Ch-6 < Moth >

Su and the group sat in silence aboard the aircraft, their thoughts heavy with worry. Each person wrestled with their own fears: What was going to happen next? What about the other civilians left behind? Most pressing of all, what had become of Kevin? Could he have survived facing that colossal beast alone?

As the oppressive silence continued, Mei began to stir, slowly regaining consciousness.

"Mei! Are you okay?" Su asked, his voice filled with concern.

Mei groaned and rubbed her head, trying to shake off the lingering grogginess. "Ugh, what happened? I remember we were evacuating, then nothing." She frowned as a headache pulsed through her temples. Her eyes scanned the group, looking for a familiar face. "Wait a minute, where's Kevin?" Her voice rose in panic as she looked around frantically.

Su's face darkened, and she took a deep breath. "Kevin... he stayed behind to distract a huge honkai beast so we could escape. We don't know his status right now."

Mei's eyes widened in horror. "Are you not joking? Kevin stayed behind?" She started to scream and shout, her voice filled with fear and frustration. The others had no words to comfort her.

"Mei, calm down," Su urged gently. "Kevin insisted on distracting the monster so we could be safe. He has some unusual powers. I believe he can handle it and is probably tracking us down right now."

Mei took deep breaths, trying to calm herself. Though still deeply worried, Su's words offered a sliver of hope. The group relaxed slightly as the aircraft began its descent toward a base in Shenzhou, China—one of the headquarters of the organization known as MOTH.

Upon landing, they were escorted to their quarters to rest, the weight of the day's events bearing heavily on them. Mei, in particular, found it hard to rest, her mind swirling with concern for Kevin.

A knock on the door broke the uneasy silence. Kana, one of the group members, opened the door to reveal a petite young woman with shoulder-length green hair and green eyes with pink undertones.

"I'm here to talk with Mei," the woman said calmly.

Kana nodded and pointed towards Mei. "Ms. Mei? Am I correct?" the woman asked.

Mei looked up, startled. "Um, that's right. May I know who you are?"

"Sorry for the abrupt introduction. My name is Klein. May you please accompany me? We have an important conversation to discuss concerning your future from here on out," Klein said in a monotone voice.

Mei hesitated, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Kevin. "Right, go on," she said absentmindedly.

Klein led Mei through the base's labyrinthine corridors, the sterile white walls illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights. The atmosphere was clinical, filled with the hum of machinery and the occasional murmur of voices.

< > ( scene change )

Kevin finally reached a safe place, a partially intact building that offered some respite from the chaos outside. As he leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath, a notification flashed before his eyes.

**Notification:**

*Congratulations on defeating your first Emperor class honkai beast.*

*Reward: 1% Kevin Template*

A green light enveloped Kevin's body, instantly healing his wounds. The relief was palpable, and he took a deep breath, feeling his strength return. Just as he was about to relax, another notification appeared.

**Notification:**

*Task: Cut a flesh of the Emperor class honkai beast and put it into the system bin.*

*Reward: Honkai beast ability.*

Kevin's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Really? Does this mean I'll become a MANTIS without any surgery?"

**System:**

*No. You will only receive basic abilities of the honkai beast. It will not improve your physical capabilities. User needs data of honkai beast Vishnu.*

A grin spread across Kevin's face. "Moth already acquired genes of Vishnu. This is perfect."

Determined, Kevin made his way back to the battlefield where the corpse of the Emperor class honkai beast lay. The sight of the massive, lifeless form brought a sense of grim satisfaction. With precision, he cut a piece of its flesh and placed it into the system bin.

**Notification:**

User acquired:

*Fire Manipulation*

*Body Armour*

Kevin felt a surge of power as he received the reward. He activated the body armor ability, and honkai energy materialized on his skin, forming a shell-like substance that covered his body. He marveled at the transformation, flexing his arms and feeling the enhanced protection.

"Wow, this will improve my defense capability to another level," Kevin said, a sense of awe and excitement in his voice.

He took a moment to test his new abilities. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned flames, watching them dance in his palm. He then extinguished the fire and focused on his armor, feeling the sturdy shell that now protected him.

Kevin's mind raced with the possibilities. With his enhanced defense and newfound fire manipulation, he could face the honkai beasts with greater confidence. The battle had been grueling, but the rewards were worth it.

< > ( scene change )

they approached a large, imposing door, Klein turned to Mei. "This is Dr. Mobius's lab. She is a key figure in MOTH and has taken a particular interest in your potential."

Mei nodded, her anxiety temporarily pushed aside by curiosity. The door slid open with a hiss, revealing a spacious laboratory filled with advanced equipment and various scientific instruments.

At the center stood Dr. Mobius, a woman with striking green hair and an aura of intense focus. Mei observed the young woman. She had long, thick, shaggy green hair with a buxom figure. She was wearing a green shirt with a lab coat.

"Mei hesitated, feeling the weight of the situation. "Uhh, can you now please tell me what is the important discussion we must have?"

Mobius looked at Mei with a gleam in her eyes as she analyzed her from head to toe. "Welcome, Mei. One of the most brilliant minds of our time. I've seen your presentation about quantum mechanics, you published. "I've been looking forward to meeting you. We have much to discuss about your future and the role you can play in our efforts against the honkai threat."

Mei took a deep breath, her anxiety temporarily pushed aside by curiosity. "I understand, Dr. Mobius. But please, if you have any information about Kevin—"

Dr. Mobius held up a hand. "We will do everything we can to find your friend but before that..

Klein then interrupted her and said, "The white-haired person who took down the colossal beast is the same Kevin she's talking about."

Mobius took a moment to process this information, and her demeanor changed. "And who is this Kevin to you?" she asked Mei.

Mei's voice was tinged with both pride and worry. "He is my best friend, and we study together in the same high school."

"Do you know about his capabilities or the secret to his strength?" Mobius asked curiously, her mind already racing with possibilities.

Mei shook her head, looking confused. "Well, he is an athletic person and has a strong build." She explained Kevin's good looks and his habits, but it was clear she didn't know about his true capabilities.

Mobius smirked and gestured towards a monitor. "Let me show you something." The screen flickered to life, showing footage captured by a MOTH satellite. It displayed how Kevin killed a giant honkai beast by piercing its neck with a spear, manipulating electricity, and his remarkable regeneration capabilities. It also showed the injuries Kevin sustained during the fight.

Mei's eyes widened in shock and worry as she watched Kevin fight and get injured. "I had no idea..." she whispered.

Mobius nodded, her eyes fixed on the screen. "There's more." Another clip played, showing Kevin without any prior injuries.

"That's not possible. How is he already healed?" Mobius said, equally stunned.

Then, to their shock, the next footage showed Kevin using fire abilities. Mobius quickly ordered her subordinates, "Block this clip from reaching anybody."

Mei nodded, understanding the need to protect Kevin's secrets.

In her mind, Mobius was already thinking, "I've finally found the perfect lab rat."

Mobius studied Mei's expression, reading the concern and anxiety etched into her face. The scientist's eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and calculation. She saw an opportunity not just to recruit a brilliant mind but also to gain leverage over a powerful new asset.

"Mei," Mobius began, her voice smooth and persuasive, "I understand your concern for Kevin. I can protect this data from reaching the higher-ups and offer him a place within MOTH where he can be safe. So, how about it? Would you like to work as a researcher here in Fire Moth? This way, you can stay close to Kevin."

Mei hesitated, sensing something off about Mobius's demeanor. There was an unsettling intensity in her eyes, but the promise of keeping Kevin safe was too important to ignore. She quickly shook off her doubts and made her decision.

"Yes," Mei said, her voice steady. "I've wanted to work here in Fire Moth for a long time."

Mobius's lips curled into a pleased smile. "Good, you'll be a junior researcher for now. Rest for today, and we'll begin your research and work later. You can leave."

Mei nodded and made her way back to her quarters, her mind racing with a mix of relief and trepidation. As she entered the room, she found Su and the other girls waiting for her, their faces tense with worry.

Su was the first to speak, his voice tinged with anxiety. "Mei, did you find out anything about Kevin? What's his situation?"

Mei took a deep breath, trying to reassure her friends. "He's being searched for by MOTH. He'll be found eventually. And speaking of that, I'm now a researcher here in MOTH."

Su's eyes widened in surprise and relief. "Really? That's great! You've finally achieved your dream. While I don't know if I can even reach mine now," he added with a somber tone.

Mei placed a reassuring hand on Su's shoulder. "It's alright, Su. I know you'll find something that's just as important."

The other girls chimed in, their voices a mix of relief and support. "We're all in this together," one of them said. "Kevin is strong. He'll make it through this."

Mei nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Yes, he will. And until then, we need to stay strong and do our part."

As the group settled in, the weight of the day's events began to lift slightly.

One day had passed, and MOTH soldiers had successfully reunited most of the girls with their families. Unfortunately, some of their family members had been caught in the Honkai eruption.

Only Mei and Su behind in Moth base.

< >

Kevin drove towards the nearest MOTH base, the landscape around him a stark reminder of the recent chaos. As he neared the base, guards stopped him.

"Halt! Let us check you first. Then we'll transport you to another city."

The guards conducted a thorough check for any signs of Honkai corruption or injuries. Upon confirming his identity, one of them looked particularly surprised.

"Mr. Kevin, is that correct? Please follow us to Shenzhou. We had orders to lead you there."

"Alright, let's go then," Kevin replied, already anticipating the next steps. As they boarded a plane heading to the MOTH base, Kevin asked, "Hey, do you guys have any phones or computers I can use? I need to contact someone."

A guard handed him a cell phone, and Kevin quickly called Su to assure him that he was alright. Exhausted from the recent battles, he fell asleep shortly after.

Meanwhile, one of the MOTH agents contacted Dr. Mobius to inform her that Kevin had been secured.

"Bring him directly to me," Mobius replied.

Kevin woke up to the vibrations of their landing. "Ugh, so we've arrived." Shaking off his drowsiness, he boarded a car with the agents, silently waiting until they arrived at their destination.

An agent led him to Mobius's lab. "Yes, sir. Follow me, please. You have an important discussion ahead."

"Lead the way, gentlemen," Kevin said.