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

Lin Wei was utterly bewildered, overwhelmed by a powerful sense of déjà vu.

I swear to god, the only reason I said I was "saving my little sister" was because I happened to have the right props, and to save time and effort, I just made up an excuse.

I thought we were just strangers. After clearing up the misunderstanding, we would go our separate ways, never to meet again.

Now, it seems we're stuck together?

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot…

Lin Wei thought, Look at me, look at me…

(ノへ￣,)

During this brief moment of bewilderment, he quickly realized he needed to do some damage control.

If they were parting ways, it wouldn't be a big deal. But since they were likely to travel together for a while, it was best to clear things up while their relationship was still awkwardly strained, and while Anna felt guilty and he had the upper hand. Otherwise, when the lie inevitably unraveled, things would become even more awkward and difficult to explain.

And by then, he would be the one at a disadvantage.

Lin Wei would never allow that to happen.

Turning away from the mirror and his haggard reflection, Lin Wei rubbed his cheeks, cleared his throat, and looked at Anna's beautiful face. He spoke seriously,

"Miss Anna, there's something…"

Lin Wei was always decisive. While he enjoyed playing dumb, he never delayed important matters.

But he couldn't keep up with the girl's decisiveness…

Anna also couldn't stand the awkward atmosphere. Hearing that Lin Wei was about to say something, she interrupted without hesitation, her face serious,

"Now's not the time for idle chatter. This isn't a safe place. We need to act quickly!"

Oh, so you know that too…

Lin Wei facepalmed. Then why did you spend half an hour in the bathroom? Beauty over safety, huh?

Seeing Lin Wei's unconcerned expression, Anna spoke urgently,

"I encountered a few strange individuals on my way here. They looked like some kind of mass-produced constructs. I've never seen anything like them in the database!"

As she spoke, Anna felt something was off. Why didn't Lin Wei look the least bit nervous?

"You mean that thing?"

The moment Anna finished, Lin Wei pointed in a direction and asked calmly, as if he already knew the answer.

Anna followed his finger and gasped—

A red and black humanoid construct was emerging from around a corner, heading towards them.

"Yes, that's it!"

Anna quickly backed away, preparing to hide in the bathroom. Turning, she saw that Lin Wei was still standing there, unfazed. She grabbed his collar, pulling him into the bathroom with her.

Then, she pinned him against the wall, covering his mouth with her hand. Holding her breath, she glared at the door.

Time passed. Footsteps echoed in the corridor, approaching and then receding.

Anna held her breath for a few more seconds, making sure there was nothing unusual before slowly exhaling. She released Lin Wei, her pink eyes glaring at him. Lowering her voice, she asked menacingly,

"Who are you?"

This man was too strange: alone, claiming to be here to rescue someone, yet carrying no weapons!

And his attitude was too casual. He showed no urgency or anxiety, instead strolling around like he owned the place. It was this overly casual demeanor that had misled her, causing her earlier embarrassment.

No, perhaps it wasn't a misjudgment. I was almost tricked by this hateful guy!

Anna glared even more fiercely at Lin Wei, but considering that he hadn't tried anything funny yet, she decided to give him one last chance to explain.

If his answer wasn't satisfactory, she wouldn't hesitate to show him what an A-rank Valkyrie was capable of!

Why did Lin Wei look so calm?

Because he was exhausted. Even Yae Sakura had suggested he rest, but he had refused.

His seemingly relaxed demeanor was just a way to conserve energy and focus.

After all, with Pandora and Yae Sakura protecting him from two different dimensions, he felt quite safe. That was why he could afford to be so composed.

But how could he tell that to anyone?

Especially to a Schicksal Valkyrie!

Lin Wei pointed to the large puddle on the floor and said calmly,

"If I had any malicious intentions, I would have already done something in the time you spent making a mess."

Lin Wei even felt a pang of sympathy for Anna. This silly girl, she's too kind. If he were in her position, he would have tackled her to the ground first, regardless of how dirty the floor was.

Anna was momentarily speechless, recalling how disheveled she had been. She awkwardly took a few steps back, wanting to dig her toes into the ground.

After a moment, she regained her composure and continued her interrogation,

"No, you're not even the least bit anxious. You can't fool me! Tell me, who are you?"

Is this a Schicksal Valkyrie?

Is this a Schariac?

Sharp, yes. Naive, also yes…

Lin Wei was amazed. No wonder Cecilia was so easily tricked by Siegfried. They were practically giving themselves away.

They're all so… innocent…

…Siegfried, you're breaking the law, you know that, right?

Lin Wei's inner monologue continued.

"Because I'm a hacker. I'm good at dealing with security systems. I have a device that can block the surveillance here, and even those strange constructs. They're not human, so I can make them ignore me."

Lin Wei casually explained, gesturing with his hiking stick.

Calling himself a hacker was reasonable, considering he possessed the Key of Corruption.

In fact, if he wanted to, he could even control any construct he encountered. But he didn't. He always preferred to avoid complications.

Thinking of this, Lin Wei glanced at Anna.

Well, things have already become complicated.

"As for you, a Schicksal Valkyrie. Why are you here?"

After a brief explanation, Lin Wei immediately turned the question back to Anna, not giving her a chance to speak.

"You know me?"

Anna was surprised.

"Like I said, I'm a hacker. Knowing about Schicksal isn't strange, is it?"

Lin Wei pointed at the Schicksal insignia on her clothes.

"It's getting late. Let's exchange information."

This was Coral Island. Why was Anna Schariac here at this time?

This puzzled Lin Wei. There were too many possibilities.

He needed to understand the situation, to gather enough information, and to regain control.

Was it because of his butterfly effect that Anna's actions had deviated from the original timeline, causing her to be deployed here early?

Or was this a trap set for him, but Anna, active in Southeast Asia, had been caught in it by accident?

Or was it just a coincidence?

Regardless, the world was changing. He couldn't afford to be complacent.

Otherwise, his so-called "God's perspective" might become his downfall.

This was why he was patiently playing along, even if it wasted time and introduced variables.

As a transmigrator with no cheats, he had to be cautious.

Therefore, while he still had options and a way out, he wouldn't take unnecessary risks.

Meanwhile, Anna studied Lin Wei's face. His haggard appearance, clearly from lack of sleep, did fit the image of a hacker.

"So, you're just a tech guy who spends all day in front of a computer, but to save your little sister, you're willing to risk your life and play the hero?"

Anna, having read countless hero stories, quickly pieced together a romantic narrative—

"A brother and sister, orphaned by the Honkai, relying on each other. The older brother uses his hacking skills to make money, while the younger sister is obedient and doesn't cause trouble. They live a simple but happy life.

But tragedy strikes. One day, the innocent sister is kidnapped. The distraught brother, having lost his last family, frantically searches everywhere, finally finding a clue that leads him here, where he coincidentally meets her…"

Oh my god, how romantic and touching!

Just thinking about it almost brought Anna to tears. She patted her chest excitedly, assuring Lin Wei,

"Don't worry, I'll definitely rescue your sister!"

Such a brave, pitiful soul… Anna looked at Lin Wei sympathetically. She knew there were Schicksal Valkyries specifically tasked with handling such matters.

As for how they handled them, Anna didn't know, but it wouldn't be pleasant.

Thinking of Schicksal, and the things she had seen and couldn't accept, Anna's excitement deflated.

She looked at Lin Wei resolutely.

She decided to protect this pitiful brother and sister, to keep them hidden from Schicksal.

Thinking this, she grabbed Lin Wei's hand and pulled him along, urging him,

"Hurry, Schicksal's support should arrive soon. We don't have much time."

"?"

Lin Wei was bewildered. He had just seen tears welling up in her eyes, about to cry, then her expression changed several times before she suddenly looked determined, grabbing his hand and pulling him along.

A girl's mind is truly hard to understand… Lin Wei was completely lost.

Wait, what do you mean by support?

Is this place a secret Schicksal base?

So, you're an escaped experiment subject?

"Tch, setting up bases all over the world, conducting shady human experiments… it's the kind of thing Otto would do."

Thinking about it, Lin Wei felt it made sense.

He looked at the girl's hurrying figure sympathetically—If that was the case, then she probably wasn't the real Anna, right?

A clone implanted with Anna's memories?

That would explain her naiveté.

I misjudged you, Anna. I apologize…

So, her disheveled appearance and anxiety were because she had just escaped from a cloning pod?

And she was in a hurry to leave because she was afraid of being discovered by Schicksal?

Otto, you bastard, look what you've done!

Lin Wei sighed.

But he quickly realized something wasn't right—She had said she was here to investigate. She had refused to leave. Why would she be in a hurry to escape?

Something's wrong. There's a problem. I must have misunderstood something.

Sorry.

Lin Wei glanced at Anna, silently apologizing. He picked up a black feather—

Time to find out the truth.

Lin Wei disliked reading other people's memories. It felt like an invasion of privacy, especially towards those he considered friendly, like this naive Valkyrie.

Therefore, he always used the simulated Fenghuang Down sparingly. He only wanted a glimpse of the girl's recent thoughts and memories.

"???"

Hold on a minute!

I apologize, Miss Anna. I take back my apology. I misjudged you.

So, you're really this naive and innocent…

Lin Wei was speechless, thunderstruck by the girl's overly romantic inner monologue.

It was so romantic it was almost painful.

(ノへ￣,)

Thoughts raced. By the time Anna pulled him out of the room and into the empty corridor, Lin Wei had already pieced together the entire story.

Anna, being a Valkyrie, was very strong. She was only holding back because of his "ordinary person" physique. Therefore, he easily grabbed her hand, pulled her into a nearby room, and closed the door.

Lin Wei felt a chill. He was on the verge of a crisis—

With how easily embarrassed she is, if she finds out about my blunder, she might go Herrscher on the spot! Then I'm dead!

No, I have to clear things up!