NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 43: Kevin, the Recruiting Disaster
"He just... left?"
Lin Wei felt a sudden, surprising wave of disappointment.
Perhaps it was Kevin's aura of loneliness, a feeling he understood all too well.
One, a solitary traveler through time.
The other, a wanderer across worlds.
This world was both familiar and alien to them both.
The loneliness of standing in a crowded room, surrounded by people, yet utterly alone.
He sighed, sitting down in Kevin's vacated chair, mimicking his posture, staring at the empty space.
He thought he understood what Kevin had been looking at.
"Hey!"
Raven glared at him, irritated by his melodramatic act. Did he think he was Kevin now?
"Save the performance art for when you're alone. No one will disturb you."
Ouch, that stings, Lin Wei thought, rolling his eyes.
But her sharp words dispelled his melancholy. He stretched, shaking off the unnecessary sentimentality.
Did Kevin's brooding rub off on me? he wondered, conveniently shifting the blame.
His mission was accomplished. He'd met Kevin, secured permission for the Elysian Realm, delivered Bronya's message. The only downside was that he was now firmly on World Serpent's radar, and Kevin's lack of a clear stance on their "relationship" was slightly awkward.
He'd expected a job offer. He'd done Kevin a huge favor… or had he?
He remembered Kevin's disastrous track record with recruitment.
(ノへ￣,)
He'd fished a girl out of the Quantum Sea, thinking she was talented, worth training.
Seele: "Bronya Onee-chan, save me!"
Kevin sighed. Oh well, can't force it…
After the Sea of Quanta experiment, he'd approached Welt, offering him a grand vision, a noble purpose.
Welt, being straightforward: "Fuck you! I'm going to self-destruct!"
Boom! He did.
Kevin sighed. Well, at least I can put him back together…
Then he'd approached Bronya: a girl with strong will, exceptional talent, exactly what he needed.
Bronya: "I'll fight you!"
Newly reassembled Welt: "Me too!"
Kevin sighed. Fine, I won't push it. Don't want any more casualties…
Back in the real world, he'd set his sights on Kiana…
Fu Hua, barely alive: "Kiana, run! I'll hold him off!"
Kevin sighed. Fine, for old times' sake…
Then he'd targeted Mei…
Kevin looked around. No one else left. He couldn't afford another failure. He had to report to Elysia!
He changed tactics, resorting to threats and promises—
"Come with me, if you want Kiana to live."
Mei, with the resolve of a martyr, followed him into the abyss.
"I will fall into darkness, so you may return to the light…"
And the result?
The Elysian Realm was amazing! She didn't even want to leave…
(￣▽￣*)ゞ
Lin Wei facepalmed.
(ノへ￣,)
Kevin, what were you doing?
He glanced at Gray Serpent, feeling a pang of sympathy.
Jackal… he didn't remember. But Raven, Hare…
They'd all been recruited by Gray Serpent…
Maintaining a large organization with an absentee leader… it must be exhausting.
He would ask Kevin to give him a medal.
"Do you have any other questions, Mr. Lin Wei?"
Gray Serpent sensed his gaze, misinterpreting its meaning.
Honestly, his muffled voice was getting on Lin Wei's nerves.
"No, nothing."
Lin Wei shook his head, dismissing his thoughts about Kevin.
He couldn't share these things with World Serpent. They were all Kevin fanboys. It would be disastrous.
"I just wanted to ask, when are we leaving?"
A reasonable question. Gray Serpent didn't press him further.
He assumed no one could remain calm after meeting Kevin. Strange behavior was expected.
"A leaf withers only with the tree's permission. Just as evil flourishes with the silent consent of the crowd. Only at the end do people realize: the one who stood, and the one who fell, were the same person all along."
Gray Serpent recited a cryptic poem, making Lin Wei narrow his eyes.
Then he continued,
"Forgive me, Mr. Lin Wei. This was… unexpected. We need some time to prepare. Don't worry, it won't take long. Raven will escort you to the Elysian Realm shortly."
"Very well."
Lin Wei nodded, agreeing readily.
He was still wary of Gray Serpent, but with Kevin's approval, he was safe, for now.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. Raven, take care of our guest."
Gray Serpent bowed elegantly, like a nobleman, then walked out, opening an umbrella as he stepped into the sunlight.
Lin Wei watched him leave, a thoughtful expression on his face.
What was Gray Serpent's angle?
He couldn't tell. He was too polite. Was it hostility, or something else?
But at least he was safe until Gray Serpent fulfilled Kevin's request.
He would deal with the rest later. He was used to it by now.
Transmigration was hard. He sighed…
"Gray Serpent, that…"
Raven was annoyed by his instructions, but she couldn't disobey.
She glanced at Lin Wei, sighing.
"There are often World Serpent operatives training in the Elysian Realm. We need to recall them. Given the… sensitive nature of this situation, it will take some time. Two or three days at most."
World Serpent was very time-conscious. Lin Wei couldn't help but compare their efficiency to the sluggishness of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.
Learn something from them!
"You'll be staying here. I'll prepare a room for you. It's not much, but…"
"Thank you. I appreciate it. A place to sleep is all I need."
Survivors were easily pleased.
Lin Wei smiled at Raven, then examined his arm, tracing the lines of his veins, the pores of his skin, the fine hairs.
No purplish-red Honkai markings. Clean, as if they'd never been there.
He'd never appreciated these ordinary things before.
It was a feeling of peace, of safety.
"...I was just being polite. You don't have to…"
Raven was taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor. He'd been so sharp-tongued before.
"Common courtesy. Treat others with respect, and they'll treat you with respect. Isn't that how it should be?"
Lin Wei smiled gently, trying to make things easier for her.
He wasn't sure when he'd adopted this habit, but he felt the world shouldn't be so cold. He would start by being kind.
And it often made things easier.
"..."
Raven, despite her tough exterior, was softhearted. She didn't know how to respond.
She couldn't be rude when he was being so polite. It was awkward.
Lin Wei didn't mind. He looked around the bar, then at the open entrance, then at Raven with a strange expression.
Was this the seat Mei would occupy in the future?
What an honor.
"What?"
Raven finally found something to say.
"Nothing. Just… surprised. Don't bars usually close during the day?"
He gestured at the spotless glasses, the neatly arranged cocktail shakers.
"Oh, these? I need to keep myself busy."
"Makes sense."
Lin Wei smiled. He'd achieved his goal.
Even trivial conversations eased the tension.
Raven understood.
"A drink? My treat."
She looked at him appraisingly.
"You're of age, right?"
"Yes. What would you have given me otherwise? Milk? Juice?"
He tried to lighten the mood.
"Not a bad idea. I could just give you some milk and send you on your way."
"Haha, I wouldn't mind. I don't usually drink."
He was telling the truth. He hated alcohol, partly because of his father's alcoholism, partly because he didn't want to numb his senses.
He preferred clarity.
"But I'll make an exception for a friend."
"Friend? Don't flatter yourself."
Raven scoffed.
"It's fine. At least I don't think you'll hurt me. That's enough."
He leaned against the bar, pushing aside the knife she'd been polishing.
"What are you making? I'll have whatever you recommend."
Raven looked at him, then, without a word, mixed him a mojito, adding mint and lime.
A few minutes later, she watched him slumped against the bar, fuming.
One drink? Seriously?
"Lightweight," she muttered, feeling cheated. She was certain she hadn't messed up the drink.
She calmed down, looking at him with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
He hadn't lied. He'd never drunk alcohol before.
I owe you one, she thought, sighing, then hoisted him over her shoulder and carried him upstairs to a guest room.
…
St. Freya infirmary.
Mei stood outside the examination room, her head bowed.
She'd heard about the survivor from Nagazora and hadn't left since.
She blamed herself, the Herrscher, for the disaster.
This was her penance…
"Mei, Mei, look at my new hairstyle! What do you think?"
Kiana, who'd been waiting with Mei, had snuck away upon hearing the survivor was their former classmate.
Mei never refused Kiana. She looked up, despite her somber mood.
Kiana had styled her beautiful curls into two thick braids, her face beaming with pride.
"How… silly…"
Mei managed a weak smile, accepting Kiana's attempt to cheer her up.
"Heehee, if you like it, I'll keep it!"
Kiana didn't mind acting silly if it made Mei happy.
"You idiot…"
Mei's heart warmed, the icy grip of grief melting into tears. She hugged the shorter girl, sobbing.
Kiana stroked her back, comforting her.
"It's okay, Mei. I'm here. I'll always be here for you. I'll always protect you, forever…"
"Mm!"
Mei nodded, hugging her tighter, her sobs echoing through the hallway.
In the examination room, Yuno lay unconscious, her breathing steady.
Theresa had gone to the library, searching for information that might help her.
In the doctor's office next door…
"Fu Hua… senpai. The results are in."
Durandal, holding the medical report, handed it to Fu Hua. She'd almost called her "senpai," but corrected herself, remembering the doctor's presence.
"There's no need to be so cautious. She can't hear us."
Fu Hua didn't mind. Fenghuang Down was useful.
"Alright, Fu Hua-senpai."
Durandal nodded, getting straight to the point.
"The Honkai beast's activity has decreased, the cellular degeneration is halted, and her body is beginning to heal. Everything is progressing well. However, when she wakes up… she'll be facing a very different reality."
Durandal felt a pang of sympathy for the girl.
Not everyone could accept becoming a monster. She knew that firsthand.
"I didn't expect Abyss Flower to have such… remarkable effects."
Dwelling on the inevitable was pointless. She touched her Divine Key, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Indeed. Divine Keys hold many secrets."
Fu Hua agreed.
Durandal's communicator beeped.
Fu Hua stepped back, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed.
Durandal answered the call.
"Overseer, what are your orders?"
"Hi, Bianka. How are things progressing?"
Otto's voice was cheerful, almost friendly.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly, Overseer. The subject is stable. The only concern is whether the consciousness that awakens will be… her."
"Is that so? Do you think we should take… precautionary measures?"
"That's not for me to decide, Overseer."
Otto chuckled awkwardly, rebuffed.
"The purpose of the 2nd Herrscher experiment was to enhance our capabilities against the Honkai, wasn't it? So, what difference does it make whether the power comes from a Herrscher or a Honkai beast?"
Durandal's tone was subtly challenging.
"Alright, alright…"
Otto sighed, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"However…"
"There's no one else here, Overseer. Speak freely."
Durandal, seemingly forgetting Fu Hua's presence, pressed him.
"Heh…"
Otto sighed, defeated. He gave her what she wanted.
"K423 has enough… complications. According to our calculations, all the necessary elements are in place. We don't need any more variables. Therefore, I want you to bring the girl to Schicksal HQ. Keep her away from our experiment."
Fu Hua's brow twitched, but she remained silent. Durandal would handle this.
Durandal stared at the communicator, waiting.
"I know my reputation precedes me. Bianka, I assure you, she won't be a lab rat."
Durandal remained silent. It wasn't the answer she wanted.
She had her own way of dealing with Otto.
"Fine, fine… you decide what to do with her. I won't interfere. How about that?"
"As you command, Overseer."
Durandal ended the call, satisfied.
"What will you do?"
Fu Hua, still leaning against the wall, asked. She cared about this girl.
She was her friend's responsibility.
"I'll take her to HQ. Those are the Overseer's orders. I apologize, Fu Hua-senpai, but I can't disobey."
Durandal was honest. Fu Hua understood.
"I'll ask Rita to look after her. When she wakes up, I'll teach her how to control her power. We shouldn't let this… cruel gift go to waste, should we?"
Sacrifice was inevitable, but it shouldn't be meaningless.
That was Durandal's principle.
"Then… take care of her."
Fu Hua approved.
She walked over to the bed, her hand glowing, sending the warmth and gentleness she'd witnessed in Lin Wei into the girl's dreams.
She hoped that when she awoke, she wouldn't be consumed by despair.
The rest… she would leave to Durandal.