Kosma greatly respected Griseo.
However, during the previous battle with Sheshe, Kosma had also come to a very clear understanding: Big Brother Griseo's current strength was now far inferior to his own.
If the opponent were just an ordinary Emperor-class Honkai Beast, Kosma wouldn't be particularly worried. But against a large-scale Honkai Beast legion, Kosma himself wasn't confident he could survive, let alone Big Brother Griseo.
Just the thought of Griseo, who had become a Fusion Warrior…
Precisely because of this.
After Griseo expressed his desire to go, Kosma immediately voiced his opposition.
Among all the Fusion Warriors present, those in good enough condition to participate in battle directly without needing recovery, apart from Griseo and himself, seemed to be only—
"Qianjie."
Although Kosma expressed his dissent, he knew very well that Griseo's will was not so easily swayed.
Kosma believed that his own strength alone was insufficient to protect Big Brother Griseo, so…
"Hmph."
Qianjie's only response to Kosma was a cold snort.
"Apologies, Kosma."
The one who actually provided an explanation was Elysia, standing beside Dr. Mei.
"As for Qianjie… although this task is completely out of character for him, he currently has to protect Dr. Mei in my stead."
"In your stead?"
Kosma expressed his confusion.
"Yes, in my stead."
Qianjie was not so easily "ordered around." The only ones in the entire Flame-Chasers he truly trusted were Elysia, and Sakura as a comrade-in-arms. Elysia's request, coupled with the possibility of fighting alongside Sakura, was the key to Qianjie's willingness to stay behind as a "bodyguard" for a short time.
As for Elysia…
"I need to go to the Deepest Place once more."
"To bring Aponia out."
————
Aponia was an extremely powerful psychic perception-type Fusion Warrior.
Her special ability, "Discipline," was useless against ordinary Honkai Beasts lacking intelligence. However, against those Variants, higher-ranking ones, or even an existence like the "Black Emperor," the effects she could produce were absolutely beyond imagination.
It was precisely because of the exceedingly high intelligence displayed by the Black Emperor in its series of actions that Elysia had conceived the idea of "inviting" Aponia to help. Having one's consciousness entrusted to a Key of God versus personally participating on the battlefield—these were two entirely different concepts.
This was a backup plan.
If Kevin's "Project Chimera" did not succeed.
Relying on Aponia's help, even with Kevin's current strength, there was a possibility of defeating the Black Emperor.
"Is that so…"
"Thump."
Griseo habitually patted Kosma's shoulder. With Griseo's "experience," it was impossible for him not to see what Kosma was thinking.
"Since you want to go so badly, then we'll do as before."
"My back…"
"I'll leave it to you, Kosma."
"..."
"Yes!"
"Swish—thwack."
Just as the two made their pact, Mobius threw two palm-sized cubes straight at them.
"What's this?"
"Don't act like it's a life-and-death parting. I can't stand this kind of atmosphere the most."
Mobius sighed with an air of indifference.
"You've all seen the footage from earlier. I shouldn't need to explain what these are."
"Maintain your composure. Don't be controlled by emotions like some idiots. It should, perhaps, increase your survival rate by ten or twenty percent."
After saying that, Mobius added another sentence.
"This is the last of the medicine. Use it sparingly."
————
Watching Griseo and Kosma depart for who knew how many times.
"Mobius is really gentle, isn't she?"
Elysia, as always, added a touch of softness to the solemn atmosphere.
Written as "use it sparingly," it meant "don't fight to the death"—this was Mobius's consistent style.
"Hmph."
Mobius responded to Elysia with the same reaction as Qianjie.
"I just don't want to waste rare test subjects, that's all."
"..."
A faint, almost inaudible whisper followed.
Apart from Elysia, no one else realized what Mobius had added— "That child cannot be alone."
"Kevin!"
Readjusting her mood by changing the subject.
Mobius casually tossed the tablet in her arms to Kevin in the distance.
"Here are a total of 41 types of Honkai Beast genes, both used and unused by Fusion Warriors."
"Among them, there are a total of 6 types that show similarity to Parvati genes. If nothing unexpected happens, your body should be able to adapt to these 6 genes. It's just a question of how much improvement there will be."
"Choose one."
"As for Vill-V… although that fellow's inventions are very unreliable, her efficiency is still commendable. I also need to make some preparations in advance."
"Swish—thwack."
"?"
Under Mobius's, no, under everyone's bewildered gaze, Kevin directly tossed the small tablet terminal back to Mobius.
"Since you're letting me choose one…"
"Does that mean, Mobius, that you also don't know which gene is more suitable, right?"
Kevin's voice was somewhat hoarse; it was unclear whether it was due to his injuries or some other reason.
"Of course."
"We haven't even seen the Honkai Beasts we can fuse with, yet we're about to integrate their genes into a human body simultaneously… If not for the fact that the experimental deductions made by Mei and I were positive, this experiment might be quicker for killing people."
"..."
"I want them all."
"!?"
"Kevin, there shouldn't be anything wrong with my hearing, right?"
"You heard me right."
"Dr. Mobius, the 6 types of Honkai Beast genes… since we can't determine which one can truly make me stronger, let's try all of them at once."
"Kevin! Are you insane!?"
Su grabbed Kevin's arm from behind, but no matter how hard he pulled, he couldn't see Kevin's expression.
"Su."
Kevin grasped his best friend's hand, slowly removing it from his right arm.
"Humanity…"
"Does it still have time for trial and error?"
"..."
Su knew better than anyone how firm his best friend's will was. The only person who could change his will—
"Mei!"
"Su."
Dr. Mei, whom Su had called out to, pre-empted him, disrupting his rhythm.
"Kevin is my boyfriend."
"But he…"
Mei's gaze slowly shifted to Kevin. No, her gaze had never left Kevin.
"Is, even more so, humanity's savior."
They were two halves of each other.
Mei could sacrifice herself to save humanity, so she demanded the same from Kevin, whom she truly regarded as her other half. Kevin, in turn, would carry out Mei's will to the end, even if it completely contradicted his own initial intentions: he actually, only wanted to be the partner of a girl named "Mei."
These children of civilization.
Were also… tragic lovers.
————