"How did you sleep last night, little lab rat?"
After finishing breakfast in the Serenitea Pot, Gray Serpent escorted Liu Bai straight to Möbius.
She greeted him with the same warm, smiling demeanor as yesterday—gentle, almost indulgent.
"Not great," Liu Bai answered honestly.
"Understandable. New environment, unfamiliar faces… it takes time to adjust."
Möbius offered a few comforting words, then produced a bank card from her coat.
"Yesterday's payment—plus identity documents for you and your companion in World Metropolis. As long as you avoid Schicksal and Anti-Entropy territories, you won't be exposed."
"Thank you."
Liu Bai accepted the card. Thin as it was, it carried the reassuring weight of real money.
"Don't thank me yet."
Möbius drew a vial from her pocket, fixing him with a dangerously playful smile.
"Here—drink this."
[Unappraised Potion (Medicine)]
…I'm a valuable lab rat. I'm a valuable lab rat. I'm a valuable lab rat…
Liu Bai knew refusal wasn't an option. He repeated the mantra silently and swallowed.
Cool, slightly viscous, tasteless.
[Honkai Energy Resistance +1% (Duration: 10 minutes)]
[Potion successfully appraised: Honkai Allergy Test Agent]
[Appraisal experience increased.]
"Hm… extraterrestrials have some resistance to Honkai after all."
Möbius nodded at his unchanged expression, then reached out and patted his head.
"Good boy, good boy~ I'm liking you more and more, little lab rat."
[Möbius Favor: 15]
[World Serpent Favor: 15]
Being head-patted by an elegant big-sister type… actually felt kind of nice?
But starting trial drugs on day two of lab-rat life was a lot less nice…
"Here's a reward for my obedient little lab rat~"
Möbius handed him a USB drive.
"This is…?"
"A simulation combat room access key," Gray Serpent explained on her behalf. "Mr. Liu Bai, whenever you have time, you may enter for combat training. Given your recent exposure to this world's dangers, it would be prudent."
Möbius had already lost interest and was walking toward the back chambers.
Liu Bai didn't need to be told twice he bolted.
Having an attractive big-sister figure around was great… until she started using you as a test subject.
"Oh! Boss, you're back!"
Guinaifen, waiting outside, looked thoroughly bored.
"So? Did the doctor give you a hard time?"
…Wait a second.
She's also a "lab rat," isn't she?
Why was it just me who went in?!
Liu Bai suddenly felt that being too handsome might actually be a curse.
"Uh… boss, why do you suddenly look so smug?"
"Just… having some complicated feelings about it."
"…Now I'm really curious what those feelings are."
Guinaifen couldn't help but tease.
"So what's the plan today?"
"Big shopping spree."
Liu Bai headed straight out. Guinaifen fell into step behind him without hesitation.
"With money now, first priority is improving living conditions. And Firefly still has health issues."
"Ah… Firefly-jiejie does look pretty delicate."
Guinaifen nodded knowingly.
Delicate…?
Liu Bai's expression turned slightly strange.
"Yeah… so we need to take good care of her."
If the pre-transmigration leaks were true, Firefly could probably mince a hundred Guinaifens into sauce without breaking a sweat…
Of course truth or rumor, Firefly wasn't volunteering the information, and Liu Bai wasn't about to pry. No need to expose her yet.
Speaking of which—the simplest way to counter the coming Stellaron and its legions was to pull more allies.
More combat-capable Star Rail characters.
They were all from the same integration pack mods who was nobler than who?
If the plot could reach this point, it meant there had to be a way to break through.
And if things went late-game… who knew whose stats would end up padded more?
Just let me find one of my mods with brain-dead zero-cost scaling—I dare you!
Liu Bai and Guinaifen left Kamijou Pharmaceuticals and boarded a bus. With proper IDs, there was no need to hide.
"Our destination…?" Guinaifen peered curiously out the windows. Public transport like this was already rare on the Xianzhou Luofu—let alone riding it herself.
"Liyue Chamber of Commerce – Sky City Branch."
Liu Bai checked the route sign.
"Not far. Three stops."
To him, this world basically split into two camps: the mainline Honkai Impact 3rd factions, and the side-story Genshin Impact ones.
Star Rail elements were pretty much player-exclusive.
"Interastral Peace Corporation?" Guinaifen tilted her head, trying to match it to something familiar.
"Completely different."
"Close enough~" She watched the passing scenery. "Some of these buildings look kinda like the Luofu, though."
"Yeah. What a coincidence."
"Hey! That deadpan delivery—why?!"
"W-Welcome to Liyue Ch—Chamber—"
"Welcome to Liyue Chamber of Commerce those five words aren't that hard, are they, my dear Miss Kiana?"
When Liu Bai arrived, a blue-haired woman in a draped coat was patiently (but exasperatedly) coaching the receptionist at the door.
"Hey—see that handsome guy over there? Come on, say it properly this time."
The blue-haired woman obviously Yelan noticed Liu Bai at the same moment.
"…"
Liu Bai felt oddly singled out.
Yelan made sense—she was a Liyue character.
But the girl at the door…
Red qipao, twin buns, white hair…
That was unmistakably Kiana.
And what was with this outfit?
Chinese New Year cosplay?
"But his eyes are super pervy!"
"Hm?" Yelan glanced at Liu Bai.
Liu Bai awkwardly raised a hand in greeting.
Pervy eyes? That accusation was way out of line.
"No badmouthing customers or I'll dock your pay. If you can't pay off your debt, your entire Far East Branch will have to come work here with you."
Yelan rapped Kiana lightly on the head, then turned to Liu Bai with flawless professional charm.
"Welcome to Liyue Chamber of Commerce~ Handsome, here to buy a gift for your girlfriend? We just got a new batch of lapis lazuli jewelry—ninety percent off for a limited time~"
"Uh… actually, I'm the bodyguard."
Guinaifen took a half-step back in embarrassment.
"Oh my~ Appearances really can deceive." Yelan smoothly recovered without missing a beat. "My apologies for the misunderstanding, esteemed guest. How may we serve you today?"