The morning sun had just risen. On a lonely island belonging to the Sakura Empire, the salty sea breeze swept along the sheer cliffs, lifting Akagi's long crimson hair.
She stood at the very edge of the precipice, fingers tightly wrapped around a black cube that shimmered with a constantly shifting, dark light.
In front of her, the Observer lounged lazily atop her enormous octopus-like rigging, her slender legs dangling over the edge, swinging lightly in the air.
"The Sirens' promises are always wrapped in a sugary coating," Akagi's voice strained to suppress the turmoil within. "Are you sure this plan can really bring my sister back to me?"
The Observer showed a smile as innocent as a child's, yet deep within her eyes hid a darkness impossible to gauge.
"Miss Akagi should understand that miracles always come at a price. That said, creating miracles is precisely the field in which we excel the most."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice threaded with a seductive, bewitching cadence. "As long as Project Orochi proceeds smoothly, Amagi will return to your side in an entirely new form. This much, I can guarantee... on the honor of the Sirens."
"Stand down!"
A talisman wreathed in cyan flames whistled through the air, hurtling straight toward the Observer, only to be dodged at the last instant by a light twist of her body.
"Kaga, you are as impatient as ever," the Observer chuckled, amusement coloring her tone.
"But I understand. After all, you shipgirls of the Sakura Empire value these so-called 'bonds' above all else, do you not?"
She turned her gaze back to Akagi, continuing in that same tempting voice.
"You must understand, this is the only path we can offer. If you pass up this chance, Amagi will remain asleep forever, buried in the depths of your memories. Is that truly a future you are willing to accept?"
Akagi lowered her lashes. Her nails dug so hard into her palm that a thin bead of blood seeped out between her fingers.
Kaga stepped forward quickly, placing herself between Akagi and the Observer.
"Akagi, do not be deceived by her honeyed lies!" Kaga's voice was sharp with anger. "The Sirens never make a losing bargain. They are only using you!"
"What other choice do we have, Kaga?"
Akagi raised her head, her eyes burning with an obsession that refused to be extinguished.
"From the day we lost Amagi, we have fought, struggled, clung to life by our fingernails... all for the chance to see her again. Even if there is only a sliver of hope..."
"But what if it is a trap?!" Kaga cut in urgently, a rare panic in her voice. "What if the price we pay far outweighs anything we gain, and it even endangers the entire future of the Sakura Empire?"
Akagi fell silent.
Waves pounded against the cliff face with deafening force, the roar of the ocean like an echo of the war raging inside her heart.
For a long time she said nothing. Then, at last, she drew in a deep breath. Her fingers tightened, closing firmly around the black cube.
"I am willing to gamble this once, Kaga," she said, "For my sister's sake, I am prepared to bear any consequence."
She turned to the Observer, "I accept your terms. But if you break your promise... I swear I will make you pay a terrible price."
The Observer's smile deepened, gaining a sharper edge. "Very well. I look forward to your performance."
Akagi said nothing more. She turned away and walked off.
Kaga watched her retreating back, that figure filled with such fierce determination, and in the end could only hurry after her.
The two of them were gradually swallowed by thick sea fog, their silhouettes fading until they vanished beyond the horizon.
Only once they had completely disappeared did the smile on the Observer's face drop away, replaced by sheer, bone-deep weariness.
She let out a sigh and rubbed her aching temples. "Project Orochi again... I have lost count of how many test sites we have repeated the same thing in over the years.
"And on top of that, there is the endless flood of experimental data to process. The higher-ups only know how to issue orders, never caring how troublesome it is to carry them out."
She swayed her legs idly, muttering in a low, complaining tone. "They are always going on about 'evolution' and 'the future', yet we are the ones working non-stop the entire year, doing all the dirty and exhausting tasks.
"By human standards, all the resentment I have built up would probably be enough to nourish several cursed sword spirits already!"
If it were not for the orders she had to obey, she would have thrown her tools down long ago and walked away.
Just then, the communicator at her side chimed with an urgent alert.
The Observer glanced at the signal source... it was from a unit directly under Tester α.
She pressed the receive button, her tone sliding back into its usual detached calm. "Speak."
"Emergency report. An abnormal signal source has been detected. No match found in any historical experiment data. Requesting immediate investigation."
The Observer straightened slightly. "Details."
"Target is located at one of Azur Lane's main bases. Designation: special human individual. Likely arrived via black hole transmission. Confirmed to possess the ability to generate strategic resources. Recommendation: increase difficulty of subsequent experiments and obtain a broader range of reaction data."
"Black hole transmission?"
For once, genuine surprise flickered across the Observer's face. "You are certain there is no misreading?"
"Data has undergone triple verification. No error."
She fell silent for a moment in thought, then her lips curved slowly upward, a sharp interest glinting in her eyes. "How intriguing... a human who survived a black hole and can create resources on top of that? That is a rare specimen, one we have never documented."
She kicked her feet lightly, voice taking on an almost playful lilt. "Increase the combat strength of the mass-produced ships allocated to Akagi by thirty-five percent. Also, implement full monitoring of the target's movements and transmit all data in real time."
"Understood. Shall we proceed with intervention and guidance?"
"Not for now. Let us simply watch... and see what kind of surprises he can bring."
...
The next morning, gentle sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, casting mottled shadows across the dormitory floor.
Kenji slowly surfaced from sleep, and the system interface unfolded automatically in his consciousness.
[Resource auto-calculation complete]
> Oil: 11000 (total accumulation time: 22 hours)
> Coins: 22000 (total accumulation time: 22 hours)
[New Skill Acquired: Challenger LV1 (0/100)]
> Passive effect: When facing an opponent whose strength far exceeds your own, gain a temporary attribute boost. The greater the difference in strength, the more significant the bonus!
Kenji carefully read the skill description, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint, unreadable smile.
In this world, such an ability could not have come at a better time.
He changed into the uniform Javelin had prepared for him, pinned the crystal ID that marked him as Chief of Logistics neatly to his chest, and decided to grab breakfast before meeting Javelin to arrange the day's work.
The base cafeteria was broad and bright. Morning sunlight streamed in through enormous glass windows, bathing the entire space in warmth.
The aroma of food mingled with the clear, lively chatter of shipgirls, filling the room with energy. The moment Kenji stepped inside, he felt various gazes turning toward him... curious, speculative, friendly, and a few tinged with skepticism.
Soft whispers drifted to his ears in fragments.
"Is that the new Chief of Logistics?"
"I heard he is neither a Commander nor a shipgirl..."
"A human? His appointment letter was signed personally by Her Highness Prince of Wales."
"They say he went through a black hole and survived. Is that even possible?"
Kenji did not shy away from the attention. He simply nodded calmly in acknowledgment and walked straight toward the serving area.
Just as he picked up a tray, a soft, slightly timid voice sounded behind him.
"Um... hello."