Rin

"Are you alright?"

After chasing away the desperate man, Lee turned to the pink-haired girl and the child, who were still trembling. "It's not safe to be out alone these days. Where do you live? I'll escort you home."

"I… I can go by myself…" The child clutched the medicine box, wary of Lee, fearing she might also try to steal it.

"It's okay, you can trust her." The girl, after carefully studying Lee's face, relaxed, reassuring the child. "She's a hero of the Fire Moth, a good person. She won't steal your medicine."

"You recognize me?"

"I've seen you on TV often…" The girl smiled shyly. "This is the first time I've seen you in person."

On TV? Lee's appearances in Fire Moth propaganda were mostly during the Sixth Herrscher era, quite a few years ago. The girl had since blossomed into a young woman, much like Eden and Aponia…

"That makes things easier. No need for formalities. Just call me Lee. And what's your name?"

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Rin!"

"A lovely name." Lee smiled, gently patting Rin's head, then crouched down to look at the child. "Let me take you home, okay?"

"Don't worry about the medicine…" Lee glanced at the crimson vial in the child's hands, her voice gentle. "I have plenty."

Her "Silver Tongue" trait, originally a psychic ability, had been amplified by the Herrscher of Sentience's power, becoming almost like a command ability. She hadn't fully explored its limits, but with Su and Aponia's help, she'd confirmed that even psychic-type MANTIS were susceptible to its influence if caught off guard.

And perhaps due to "Silver Tongue", words amplified her psychic abilities. Attacks delivered verbally were much stronger.

But against a wary child, she didn't need her full power. "Silver Tongue" and her acting skills were enough to disarm the child completely.

Reassured, the child happily led Lee and Rin home, thanking Lee profusely upon arrival.

Lee had assumed Rin and the child were close, but she learned they were complete strangers. Rin had simply intervened upon witnessing the attempted robbery.

"Even the Far East has such… remote areas."

As they left the child's home, Lee observed her surroundings.

Unlike the well-lit, but deserted main streets, this area was dark and cramped, much like Lee's impression of a slum.

Could a child from such a poor area afford anti-Honkai serum? If Lee remembered correctly, the Fire Moth's pricing was exorbitant, even a moderately wealthy family would be bankrupt after buying a single dose…

Asking when unsure was a good habit, and Lee had it.

"It used to be like that, but last year, the Fire Moth started distributing the serum for free to those in need." Rin explained. "No payment required, no eligibility restrictions, but it's a lottery system. A few doses are distributed every week."

Last year—that's after Su took over.

It was a good policy. Selling the serum at high prices, though profitable, would breed resentment towards the Fire Moth. As the Honkai intensified and infections increased, that resentment could escalate, eventually backfiring on the Fire Moth.

Offering a few free doses wouldn't significantly impact the Fire Moth's profits, but it gave people hope, preventing complete despair. Those who didn't win simply blamed their bad luck, redirecting their anger towards the lucky few…

A bit manipulative, but it gave those who were otherwise doomed a chance, helping to maintain the fragile social order.

And it was only possible thanks to Su's purge of the corrupt higher-ups. Otherwise, Lee suspected none of the serum would reach the public.

"But it's still not enough."

"Yes." Rin nodded in agreement. "Most people can't get it, so some… resort to… desperate measures, like that man just now."

"Why can't the Fire Moth produce more serum? Is it to… control the supply—I'm sorry! I didn't mean that!" Rin sighed, then, realizing she was speaking to a Fire Moth member, her face paled.

But Lee didn't seem offended. She just lowered her eyes. "Perhaps they simply… lack the capacity to save everyone…"

Rin was curious about Lee's reaction, but Lee changed the subject, smiling at Rin. "Playing hero when you're not strong enough is dangerous. Don't do it again, or I'll tell Sakura."

"Huh?!" Rin's eyes widened in surprise. "You know my sister?"

"I wasn't sure at first, but you two look very similar, so I… tested it." Lee smiled. "Since she's also from the Far East, it's hard not to connect you two."

"Wait, if you know my sister… does that mean… she's also a Fire Moth member?!" Rin was stunned. "She said she was a programmer…"

"She probably didn't tell you to avoid worrying you… Looks like I messed things up." Lee chuckled. "But don't worry, Sakura is very capable, so—"

_So she won't be in danger_—that would be a lie. In this world, the stronger you were, the more dangerous your missions.

"It's fate that we met. How about I treat you to dinner?" Lee ruffled Rin's hair, smiling. "But you'll have to recommend a restaurant~"