I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era-Chapter 67: Frog

The business jet soared from Shenzhou towards the Mu Continent. Ryan looked up from a thick stack of research papers, gazing at the boundless clouds and sea below, yawning.

Too bad; the fun ended before it even began.

He'd finished the paperwork late last night; Mobius had dragged him to the airport without a word, not wasting a second, as if she were forcibly taking him away.

She hadn't explained, simply fastening his seatbelt and placing the thick research papers in his lap before settling down beside him to sleep.

This exploitative intensity is a waste of capitalist talent; she'll run herself ragged soon enough. Ryan bit his lip; even Elysia seemed confused; not only did she not stop it, she waved him goodbye with a smile.

Elysia, what are you thinking? She wouldn't actually be using me to restrain Mobius, would she?

Ryan wasn't stupid; he guessed Elysia's intention and glanced sideways.

The green-haired beauty slept soundly, her head tilted, her chest rising and falling; her long legs were draped over the seat in front. Through the black stockings, he could see her delicate toes.

Looking higher, her short skirt had ridden up slightly due to her sleeping position, vaguely revealing the outline of her panties against her flesh.

Sleeping, she was exceptionally beautiful, exuding a lazy charm.

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Ryan nodded; he didn't need Elysia to tell him; he knew he needed to prevent Mobius from acting recklessly. After the Herrscher of Thunder incident, they were, in a way, friends.

Of course, he couldn't say that; Mobius would take advantage of it and refuse to listen.

"She really is a genius. She's been back on the Mu Continent for only a short time, yet the research progress is remarkable."

Ryan continued scanning the documents, a smile gradually forming on his lips. Mobius had successfully extracted and modified the genes from the successful test subject to produce a more stable and controllable mutation, conducting over 100 animal tests.

"64% mortality rate, 30% interference rate, 2% null effect. The successful rate is less than 3%?"

This was like a brutal surgical experiment. Even considering the differences between humans and animals, the success rate was less than 3%, and considering individual variations in Honkai energy adaptation, the maximum would be around 5%.

At this point, Ryan paused, realizing he'd been tricked.

The most difficult step in the warrior fusion project was finding a stable Primarch, then replicating and modifying it. In other words, Ryan had already completed the most challenging part; the rest was genetic engineering.

I'm not as skilled in genetic engineering as Klein. Why did she rush me so forcefully?

As he was pondering, a weight settled on his shoulder. Ryan turned to see Mobius leaning on him, her lips slightly parted, her warm breath brushing against his face, causing a slight tickle.

Her lips were an inch from his; he could touch them with a slight movement. He slowly raised his hand, his fingertips caressing her soft hair, then whispered in her ear:

"Mobius, your fake-sleeping skills need improvement."

As soon as he spoke, those jade-green eyes snapped open. A flicker of annoyance, then a return to laziness.

"Don't be absurd. I was merely monitoring your engagement with the materials."

"And then?"

"Ha ha, you're quite crafty. But you could be bolder."

Neither changed their positions; they remained inches apart. Ryan slowly smirked. "Honestly, your Elysia impression is unconvincing."

"Don't mention that woman in my presence." Mobius's gaze turned cold, confusing Ryan.

"Hey, you don't really think Elysia and I have something going on, do you?"

"I can't see through her, but I know what you're thinking."

"Tell me."

Mobius resumed her smile, speaking slowly. "I see a frog trying to eat a swan."

Ryan gritted his teeth. Typical Mobius, her sarcasm was impeccable. He admitted Elysia was graceful as a swan, but he wasn't some lowly frog.

He'd been about to explain, but now, let her think what she wants; she wouldn't get her way, making it all the more amusing.

Ryan wasn't one to endure insults; he turned away, tapping the documents on his lap.

"I've reviewed your research. At the current pace, you'll have a mature product within two years. Why do you need my help?"

Because I want to tie you up and devour you completely.

Mobius dismissed that thought, rationality replacing the inexplicable impulse. She sat up straighter, her index finger twirling a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You're overthinking. Achieving human testing within two years is quite good. Look closely at those 3% successful subjects; they're modifications of Low-Rank Honkai Beast Primarchs. They can make humans stronger, but they're far from perfect. If we use High-Rank Honkai Beasts, the success rate drops to 0.0001%."

Ryan quickly flipped through several pages, finding that the successful subjects mostly used Knight-Class Honkai Beast genes. Regardless of the Primarch type, the resulting warriors, even with enhanced human intelligence and learning capacity, were insignificant against Herrschers.

"So, you want High-Rank Honkai Beast-modified warriors."

"When Mobius acts, it must be a masterpiece; creating a bunch of mediocre soldiers is pointless." Mobius proudly raised her chin, then continued. "Besides, you're free; contributing to human evolution is only natural."

Free? Yes, I am free these days.

Ryan choked, unable to respond. Hua was undergoing basic training; he didn't need to coddle her. East Asia had entered the sweep phase; he wasn't interested in hunting random soldiers and beasts.

It was time for some research and self-cultivation, and to discreetly explore the Herrscher of Thunder's Authority.

Thinking this, he surreptitiously glanced at Mobius. He'd secretly admired her for a long time, and her Research Institute wasn't secret, making her the only person who'd "guessed" his secret.

"Ahem, I'm very busy, but I can help you, until the paperwork is done."

"Ha ha ha, you're acting like a tsundere; it's nauseating. And you have the nerve to call me out."

"Who's acting like a tsundere? And where did you learn that word?"

"Do you really think I'm some underground science freak? Ugh, no, I feel nauseous. Klein, get me some anti-nausea medication."

Klein, in the back, watched the sarcastic doctor and the furious Ryan, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter.

For some reason, she felt the doctor had become unusual; she'd been researching and studying life.

The plane began its descent; the city lights twinkled below, seeming worlds away from Shanghai.

Mobius stopped her sarcastic remarks, returning to her usual rationality and coldness.

"By the way, why have you rarely visited the Mu Continent?"

It was Earth's most prosperous continent; its population, while not the largest, boasted the most advanced science and technology. Fire Moth headquarters, and its first to fifth Research Institutes, were located here, attracting humanity's elite.

"Because it's the center of the vortex; many things are troublesome." Ryan looked out the window, noticing a line of black luxury cars parked near the runway; large, muscular men in suits and sunglasses guarded the area.

"Don't you have someone behind? One of the forty-six. They really gave me a hard time."

Ryan tilted his head, his tone cold. "Those are the forty-six members of the Fire Moth Council. They targeted you because my value outweighs yours; don't be naive enough to think there's any loyalty there."

Mobius was stunned; she wasn't adept at social interactions; she avoided meetings and hadn't realized this. After a moment, she smiled.

"Ha ha, I've got your trump card; aren't you worried I'll see through you?"

"Do you know why I told you?" Ryan extended two fingers, mimicking Mobius's tone. "First, we're cooperating, and you've passed my test; second, I no longer need their protection in exchange for favors."

Leaving those words behind, Ryan departed. Mobius watched his back, softly humming.

So arrogant, but that first half was quite pleasant.

The gangway extended, the cabin door opened, and the cool night air of the Mu Continent rushed in. Ryan saw a man in a black suit standing at the entrance; his muscular physique straining against the tailored garment; a Fire Moth insignia adorned his chest.

"He's here?"

"Mr. Ryan, please follow me." The man gestured.

Ryan said nothing, following him down the gangway towards a line of vehicles. In the airport lights, he saw a middle-aged man standing by a car.

His blond hair was impeccably styled; his gray suit, shirt, and tie were flawlessly pressed. He had handsome features and commanding gray eyes; he carried a cane, exuding an air of authority.

Upon seeing Ryan, he offered a professional, artificial smile. "You're finally back."

"Wien, if you need me, call."

"I find 'older brother' more appropriate. Besides, you haven't been back to the Nordic family home in a long time." The man continued to smile, seemingly unfazed by the sarcasm.

Ryan remained silent. This was one of the forty-six members of the Fire Moth Council, the head of his family, his older brother.

Due to certain events, their relationship wasn't close; in the previous era, he wouldn't have fawned over anyone for personal gain or participated in political maneuvering.

"State your business; I'm short on time."

"Very well. It's two things. You shouldn't have participated in the third Honkai incident in Shanghai, and you shouldn't be so close to Mobius."

Ryan's lips curled into a sneer. These people were so self-righteous, even after witnessing the Herrscher of Thunder; they were still calculating profits. The second half of his sentence sharpened his gaze; a hint of killing intent flickered.

"You ordered Mobius's assassination?!"