Otto's Discovery

"Data Simulation Holographic Projection Space"—Schicksal had long mastered this technology. Otto himself frequently "returned" to 500 years ago, revisiting his past. In this virtual world, he watched his younger self and a similarly youthful Kallen Kaslana frolic in a carefree meadow.

Beyond simple illusions, Otto delved into something far more advanced: "Memory Reading and Materialization." This was a technology he pioneered after extensive research on Fu Hua's Fenghuang Down and the powers of the Herrscher of Sentience.

With it, Otto could extract and reconstruct a person's memories—even those buried deep in the subconscious—then manifest them in a virtual space.

Fu Hua, the unwilling source of this breakthrough, had no choice but to endure Otto's relentless probing. He searched her forgotten memories for anything he deemed valuable. This was part of their "agreement"—though, in truth, Fu Hua had no power to refuse.

Eventually, this memory-based technology was simplified into two practical applications:

1. Memory Regression: Allowed users to relive cherished memories. Schicksal offered this as a special perk for its Valkyries.

2. Memory Arena: Recreated past battlefields and powerful foes based on the user's memories.

Otto restricted access to the Memory Arena, maintaining only a small training facility at HQ. Naturally, this led to long waiting lists. However, he had built a private Memory Arena just for his granddaughter, Theresa Apocalypse. The other Valkyries at St. Freya remained oblivious to its existence.

Later, Theresa used this hidden arena to train Kiana Kaslana, helping her sharpen her combat skills through rigorous simulations. Kiana was stunned by the extensive list of bosses in the database.

Theresa couldn't help but remark, "Wow, kiddo, you've got quite the combat record…"

But back to the present situation.

Since Schicksal already possessed these technologies, Otto saw no reason not to integrate them into his latest Soulium body.

Take the present, for example. After "Yuno" arrived at the forest battlefield, Otto sensed something was… off. A nagging sense of incongruity gnawed at him.

To investigate, he instructed his simulated personality to memorize the battlefield, reconstruct it within the data space, and analyze the source of this "discord."

"Void Archive, don't you think," Otto mused, "if it hid in those bushes and then pounced from there to where I'm standing now, causing such widespread destruction…"

He looked up. A colossal feline Honkai beast descended upon him.

"...it resembles a forest predator hunting its prey?"

As if on cue, the simulated Honkai beast slammed down. Its massive paws shredded nearby trees, scattering debris and mud.

Yet, Otto stood untouched. In this space, he was untouchable—its master. The simulation existed for one purpose: investigation, not amusement.

The giant cat pounced again. Trees fell. Then—

Everything froze.

Encased in a temporal amber, the battlefield stood still. Only Otto remained in motion.

"Hmm?"

Otto zoomed out, frowning at the frozen scene, lost in thought.

"What's wrong, our brilliant Overseer Otto? Why so troubled?" Void Archive seized the opportunity to taunt.

"Is it because your clever simulation differs so drastically from reality—not even 40% accurate? Are you embarrassed?" It chuckled, feigning magnanimity. "It's okay to admit a small mistake. It won't tarnish your image. Besides, you don't think I'd actually tell anyone about this, do you?"

"No, Void Archive."

Otto's thoughtful expression vanished. In one hand, he projected a miniature replica of the simulated scene. In the other, the real scene from "Yuno's" memory.

The comparison was stark. Otto's simulation was far less destructive.

Void Archive scoffed. "Isn't it obvious? Your theory is wrong!"

Otto chuckled. "Heh, my old friend. After all these years, you've learned a few things from me. Allow me to ask you a simple question…"

Void Archive bristled. "Learn from you? Hmph, don't flatter yourself!" But despite its defiance, it knew Otto never spoke without purpose.

Determined not to be underestimated, it quickly processed the data. Then, realization struck.

"The bloodstains!" Void Archive exclaimed, annoyed at being impressed. "There's significantly less blood on the side closer to the bushes, compared to the other side!"

Otto smirked. "Clap, clap, clap! Correct!"

"..." Void Archive's annoyance deepened.

"The reason the simulated hunt failed is because it lacked a crucial element—the prey."

Otto rewound the simulation, restoring the forest and freezing the Honkai beast mid-pounce. He returned to his chosen spot, meeting the beast's fierce gaze.

Had Yae Sakura been there, she would have recognized it instantly—the exact spot where she stood when Stan ambushed her.

Otto, however, was unaware of this.

"I'm curious," Otto mused, eyes narrowing. "If this 'stare-down' actually occurred… who was standing here?"

…

In the outside world, "Yuno" suddenly looked up at Jell.

"Was there any human DNA at the scene?" she asked, relaying Otto's question.

"Huh?" Jell was caught off guard by the unexpected, technical inquiry. She checked her data terminal, skimming the reports.

"Only that purple-red blood. High Honkai energy residue. DNA profile suggests a feline…" She paused, then shook her head. "No other samples found. Especially no human DNA—Schicksal equipment's quite sensitive to that. Why do you ask?"

…

"Tsk…" Otto sighed, disappointed by the lack of confirmation.

"Tsk tsk… Maybe that poor jungle explorer was swallowed whole?" Void Archive gloated.

"...If it was an innocent explorer, then they deserve our condolences," Otto replied, unfazed. "But what if it wasn't?"

He glanced at the frozen battlefield, his gaze sharp. "Could a Honkai beast cause itself to bleed that profusely just by opening its mouth?"

His smile turned cold. "That much blood loss… it couldn't have been from simply falling, could it?"

"...With a body that large… it's not entirely impossible?" Void Archive quipped.

Otto chuckled. "I appreciate your humor, Void Archive." A strange glint flickered in his eyes.

"I'm wondering… who could have been in this spot, facing that interesting Honkai beast?"

A possibility crept into his mind. "Could it have been another unexpected guest, one even I haven't accounted for?"

Recalling recent unsettling intel regarding Anti-Entropy, Otto's suspicion deepened.

Could it be… Welt again?

Otto projected a simulated Welt Young into the scene.

What would happen if Welt encountered the Honkai beast?

The simulation unfolded instantly. Welt, unfazed by the incoming claws, calmly conjured a miniature black hole.

In an instant, the Honkai beast, the surrounding vegetation, and even the earth itself were swallowed whole. Only Welt remained, adjusting his glasses nonchalantly.

"…Definitely not him."

The destruction was far too excessive. Otto dismissed the possibility and reset the scene.

"Do you suspect another faction's involvement?" Void Archive scoffed. "Do you really think someone anticipated your plan, followed you, and then swooped in to steal your prey?"

It sneered. "Otto, have you lost your mind?"

"..."

For once, Otto was momentarily speechless. Void Archive had a point. If He Kun of Anti-Entropy hadn't appeared and distracted him, Otto would have pursued the Honkai beast himself.

And yet… something still felt wrong.

"Was He Kun a decoy? Meant to buy time for his accomplice?"

He considered the possibility—then dismissed it.

"Impossible. Unless they implanted false memories to deceive Fenghuang Down… But then, wouldn't I have been exposed from the start?"

A dead end.

Otto frowned, deep in thought. Something was missing.

"If it was Anti-Entropy, and they knew my plans, their target would be me, not that Honkai beast."

"And if they weren't aware of me, there would be no reason to preemptively counter Fenghuang Down… I would have seen through their plans."

It made no sense.

"Unless…"

Unless what?

Otto frowned. He couldn't piece it together.

Could another faction exist—one that shared his interest in World Serpent and possessed intimate knowledge of his plans? How else could everything have played out so perfectly?

But that was impossible.

Only he possessed such capabilities.

The thought was absurd. Was there another him out there, actively working against him?

Even more impossible. His mind and will were far superior to any self-aware subordinate.

Otto exhaled sharply. "...I need a new approach."

Admitting his dead end, he shifted focus.

"This must be World Serpent's rendezvous point. And that beast… it tried to attack its master."

Reconfiguring the simulation, Otto reset the scene.

He stood in the same spot. This time, as the Honkai beast pounced, a red light flashed from its collar.

Suddenly, it convulsed as if electrocuted, its massive body twisting mid-air. Instead of striking Otto, it crashed violently into the forest just behind him.

Its agony continued. It thrashed, limbs flailing wildly, shredding the surroundings. Its wounds reopened, spilling purple-red blood across the battlefield.

Otto watched in silence.

"Hmm… This is somewhat plausible."

This simulation was far closer to reality—though the blood loss was still less severe than expected.

At first, Otto might have suspected a powerful warrior had inflicted the grievous wound.

But he quickly dismissed the notion.

Such instantaneous, devastating power didn't match any warrior he knew.

"If such a person existed, why hide?"

He shifted his thinking.

"It seems World Serpent has strong control over their creations…" Otto muttered, eyes flicking between the vast bloodstains in the real image.

"...That poor creature must have been severely punished."

It made sense. A bioweapon of such power would require strict control measures.

Otto exhaled slowly.

"...A pity. If not for He Kun's interference, I would have had World Serpent in my grasp."

He could picture it—pursuing the wounded Honkai beast, tracking it back to its master, and capturing World Serpent at last…

But still, this wasn't a wasted effort. He had gained valuable insights into the mysterious organization's methods.

Now, he knew he was on their trail.

Yet one irritation remained.

"Tsk, that He Kun… making things so complicated… He'll have to redeem himself." Otto's thoughts darkened.

His gaze returned to the frozen battlefield.

"Brutal punishment for a disobedient creation… World Serpent's methods are quite ruthless."

He mentally cataloged his findings.

"And that cat Honkai beast… it can shrink its size. No wonder it ambushed us from the riverside bushes."

The realization struck him.

He recalled the river incident.

"Which means World Serpent could be hiding within the city… And that artificial Honkai beast could be with them, miniaturized."

The pieces clicked into place.

"Why did it attack its master? Resentment toward control? Or a sudden, uncontrollable outburst?"

Otto pondered, tapping his fingers against his arm.

"If it were to go berserk in the city… Heh, that would make them easier to pinpoint!"

A new opportunity presented itself.

Without hesitation, he decided to inform Durandal, instructing her to stay alert for a rampaging cat Honkai beast during her "vacation" in the city.

And to "deal with it decisively."

Otto smirked. "Whew, good thing I warned Bianca in advance. I'd hate for her to accidentally kill it. That would be troublesome…"

By "deal with it decisively," he meant: "Go easy. Leave it alive."

...

Meanwhile, in Manila…

Durandal closed her communicator, puzzled.

"A cat Honkai beast? Why did the Overseer send a special warning about that? Strange…"

She shrugged and returned to petting a uniquely colored cat, a warm smile on her face.

"So you remember me, little one?" She scratched its belly gently.

Then a thought struck her.

"…Could this be the 'cat Honkai beast' the Overseer mentioned?"