Above one of the towering spires of Arc City, a high-tech metropolis located in Shenzhou, the night skyline glowed with neon lights and holographic traffic lines cutting through the air between buildings.
Standing at the edge of the tower was Rita Rossweisse.
A translucent digital screen floated before her as she calmly scrolled through its data.
Rita was dressed in a specialized combat battlesuit. The outfit was built upon a white base layer, covered with sleek black mechanical armor plating. Neon green accents glowed faintly along the edges, reinforcing the suit's chemical warfare theme. Beneath the armor, a white dress flowed subtly, layered under the protective plating.
Her long black-and-white sleeves functioned as gauntlets, seamlessly integrated with the suit's systems. Over her black thigh-high stockings hung a translucent, mesh-like skirt layer that moved gently in the wind. On her head rested a specialized black headband with two dark blue-black corner accents.
She wear a mechanical filtration mask — a device meant for environments saturated with toxins or Honkai contamination.
Her black-and-blue combat heels completed the suit's tactical yet elegant design.
As Rita analyzed the information on the holographic display, her calm voice echoed in a quiet monologue.
Rita: "Four months ago, the awakening of the Herrscher of the Void triggered a cataclysmic global Honkai Eruption event. The planet was devastated! Survivors fled to whatever sanctuaries that remained. Arc City, a high-tech metropolis in Shenzhou, is one of these last refuges. Two weeks ago, the Herrscher of the Void was spotted in this city. Both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy are now searching for her."
Standing atop the tower, Rita Rossweisse activated a communication channel through the holographic interface hovering before her.
Her voice remained calm and professional : "Overseer, I've arrived in Arc City. Awaiting further instructions."
After a brief moment, the voice of Otto Apocalypse, the Overseer of Schicksal, answered through the channel.
Otto: "A Honkai Leak was detected in Arc City 2 weeks ago. Analysis of video recordings found traces of the Herrscher of the Void. Your mission is to track her down."
Rita slightly lowered her gaze in thought before responding : "Understood. But...2 weeks passed since the recordings were made. The Herrscher may have already left.Is this intel worth chasing down for?"
Otto answered without hesitation : ""Gray Serpent" uploaded the photos. He's the intel dealer of Arc City.He can monitor network data across the entire city...and mine valuable info that can be sold from it.He deliberately released the photos to tell buyers that he knows where the Herrscher is."
Rita gave a small nod : "Understood. The latest intel also includes witness accounts of Far East Branch traitors in Arc City. Something that can lure Theresa-sama to Arc City at the risk of exposing her tracks...must be valuable data indeed."
Otto's tone remained calm, almost amused :"It won't be easing finding the girl."
Rita answered immediately :"If the traitors have the resources to track down the Herrscher of the Void...it would mean Anti-Entropy is still providing them with support. We should follow them closely to find out more."
Otto gave his final instruction : "Improvise as you see fit. You have been given information necessary to perform your mission.Do whatever is necessary. Secure the intel before Theresa does."
Rita bowed her head slightly : "Understood."
The communication channel closed.
The holographic screen vanished.
Rita stepped closer to the edge of the tower and looked down over the illuminated skyline of Arc City.
Despite the devastation that had spread across the world after the Honkai Eruption, the city below appeared vibrant and peaceful. Neon lights shimmered across towering buildings, and traffic flowed smoothly through elevated highways.
She quietly spoke to herself : "Honkai has ravaged the world, but this city seems prosperous and safe...it feels as though the Eruption never occurred.These people would be astounded to know the cause of the Honkai Eruption walks amongst them.The Far East Branch traitors are here. They're hiding, and they have Anti-Entropy support."
Following the lead she had been given, Rita Rossweisse soon arrived at the location believed to be the hideout of Gray Serpent.
The place was hidden deep within a narrow alleyway of Arc City.
Several men in dark suits stood guard near an unmarked building entrance.
Rita watched them from above for a moment.
Then she stepped forward—
And dropped silently from the rooftop.
The guards immediately noticed her.
One of them slammed a hand onto a communicator : "Intruder detected. Do not let her interfere with the deal."
More men in suits rushed out from inside the building, weapons already drawn.
Rita merely smiled.
With a graceful motion, she summoned her scythe — the terrifying Genome Reaper.
The weapon gleamed under the dim alley lights. Genome Reaper was no ordinary blade. Its system could harvest genetic samples from a target and analyze them instantly, allowing Rita's battlesuit to adjust its tactical parameters. Once the analysis was complete, the weapon could generate a specialized toxin known as Avalanche, engineered specifically for the victim's genetic sequence. The toxin was then delivered through the razor wounds carved by the scythe.
The guards froze for a moment.
Then panic took over.
Gunfire erupted.
Bullets filled the alley.
But Rita moved like a phantom.
With effortless elegance, she deflected the incoming bullets while advancing forward. Her scythe flashed through the air in smooth arcs, slicing through several guards before they could react.
She moved straight through the storm of gunfire.
One by one—
Each guard fell.
The Avalanche toxin spread rapidly through their bodies, dissolving flesh and blood until nothing remained but fading traces.
One surviving guard tried to take advantage of the chaos.
He raised his gun behind her.
Before he could pull the trigger—
A mechanical wolf lunged from the shadows.
The machine clamped its jaws down on the man's arm.
It was HD-603 — Stalker Carbon , a wolf-like combat unit outlined with glowing green energy.
The man screamed as his arm was crushed in the machine's bite.
Rita turned with a gentle smile and delivered the finishing strike.
Silence returned to the alley.
Moments later—
Footsteps echoed from inside the building.
Rita calmly dismissed Stalker Carbon Bite and slipped into the shadows.
The door opened.
A man stepped out.
He wore a long black jacket with a hood and an armored shoulder piece on his right side. His pants matched the tactical design. His face was hidden behind a pale mask marked with two crossed black swords forming an uneven X on the left side. Only one eye was visible — a glowing red reptilian eye on the right.
Despite the clear sky, he carried an umbrella.
His mechanical voice echoed through the alley : "Come out now, girl...."
Rita understood immediately that she had already been discovered.
She stepped out from hiding and gave a polite bow.
Rita: "Greetings, Mr. Gray Serpent. Expecting someone?"
The man known as Gray Serpent slowly scanned the empty alley.
Gray Serpent: "Where are my bodyguards? You killed them all?"
Rita smiled pleasantly.
Rita: "Just a pet peeve of mine. I believe a nice and tidy environment makes for better negotiations. "
Her expression slowly shifted into a slight frown.
Rita: "But it seems that you don't like it too much. I have a generous offer that will more than compensate your losses."
Gray Serpent tilted his head slightly.
Gray Serpent: "I guess I have no choice but to accept."
Rita moved straight to the point.
Rita: "You uploaded a surveillance photo of a girl 2 weeks ago.You know who she is and her value. You wouldn't have uploaded it otherwise.Now tell me where she is."
Gray Serpent responded calmly: "And what would I get out of that?"
Rita's smile returned.
Rita: "Lasting gratitude and friendship with a great power... and you get to keep your life."
Gray Serpent gave a small chuckle.
Gray Serpent: "Friendship? I already have a very powerful friend, but I guess I can use another.However, friendships backed up by threats seem rather odd to me.I doubt if Schicksal has any true friends of equal standing."
Rita answered smoothly.
Rita: "You know who I am. I don't think you have any reason to refuse."
Gray Serpent shook his head.
Gray Serpent: "Of course I do, and I do have reasons to refuse you.I do not trade intel for my life. It's not... professional."
Rita's eyes narrowed slightly.
Rita: "I don't think you really appreciate the value of life."
Gray Serpent's mechanical voice remained steady.
Gray Serpent: "Do not insult my intelligence. Intel for life? Pfft. This is not my first deal.Life itself is a trade. For merchants like me...death is but the beginning of the next deal.The serpent does not bow before death."
Rita frowned.
Rita: "...you sound more like an orator than an intel dealer. I wished I didn't have to do this.But sorry, I've got orders."
In a single swift motion—
She drove her scythe straight through his chest.
Blood flowed from the wound.
Yet Gray Serpent showed no sign of pain.
Instead, he spoke quietly.
Gray Serpent: "You've made a mistake...The serpent... has you within its sight...."
Rita frowned in confusion.
Rita: "Serpent?"
She pulled the scythe free.
Gray Serpent collapsed onto the ground.
Rita calmly removed a silk handkerchief and wiped the blood from the blade of Genome Reaper. Then she turned to inspect the man lying motionless in the growing pool of blood.
She looked down at him for a moment.
Then slowly lifted her gaze toward a surveillance camera mounted on the nearby wall.
Her voice was calm.
Rita: "Death is but the beginning of the next deal?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Rita: "Well said, Mr. Gray Serpent.That was an offer you should have accepted."