In the Defense Department training room, two figures were mopping the floor.
Muelsyse / Muir Sais had left, but this little bird, so full of water, had left behind a glistening puddle.
Even with advanced technology, mops still existed in this world—such was Rhine Lab.
"Muelsyse / Muir Sais, her Originium Arts are refined to this extent… truly terrifying."
Holding a mop and casually wiping away the water stains on the floor, Saria, still in her black form-fitting athletic T-shirt, maintained a serious expression.
Well, Saria's expression had never relaxed.
"Muelsyse / Muir Sais has been at Rhine Lab longer than I have, but aside from her challenging me during every routine inspection, we rarely interact.
I only knew her ability was to manipulate water, but I didn't expect it to be refined to this degree—thinking about it, perhaps every time we met, she was using a Clone to interact with me, even during meetings."
After Goki exposed Muelsyse / Muir Sais's Originium Arts, Saria carefully reviewed every encounter with Muelsyse / Muir Sais, and was surprised to find many subtle inconsistencies.
However, because Muelsyse / Muir Sais's Incarnation behaved so naturally, almost identical to a real person, Saria subconsciously overlooked these inconsistencies.
Human attention is not as powerful as one might imagine.
But perhaps the meaning of disguise lies precisely in this; Saria's failure to notice only showed that she was outmatched and had been tricked by Muelsyse / Muir Sais.
"You are very perceptive, Goki.
I admit, in this regard, I am not as good as you—"
Nodding to Goki, who was diligently mopping across from her, Saria's eyes held a hint of admiration and respect.
Indeed, just as Saria had thought, Goki possessed combat talent that surpassed his physical prowess.
"With such superb tactical acumen, yet a body that isn't particularly strong, who exactly are you?"
If he had trained and strengthened his physique from a young age, perhaps he would now be even stronger than a Vouivre / Wyvern warrior.
However, Saria herself was someone who had given up the identity of a warrior to pursue knowledge, so she naturally approved of Goki's current choice even more.
Individual bravery is limited, but out-of-control science is more terrifying than a natural disaster.
"Ah haha… my resume probably didn't mention it, but I often hunted in my old home in Yan Country, so I'm half a hunter.
My eyesight is just a little better, that's all, Head of the Defense Department Saria.
You could do it too with a little practice…"
Smiling at his direct superior, Goki casually added another detail to his persona.
"I'm still counting on you, Head of the Defense Department Saria, to teach me Originium Arts.
Head of the Defense Department Muelsyse / Muir Sais is indeed very cute, but with such a troublesome superior, I'd rather decline."
Goki shrugged; compared to a satellite Operator who only appeared in the story, Saria, the Rhine Lab's Fist King who had been with him since the game's launch and provided him with a great sense of security, was clearly more reassuring.
I will always be a Saria-only fan!
Goki could accept a succubus-type character like Muelsyse / Muir Sais as a wife, but he absolutely could not accept her as his superior.
As a wife, she would drain him dry, but as a superior, she would absolutely extract every last bit of his remaining value!
"So, Head of the Defense Department Saria, you never have to worry about me changing jobs.
The Defense Department is more suitable for my work."
Facing Goki's declaration of loyalty, Saria still nodded with a serious expression, not finding it strange.
"I have never doubted your excellence and determination, Goki.
You have done very well, and I am also very glad to have recruited you into the Defense Department."
Muelsyse / Muir Sais's passing by was just a small interlude; Saria quickly mopped up the water stains she left behind and returned to the serious matter that had been interrupted.
"Since you have agreed to join the Ifrit Project, I will do my best at the Rhine Lab high-level meeting to prevent other forces from intervening—whether it's the Energy Department or the Ecology Department, their involvement will only complicate the situation further.
We need to simplify the environment as much as possible."
Saria's expression grew serious; since Goki had decided to join the Ifrit Project and supervise the experiment with her, Saria felt it necessary to tell him everything about this confidential experiment without reservation.
"The Ifrit Project is a dangerous experimental plan, originally led by Head of the Department Parvis of the Structure Department.
Before he left for Sargon, he handed over leadership of the experiment to his student, Researcher Silence—you've met her, she's the lady who left with Ifrit."
At this point, Saria sighed.
"But no one expected Parvis to die in Sargon just like that.
Many people began to covet the resources held by the Structure Department.
Parvis was a scumbag who often disregarded scientific and Dao ethics, so his death might be a good thing, but it brought even greater chaos.
It's hard to say whether it's a good thing or a bad thing."
At this point, Goki, the one who had personally killed Parvis, awkwardly turned his head away.
Saria, meanwhile, continued to describe the work Goki was about to face.
"Many of Rhine Lab's researches hover on the edge of forbidden red lines, and the Ifrit Project is no exception—the purpose of this experimental plan is to develop a method to enhance human bodily functions, and even treat oripathy in a special way, which can be used for both medical and military purposes."
Looking at Goki seriously, Saria's tone held a hint of uncertainty.
"So far, the experiment has been proceeding normally, with no transgressions of the bottom line, but I… am still not entirely at ease."
Saria's tone became less businesslike, instead carrying a more ineffable emotion.
"As for me… I've been a bit inconvenient to go over recently.
I hope you can help me take good care of Silence and Ifrit.
I will send you the relevant information.
You will understand the remaining situation once you get there.
Just help me apologize."
Goki raised an eyebrow, resisting the urge to say, "I will raise your wife and daughter, you need not worry," and looked at Saria's waist.
Even in her form-fitting athletic wear, Saria still wore that brown feather pendant at her waist.
"Hmm, it looks like this is also a complex and interesting story… Is that Nona Silence's feather?"
"Uh—"
Immediately covering the ornament at her waist somewhat awkwardly, Saria quickly ran to a nearby clothes rack, took down Goki's and her own uniforms, and handed them to him.
"Anyway, Ifrit really wants to see you, and I will always protect her, ensuring the Ifrit Project doesn't spiral into an uncontrollable abyss… Operator Silence and I have been arguing a lot recently when we meet, but I guarantee that Silence won't target you; she is a kind, upright, and pure person."
Handing Goki a pre-prepared access card for the Ifrit Project experimental area, Saria's expression was exceptionally complex.
"Is that so… I will fulfill my duty."
Taking the access card Saria handed him, Goki nodded confidently.
Goki already had a general idea of the conflicts between the women of Rhine Lab.
Moreover, he also knew that the outcome of the Ifrit Project was a complete failure.
The Little Fire Dragon, currently just an ordinary Infected, would completely lose control in this failed experiment, eventually being subdued by Saria.
This incident was also known as the "Flame Demon Incident."
The ending of the Flame Demon Incident was cruel and real; Ifrit's oripathy would be severely exacerbated, and Saria, realizing that Rhine Lab had completely crossed the ethical red line, directly left the company.
The two friends, who were merely arguing now, would later deepen their misunderstandings to the point of near-estrangement.
Forget about them being close like in fan creations; in the end, it would probably be difficult for them to even say a single word to each other.
But now, things were different.
Goki was here, and this fluttering moth, shaking its wings in the Sargon Rainforest, had indeed stirred up quite a storm in Columbia.
The predetermined course of history had already changed, so Goki didn't mind changing it a bit more.
Aside from his journey of hunting Immortals, he also cared about these roadside sceneries.
After all, he didn't want any good person to get hurt.
The Rhine Lab Paradise Project wasn't just talk!
Moreover, during his time as a worker at Rhine Lab, Goki wasn't just diligently working.
"The area where the Ifrit Project is being conducted is within the Structure Department.
There… are quite a few familiar Qi there."
He looked up, squinting at the Structure Department above him, separated by thick layers of solid Originium rock.
Every moment he spent here, Goki could feel the power belonging to the divine dependents.
And now, he finally had the opportunity to approach this most confidential project of Rhine Lab—with Saria endorsing him.
"Good luck with your work, and also, Goki, thank you for defending me just now."
Seeing Goki about to leave, Saria suddenly remembered that Goki had deliberately called her "cute" to reject Muelsyse / Muir Sais, and she thanked and apologized somewhat shyly.
Vouivre / Wyvern females were completely unrelated to the word "cute"; Saria had heard "brave" and "skilled in combat" as the most common praises since childhood.
Even now, more of her colleagues in Rhine Lab's Defense Department would praise her strength and her well-built physique when they saw Saria.
"For a big, strong Vouivre / Wyvern woman like me, who only excels in combat, to be called cute by you must feel very insincere, right? I apologize."
But suddenly, Goki's voice rose, and he vehemently retorted to Saria.
"No!
Head of the Defense Department Saria, what I said just now wasn't empty words or flattery; you truly are cute!"
Goki could endure anything and didn't mind telling white lies for the sake of disguise, but there was one thing he absolutely could not accept.
That was denying his compliments to the ladies!
Even Kaltsit, if he praised her as beautiful and generous, she would have to graciously accept the compliment!
In fact, Goki didn't call Saria "Head of the Defense Department"—although he had forgotten many times, this time he deliberately didn't call her that!
"Saria, you simply don't understand your own charm.
It's not just that upright and serious attitude, that fair and resolute personality; your figure is also among the best of women!"
"Huh?"
Taking a step forward, Goki stood before the somewhat stunned Saria, lowered his head, and praised her without hesitation!
"Look at that beautiful and somewhat translucent tail, the regular and symmetrical long horns, the smooth, cascading black hair, and those full, firm breasts, that slender and powerful waist, that fair yet resilient skin… Don't be confused, Saria, you truly are cute, you need to have confidence!"
Giving the somewhat dazed Saria a thumbs-up, Goki nodded emphatically, then walked directly out the door.
"Muelsyse / Muir Sais is my type, but Saria, you are too—well, I'm off to see Ifrit, bye-bye!"
According to Goki's understanding of Saria, he probably wouldn't get beaten up.
"Hmm————Eh?"
It took several seconds for Saria to react after Goki had left the training room.
Then, this powerful Vouivre / Wyvern female, with a calm expression, covered her chest with one hand and tugged down her clothes with the other.
The athletic wear, which she had always felt was a bit too tight and had too much fabric, suddenly felt a bit too revealing to Saria now.
"That Goki… ha."
Sighing, Saria looked out the door.
"What kind of person did I… actually recruit back?
I hope he doesn't anger Silence."
Although her words sounded a bit worried, Saria couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth turn upwards.
Having been serious for who-knows-how-many years, she suddenly felt that in front of Goki, she, the Head of the Defense Department, couldn't be serious anymore.
And so, the story of Ifrit finally began.
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