Chapter 81 Cafe Negotiations

The hot summer has just started, and the streets seem more crowded than usual. Air conditioners in coffee shops have become a "must-have" for many people trying to beat the summer heat.

In a busy coffee shop, the doorbell rang, and a white-haired man walked in, heading straight for a table without glancing around.

He sat down at a table where only one person was seated, not bothering with pleasantries.

"You're right on time, Mr. Astra," said the person seated.

Across from Orion was an ordinary-looking office worker. He wasn't like the agents from TV shows or movies, dressed in black suits and sunglasses indoors.

The man appeared calm and typical, like someone who had just finished work. His coat was draped over the seat next to him, and his tie was neatly done. Without prior notice, you wouldn't have guessed he was a top UN agent and Fire Moth operative.

"I'm guessing your people have already taken over this café." Orion asked, his tone implying he already knew the answer.

Looking around, Orion noticed that everything was too perfectly coordinated—the skilled barista, the patrons nearby. It was almost too organized.

"Actually, the whole street is under our control," the man said, correcting Orion's wording and issuing a subtle warning.

In other words, "We have the area surrounded, so don't make any sudden moves."

"Oh," Orion responded, recognizing the man's hidden message. He fixed his indifferent silver eyes on him and unleashed a powerful mental wave that only someone with extraordinary abilities could muster.

In an instant, it felt like the entire café and its bustling crowd had frozen, as if time itself had stopped.

Everyone felt a powerful pressure, like being hunted by a giant beast, and they were frozen in place for a moment. The only thing moving was the coffee machine, slowly dripping coffee, which made the scene look unusual.

"What a trick. Your skills weren't mentioned in the report."

Despite the pressure affecting everyone around him, the man in front of Orion seemed unaffected. He clapped and smiled at Orion.

"This man must have used some self-hypnosis or suggestion," Orion thought.

"You don't seem afraid of me? Aren't you worried that my hands, which have taken many lives, might accidentally take yours too?" Orion's tone was playful, and he reached out with a slightly threatening gesture, ready to act at any moment.

"You won't act," the man said firmly. "Even if you did, crushing me, a mere ant, wouldn't affect the organization's plans. So please stop with the unnecessary tests and just listen to what we have to say."

Orion's hand halted, and the mental pressure vanished. The cafe, which had been eerily quiet, was suddenly filled with gasps, as if everyone could finally breathe again.

"Huhu..."

Some citizens posing as agents clutched their chests and gasped for air. One agent, sitting just behind them, even fainted, his head crashing onto the table.

The man sitting across from Orion didn't care much. He picked up a report from his bag, where his coat lay, flipped it over, and slid it in front of Orion.

He gestured for Orion to read it. Orion glanced at the report but kept his focus on the man.

The report's headline read, "The exploration mission to Vostok-51 town failed!" The words made Orion's eyes narrow slightly.

"It seems you know this place." The man asked tentatively, having noticed the brief change in Orion's expression.

Orion shook his head and said, "No."

His tone and movements were flawless, causing the man, who was skilled in reading people, to hesitate. "Was that just my imagination? I clearly saw a small reaction when he saw the report. My judgment should be correct, but some people can naturally hide their reactions."

The agent was indeed very skilled, able to give psychological suggestions and read micro-expressions.

Fortunately, Orion had mastered the skill of controlling his muscles and nerves, using his mental power to hide his true thoughts. Even with a lie detector, they wouldn't reveal his real thoughts.

At a glance, Orion quickly finished reading the report. It was straightforward: MOTH had conducted a search in a small town called Swartok due to an outbreak there. The town experienced an unusual energy surge that caused changes in the land, plants, and animals, but the source of the energy explosion remained undetected.

Soon, the second and third reports were placed on the table. They were similar, pointing to a unique disaster on this planet known as "collapse."

"I believe you understand Honkai Impact well, Mr. Astra. In fact, you probably know more than we do," said the MOTH agent seriously.

"Modern science and technology have stagnated for a long time. Even though various Honkai phenomena have occurred globally, people still know very little about Honkai. We, the Fire Moths, aim to change this limited understanding."

"Among all the collapse disasters, the one you caused in the neighboring city was the most tragic. Logically, you should be considered an enemy of humanity, and we should deal with you harshly."

Orion looked at the man and sensed he had more to say.

"But…" The man's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "Our superiors have requested that you be monitored. The damage you caused does not threaten all of humanity, and you have shown traits similar to normal people at Celestia Academy."

"We at MOTH would like to invite you to join our organization and study the Honkai phenomenon together. If you agree, we'll overlook the previous attack."

As he spoke, an electronic document was pushed in front of Orion. Under the document was an information card for recording fingerprints.

Everyone around Orion watched closely, some clenching their fists, others eager to see his response. Even though some of them might have been injured in earlier battles, soldiers must follow orders. If Orion agreed to join, they couldn't attack him.

"I hope you can respond before I finish my coffee," the agent said, picking up his cup and trying to give Orion little time to think.

Orion rested his chin on his hands, closed his eyes, and thought. His goal in this world was simple: to increase his strength and fulfill his duty as an Emanator of [Remeberance].

However, since an unknown threat that once attacked him was again putting him in danger, he knew he had to act fast.

If he couldn't break the situation or uncover the mastermind's true identity, the problem would persist even if he returned to the Astral Express world.

"Okay, I agree."

He pressed his finger on the electronic screen, and the ray scan quickly recorded Orion's fingerprints. The machine also recorded his voice. The Fire Chaser agent's face lit up with joy; he had finally completed this challenging task.

Facing a "beast" that can tear you apart at any moment is something few people can handle. He had seen the video of Orion's previous battle with the army. He knew that if Orion decided to act, no matter how fast the sniper outside the window was, Orion would be able to take him out before the bullet even reached him.

After loosening his tie a bit, a voice came from the other side.

"But I want to remind you..."

The agent looked into Orion's serious eyes, and the intensity in them made even the agents who had been mentally prepared feel scared.

"When facing the next Herrscher who might show up next, don't have the same attitude you have with me!"

With those words, and before the agent's horrified eyes, Orion's figure started to blur and slowly fade away, like a piece of glass about to break, until he completely vanished with a snap.

The agents in the coffee shop immediately sprang into action, surrounding the table with their weapons drawn. But no matter how they searched, Orion was nowhere to be seen, as if he had never been there.

The negotiating agent looked at the fingerprint collection board on the table that read "Entry Successful" and fell silent.