Elysia completely took over 'command,' and was extremely excited throughout the journey. Ryan also stopped thinking about all those complicated matters.
Come to think of it, this was his first time traveling with friends. Back in Qianyu Academy, he basically just stayed home. He wouldn't say much, but at least the scent of these flowers washed away the lingering smell of blood on him.
He hadn't experienced this during peacetime, but he was trying it now, near the apocalypse. It was truly strange.
Never mind, he'd just accompany Elysia. Even Mobius wasn't sarcastic; she had secretly taken photos of the flower fields outside the window earlier.
The minivan drove along a small road, through boundless flower fields. Ahead was a three-story wooden cabin with large floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed guests to admire the beautiful scenery. Above the cabin were snow-capped pine forests, quite spectacular from afar.
This place probably belonged to a wealthy individual before, but now it was naturally requisitioned by the Fire Moth.
Elysia was the first to jump out of the car, greeting everyone to carry luggage, then began assigning tasks. Some went to prepare ingredients, some cleaned, some started the power. Everything was well-organized, and these tasks certainly weren't difficult for the residents of the Golden Courtyard.
Ingredients had already been brought, cleaning was a daily routine, and Vil-V even brought a Honkai energy core. She connected the circuit, and the lights came on. In this valley, uninhabited for several years, a cabin lit up like a torch. Its light, far from brilliant, illuminated a large expanse of flower fields, making Ryan, who was wiping a window, pause slightly.
The flickering neon lights illuminated his face. Dust blackened the cloth, but he didn't use his authority to blow it away. Instead, he bent down, slowly rubbing and wringing it out, and glanced at his phone.
No messages. Mei seemed to be deliberately not bothering him, even though she usually wouldn't say anything, which made him wonder.
"Waiting for that woman's message?" Mobius, who was arranging the string lights nearby, noticed his small action and quietly came closer. "Don't you find it strange? This time she's being too generous."
"It is a bit strange. Logically, she should have us on standby in outer space to maximize reaction speed," Ryan leaned out and glanced at the living room.
Kalpas had already lit the bonfire, grumbling as Elysia directed him. Pardofelis protested someone's laziness, only moving their lips, and then got their head rubbed.
"Don't overthink it. Elysia likes to do this, so we'll just go along with her."
"Hmph, just spoiling that fatty," Mobius scoffed, then turned to her work, but Ryan reply made her fingers tremble slightly.
"Elysia invited me to explore. She probably wants to talk about something privately."
Normally, Mobius would have started a sarcastic retort, but at this moment, she just gave a barely perceptible nod, saying nothing.
As the two chatted, the cabin was already cleaned. The burning bonfire dispelled the last hint of chill. Ryan came down from the second floor and saw that everyone had entered vacation mode.
Except for Kalpas, who was still debating when to have a snowball fight, the others were scattered, doing what they liked.
Griseo and Pardofelis were intently listening to Su tell stories. His gentle voice was very appealing to children. The repaired projector showed a movie. Since the female lead was Eden, Vil-V and Aponia were teasing her nearby.
Eden was graceful and generous. Far from being shy, she even recounted amusing anecdotes from the filming. Just then, Hua emerged from the kitchen, a plate of freshly fried french fries drawing a cheer from Pardofelis.
Very good, very harmonious, and with a strong sense of contrast.
Ryan couldn't help but smile. He should have asked Vil-V about mass-producing power armor or Aponia about her mission, but all those thoughts were cast aside. He simply walked down the stairs and patted Elysia shoulder.
"Why are you spacing out here?"
The pink fairy was indeed spacing out, no longer showing the excitement of directing everyone. She seemed to be admiring the scenery like an observer, as if, in her eyes, the scene before her was even more beautiful than the flower fields outside the window.
"No way! I'm just a bit tired from tricking Kalpas. It's strange, why did he give up so easily today?"
Ryan glanced at the man adding firewood to the bonfire and casually said, "Maybe he has sharp intuition."
"What intuition? Ryan, you're such a strange person," Elysia covered her mouth and chuckled softly, then stretched. "Hmm, it's time to cheer up. It's a shame Kevin and the others aren't here."
"Can't be helped. The front line always needs its lynchpin. I'll compensate him afterwards, like giving Mei a good vacation."
"Then who will do the work?"
"Mobius, of course. She's always been defiant..."
As Ryan spoke, he gasped, turning to see Mobius fiercely pinch his waist. She rolled her eyes and walked away.
"Pfft, looks like Mobius isn't too keen," Elysia chuckled again, slyly nudging Ryan chest with her elbow. "By the way, when you and Hua went to South America this time, did your feelings warm up? If you can't manage, I can help!"
Seeing her gossipy expression, Ryan was both annoyed and amused. He deliberately put on a serious face: "I was just giving psychological counseling, helping that stubborn girl relax a bit. It seems to be working, and you played a part in it too."
Now Hua wasn't as tense, nor was she forcing herself to stay on the front lines for tempering. Clearly, Elysia had helped as well.
"Hua is naturally obedient anyway, and I'm a gold-medal wingman!"
"And then you ruined my good deeds in the middle of the night?"
"Ahem, that was an accident. Sometimes I just can't help my curiosity, but it won't happen again. I don't want Mobius to hate me."
Seeing Elysia relaxed demeanor, Ryan was silent for two seconds, then pointed out the window: "Didn't you want to go there and take a look? Now's a good chance."
"The trip has just begun, no need to rush," Elysia politely refused, a hint of pleading reappearing in her eyes.
"Just a few more days, please."
Her soft voice, however, made Ryan pupils constrict slightly and his heart plummet, as if his guess had been confirmed.
"Okay."
Ryan said no more, agreeing directly. He saw Elysia footsteps pause slightly, then she strode forward.
Clap, clap.
She clapped her hands to get everyone's attention, then chuckled softly: "Since everyone's here, shouldn't our operation begin?"
"What operation? Is it finally time for him and me to decide who's stronger?!" Kalpas looked very excited.
"Boo-boo, it's an adventure operation," Elysia crossed her arms and explained: "Don't you think it's exciting that there are only a few of us in such a big valley? There might be many treasures and surprises in those abandoned buildings, and I've already hidden a gift somewhere. I wonder which brave warrior can find it?"
Treasures? Gifts!?
Ryan saw Pardofelis's cat ears instantly perk up, clearly interested. The others were a bit bewildered, but most didn't object.
After finally getting out, staying cooped up in the house would be too boring. Besides, they had all been ordinary people, quite interested in urban legends and haunted houses, so they listened attentively as Elysia explained the rules.
Three people per group. No Honkai energy allowed, no authorities allowed. They had to explore as ordinary people, and no destruction was permitted. It would be troublesome if staff were injured. Whoever found her gift first won.
"Adventures can lead to very scary things, you know. If you use Honkai energy, it means you're afraid. Whoever breaks the rules will be punished, especially certain people. He's not afraid of anything," Elysia wagged her finger, trying her best to fill in the loopholes.
'Tch, specifically targeting me, huh? She must have gotten Vil-V to play dirty in the middle. Ah, that sense of pleasure is quietly emerging again.'
Ryan rolled his eyes. Others might be scared by girlish sentimentality, but he estimated he'd just unleash a bolt of lightning. For him, being an 'ordinary person' was quite challenging instead.
"Boring. I'm not playing such childish games." Kalpas immediately withdrew; he couldn't hold back.
Monsters, ghosts, all of them would be Burnd to ashes. If he got excited, this valley would surely turn into purgatory!
So no one tried to persuade him. They all knew Brother Kalpas was too serious and wouldn't cooperate at all. Then Su, on the rocking chair, also raised his hand.
"Count me out too. I haven't fully mastered Honkai energy yet, so participating would be like cheating."
"Su, you can feign ignorance," Ryan said with a meaningful smile.
"My only flaw is that I can't feign ignorance. I currently have to concentrate to suppress my scattered spiritual power."
The young man gently spread his hands. Seeing that he had a legitimate reason, they didn't force him. Only Kalpas dangerous gaze made Su scalp tingle, tempting him to change his mind several times.
Next was the exciting drawing of lots. Ryan first drew a ping-pong ball. Peeling it open, there was a white paper with '1' written on it. He held it up, just seeing Elysia wink at him, and instantly understood.
The gold-medal wingman was officially taking off, wasn't she?
Elysia had put a lot of thought into this. Everyone drew a paper, and they roughly knew who their teammates were. A certain someone was most afraid of ghosts, and sure enough, Hua immediately cheered.
"Senior Brother, I'm with you! That's great!"
The girl looked relieved. She had actually started looking for excuses not to go, due to a childhood psychological trauma. Now, she was flushed with excitement and smoothly took Ryan hand.
Three people per group. Now that Hua was with him, who else?
Ryan unconsciously looked at Mobius, only to see her with a gloomy face, holding down the little girl who had pounced on her.
"Auntie Mobius, I'm with you!"
"Who's your auntie? How many times have I told you, call me Sister," Mobius frowned. Just as she was about to say there was a trick, Aponia grabbed her hand.
"The three of us are a group. Please guide us."
"What's there to guide? Explore this area within an hour," Mobius looked disgusted. She secretly glanced at Hua, and seeing the latter wink at her, she gave a heavy snort.
'Ruining my plans again, and blushing just from holding hands. If she were to reach my level, she'd probably pass out directly?'
Like an experienced old timer despising newcomers, but then that sensation appeared on her lips again, instantly making her unable to despise.
'Is this... the motherly group? And why are Mobius ears red?'
Ryan found it somewhat amusing and quietly gave Elysia a thumbs-up, thinking that she truly had good foresight. If Hua and Mobius were both with him, a certain someone would surely turn into a vengeful spirit.
He then turned his head and saw Elysia, Vil-V, and Eden as a group, realizing that Super Elly had cheated again. These three were clearly the directors.
So the rest...
"Teacher! Don't abandon us!"
"Brother Ryan, thankfully I'm with you, otherwise I wouldn't dare to go out."
Pardofelis and Rin jumped over, one on his left, one on his right, hanging onto him, effectively pushing Hua aside. The unique scent of young girls entered his nostrils, making him lick his lips.
'Am I...
the 'perks' group??'
With two lively young girls throwing themselves at him, Ryan couldn't find any other word than 'perks'. Even if Hua was like a wooden block, the fear in her eyes was clearly visible.
When she was little, this girl wasn't honest about sleeping, so he intentionally told her ghost stories, and in the end, she would tremble in bed, scared.
Under his influence, Fu Hua the Immortal was not afraid of people or Honkai, but only afraid of these spirits and monsters.
As for Pardofelis, there was no need to mention her. This timid cat was afraid of everything. From the moment she got off the plane, she kept looking left and right, as if afraid of something terrifying jumping out.
Rin was normal; she was just an ordinary person after all.
Unfortunately, he couldn't see Mobius reaction. But that woman didn't have much to look forward to anyway. A scientist would never be fooled by the fake things Elysia made up.
Thinking this, he looked to the side, just in time to see Mobius with a gloomy face, staring at him.
"What, you want to be in my group or something?"
"Please don't be so overconfident. Ridiculous. Who wants to be in your group?" The platypus instinctively retorted, then quickly walked over to Elysia: "I think something's wrong. This is too much of a coincidence, and why does Ryan group have four people?"
"No cheating, dear Mobius. The rules were set long ago," Elysia had just finished speaking when the box in her hand was snatched away. She watched as Mobius dismantled it.
Outwardly, it was a cardboard box, but inside there was a mechanism. Mobius opened the ping-pong balls inside the mechanism and, indeed, they all said '1'.
"Elysia! You dare to cheat!"
"Hehehe, what are you saying? I can't understand you. Vil-V, let's go!" Elysia dashed to the door, instantly disappearing into the darkness. Eden and Vil-V were also fast. In just a few seconds, only the wooden door swayed in the wind.
Mobius slowly lowered her trembling hand, looking back at Ryan, wanting to say something but held back.
"If you want to join my group, convince those three first."
Mobius looked at the three people who were shaking their heads continuously, immediately feeling her pride wounded. She stomped her foot.
"Who wants to be in your group? Aponia, let's go!"
"See? I already invited her. She refused herself," Ryan spread his hands. This Mobius was good at everything except for her pride. She needed to be put down a notch.
Pardofelis started to stifle a laugh. She didn't dare to be too arrogant, as being hated by Mobius would be the end of her. Hua was somewhat gleeful, thinking that if this platypus wasn't so proud, she wouldn't have had a chance.
"Brother Ryan, let's go quickly!" Rin was the most lively, directly wrapping her arms around Ryan neck from behind.
"Easy, easy. I'm not using Honkai energy to strengthen my body right now."
As Ryan complained, the third group walked into the darkness. Inside the warm cabin, the fireplace burned, leaving only Su and Kalpas staring at each other.
From Kalpas eyes, Su saw a hint of desire.
"You want to go too?"
"Hmph, I told you, I'm not interested in such childish games," Kalpas immediately showed a dismissive smile.
"But you didn't object. I often wonder these days," Su closed his book and said gently, "How long can these days last? And who among us will be the first to fall? These moments of happiness can only temporarily alleviate sorrow."
Su words were pointed. He could see that Kalpas was difficult to deal with. He wanted a good fight with Ryan but was reluctant to ruin the warm atmosphere. Fortunately, his emotional intelligence was very high, so he changed his approach.
The smile on Kalpas lips stiffened, and his eyes became somewhat unfriendly, but he knew this man was telling the truth, and had deliberately avoided those scoundrels.
Rage burned like a furnace, accompanied by the crackling of his joints.
Killing intent surged like a tide.
"Whoever wants to destroy this Golden Courtyard, I will blast them to dust!!"
...
Ryan didn't know Kalpas intense killing intent. He saw through it but didn't say anything, knowing that Kalpas had completely adapted to this life. He might yell, but his body was honest.
If it came to a fight with him, would Kalpas still be afraid of death?
"You all, can you walk normally?"
Back to the present, Ryan asked somewhat helplessly. Rin clung to his waist, only her head visible. Pardofelis clung tightly to his right arm, burying it in the 'valley' of her chest. Hua was slightly better, but she still walked one step and paused for two seconds, cautiously observing her surroundings.
"But this place is really scary!"
Scary? A little, perhaps.
Ryan walked into the town. There was no moon tonight. The entire valley was pitch black. The snowy wind blew in from the entrance, making the windows wail. Occasionally, something would be blown onto the ground with a 'bang', making Pardofelis instantly tense up and Hua immediately draw closer.
The area illuminated by the flashlight was too small. Through the glass, they could see looted shelves and scattered supplies everywhere. The cold wind swept through, making rolling glass bottles clatter.
Due to the excessive Honkai energy in the valley, let alone animals, even insects were absent. That silence made one constantly swallow.
It looked beautiful during the day, but at night, it was truly a horror movie set. Even Ryan felt a chill in his heart. He quickly switched to a rational state, analyzing from a psychological Doctor perspective:
He was used to Honkai Beasts and such, but fear itself originated from the deep-seated loneliness and delusions within the human consciousness, just like watching a horror movie. Even though he knew the things inside wouldn't jump out, he would still be startled, and would have nightmares because of it at night.
Ryan, being a scientist after all, quickly stabilized his emotions and started talking to ease their tension.
"Hua, you're the leader now. Be a good example."
She held Ryan hand tightly. Hearing his words, she didn't argue, but just gave him a white eye: "It's all your fault! You kept telling me those ghost stories when I was little. The first time I saw a Honkai Beast, I thought the stories had come true!"
Alright, psychological trauma beyond cure.
Ryan gave an awkward smile. Back then, he deliberately wanted to mess with Fu Hua the Immortal, bullying her when she was young so he'd have something to talk about in the post-civilization era.
"You've killed hundreds of Honkai Beasts. What are you still afraid of?"
"Doesn't matter. I just don't like this kind of environment. I really want to throw a flare," Hua looked at the dark buildings, feeling like something could jump out of every window. She simply leaned her whole body against Ryan.
Was she genuinely scared or just pretending? Never mind, it felt good anyway.
Surrounded by three beautiful girls, Ryan felt this wasn't bad either. The back and right side were already taking shape. Hua might have been a bit flat, but the delicate touch of her small hand was quite comfortable.
He silently chanted 'Amen' in his heart, happily leading the three into the King's Hotel. He pulled open the dusty glass door, and the flashlight beam illuminated the entire lobby in disarray, with discarded boxes and messy trash everywhere. He swept his light around, feeling something was still off, then turned back to the center of the hall, seeing a black shadow flash by instantly.
"Ah!"
Ryan was startled by the scream behind him. He turned around to see Rin clinging to him like a gecko.
"Senior Brother, wh-what was that?!" Hua took a Dimensional Fist stance. Ryan quickly patted her shoulder.
"Relax, using Honkai energy is against the rules. Don't punch this building down."
Hua had almost delivered a Dimensional Fist: Open Sky just now. She slowly straightened up, then her expression changed again.
"Where did Pardofelis go?"
"She ran away just now, like she stepped on her tail. She jumped upstairs with a 'whoosh'," Rin pointed, leaving Ryan speechless.
This timid cat broke the rules, but her first instinct was to use Honkai energy to escape. That's so like her.
"It seems we'll have to go deeper into this hotel to find her."
"R-really go in?"
"You need to gather everyone to win. With me here, what are you afraid of?" Ryan knew this was a time to show masculine charm, even if Hua could instantly transform into a human demolition machine.
Since Elysia wanted to play so much, he'd cooperate. But he was clearly naive. As he walked up the stairs, he suddenly heard a scream.
"Doesn't sound like Pardofelis."
"Could it be Mobius?"
"Don't be silly. How could Mobius be scared? She's a scientist," Ryan defended her, then took a few more steps, seeing the lights in the hallway start to flicker, dimming and brightening, making it unsettling.
At this moment, the cold wind blowing in from the window howled, carrying a sound with it.
It was like weeping and complaining, melodious and captivating, a bit like humming, making Ryan scalp tingle.
Ryan face began to twitch. He felt his heart pound in sync with the flickering lights. If it weren't too embarrassing, he would have already used his Authority to investigate.
It must be Vil-V mischief. That joyful one just wants to see us in disarray. But this sound is too creepy.
The abandoned hotel had become a haunted house. Every rustle and creak made one's heart pound.
Rin clung to his back, burying her face in it. Hua was no better, practically hanging on Ryan shoulder.
Overburdened, Ryan felt a bit tired climbing the stairs, thinking, 'Good one, Elysia. You said you were my wingman, but you're deliberately messing with me, aren't you?'
"You two, close your eyes and plug your ears. I refuse to believe this can scare me."
Ryan hardened his resolve. Carrying both girls, he entered the floor. Doors on both sides were open, and the weeping, complaining sound echoed. Even without Honkai energy, Ryan was once a top-tier assassin. Using his flashlight to illuminate footprints on the carpet, he quickly arrived in front of a room.
"Pardofelis, come out quickly. I told you not to run around."
The flashlight beam shone in, revealing a trembling blanket on the bed, making them feel a mix of annoyance and amusement.
Hua felt much better seeing someone more timid than herself. She walked over and pulled at the corner of the blanket.
"It's us. Come out quickly."
Gasp—
Before she could pull it open, something inside suddenly sprang up. With a piercing scream, a white figure with long hair covering its face leaped up, then disintegrated into a pile of shattered debris right before their eyes.
No scream. Hua just stared blankly at the bed, her pupils constricted. She turned and ran, tightly embracing Ryan.
Ryan hadn't even reacted. His neck was also constricted. He felt two youthful bodies sandwiching him like a sandwich.
He looked at the bed covered in parts, silently tilting his head back, letting his slightly trembling muscles calm down, and quietly gave a thumbs-up.
She truly was a gold-medal wingman!