Emperor-Class Honkai Beast for the first time, Ryan wasn't nervous. He merely watched the flashing floor numbers, his mind elsewhere.
The appearance of an Emperor-Class meant the third Honkai was imminent. He had to make the most of the remaining time; he needed to acquire the power to threaten the Herrschers. Just as Kevin needed the Warrior Fusion Project, Ryan anticipated the turning point would be the third Herrscher.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened, interrupting his thoughts. Mobius was waiting, hands in her pockets, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Finished your stroll? I've been waiting a long time."
"You weren't waiting for the data, were you? I expect overtime pay."
"Try to avoid such crude language; data analysis is a crucial part of scientific research." Mobius rolled her eyes, taking his hand and walking away. "Good assistants are rare; I've graciously given you a day off."
Ryan looked at her white hand, feeling the smooth skin. For some reason, he didn't mention the Honkai Beast hunt.
He noticed the strange looks from passing researchers.
"Hey, what did you do to them?"
"I hate gossipers. I gave them a little lesson. I don't care what they think." Mobius didn't turn around.
Now they hate me too.
Ryan looked at the slender back, the green hair swaying, revealing delicate ears and gold earrings. He understood why she shunned others.
She despised being understood, yet yearned for understanding. And then—
I seem to have that privilege, evolving from lab rat to assistant?
This is… truly remarkable.