Chapter 200: It’s All Thanks to You!

Hua used to be Ryan's weak spot, treated as a hostage by certain people in Fire Moth. But unexpectedly, Mobius secretly performed surgery on her, turning her into a high-level fusion warrior.

It was like a little lamb suddenly turning into a dinosaur, causing many high-ranking officials, including Wayne, to question their lives.

Had Ryan seen her potential early on, or was it just good luck that a martial arts background, an ordinary girl, could become such a rare high-level fusion warrior? If it's the former, that's terrifying. How could one fight against someone who can predict the future?

"Has the higher-ups said anything about dealing with Dr. Ryan?"

In the corner of the hangar, smoke filled the air as a blonde young man held a cigarette, a cocky smile on his handsome face.

"They only said to monitor him, not to let him cross any lines."

"And did they say what counts as crossing the line?" The young man asked again, his eyes filled with confusion.

"No, they didn't say. We're supposed to judge for ourselves. But from the hints, we can tell we need to listen to Takeuchi's orders, not Edwyn's."

"Every day it's just this nonsense. Those higher-ups can't agree on anything, and we're the ones who have to clean up their mess." The young man probably guessed what was going on. The full set of extermination equipment was most likely to guard against Dr. Ryan.

It wasn't hard to guess. He could see that something was off in Neon.

But the problem had to be dealt with within the rules. A human-shaped monster couldn't break the rules. Fire Moth had a strict judicial system. If everyone used power to punish evil and promote good, order would be lost.

After the Fusion Warrior program was implemented, the heroes or superheroes that existed in novels were now a reality.

"You're not just some errand boy, Colonel Coleman, the only second-highest fusion warrior in the intelligence department, codename 'Void'."

"Tch, my number's after 10 now. New powerful people are born every few days. There's nothing to be proud of." Coleman yawned and stretched. "I'm heading to my room to watch a Neon specialty film. Later, I'm going to take a bubble bath. Who's joining?"

Several fusion warriors shook their heads in resignation. One of them couldn't hold back and reminded him, "Colonel, please don't submit meal receipts for reimbursement again."

"Then I'll just put it under the intelligence fees. It's settled." Coleman clapped his hands and turned to leave, then quickly came back, patting the shoulder of a subordinate.

"As long as you don't call me 'Void' or 'Kidney Void,' I'm very pleased. After we get back, I'll promote you."

The warriors from headquarters stood there dumbfounded, and after the young man walked away, they sighed in unison.

It seemed they weren't in a position to look down on the Far East Branch's trump card.

...

The door was carefully pushed open a crack. Hua, crouching down, stealthily peeked inside. She didn't hear any sounds, and she gently patted her flat chest.

Fortunately, senior brother isn't home. He must have gone out on some business. He's always been such a workaholic.

The thing that had originally caused so much resentment now seemed very useful. Hua gently pushed the door open and then shivered.

Ryan was standing at the entrance, completely silent, just like a ghost. Hua nearly punched him in reflex.

"Senior... Senior brother, what are you doing here?"

"I'm waiting for you."

"But I..."

"You suppressed your presence and tiptoed in like a thief, didn't you? Don't forget, I'm your senior." Ryan couldn't help but smile. This guy sneaked in so stealthily. Fortunately, he had been using his authority to monitor the agents in the building, which led him to find her.

Why did she sneak back? Ryan already knew. If it had been Mobius, he would have acted as if he didn't know anything, since Mobius could have set up a trap inside. But Hua was different.

"Come with me."

"Yes." Hua lowered her head, knowing she had been caught. The look on Ryan's face told her he was about to start lecturing.

She sat obediently on the single sofa, legs crossed on her knees, appearing unusually well-behaved. Ryan paced in front of her, lightly clearing his throat.

"Hua, you're not yet of legal age, are you?"

"I'll be eighteen in a few months."

"Last time, I wanted to talk to you. Although you've experienced more than most people in the world, you're still underage, and you shouldn't be drinking alcohol. Also, when interacting with others, always take the good and discard the bad. For example, Himeko. She drinks excessively and is too bold, which isn't appropriate..."

Ryan paced back and forth, his words flowing, occasionally pointing at the lingerie on the table. He criticized Hua behavior, emphasized that girls should protect themselves in public, and then shifted to discussing lifestyle habits.

"How could she leave something so important behind? You're not careful enough, didn't even notice it right under your nose. If someone else saw it, they might think you have some strange fetishes. Cough, you're overly fixated on certain things."

"Your body, your hair, all given by your parents. Wanting to change is natural, but don't be obsessive. It's not even a flaw..."

Ryan was normally concise, but once he switched into lecture mode, he spoke endlessly, moving from one topic to the next with logical precision.

Hua sat there obediently, her green eyes fixed ahead, her face expressionless, like a piece of wood.

That thing isn't the captain's.

I don't stick to anything other than papaya milk.

So, senior brother doesn't think this is a shortcoming.

The snow outside was heavy. The snowflakes were really beautiful.

Hua thoughts wandered, her consciousness drifting into the vast snowy landscape, gradually scattering as if she were playing with the snowflakes, until—

"I'm done talking. Do you have any objections?"

Her consciousness snapped back to her body. She gently shook her head. "No, you're right."

"Good. I've said this many times before. Even though I'm not around, you need to mature, but not too much." Ryan poured himself a glass of water and continued talking for two hours, his mouth dry, but looking at Hua serious expression, he felt that perhaps this would reach her soul.

"I'm not a child." Hua muttered quietly.

"Huh? What did you say?"

"Ah, yes, yes, you're right."

"Good, that's more like it. Sometimes you're just too slow to react. You're like a log."

This is all thanks to you.

Hua muttered to herself, glancing at the clock on the wall. She stood up and said, "It's almost noon. Let's go out for lunch."

"Oh, you're right. We've gone a bit over time. I guess it's been a while since I've had this talk with you."

This was the shortest one! When I was 14 and caused trouble, you talked from morning until afternoon!

Hua screamed in her mind but didn't blame Ryan at all. She knew what kind of person he was. Sometimes he was concise, other times he just wouldn't speak until he'd killed the enemy.

Although she felt troubled, this treatment was something only she could enjoy. Thinking about Mobius, Ryan would never calmly have a long chat with her like this.

When she thought of that, her mood improved, and she grabbed Ryan's sleeve.

"Let's go. There's a barbecue restaurant in the nearby shopping street. Let me treat you."

"Wait, I haven't put on my coat."

The two went downstairs, got in the car, and headed straight to the city center. The snow was still falling heavily, but there were still many pedestrians, heads down, hurrying along. Ryan couldn't help but wonder what they were all busy with.

The shopping street soon came into view, with a wide variety of signs. Ryan got out of the car, looked around, and if it weren't for the fact that Neon had shrunk to the Kanto Plain, it wouldn't have looked much different from peacetime.

Restaurants, clothing stores, and a sign that caught his eye... the legendary bubble bath? Business seemed better than before.

While Hua was parking, Ryan took a look around, eventually stopping at the bubble bath shop's entrance. Of course, his interest wasn't in the special service.

A young man in a brown trench coat had just exited, looking fresh with a wise, calm demeanor. Perhaps by instinct, he glanced over at Ryan.

Their eyes met, and the young man flashed a knowing smile, signaling for silence before disappearing into the snowstorm.

"It's him." Hua walked over, explaining before Ryan could ask, "He's a fusion warrior assigned here from headquarters last week. Hmph, didn't expect him to go to a place like this."

"Are you familiar with him?"

"We haven't talked much, but he's pretty narcissistic. Always trying to get close to me."

He looks like a playboy, but it's not that simple.

"'Void' Coleman, codename CM015. Didn't expect him to come to Neon." Ryan explained. He had seen the data Mobius sent, and although it wasn't complete, Coleman was one of them.

CM? That's the codename for a high-level fusion warrior?!

Hua pupils contracted slightly, her expression becoming more serious. Including Ryan, there were only about ten high-level fusion warriors in Fire Moth. They were a rare resource, and his presence here definitely had a purpose.

She even recalled the recent generous supply shipments, with the most advanced combat mechs being sent here, as if there was some secret behind it.

"Why did he come here?"

"I don't know. It might have something to do with me, or it could be related to the Herrscher Beast invasion investigation. Just be careful." Ryan didn't seem too concerned. The internal dynamics of Fire Moth were complicated, and at least with one more high-level fusion warrior here, Neon would be safer.

"Let's go. Let's get some barbecue. Call Himeko too. Her temperament doesn't care about skipping work anyway."

"Are you really going to continue?"

"Don't worry, I'm just meeting an old friend. Don't forget, I'm on vacation." Ryan tightened his coat as they entered the barbecue restaurant, the "Welcome" voice greeting them.

Having raised an alarm, why continue? Senior brother never liked taking risks.

Hua stood still for a moment but quickly understood the reason.

This calm comes from strength.