"...Impressive. Actually, I know a bit about this."
Chang Yuan decided to reveal some secrets.
Hearing that Chang Yuan knew something, Vill-V's eyes lit up.
Excited, she grabbed Chang Yuan's shoulders.
"You know? Tell me, tell me!"
"Uh, the corrosive energy in the air is called Honkai energy. Under the Honkai's influence, some people turn into mindless zombies.
These monsters exist to exterminate humanity. Even animals can be infected and turn into Honkai beasts. The smallest Honkai beasts are about seven to eight meters tall.
But that's not the main point. The main point is that during a Honkai eruption, there's a chance for beings called Herrschers to emerge. Each Herrscher controls an ultimate physical law."
"???"
After hearing Chang Yuan's explanation, Vill-V was stunned.
I was just curious about some energy, and now we're talking about the end of the world? Are you serious?
Elysia also looked at Chang Yuan, hoping to see some sign that he was joking.
If what he said was true, then humanity would face an epic disaster in the future.
"I'm not joking. This is all real. But the organization you investigated, Fire Moth, has kept information about the Honkai tightly under wraps.
That's why almost no one outside knows about the Honkai. As for how I know, I'll explain in the future, but not now."
"...This is so cool! Does that mean I could become a savior?"
"Vill-V, this isn't cool. A lot of people will lose their lives."
Elysia shook her head with a look of sorrow.
She believed Chang Yuan wasn't lying, at least not about something this serious.
Thinking about the future, Elysia couldn't help but feel a sense of despair.
"Well, yeah, but what can we do? We're just ordinary people."
"...Sure."
Vill-V, you're being too humble.
You're ordinary? Then what are the scientists in Mu Continent? Ordinary students? Or toddlers just learning to talk?
Self-taught and a genius in mechanical engineering in just a month—and you call yourself ordinary? Many protagonists with cheat abilities aren't even this OP. And here I am, with no cheats, just knowledge of the story.
"Chang Yuan, I want to save the world. Since you know so much, can you help me?"
"..."
Chang Yuan fell silent.
He could promise many things, but not this.
Save the world? If it didn't require sacrificing Elysia, he'd be willing.
But if, even with his foreknowledge, they still couldn't defeat the Herrscher of the End, and Elysia had to sacrifice herself, then he didn't want to save that world.
He only wanted a world where Elysia could live.
"Chang Yuan..."
Seeing Chang Yuan's silence, Elysia felt an invisible barrier between them.
And indeed, that was the case.
One wanted to selfishly save one person.
The other wanted to save the world, even if it meant sacrificing herself.
Their differing ideals meant they were destined to clash in the future.
"Hehe, I didn't expect Elysia to want to be a savior too. But if that's what you want, I'll support you. I'll use what I know to help."
"Yes, for humanity, for everyone, I will defeat the Honkai."
Seeing Chang Yuan's support, Elysia's bright smile returned.
"It's getting late. Let's sleep and leave Twilight Street tomorrow. We can't stay here anyway—your hair is too recognizable."
Stretching, Chang Yuan prepared to sleep.
"Uh, I only have two rooms here. You two can share?"
"...Sure. But where's the bathroom? We were in such a hurry earlier, I didn't get to shower."
"Over there."
Vill-V pointed in a direction.
Elysia grabbed her change of clothes and headed to the bathroom.
Once she left, Chang Yuan immediately asked Vill-V for paper and a pen.
He planned to tell Vill-V some things. With her intelligence, she could start researching early, increasing their chances against the Honkai.
That night...
"Maybe I should sleep on the floor."
On the small bed, Chang Yuan looked at Elysia, who was barely two fists away from him.
It wasn't that the bed was too small—it was spacious enough for one person.
"Hmm~? Chang Yuan, are you shy?"
Elysia blinked and smiled at him.
But if you ignored the blush on her face, Chang Yuan might've believed she wasn't embarrassed.
"Uh, yeah, I guess."
Damn, she's only 14. It's hard to make a move, and even if I did, she might not be willing.
Love is rationality, restraint, and sometimes madness.
But no matter what, Chang Yuan didn't want to be reckless.
"Hehe, what's there to be afraid of? It's not like we haven't slept together before when we were kids."
"You said it yourself—that was when we were kids. Back then, you were just a little bean who had to hug me to sleep."
Thinking back to their childhood, Chang Yuan shook his head.
Childhood was different from now. Now that they were older, they had to be responsible for their actions.
"Hmm~? Fine, let's put a backpack in the middle. That way, we won't cross the line."
"Sure."
With that, Chang Yuan placed his backpack between them as a barrier.
Once that was done, both of them turned their backs to each other.
This was the first time they had slept so close together since they were kids.
Both of them were either shy or excited, so it wasn't until around 3 a.m. that they finally fell asleep.
The next day...
"Hey, hey, wake up! If you don't get up, I'll finish breakfast by myself."
Standing outside the guest room, Vill-V knocked heavily on the door.
Inside, both of them opened their eyes.
They instinctively turned to look at each other, only to realize their arms were wrapped around each other's necks.
"..." x2
"!!!" x2
Both of them instantly pulled away, scrambling to opposite sides of the bed.
Unsurprisingly, they both ended up falling to the floor.
"Ouch! That hurts."
Rubbing her butt, Elysia winced in pain.
Chang Yuan wasn't much better off.
"Hmph, you crossed the line."