Relieved by Chang Yuan's promise, Chen Tianwu relaxed.
As long as I don't get punched…
Meanwhile, Anti-Entropy was baffled.
Their detectors had picked up a Herrscher's birth—but the energy vanished in under an hour.
"Tesla, are your instruments broken?"
"Excuse you?! My tech's flawless! The Herrscher's the issue!"
"Then explain how a Herrscher gets erased in 60 minutes."
Einstein massaged her temples.
"How should I know?! Maybe someone solo'd it?!"
"Against a Herrscher? Not even Schicksal's top S-rank could do that."
Their intel was outdated.
If they knew about Kevin and the Flame-Chasers—who'd solo'd Herrschers like it was Tuesday—they'd eat their words.
(Even Griseo, the painter child, had once burned a city to ash with a drawing.)
"So it is your equipment."
"SHUT UP, EINSTEIN! Damn World Snake, stealing my patents and not paying royalties!"
Tesla deflected hard.
Einstein just sighed.
The next day, the second Honkai reactor was ready.
"Chen Tianwu! Your turn to take one for the team! Go on, it's safe!"
Raven gave a thumbs-up.
Chen Tianwu rolled his eyes and approached.
The moment Honkai energy flooded him, corrosion marks spread—before abruptly receding.
Gravity twisted around him.
"So… you conscious?"
Chang Yuan poked his shoulder.
Chen Tianwu shuddered, then rasped:
"Y-Yes… But the negativity's… strong."
"Good enough. Keep fighting it~."
Chang Yuan waved the others off.
"He's fine! Back to UNO!"
"Bet he lasts an hour like me!" Anna declared.
"30 minutes!"
"Two hours!"
…
One hour later, Chen Tianwu finally stabilized.
"I'm… clear. Surgery time."
Panting, he slumped—resisting negativity was exhausting.
"Vill-V! Your turn!"
"Ugh. Couldn't you do this yesterday?!"
Grumbling, Vill-V (Expert Mode) hauled him into surgery.
Soon, she emerged with a core—and Chen Tianwu, clutching his kidney area.
Unlike normal Herrschers (core in the chest), his had lodged near his right kidney.
Now he looked like he'd sold an organ for an iPhone.
"Pfft—Tianwu, your core's… creative."
Chen Tianwu wanted to curse—but after seeing Chang Yuan manhandle a Herrscher, he swallowed it.
Respect your elders. Respect your elders…
"Alright! Next up: Otto's face meets Herrscher of Sentience's fist!"
Chang Yuan grinned.
He remembered Otto's soul-crushed expression upon reading that script:
"Teacher… Is the face-punching really necessary? Or is this payback?"
Young Otto (a mere 500-year-old) had gotten a firm nod.
(No, Chang Yuan hadn't altered the script.
But Otto's eyes had screamed "I don't believe you.")
Meanwhile, with Otto & Kallen
"Kallen… Do I have to get punched? Can't we… skip that part?"
Otto groaned as Kallen massaged his shoulders.
"Relax! Since Senti has Fu Hua's memories, she'll recognize you! Maybe no punching!"
"...Kallen, get more sleep. Sleep deprivation causes delusions."
"Huh? Oh, okay. But why—?"
"No reason."
(No way was he admitting Kallen had out-logic'd him.)
"Well, anyway—I'll cook for you tonight! My improved specialty~!"
Otto's smile turned strained.