The Ultimate Insult

Why isn't it working?

This might have been a complex question for Vill-V, but for Lee, the answer was simple: her buffs came from system traits. Now that the traits were gone, the buffs were gone too.

Still, Vill-V's efforts weren't entirely in vain. Lee could feel Abyss Flower's restorative effect. Before, she couldn't even lift Griseo, weaker than an average person. Now, she was at least on par with a frail woman.

Unfortunately, while her general health had improved, combat-related traits like "Superhuman Strength" were still inactive. Otherwise, her combat power might be approaching Lihua's level.

After the blood-draining incident, these traits, though not revoked like "Honkai Resistance", had become dormant.

It seems reactivating them requires further physical recovery.

While Lee remained outwardly calm, inwardly pleased, Vill-V's inner turmoil was plain to see: bewilderment and panic.

"Why… this shouldn't be happening…?"

Vill-V frantically examined Abyss Flower, trying to find the error.

A malfunctioning invention would normally be a great humiliation for an inventor of her caliber, but now, Vill-V would have preferred a manufacturing defect. That would mean Abyss Flower's failure to heal Lee was just a mishap.

But to Vill-V's despair, every component functioned perfectly. Her Divine Key was flawless—which meant Abyss Flower could never heal Lee.

"No, this can't be…"

Vill-V checked and rechecked, desperately searching for any comforting flaw, but it was futile. Her initial composure crumbled, replaced by growing anxiety.

"There must be something wrong… It can heal you, Lee, I swear! It can! Otherwise, I—!"

"VV." Lee gently placed her hand on Vill-V's arm as her distress escalated.

"I understand. Thank you."

"But you don't have to push yourself so hard… The incident with the Sixth Herrscher was my choice, not your fault." Lee carefully set down Abyss Flower, looking at Vill-V with a gentle smile, her voice sincere. "I'm very grateful to you, VV. Knowing you has been a blessing."

"So, don't blame yourself, and don't hurt yourself anymore, okay?"

"…"

Faced with Lee's gentle smile, what could Vill-V say?

Only silence remained.

She had misjudged from the start, doubting a truly kind person. Then, to test Lee's sincerity, she had maliciously orchestrated the worst possible scenario. She thought she could fix everything, but in the end, she could do nothing…

For Vill-V, who prided herself on her genius, who believed she could control any situation, there was no greater shame or despair.

If Lee had yelled at her, even hit or humiliated her, Vill-V might have felt better. But Lee would never do that. She offered only forgiveness.

Vill-V looked up. After months apart, Lee looked thinner. Though her smile was still warm, the sun-like confidence and sharpness were gone.

…And who was the culprit?

[Energy +450,000]

Vill-V knew the answer all too well. Tears, a sight no one had ever witnessed from her, welled in her eyes.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry, Lee… I can't… I—!"

A warm embrace cut off her tears, but Lee's warmth only intensified Vill-V's grief.

She had pushed the sun into the valley, yet it still tried to shine on her… All her regret and remorse dissolved into sobs.

Vill-V and Kevin had contributed over a million energy points, leaving Lee satisfied as she finally departed HQ.

Though her weakened state was unsettling, she wasn't going to spend energy on new traits or skills from the system shop. She still had her eye on Mobius' Meta-Morph surgery.

Unfortunately, while Mobius had completed the research, the procedure was too risky, and she vehemently opposed performing it on Lee.

When Lee had merely mentioned the idea, Mobius had bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Even Lee's pleas were useless.

So being the first test subject was out of the question… Perhaps later, when the procedure was more refined, but for now, Mobius would probably only agree to use Kevin or Vill-V as guinea pigs.

"Australia, huh…"

Lee stretched her limbs. If she remembered correctly, the Herrscher of Flames would appear here soon, right?

A week-long inferno that scorched the entire continent, a harbinger of escalating power levels, a foe even Kevin could only defeat after undergoing the Meta-Morph surgery.

Lee definitely couldn't fight the Herrscher of Flames. She wondered if she could even take on an Australian kangaroo. If not, things could get awkward…

Shocking! Former strongest warrior hospitalized after being beaten by Australian wildlife!

Seeing the airport in the distance, Lee sighed. If I embarrass myself that badly, I might as well just die…

I wonder how Hua is doing. I haven't heard from her since that meeting at HQ. I should have gotten her contact information.

Knowing the essence of her martial arts fifty thousand years in advance, her combat power must have skyrocketed, right? Hopefully, her personality hasn't changed too much. Otherwise, it would be a problem for farming affection and energy.