38. Deal with the Raven, Simulation Again.
The World Serpent, an organization that has existed since ancient times, has long been present in the world. It has a strict internal hierarchy and a vast membership.
With the Ouroboros as its symbol, united under a single belief, they are brought together by extreme loyalty.
The Raven, however... isn't quite so loyal.
She is a mercenary. Excellent mercenaries often have little to do with the word "loyalty." Her reason for belonging to the World Serpent has nothing to do with faith or ideals; she rarely cares about such things. Unlike Cocolia, or that "Grey Serpent," she is different.
She works for the World Serpent simply because she owes Grey Serpent a huge favor, and the World Serpent's salary is quite generous. For a mercenary like her, who can do nothing but kill, she can't think of any other options.
When the World Serpent doesn't need her, Raven reverts to being that mercenary. When the World Serpent needs her, she returns to the organization as an Enforcer—who doesn't like two paychecks?
This time, Raven has two tasks.
First, to capture the culprit behind the Fourth Honkai Eruption, the fleeing Herrscher named Kiana Kaslana, and obtain the thing called "Feather" in her mind.
Second, to be wary of Schicksal's Immortal Blades squad and help Grey Serpent complete his "plan."
By releasing information, Grey Serpent will find an opportunity to infiltrate the Schicksal Far East branch, which is now cooperating with Anti-Entropy, and hack into the Hyperion's main system.
The ultimate goal is... to reach the Sea of Quanta's entrance at St. Fountain, and welcome one of the World Serpent's "Lords" back to the real world!
Due to her past mercenary career, Raven has some understanding of the concept of the Sea of Quanta, but she just wants to do her job well and get paid.
That Cocolia is radical and crazy. Although she has quite some achievements in the research field, she's not very bright. She even wants to wipe out the entire Immortal Blades squad for experiments. In Raven's view, that's pure suicide.
The Lords have not yet returned; it's not yet time for the World Serpent to step into the open. If they move against Schicksal now, once Otto discovers it and Durandal comes knocking, is Cocolia going to be the one to deal with her?
So, Raven is more cautious. She has two preparations: one is to contact Rita as a consultant for Shenzhou Pharmaceuticals, and the other... is to capture a "tongue."
She observed that group of Valkyries for a few days and finally selected her target—a man.
A man mingling among Valkyries requires caution; it often means he possesses strength comparable to a Valkyrie. The World Serpent is deeply aware of this—Otto, Siegfried, Welt... are all troublesome. A few years ago in London, Raven and Cocolia suffered a setback.
However, after two days of observation, Raven finally confirmed the man's identity.
This man really is just an ordinary logistics officer. He works at the Schicksal outpost during the day and goes out to purchase supplies in the evening.
He has some combat ability, capable of fighting lone Honkai beasts, but this is something any field Valkyrie can do.
As a logistics officer, he must possess more valuable information than an ordinary Valkyrie. Moreover, Raven can use some "minor means" to make him return safely afterward, forgetting everything that happened, without alerting Schicksal.
The plan was going smoothly until this man walked into the bar and, in front of Raven, called out that rarely known, true name belonging to her.
"Raven, Enforcer of the World Serpent, Miss Natasha Cioara—this isn't one of those black shops that rip off customers, is it?"
Seeing the "bartender" before him, her beautiful pupils constricting into pinpoints from shock before she forcibly calmed herself, Gao Qi revealed a satisfied smile.
"Put away your claws under the counter. I'm just here for a drink—unnecessary probing isn't needed. You know, since I came here alone, I'm confident I can escape."
Shrugging, Gao Qi casually tossed an energy-draining grenade outside. With a flicker of electricity, several modified World Serpent mechs immediately shut down.
This thing automatically adsorbs Honkai energy after detonation and then causes widespread electromagnetic interference. It always annoyed Gao Qi in the game, but now he could use it to annoy others.
"...It seems I am the prey, Mr. Gao Qi. Very few people know that name. What do you want?"
Quickly regaining her composure, Raven narrowed her eyes, her whole body tensed, ready to counterattack at any moment—from the speed he threw the grenade, Raven knew the "weakness" this man showed when facing Honkai beasts the past two days was pure pretense.
"Need you ask? When facing a mercenary, besides hiring you for a job, what else could there be? Don't stop, keep mixing the drink. Such hospitality is a bit cold."
Placing his hands on the bar, observing Raven's changes with interest, Gao Qi quite enjoyed watching this handsome big sister show a flustered expression.
Just like last time with Siegfried and the others, this time Gao Qi also just wanted to make a deal, not make friends.
"Of course, I want to hire both, 'Raven,' and, 'Gray Serpent,' so I won't have you coming after me later, right?"
The number one and number two mercenaries are the same person—a secret usually only dead employers know.
Raven was silent for a moment, then quietly turned around, retrieved ingredients from the shelf, and began seriously mixing a drink.
"...You know I'm a World Serpent Enforcer, so you naturally know about our organization's existence. Do you truly intend to hire me—do you think you can afford the price, or withstand the serpent's wrath?"
Soon, two glasses of greenish-black absinthe were placed before Gao Qi. Raven narrowed her eyes, full of threat.
"Let me think, the price... A safe, indestructible villa island, a sanctuary where the children you adopted in the 'Nest' can grow up safely—wow, dangerous, this could corrupt children."
Gao Qi's right hand picked up the glass, while his left hand caught a black raven feather dart shot towards his head—the woman before him really did want to kill him.
"I don't care where you got this information, but if you dare lay a finger on them—"
Halfway through her sentence, Raven knew she had lost her composure. In mercenary negotiations, breaking composure often means failure, means you truly have something you care about, a weakness that can be exploited—a fatal weakness.
If this Schicksal "logistics officer" knows such detailed information about her, does that mean all of Schicksal...
"Alright, my gentle big sister Natasha, don't worry—this is a personal hire. Schicksal doesn't know, the World Serpent doesn't know. Don't worry about being monitored; Schicksal's electromagnetic interference technology is quite mature... I've been a father before, and I love children too, you can rest assured."
At this moment, electronic signals inside the bar couldn't possibly get out. Gao Qi looked at Raven and extended his right hand.
"...What do you want?"
Hesitating for a moment, Raven silently reached out her hand and shook Gao Qi's. She had to admit, this man's coercion and inducement left her no choice but to accept this "private commission"—although she was extremely wary of him.
"Good. Then, Miss Raven, I want your... phone number. The kind I can call anytime and you'll answer. You have to admit, a beautiful, excellent, cruel yet kind woman like you has truly captured my heart."
Gao Qi showed a mischievous smile. Of course, he wasn't planning to cheat; it's just that for the upcoming operation in the skies, he needed a helper he could contact at any time.
Whether loyal, reliable, or trustworthy or not, Gao Qi would have one more helper.
"...Fine, I'll give it to you. Before you leave, you'd better throw a few more grenades."
For a moment, Raven really wanted to slap this man, but she held back—she felt like this impulse carried a familiar sense of anger.
"Then, happy cooperation."
Gao qi shrugged, finished his absinthe, and then pressed a distress button on his uniform. Although his own combat strength was more than enough to easily escape, having help wouldn't be better, right?
A minute later, an explosion erupted in the bar. A group of World Serpent members, belonging to Raven, rushed in with weapons drawn, only to find Raven covered in dust and looking disheveled.
"...The capture failed. That guy from Schicksal got away. A Valkyrie came to his rescue."
Recalling the string of phone numbers, Raven took a deep breath.
This mission in Skyline City was probably going to be much more difficult than imagined.
——————
"Thank you for the rescue, Miss Rita. I knew you would come to save me."
Held by a slender arm, his body tucked against a soft, slender waist, Gao qi was being carried like a sack in Rita's embrace as they darted through the neon lights of Arc City.
"If I were still carrying out the Overseer's mission, I wouldn't have responded to your distress signal, you know? Mr. Gao qi, please don't wander so far next time."
Her delicate face was hidden behind a light green gas mask, and Rita's eyes curved into lovely crescents. Each time her feet touched the ground, a faint green electric light flashed, allowing her to leap effortlessly onto platforms dozens of meters away while holding Gao qi.
"Those who attacked you are likely a third force besides Schicksal and Anti-Entropy. As the easiest target among us, Mr. Gao qi, you'd better not go out anymore."
Soon, the two returned to the Schicksal outpost. The moment she saw Alvitr, Rita tossed her a red mechanical eyeball and began assigning tasks to the other Valkyries.
"I took care of that information broker known as Gray Serpent. Immediately decipher the biometric code on it. By midnight tonight, we'll let Anti-Entropy breach Gray Serpent's stronghold first and then reap the rewards. According to the previous groupings, some of you will set up an ambush outside Gray Serpent's stronghold..."
Rita's expression was not relaxed. She kept recalling the words of the information broker named Gray Serpent before she silenced him.
"Auntie Rita... you are already in the Serpent's eyes."
That bastard actually called her "Auntie"! She's only twenty-two!
Of course, besides that, Rita also felt a lingering unease, as if a venomous snake was secretly watching her closely.
"Yes!" The Valkyries responded in unison. When it came to fighting for humanity, their efficiency was never in question.
"Alright, everyone. Since today's operation will be quite late, how about some good food? I bought plenty of ingredients for barbecue."
However, soon after, a gentle male voice drew the Valkyries' attention. Gao qi finished checking the ingredients sold to him by Raven's subordinates, confirmed they were fine, and waved to the Valkyries.
"Great! I want grilled lamb legs!"
"I want Turkish kebabs!"
"I want grilled lamb kidneys!"
The average age of these girls was around twenty, the prime of their youth. Without the Honkai, they might just be ordinary people spending their evenings shopping and eating barbecue with friends.
Watching the enthusiastic Valkyries, Rita couldn't help but sigh. Before the mission began, she had no right to stop the soldiers from relaxing, so she just tied on her maid apron.
Her maid instincts wouldn't allow these beautiful girls to turn into rough, barbecue-loving women under Gao qi's influence. They needed to be elegant, like Bianka.
"Then I'll make something too. Does anyone want dessert after the meal?"
"Yeah!"
Amidst the rivalry between Gao qi and Rita, who had inexplicably become competitive, the Valkyries enjoyed a perfect dinner before taking a short rest, waiting for the next day's operation.
Of course, Gao qi didn't need to participate; he provided support from the rear. He knew nothing major would happen tonight—just some minor skirmishes—so he lay back on his bed.
"Well, there's still time. I haven't simulated for a few days, and it feels strangely lonely—ah, forget it, just a quick simulation?"
Thinking this, Gao qi lay on his bed and silently closed his eyes.
[Using accumulated simulator attempts, simulation starting—]
[Simulation time: 2012 AD, Current Era.]
[Simulation location: Ural Mountains.]
[Scenario Name: Raven, Silver Wolf, and the Sea.]
[Simulation begins.]
——————
Arc City, night.
Under the pitch-black sky, the faint, barely visible stars were obscured by a massive distortion. Unnoticed by anyone, a huge warship hovered invisibly above Skyline City.
The Hyperion battleship, once Schicksal's flagship, had recently joined Anti-Entropy following the rebellion of the Far East Branch.
"The biometric chip from Gray Serpent has been analyzed. We've confirmed the location of Gray Serpent's stronghold. Mei, Bronya, be very careful later. Get the key information and leave immediately."
Theresa, whose appearance hadn't changed from years ago, just like a little girl, was carrying the golden Oath of Judah on her back as she instructed a young woman with long black hair and a girl with gray spiral twin-tails.
"Understood, Principal. We'll find Kiana as soon as possible."
"Mm, Bronya knows what it feels like to lose oneself and be manipulated. That idiot Kiana must be in great pain right now. No matter what, Bronya will save her."
The two girls spoke with different tones, but both conveyed their concern for Kiana.
"Yeah, I also promised a certain bastard that I'd take good care of Kiana. Ha... Let's make it quick. Every extra minute we stay here increases our danger."
With a somewhat nostalgic gaze, Theresa looked out at the bustling city, recalling that bastard whose face she had forgotten but not his way of speaking—the child he risked his life to save must not come to harm.
"With that—operation begin!"
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?