Whether it was a dream or an awakening—even Ryan couldn't say.
The ruined academy, set against memories of its peaceful daytime routine, blurred the boundaries between illusion and reality. The world had shifted without warning, and the outcome was now anything but certain.
Even Kevin, usually so optimistic, had fallen into silence. His instincts were simple but sharp—and they told him this was just the beginning.
"Ryan… is this the real world?" he finally asked, after a long pause.
Ryan didn't answer immediately. When he did, his voice was calm, stripped of arrogance. "Whether it's before or after… your eyes won't deceive you. Both are real worlds. What matters is what you want to do—how you choose to face them."
Kevin said nothing, lost in thought. Ryan merely patted his shoulder, then walked away in silence.
He knew Kevin well.
That bright, resilient, outgoing kid wasn't the type to be crushed by one harsh night. This wouldn't break him. Not yet.
So what kind of pain… did he suffer in the future, to become a walking corpse?
"You should go comfort him, Mei."
"Kevin's not naive. He'll figure it out."
"But he's… emotional. If you died, or Su and I did… what do you think he'd become?"
Mei fell silent. She turned to look at the young man by the bonfire, studying his back for a long while before speaking.
"I think… he'd carry our wishes and keep going."
Typical lovers. They knew each other too well. Good.
Kevin is someone who bears burdens. He swings from intense warmth to deep cold—so easily influenced by those closest to him.
"Let's drop this heavy topic." Ryan grinned, dragging a table and chair closer. "If you want to return to your old life, I can help. Just say the word. We'll draft a non-disclosure agreement, wipe this from your record. You can go back and pretend none of it happened."
"As if it were just a dream?"
"Haha. Even if it was a dream, you could just play along—pretend you're still asleep." Ryan chuckled. Then his smile faded. His gaze sharpened as he noticed Mei wasn't smiling.
"I've overstepped, haven't I? You've already made up your mind."
Mei wasn't naive. She'd seen the data. Years of research into Imaginary Space had produced results far too important for Fire Moth to ignore.
Her eyes drifted toward a medical van emblazoned with Fire Moth's emblem.
"Some people say you can't change the world, only adapt to it. I don't believe that," she said quietly. "I want to change it."
Ambition gleamed in her eyes—clear, calm, and bright.
Ryan smiled bitterly.
No surprise. A genius like Mei was never going to drift along with the current.
"What about Kevin?"
"He'll probably follow me," Mei said, voice soft. "You know how he is—always overthinking, always worrying."
She hesitated, then added, "But I don't want him to. Can you talk to him?"
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Forget it. I'm not getting dragged into a lovers' quarrel. I'll just do my best to keep you both alive."
"Hmm? That sounds like something a savior would say."
"Don't get cheeky," Ryan deadpanned. "I'm just a harmless researcher."
As if to prove his point, he slipped on a pair of rimless glasses and stood. His voice dropped into something more official. "Fire Moth HQ is here. They want you to formally enlist."
Researcher, huh?
The "researcher" who destroyed half a school building…
Mei muttered under her breath, but turned to face a man emerging from the shadows—a dark suit, dark glasses, emotionless face. The word agent might as well have been stamped on his forehead.
Noticing her attention, he bowed slightly and motioned for her to come.
Finally… a step into the real world's secrets.
Mei didn't feel fear. Only determination—and excitement.
"Kevin," she said softly, "let's go."
"Okay." Kevin's voice had steadied. He looked once at the agent, then took Mei's hand without hesitation.
Together, they walked away from the firelight and into the darkness beyond.
Ryan watched them go, their hands still clasped. He let out a long breath.
He wiped his face. "Seriously… handholding under the stars? That's emotional terrorism."
Sometimes, he envied them. At least they'd have each other when the world changed again.
But that envy passed quickly.
I can't protect everyone. Not yet.
And now, there's another puzzle to solve.
Ryan turned his thoughts back to the earlier chaos.
Was the Honkai drawn to the collider, or did the collider trigger the Honkai?
Was it my proximity that caused the instability?
His mind flooded with possibilities. He knelt beside the fire, letting the warmth soak into his skin, brow furrowed in focus.
He'd trained himself to think this way: bold hypotheses, cautious verification.
And yet, after a while, he laughed.
"Too many variables. Not enough data. I'd need ten more particle colliders and ten more outbreaks to even begin cross-referencing."
There weren't ten particle colliders in the world.
Even worse—if Fire Moth figured out he was the common denominator, he might end up on the dissection table.
"Forget it." He waved the thought away. "Even if I knew the answer, what could I change?"
But the results of the experiment…
Ryan slowly closed his eyes.
And in that instant, he saw it—an invisible path tearing across the void, a breach in the sky that pierced the universe.
Exploration. Understanding. Connection.
Every frame of his battle with the Honkai Emperor replayed in Ryan's mind—his movements, the creature's instincts, the dance of power. It wasn't memory. It was something deeper.
A strange sensation spread through his consciousness, like becoming the Honkai Beast itself—feeling an indescribable space beyond imagination.
His fingers twitched.
He opened his eyes.
In the flickering glow of the bonfire, his pupils constricted. A faint, almost involuntary smirk tugged at his lips.
Crackle—
A crimson arc snapped across the flames. A chunk of firewood disintegrated, sliced clean as if by an energy blade.
"…Another step forward."
His voice was low, almost inaudible. He slowly clenched his fist, the sensation of power still simmering beneath his skin.
"I'll need a quiet place next… to digest this completely. Then, I'll explore again."
He paused.
And Mei's words resurfaced.
"She wants to change the world…"
Ryan exhaled through his nose, eyes hooded. "I'm not that ambitious," he murmured. "But I'm gaining power. Bit by bit."
When you're powerless, all you care about is survival.
Now? He was starting to think about more.
Before he could finish that thought, footsteps approached from behind.
"…Kevin?"
Ryan turned, surprised. Kevin had slipped past the security perimeter and shoved something hot into his hands.
Ryan looked down.
Instant ramen. Still steaming.
"I remembered you didn't eat. Got this from the soldiers. Eat before it gets cold," Kevin said casually, scratching the back of his head.
Ryan stared. Then blinked.
Still the same old Kevin.
"…You joined Fire Moth?"
"Yup. They accepted me. Though I can't be with Mei—we got separated for training." Kevin grinned, half-proud, half-sheepish. "Don't worry, I'll catch up. Just leave your back to me."
Ryan looked at him, speechless.
That confused, hot-blooded teen had already bounced back to his old self.
"…You've gotten cheeky," he muttered.
"Eat up!" Kevin called over his shoulder, already jogging away. "The Lieutenant says I've got talent! Don't let me surpass you!"
He disappeared into the night.
Ryan stood there, stunned, ramen container warm in his hands.
The cold night wind brushed his skin.
But the heat in his chest… stayed.
He wasn't just grateful for the power he'd gained tonight. He'd understood something else.
If I'm the only one who survives—what's the point?
Hum hum hum…
The military transport plane rattled through the air, propellers buzzing. It wasn't exactly comfortable.
"Ugh, I told them I should've taken a commercial flight…" Blanca groaned, rubbing her sore backside. "Why do scientists always skimp on travel budgets?"
She glanced at Mobius. The woman had been in a foul mood since takeoff.
Not just from the bumpy ride—Elysia had bombarded her with questions the entire time, from basic lift dynamics to cloud composition. Mobius didn't do "basic."
Blanca glanced again. Mobius was reading a report now, expression shifting from irritation to… intrigue.
"I knew it," she muttered, lips curling. "That guy's got something. Took down a Honkai Emperor… Very, very interesting."
Elysia perked up. "Mobius, you're so noisy. Trying to get my attention again?"
Surprisingly, Mobius didn't snap. Instead, she smiled faintly.
"I owe you one, Elysia. If I hadn't followed you to Nagazora, he would've slipped right past us."
"Who?" Elysia leaned in. "What are you talking about?"
"Report from the Far East branch. See for yourself. Lucky me—even Dr. Mei joined Fire Moth."
Blanca reached over and plucked the document from Mobius's hand.
It was official—a detailed summary of the Nagazora Honkai incident.
With photos.
Ryan, Mei, Kevin… all of them were there. Blanca skimmed quickly. Mobius, predictably, ignored Kevin. Her attention was fixed on Ryan—and Mei.
Mobius narrowed her eyes.
So many Honkai events linked to one man? That was no coincidence.
She glanced out the window at the rolling clouds, her voice a low chuckle.
They thought restrictions could stop her.
But the more they tried to shackle her curiosity, the more she burned to uncover Truth.
Then—
Clap!
"Uh-oh." Elysia's hands flew to her face.
Mobius raised an eyebrow. "Now what?"
"Void's in Nagazora! He said he was attending school there—what if he got caught in the attack?! I have to contact him!"
Mobius scowled. Always with that mysterious "Void."
But her mind was already calculating.
The Far East branch couldn't handle it. He must've struck a deal higher up.
Protocol won't cut it. Subtle methods? Risky. He's strong—clearly A-rank minimum.
As a researcher, she had no legal means to detain him. If she tried and failed, she'd be labeled rogue—cut off from funding, from data.
And without that…
How would I pursue the Truth?
Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw Elysia again—frowning, worried, quietly sending a message to someone she considered a friend.
Friend.
Mobius blinked. Something clicked.
A sly grin formed.
"You won't let me research him… That's fine. You can't stop me from being his friend."
She leaned back in her seat, lips curling with delight.
"Vacation, huh? Let's see how long that lasts."