I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era-Chapter 93: Meet up

Ryan found that the more secrets he revealed, the more erratic Mobius became, like a python, tightening its coils around him.

She seemed to have changed tactics, employing softness when force failed, adapting seamlessly.

No wonder she could mimic Elysia's mannerisms so convincingly in the Elysian Realm.

Mobius was adept at gauging people's tastes. Having sensed his interest in pantyhose, she immediately began showcasing her expertise.

Black, purple, white, garter belts, even shorts, over-the-knee, cotton, sheer, Mary Janes—a rotating display, vastly expanding Ryan's knowledge of human textile technology.

Fortunately, Ryan was wary and didn't fall for such tactics. The moment he showed interest, her eyes would reveal a teasing, mocking glint.

As if saying: Tough talk, but your body tells the truth. How cute.

'No one can control me; I won't be humiliated in front of you.'

Ryan softly hummed, gazing out the window at a government aircraft steadily flying through the clouds. The day after their return to the Research Institute, he and Mobius were to attend a Fire Moth headquarters meeting in New York.

The main topic was the consolidation of the five Research Institutes and the prioritization of key projects.

This was inevitable. The Herrscher of Thunder not only sounded the war horn but also stated a brutal truth:

With increasing Herrscher strength, the situation had surpassed the limits of human science and technology. Unless extraterrestrial technology was acquired, the speed of scientific advancement would never match the Herrscher's growth rate.

One mistake could mean the loss of a city, a continent, or even all of human civilization. After acquiring vast power, this was Fire Moth's unavoidable burden.

Of course, that didn't mean science and technology were useless, but research and development couldn't outrun Honkai energy. They needed to use this Imaginary energy as the core and plan a comprehensive strategy.

Resources were crucial; time, even more so.

'Finally on the right track. My contribution is significant; I've saved years of time, at least.'

Ryan tapped his fingers on the armrest. He knew this plan's success wasn't about killing numbers but about following the current, aligning with the interests of the majority.

Those geniuses at the top enjoyed power struggles, but none were fools; even the Pureblood faction wanted to defeat Honkai.

There was no good or evil, only a convergence of goals.

"But they're still arrogant, underestimating Honkai. If they don't fully commit, they'll regret it later. Hey, can you please be quiet?"

Ryan glanced aside at Mobius, who was lounging beside him, stretching and relaxing her incredibly elastic pantyhose, tapping them against her pale legs with a rhythmic thwack thwack.

"You can tap your fingers, and I can't play with my stockings?"

"I'm thinking."

"I'm thinking too. Can't I have a little movement?"

Ryan was speechless; Mobius was too sharp-tongued. As a reasonable person, he couldn't argue with her.

"Don't you want more funding? Let me give you a heads-up. Mei will manage that from now on. Make sure you have a good relationship with her."

"Hmph, that little girl is getting above herself. Fine, I admit she's somewhat capable." Mobius wasn't jealous; she'd seen the internal reports and knew the First Research Institute had made breakthroughs under Mei's leadership. She wouldn't underestimate her.

"Why should I bother cultivating a relationship with her? I have you."

So, you want to exploit me, too.

Ryan increasingly felt Mobius should be hung from a lamppost; she was trying to use him to build relationships.

"You haven't explained what happened before; why should I help?"

"About that..." Mobius stroked her hair, a strange smile on her face. "I'm not lying. Why explain? My body now contains your genes. From a genetic perspective, we're practically father and daughter."

That sounded even weirder, yet somehow made sense.

Ryan knew the special factor was derived from his blood, fused with Honkai Beast genes, and injected into Mobius, altering her cells and genes.

From a genetic standpoint, Mobius did possess a fragment of his genes.

Wait, this is getting bizarre. Is this some kind of bloodline call?

"You're shameless. I'm still single; don't talk nonsense."

"Nonsense? This is pure biology; you're just thinking too crudely. I've been pondering a subject: if we were to have a child, could we refine the existing gene fragments?"

Ryan's eyes twitched. He whispered, "Are you serious?"

"Serious! I have the test tubes ready." Mobius rubbed her hands together eagerly. "It depends on whether you'll contribute to science."

Ryan took a deep breath, staring at Mobius's pale face and swaying golden earrings, and firmly raised his middle finger.

...

The plane landed at the New York Air Force Base; a fleet of black luxury cars waited on the tarmac. A young woman with long, ash-grey hair stood beside a vehicle, poised and upright.

Hua stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her fingertips trembling nervously. She barely acknowledged the elegant man trying to engage her in conversation, merely murmuring a brief response, even to her senior brother.

"They've arrived." Wien adjusted his fedora, a smile playing on his lips. "Hua, you're lucky. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gotten into the Fifth Research Institute."

"Yes, thank you." The girl remained sullen, her jade-green eyes following the plane's movements, even though she knew the man beside her was someone important.

Her gaze was peculiar—weariness and pain on the surface, yet hope burned deep within her eyes, like a flickering torch, captivating the observer.

The silver plane finally stopped; the cabin door opened. Hua rushed to greet them, then paused after a few steps.

Ryan emerged first, looking impatient, with a long-haired green-haired woman draped over him. Hua recognized her.

Dr. Mobius, director of the Fifth Research Institute, and supposedly her senior brother's girlfriend.

Hua had always scoffed at those rumors, knowing Ryan was brilliant but dedicated to saving the world; he wouldn't have time for a girlfriend. But seeing this, her pupils constricted, her brain momentarily overloaded.

"Hurry up. I don't want to be mocked by Fire Moth." Ryan unceremoniously shoved Mobius off him; she'd been clinging to him, wanting to sacrifice him for science.

What nonsense? You haven't even sacrificed yourself, yet you expect me to? Wait, why should I be your test subject?

Ryan would naturally refuse. He was the one to use others as test subjects; he wouldn't be one. He silently decided Mobius had gone too far and needed to be corrected.

Just as he'd mentally dealt with the snake, he felt a familiar gaze and involuntarily glanced back, twitching at the corner of his mouth.

Hua? Why was she in New York?

Several thoughts flashed through his mind; seeing Wien in the distance, he frowned and quickly descended the boarding ramp.

"Why are you here?"

"As a representative of the new recruits, I'm attending the commendation ceremony and happened to be at the airport to greet you." Hua stood ramrod straight, her expression serious without any effort.

Representative?

Ryan stared, not a fool. He heard the suppressed anger in Hua's voice; this was her usual angry demeanor, something he was used to.

His brilliant mind raced again, turning to look behind him.

Of course, it's you, Mobius.

Ryan's face darkened; this woman had it out for him, deliberately causing trouble.

But he didn't explain; this wasn't the right time with so many people present. Second, he knew Hua well; she was strong-willed and couldn't be easily deceived.

"We'll talk later." Ryan gently patted Hua's shoulder, removing a leaf from her hair, and started walking towards the car.

The girl's expression instantly softened; she unconsciously glanced towards Mobius on the ramp.

They had briefly met when Ryan was unconscious and badly injured, but their gazes now held a different quality.

Mobius narrowed her eyes, smiling subtly, her gaze assessing, replaying Ryan's earlier actions.

Gentle and natural.

She wasn't jealous, just instinctively uneasy.

Hua remained impassive, her eyes resolute, equally scrutinizing the other woman.

Silence hung heavy in the air, chilling the atmosphere, causing Klein to retreat with his luggage.

Hmph.

After an indeterminate time, both women turned away.

Ryan had sensed the tension behind him but didn't turn. He walked to the front of the vehicle line, looking at Wien's ambiguous smile.

"What are you smiling at?"

"Nothing. I just find you've changed over the years. Your former coldness would have avoided such entanglements." The elegant man removed his fedora, hiding the surprise and delight in his eyes.

This delight wasn't romantic; cold, emotionless individuals are the hardest to control. The family had worried about him for years.

From gentle ladies to wealthy heiresses, if Ryan was so inclined, he could have a different woman every day, without repeating.

Ryan understood this; it was like the superheroes in those movies—if you can't control them, control those around them. Human emotions were the greatest weakness.

But he didn't regret it. Ryan wanted to be human, not an emotionless ghost.

"So you specifically brought Hua here?"

"That's not my doing. The commendation ceremony is a Combat Department initiative. Your junior sister showed exceptional performance these past two months; she and Kevin are the representatives. You know, propaganda is crucial."

Knowing it wasn't that simple, he still couldn't find fault. Councilors weren't stupid.

Ryan gestured for the bodyguards to withdraw, opening the car door himself and sitting in the back, looking up at his elder brother.

"Then let's get to work and settle accounts."