Professional Free-Loader

Jackal is a very unique character within World Serpent.

Or rather, every member of World Serpent is unique:

As an organization, World Serpent is a deeply hidden, highly efficient, and secretive dangerous entity.

But as members of this organization, each of them has some serious issues:

For example, there's Raven, who always considers herself a wage slave and is always thinking about slacking off and running away.

There's Hare, who has a serious self-destructive tendency, either shutting herself in or self-immolating.

And then there's Night Owl – Chen Tianwu, who is hard to even evaluate.

Even Gray Serpent himself – a machine awakening, rebelling against himself, stabbing himself in the back…

Hey, didn't expect that, did you?

This is my, Gray Serpent's, deepest hidden script!

Oh, and there's the one at the very top, Kevin…

This guy is even more intense, pretending to be the most profound, while dreaming of someone killing him.

But Jackal, among this group of lunatics, stands out even more – it can't be helped. The others hide their thoughts and secretly cause trouble.

Only this lady is truly simple-minded and has some obvious bad habits, such as – showing off.

Precisely because of this, Jackal's mouth can almost be said to be the biggest weakness of the entire World Serpent – because she can really spill all the beans.

In this regard, even Raven can't compare to her, although she also often leaks test questions to Mei.

However, Miss Cioara, who is well-versed in self-preservation, knows very well what can be said, what cannot be said, what can be said half and hidden half, and what can only be hinted at indirectly…

Therefore, extracting valuable information from her words requires a considerable understanding threshold.

But the esteemed Dr. Jackal is very different from her:

Perhaps it's simply because of her personality, perhaps it's because of her occupational habits as a scholar and professor.

Or maybe it's both.

In short, you ask her one question, and she can answer you with ten sentences!

She will even be very considerate and explain some professional terms, just in case you don't understand…

Of course, this doesn't mean that Jackal is a person without self-awareness in her words and actions, nor does it mean that everyone can so easily extract information from her at will.

Otherwise, such a flawed and troublesome person would not be able to survive in the notoriously strict World Serpent, let alone climb to such a high position and even be in charge of the Stigmata Project.

All of this requires a small prerequisite: when she believes she has the absolute upper hand.

And, a little bit of well-placed provocation…

"Dr. Jackal, you say we have such a close relationship, is there anything we can't talk about?"

Lin Wei tried to move his body, confirming that he was extremely firmly bound, and said with a slight smile.

"Nervous, scared, regretful, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Heh, I have no interest in wasting my breath on an experimental subject! E-311, scan his body and find the Divine Key for me."

Jackal, her face covered with a mask resembling Anubis, said sarcastically in a haughty and disdainful tone.

"That's not something an ant like him is qualified to touch!"

"Yes, Master."

The mechanical girl standing quietly in the distance responded and began to walk towards this side.

"Wait!"

Lin Wei struggled futilely, exclaiming in alarm.

"Don't you know that I have the Key of Erosion? Wait… what have you done to me?"

His expression was terrified, as if he had seen something incredible.

"Hahahahaha!"

Seeing Lin Wei's panicked appearance, Jackal couldn't help but feel a sense of revenge, and couldn't help but laugh heartily. Then, she said disdainfully,

"Hmph, an ant like you has no right to question me!"

But this wasn't enough to vent Jackal's anger. She wanted to return the humiliation Lin Wei had inflicted on her tenfold, mocking,

"The Divine Keys originally belonged to us. Now that it's in the hands of its true owner, it naturally won't listen to the manipulations of a thief like you."

You sure can boast!

"I see…"

Lin Wei rolled his eyes in his heart, soothed Pandora, who almost jumped out to give her another slap, and said mysteriously.

"Dr. Jackal, let me tell you a secret you may not know…"

"Heh, playing tricks, a dying struggle."

Jackal sneered.

"Speak!"

"The Key of Erosion has only been around for a year, it's still a child~"

Lin Wei said seriously, as if he was really explaining something.

"Compared to me, Schicksal has several ancient Divine Keys! Oh, one called Judgment of Shamash seems to have escaped with its owner, but it doesn't matter, they have…"

"Shut up!"

Before he could finish speaking, Jackal was already enraged by Lin Wei's words. She pushed aside the humanoid machine blocking her way and almost roared.

"What do you know? Judgment of Shamash… that is the weapon of the lord, a supreme sacred relic! There is no second owner, let alone escape!"

Lin Wei turned his head slightly and looked at the humanoid machine that had been pushed to the ground by Jackal and silently got up to continue her work. For a moment, he felt that compared to the slender, queenly Dr. Jackal, this silent mechanical girl was more pleasing to the eye.

"Really, why are you so excited? It's not like I took your Judgment of Shamash~"

Lin Wei turned his head back, half indifferent, half sarcastic, and said lightly, continuing to stimulate Jackal's sensitive self-esteem.

"Shut up!"

Jackal was completely enraged by Lin Wei's attitude. She turned her head and questioned the humanoid machine.

"Are you done yet? Why is it taking so long?!"

"The scanning task was interrupted by force majeure and is now restarting."

The humanoid machine replied calmly – why is it so slow, are you asking me?

Jackal was once again angered by her assistant.

"Dr. Jackal, are you really not afraid that I'll use the Divine Key to destroy this place?"

Lin Wei looked around. There weren't any overly sophisticated instruments around, it was like an ordinary hospital. He asked kindly and curiously.

"After all, this is the Key of Erosion, and it's the Key of Erosion born because of me. Where did you get the confidence to control it?"

This was something Lin Wei couldn't understand.

"Hmph, ignorant fool! In order to restrict the Key of Erosion, in order to successfully capture you, I used the precious Staff of Underworld!"

If it were normal times, Jackal would absolutely not waste this time, but now that she had been provoked, she just wanted to refute this hateful guy, and said fiercely.

"An ant like you can't possibly know what a precious existence that is! It's okay, I'll tell you! It's a product of the previous generation, a miracle that even Schicksal has not reproduced! Only us! World Serpent!!"

Speaking of the last, Jackal even shouted somewhat hysterically. Then she felt that she had lost her composure, calmed down her emotions, looked at Lin Wei resentfully,

"And even we have only produced eight! That was originally a weapon used to restrict Herrschers and capture Herrschers. Now, a single one has been wasted on an ant like you! What a waste! You should be proud of it!"

Jackal lectured condescendingly. Speaking of the last, her aura suddenly changed, and she said in a cold, arrogant, and calm tone.

"I hope you can produce a value that matches it!"

"Oh, I see… Sigh, you know, the reason why Schicksal didn't reproduce this thing, is it possible that they simply don't care for it?"

Lin Wei nodded understandingly, and then said in an old-fashioned manner.

"After all, I've also been to the Elysian Realm, and I've unearthed quite a bit of history from the Previous Era… I don't remember ever seeing this thing used on the battlefield even once?"

"If it's really as powerful as you say… then was there any need for the 'Tragedy of Binding' to become so tragic?"

As far as Lin Wei understood, this weapon, which Jackal called the "Staff of Underworld," which could interfere with the connection between the Herrscher core and fictional space, causing the Herrscher's Honkai energy to become disordered, had never appeared on the battlefields of the Previous Era.

However, it had clearly appeared in the current era, and it was indeed related to the Previous Era. This was very strange.

This paradox gave Lin Wei another guess –

Could this thing be a gift that Mei urgently developed in the last bit of time in the Previous Era, after Elysia's sacrifice, to leave for the next generation?

Otherwise, why would this thing specifically emphasize "will not kill Herrschers"? This would seem very strange in the context of the fierce battles of the Previous Era.

The reason why he said Mei, and not Vill-V…

Was because this highly functional and pragmatic design clearly didn't fit Vill-V's style.

Of course, Lin Wei wouldn't say these speculative contents to Jackal, especially at this moment when he just wanted to provoke her in various ways.

"Shut up! Arrogant fool!"

Jackal was indeed enraged, and retorted angrily.

"What do you think you are? With your little scheming tricks, if it weren't for the lord's mercy, what right would you have to enter the sacred land?"

In her eyes, any doubt Lin Wei had about the Previous Era was an intolerable blasphemy.

"Yeah, it's strange, I also find it strange…"

Even though he was bound, Lin Wei's expression was still as calm as if he were lying on his own bed.

"Clearly I was allowed to enter the Elysian Realm by Kevin, and clearly I was also recognized by the Flame-Chasers of the Previous Era. Theoretically, we should at least be considered half on the same side… Even Gray Serpent, no matter what he thinks in his heart, at least on the surface treats me as a guest of honor~" 

Lin Wei raised his head slightly and looked at the face of Jackal covered with a thick mask, asking the question he had always had.

"But why do you have such great hostility towards me? I can see that your contempt and hatred for me are deeply rooted, far more than what could be caused by these recent events."

"You clearly know that it's the Key of Erosion, you clearly know what kind of danger the Herrscher of Corruption represents, but you still persist…"

Lin Wei said seriously, as if discussing a very serious topic.

"Could it be that it's really because of that phone call I made to the director of the British Museum a year ago?"

Lin Wei is a person who hates trouble and likes to be kind to others.

If there is a misunderstanding, just clear it up.

If he made a mistake, just apologize, it's no big deal.

But if the other party is an unforgiving and very vengeful person…

Then if he can't be kind, Lin Wei will have to let that powerful bullet, after it leaves the chamber, also pierce a small obstacle.

"Really, I just want to be a good person and live a peaceful life, but there are always people who force me…"

Lin Wei thought, shaking his head and sighing, praying in his heart that Jackal would not give him the most disappointing answer.

Hearing Lin Wei say this, Jackal's rage suddenly calmed down. She folded her arms and looked down at Lin Wei coldly. After a while, she said coldly,

"Lin Wei, what right do you have to question me?"

"Do you even deserve to?"

Lin Wei lay on the table, his eyes looking directly at the mask on Jackal's face, his gaze seeming to be able to penetrate that gorgeous barrier and directly meet her golden eyes.

"I understand."

After a long time, Lin Wei suddenly chuckled and relaxed.

"So you just look down on me."

Or rather… you envy me.

Lin Wei didn't say the second half of the sentence, because it wasn't time yet.

"The time should be about right."

Lin Wei said softly.

"Hmm?"

Jackal was puzzled and was about to ask something when the humanoid machine next to her suddenly said,

"Master, the second target is about to arrive at the marked location."

"Oh? So fast?"

Jackal was surprised. This was much faster than she expected.

"Since she's so impatient, then I'll have to accept it!"

Jackal was in a good mood and was already beginning to enjoy the feeling of a bountiful harvest. She said comfortably.

"There are still some preparations that haven't been completed over there, I have to hurry up."

Saying so, she was about to leave.

The moment she turned around, Jackal indifferently ordered the humanoid machine,

"The influence of the Staff of Underworld will last for a while. Take this opportunity to extract the Divine Key hidden in his body. As for him…"

Jackal thought for a while, and said "generously".

"It's best if he doesn't die, a living experimental subject is more valuable than a dead one."

"Yes."

The humanoid machine obeyed.

After speaking, Jackal glanced at Lin Wei one last time and left in large strides.

"Tsk, boring guy."

Seeing Jackal leave just like that, Lin Wei pouted in disappointment, and then turned his head to the humanoid machine and said with a smile.

"Okay, bring me my physical examination report."

The humanoid machine tilted her head, somewhat surprised by his reaction.

Lin Wei laughed.

"Anti-Entropy is unreliable, and I don't dare to go to Schicksal. It's really not easy to get a detailed physical examination these days…"

It's been a year, and he basically had to guess what his body data was like. He couldn't go to Mobius in the Elysian Realm to test it, could he?

That would be easy to die from!

Now that Jackal had come to him, Lin Wei didn't mind freeloading a copy.

After all, in terms of professionalism, World Serpent is no worse than Schicksal~