In Arknights, besides Surtr, the only True God hanging high on the ceiling above the tier list, there are also the legendary Three Phantom Gods.
They are—Saria's first skill, Saria's second skill, and Saria's third skill.
That's right, Ms. Saria, no, Saria... she is just too strong!
To Goki, a former useless Doctor with a smooth brain who relied on copying guides for exploration, Operator Saria is synonymous with reliability.
Her first skill provides high-burst single-target healing, allowing her to take on the role of a Medic Operator, creating a perfect synergy with a certain big cat behind her who thrusts a chainsaw through her legs.
Her second skill heals as many as you want, with massive volume and range, far superior to the fake AoE healers who can only heal three at a time.
Of course, the most important one is the third skill, where enemies are not only slowed but also have their Arts resistance reduced; Arts DPS units come and go, but Saria is eternal, and "Stronghold" is known as the mini-Calciumization!
Whether it's Skill Summary stages full of drones or stages banning deployment, no matter the level, you can't go wrong by deploying her.
In fact, because her Rhine Lab charging suit increases attack and defense over time, this Defender's output is not low, often accidentally killing enemies intended to be stalled... leading to situations where she executes an Imperial Guard-style kill, resulting in a whole group being wiped out instantly.
There's no helping it, she is the Rhine Lab Fist King with four Excellent and one Outstanding stat ratings; isn't it normal for a Vouivre to have high output?
In short, Goki has great respect for this woman who is resolute in character, powerful and tenacious, and extremely principled and responsible.
Of course, respect is respect, but a wife is still a wife, and that point will never change!
"I came to Rhine Lab mainly to explore the applications and configurations of ancient Originium Arts and to recreate lost Originium Arts. My graduation thesis is on this research. Whether it is Sargon or Iberia, these countries that seem backward to ordinary people all hold secrets worth exploring—"
Goki said with a polite smile, answering the question, "What research do you hope to conduct at Rhine Lab?"
Of course, as an Old Hunter who was forced into hunting like a duck onto a perch, he certainly wouldn't say such flowery words on his own.
From the resume to the interview answers, everything was written with Kal'tsit's help.
As a thousand-year-old Old Lynx, she has traveled across the continent, changing her identity and job countless times—she has been a security consultant, a nursing home maid, and even posed as a Laterano Cultivator to flirt with lovesick girls in Victoria.
Interviewing for jobs is as simple as drinking soup for Kal'tsit.
"...The excavation of ancient Originium Arts is not a simple matter, Mr. Goki. Rhine Lab has already paid with the life of an excellent researcher for this. Your ambition is respectable, but during the research process, you must be sure to protect your own safety."
At the desk, Saria nodded seriously and recorded Goki's answer truthfully.
During this time, she strictly followed Rhine Lab's interview process, using the questions she had prepared to interview this job seeker named Goki.
There were no issues; he was an ambitious and knowledgeable fresh graduate—everyone who can come to Rhine Lab is a Genius.
Goki even talked to her about his research in Iberia, describing the sea that Saria had never seen, filling the face of Little Fire Dragon, who was sitting beside Saria, with curiosity.
His resume was very clear, his credit records had no issues, and Saria had also looked through his thesis. It indeed contained unique and seasoned insights, not like a novice fresh out of school, but rather like an experienced researcher.
However, considering that there are quite a few Geniuses around her, Saria did not feel suspicious.
In fact, if it weren't for her overly rigorous personality, she would have hired the only employee who applied for the Defense Department immediately, just as anyone else would have.
"Isn't this great, Saria? Don't be so troublesome. Goki is different from those people in white coats—I can tell, just like you and Silence, he can even use fire!"
Beside them, Little Fire Dragon, who was acting like an ordinary child, was constantly shaking Saria's arm. Ever since she first met Goki, she had turned into a little girl siding with an outsider, clamoring for Saria to pass his interview.
Saria could only reveal a faint smile, somewhat awkwardly trying to soothe Little Fire Dragon.
"Ifrit, be quiet, I am working..."
This awkward appearance looked exactly like someone whose partner was away on business, the grandparents weren't available, and they had to bring their child into the workplace.
"Nona Ifrit, you must have confidence in me. I believe Director Saria is already prepared to hire me—"
Facing this "father-daughter" duo who often teamed up to evaporate bosses, Goki wasn't that nervous and calmly cracked a joke.
"You trust people you just met so easily; if you go outside, you could easily be snatched by bad guys. There are quite a lot of people in Columbia who trick children."
"I won't! I'm not an idiot. I can spot bad guys at a glance, even if they smile brightly, it doesn't work. Those people in white coats are all scared of me and hate me, but you, Goki, are different!"
Hearing Goki's words, Little Fire Dragon immediately puffed out her chest and retorted angrily.
"You, how should I put it, it's all showing in your eyes—you like me."
"Ahem—don't say things like that, Ifrit. That's the kind of talk that could get me shot."
Hearing Little Fire Dragon's statement, Goki quickly raised his hands to explain.
A minor—even he wouldn't dare call her "wife."
However, in six years, Little Fire Dragon will be an adult, right...
Fortunately, Ifrit didn't understand that at all, and just went on speaking words that made one feel a bit sad.
"If you like me, just say it, no need to hide it. Besides, I've never been outside the building, so how would I know about bad guys outside? Maybe there are fewer white coats like that outside..."
Once Little Fire Dragon said this, Saria's expression immediately dimmed visibly.
Perhaps Ifrit didn't care, but Saria knew that Ifrit had never seen the outside world with her own eyes.
"Alright, Mr. Goki, your resume is excellent. I think you would be welcomed in any department."
Looking at Ifrit's expectant expression, Saria made a decision in her heart and put away Goki's documents and resume.
"Now, we will proceed with the final test."
Standing up and approaching Goki while wearing her charging suit, Saria reached out her hand to him.
"Hold my hand, do your best, and attack me with your Originium Arts. Don't worry about hurting me."
"Hm? Alright, please go easy on me."
Goki was slightly stunned, then nodded.
He was stunned because Saria intended to test his combat ability right there in the office, and with a child present.
But immediately, Goki realized.
His persona was a fresh graduate whose main energy was focused on research, who hadn't had much time to practice his Originium Arts, and who only knew a bit of basic self-defense.
Saria had the confidence to easily subdue Goki, which is why she told him to attack her directly.
And if it were a real fight, Goki felt that he...
Would still be beaten to a pulp by Saria, at most lasting for a short while.
This was a powerhouse with four Excellent and one Outstanding stat ratings, with only mobility being Average. Goki had been hunting for so long, had hunted so many Kin, and had even retrieved part of his own power, yet he had only managed to barely push his Strength stat to the Excellent level.
No matter how much experience he had, if he couldn't win, he couldn't win, unless he used his speed advantage to escape—though, Goki didn't need to fight anyway.
Setting aside the "wife" delusions, Goki had already planned to treat Saria as his future ally.
After all, this woman, as stubborn as a diamond, was, like Goki, a comrade-in-arms who had been screwed over many times by those crazy researchers at Rhine Lab/Byrgenwerth!
Hoo—
Grabbing Saria's somewhat slender, exceptionally smooth, and callus-free hand, Goki instantly activated his "Originium Arts."
Of course, he could suppress his physical attributes as a hunter, trying his best to present himself as an ordinary person more skilled in Originium Arts.
"Whoa, so cool!"
Intense flames rose, deeply etched into Little Fire Dragon's eyes—at this point, she couldn't hit six tiles at once yet.
Goki's Originium Arts, which were actually quite ordinary in power, looked super strong to Ifrit.
But the next second, a stream of silver-white energy instantly rose from all directions, gathering toward Goki like a thick fog.
"Fire-type Originium Arts may look similar, but the principles are actually different. Clearly, your Originium Arts are not directly converting Originium energy into high heat—"
Facing the blazing flames, Saria's expression remained calm, and a layer of metallic plating instantly appeared on her slender arm, insulating the high heat.
"Clearly, just like in your resume, you lack understanding of your own Originium Arts. The function of Originium Arts is not just simple attacks—the power of Originium Arts does not lie in how it operates, but in the purpose it can achieve."
Easily controlling the silver-white energy flow, Saria gripped Goki's hand and squeezed hard; the mist instantly condensed into a solid, covering Goki's burning arm.
Ssss—
Accompanied by the sound of the flames being extinguished, a layer of soft plating completely covered Goki's arm, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't ignite flames on his arm anymore.
As expected, Saria lived up to her "Outstanding" Originium Arts adaptability.
"I knew it, Saria is stronger—but fire-type Originium Arts like mine and Goki's are the coolest!"
Seeing Goki lose in the "magical duel" against Saria, Little Fire Dragon clapped excitedly.
"I'm impressed, Director Saria. When you have free time, perhaps I could ask you for advice on methods of using Originium Arts?"
Goki looked at this Vouivre who had mastered the use of Originium Arts to perfection and requested sincerely.
This was also another reason he applied to Rhine Lab.
To learn Originium Arts, there is no better teacher than an "Outstanding" Originium Arts Great Master.
"If you have any questions, you can ask me at any time—welcome to the Defense Department, Goki."
Releasing Goki's hand, Saria shook her own hand with some confusion; it seemed for a moment, she had felt a huge force, one even approaching her own.
It was probably just an illusion.
However, regardless, Saria had approved of this new employee.
Although she didn't know why Ifrit liked this man, Saria felt that this should be a good thing.
"Then, here's to a pleasant cooperation in the future, Director Saria—hm? It seems we have another guest."
The expected success didn't make Goki very excited; this was just the beginning of a long-term mission.
However, he soon noticed another gaze from the door.
A gaze full of anxiety and panic, which finally relaxed after seeing Ifrit.
"Great, Goki, then we can play together often in the future—mm."
Ifrit was just about to rush over to give Goki and Saria a hug, but soon, she saw a pair of golden eyes at the door that terrified her.
"Eh... Silence?"
"Ifrit—you're running around again!"
Soon, the door to Saria's office was pushed open violently, and a Liberi woman with brown hair and golden eyes, wearing a Rhine Lab uniform, walked in quickly.
Seeing this woman wearing glasses, both Saria and Ifrit subconsciously took a step back.
Even a woman as firm as a rock felt a bit afraid after sensing the terrifying aura radiating from her.
"Ifrit, it's time to go back. The inhibitor's effectiveness is wearing off, and you need to go back and take your medicine immediately."
Like the calm before a storm, Silence came to Ifrit's side and gently took her hand. The Little Fire Dragon, who had been full of energy just a moment ago, immediately wilted, honestly following behind her, and waved to Goki and Saria.
"It's nothing... then I'm leaving."
"Wait, Silence, Olivia—stay safe."
Saria reached out her hand, wanting to say something more, but Silence just nodded at Goki and Saria.
"I know, thank you for your concern. My experiment is still ongoing, Director Saria; you can come over to take a look anytime."
Subsequently, Silence pulled the dejected Little Fire Dragon and walked out of the office without looking back.
And Saria sighed lightly, her expression carrying a hint of worry.
Seeing the rich micro-expressions of the three, Goki instantly imagined a multi-million-word drama in his head.
Silence and Saria, these two close colleagues, seemed to have a somewhat strained relationship now.
But it wasn't to the point of being completely estranged like six years later at Rhodes Island.
The two of them now seemed to have just had an argument—what exactly had happened between them?
"I've made you laugh, Goki. I'll take you to get familiar with the workplace now and pick up a few sets of uniforms on the way—"
Saria quickly regained her spirit. Although there was still some worry in her brows, she waved to Goki and prepared to continue working.
However, she suddenly noticed a flicker of curiosity in Goki's eyes.
No, it was gossip.
"Director Saria... is this a case of the two guardians of the child having an argument?"
Looking at Silence and Saria, whose relationship was a bit stiff, Goki felt that if there was a chance, he wouldn't mind investigating what had ultimately caused the two to break up.
"...That is not it! Mr. Goki—it seems you didn't write everything in your resume either."
Looking at Goki's expression full of curiosity, Saria knew that she might have hired quite an extraordinary employee.
One can only hope... he will work seriously.
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