The commotion caused by the Fourth Herrscher was incomparable to the Third, with hardly any casualties besides a few fishing boats capsized.
But beneath the surface, a powerful undercurrent was brewing.
All of Fire Moth's intelligence analysts and psychologists gathered, scrutinizing the new characteristics displayed by the Herrscher, questioning its sudden appearance and quiet disappearance.
To date, humanity had faced three Herrschers, and each encounter was without exception a life-or-death struggle. Either Fire Moth eliminated her, or she would decimate cities, ultimately destroying human civilization.
That's why Edwin found it peculiar. This Herrscher showed no interest in the nearby Shenzhou Takarajima, appearing and vanishing abruptly.
Unfortunately, these psychologists, including Wien, could only theorize. They believed the key to the truth lay in that battle. As for who the Herrscher fought, the interference was too strong to draw any conclusions.
Like the man who fled into the southern wilderness, the world, besides humans and Herrschers, was not short of monsters.
Fire Moth wasn't stupid. Agents found Ryan on the third day, vacationing on a Hawaiian beach, wearing beach shorts, with no signs of battle.
During that brief fight, the Honkai energy reached 3000HW; such immense power couldn't be wielded without consequence. After the agents, disguised, were thrown into the sea by Ryan, Fire Moth was forced to cease their surveillance.
'I'm not as gentle as Elysia.'
Ryan squatted on the pier, watching the waves rise and fall beneath a buoy, his eyes calm behind sunglasses.
He possessed extensive assassin experience; surveillance was impossible. Though the higher-ups were suspicious, without proof, they couldn't touch him. Naturally, these covert actions weren't within Ryan's consideration.
"Three days, and the Herrscher hasn't reappeared. That proves she can't locate me, so the earlier ambush was anticipated?"
This was good news. Ryan didn't want to be hunted by a Herrscher across the world, much less involve others.
But the problem remained unsolved. He found the world's timeline genuinely twisting. The previous pattern of encountering Herrschers sequentially, like in Evangelion, was changing.
The ability to flee meant the possibility of organization, a doomsday group formed by Herrschers and Honkai Beasts, escalating from enemies to an opposing force.
He tilted his head, looking at an internal document with a blurry photograph.
"The Fourth Herrscher's accomplice beast appeared long ago. They intentionally hid it, afraid of scaring me off, wanting to rendezvous with the Herrscher of Wind?"
This was the nascent form of an organization, but thinking about it, it wasn't entirely unacceptable.
The later era had Herrschers engaging in yuri; why couldn't the Previous Era have them uniting for world destruction? Compared to the emotional drama of the next generation, these Herrschers were purer.
They didn't even possess a sense of camaraderie; they merely united and advanced towards a single goal. As for this targeting, Ryan could understand.
"It's like a test. Now there's a student from another class who sneaked in, not only bringing cheating tools but also slapping the teacher and proctor twice. I wouldn't tolerate that either."
Ryan, ever the understanding one, shrugged, retracted his fishing rod, and carried the empty bucket back.
If everything went smoothly, before the Herrscher of Binding appeared, all Herrschers would be easily defeated; this Honkai would be too simple.
Facing problems and solving them. In any case, it couldn't be worse than the original timeline.
Behind the beach was a resort villa with a swimming pool visible through the entrance. Pushing open the glass door, he saw Sakura cooking in the kitchen.
As a professional, Sakura had flawlessly fabricated all immigration records and bank statements. As for why they were together?
Ryan's single sentence, "Who says a hero can't be a pervert?" had sent the agents packing.
"Back?" Sakura, chopping vegetables, looked up as Ryan placed the bucket down. "Doesn't look like you caught much."
"I don't know how to fish; I was just checking for surveillance." Ryan casually put on an apron and picked up a knife to chop carrots.
Sakura tilted her head slightly, recalling Ryan's distress that day. Now, there wasn't a trace of it. This man was incredibly deep, his thoughts unknown.
"Is it… bad?"
"Normally bad, but that makes it a challenge. It's just about adapting." Ryan didn't look up, already planning. He blanched the carrots, asking, "Has the headquarters' experiment started?"
Sakura added salt and oil, answering casually, "The first group of volunteers are undergoing surgery. Although it's for Low-Rank Honkai Beast factors, it proves the Fusion Warrior plan is feasible. Fire Moth is also hunting High-Rank Honkai Beasts; it must be preparation for the second phase."
Ryan grinned. Fire Moth was finally panicking. They didn't know the Herrscher of Wind was targeting him, but the Herrscher's characteristics had terrified them.
Knowing the strategy, she would actively retreat; this was the bane of military operations.
Previously, Herrschers would show signs before appearing, then Fire Moth would dispatch large numbers of soldiers to encircle them. They'd fight to the death. And don't forget, when a Herrscher suppresses their Honkai energy, they're not much different from humans.
"Only survival crisis can sober them up, which is a good thing."
"How long do we have to wait?" Sakura scooped the blanched carrots out with a slotted spoon and added them to the minced meat with eggs. After a few stirs, Ryan took over.
"Let me do it. Give me some salt and pepper."
"Okay." Sakura grabbed the spice shakers and tossed them. Ryan, without looking up, caught them.
"Wait for Fire Moth to develop Fusion Warriors and lower their guard. Stop guessing and suspecting me."
"Can Low-Rank Honkai Beast factors be used?"
"Of course. Don't forget humanity's greatest advantage is tool usage. Even with just increased physical strength, they can use a lot of heavy equipment." Ryan put down the bowl and, wearing gloves, shaped the mixture into patties. "But they'll still struggle against Herrschers. Once they taste success, they'll universalize the second phase. By then, they won't be able to do without me."
"Why?"
"Because regardless of how much research is done, High-Rank Honkai Beasts require powerful individuals to host them, and those individuals are in my hands."
Sakura glanced at him, sensing Ryan had grown a devil's tail and horns. No wonder he didn't let her participate in the surgery; the current stage of Fusion Warrior surgery could only integrate one factor. It seemed he'd planned all along for her to become a stronger High-Rank Warrior.
"Are you sure I can succeed?"
"Of course. I had Mobius test your cells; the fusion success rate is very high."
This was simply finding materials for Ryan's use. His only headache was how to find suitable materials for Sakura, Kevin, and Hua—whether to follow the original timeline or change it directly.
Sakura didn't think so far ahead; her breathing became heavier. She craved strength, even more so after witnessing Ryan's power.
"When can I have the surgery?"
"You're in such a hurry?"
"Yes, only strength can protect Rin in the future."
Still so simple and direct. I can understand the lack of pretense.
Ryan chuckled inwardly, about to tease her, when his hand, kneading the meat, paused. He saw Sakura look up.
In an instant, the girl grabbed the long sword leaning against the table. It scraped against the sheath as she drew it, but she ultimately didn't unsheath it. Ryan had already pushed it back.
"Don't be nervous. It's not an enemy."
Sakura didn't listen. Her intuition sensed a terrifying aura from the sky, similar to a Herrscher.
Who!?
She looked up and saw a pink figure land in the courtyard, looking around with curiosity.
A beautiful woman. Hmm, why does she look so familiar?
"She's finally here." Ryan's voice held a hint of helplessness, yet a faint smile touched his lips. He patted Sakura's shoulder, motioning for her to sheath her sword. "Make some tea. She's not an enemy."
Elysia?
Sakura also recognized her, but seeing the stunning woman's secretive manner, she felt she was different from the legends.
Within Fire Moth, Elysia was a literal goddess, her reputation even surpassing Ryan's. But her appearance didn't match the stories at all.
"You'll get used to it. Spend more time with her, and you'll see she's just a normal girl."
"A very beautiful girl, Ryan, don't forget the adjective ♪" Elysia tip-toed into the room, looking around, seemingly pleased with the villa's decor.
She circled the room twice, then suddenly appeared before Sakura, causing the assassin to instinctively recoil, staring at the beautiful face before her.
"You are…"
"Hi, I'm Elysia, call me Ely. Sakura, you're beautiful too! Our hair color is similar; it feels so nice to touch."
Her hand ran through the pink hair; she hummed contentedly, leaving Sakura somewhat bewildered.
"How do you know me?"
"Mei told me. She spoke very highly of you."
Dr. Mei, then? No, why does she feel so familiar?
It was their first meeting, yet this familiarity didn't repulse Sakura; she simply looked at Ryan with a questioning gaze.
"I said you'll get used to it. Ely gives people a very special feeling, something I can't explain myself."
"Hehe, that's the charm of Super Ely!" The girl gently patted her mouth, tiptoed towards the kitchen, her eyes sparkling at the sight of the ingredients.
"Ah, you're cooking. So you weren't bragging. But, dear Ryan, didn't you forget something?"
Elysia seemed a little annoyed, leaving Ryan confused. After a moment, he finally understood.
He remembered promising to cook for Elysia back in the Far East. With her pointing it out directly, what could he say?
"You… want to stay and eat some simple food?"
"I was waiting for you to say that!" Elysia skipped back to the living room, relaxing on the sofa and stretching comfortably, looking ready for a feast.
This move left Sakura speechless, throwing another questioning glance his way.
Ryan spread his hands, answering for the third time:
"You'll get used to it."