I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era-Chapter 80: Path to survival

The Pureblood faction would be furious.

The car bumped along the poorly maintained road; Ryan steered with one hand, propping his head with the other.

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He wasn't interested in Fire Moth's internal struggles, but since they'd targeted Mobius, he'd eliminate them; their "defeating the Honkai as humans" argument was irrelevant.

Arrogant; they underestimated the Honkai; humanity had no right to be picky; ultimately, it was about their self-interest.

According to Ryan's intelligence, the Pureblood faction was backed by weapons manufacturers; naturally, they supported the scientific approach; using conventional weapons against the Honkai was naive.

I remember a Herrscher who used a digital virus; they'll create weapons; everything will become the enemy's toys; perhaps they'll even turn them on humanity.

Mouths full of ideals, minds filled with profit; their flexible morality allowed them to frame others and conduct human experiments; truly despicable.

"But I have a problem."

Unspoken rules existed because everyone knew the truth, yet lacked concrete evidence.

Revealing the Herrscher of Thunder's Authority would be troublesome; unless, like in Montpelier, all witnesses were eliminated.

Ryan frowned, deciding to proceed cautiously, avoiding implicating Mobius.

"I intercepted Cocoon's communications; they're freaking out." A head popped up from the back seat, an amused expression on her face. "Should we stop and wipe them out?"

The true self was asleep; the magician was on the loose; Ryan found Vill-V's whimsical behavior irritating.

"Listen, I don't want to become a fugitive, and I don't want to betray Fire Moth."

"Ha ha, but you already have. Defying an evil organization; sounds exciting, doesn't it?" Vill-V raised her hand, her voice deep and melodious. "Gears grind; the stage curtain rises; steam hisses; cheers erupt!"

Ryan's mouth twitched; he wasn't swayed by her rhetoric; he shook his head. "Not exciting. I want to integrate you into Fire Moth; my enemies are the Pureblood faction; antagonizing others is pointless. Behave, and you'll have resources to indulge your creativity."

Vill-V hesitated; the offer was tempting; she disliked scavenging scrap.

"Deal. Join Fire Moth; I'll let you create freely." Seeing Ryan hesitate, she changed the subject. "Also, are you sure they won't retaliate?"

"Don't worry; they won't."

"Why?"

"Because I can eliminate the Pureblood faction; I have the power to enforce agreements." Ryan smirked, staring at the desert. "Anyone who tries to settle accounts with you will be eliminated."

Vill-V's eyes widened; she hugged Ryan's neck. "You're amazing! Teach me! Teach me quickly!"

With a screech of tires, the minivan swerved; Ryan reacted quickly, avoiding a collision.

Ryan missed the true Vill-V; she was withdrawn, but relatively normal; this playful one was exhausting.

After much commotion, Vill-V calmed down; her eyes sparkled; Ryan unbuckled his seatbelt.

"Stop for a bit; I'll talk to her."

"Understood!" Vill-V saluted, but didn't move.

"You should move."

"I activated the autopilot while you were getting supplies; just let go of the wheel."

Ryan, dubious, released the wheel; he saw the steering wheel adjusting automatically; he fell silent.

"Tell me things like this beforehand."

"Understood!"

...

Ryan was losing patience; spending time with Vill-V was making him neurotic; she was perhaps the least refined of the fusion warriors; she'd been strange from the start.

The minivan's back seats were broken; Ryan climbed into the back, finding the pink-haired woman sitting there; Vill-V's boisterous personality was jarring.

The same hair color as Elysia, but a completely different feel. If Elysia was sunshine, Sakura was shadows; at least, superficially.

Cocoon's black bodysuit accentuated her figure; the leg garters containing hidden weapons gave a dangerous impression; it was reminiscent of spy thrillers.

She was silent and grim; understandable; she hadn't enjoyed her encounter. Looking better would have been surprising.

A hint of confusion lingered in her eyes, as if she didn't understand her survival.

Ryan had considered this; she'd seen something she shouldn't have; killing her would have been simple, but the secret wasn't crucial; and Sakura was one of the easiest Thirteen Valkyries to control.

How to approach this? Easy; I have special psychological guidance skills.

"Why... did you spare me?" After a long silence, she finally spoke.

"Isn't survival good?" Ryan shrugged, sitting opposite her; the minivan was cramped; their knees touched.

There were no restraints; Sakura could have easily dealt with him, but she knew this wasn't a gentlemanly approach.

This man could obliterate her with a gesture; restraint was unnecessary.

"Survival is good, but I don't know my value."

"Smart, but not smart enough." Ryan clapped, his expression impassive. "You believe your value lies in your ability to testify, to play a role in this power struggle, hence your survival?"

"I can't think of another reason."

"Are you willing to die for that reason?"

Their eyes met; the girl shook her head without hesitation. "No."

This defied instinct; it was self-sacrifice; even Vill-V looked surprised; the girl's determination seemed genuine.

Ryan nodded, unsurprised; he'd noticed Sakura biting her tongue while speaking, wary of mind control.

Such devotion to her sister; her own life meant nothing.

He didn't waste words; "You're willing to sacrifice yourself to save Rin's life?"

In that instant, the cold girl's expression changed; she lunged like a panther, grabbing Ryan's collar.

"How did you know? Don't touch her!"

She was practically on top of him; chest to chest, nose to nose, her knees on his stomach; aside from killing intent, there was no intimacy.

Ryan leaned against the car window, calmly observing her; he felt her heavy breathing, saw the rage in her eyes, and smelled the faint scent of cherry blossoms.

"Indeed, [Goushinnso Memento]; your killing intent is impressive, but more admirable is your composure amidst your rage."

"Answer my question!"

"No need. You don't understand many things; like why Cocoon offered no resistance; of course, you know one thing." Ryan felt her weight on him; he smirked, offering a warm smile.

"I could eliminate you, Rin, and everyone behind Cocoon; it would be effortless."

Sakura tensed; looking at the calm man beneath her; she couldn't speak; an unknown fear filled her.

This was a monster, capable of crushing all opposition; her intelligence gathering was irrelevant.

But she didn't let go; her eyes held determination; even annihilation wouldn't deter her.

"Calm down. If I wanted to kill you and Rin, I wouldn't say this; I wouldn't need your testimony. Do you believe me?"

His grip on her collar loosened; Sakura wasn't stupid; this man had the power to act without restraint; Vill-V already held the evidence; she wasn't necessary.

"Then why did you spare me?"

The situation was contradictory; Ryan didn't explain it logically; he simply nodded.

"Because I want to."

Because I want to???

Sakura's expression shifted rapidly—disbelief, sarcasm, contempt, then confusion.

"Just like that?"

"Should I provide a more complex reason?"

Another question, yet it felt undeniably true, like Ryan's initial appearance—no reason, no explanation.

He'd killed Cocoon's best hunter with a single kick; he'd crushed an entire team with a gesture; did one need to explain to an ant why it was being crushed? Or to thank it for being spared?

The answer was obvious; life and death depended on his will.

"You're arrogant; do you think you're a god?"

"No, I'm very approachable; I'm simply telling the truth."

Sakura's face trembled; she almost reverted to her cold expression; even Vill-V glanced at her.

Approachable? Tell that to the crushed Cocoon members!

"Don't overthink it; I want you to live; it's that simple." Ryan released her collar; effortlessly, he sat up straight.

Sakura couldn't comprehend this; the relief was indescribable; it wasn't logical.

After years as an assassin, Sakura had never felt so lost; she sat weakly. "What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing. Instead—"

Ryan looked at the dejected Sakura; this top assassin resembled an ordinary girl; his psychological guidance had worked; he nodded with satisfaction.

"I'll offer you and Rin a path to survival."