Volume 1, Chapter 61: The Sobbing Girl

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If unable to extract the Herrscher's gemstone from her body, plundering Honkai Energy from the gem remained a viable alternative.

Xia Chen's form acted like a voracious glutton, relentlessly absorbing the Honkai Energy within Wendy.

Noticing her face growing increasingly pale, he couldn't bring himself to stop.

Only when the Stigmata on his back stimulated his remaining rationality, jolting him awake, did he finally pull away from Wendy.

The girl's breaths became shallow, her delicate features gasping for air due to temporary oxygen deprivation.

"S-sorry..."

Panicking instinctively, Xia Chen moved to call for a doctor but was stopped by Wendy.

"It's okay... So this is how kissing feels."

Gradually, color returned to her cheeks.

At that moment, she softly asked, "Could you help me up?"

"Sure."

As Xia Chen approached, Wendy placed her hand on his and exerted gentle pressure.

Her eyes began to well with tears.

"I can feel my legs again; I think I can stand up now."

With visible effort, as if enduring immense pain, Wendy rose from her wheelchair.

Perhaps due to standing too hastily, she nearly stumbled but was swiftly caught by Xia Chen's quick reflexes, landing gracefully in his arms.

"You...you saw that, right?" The girl's voice trembled with excitement. "I really can stand now."

"Yes, I saw it. You're standing."

"Th-thank you." Tears streamed down Wendy's face uncontrollably.

Although she felt weak, possibly even weaker than a C-rank Valkyrie, at that moment, her gratitude overwhelmed everything else.

"I...I don't know what to say, but just thank you so much."

Unaware that Xia Chen had absorbed the Honkai Energy within her, she attributed her newfound ability to stand directly to him after their kiss.

"I...I want to share this news with Gretel; she's been running around for me countless times... No, first, I need to fully recover so she won't worry more... I, I..." Her words became jumbled, unsure of what to express.

The surprise was too sudden, even Wendy couldn't remain composed.

However, Xia Chen found himself struggling with discomfort.

Because Wendy hadn't moved from his embrace.

This close proximity intensified his desires, all kinds of them.

If not for the Stigmata maintaining his rationality, he might have already crossed boundaries he shouldn't.

"Take it easy, I understand how you feel," he reassured her gently. "Why don't we try taking a few steps first to see how much you've recovered?" He suggested, "If possible, someone from the branch could examine your condition."

"No, I don't want any examination." Wendy's abrupt response caught him off guard.

Suddenly, she burst into tears, "I'm afraid this is just a dream. I fear that the branch personnel will use cold data to tell me it's all false. I dread being studied endlessly, only to end up back in my wheelchair again."

"I'm so scared, terribly scared!" She buried her head in Xia Chen's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, like a child who had lost her mother.

No words could adequately describe the suppression and torment she had endured during this period. The emotional plummet from soaring heights to rock bottom was beyond comprehension for most people.

The room filled only with the sound of her sobs.

When Wendy and Xia Chen arrived at the training ground together, the few Valkyries present were taken aback.

Wendy walked alongside him.

Despite appearing frail, her steps unsteady, she leaned on Xia Chen for support with one hand.

However, she could walk again.

One of the Valkyries, gathering courage, asked hesitantly, "Wendy, you..."

"Special medication from Headquarters," Wendy replied gracefully.

She had no desire to undergo any branch examinations, not even slightly. Only someone who once couldn't stand knows the immense fortune of being able to walk, run, and jump freely.

So whenever questioned, she simply stated, "Special medication from Headquarters."

If anyone sought confirmation from Headquarters, Xia Chen would cover for her.

Ignoring others, Wendy approached the waist-training apparatus.

Although Valkyries possessed extraordinary physical attributes, their methods of exerting force were similar to ordinary individuals. The core and origin of strength often lie in the waist, making it the first focus in Valkyrie training.

Wendy aimed to gradually make up for her lost training time.

She didn't contact Gretel immediately for two reasons: Firstly, it might be Gretel's working hours at this time, and secondly, signal disruptions were common while at sea. Wendy preferred waiting for Gretel to reach out to her instead.

Her current priority was to recover as quickly as possible.

Despite Xia Chen's concern about overexertion leading to muscle strains, Wendy persisted. Although the Oceanic Branch's exercise equipment wasn't as advanced as that of the Immortal Blades, it far surpassed what civilians had access to. Even with Xia Chen's assistance, she soon felt fatigued.

At present, she resembled an ordinary person recovering from a prolonged illness, extremely weak.

"Take a break first," advised another Valkyrie approaching Wendy. "Didn't you say before not to rush things? Recovery takes time; go slow."

Nodding, Wendy continued pushing herself despite feeling weary.

The young girl has always been fiercely determined.

Even when the branch suggested she apply for retirement after learning of her recovery, proposing that Schicksal could provide for her or offer a role in logistics, she firmly declined.

"A person who suddenly becomes wealthy tends to indulge," she said earnestly. "Right now, I'm like a newly rich individual, so there's no need to dissuade me."

"Ah, alright then."

They understood Wendy's feelings, but understanding didn't equate to sharing the same emotions.

Sometimes, showing care means simply accompanying her whims rather than trying to intervene.

Xia Chen offered a sympathetic smile to this Valkyrie and continued assisting Wendy with her exercises.

He too was training alongside her.

The desire within him seemed relentless; even after extracting substantial amounts of Honkai Energy from Wendy, it remained unsatisfied.

If not for Ana constantly aiding him, he dared not imagine the consequences.

Despite this, he tried his best to avoid physical contact with Wendy. Although it appeared that Wendy herself had no qualms about touching him.

After intermittent training for three hours, Wendy finally stopped.

Her natural talent was exceptional; despite recovering from illness, she could already lift weights totaling fifty kilograms without assistance from her Valkyrie Armor.

Of course, the price paid was that post-exercise, she nearly relied entirely on Xia Chen just to stand steady.

To an outsider, it might seem like Wendy was Xia Chen's girlfriend.

Xia Chen knew that Wendy likely had no romantic intentions; if she did, she wouldn't have dedicated herself so intensely to training and pushing her limits. Instead, what she sought was probably just some comfort and support.

Unbeknownst to him, he had become someone else's reliance without realizing it. However, the chilling sensation from his Stigmata always sent shivers down his spine.