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

"Careful, someone's approaching!"

The moment Anna decided to strike first, Yae Sakura, keenly sensing the incoming hostility, immediately warned Lin Wei to be prepared. She was about to take control and counterattack, but Lin Wei, reacting just as quickly, stopped her.

"Sakura, wait!"

Yae Sakura paused, slightly confused, but obediently held back. Then, along with Lin Wei, she saw the swift figure pouncing from the corner of the room like a cheetah.

And how disheveled she looks…

To describe her as "grimy" would be an understatement:

Her long auburn hair, probably quite beautiful in its normal state, was now tangled like seaweed, with strands sticking out in every direction. White salt stains were visible. Her clothes, having been wet and dry, wet and dry again, were a colorful mess of seawater salt, mud, dust, and who knows what else.

Only her pretty face remained pretty, a stark contrast to her disheveled appearance, evoking a sense of pity…

Anna had been traveling non-stop, physically and mentally exhausted. She had no time or energy to care about her appearance. Right now, all her frustration and anger were directed at Lin Wei, whom she considered the enemy. Her eyes blazing, she pounced.

What the hell?

Lin Wei was truly dumbfounded. He saw the girl rushing towards him, and even through her disheveled state, the prominent Schicksal insignia was clearly visible. He was utterly shocked.

The story hasn't even started, and World Serpent is already this brazen? Daring to capture a Schicksal Valkyrie?

Aren't they afraid of Schicksal's investigation?

They're still hiding in the shadows!

And even if they captured her, why not keep a closer watch? Look, she escaped!

If she contacts Schicksal, will World Serpent be able to handle the consequences?

With this level of competence? And here I was, being so cautious!

World Serpent, nothing more…

(￢_￢)

In a split second, Lin Wei had already played out a whole inner drama. Disappointed in World Serpent, he judged that the newcomer was most likely an ally, not an enemy.

Fighting this unknown Valkyrie here would only benefit World Serpent, who were lurking in the shadows.

Lin Wei would never do something so foolish, letting World Serpent gain an advantage.

So, he immediately stopped Yae Sakura, and pretended to be caught off guard, his face a mask of surprise as the girl tackled him to the ground. The scent from her body instantly filled his nose.

Sniff, sniff…

Hmm? That's not right?

Why does she smell like the sea?

No wonder she looks like she wants to kill me. What did World Serpent do to this poor girl?

Anna successfully pinned Lin Wei down, holding him against the wall in a擒拿 hold. Lowering her voice, she began her interrogation, the classic three questions:

"Who are you? Where is this place? Why are you secretly capturing innocent people and bringing them here? What's your purpose?"

…Little sister, your interrogation technique is too amateurish.

Lin Wei thought the Valkyrie behind him was too naive, almost to the point of being adorable.

Asking so directly, how do you know if they're telling the truth?

Be careful, you might get tricked!

"Shh, be quiet. Someone might hear us. Judging by your appearance, you're also a victim captured here, right? Don't worry, I mean you no harm."

Lin Wei turned his head slightly, using his free hand to put a finger to his lips. He lowered his voice, speaking gently and slowly to calm the nervous Valkyrie, preventing any rash actions.

"I'm not from here. I'm here to rescue someone. Since you escaped, you must know where the others are being held, right? Just point me in the right direction, and then you can leave through the way you came. No one's there, it's safe."

Lin Wei disliked unplanned situations, but since it had already happened, he would try to take control, at least to gain some information and adjust his strategy.

"Huh?"

The Guy didn't panic as he expected, nor did he answer her question. Instead, he told her not to act rashly. This unexpected turn of events left Anna speechless. This was beyond her limited experience.

Did I really just attack an innocent person?

Anna thought uneasily. Her aggressive demeanor faltered.

After thinking for a moment, she still felt she couldn't trust his words. She glared again, tightening her grip slightly, and pressed him,

"A suspicious person wandering alone in the middle of the night claims to be here to rescue someone? Why should I believe you?"

Sigh…

Hearing Anna's stubborn words, Lin Wei sighed sympathetically. This silly girl, no wonder she was captured…

Can't you learn your lesson?

Lin Wei briefly put himself in her shoes. If Fu Hua were here, she wouldn't waste time with words. She would knock him unconscious first, then continue her investigation.

She wouldn't even bother using the Fenghuang Down to interrogate him. It was too much of a burden for her.

If he was lying, she had already subdued him. It wouldn't affect her plans.

If he was telling the truth, it was just a misunderstanding. She could just rescue the person he was looking for later. That would be enough.

They're both Valkyries, why is there such a big difference?

Oh, Fu Hua is a veteran, that explains it…

But that's not right either. Even if it were Bronya here, she would probably do the same thing as Fu Hua.

She might contact the others after knocking him out, asking them to handle the situation.

That's the only difference.

Sigh, they're both rookie Valkyries, both young girls, why such a big difference?

Bronya is even younger…

Lin Wei's thoughts wandered for a moment. He then gestured with his hand. After a few seconds, under Anna's watchful gaze, he slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a photo, handing it to her.

"My little sister was captured. It's the girl in the photo, the one with the beautiful smile. I finally tracked her here, hoping to bring her home."

Lin Wei casually made up a story. Compared to telling the truth and facing more questions, using this excuse to shut her up was more direct.

And it would lower her guard, appealing to her sympathy.

Anna took the photo dubiously. Under the bright moonlight filtering through the corridor window, she carefully examined the photo of a family of three. After a moment of thought, she looked up and asked,

"You said she's your little sister, but why aren't you in the photo?"

Huh! So sharp?

"Because I was the one taking the picture."

Lin Wei said with a hint of regret.

This seemingly pitiful Valkyrie, although naive, wasn't completely foolish. It seemed she wasn't easy to deceive.

But his regretful tone caused a misunderstanding. Anna thought he was regretting not being in the photo. She looked down at the picture again, puzzled. It's just a photo, why regret it?

Lin Wei noticed Anna's hand was quite dirty. He couldn't help but remind her,

"Be careful, don't damage the photo. It's the last memory of the deceased."

Lin Wei still remembered the heartbroken expression on the man's face when he handed him the photo, as if his own family had been taken away.

It was so important. Lin Wei felt obligated to protect it, to return it safely to her family.

He even felt that handing it over was a bit reckless.

Also a Honkai survivor? That would make sense…

Anna couldn't help but look at Lin Wei, feeling pity for him. After thinking for a moment, she hesitantly asked, "Where… are you from?"

Anna even felt guilty for asking. If he really was a Honkai survivor, it would be like rubbing salt in his wounds.

"Nagazora City."

Lin Wei hesitated for a moment before answering.

He felt awkward about his current state. He couldn't even tell if he was telling the truth or making up a lie to support his fabricated story.

After all, that family was from Nagazora City, and so was he.

But with his new identity, it was best not to be associated with Nagazora City!

Lying felt terrible, too exhausting.

Lin Wei reflected on himself. Being a sincere and honest person was easier.

As expected…

Anna looked down at the photo again. The school uniform worn by the smiling girl in the middle looked familiar—

Chiba Academy…

She remembered. Yuno had a similar uniform carefully stored at the bottom of her closet. She had once carefully shown it to Anna, although it was already damaged. The school emblem was identical to the one in the photo.

Realizing she had wrongly accused him, Anna quickly released Lin Wei, apologizing profusely,

"I'm so sorry, I thought you were one of them… I didn't mean to bring up your painful memories. I have a…"

Friend, also from Nagazora City.

Anna stammered, trying to dispel the awkwardness, but stopped herself at the last moment.

She remembered that Yuno didn't like to talk about Nagazora City, so after realizing her mistake, Anna had never mentioned it again in front of Yuno.

Why did I make the same mistake again?

Anna reflected on herself.

"Give me the photo back. And what were you saying? Did I interrupt you?"

"It's nothing… haha… I'm sorry, here…"

Anna, now completely lacking her usual battlefield composure, felt incredibly awkward. Only after Lin Wei reminded her did she remember that she was still holding something very important to him. She quickly handed it back.

"…"

Lin Wei glanced at her dirty hand, then carefully wiped the stains from the photo while they were still fresh. He couldn't give it back like this!

It was too embarrassing!

"What are you doing?"

As mentioned earlier, Anna had been on high alert. She hadn't had time to check if she was clean or not. Only now, with someone to talk to, did her tense nerves relax.

Seeing Lin Wei wiping the photo, Anna froze, as if realizing something. She stiffly raised her hands, instantly seeing the reality she had been ignoring—

Her usually fair hands and arms were now covered in grime, and even the seemingly clean areas felt rough to the touch. It was the feeling of fine salt grains rubbing against her skin. She could almost hear the gritty sound.

There was even dirt under her fingernails…

Oh my god, is this… me?!

No girl who cared about her appearance could tolerate this! Anna was about to scream when Lin Wei quickly covered her mouth.

"Are you crazy? Be quiet!"

Lin Wei glared at Anna, warning her to save her dramatics for later. Seeing her nod stiffly with a terrified expression, he carefully removed his hand.

Anna was on the verge of tears. She felt like a lightning bolt had struck her, splitting her in two.

But the nightmare had just begun—

Anna suddenly felt like bugs were crawling all over her. She frantically checked herself.

First, she ran her fingers through her hair. The rough, almost like palm leaves, texture made her scalp tingle.

Then, she raised her arm and sniffed.

Ugh… she almost threw up.

It's over, my image is ruined…

Anna looked up at Lin Wei in despair, then retreated back into the room, silently wailing…

How could this happen?

Anna was going crazy. Recalling all the grievances she had endured recently, she began to question her life.

Why am I so unlucky?

"Lin Wei-kun…"

Also a girl, Yae Sakura deeply empathized with her current mental state. She sympathetically reminded Lin Wei.

Lin Wei also understood. He could hear Anna crying and frantically scrubbing and slapping herself through the door.

"That… the way I came is clear. You can leave on your own, and find a clean place to wash up…"

"Shut… I don't want to! I paid such a high price to investigate the evil conspiracy here, I'm not leaving!"

Anna jumped up as if stung by the words "wash up." She was about to retort, but her good manners made her swallow her words. She tried to control her anger and explained her purpose to Lin Wei.

Oh?

Lin Wei was surprised. It seemed things weren't as he had imagined.

If she wasn't captured, how did this Valkyrie track them here?

Lin Wei felt he needed to understand the situation, but right now, it wasn't the time for a calm conversation—the girl was on the verge of tears.

Oh, she's already crying? Never mind then.

Lin Wei had a headache. The situation here was unclear. He couldn't waste time arguing with her.

This is so troublesome…

Lin Wei sighed, glanced down the corridor and back the way he came. After a moment of thought, he gently knocked on Anna's "room" door and said,

"I've already checked the way I came. It's relatively safe. I'll take you to a bathroom where you can wash up. Then we can talk properly, okay?"

The door suddenly opened. Lin Wei even felt a gust of wind.

Anna stood at the doorway, head bowed, silently fidgeting with her toes inside her boots.

"Let's be clear, I can't help you with your clothes. If you're okay with that, go wash up. I'll stand guard outside. If not, you should leave now, don't cause me any trouble."

Lin Wei warned her concisely.

Anna nodded repeatedly. She wasn't worried about her clothes. Schicksal's combat suits were easy to clean.

So, Lin Wei quickly cleaned up any traces, let Anna return the way she came, and led her to a bathroom with a shower. He tapped his stick on the ground, disabling any potential surveillance, and stood guard outside.

A long time passed. Lin Wei checked his watch. He had been waiting for over half an hour.

Just as he was about to call out to her, he heard crisp, elegant footsteps approaching.

She's finally out. Lin Wei looked towards the sound and saw a girl with long, auburn hair walking gracefully towards him. A small butterfly hairpin adorned her bangs, complementing her beautiful face and gentle smile.

The girl walked up to Lin Wei, a faint fragrance surrounding her. She curtsied elegantly, like a noble lady.

"Greetings, Mr… I apologize for not knowing your name. My name is Anna Schariac, and I offer you my sincerest apologies…"

Anna had thought long and hard in the bathroom, finally deciding to use this method to regain some face.

She hoped to erase the bad impression she had made earlier.

"..."

Lin Wei was speechless.

Not because of her sudden greeting, but because of her familiar name.

Anna Schariac…

Those two words together could only belong to one person.

Lin Wei's gaze moved from her beautiful face down to her slender neck. A complete heart-shaped pendant hung there, shimmering even in the dim light of the building.

It really is her…

But according to the timeline, shouldn't she be in the Philippines?

Lin Wei suddenly felt a strange sense of dissonance. He thought for a moment, then instinctively took out the photo and looked at it again…

The dissonance intensified.

"Mr…?"

Not getting a response from Lin Wei, Anna felt strange. Aren't you going to say something?

"Ah, it's nothing."

Lin Wei was still searching for the source of the dissonance.

On a whim, he turned to look at the full-length mirror hanging by the bathroom door. He looked at his reflection—

Having overused the Divine Key while tracking the clues, Lin Wei's face was pale, his eyes dark and sunken. He looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept in days, almost ethereal.

He looked again. Something wasn't right…

He looked a third time, then took out the photo and looked at it again. Suddenly, it hit him—

Why do I look like I'm playing Chen Tianwu's role?

(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻