The End of the Beginning

Lin Wei's casual sarcasm only elicited a cold chuckle from Otto. "A pathetic sinner deserves no pity," he retorted, his voice dripping with contempt. He'd quickly recovered his composure.

He's back, Void Archive noted. That's the Otto she knew. Taunts were useless against him. She'd learned that long ago. This newcomer is still too naive. She felt a strange sense of… superiority.

"You're right. I am a pathetic sinner," Otto continued, his voice laced with mock self-pity. "Laugh all you want. I'll even join you. Hahahaha…" He'd turned Lin Wei's tactic against him.

Damn it, he's turning this around! Lin Wei was annoyed. He hadn't expected this "reverse psychology" tactic. He's good.

Otto sighed dramatically. "Your words… are so harsh, almost like Kallen herself rebuking me from beyond the grave. I feel… ashamed."

"Then be ashamed," Lin Wei retorted. "There's always a 'but' coming."

"But that was 500 years ago. If I truly sought death, I wouldn't have endured all these years…" Otto's voice hardened. "I live… to correct that unforgivable mistake."

Knew it. He's even more determined now. How shameless… Lin Wei's mind raced with insults, but he held his tongue. It was pointless now. Otto was immune. Further attacks would only give him ammunition. The boss had leveled up. It was time to play defensively.

"He's even more difficult than Grey Serpent, Jackal, and Raven combined!"

"You're unusually quiet, Mr. Lin Wei." Otto, seeing his silence, understood, but chose not to press his advantage. "Regardless, I thank you for the news about Kallen. After 500 years… to hear new stories, to see traces of her… it's as if she never left…" He sighed. "…A truly… precious gift." He was feeling magnanimous, willing to overlook Lin Wei's earlier insults.

Lin Wei scoffed, spitting out a chewed-up piece of grass. "So predictable."

Even Yae Sakura retreated, fearing she'd lose her temper and attack him. "How can anyone be so shameless?" "To be his… obsession… it's an insult to Kallen!"

"Tell me about it," Lin Wei would have agreed.

"You still seem… hostile," Otto said, rising from his ornate throne, descending the steps. He chuckled. "But given your… connection to the saint… it's… understandable." He pulled up a chair beside Lin Wei, mirroring his casual posture. "You've certainly… impressed me." He'd said those words before, but this time, they were genuine. He wouldn't bother explaining himself further. Lin Wei wouldn't appreciate it.

"Thank you," Lin Wei replied noncommittally. He hadn't expected the Kallen card to be this effective. While pleased, this had disrupted his own rhythm.

"Such composure… you seem like a reasonable negotiator now." Otto smiled. "If you'd approached me with this attitude from the beginning, we wouldn't be in this… predicament."

"....."

"My apologies, then," Otto said, feigning remorse, then waving his hand dismissively. "It seems you anticipated this… meeting, preparing this… information about the Second Divine Key." Despite the setbacks, he'd achieved his primary objective. "I initially hoped for… a more comprehensive agreement, but… one step at a time." He was focused on the Second Divine Key now.

"Just… being prepared, Overseer," Lin Wei said innocently. "I didn't intend to get involved with Schicksal, or any of this… but life is unpredictable. Just like neither of us anticipated the destruction of our homes, we don't know what the future holds." He looked directly at Otto, speaking truthfully. "Even if just for Miss Kallen's sake, I don't want to be Schicksal's enemy."

"Miss Kallen…" Otto mused, strangely pleased by this unfamiliar yet endearing title. It was the next best thing to Kallen's resurrection.

"Indeed," Lin Wei continued, seeing his reaction. Might as well play along. "I even… prayed at her statue in Kolosten."

"But you have… reservations about me," Otto said, his gaze fixed on Lin Wei.

"She shouldn't have died. Not like that. And you, Mr. Otto, played a… significant role in her death." Lin Wei had realized that criticizing Otto from Kallen's perspective only pleased him. "She died protecting others, yet she died alone, abandoned by her comrades. Why should I, speaking on Miss Kallen's behalf, have any… positive feelings towards the man who betrayed her, the man who disappointed her so deeply?"

Otto's heart ached, but he couldn't argue. Lin Wei had voiced his own deepest regrets. He sighed. "You're right." He remembered Lin Wei's actions in Nagazora and Manila, a wistful thought crossing his mind. If he'd lived 500 years ago, perhaps things would have been different… But it was too late.

"…I should thank you for your… mercy, then?" he said wryly.

Lin Wei nodded, accepting his "gratitude" without hesitation.

"However, your account isn't entirely accurate," Otto continued, quickly regaining his composure. "Your actions in Manila cost me a valuable opportunity. And I will find the Second Divine Key. So, in a way, you orchestrated this meeting yourself."

"Are you saying I should have killed you?" Lin Wei scoffed. "You would have found me eventually, Overseer. But without the Honkai eruption, and my… intervention, you wouldn't have even known where to look."

"Perhaps. But launching a Honkai fission bomb… does that align with the saint's teachings?"

You dare invoke Kallen's name?

"Normally, subtle hints are enough for a… reasonable conversation." Like with Grey Serpent, he added mentally. "But with you, Overseer… subtlety is wasted. I had to speak your language."

"I see…" Otto smiled innocently. "So, to obtain the Second Divine Key, I have to… offer something in return." He knew Lin Wei wouldn't give up his secrets so easily. But he also sensed Lin Wei wouldn't make unreasonable demands. He'd offer something… difficult, yet acceptable.

"Indeed, Overseer. A trade is in order." Lin Wei's confirmation made the conversation flow smoothly. A shared understanding simplified things.

"I'm listening."

"Don't worry, Overseer, I'm not greedy. My condition is simple." Lin Wei smiled, then turned serious, his gaze fixed on Otto. "I know there's a digital construct of Kallen in Schicksal's data archives. Give her to me, and I'll tell you where to find the Second Divine Key."

Yae Sakura, watching from Stigma Space, was surprised by this request.

Otto was equally stunned. "How did you learn about her?" he asked after a moment. Was this part of the "Honkai will's" knowledge?

Lin Wei, not wanting to risk revealing too much, simply shook his head, avoiding the question. "She's just a… collectible to you, Overseer. Trading her for the Second Divine Key… I'm practically losing money on this deal."

Otto, seeing his sincerity, considered his words carefully. "You know she's just a digital construct, not the real Kallen."

"I know." Unlike the Elysian Realm's Flame-Chasers, who carried Real memories, this digital Kallen was merely a data anomaly, a random construct, not even aware of her own artificial nature.

"Then why…?"

"I owe a debt to Miss Kallen," Lin Wei interrupted, his voice firm. "I can't ignore this… echo of her existence." Besides, having developed sentience, she was a person, regardless of her form. He looked directly at Otto. "Even if she wasn't Kallen, if she were… anyone else… knowing what you've done, she'd demand her freedom." He paused, then added softly, "I'm merely… acting on her behalf."

"Acting on her behalf?" Otto repeated, a strange feeling washing over him. "And what do you intend to do with her?" He waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind. It's probably a waste of time asking."

Good, Lin Wei thought.

"She's not important to me," Otto continued. "But as long as she bears Kallen's face, and her will… I won't hand her over lightly." His voice turned serious. "I expect… no further complications regarding the Second Divine Key."

Trying to raise the price, huh? Lin Wei smiled. "I'll give you the information, Overseer. But I can't guarantee… unforeseen circumstances… like, say, World Serpent trying to steal it."

Otto frowned. He'd never been so blatantly manipulated.

"Time is of the essence, Overseer," Lin Wei continued, pressing his advantage. "I only know its current location. If World Serpent moves it… well, I can't help you then." Take it or leave it.

"Very well. Deal." Otto, alarmed by the warning, agreed quickly. "Once I have the Second Divine Key, you'll have what you want."

Empty promises. Lin Wei smiled. "Thank you, Overseer. Your word is your bond."

Otto was good at making promises, but not at keeping them. And Lin Wei hadn't expected to actually obtain the digital Kallen. It was just a convenient excuse to leak the Second Divine Key's location, a useless asset that only aroused Otto's suspicion. Might as well give World Serpent something to worry about.

He did intend to rescue her eventually, giving her, or perhaps Yae Sakura, the choice of what to do with her. He just wanted a clear conscience.

"I never lie," Otto said smoothly, gesturing towards the door. "Mr. Lin Wei, if you please…"

Liar, Lin Wei thought. The moment you started playing word games, I stopped believing you.

"The Second Divine Key is currently located… in the UK." He paused. "London."

Seeing Otto waiting for more, he smiled innocently. "That's all I know, Overseer. Send your people to London. They'll find it." I gave you the country, not the address. You expect street names and building numbers? Dream on.

Otto stared at him, then let it go. This was the best he could hope for. Further inquiries would only jeopardize their fragile truce. Not yet. He contacted Rita. He glanced at Lin Wei, knowing they shared the same thought.

"Very well," he said softly.

Rita entered, her expression carefully neutral, ignoring the tension in the room. She stood beside them, waiting for instructions.

"Rita, our guest is tired. And so am I. Please escort him to his quarters." Otto's words marked a temporary end to their confrontation.

"Mr. Lin Wei," he said, nodding politely, a thin smile on his lips. "If you'll follow me."

Lin Wei smiled back, following Rita out of the room.

Otto watched him go, his smile fading, his eyes unreadable.

As Rita closed the door, Lin Wei's smile vanished as well, his expression turning thoughtful.

"Is it over?" Yae Sakura asked, relieved.

"No, it's just… the beginning," Lin Wei replied softly, then strode down the corridor.