Mu Continent, in a remote and uninhabited mountain range.
Hidden beneath a vast, primordial jungle, a secret base belonging to Fu Li was operating in an orderly fashion.
The defenses here could be described as monstrous. The center of the base was a three-story building, but beneath it lay a secret research institute that was six floors and approximately 100 meters deep, exclusively serving the team led by Mobius.
At this very moment, within the heavily guarded secret research institute, on the fifth subterranean level that everyone spoke of in hushed tones and only Mobius was qualified to enter, a green-haired girl in her early teens was staring at a green monitor, her expression unspeakably grim.
Although she had witnessed such scenes countless times, whenever she faced them again, Klein always felt an ineffable sadness.
Moreover... this time, an unexpected change had occurred.
"Doctor, why did the Honkai Eruption appear ahead of schedule? And why did it break out in the Americas instead of Berlin?"
Instinctively, Klein directed her question to Mobius, the one most likely to know the current situation.
Faced with this unexpected development, Mobius merely let out a soft breath. Her slender fingers tapped on the desktop as she slowly explained, "This is a joint plan between MEI and myself."
"You've seen the cycles repeat. No matter how hard we try, the Herrscher of the End always destroys us."
"In the previous cycle, myself, Li, Vill-V, and MEI established an experimental model. We wanted to use Li's ability to harness the power of twelve gems to fight the Herrscher of the End. But unfortunately, even then, our probability of victory was less than 1.721%."
"Because no matter how powerful Li is, he cannot perfectly wield the authority of all twelve gems. That is beyond the scope of what a human, or even a MANTIS, can achieve."
"Although it's galling, I had to negate my greatest creation—the MANTIS."
The MANTIS project has been negated?
Doubt filled Klein's heart, but she didn't interrupt. She knew her Doctor was not one to make baseless statements.
As expected, Mobius continued:
"So, after seeing that 'fish-stealing cat' become a Herrscher, an idea sparked within me. After communicating with MEI, we established another concept: the [Herrscherized MANTIS]."
"Through Prometheus No. 17, we have already placed the shackles of [Thought] upon the Honkai. And in the previous cycle, I hacked into No. 17's system, entered the Honkai itself with her, and invaded it at the cost of my own death."
"At the cost of my life, I implanted a suggestion: to enhance the Honkai intensity of all Herrschers in this cycle—except for the Herrscher of the End. This would also 'activate' the Herrscher Cores, allowing them to be wielded by a new host even after the current one dies."
"Admittedly, the risks of this plan are enormous, but MEI approved it as well, because this is our last chance."
"I see..." Klein nodded, then turned to look at the screen. "Then what do we do next?"
"Notify Fu Li. Eliminate the Herrscher as quickly as possible, then study its core and remains." Mobius's face was calm, but she had unconsciously popped the bubble wrap in her pocket.
No matter what, even if the previous probability of defeating the Herrscher of the End was 1.731%, it was still a glimmer of hope.
And after her and MEI's last experiment, whether that probability would rise or fall was still an unsolved mystery.
When this cycle ends, I'll be able to reunite with Li.
No matter the cost, she would ensure that she and Li survived together. She would stop at nothing.
.......
Meanwhile, at the Twilight Street Sanatorium.
"And now for the most exciting moment! What kind of transformation do you think this ugly duckling will undergo after entering the hat?"
"Will it become a beautiful white swan, or will it remain an ugly duck? Please don't be stingy with your gasps and applause! Because this will be the most spectacular magic you have ever seen!"
In the bustling sanatorium, Vill-V looked out at the dense crowd, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.
She loved this feeling of being the center of attention. After all, that's how it should be for a genius.
And Fu Li seemed to have some free time recently. Not only had he taken on the role of a teacher, but he even had the energy to tease the parrot and kitten raised by the old director. He seemed so happy.
If we could stay here forever, peacefully, that might not be so bad.
Vill-V shook her head, casting the dangerous and uninteresting thought from her mind. She pulled a beautiful swan from the hat, and amidst the children's gasps of awe, she glanced at Fu Li, who was clapping quietly in the crowd. She lifted her smooth chin slightly, a smug expression on her face.
But just then, Vill-V suddenly saw Fu Li pick up his phone. After answering the call, his expression first turned to one of surprise, then his lips pressed into a tight line.
He looked just as he had when she had forcefully kissed him—completely stunned by something sudden and unexpected.
Then, Vill-V felt the phone in her waistband vibrate. She saw Fu Li put his phone away and stride quickly toward the exit, looking extremely anxious.
After giving the audience a perfunctory bow, she quickly took out her own phone and looked at the text message she had just received.
"Something urgent came up. Wait for me to come back."
---o---