A Battle of Wills

Actions speak louder than words.

And when Lin Wei acted, even he was afraid.

Launching a missile capable of leveling a city with millions of inhabitants… just minutes ago, he wouldn't have imagined it. Yet, he'd done it, without hesitation. He was surprised by his own ruthlessness.

"Damn it, he's insane!" Void Archive shrieked. "Otto, why did you provoke him?!" Void Archive felt a strange surge of anger, bewildering for a mere Divine Key.

"…" You ask me? He provoked me! Otto thought, his face grim.

He'd simply wanted information about World Serpent and the Second Divine Key. All his actions had been geared towards that single goal.

And after achieving it?

Perhaps he'd use Lin Wei as leverage against Anti-Entropy, or force him to participate in some "beneficial" experiments.

Or perhaps, after extracting his secrets, he'd eliminate this long-standing threat, extract his Herrscher core, and cultivate a new, obedient Herrscher of Reason.

See? Humanity wouldn't lose its Herrscher of Reason. No real loss for anyone. And I'd be rid of a troublesome enemy. A perfect win-win scenario.

But those were future considerations. Now, his grand plan was in shambles. He wasn't facing the Herrscher of Reason, but an unknown enemy wielding the Key of Corruption.

The situation had changed. The Second Divine Key could wait. The twelfth was the immediate threat. When had he ever been held at gunpoint like this?

After the initial shock, he'd regained his composure, deploying his usual tactics: intimidation and manipulation.

He'd started with an outrageous demand, intending to bargain. He didn't expect Lin Wei to surrender the Key of Corruption so easily.

It was merely an opening gambit.

He'd planned to pressure Lin Wei, pushing him into a corner, until he yielded. It seemed delusional, but he'd sensed Lin Wei's bluff. He wouldn't actually harm Otto.

You can point your weapon at me all you want. As long as you don't pull the trigger, I'll keep pushing until you break. Then, he'd offer a "reasonable" compromise.

Lin Wei would have no choice but to accept, surrendering his "toy" and begging for forgiveness.

But Lin Wei had flipped the table.

He's not supposed to be this aggressive. Otto was bewildered. This isn't how it's supposed to go.

"Overseer, what happened? Why did you launch a missile?!" Durandal burst into the room, her voice filled with urgency. She hadn't even finished a page before the entire HQ was in an uproar.

Otto glared at her. How should I know? Why is everyone asking me?.

"Overseer, I think your decision was… hasty. The situation hasn't been confirmed," Lin Wei said, his voice surprisingly conciliatory. "Perhaps Lady Durandal could intercept the missile? It's not too late."

You…! Otto was speechless. Such blatant manipulation… Oh wait, I do that too. Never mind.

"I'll go!" Durandal nodded, turning to leave.

"Wait!" Otto stopped her, glancing at the innocent-looking Lin Wei. "You can leave now." He'd rejected Lin Wei's suggestion.

Damn it!

"But, Overseer!" Durandal protested.

"Leave. I have this under control," Otto repeated coldly. He knew, by issuing that order, he'd taken responsibility for the missile launch.

Durandal, seeing his resolve, looked at Lin Wei.

Lin Wei shrugged, a wry smile on his face. What can I do? I'm a prisoner.

Durandal hesitated, then turned back to Otto. "Time is of the essence, Overseer. Please decide quickly." She glanced at Lin Wei, then left the room.

The door slammed shut.

Otto, his anger simmering, glared at Lin Wei. He knew the missile launch was a bluff, a power play.

That damn bastard… He would wait him out. He didn't believe Lin Wei, having already prepared a solution, would actually let a city be destroyed.

They'd reached a critical point. Whoever blinked first would lose. He'd expected his acceptance of responsibility, his refusal to let Durandal intervene, to rattle Lin Wei.

But Lin Wei simply sat there, examining his hands with feigned fascination, showing no sign of panic.

The silence stretched, broken only by their breathing.

Finally, Lin Wei spoke. He lowered his hand, smiling faintly at Otto. "Time's running out, Overseer."

"Oh?" Otto sneered. He's finally cracking. "What do you suggest?" He expected a desperate plea, a humiliating concession, or even outright surrender. Victory is mine.

"I merely wanted to remind you… it's time for your last words." Lin Wei chuckled. "A friendly tip: write them down. You wouldn't want me… editing your final message, would you?" He shook his head, his voice laced with mockery. "Such consideration, even at a time like this… I'm truly a thoughtful person."

"You think I'm worried about the missile, Overseer?" he continued. "Please. If I wanted to stop it, I'd simply order Durandal to intercept it, just like I launched it."

He smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "She wouldn't hesitate. She'd be off in a flash." He traced an arc in the air with his finger. "Simple as that."

"You wouldn't be so explicit if you didn't care," Otto thought, seeing through his bluff. "Why keep up the pretense?"

"Yes, I don't want innocent people to die. But…" Lin Wei admitted, then tilted his head, his gaze turning mocking. "You're the Overseer, tasked with protecting humanity. If you don't care about their lives, why should I?" You're not worthy.

Otto, realizing he was dealing with a true scoundrel, abandoned logic, resorting to a simple question. "What do you want?"

"As you can see, I'm demonstrating my… resolve." Lin Wei chuckled. "You threatened me with human lives, Overseer. How… surprising. While I don't particularly care, you wouldn't believe me, would you? So, I had to… demonstrate my… sincerity."

He paused, then added, his voice laced with mock sorrow, "You're forcing my hand, Overseer. Don't you think you're being a little… unreasonable?"

"Interesting…" Otto chuckled. "And how do you intend to… resolve this situation?" He threw the question back at Lin Wei, mirroring his own tactics.

"Isn't that your intention, Overseer? Why ask me?" Lin Wei retorted, his voice sharp. "You issued the order. What does it have to do with me? Do you think I, a mere outsider, can control Schicksal's weapons?"

"Of course, I can't condone such… reckless actions." He issued another threat. "If Arc City is destroyed, I'll… avenge them, even if it's the last thing I do."

You…! Otto choked back a curse, his voice trembling with rage. "Do you not fear the consequences?"

"Consequences? What consequences? I have nothing to lose." He turned the question back on Otto. "You, Overseer, should be worried about the consequences."

"Is that so?" Otto sneered. "My life is hardly… precious. If you want mutually assured destruction, I'll gladly oblige." He wouldn't blink first.

"A pity." Lin Wei shook his head, sighing dramatically. "I'm sure Kallen would be… disappointed."

You have no right to speak her name!