A Twisted Fate

Long before the destruction of the Coral Island base, World Serpent, with its characteristically swift execution, immediately severed ties with its peripheral organizations in the designated "high-risk area"—primarily the Western Pacific region.

World Serpent's infiltration of human society was pervasive, reaching into every facet. Underground organizations in any given region were but a tiny, insignificant part of their overall structure.

When faced with risks to these "assets," the simplest and most effective approach was complete abandonment.

Those within the management of these organizations who had ties to World Serpent were assessed based on individual value and risk level. Those of high value and low risk were recalled to headquarters for reassignment; all others were eliminated. After all, dead men tell no tales.

Consequently, for a period, incidents such as car accidents, accidental deaths, and suicides spiked globally.

What would truly chill outsiders to the bone was that a significant portion of those on the long list of deaths had voluntarily chosen their demise after receiving certain information.

As an ancient organization with religious dogma ingrained in its very core, World Serpent excelled at cultivating fanatics. In this aspect, even Schicksal, also born from religious roots, paled in comparison.

Therefore, Otto's attempt to "flush out the snake" could be said to have failed from the very beginning.

However, it wasn't a complete failure.

"Tsk, those Schicksal dogs are acting like a pack of ravenous wolves, utterly unrestrained…!"

Within a World Serpent base, Jackal, staring at the loss data marked on the map from various locations, was in an exceptionally foul mood.

"Hmph, I wish I could just chop off Otto's meddling paw!"

Even though those were peripheral organizations that had already been abandoned, Schicksal's Valkyries' recent targeted and aggressive actions still infuriated her.

Even abandoned assets still belonged to Serpent; not just any stray cat or dog could lay their paws on them!

Despite her confidence that Schicksal's actions posed no real threat to World Serpent, and that the foolish Overseer likely remained oblivious to Serpent's existence, she still viewed this as a provocation and an insult.

"E-319, report the latest intel."

With a wave of her hand, the large, azure holographic display vanished. Jackal, her expression impassive, addressed the motionless android standing beside her, a humanoid machine assigned to this base.

"Keep it brief. My time is precious."

Since their last intel sharing session, Gray Serpent had granted Jackal access to the relevant intelligence data. The android would handle the execution; she only needed the final results.

"Yes, Mistress."

The android replied, her expression equally impassive – even if she had any, the metal faceplate covering most of her face would conceal it completely.

"Conclusion: Still nothing."

"Hmph, useless thing!"

Jackal's mood worsened.

"Correction: The target possesses the 12th Divine Key. Based on database records regarding the power of Erosion, the target can easily conceal their information within digital media, particularly networks. Therefore, the system assesses the success rate of searches via city surveillance, network scans, and communication monitoring as approaching zero."

The android spread her hands, correcting her mistress's error.

"Suggestion: Compared to searching a vast ocean, lying in wait is a more efficient strategy."

"Less talking, more doing!"

Jackal was exasperated by her creation's bluntness.

"What about other intel?"

The android's metal visor glowed blue, projecting another azure screen in front of Jackal.

"Surveillance on Schicksal's Valkyries continues; the city monitoring system is operating normally. Their recent activity levels are high. Analysis of their movement patterns and spending records suggests their purpose is: tourism."

"You don't say! That's all they've been doing lately!"

While increasingly convinced that the next generation of androids needed some parameter adjustments, Jackal carefully studied the two lovely young women on the screen, her gaze lingering more on Yuno.

Unbeknownst to each other, both Jackal and Lin Wei employed the same method to monitor Anna and Yuno. Same method, similar goals.

Great minds think alike, as they say… or something.

Gray Serpent had already provided Jackal with Anna and Yuno's profiles. She had some interest in them, but not much—at least not until she'd acquired Lin Wei.

Therefore, Otto's "fishing expedition" had also failed from the start.

But not completely.

"Any progress?"

Jackal asked in a low voice.

"Conclusion: None. Reasons as above."

The android's reply was concise.

Jackal's piercing golden eyes finally snapped, glaring at the android.

"I'm talking about other methods!"

"Animal surveillance, considering the necessary mechanical modifications, would also be countered by the 12th Divine Key."

The android, unfazed by her mistress's glare, spread her hands again, stating innocently,

"As for dispatching agents for close-range surveillance, while assessed as the most viable option, its low efficiency has yielded no results so far."

"Tsk, sly bastard…"

Jackal muttered angrily.

That Lin Wei was far too good at hiding. If he was determined to conceal his identity, and with Gray Serpent unwilling to invest significant resources, finding him was no easy task.

"Schicksal, ruining everything!"

Considering the significant overlap between "Lin Wei's disappearance" and "Yuno's appearance," Jackal directly attributed the loss of Lin Wei's trail to Schicksal's interference, further intensifying her already profound loathing for them.

If it weren't for Schicksal unintentionally "stirring the bushes," how could she have so abruptly lost track of Lin Wei?!

"Hmph, sooner or later, I'll make you pay, with interest!"

Jackal thought fiercely, growing angrier with each passing moment. She paced restlessly in her spacious office.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her. Her rage-filled mind cleared, her pacing halting abruptly. She whirled around, issuing an unequivocal order to the android,

"Pull up all the data on that trainee Valkyrie!"

"As you command, Mistress."

The android complied, her faceplate projecting another beam of light, displaying Yuno's complete profile on the screen—from birth to her current status as a Schicksal trainee, detailed and comprehensive.

Jackal reached out, discarding the irrelevant information, focusing only on the parts she cared about.

"One month after the 3rd Honkai, brought out of Nagazora City ruins by Fu Hua and sent to Schicksal HQ?"

Jackal murmured, staring at the section she'd highlighted,

"Wasn't that the same time Hua brought Lin Wei back to Nagazora City? What a coincidence."

Jackal had a vivid memory of this event, this time, and these individuals.

After all, Lin Wei's extortion call had occurred right after. Such a delightful surprise was unforgettable.

Not to mention the Stigmata, the Divine Key, and the unique individual Hua herself, all retrieved from that incident.

"Heh, it seems Lin Wei acquired more than just two things there…"

It appeared this girl was also connected to Lin Wei. A strange smile crept across Jackal's face.

"A Stigmata, a Divine Key, and now a girl suspected of Honkai beast symbiosis… So many treasures, is Nagazora City some kind of geomantic wonderland?"

Having unearthed a long-overlooked clue, the immense satisfaction brought a sense of pleasure. She brought up the surveillance images of Anna and Yuno again.

Looking at the picture now, Jackal's perspective had shifted. She gazed at Anna next to Yuno with renewed interest.

"If I recall correctly, this Valkyrie is also connected to Lin Wei, right?"

"Affirmative. The losses at the Coral Island base were jointly caused by her and Lin Wei."

The android replied.

"Oh, it's her… Good, excellent losses… truly excellent!"

Jackal burst into laughter, as if witnessing the most comical sight imaginable. After a while, her laughter ceased abruptly, her expression turning frosty as she stared at the image.

"In that case, let's collect some interest first!"

"Meow…"

Just then, a cat's meow echoed from the lab. A small gray cat pushed open the heavy lab door with surprising ease, standing in the doorway. It shook itself, sending a shower of needles and wires flying, then began licking its paws contentedly.

After a moment, it strolled leisurely out of the lab.

Ignoring the machine-like android, it walked straight to Jackal, sitting obediently at her feet. It looked up at its mistress with an oddly human-like expression of docility.

"Meow?"

Another round of enhancement trials complete. What's next?

"Ha, you've arrived just in time."

Jackal pulled a technologically advanced collar from a drawer, bending down to fasten it around the cat's neck. She then pointed towards the massive arena beyond the glass wall.

"Go, test your new toy. Then, it'll be time for you to play your part."

The cat obediently followed the command.

Fully aware of its role here, it didn't resist. It didn't dislike its current life.

At least, it was no longer weak.

"Hmph, since both those girls are connected to Lin Wei, if I target them, that self-proclaimed righteous man won't be able to hide for long, will he?"

Recalling his self-proclaimed "promise to a Herrscher," she scoffed.

"In that case, don't disappoint me!"

Thus, both Otto's and Jackal's plans, due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, deviated from their intended course from the very beginning.

Yet, in a roundabout way, they both achieved their goals.

Of course, Jackal was currently unaware of this. She simply watched the cat disappear, muttering to herself,

"Perhaps I should give it a name?"