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

Humans are insignificant. The value of life is tragic.

Amidst the rising and falling cacophony, a construct "worker ant" calmly walked towards the source of the first roar. The moment it opened a door, a figure lunged out, seemingly illustrating this cruel truth with brutal efficiency.

Not only because the figure was instantly subdued by the construct, a mechanical claw calmly lifting and seizing its neck, slamming it to the ground, then dragging it away like a dead dog, the scraping sound echoing on the smooth floor;

But also because Lin Wei recognized the "person," now beyond recognition.

"Is that… him?!"

Anna gasped. She recognized him too—the investigative journalist who had been captured earlier. The memory card containing his last recording was tucked safely in her pocket.

She still remembered his final expression in the recording, a resolute look, like a moth drawn to a flame, a desperate desire to uncover the truth, to pursue justice.

But now, that passionate young man, his eyes once filled with light, had become an ugly, mindless Deadman. His once-smart suit was torn and tattered, reduced, like its owner, to worthless, pathetic filth.

His ideals and pursuits now seemed tragic and absurd.

"Damn it!"

Anna, snapping back to reality, was filled with shock and anger. She blamed herself for not saving him, furious at this base's desecration and contempt for life.

Lin Wei watched as Anna's hands trembled on her weapons, her internal struggle evident. She muttered to herself,

"He's already dead. I can't waste time here. He's already dead, he's dead… I have more important things to do… I can't expose myself here…"

There might be other survivors deeper inside. Alerting the enemy could put them in danger.

Finding the base's control center and destroying it would be the greatest blow to these evildoers…

"But…"

If it were Durandal, what would she do?

The image of the valiant, golden-haired Valkyrie suddenly appeared in Anna's mind.

Unable to convince herself, she drew her Crystal Edge, the blade shimmering with a blue frost, and charged forward. With a furious crack, she sliced the construct in half from the torso, then viciously stabbed the head and heart.

"*Crack… Grrr…!*"

The freed Deadman staggered to its feet, its twisted face fixated on the girl. Unaware that she was its savior, it saw her only as prey, its stiff limbs lunging towards Anna.

Anna held her blade in one hand, slowly drawing her pistol with the other. Her expression was complex as she aimed at the soulless husk.

"*Bang!*"

The Deadman collapsed, its already lifeless body devoid of blood, motionless on the ground, finally free.

"I'm sorry…"

Anna whispered sadly. No one knew why she apologized.

The surrounding roars intensified after the gunshot, like a hundred demons unleashed, echoing through the enclosed space, grating on the nerves.

A few more constructs, scattered in the corners, seemed oblivious to the brief fight.

Lin Wei walked over, gently picked up the now-peaceful body, and opened the door. He kicked the shattered remains of the construct inside, then carefully placed the man's body within, gently closing the door as if sealing a tomb.

"Now, even without my virus blocker, those stupid 'worker ants' won't notice anything unusual."

Lin Wei whispered, as if talking to himself.

"What was in the room?"

Anna, who had been standing there silently, suddenly asked.

"Nothing, just a small cage."

Lin Wei lied.

He had clearly seen small bloodstains, and a few broken, blood-soaked fingernails, the last traces of that once passionate young man.

Such a pity. This facility is so secure, how could a mere mortal hope to escape?

Lin Wei looked up at the dim ceiling. Wasn't this entire world just a larger, more secure, colder, and crueler cage?

Faced with the difficult choice between "survival" and "destruction," "justice" seemed absurd and meaningless.

"Let's go, Anna."

Lin Wei gently patted Anna's shoulder, reminding her they had things to do. He walked past her.

Suddenly, his wrist was grabbed. Lin Wei turned back, puzzled, and saw Anna's beautiful face, her expression lost and fragile.

"Lin Wei…"

"Yes, I'm here."

"You'll be okay, right?"

"I'm always with you. With you watching over me, how could anything happen?"

"Don't try to comfort me. I know what I am…"

Anna's expression darkened.

"I can eliminate Deadmen, I can defeat Honkai beasts, but I realize I can't defeat the Honkai, and I can't save anyone…"

Her voice was lost and sad. She gave a bitter, self-deprecating laugh.

"I don't even know if what I'm doing is right or wrong… This is… truly awful."

"Yes, it's awful…"

Lin Wei agreed, his voice filled with understanding.

Hearing him agree, Anna's eyes dimmed further.

"Isn't it awful that this world needs a delicate little girl like you to save it? Burdening such small shoulders with such a heavy mission, it's unfair."

Lin Wei smiled, ruffling her hair.

"This awful world, it might as well be destroyed."

"…Don't be absurd."

Anna was speechless. But Lin Wei's words had dispelled the inexplicable sadness in her heart.

"A person's life is like a mountain, built day by day. Instead of dwelling on the unchangeable past, it's better to cherish the present moment. Otherwise, you'll miss the sunrise."

Seeing Anna emerge from her despair, Lin Wei gently smoothed her ruffled hair, speaking softly,

"You've already done so much. No one is born invincible, knowing everything. Everyone's path is built step by step. The key is to never give up. As long as you keep going, you'll eventually reach your destination."

Anna, her face flushed from Lin Wei's touch, stepped back slightly, protesting,

"Where did you get all this cheesy advice?"

This time, Lin Wei protested,

"Cheesy? This is the culmination of my life's wisdom!"

Seeing the atmosphere lighten, Lin Wei became serious.

"Alright, enough playing around. We should go."

"Okay."

Anna nodded obediently, then softly called out,

"Lin Wei…"

"Yes?"

"You'll be okay, right?"

Everything felt familiar.

Lin Wei thought for a moment, then answered seriously,

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Nothing can defeat me. Not fate, not the Honkai, not even a Herrscher."

"A Herrscher? Such boasting…"

Anna chuckled, then looked at Lin Wei with confusion and uncertainty.

"But you really do know a lot… Lin Wei, who are you?"

Lin Wei smiled, looking at her, but didn't answer.

Some things were better left unsaid. Knowing too much wouldn't benefit either of them.

"Right, you didn't answer my offer earlier. I suppose you won't tell me…"

Anna suddenly realized, remembering how he had brushed off her invitation to join Schicksal. She unconsciously touched the pendant on her neck, her expression filled with regret. After a moment of hesitation, she gritted her teeth and asked,

"Then, just one last question… Will we become enemies?"

Anna's voice was soft, but Lin Wei felt that if he avoided this question again, she would be very, very disappointed.

Moreover, there was nothing to hide.

"It's complicated. I can't explain it in a few words. But you can rest assured, I will never become your enemy, or the enemy of the Valkyries."

"…What about Schicksal?"

Anna, her intelligence suddenly peaking, keenly caught the loophole in his words.

Wait, how did this sweet girl suddenly become so sharp?

Lin Wei was speechless.

But looking at Anna's intense gaze, he couldn't avoid the question. He said with a wry smile,

"That's not up to me…"

Lin Wei thought about the secrets he carried. Their magnanimous Overseer might not tolerate his existence.

"Then I should arrest you right here… Why are you telling me all this?"

Anna gently lifted her hands, lightly playing with Lin Wei's collar, as if tidying it, or preparing to seize his neck.

As if searching for a reason not to act, Anna, breaking her promise, asked another question.

In the past, if anyone dared to disrespect Schicksal in front of her, she would have them begging for mercy!

But now…

Recalling her experiences with Squad Snow Lotus, she found she had lost that initial impulse.

"Because you asked."

Lin Wei answered honestly. He was always quite frank.

…

Fine, considering how honest he's being, I'll indulge him.

"You said it yourself, you won't become my enemy. You have to keep your word…"

Anna reached out and straightened Lin Wei's slightly messy collar, then suddenly realized her actions were a bit too intimate. She froze, quickly retracting her hand as if she had been shocked.

Her actions had been too much like a wife tending to her husband. Lin Wei was also incredibly awkward, neither accepting nor rejecting. Now, with Anna pulling away, he breathed a sigh of relief.

This is getting complicated…