After obtaining all the necessary information, Dr. Magi was no longer useful to Anti-Entropy.
With his legs shot through, Dr. Magi fell to his knees in pain.
Damn it, I'm definitely filing for worker's compensation when I get back.
Seeing Dr. Magi injured, Kiana mustered her strength, threw a bedsheet to block the clone's vision, and quickly helped Dr. Magi escape.
Watching the two escape, the clone of Joachim found it amusing.
"Still able to move after all that? How interesting. Let the cat-and-mouse game begin. Run, little mouse."
...
"Hey, you don't have to follow the original script and disguise yourself, right? That's gross."
Remembering the original plot where she had to lick a bald man's head, Wraith refused.
Fu Hua simply glanced at her and then took out Fenghuang Down.
This thing was practically a universal cheat tool.
If there was a part of the plot she didn't want to go through, she could just create a fake memory with it.
"...Fu Hua's learned to cheat. My pure Fu Hua is gone."
While munching on popcorn, Elysia lamented the loss of her innocent Fu Hua.
"What can we do? You become like the people you're around. After spending so much time with us, how could anyone stay serious?"
Shrugging, Chang Yuan didn't see anything wrong with it.
In fact, he thought it was better for Fu Hua to be less rigid.
Even an old fossil needed a life.
Using Fenghuang Down, Fu Hua had already reached the staircase and was quietly waiting for the clone.
Before long, the clone of Joachim spotted Fu Hua.
"It's you, the ant. You got away last time, and now you dare show your face again? It seems fate wants me to take revenge."
Seeing Fu Hua, the one who had cost him his tongue, the clone was filled with rage.
With a wave of his hand, dozens of black orbs shot toward Fu Hua.
But this Fu Hua was at her peak. If not for the script, she could have obliterated him with a single punch.
Now that it was time for the clone's final scene, Fu Hua didn't hold back.
With a casual punch, the powerful shockwave instantly destroyed the black orbs.
Even if it were a real pseudo-black hole, Fu Hua, without using her Herrscher form, would still dare to fight it.
But this punch clearly wasn't enough to kill the clone.
In a flash, Fu Hua appeared behind the clone.
"Did you really think you were that strong? That was just acting."
Crack!
With a crisp sound, the clone collapsed.
Fu Hua ignored the clone and walked away.
...
"Dr. Magi, I didn't expect us to get the Serenity Gem so easily."
Looking at the open password-protected door, Kiana was thrilled.
It seemed she'd be the one to complete this mission, which meant more allowance when she got back.
"No, it can't be this simple. This—"
As Dr. Magi approached, he noticed something was wrong.
In an instant, his right arm was corroded.
"This... the Honkai energy concentration here is abnormal. It's reached 3000 HW. I understand now. Cocolia's goal was never to analyze the Serenity Gem.
What she really wanted was to trigger a major Honkai eruption and create a new Herrscher. She's researching Herrschers, just like in Nagazora City, sacrificing millions to forge a new Herrscher."
"Nagazora City... millions of lives... like Mei?"
In an instant, Kiana understood the gravity of the situation.
Mei often felt guilty about what happened, even though it wasn't her fault.
"Damn it! I didn't expect Cocolia to be so ruthless! It's over. At this Honkai energy concentration, no one can retrieve that gem."
Kneeling on the ground, Dr. Magi pounded the floor in frustration.
He also gave himself a mental pat on the back for his acting, though his legs still hurt.
"No one? Then I'll try."
"Don't go, girl! Even Valkyries with Honkai resistance can't withstand this level of concentration."
Seeing Kiana about to try, Dr. Magi immediately stopped her.
But instead of stopping, Kiana took firmer steps and turned back with a smile.
"It's fine. If sacrificing myself can save everyone, then it's the highest honor for a Kaslana."
Walking forward, Kiana shattered the glass and grabbed the Serenity Gem.
Seeing Kiana succeed, Dr. Magi knew his part in the script was almost over.
"Even if you take it out, it's useless. The machine has already started. Unless the Honkai energy concentration drops... how is this possible?!"
Watching the Honkai energy concentration meter's readings drop rapidly, Dr. Magi was shocked.
Meanwhile, Kiana clutched the Serenity Gem tightly to her chest.
"Didn't expect you to return to me like this, did you? Well, it's time to take revenge on humanity."
Outside, Kiana collapsed, and Fu Hua arrived just in time.
"Dr. Magi, you can inject the serum and leave now. Your part in the script is over. You can go on vacation to Shenzhou, but try not to appear around here."
"Alright. Can I file for worker's compensation? It still hurts."
Standing up, Dr. Magi limped away.
"Sure, but I'm not the one paying your salary."
Helping Kiana up, Fu Hua carried her away.
Once Dr. Magi was gone, Fu Hua pressed a button, blowing up the area.
At the same time, Fu Hua brought Kiana to a rooftop.
In that instant, an undetectable sense of danger struck.
Fu Hua immediately let go of Kiana and stepped back.
"You're not Kiana. Or should I call you the Second Herrscher?"
"Oh? You know me? No, of course you do. After all, you played a part in killing me. But thanks to you, I have a new body to revive in."
Seeing that Fu Hua recognized her, Sirin wasn't surprised.
After all, Fu Hua had once severed her connection to God. It made sense that someone so powerful would know more.
"..."
No, no, I didn't kill you. That's just your fake memory.
Of course, Fu Hua didn't say that out loud.