The Final Mission

Raven's "timely arrival" confirmed Lin Wei's suspicions but didn't give him any sense of accomplishment. Instead, he felt a sense of frustration.

He had hoped it was all a coincidence, that he was just a clown overthinking things.

But alas…

What a scheme, Lin Wei thought coldly.

Letting him leave World Serpent headquarters so easily, into the vast North African desert… what was he supposed to do, other than seek Raven's help?

Did they really think he didn't notice something was off about that town?

It was too quiet, like an ordinary village. It felt out of place.

If it were a normal town, and World Serpent had already set things up, even as a disguise, shouldn't they have made it a tourist spot? Especially with that massive pyramid nearby!

Even though he had a gentleman's agreement with Gray Serpent, Lin Wei sensed the discord and chose not to take the risk. If anything unpleasant happened, he might not even be able to remain friends with Raven.

Better to play it safe.

Thus, Lin Wei needing Raven to leave World Serpent's base worked perfectly with them wanting to keep an eye on him through her. A mutually beneficial arrangement, leading up to today's farce.

But what were they after? Didn't Gray Serpent already reject him?

A ridiculous thought crossed Lin Wei's mind—could this really be some kind of "observation period" or "entrance exam"?

Aren't they afraid of angering him?

"Don't you have anything to say?" A sardonic smile touched his pale lips as he stared directly at Raven's crimson eyes hidden beneath her hood, skipping the pleasantries. "Miss Cioara, should I call you 'Natasha' or 'Raven'?"

Which identity are you going to talk to me with?

Lin Wei hated being toyed with.

"Wow, your stamina has recovered quite well. You even have the energy to criticize me now." Raven carefully examined Lin Wei's face, ensuring he was alright, before letting go of his arm and taking two steps back. She walked over to the mountainous, yet grievously wounded, Honkai beast carcass, clicking her tongue in amazement. "I didn't realize you had such violent tendencies. Tsk tsk, I'm really curious. What exactly did you experience in the Elysian Realm?"

Lin Wei didn't reply, simply giving her a "go on" look.

"...Don't look at me like that. I'm a mercenary, after all. Mercenaries, you know how it is. We do things for money, it's only natural. Hey, hey... you don't actually think I'm a good person, do you?"

"Not sure about 'good,' but I certainly don't think you're 'bad.'" Lin Wei sheathed his crimson katana, feeling his strength rapidly returning. The injection Raven gave him must have been pretty good stuff. "Tell me, was World Serpent your client this time? You said you'd already left the organization. What, rehired so soon?"

Lin Wei's tone was playful, emphasizing the word "mercenary," a mix of sarcasm and casual banter.

"...Could you be less blunt? I really have left. I didn't lie to you." Raven sounded exasperated as she defended herself. "Did you forget? 'Escorting you away from World Serpent' was my last mission."

"What do you mean?" Lin Wei was taken aback. "So you showing up so quickly… you were really waiting for me?"

"...If you put it that way, I suppose it's not wrong." Perhaps feeling guilty, Raven didn't argue, continuing her explanation. "I could have just left after handing you over to Gray Serpent. That would have counted as mission accomplished. And then everything after wouldn't have been my problem…"

"So?" Lin Wei felt a flicker of understanding. It seemed like she'd been played by Gray Serpent, too.

"I and... a few of the Gray Serpents have some rapport. I didn't want to see them die by your hand… then you got me roped into this whole mess." Raven omitted a lot of details, using a logically flawed sentence to prevaricate; then she glanced at Lin Wei. If she had left him there at the base, a conflict with World Serpent would have been very likely.

Gray Serpent had made preparations for both possibilities.

"Lin Wei, let me remind you, Gray Serpent is wary of your Divine Key, but he does have ways to counter you. If a conflict had broken out back then, both you and the organization would have suffered. That wouldn't be good for anyone, and I didn't want to see that happen."

So Gray Serpent's "deal" did have a trap. But "counter"?

Counter what? How?

Counter the Divine Key? Counter him?

He didn't have time to think about it now; he'd make a note of it.

"So you stayed there, intending to take me away and avoid conflict from the start?"

Raven sighed and nodded. "I guess you could say I brought this on myself... But since I took you to HQ, having me escort you away was only logical, right?"

"...And then? Weren't you supposed to just send me off?" Lin Wei didn't think Raven would use the children as leverage, and he hadn't felt any hint of a scheme during the month he lived in her "nest."

"I took pity on you and took you in for a while. Is that a crime?" Raven waved her hand dismissively, ready to end this "interrogation." "Today's incident... I couldn't avoid it. If you were always around the kids, I could make excuses, but now..."

Lin Wei understood what she meant—this place was far from the shelter; a fight here wouldn't affect the children.

Well, back to the main topic.

"So what was the purpose of this carefully orchestrated 'accident'?" Lin Wei asked again—what was World Serpent really up to?

Even though he'd mentally prepared himself a year ago for the consequences of provoking World Serpent—and this was far better than the worst-case scenario—the feeling of being watched by the Serpent still made him uneasy.

This lack of control irritated him, making him want to regain the initiative!

Better not push me… Lin Wei sighed inwardly. He didn't like scheming and plotting.

Given a choice, he'd prefer a quiet life. But fate had other plans.

It had whipped him into this world's harsh reality, forcing him onto the "game" table, where he had to violently grab some chips just to earn a seat.

Even if it wasn't what he wanted, it now seemed he couldn't leave the game.

"Honestly, I don't know. Gray Serpent only told me to test you at an appropriate time, in an appropriate way, with an appropriate challenge." Raven answered truthfully. She was just a tool, a weapon.

Being used was her worth, at least in the Serpent's eyes.

She glanced at Lin Wei. He was the same.

How sad.

But in this world, most people don't even have the value of being used. They live and die without a trace.

But she couldn't do anything. She could only choose to look after herself.

"A test? A test of what? Just a Honkai Emperor? Not even a high-level one. If this is World Serpent's entrance exam, my evaluation is simple: raise the difficulty." Lin Wei scoffed. World Serpent was being too greedy. Wasn't him, a Divine Key wielder, joining them enough?

Or was the purpose to assess his combat ability so they could deal with him quickly if they turned against each other?

Waiting passively wasn't an option. Lin Wei's thoughts turned dark as he considered how to best protect himself.

"...If you want to join World Serpent, I can introduce you to Gray Serpent. But don't get your hopes up. If he'd intended to recruit you, he would have done so a month ago." Raven interrupted Lin Wei's strange train of thought.

A test? But not to join World Serpent?

What was Gray Serpent playing at?

His attitude was ambiguous, neither enemy nor friend. He was scheming against him yet allowed Raven to provide an explanation. Was he trying to convey that he wasn't hostile?

Was it because even with "countermeasures," Gray Serpent couldn't afford the cost of being his enemy?

But if so, why reveal the fact that he was being manipulated, something that should have been kept hidden?

He'd clashed with Gray Serpent multiple times. The man should know such a crude tactic wouldn't fool him.

So, what was his goal?

Lin Wei didn't hide his confusion, staring at Raven, waiting for further explanation.

"...Alright, stop looking at me like that. I told you, I don't know much." Raven felt she couldn't explain any further. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I only know that before taking you away from HQ, Gray Serpent told me the story of 'David' defeating 'Goliath' and eventually becoming king... Honestly, he's always cryptic. I don't always understand what he means."

The story of King David?

Lin Wei felt absurd, like he'd heard the funniest joke. He burst out laughing. "Is Gray Serpent suggesting I become humanity's leader? That's ridiculous! Is he kidding?"

Lin Wei laughed until he felt dizzy. His still-weakened body couldn't handle the exertion, and he bent over slightly, continuing to laugh. "What's he after? Kevin isn't even dead yet! King David? Hahahaha, more like a troublemaker! Ugh..."

Lin Wei's laughter abruptly stopped. It was like a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, chilling him to the bone.

As a Divine Key wielder and natural Stigmata carrier outside the three main factions, wasn't he the perfect troublemaker?

Lin Wei straightened up, staring intently at Raven. His icy gaze made her uneasy. Is he really losing it?

After a moment, Lin Wei scoffed, breaking his gaze, a gentle smile returning to his face.

Gray Serpent, do you really want me to join this game?

Then don't regret it when the game ends!

Lin Wei straightened up, composed himself, and started brushing off the dust from his clothes, adjusting his attire, which had become disheveled during the fight.

He'd gotten the information he wanted. There was no need to make things difficult for Raven. She was caught in the middle.

Lin Wei sighed, softening his tone and asked, "What are your plans now?"

This was a conversation between friends. Perhaps after this parting, their next meeting would be as enemies.

Raven seemed to understand, her tone becoming casual again. "Me? Hah, don't even ask. The commotion you caused was a bit much. This place probably isn't safe anymore. I plan to take the kids somewhere else for a while. As for you..."

Raven looked Lin Wei over again, her tone a mix of teasing and genuine concern. "My little nest probably can't accommodate a big shot like you anymore. Farewell."

Lin Wei untied the katana from his waist. Imbued with Pandora's power, it looked more like an elegant cane. He held it like a gentleman.

"Haha, farewell then. Any parting words?"

Raven paused, recalling a year ago, when she escorted him to the entrance of the Elysian Realm. Back then, Lin Wei had asked the same question.

Time flies…

Raven opened her mouth, her complex emotions condensing into a soft sigh. "Don't die..."

Just like that day, it seemed she had given the same parting words. Back then, it was half-serious, half-joking. Today, even she couldn't tell how much of it was true.

After spending so much time together, how could she not know? Lin Wei was the same as her, just wanting an ordinary life.

This damned world! Raven felt a pang of sorrow.

"Ha, I'll try my best." Even though it sounded like a curse, Lin Wei accepted it with a smile. He could hear the sincerity in Raven's words.

"Oh, one more thing. Sora asked me to collect some books and materials. I piled them all onto a cart, it's at the end of this road. Can you give them to him? And apologize to the kids for me. I'm kind of leaving without saying goodbye."

The adult world is ultimately dirty, like this ruined city, so he better not taint the last pure land.

"Yes, I will." Raven nodded. She had been watching Lin Wei's every move and knew where those things were.

Then she watched Lin Wei leave, just like a year ago when she sent him into the Elysian Realm.

"Sigh..."

A moment later, Raven took out her communicator and gave Gray Serpent her final mission report.

She hung up and crushed the device.

I better look after myself first. Raven gave a self-deprecating laugh and turned to leave in another direction.

Walking alone, Raven looked up at the thick, ominous clouds that seemed to permanently shroud the sky, murmuring, Will the sky ever clear again?

...

As dusk settled and night fell, the dead city became even more desolate, with only the whistling wind and the dull rumble of thunder in the sky.

After what seemed like a long time, a blue streak of light flashed across the sky, like a meteor, heading straight towards this place.

The blue light faded, revealing a tall, blonde girl with a noble aura, hovering in the sky like an angel—

"Durandal, has arrived at the target location..."