Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

"What about the siblings? Are we leaving them here to die?" Lin Wei gestured towards the gray-haired boy, who'd remained silent throughout the argument.

Time was running out. He didn't want to get bogged down in a philosophical debate. 

He needed a practical solution.

There were only three of them who could fight – him and two A-rank Valkyries. If they all left, what would happen to these two ordinary civilians?

Even though the area had been cleared recently, it wouldn't remain safe for long. Could they survive another wave of Honkai beasts? Could they hold out until Schicksal arrived?

Especially Chen Tianwen, who was so attached to Anna. Could she really abandon them?

Anna's face contorted in anguish. She understood the dilemma.

"Um… can I say something?" Chen Tianwu spoke up, having observed the argument silently. All eyes turned to him. He swallowed, gesturing towards Jell's battered motorcycle. "I… I can ride a motorcycle."

"You?" Lin Wei frowned, surprised by his unexpected intervention. "Do you know how dangerous it is out there?"

"Yes, I do." Now that he'd spoken up, Chen Tianwu felt strangely calm. "The city is filled with monsters. It will be dangerous."

"Then why…?"

"If we're fast enough, we'll be fine!" He spoke quickly, as if afraid of being interrupted. "I've been listening to your… disagreement. I understand the situation. Valkyries, right?" He looked at Lin Wei, who nodded. He relaxed slightly.

He hadn't received a detailed explanation like the one Anna had given him in the original timeline. He'd pieced together the information from snippets of conversation he'd overheard.

"I understand. You, Mr. Lin Wei, are going to deal with this… threat. These Valkyries are your… assistants. And my sister and I… we're just… baggage. Causing you trouble… I apologize…" 

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, then looked at Lin Wei, his gaze steady. "I'm just an ordinary person. I don't know how strong… Valkyries are, compared to… normal people. So, I want to ask, can these… young ladies… fight all those monsters?"

"No!" the little girl exclaimed before anyone else could answer. "When Anna took me from the hospital, there were so many monsters! She couldn't fight them all!"

"I… I didn't have a weapon then," Anna mumbled, embarrassed.

"I understand what you're saying," Lin Wei said, summarizing Chen Tianwu's point. "You're saying that since a Valkyrie can't protect you both, you might as well go on your own?" 

He looked at him intently. "Do you understand what you're suggesting?" 

An ordinary civilian, with no combat experience, navigating a Honkai-infested city with his younger sister? Who do you think you are? Kevin?

"I think you're overlooking something, Mr. Lin Wei." Chen Tianwu shook his head, a determined smile on his face. "A motorcycle's speed depends on its engine and the rider's skill, not their… strength. And three people are definitely not faster than two!"

Lin Wei was speechless.

"And if we're caught, even a Valkyrie can't guarantee our safety…"

"If we're going to face danger either way, then I might as well take my sister and face it head-on!" He hadn't expected to be so bold, so eloquent. He felt a strange sense of exhilaration. He looked at Lin Wei and the Valkyries, his smile confident. "This way, you and Anna won't have to argue anymore. It's a win-win."

Anna blushed, ashamed. She knew he was trying to help her.

"You've got guts, kid," Lin Wei chuckled, finding himself liking this young man. No wonder Anna had remembered him so vividly. And no wonder Raven, who rarely showed kindness to anyone, had taken him under her wing, recruiting him into World Serpent.

And he'd managed to join and rise within the ranks of the Thousand Fist, an underground fighting ring, despite being an ordinary civilian.

He possessed a rare combination of courage, determination, and resourcefulness. He would go far.

That serum wasn't wasted on him, Lin Wei thought, satisfied.

"We're running out of time. I'll ask you one question, and I expect an honest answer: why are you doing this?" he asked seriously. "You know it's easier said than done. You know the risks. There are no second chances." 

Even with his bravado, Chen Tianwu was still an ordinary human. His reflexes couldn't compare to a Valkyrie's. 

Could he really maintain his composure in the face of real danger?

"What choice do we have?" Chen Tianwu shrugged, then glanced at Anna, smiling. "Valkyries… they're just like normal girls, aren't they? Seeing Anna so heartbroken… I couldn't just…" He paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Lin Wei rolled his eyes. This kid…

"Just kidding. Don't worry." He smiled, then his expression turned serious. "There are… other reasons. You and Anna saved us, reunited us, and gave me that… precious medicine, a chance to live… It might sound foolish, but I know I'll never be able to repay you." He smiled shyly. "So, at the very least, I won't be a burden…"

"Your mission is far more dangerous than mine, Mr. Lin Wei. If you're not afraid, then neither am I. Besides, this is what Anna wants. Having her by your side is more important than… two burdens like us." His voice was sincere, his resolve unwavering.

"If Anna has to choose someone to protect, then your life is more important than ours."

Lin Wei sighed, patting his shoulder. "Everyone's life is important. Yours is important too." He hadn't cared much about Chen Tianwu before, seeing him as just another survivor, another beneficiary of his efforts to protect Anna. 

But now, he genuinely didn't want this young man to die.

Why is he willing to make such a sacrifice for me? He felt a pang of guilt.

He couldn't think of a better solution, short of using the Fenghuang Down to manipulate Anna's mind. And as Chen Tianwu had said, they had no other choice.

So, he'd stepped up, making his own choice.

No one wanted to be a burden.

"Chen Tianwu, was it? You're a good kid." Jell walked over, clapping him on the shoulder, studying him with an appraising look. "After this is over, I'll introduce you to some of the girls in my squad. They're all very pretty."

Chen Tianwu blushed, stammering, "You're too kind…"

"Bye, Anna!" The little girl, understanding her brother's decision, smiled and waved. "Don't worry! We'll be fine! My brother is very strong!"

Anna looked at them, a wave of sadness washing over her.

"You can still change your mind," Lin Wei said, standing beside her, shaking his head. "Give it back. Are you going to keep holding that sword to your throat?"

Anna silently sheathed the katana and placed it in his outstretched hand, her head lowered.

"Do you understand now?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Changing your mind?"

She shook her head, her auburn hair swaying.

"You're so stubborn…" He sighed, exasperated. "Can't you just… listen for once?"

"Next time, I will…" she replied, looking up at him, her eyes filled with tears. "But this time… I don't want to see you get hurt!"

"Let me protect you, like on Coral Island. Please?"

The katana, back in his hand, transformed back into the staff. He tapped her lightly on the head with it, then gently touched the faint cut on her neck. "You…" He sighed, then pulled her into a hug. "Just this once. Understood?"

"Mm!" Like a child who'd been forgiven, she clung to him, her tears flowing freely. "I'm sorry, Lin Wei… I'm sorry…"

"You're more important to me than anyone else…"

"I don't want to lose you… I don't want…"

Lin Wei looked up at the dark sky, gently patting her back, a bitter smile on his lips.

I'm such a mess…

Jell handed the motorcycle to Chen Tianwu, having him test drive it first. Satisfied, she adjusted the settings.

"I've marked several routes back to base camp on the navigation system." She pointed at the central, brightly colored route. "This is the one Lin Wei and I took earlier. It's likely swarming with Honkai beasts. Avoid it. The adjacent areas should be relatively safer."

"I understand." Chen Tianwu listened intently, memorizing the routes. This was a matter of life and death.

"Avoid bridges if possible. They might be damaged." She marked several points on the map. "If you're in danger, you can try jumping across these gaps. But only as a last resort. Understood?"

"Yes!" He memorized her instructions, then looked up at her. "Miss Jell, could you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Mark the location where you're taking Mr. Lin Wei. If I make it back, I can tell your teammates where to find you."

Jell was taken aback, then she smiled, ruffling his hair. "You…" She inputted the coordinates, then looked at him, her voice serious. "Don't die."

"I'll try. My life is… rather valuable now," he replied with a grin.

Jell rolled her eyes, handing them helmets. She then removed her communicator, activated a few functions, and attached it to Chen Tianwu's arm. "This is my communicator. I've activated the tracking and SOS functions. A distress signal from the captain of Snow Lotus should… attract some attention." 

She chuckled at the thought of needing to be rescued. "Communication is still down, but if you're close enough, Rita or my teammates might pick up the signal. They'll try to help you." She knew the closer he got to base camp, the more dangerous it would become. He might need backup.

"Thank you," he said, carefully touching the warm communicator.

"You're welcome. It's all I can do." She patted his shoulder, then gently stroked the little girl's hair. She took a deep breath, smiling. "Take care."

"You too."

"Bye, Jell!" the little girl waved cheerfully.

Jell smiled, patting her head, then returned to Lin Wei.

"Problem solved?"

"For now. We're out of time. We can discuss this later," Lin Wei said, summoning his aircraft. "Let's go."

They boarded the aircraft, waving goodbye to the siblings, then soared into the sky.

The siblings watched them go, their arms lowered, a heavy silence between them.

"Wenwen, are you… angry at me?" Chen Tianwu asked, breaking the silence.

"No." The little girl shook her head, her smile surprisingly mature. "Anna is a hero. Lin Wei is a hero. And you're a hero too."

"No one wants to be a hero…" He pulled her into a hug. "Are you scared, Wenwen?"

"…Yes," she mumbled, her face buried in his chest. "But I'm not scared with you here."

"Don't worry. Mom and Dad are watching over us…" he whispered, stroking her hair. "I promise, I'll take you home."

"Mm!" she nodded.

"It's time. Let's go." He helped her onto the motorcycle, securing her in front of him.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then started the engine, riding off in the opposite direction.