Miss Riddler just wants to level up in peace.

The neatly arranged tabletop, much like her life, was merely a chess piece on the corner.

Outside the door, the attending physician suggested whether they should try to pick the lock.

The Honkai energy, which had already damaged Wendy's legs, was gradually spreading towards her heart. At this rate, she probably wouldn't last more than three days.

There wasn't even a moment's rest while waiting; half a day was the absolute limit.

“I’m sorry, Wendy…”

Bronya did not stop her, knowing that this action would offend the other party.

But given the objective reality, this is the only option available.

The proposal was quickly approved by Theresa, and just as they were about to put it into action, Ziyao spoke up.

"It is very impolite and not a smart move to barge into someone else's room."

"Traditional methods of breaking down doors are too crude, like robbers."

"What are your thoughts, Miss Nightingale?"

Cocolia asked suspiciously, "What is Ziyao up to now?"

"Fire attack."

"??"

Under Ziyao's arrangement, the staff opened the door to the next room and poured in ethanol gasoline.

Everyone was baffled. They could barely understand the fire attack, but why burn the other rooms?

The gasoline was lit, flames rose, and the intense heat turned the walls slightly yellow.

The curtains on the window were charred, and a faint smell of burning wafted into Wendy's room.

She wasn't interested in what Ziyao was doing. This room was specially made to prevent her from going berserk and to block external attacks.

The flames were nothing to worry about.

Wendy continued to stare blankly at the blank paper. After a while, she suddenly realized something was wrong.

It seems the fire didn't start in her room, but rather in her friend's room next door.

Inside were many items that held memories for the two of them. With a hint of surprise and doubt, Wendy got up, leaned on her cane, and went to the peephole to observe the outside.

Surprisingly, I guessed right.

Instead of burning down her room, the group attacked the room next door.

How despicable.

With a hint of anger, Wendy turned the doorknob.

Once outside, I intended to use my strength to put out the fire, but I discovered that only a small area in front of the door was actually on fire.

In other words, she was scammed.

Everyone immediately looked at Ziyao with new respect, feeling ashamed of their own inflexibility.

In less than ten minutes, a clever trick solved the problem that had been bothering them all morning.

Damaging the door or tricking Wendy into coming out on her own will both be met with hostility.

When faced with two evils, choose the lesser; Ziyao made the right choice by subtraction.

“…”

Wendy remained expressionless, her eyes filled with indifference.

She silently retreated back into the room, intending to close the door.

"Nice to meet you, shall we have a chat?"

Unexpectedly, Ziyao, holding the Houmu doll made by Bronya, reached out to block the door from closing.

He acted as if he were an old friend, walked into the room on his own, and closed the door behind him.

Everyone waited outside for news. Bronya clenched her clothes, hoping that Ziyao could persuade Wendy.

in the room.

"Get out, you're not welcome."

Wendy immediately told them to leave; she didn't need this hypocritical help.

Anyway, it's just another so-called psychological counseling session, and I feel nauseous just hearing those repetitive phrases.

To everyone's surprise, the girl remained unmoved and simply found a nearby stool to sit down.

She acted so openly and naturally, as if this were her room.

"How much longer do you think you have to live, Miss Wendy?"

"It's none of your business, I don't care."

alive?

Ha, is this what it means to be alive?

He dragged his broken body around, needing help even to walk.

Do you want to persuade her to continue fighting against the Honkai and to continue undergoing experiments?

Well then, if you all become like this, feeling alienated and treated as outsiders, perhaps she'll be willing to help you a little.

Upon hearing this, Ziyao was somewhat troubled, not expecting it to have come to this.

"You're right, I don't care whether you live or die."

So she readily admitted it.

This surprised Wendy; it was the first time she had encountered someone so straightforward and direct.

"Since nobody likes beating around the bush, then..."

The next second, Ziyao reached out her hand.

"—Miss Wendy, let's destroy this world together."

Volume 1: Chapter Sixty: The Deal?

"Since Honkai energy can harm the host, why not just remove the Gem of Desire and end the experiment?"

Bronya asked unwillingly, having heard that Wendy wouldn't live past the next few days.

"Please calm down. Honkai energy is a double-edged sword, and we cannot predict what consequences it will bring."

The attending physician adjusted his glasses. "The Desire Gem has already fused with Miss Wendy. Forcibly removing it will only kill her."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Bronya's heart tightened even more.

Currently, Mei is the only example of someone who can control the power of a Herrscher.

But how could Wendy's mental state be suppressed to the point of collapse?

Left with no other option, Bronya could only pin her hopes on Ziyao.

Hopefully, Nightingale-sensei can have a good talk with her...

There was a door separating the two sides, and neither knew what was happening.

Cocolia wrote Ziyao's name in her notebook and listed her as a first-level vigilance target.

—Inside the room.

The black-haired girl leaned lazily against the sofa, crossing her legs which were covered in white stockings.

"Your days are numbered, so you might as well make the most of your remaining time."

"As for the sound of collapse, whether you believe it or not is up to you."

Extremely straightforward.

Unlike those hypocrites, the girl immediately expressed her intention to take advantage of her.

Surprisingly, Wendy didn't find it offensive.

I wanted to send Ziyao away, but for some reason I had a feeling that I wanted to hear what she would have to say.

"I do not believe."

Looking at her pale hands, Wendy had a premonition, but when someone actually pointed it out, it still felt somewhat unreal.

Just a year ago, she was healthy and had the potential to become a powerful Valkyrie at the Destiny Headquarters.

In the blink of an eye, decay eroded her body, rendering even her feet immobile.

Death, which was once distant, suddenly became very close.

The will to survive is a core expression etched into our genes; it would be a lie to say we're not afraid.

Wendy lowered her head and stared silently at the table.

Ziyao knew that persuading her wouldn't be easy.

Image: "img1", Location: "Images/1658172993-100324062-109066796.jpg"

"Cooperation is based on mutual benefit and good faith. I have no reason to lie to you."

"If you don't believe me, that's fine; it won't change what I'm going to do."

The failed gem experiment and the resurrection of the Herrscher of Wind are plot points that have occurred multiple times in the game, significantly influencing the subsequent developments.

Her idea was to go with the flow of the plot and then change its outcome.

“…”

Wendy didn't know how to answer, so she remained silent.

But compared to the beginning, she was much less wary of Ziyao.

Unlike other psychologists, the girl didn't seem to have any intention of 'helping'; instead, she stated her purpose as soon as she opened her mouth.

He was slightly forceful and didn't care about her thoughts.