Ryan remembered Hua saying "I'm not afraid" twice after their encounter, but the meaning was vastly different.
The first time, it was the characteristic curiosity and impulsiveness of a seventeen-year-old girl, mixed with excitement, as if she possessed the power to save the world.
This time, however, was far more precious. She witnessed the true nature of the world, facing high-level combat unlike anything she'd ever encountered.
Fishing boats shattered like paper, the sea parted like a curtain; humanity was insignificant before this power. Ryan had been careful to avoid a negative impact, specifically to reassure her.
'If my first Honkai encounter had been like this, I'd probably have given up on Path.'
Ryan cursed inwardly, surprised by Hua's response. He thought to himself, she truly is one of the 13 Flame-Chasers; strength can be improved through training, but innate personality is destiny.
"Not bad, my junior sister. You have a big heart; you weren't afraid of that scene." Ryan patted the girl's shoulder, his eyes shining. "Don't worry, this was an unexpected event. I'd planned to test you with a couple of Low-Rank Honkai Beasts; I didn't expect this big guy to show up."
Hua saw Ryan's "I'm proud of you" expression and sighed silently. She was actually scared; but because he stood before her, shielding her like a mountain from a storm, she wasn't afraid.
But she wasn't good at expressing her feelings and changed the subject. "Were those missiles that fell from the sky?"
"Yes, Honkai warheads launched from naval vessels offshore. Their corrosive properties surpass conventional explosives; they're highly effective against Honkai energy shields."
Hua, not a military enthusiast, didn't fully understand, excitedly asking, "So there's a secret organization protecting the world, like that popular show Avengers, with Ms. Eden singing the theme song?"
Avengers?
Ryan didn't have time for movies, but he understood the gist, though he didn't immediately agree.
Fire Moth did protect the world in the shadows, but it wasn't as glorious as depicted in the show. The organization was rife with factions, power struggles, dirty deals, and ideological conflicts.
Some sought to control the world under the guise of salvation; some pursued personal redemption. There were theological factions, annihilation-renewal factions, pureblood factions—a chaotic mess; the Far East Branch's young progressives were the most straightforward.
"It's similar, but don't idealize it. And I won't have you join Fire Moth now."
Hua was stunned. This was unlike her expectations. She'd imagined her Senior Brother inviting her to join the organization, following him, growing stronger, becoming a member of a world-saving team, like a crucial supporting character in a movie.
Of course, if given the chance, she'd rather be the protagonist.
"But I know their secrets; won't they try to make me forget?"
"They'd usually perform mind-wiping, erasing that memory." Ryan saw the girl's expression tense and quickly reassured her. "But with me here, that step can be skipped."
"Why? Are you the leader of Fire Moth?"
"There are two reasons." Ryan looked up, a cold smile on his face as a helicopter approached. "First, those bastards hid this; I need an explanation. Second, right now in Fire Moth, besides a certain runaway girl, no one can beat your Senior Brother!"
His absolute confidence eased Hua's tension. Like a child, she quietly grabbed the man's sleeve, watching the black helicopter descend.
The rotor blades stirred up debris on the ground. The helicopter quickly landed outside the village. The door opened, and a silver-haired man emerged.
He was nearly six feet tall, his silver hair in a small braid, handsome, though a long, thin scar on his nose added a touch of ferocity to his appearance.
The man scanned the area, noticing the two figures standing at the village entrance. He muttered a few curses under his breath, then forced a smile.
"What a pleasant surprise, Dr. Ryan. I've heard of you; you truly live up to your reputation." The man approached, extending his right hand. "I'm Ato, head of the combat division, South Shenzhou branch."
Fire Moth adjusted titles based on the branch's location. Ryan assessed the man, realizing his position was similar to Himeko's.
Ato? I seem to have heard that name somewhere.
He considered it briefly, assuming it was a minor character with no dialogue. He ignored it, keeping his hands in his pockets, nonchalantly observing the man.
His eyes were sharp; Ato instinctively tensed, then awkwardly withdrew his hand, maintaining his smile.
"Sorry, our methods weren't exactly above board."
As the saying goes, a smiling face is hard to strike. Ryan knew this mid-level officer was just following orders and asked directly, "Did the Far East Branch leak the information?"
"No, the order came directly from headquarters, before you decided to go to Shanghai."
"Her housing was arranged by you too." Ryan gestured to Hua behind him.
Ato looked at him, also displaying some casual impudence. "It was a coincidence initially. But the young lady was insistent; we didn't force the police to evict her. As part of the operation, there shouldn't be any permanent residents within ten kilometers; soldiers are stationed on the perimeter."
Hua blinked, completely dumbfounded, finally understanding Ryan's comment.
No wonder they only used a fence. No wonder people were scavenging in the village.
"Aren't you worried about innocent victims?"
Ato looked at Hua, his smile disappearing, his tone serious. "If we don't deal with it, more people will die. If sacrificing a few can save the majority, it's worth it."
Hua gaped, sensing something was amiss, but couldn't articulate it. Ryan stepped forward, shielding the girl.
"I understand. You're using the Far East Branch as a diversion, targeting the elusive Emperor-Class Honkai Beast, needing a strong individual to restrain it while unleashing overwhelming firepower. Even if you can't kill it, you can severely wound it."
"Correct, unfortunately, this tactic isn't scalable."
"Then why not Elysia? She must have been to Shanghai."
"Ms. Elysia did visit, but 'Mosha' is hidden in the sea; there's no way to deal with it. She wanted to enter the water, but I stopped her." The man shrugged, sounding resigned. "The underwater environment is too complex. Since Mosha hasn't shown aggression, there's no need to risk it."
So this thing is a coward.
Ryan's eye twitched. Though he pretended to be holding back, the difference between him and Elysia was significant. Honkai Beasts weren't fooled by Fire Moth's higher-ups.
Mosha?
Mentioning the Honkai Beast's name softened his rigid expression. Since Ato stopped Elysia, he must be a young progressive.
This faction, regardless of other aspects, respects warriors and holds pure motives.
Ato noticed the change in his expression and extended his hand again.
"You should have told us."
"Sorry, the target might read our minds; we couldn't take any chances. But your reputation, like Ms. Elysia's, hasn't disappointed us."
The two men shook hands. Ryan smiled inwardly, calculating.
Well-known, huh? Seems my efforts have paid off.
His sudden fame was understandable. Six months ago, his main achievements involved Low-Rank Honkai Beasts—special but not exceptional. After Chiba Academy, he changed his tactics, using Adieto to illustrate many points.
This was a double-edged sword; but Ryan couldn't stagnate forever, remaining hidden; that violated the principle of expansion.
"I appreciate you protecting Elysia; the higher-ups constantly question her." Ryan chuckled wryly, tapping his chest. "It seems I won't have an easy time either."
As he spoke, he noticed a flash of anger on Ato's face, but mostly resignation.
"Who knows what those geniuses upstairs are thinking? Elysia is a divinely appointed savior, yet she's constantly under surveillance; even her travels are shadowed by agents. If I were her, I would have rebelled long ago."
"Unfortunately, Elysia doesn't care. She only seems to know love, not hate. Even when targeted or betrayed, she loves everyone equally."
"That's what I admire most about her. If a goddess truly exists, it's probably her." Ato sighed, forcing a smile. "So don't worry; since Ms. Elysia is safe, they won't touch you."
That made sense. Ryan's background was strong, regardless of his strength.
"Rest assured; as long as the higher-ups aren't crazy, Elysia will be fine; they dare not touch her."
The two men exchanged smiles. The young progressives were Elysia's best support. And it seemed Ryan and Elysia had a good relationship; as long as they didn't clash, Fire Moth couldn't do anything.
"What about her?" Ato glanced at the girl behind Ryan.
"Tell them Hua will join Fire Moth at the right time. Until then, she'll train with me. We'll use the Shenzhou branch's actions as a reason."
"Good, plausible enough." Ato nodded, then gestured to make a phone call. "Himeko should have given you a card. That's my number; call anytime."
Ryan shook his head, sighing. "Fine. I'll stay in Shanghai for a while; those busybodies will visit soon enough."
"Anytime. Oh, one more thing I forgot to mention." Ato turned around, pointing towards the sea. "An important person is coming to the branch."
"Who?"
"Chalice, the assistant director from headquarters."
Him? Such a coincidence, arriving in Shanghai before the third Honkai impact?
Ryan paused, then nodded, falling into deep thought.