Do you think this world is serious?

"Senior, shall we just wander around for a bit?"

"it is good."

Chen Xiuming did not refuse Ji Zi, nor did he ask her what she wanted to do.

The two randomly chose a direction and began to stroll aimlessly.

"Senior, do you know what happened to the victims of those nighttime attacks?"

"He's probably still unconscious, right?"

Chen Xiuming pondered and made guesses.

According to Delta, as the Embrace of the Moon completes its transformation, the women who were previously "embraced" by her will gradually awaken and become flawless vampires, unafraid of direct sunlight and no longer needing to drink blood to sustain their lives.

"If it were before tonight, they would indeed still be in a coma."

At this point, Ji Zi took Chen Xiuming's hand and looked up at the dim starry night.

“Senior, after those victims woke up, their bodies underwent strange changes. Not only did their skin turn deathly pale, but their strength also far exceeded that of normal people, making them almost exactly like the legendary ‘vampires’.”

Himeko's voice was ethereal and uncertain; it seemed to come from afar, even though it was right beside her.

~~~~~

144

Chapter 144 Himeko: Let's go straight to a hotel room.

The neighborhood where this Houmu Happy Restaurant is located is not lively.

Although you can see a handful of pedestrians, it feels very deserted compared to those bustling streets.

Fiery red should correspond to intensity, passion, and cheerfulness, but at this moment, Himeko was depressed, and even her bright, ruby-like eyes dimmed.

Although she was describing the physical changes of the victims, her tone carried a subtle hint of envy.

Although Himeko was unwilling to become a "vampire," a non-human species, it didn't stop her from envying the vampire's unique constitution.

She had no idea that the so-called "vampires" were actually "fusion warriors".

"Senior, although I don't know how you obtained your power, you should know about the 'Valkyrie Experiment', right?"

"Yeah, I know a thing or two."

Chen Xiuming's understanding of the Valkyrie experiment was limited to what was mentioned in the game "Honkai Impact 3rd," and he was unaware of the details.

The stars were dim, reflecting in Himeko's dim eyes.

"Senior, do you know what price the participants in the 'Valkyrie Experiment' will pay?"

"...I know a little bit about it."

Chen Xiuming had already guessed what Ji Zi was going to say, so he chose to play the role of a loyal listener, listening to Ji Zi's inner pain, loss and melancholy.

The past is set in stone, but the future can be changed.

The defects of "artificial stigmata" are not insurmountable; the Alaya consciousness has the ability to innovate and create genuine "stigmata".

Although the "stigmata" are said to be incredibly mysterious, they are essentially a database that records a large amount of genetic information.

In the late pre-civilization era of the [Intrinsic World], humanity's technology had advanced to the point where knowledge could be transcribed into gene fragments and passed down using genetic material as a carrier.

The Stigmata contain a wealth of technology, knowledge, and power far exceeding modern science, and will manifest directly in the host in the form of abilities that modern science cannot explain.

Each stigmata possesses different characteristics and even different abilities.

Without exception, because the technology within the Stigmata requires the use of Honkai energy, the Stigmata holders are endowed with excellent Honkai energy resistance.

However, as human lineages were passed down, genes continued to mutate and exchange, and the originally complete Stigmata genome eventually became fragmented.

Only when the genetic fragments of the Holy Mark reach a certain level of completeness will a special mark, namely the Holy Mark, be constructed on the human body surface.

Although the "artificial stigmata" researched by Destiny can simulate the operation of stigmata to some extent, it is ultimately a counterfeit.

Humanity's current technology cannot analyze the internal structure of the Stigmata, so it can only make crude imitations by copying it. In the end, it retains the characteristic of enhancing Honkai energy resistance, but other abilities are greatly weakened or even completely disappeared.

By surgically implanting artificial stigmata into Valkyries, their resistance to Honkai energy can be greatly enhanced, allowing them to control the power of Honkai energy. However, this also means that they must bear a tremendous physical burden.

This physical burden often manifests as a sharp reduction in lifespan, making it difficult for them to live past thirty. However, most Valkyries who have implanted artificial stigmata do not have the chance to live to thirty.

Because most Valkyries who have artificial stigmata implanted are B-rank or C-rank Valkyries, only a very few are lucky enough to become A-rank Valkyries.

Although B-rank Valkyries are the backbone of Schicksal, in the war against the Honkai, both B-rank and C-rank Valkyries are just a cold "death statistic".

—Important, yet not important.

……

“Senior, I’m not the kind of genius who was born with ‘Sacred Marks’, but rather a ‘mediocre’ person who needs to undergo Valkyrie experiments to gain power…”

Ji Zi's tone was downcast; she was no longer satisfied with simply holding hands and instead took Chen Xiuming's arm.

The two strolled aimlessly, and before they knew it, they had walked from a deserted street to a more bustling one.

Looking at the peaceful scene around her, Himeko felt a little dazed and subconsciously stopped in her tracks.

Chen Xiuming did not urge her, but silently stood with her in place.

After a moment, Himeko's thoughts returned to reality.

“Senior, I don’t think I can live a peaceful life until I’m thirty, so…”

Himeko hesitated, seemingly unsure of what to say next, but a strange blush rose to her cheeks.

Chen Xiuming was preparing to say that he had a way to solve the defects of artificial Stigmata, but he didn't hear Himeko say anything more, so he subconsciously asked, "So?"

"Senior, you, you can..."

Himeko suddenly became a little nervous, her right index finger nervously curling her temples repeatedly before she whispered the rest of her sentence, "Can we go out together?"

Himeko's voice was very soft, but Chen Xiuming could still hear it very clearly.

"Wait—Himeko, are you serious?"

"Senior, haven't you noticed that I have quite a few feelings for you?"

Himeko's tone was more wistful, but less tense and apprehensive. "My lifespan is limited to thirty years. It's rare to meet such a good man as you, senior—not only is he kind, but he's also very handsome. I don't want to have any regrets later."

"Himeko, you don't know me very well yet..."

"Senior, isn't getting to know someone usually a process of getting to know them?"

Before Chen Xiuming could finish speaking, Ji Zi interrupted him with a smile.

Chen Xiuming was speechless for a moment, so he chose to change the subject: "Ji Zi, your current thoughts are all because you think you won't live past thirty. So... if I help you solve your health problems, will you still continue to have these thoughts?"

"Well……"

Himeko frowned slightly, seemingly caught in a dilemma.

After a moment, she glanced at Chen Xiuming subconsciously and murmured softly, "I'd like it even more that way."

"..."

Chen Xiuming was speechless for a moment, then continued with some helplessness, "Let's discuss this matter after I've helped you resolve your health issues."

"Eh—senpai wasn't joking after all?"

"of course not."

"If you can really solve my health problem, then I'm going to stay here and never leave!"

Himeko's mood became very light, whether because she saw hope for her recovery or because of Chen Xiuming's concern for her health.

Influenced by this, she couldn't help but hug Chen Xiuming's arm tightly, revealing her pride and arrogance towards her peers.

"Where to next?"

"Senior, why don't we just go and get a room?"

"… Let's be serious."

"I'm serious~ But since you don't want to do this kind of thing right now, let's go see the sea."

"It's nighttime now."

"What impact does it have? The beach is more tranquil at night, perfect for two people to spend time alone."

"..."

Chen Xiuming was speechless for a moment, but he did not refuse and was pulled away from the block by Ji Zi.

Meanwhile, Moonlit Embrace and Kallen, who had been following behind, naturally overheard Chen Xiuming and Himeko's conversation.

Under the moonlight, Chuyong's already blood-red eyes suddenly flashed with a dangerous glint. She gritted her teeth and stared at Himeko's back, her sharp canines peeking out, making her look a bit like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Karen was genuinely glad that Chen Xiuming hadn't directly agreed to Himeko's request; otherwise, the "Embrace Under the Moon" incident would have been more than just "gritting his teeth"—he might have directly attacked Himeko.

~~~~~

145

Chapter 145 A Moonlit Embrace: The Cat Who Stole Fish!

Although Canghai City is located by the sea, it is actually quite far from the coast; even by car, it takes half an hour to get there.

Chen Xiuming thought Ji Zi was going to take a taxi to the beach, but he never expected that Ji Zi would choose to drive herself, and even ride a motorcycle with a "sci-fi" style.

"This is……"

Chen Xiuming looked puzzled; this motorcycle didn't seem like a vehicle that Canghai City could manufacture.

Canghai City is no different from a normal modern city. Although it harbors "Valkyrie", "Death Warrior" and "Vampire", it doesn't have any "science fiction" elements overall.

The fact that Himeko is suddenly riding a motorcycle with a "sci-fi" style creates a sense of incongruity.

"This is Lady Karen's motorcycle, and it's currently being stored with me."

As Himeko spoke, she tossed a helmet to Chen Xiuming and continued, "I'll borrow it for now. Lady Karen shouldn't mind."

Chen Xiuming caught the helmet that Ji Zi threw to him, and then sat down behind Ji Zi.

Do you know the way to the beach?