Ryan was heading towards an idealistic path. In the current situation, probability theory no longer seemed very useful. A slight mistake could result in complete failure.
So, let's turn to science. Don't overthink it. Just gamble.
"Hey, Ryan's become a fool too. This is really satisfying," Elysia said, standing outside the laboratory, watching Aponia being wheeled into the operating room. Mobius, wearing a mask, was busy testing cells and adjusting machines.
He had done exactly what he said. After a quick dinner, he started the procedure right away. Aponia's compliance was surprising—she didn't hesitate or refuse; she agreed to go under the knife without a second thought.
"What do you mean I'm a fool? Do you think I'd let Aponia die without confidence?" Ryan replied, clearly dissatisfied, but wondering what Elysia meant by " satisfying."
The success rate of the operation that Mobius was performing was much higher than simply injecting super-mutation factors. Even so, Ryan wasn't entirely at ease and had specifically reminded Mobius to pay attention to the success rate, not just the intensity.
Aponia's abilities weren't inherited from the Honkai beasts. According to Ryan's guess, the commandments and foresight were tied to the Honkai energy.
"But Ryan, you're really popular with girls. Aponia took the risk without hesitation!" Elysia said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"It's a little related. She's not as stubborn as someone who always says whatever comes to mind," Ryan retorted.
"Wow, confessed so soon?" Elysia teased.
"It's got nothing to do with that. I just want something from her," Ryan gritted his teeth, realizing he was getting a bit restless. He quickly changed the subject. "What's the deal with you? Why did you suddenly show up?"
"I missed you, of course, I had to come see you♪"
If anyone else had said that, Ryan wouldn't have believed it, but when it came to Elysia, he believed it without a second thought.
Elysia was a girl who didn't understand social cues, but that was part of her charm. She had a way of turning any rebellious situation into a lively comedy. It was clear that she was capable of doing this, though she wasn't dumb. She smiled and responded, "Are you touched? You can just say thank you~"
"It's not about being touched. The real question is, what do you want to do?" Ryan asked, a bit confused. He hadn't really thought about what he wanted Elysia to do before. Maybe if he asked her, she'd agree to join him and change the world. But even if he brought it up, Ryan realized he didn't have that kind of expectation. So why did he feel happy that she was here?
He couldn't answer. Perhaps it was the sense of recognition that made him happy.
He thought for a long moment before responding, "I hope you do what you want to do."
It felt a little awkward, but the meaning got across. Elysia still looked ahead, a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
"Ryan, you're so gentle, but I haven't figured out what I want to do yet. Do you have any suggestions?"
She didn't know why she came, but she came anyway. From beginning to end, she never asked Ryan what plans he had or what goals he wanted to achieve.
"Maybe I believe in your decision, and I'm sure you'll create a better future."
"Is it that simple?"
"Well, do you think I'm a complicated person?"
"Of course not, you're simpler than ever before."
"Okay, now you're calling me stupid!" Elysia turned her head angrily, but then saw the faint smile on Ryan's face and laughed.
"Me too, Ryan. Just do what you want, and I'll support you. Even if the result is ugly, I can agree to one of your requests~~"
Ryan couldn't help but think, If I fail and become a traitor, will she rebel with me?
It was a scary thought. Elysia really had this kind of determination, but Ryan didn't ask her about it. At least with her intentions, he had fewer worries.
As for the reward, he hadn't thought about it yet.
No one spoke, enjoying the quiet moment.
Ryan tilted his head, admiring the girl's profile. Then, suddenly, his pupils froze slightly. Forgetting all the negative things, he realized that Elysia's ears had changed—pointed, like an elf's. Without thinking, he reached out his hand.
Elysia, who had been focused on the operating room, wondered why Ryan had suddenly gone silent. Before she could react, she felt—
"Ah!!"
Her ear twitched, and a chill ran down her spine. She jumped several meters away, her face flushing red.
Huh? Is the reaction really that big?
Ryan was still in the position of reaching out, looking at the embarrassed and angry girl. At that moment, he couldn't help but reconsider whether Elysia had undergone Project Soldier.
This ear... is real, and her reaction is bigger than Sakura's.
"Well, I was just curious," Ryan said, retracting his right hand and running his fingers through his hair.
"You should let me be mentally prepared for curiosity. This isn't very gentlemanly," Elysia said, shaking her finger at him, her face still red, then she switched to a mischievous look. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Ryan, how come you don't have cute flaws after becoming a fusion warrior? Let me touch them, so I can get my revenge."
Are there flaws that react violently when touched? Ryan thought to himself. He certainly had some, but if he said it aloud, he'd immediately go from a gentleman to a pervert. But then again, maybe there wasn't much difference between a gentleman and a pervert.
He coughed lightly. As a cultured and knowledgeable scientist, he certainly wouldn't give such a vulgar answer. But the hesitation in his voice excited Elysia.
"Hey, you really have a mutation, let me see it!" Elysia darted over with a sly smile, inspecting him everywhere. Ryan kept dodging, but at that moment, the door to the lounge opened, and Pardofelis stood at the doorway, holding a cup of milk tea.
"Sister Elysia, Master, what are you two doing?"
"Pardo, come and find your Master's sensitive points. He must have mutated somewhere," Elysia said, her hair slightly messy but still very interested. She pulled Ryan's hair apart and examined it, brushing her fingers across his ears and blowing into them.
Ryan flinched, but the reaction wasn't as intense, so he figured it wasn't too bad.
"Mutation? Sensitive?" Pardo didn't quite understand, but she was greatly shocked. Watching Ryan dodge, her little brain quickly made connections, and her face turned red.
She remembered the scene from Sundown Alley, where she had broken Ryan's disguise. The strange touch from that moment lingered in her mind.
"Wait a minute, Sister Elysia!" Pardo quickly ran over and whispered something in her ear.
Elysia blinked, then suddenly realized what Pardo was referring to. Her face turned even redder, and she looked at Ryan with a more mischievous expression.
"Ahem, Ryan, you can't be shy."
Huh?
Ryan was confused, and his blood pressure shot up. Damn it, I haven't done anything wrong, and now you're like a female gangster. I haven't even investigated it yet, and you have the nerve to say I'm shy.
He suddenly realized he was being shameless. Just as he was about to get these two women under control, the door opened again.
Okay, I'll remember this. Elysia, you've forced me into this. Let's see who's more shameless. You, the traitor...
"Sister Sakura, save me!" Ryan's eyes were dangerous, and Pardo hid behind the pink-haired girl who had just entered.
"What are you two doing?" Sakura asked, clearly puzzled. She had just helped Mobius.
"Ryan is a hooligan. I told you not to be shy," Elysia said decisively, hiding behind Sakura.
A hooligan? Ryan wouldn't do that.
Sakura looked suspiciously at the scene, then saw the helpless expression on Ryan's face and couldn't help but chuckle. With Elysia around, the atmosphere was impossible to take seriously.
Before she could join in, the strange sensation on her ear made her shudder. She turned and saw Elysia standing behind her with a sly grin.
"Hey, I want revenge. Pardo, hug her quickly."
"Wait a minute, I didn't touch your ear!"
"No matter, I want revenge anyway."
Kalpas, arms crossed, leaned against the wall, glancing at the lively lounge with a smirk.
So powerful, yet still so childish. Fighting and making noise.
He couldn't understand this group. The woman named Sakura seemed cold, but now it seemed like a facade. More surprisingly, Pardofelis had only known them for a few hours and had already integrated into their dynamic.
It's strange. In his experience, strong people were nothing like this.
Cruelty, blood, tyranny, terror—those were their synonyms. Not to mention fighting like this—hell, even greeting them the wrong way would get you killed.
"It's very lively, huh?" Ryan quietly appeared at the door. At this point, running away was the best strategy.
"The noise is a bit annoying, but it's certainly unexpected, just like everything I've felt from you these past few days." Kalpas rarely spoke in such long sentences.
"If there was only one face, life would be too boring."
"Because of Elysia's encouragement?"
"A little, but the so-called strong people have power that doesn't need to be hidden. Only the weak show strength on the outside while being weak inside." Ryan said casually. When Elysia's eyes swept over, he ran without hesitation.
It was embarrassing—at least it should be embarrassing for Ryan, but Kalpas couldn't hide his confusion.
In Sundown Alley, many strong men couldn't make this man retreat a single step and were crushed by violent energy. But now, he ran away just because of a look, with no murderous intent.
It's really strange.
Kalpas glanced at the noisy group of women, and his murderous spirit gradually faded. After thinking it over, he realized that being with these people wasn't so bad.