Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

"Mr. Lin Wei, it's good to see you again..."

Gray Serpent smiled and gestured for Lin Wei to take a seat, his movements elegant, just like when they first met.

However, the tightly wrapped hoodie, and the "mask" on his face, which seemed to be made of some unknown material, made his aristocratic politeness look rather eerie.

The uncanny valley, huh?

Lin Wei clicked his tongue, Gray Serpent, you're being a bit too theatrical.

"It's been a while, Mr. Gray Serpent."

Instead of sitting down as Gray Serpent had suggested, Lin Wei stood at the entrance of the corridor and raised his sheathed katana, which had almost never left its scabbard, and asked with a smile,

"I don't think it's very polite to bring this in. Where do you think would be a good place for me to put it?"

Judging by Raven's attitude, it was probably not a trap, but at the end of the day, it was better to be sure.

Gray Serpent was a cultured man, so he had to be a little subtle, otherwise he would look foolish.

"Mr. Lin Wei is our guest, and it's natural for a guest to have concerns. So, if you're worried, you can just keep it with you."

Gray Serpent seemed very magnanimous, as if he didn't mind at all.

"As a guest, I should still abide by the proper etiquette. It's best to leave weapons outside."

Lin Wei smiled, quickly scanned left and right, and set his eyes on a row of hooks. He carefully hung the katana on one of them.

There were many umbrellas hanging below the hooks. They all had the same design, clearly matching Gray Serpent's aesthetic.

"Mr. Lin Wei is quite candid."

Gray Serpent chuckled, made a polite remark, and again invited Lin Wei to sit down.

Lin Wei readily took a seat.

After all, he had already subtly shown his attitude—I'm not going to let you control me easily, but I'm not hostile towards you either.

Since the other party seemed to accept it, then they had some basic trust.

"After all, Raven and I got along pretty well. Now that she's not here, I have to admit I already miss her a little."

Lin Wei laughed and spoke honestly.

Though he was also aware that if Raven were here, she would definitely share the same stance as Gray Serpent.

"Speaking of which, I really did spend a long time in the Elysian Realm. Miss Raven told me that it seemed to have delayed a lot of the subsequent people's trials."

And Lin Wei clearly remembered that before he went in, he had also cleared out a whole group of people.

Lin Wei rubbed his chin, his mind wandering, another cave seemed to be opening on the top of his head—

Come to think of it, I don't even know if the World Serpent's executives enter the Elysian Realm one by one, or in batches?

It should be one by one, right? Because I remember that in the original plot, Raven told Mei that the World Serpent's executives don't talk about their experiences in the Elysian Realm with each other.

So, it's kept pretty private.

"It's of no concern. It's the will of the Lord, and no one can disobey it. Raven naturally understands this, even if she has left World Serpent."

Gray Serpent's tone was calm and measured, but when he said "left," there was a hint of mockery. Then, he paused slightly and continued to explain,

"Besides, for a larva to transform into a butterfly and fly onto the branches, or for a seed to sprout and push open the dark earth, it all takes a little time to ferment, doesn't it?"

Gray Serpent's tone became full of sighs, like reciting a poem.

"Time! Time... Heh, time is truly a wonderful thing—time is the enemy of life, for it leads you to death; but time is also the friend of life, for it can free you from the constraints of the swaddling clothes, allowing you to grow into an adult."

But his voice sounded like it was coming from an electronic component wrapped in leather, muffled and strange.

"...Mr. Gray Serpent, have you considered writing a book?"

Lin Wei just felt his teeth ache. This pretentious artistic style is too much for me to handle, are you trying to speak in riddles?

Sorry for my low cultural level!

Larva? Seed? Time?

Lin Wei felt like Gray Serpent was implying something, but it was all vague and unclear. And he couldn't ask directly, because even if he did, he wouldn't give a straight answer!

That's just how riddle-masters are.

(oへo╬)

Can't you people from the previous era just talk normally?

"There's no need for a book. After all, snakes are creatures that walk beneath the earth."

Gray Serpent seemed to take Lin Wei's complaining as a compliment.

You really do think we're just having a casual chat? Lin Wei thought helplessly.

Well, that's right. This is the World Serpent's headquarters, after all, and as its "master", Gray Serpent can naturally sit back and chat with me at his leisure.

"When Miss Raven told me about this, I thought I would be directly asked to join World Serpent as soon as I got here."

If the mountain doesn't come to me, then I'll just go to the mountain. It's no big deal to be proactive.

"It seems Mr. Lin Wei is ready to become one of the Serpent's members?"

Gray Serpent was still smiling, but there was no emotional fluctuation in his tone.

Lin Wei thought about it carefully, and nodded.

Position, salary, benefits, welfare, insurance, working on New Year's Eve...

So, do I sign the contract directly, or go through the process first?

Lin Wei thought and thought, but he still thought that if Gray Serpent asked him to join, it would be best to accept directly, otherwise...

He wasn't ready to be enemies with the World Serpent yet.

But...

"But, regrettably, Mr. Lin Wei, I'll be frank. The Serpent currently has no plans to accept you as a member."

Gray Serpent was still smiling, sitting upright and looking like he had no hostility.

Lin Wei's heart turned cold. This was completely beyond his expectations, was Gray Serpent planning to turn hostile?

His eyes narrowed slightly, and his mind became highly alert. On one hand, he was wary of the deceptively calm Gray Serpent, and on the other, he was alert for any hidden threats.

He was ready for another Gray Serpent to suddenly jump out from some inconspicuous corner and shoot him.

"Hehe, don't mind me, it's just a little test. It seems that Mr. Lin Wei is also not ready, and is still quite hostile towards the Serpent, or at least wary of us. But that's not a bad thing, it makes me admire you even more."

Gray Serpent spread his hands to show that he was not hostile, his tone was calm and gentle,

"After all, caution is a valuable quality, just like intelligent wisdom and decisive will. Although these things are not rare, that doesn't make them any less valuable, does it?"

Lin Wei remained silent, still on guard.

A test? It seems it won't be easy to become "friends" after all.

This was World Serpent's lair, and since he didn't know the other party's attitude, he couldn't afford to relax even for a moment.

When dancing with the snake, you must be careful.

Although he wasn't ready, he could always flip the table!

"It was the Lord herself who allowed Mr. Lin Wei to enter the Elysian Realm. Therefore, it's natural that it should be the Lord herself who decides whether Mr. Lin Wei should leave or stay. As for me, heh... I'm just a mere servant, so how could I overstep my bounds?"

Gray Serpent explained calmly. He wasn't surprised to see Lin Wei still maintaining a wary posture. He continued,

"I'm a businessman, and I've had business dealings with Mr. Lin Wei before. The purpose of inviting you to meet here today is just to reiterate our transaction, that's all. With that said, can you lower your guard a little?"

A transaction?

Lin Wei's heart skipped a beat, "I'm all ears."

"A year ago, we made two transactions. The first was Mr. Lin Wei's remote request, using the Stigmata Project as a bargaining chip to exchange a meeting with Gray Serpent. The second, heh, was Mr. Lin Wei using Gray Serpent's life as a bargaining chip to exchange a chance to speak with the Lord. Does Mr. Lin Wei have any objections?"

Lin Wei went through his memories carefully, and listened attentively to each word. He confirmed that there were no traps, and nodded to show that he had no objections.

"Excellent, Mr. Lin Wei is indeed a man who keeps his promises."

Gray Serpent was very satisfied with Lin Wei's cooperation,

"The second transaction was already completed a year ago. I've paid the price I was supposed to pay, are you satisfied with the result of the transaction, Mr. Lin Wei?"

Where is this sense of asking for a five-star review coming from?

Lin Wei found it a bit absurd, and after thinking about it, he nodded in agreement.

It was true, the other party had indeed kept their word and allowed him to meet Kevin.

"Very well, let's restate our unfulfilled first transaction, Mr. Lin Wei."

Gray Serpent revealed his true intentions with a smile and played a recording,

"Hello, Ms. Catherine of the World Serpent... I have a business deal I want to discuss with Gray Serpent... If you don't want the Stigmata Project to fail, then come meet me in person..."

The recording was short, and it soon finished. Lin Wei understood what Gray Serpent meant. He had already guessed what he was going to say next.

As expected...

"Mr. Lin Wei, I have already met with you as promised, and now, it's your turn to pay the price you owe."

"...How do I pay it?"

Aren't you disagreeing with me joining World Serpent?

Lin Wei was completely helpless about the current passive situation, because he was at a disadvantage.

The effects of force are mutual. Previously, he had sought life amidst death and created plans without any consideration for the consequences, using too much force.

Now, it was time for him to bear the consequences.

(ノへ￣,)

You can't have it both ways, don't be too greedy.

"The Stigmata Project won't fail anyway. Therefore, Mr. Lin Wei just needs to promise not to interfere with the Stigmata Project. This isn't too much to ask, right?"

Gray Serpent's tone was serious, making it seem like he would resort to force if he didn't agree.

That's it?

Lin Wei was stunned, the request was far less demanding than he imagined, in fact, it was too lenient.

Me? Interfering with the Stigmata Project? I don't seem like I have that kind of ability?

What would I do if I messed up the plot?

You must be joking!

Because it was so lenient, Lin Wei actually felt uneasy and worried about some hidden traps.

Why don't you think about it some more?

Moreover, the word "interfere" was too vague.

Lin Wei expressed his concerns directly. After all, this was a business deal, there was no shame in haggling.

"Hehe, the Stigmata Project will not fail. However, to the Serpent, you are either a friend or an enemy, Mr. Lin Wei, what do you think?"

These threatening words actually made Lin Wei feel relieved.

So, he just wants me to take a stance. Why didn't he say so earlier?

That's right, the people in World Serpent, Gray Serpent, and Jackal, both of them are extremely arrogant and conceited at their core.

That's why they ended up failing so many times.

"In that case, the transaction is complete."

Seeing that Lin Wei had no objections, Gray Serpent happily concluded their meeting.

"...So, I can leave now?"

Is it really that simple?

Gray Serpent wanted to stabilize him, but he didn't want to bring him into World Serpent, and refused to let him join...

What are you plotting, Gray Serpent?

Lin Wei didn't understand.

"This is World Serpent's headquarters, are you really going to let me walk out like this? Aren't you afraid I'll leak your secrets?"

If he didn't understand, then he would just ask, test, and seek answers.

Gray Serpent stared at Lin Wei with his crimson mechanical eye, although he didn't have any expression, Lin Wei still felt like he was smiling knowingly.

"...Okay, I understand."

Leak? Leak to who?

Schicksal or Anti-Entropy?

Anti-Entropy is no threat, as for Schicksal...

Am I trying to die?

"I'm really leaving! You guys aren't going to shoot me in the back, are you?"

"Since we're friends now, the Serpent would have no need to harm a friend, would it?"

Lin Wei looked Gray Serpent up and down, pondered for a moment, and turned to leave.

When he reached the door, he made sure to grab his katana that was leaning against the umbrella stand, and directly pushed the door open and left.

Gray Serpent had one admirable quality, and that was that he kept his promises. He did what he said.

Gray Serpent sat there and watched Lin Wei leave.

After a moment, he chuckled and said, "Come out!"

"...Tsk, that's strange, you actually let him leave that easily?"

A hooded girl walked out from the shadows, it was none other than Raven, who had already "left." She said sarcastically,

"I thought you would forcefully try to make him join World Serpent. After all, that's something you've done quite a lot, isn't it?"

"Hehehe, Raven, did you come back just to say these things to me?"

Gray Serpent seemed to be in a good mood, he happily chatted with Raven,

"...Don't use the organization's code name to refer to me anymore, did you forget that I've already resigned? Call me Natasha."

Raven was a little resistant to the name "Raven" and emphasized her own name.

She walked to the chair that Lin Wei had sat in earlier and sat down without any pretense. She crossed her legs and said casually,

"It's not like I don't trust you. Don't you know that with the Divine Key he has, it would be easy to kill you? I was thinking that if our discussion fell apart at the last minute, I might be able to save your life."

Gray Serpent smiled without a word, and didn't comment on her insincere words.

"Hey, you still haven't answered my question! Or has the organization's recruitment threshold become so high while I wasn't paying attention?"

Raven suddenly had a realization and was somewhat annoyed.

"Oh... So, that's why my resignation letter was approved so quickly, it was unbelievably fast. So, I've unknowingly become an unqualified employee? You were waiting for me to resign on my own, right?"

Raven felt like she had lost hundreds of millions.

"Natasha, you will come back. You and I both know that the 'past' is the 'past' because it can't be undone. You can't escape the name 'Raven'."

"Tch, no thanks." Raven refused and then looked at Gray Serpent, waiting for him to give her an answer.

"Hehe, the Serpent recognizes his potential, but whether that potential can be converted into true value, time will tell. Will this seed be able to bear fruit?"

Gray Serpent explained in a calm tone,

"A king who is content to be mediocre and only wants to curl up in his shell is meaningless to the Serpent, to humans, to civilization, to the world."

Gray Serpent got up to leave and began to recite,

"David used his weakness as a weapon to defeat the invincible Goliath, creating an epic hero's tale that is sung by all; however, he must still wander in the wilderness, journey through the mountains, and roam the human world. Only by experiencing a long life of exile can he finally ascend to the throne... Heh, time, time... Time is wonderful, it's like an endless file that makes some people numb and corrupt, and makes others more steadfast."

While reciting, he opened a black umbrella and walked out.

"...Hey, I'm telling you, you should really consider writing a book."

Raven couldn't help but click her tongue behind him.