"So, sir, what exactly do you want with me?"
Miss Mei, her hand aching from being squeezed, looked at the man—or perhaps ghost—who had inexplicably appeared before her, and forced a smile as she spoke.
She had a feeling he wasn't after ransom money.
The Raiden family possessed considerable wealth, but it was all frozen. Until her father, Raiden Ryoma, was released from prison, it was almost impossible for those assets to be unfrozen.
If he was after money, he should be targeting other young ladies.
Besides... judging by the abilities this fellow had displayed, earning some illicit cash would probably be as easy for him as drinking water or eating a meal. He wouldn't be the type to be short on money.
Many capitalists wouldn't mind spending money to ensure their competitors met a "reasonable" and sudden demise.
"Someone paid me a hefty sum to eliminate a latent crisis lurking in this city and safeguard the peace of Nagazora City."
The young man, feeling that after obtaining Honkai energy resistance, he could finally stretch his limbs a bit in the Honkai world, smiled and spoke nonchalantly.
Li Zihan was someone who never set overly long-term goals for himself.
Overly ambitious goals would only wear down one's fighting spirit. In comparison, setting multiple small, achievable goals through effort was far more meaningful.
Since he had already arrived in this world called Honkai, he might as well set a few small goals.
For example, acquiring some Divine Keys, trying his luck in the Sea of Quanta, finding the strongest warrior Kevin, and getting acquainted with him, or something along those lines.
Honestly, getting stronger in the Honkai world was much simpler than in the Moon World.
If he properly utilized the advantage brought by the information gap to strengthen himself, perhaps he could really pin the Jewel Old Man to the ground and beat him up, or toss him into another world to experience "The Jewel Old Man's Fantasy Adventure."
Just thinking about such things was enough to make one's blood boil.
However, those weren't things to be dwelling on right now.
All the aforementioned small goals could only be attempted after acquiring Honkai energy resistance.
Li Zihan thought, looking at the system's mission panel.
Task: Save Nagazora City
Task Requirement: Disrupt the Third Honkai Eruption
Reward: Stigmata: Dracula
Completion Status: Not Yet Completed
Raiden Mei had already been taken out of Nagazora City. Theoretically, as long as she didn't return, she wouldn't cause the Great Honkai Eruption in Nagazora City.
The mission could be considered accomplished in an unconventional way.
However, the system didn't seem to intend to let him exploit loopholes.
So, do I have to do the work honestly now?
Li Zihan thought idly, looking at the girl before him who would be useful in the upcoming events.
"Are you someone like Kiana?"
Raiden Mei, who had previously heard from Kiana that the frequency of Dead One appearances in Nagazora City had suddenly increased and that there might be a small Honkai Source within the city, thought for a moment and asked.
She had no idea how rich the inner world of the person before her was.
"Although we do somewhat similar work, I'm not the same type of person as that K423, that hot-blooded yuri idiot."
The young man, who had once served as a Captain and was now meeting a Valkyrie in a peculiar way, said.
"I'm a hero who gets paid for his services; she's an idiot fighting for the honor of the Kaslana family."
Someone who gets paid for his services... that's a mercenary, isn't it?
Raiden Mei's expression was somewhat nuanced. She could now be certain that the fellow before her wasn't some supernatural ghost from a strange tale.
After all, ghosts and such probably didn't have much need for worldly currency.
However, "hot-blooded yuri idiot"... that description was quite apt.
Kiana really does seem like a hot-blooded yuri idiot, Raiden Mei thought.
But then again, what was K423? Was it a designation within some mysterious organization that dealt with Dead Ones?
Raiden Mei, who had never heard Kiana mention any of this, frowned slightly. Her intuition told her it was best not to delve too deeply into this designation, or it might lead to unforeseen consequences.
However, since this guy who captured her knew Kiana, and even knew a designation like K423 that Kiana herself hadn't mentioned, then, if she explained things properly, he would probably let her go, right?
Raiden Mei, completely unaware that she was the test subject of a certain madwoman, felt her expression soften somewhat.
Since he was acquainted with Kiana, then the fellow before her probably wasn't an evil-chaotic or neutral-chaotic individual.
"Well then, sir, you who accepted someone's money to come to Nagazora City to deal with the Honkai Source, what do you need from me?"
"For some reasons, I need your help."
The young man, upon whom the hope of completing the mission indeed rested with Raiden Mei, pondered for a moment and said.
"So, I came to invite you for a cup of tea."
Is kidnapping how you ask a girl for help?
Raiden Mei's eyes widened, her crystal-clear purple pupils filled with disbelief.
"Don't you think your attitude when asking someone for a favor is a bit... lacking?"
Miss Mei, who had never encountered such an oddball in her entire life, opened her mouth, and only after a long pause did she manage to say this.
"I did mention earlier that I wanted to discuss a matter concerning many people with you, Miss Mei. You refused, so I had no choice but to resort to some cruder methods."
The young man, who was simply too lazy to waste breath explaining, said with an air of utter innocence.
"You must understand, the matter we are about to discuss could affect the safety of everyone in the city. There wasn't much time for me to explain the reasons."
Raiden Mei, who indeed recalled receiving an invitation from the fellow before her but had mistaken it for an enemy coming to settle scores, felt her expression freeze.
In the sword duel, she encountered the invincible Ashina Style, was then knocked out and tied up, then jolted along for a significant distance, and was scared half to death by a guy whose abilities were like a ghost's...
All sorts of grievances churned in her heart, making Raiden Mei feel an urge to cry.
If she had agreed back then, she probably wouldn't have suffered so much, right?
"I apologize for any offense caused earlier. For now, please, let's try to get along."
The young man, who had left Miss Raiden Mei with numerous traumas, smiled and extended his hand towards her. A faint smile curved his lips, like the March sunshine—comfortable and pleasant.
That expression, in Miss Raiden Mei's eyes, was truly somewhat detestable.
However, she still extended her hand and shook his.
"How do you need me to help you?"
Miss Mei, who had once thought of acting together with Kiana but was rejected, asked the young man who was also dealing with the city's Honkai Source.
"Miss Mei, you just need to accompany me and wait for some people to arrive."
The young man, who hadn't bothered to check if Raiden Mei had any tracking devices on her and had also left many traces at Senba Academy, said in a flat tone.
"Is that all?"
Miss Mei, who had been abducted, was somewhat bewildered.
This guy... he captured me just to have me accompany him while he waits for people?
What kind of move is this?
For a moment, Raiden Mei was lost in confusion.