"Zzz—"
"Welcome back, Doctor Lin."
The moment Lin stepped into A-3 Sector, the area of Honkai energy erosion on his back began to ache.
He frowned, and Prometheus chimed in right on cue: [Lin, the Honkai energy concentration in A-3 Sector is too high. Do not act rashly]
Why would a data storage facility have such a high Honkai energy concentration?
Lin nudged Rit's kidney area with the gun.
"This is also where special Honkai Beasts are detained. After all, it's safer to keep classified documents and dangerous things together." Rit, holding his hands up, replied expressionlessly.
"...Let's go."
Lin wasn't carrying suppressants, so he had to quickly retrieve what he needed and couldn't afford any delay.
There was only one main server in A-3 Sector. Because of the high Honkai energy concentration, no one was stationed inside. Lin followed Rit to the server. He pulled out his helmet's data transmission cable and plugged it into the server.
[Initiating data search]
Thanks to Prometheus, Lin didn't have to focus on searching for the data. He concentrated on restraining Rit, giving him no opportunity to escape.
"Heh heh... No need to press so hard. You have the gun. You can shoot me dead if I try to run." Rit let out a scoff through his nose.
"...You are completely different now than you were before."
Before, Lin could still sense Rit's guilt over the lost Seeles. Now, there was no remorse whatsoever, as if it truly was just an ordinary mission.
"Aren't you too? Doctor Lin... No, I should say, Lin, right?"
The mission specifically mentioned that the attack was to be executed after Lin had left for his mission, and Lin's "appearance"—the helmet—was far too famous. Thus, Rit quickly pieced things together and logically determined Lin's true identity.
"Everyone says you're an emotionless monster, but it seems that's not entirely true." Rit sneered. "Aren't you still a young man who will violate regulations for his inner anger? It's nothing big."
"You must be eager to kill me right now. Don't mind it. Your thoughts are easy to guess. After all, you're just a kid about the same age as my daughter."
Lin's brilliant azure viewport was exceptionally eerie, even under the light. He stared impassively at Rit, who was sneering, and asked after a moment, "Are you provoking me? Why?"
"Is telling the truth considered provocation? Don't overestimate yourself. Even if you expose the Cocoon, it won't matter. It won't shake anyone in the Moth of the Fire Chasers."
"Why do you think The Deepest Reaches exists? To lock up criminals? Haha... The so-called crimes are also invented by humans themselves. So who knows who will be locked up here?"
The implication was that even if Lin did all this and exposed the actions of some high-ranking officials, he would also be framed with fabricated charges and imprisoned in The Deepest Reaches.
[Lin, no information regarding the Cocoon was found]
"...You lied to me."
"I didn't lie. The Cocoon's data is in paper archives, D5, but you didn't ask me, did you?"
"..."
Lin gave the mocking Rit a deep look, glanced at the pile of file bags stacked in the corner, and slowly pressed him toward the files.
Closer.
Lin stopped about a meter away from the files. He realized one thing.
If he reached for them, he would have to let go of Rit.
Would Rit, fearless of death, try to run away?
Or was this actually a trap set by Rit?
While Lin was thinking, he noticed the topmost archive bag clearly labeled D5.
Rit subtly smiled.
"..."
"What, aren't you going to take it? Are you that afraid of me, the guy you easily subdued?"
This was blatant provocation. Lin wouldn't lose his temper over it, but he genuinely couldn't hold the gun, grab the files, and restrain Rit all at once. Rit was a member of the Cocoon; he was no weaker than any other soldier in combat.
After a moment of deliberation, Lin approached the archive bags. After one last look at the motionless Rit, he reached out his hand for the archive bag.
His other hand held the gun firmly pressed against Rit.
Only a few centimeters left.
Lin's hand rested on the archive bag.
"Clack."
The moment of this insignificant sound, a cold glint flashed in Rit's eyes. He bent his right elbow, delivering a strike toward Lin's face.
Lin, who had anticipated Rit's move, quickly tilted his head, easily avoiding the sneak attack. However, his finger on the trigger did not pull.
Lin's inaction surprised Rit, but it didn't hinder his escape. He immediately darted off, dodging Lin's sweep, and ran toward the area where the Honkai Beasts were detained.
Did he fail to return to his optimal state after all...
Lin didn't hesitate this time, aiming and firing three shots at Rit's legs.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Rit easily dodged the first two shots, but Lin deliberately left less than half a second between the first and second, which Rit picked up on. However, the third shot was fired much faster than the second, and a surprised Rit was shot through his right thigh by the last bullet, stumbling and falling to the ground instantly.
"Cough... This guy..." Rit was drenched in cold sweat from the pain. He looked back at Lin, who had the archives, and was walking toward him with the gun.
Lure, then sneak attack. His combat strategy was similar to close combat. What a dirty trickster. And his aim was truly accurate.
But...
Rit ignored the pain and jumped up, limping forward toward the front again.
Lin, who was about to shoot again, paused as he aimed.
Was he intentionally running into the line of fire?
Rit knew Lin was going to shoot his left leg, so this time he tried to keep his body low, placing his vital areas closer to Lin's shooting line. This was nothing to Lin's marksmanship, but it gave him a few tenths of a second of hesitation, which was enough time for Rit to do something.
"Bang! Bang!"
Two more shots.
Rit silently counted the bullets in the magazine. He dodged the bullets again. Lin repeated his trick, firing the third shot with a disrupted rhythm.
"Bang!"
This time, the fully focused Rit had figured out Lin's little trick. He dodged in the opposite direction, so Lin couldn't possibly hit his leg...
"Smack!"
A wrenching pain came from his left leg.
"Eh?"
"Clatter." Rit, with both legs disabled, fell to the ground with a look of despair.
He looked back at Lin's still smoking gun muzzle.
The muzzle was pointed at the floor?
It was a... ricochet.
"Fooled again. Your combat ability is truly outstanding." Rit shook his head.
But Lin, who was halfway there, stopped. He even lowered his gun.
Because Rit was now right in front of the gate detaining the Honkai Beasts. He was barely propped up, leaning against the wall, and placing his ID card on the... switch beside him.
"Heh heh. Now, is it just like that time? If I release these Honkai Beasts, can you kill them all before they hurt anyone else?"
Rit mocked the halted Lin.