The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"Interesting, high resistance to Honkai energy? But how can she achieve such high energy utilization efficiency…"

Mobius was intently focused on the readings on the instrument panel, completely unaware of what was happening behind her. Of course, even if she had been paying attention to more than just that, she wouldn't have noticed Lee's intrusion, because Lee was also skilled as a petty thief.

The Laborer Skill Set was proving its worth!

Therefore, Mobius didn't notice anything until Lee stood right behind her. This made Lee ponder what to do.

She wanted to play a joke, but how should she do it?

Mobius's figure was attractive, even from the back, wearing a lab coat. Lee glanced at her curvy butt, her hand itching slightly—it would probably feel nice to pat, right?

But that would be too rude, even borderline harassment, even for a woman. Lee, not wanting to act like that, regretfully abandoned the idea.

Hmm, what to do…?

When you're home alone and suddenly realize someone has entered without your knowing, it's terrifying.

And what's even more terrifying is when that person comes up behind you and gently blows on your neck.

Even the audacious Mobius showed an extreme reaction to this sudden event.

Clang!

Seeing Mobius jump up like a cat who'd suddenly discovered a cucumber behind her, and the lab equipment that she knocked over, Lee felt a little awkward. All she wanted was a little joke.

A mad scientist who also had a girly side?

And now she was worried she'd be blamed for interrupting the experiment… Luckily, she was quick enough to catch a few of the important-looking items.

"Sorry, sorry, I just wanted to play a joke." Placing the equipment back on the table, Lee apologized and offered her hand to Mobius, who had fallen to the floor. "I didn't think I'd scare you, Dr. Mobius."

"…"

Mobius's green-and-purple eyes looked at Lee, but she didn't take her hand. Instead, she picked up the glasses she had dropped, put them back on, and stood up. "Not only did I not receive any notification about you entering headquarters, the security measures also failed. I was worried you'd be some pink gorilla who only knew how to use brute force, but I guess not."

"A gorilla? I'm a beautiful young girl!" Lee smiled sheepishly. "Please forgive me, since I caught your things."

"Heh, whatever, it's not a problem." Mobius checked the instruments on the table. After confirming that nothing was broken, she turned to face Lee. "I'm Mobius. It seems I don't need to introduce myself."

"Lee, fifteen years old, just finished nine years of compulsory education. Currently, a Fire Moth soldier, responsible for security in the headquarters' experimental area, starting today. My favorite color is white, my favorite flavor is spicy, my favorite animal is a cat—"

"What are you talking about?" Mobius couldn't help but interrupt Lee, who was going on and on. "I know who you are. I've already received your information."

"But that doesn't tell you who I am, right? At most it includes my physical test results and things like name and age." Lee tilted her head, her smile unchanging. "To truly understand someone, just knowing their strength, speed, and Honkai resistance isn't enough, right?"

"I think knowing their hobbies is a much better way to understand someone. So, a self-introduction is necessary."

"I see, I completely understand..." Mobius nodded thoughtfully.

Was this person some kind of airheaded idiot?

"Unfortunately, I'm not interested in your hobbies~"

"Don't say that. I'll be working in your lab, and we'll be together for a long time, right? It's important to understand each other. Don't be so cold, Doctor~"

"Together for a long time?" Mobius chuckled, not saying anything.

Demon, serpent, mad, inhumane… those were the most common words people used to describe Mobius.

Mobius didn't think there was anything wrong with those labels. After all, even if she didn't care about morality, she knew that what she did was considered cruel and insane to others.

Whether it was disgust towards Mobius, or resistance to her experiments, whatever the reason, the fact was that Mobius's lab had the highest turnover rate in all of Fire Moth, even higher than frontline troops. Most members left within three months, and she barely had anyone working there anymore.

People like Bianca, who would honestly do her job as an assistant without interfering with her experiments, were too rare.

The reason Mobius had invited Lee wasn't because she thought Lee could stay in her lab. She just wanted to use Lee for a few experiments before she left.

She knew Lee was an excellent subject from the blood samples she had received. After Lee had defeated the Herrscher of Reason, she was even more sure.

It was just a pity that her fame was so great. Her invitation was so fiercely contested. Mobius didn't even think Lee would accept her invitation. After all, she was so infamous. If Lee had heard about her, she wouldn't come.

But she did come. Was it because she had helped Lee avoid scrutiny and Lee was grateful?

Heh, pointless gestures.

A naive person like her would probably not last a week before wanting to switch labs.

Seeing Lee's excessive optimism, Mobius was sure of it. The more cheerful a person was, the stronger their disgust after seeing the darkness. Mobius knew this well.

Long-term cooperation was just a joke.