Volume 2, Chapter 17: Trading a Comrade's Life for a Chance to Attack

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No further communication came from the MANTIS soldier who entered. The gathered soldiers' expressions turned grim.

This at least confirmed one thing—the situation inside was indeed perilous.

As everyone exchanged glances, uncertain about their next move, MEI contacted each person present through her communicator: "Prometheus has calculated two methods to counter this barrier."

The fusion warriors couldn't help but feel elated, yet there was no trace of joy on MEI's face.

"The first method involves using high-intensity energy to shatter the barrier. According to Prometheus' calculations, it would require simultaneous detonation of hydrogen bombs equivalent to at least five hundred kilotons. The explosion's epicenter could break the Herrscher of Binding's barrier, allowing the MANTIS to then recover the Herrscher."

One of the accompanying fusion warriors couldn't help but respond, "With that, Earth would prematurely experience nuclear winter, and the United Nations certainly wouldn't agree to it."

"Yes, hence why Prometheus proposed a second method."

The girl's gaze swept across them, as if making a firm decision.

"Based on Prometheus' conjecture, the process of absorbing energy by the Herrscher of Binding and its subsequent transformation takes time, albeit very brief," she said slowly. "Therefore, we can introduce high-energy substances for the Herrscher of Binding to absorb. During this process, the Authority of Binding will momentarily vanish, providing an opportunity to reclaim the Herrscher."

"However, this is based on speculation from information provided by that United Nations soldier earlier, so it cannot be guaranteed as entirely accurate. Even if this conjecture is correct, the energy requirement might be extremely vast."

"We would need all fusion warriors."

Her words left everyone silent.

No one was foolish; they understood MEI's implication immediately:

Send all fusion warriors into the barrier almost certain to meet their demise, then during the brief window when the Herrscher of Binding's Authority disappears, recover the Herrscher.

Yet, even Prometheus could not determine how much energy the Herrscher of Binding needed to absorb before revealing such a vulnerability.

This indicated a significant possibility of failure.

Involuntarily, their gazes turned towards the leader of this mission—Kevin.

"I agree with proceeding," Kevin calmly stated. "I trust Prometheus's calculations."

However, MEI interjected, "You will be responsible for recovering the Herrscher."

Among the current fusion warrior squad, Kevin possessed the greatest strength.

After a moment's thought, she added, "Use your strongest attack."

The expressions of Kevin and everyone else involuntarily shifted.

His strongest attack implied not only massive damage to the Herrscher of Binding but also meant that the fusion warriors creating opportunities for Kevin's strike would similarly bear its brunt.

Without Honkai and bioenergy, fusion warriors simply couldn't survive such an attack.

"Doctor... I believe this task is sufficient for Kalpas alone," Kevin said with a deep breath, unusually voicing his dissenting opinion.

"No," MEI countered firmly. "If our initial strike fails, the Herrscher of Binding, having absorbed more energy, will become even stronger. We won't get a second chance."

"Not precisely; the next consequence would be nuclear winter."

Although she still didn't fully understand all the Herrscher of Binding's abilities, it was evident that this light barrier relied on the energy absorbed by the Herrscher to maintain itself.

If this attack did not succeed, MEI could only request the United Nations to launch enough nuclear bombs to usher in a nuclear winter—a last resort measure.

Therefore, necessary sacrifices were deemed worthwhile. MEI remained unwavering in her conviction.

The Fire Moth organization had never been about benevolence; its actions were solely aimed at leaving a deeper and longer mark on the timeline for the species called humanity.

Even if it meant abandoning moral principles.

However, Kevin clenched his fists tightly, lacking such resolve at this moment.

"I..."

Just then, one of the fighters spoke up, "I think we should follow Dr. MEI's suggestion."

He solemnly stated, "It is our destiny, isn't it?"

The fate of fusion warriors lay precisely in this—they were destined to die on the battlefield. From the moment they became MANTIS operatives, their lives no longer belonged to themselves.

Kevin took a deep breath.

"Alright, I agree."

He couldn't refuse.

The approach suggested by MEI merely involved seeking the option with the highest chance amidst slim possibilities.

As he was about to command all the fusion warriors to act together, Xia Chen arrived.

"Hold on."

Emerging from Virtual Space, his presence alarmed many fusion warriors as if facing a formidable enemy.

At this point in time, there were no means for humans to transition between reality and virtuality. Although Unnamed Locomotive had already been developed, its usage rights did not lie with the United Nations.

"Oh, a humanoid Honkai Beast?" Xia Chen's appearance caught someone's attention.

Kalpas approached him, resembling a fierce tiger moving towards a lamb.

"I'm not here to fight," Xia Chen said calmly. "As you can see, I possess the power to tear through space."

Kevin and others involuntarily felt a surge of excitement.

The power to tear through space held significant implications, which they well understood.

This implied that without sacrificing fusion warriors, Kevin could unleash his formidable attack and directly recover the Herrscher of Binding.

"Very well, but before that, who exactly are you?" MEI did not hide her hostility.

Xia Chen sighed slightly.

"You may call me a Herrscher."

He made no attempt to conceal the aura emanating from within him, associated with the Gem of Desire—a presence so overwhelming it struck fear into those around.

Contrary to others' reactions, Kalpas grew increasingly excited. "Oh, does this mean even Herrschers have internal conflicts, just like Fire Moths?"

"Correction, it's called infighting," Xia Chen replied calmly. "Indeed, you can understand it this way—I am a human who has stolen a Herrscher's Authority. To date, Honkai has not acknowledged me as one of its own."

MEI immediately grasped the crucial information: A Herrscher needed acknowledgment to manifest fully. Silently, she noted this down.

"Oh? So you aim to defeat this Herrscher and become the new one yourself?" Kalpas' eyes gleamed with a hint of savagery. "Have you decided how you wish to meet your end?"

"It matters little what you think," Xia Chen responded indifferently. "So, shall we make a deal?"

Xia Chen wasn't foolish; he wouldn't naively claim he simply wanted to help Fire Moth, as such an approach would only invite more suspicion. He was aware that Fire Moth, being a post-apocalyptic organization, distrusted any acts of goodwill or assistance, especially from someone claiming to be a pseudo-Herrscher.

Therefore, framing his offer as a transaction would likely facilitate smoother negotiations.

"It is feasible."

MEI calculated the probability of success for this transaction.

The outcome showed: even if it failed, there would be no significant loss.

Moreover, with this superior alternative available, persisting with the original method, which had slim chances of success, could lead her leadership to be questioned.

While MEI was not power-hungry, she couldn't step down from her role in Fire Moth nor afford any internal doubts within the organization.

Therefore, she had no reason to refuse.