READ NOVEL FREE Chapter 385: Battles on Multiple Fronts
Ren didn't seem bothered at all when someone said his real name. He acted like he didn't know what they were talking about and asked, "What's 'Obsidian Concord'?"
Kevin, one of the strongest warriors in the current era, naturally sensed the discrepancy in this [Kiana] Despite Ren's flawless disguise, even Kevin couldn't pinpoint concrete evidence, only suspecting his true identity.
Detective work wasn't Kevin's forte, nor did he want to waste words. By directly confronting Ren as a member of the Obsidian Concord, he aimed to use his imposing presence to pressure Ren into revealing a weakness.
However, instead of panic, he was met with an innocent, girlish expression. For a moment, Kevin was speechless.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, "I don't care about your probing and attacks on World Serpent, but at least tell me your intentions."
"What are you talking about? Didn't you pull me into this space?"
Kevin exhaled a frosty breath, feeling a long-forgotten surge of frustration. His azure eyes locked onto Ren's, and the terrifying aura of a 50,000-year-old warrior washed over him like a tsunami.
Yet, to his disappointment, Ren's golden eyes remained undisturbed, calmly reflecting his own gaze.
"I've met you in the Sea of Quanta, and fought alongside you in Nagazora City. I don't know your true identity, but... I hope you're not on the Honkai's side."
Kevin had fought against and alongside Ren during the incident with the Sun Eater in Nagazora City. He'd witnessed the strong emotional connection between Ren and Kiana.
A Herrscher with complete humanity—Kevin knew this was the future Elysia envisioned. He held a relatively positive view of Ren, even considering letting Elysia in the Elysian Realm see the potential of this new generation Herrscher.
However, for Kevin, this desire to fulfill a fallen comrade's hopes was secondary to his ultimate goal: [Eliminating Honkai]. If Ren sided with the Honkai, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him.
While Project Honkai trapped Senti, Kevin had used his abilities to pull Ren into his personal Quantum space, intending to test his true allegiance.
"And what if I am?" Ren dropped the innocent act. Teasing the stoic Kevin had been momentarily amusing, and with his 50,000 years of experience, he wouldn't take it to heart.
However, continuing to play dumb would be foolish.
"Then prepare to stay here forever."
A breeze rustled their hair. Kevin's black coat billowed, and his crimson greatsword ignited, flames licking at the very fabric of space.
The surrounding energy field intensified, and even the ceaseless tides of the Sea of Quanta seemed to still.
Anyone stepping onto the platform where they stood would be instantly torn apart by their combined power.
Ren fell silent for a moment, then smiled. He raised his right hand, golden threads weaving together to form a blue and purple longsword.
The Key of Domination-Xuanyuan Sword, Kiana's former weapon.
"All negotiations are ultimately based on strength. I know you're curious about me, and in truth, I share the same curiosity about humanity's strongest warrior. Let's have a fight. Show me if the legendary Lord of World Serpent has the power to decide my allegiance."
Kevin, the strongest human augmented in the Previous Era, possessed overwhelming power. Otto had managed to negotiate with him by leveraging Schicksal's vast influence and potential disruption of the Stigmata Project.
Ren was different.
With the growing number of puppets, his power was also increasing, but to what extent, even he wasn't entirely sure.
Whether for future plans or to gauge his current strength, Ren needed a truly challenging battle.
He could remain behind the scenes, but to achieve his desired future, he couldn't hide forever. Sooner or later, he would have to deal with Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent directly.
He needed to pave the way for Kiana's ascension in this perilous, ruined world.
Even without encountering Senti, he would have chosen to infiltrate the base, not only to create an opening for Mei to enter the Elysian Realm, but also to understand the true purpose of the Stigmata Project.
"Fine." Kevin's reply was concise.
In the next instant, the hundred-meter platform shattered. Debris merged with the distant, drifting ruins, becoming quantum phantoms.
Within the gold-tinged space, Ren and Kevin were gone, leaving only the scorch marks of flames.
A closer look revealed a faint golden line bisecting the lingering flames. The seemingly continuous fire had been cleanly cut in two by a sword stroke.
...
The battle in the Sea of Quanta remained unseen, but Bronya's fight within the base was witnessed by many.
"It's over." Raven wasn't fully healed, but a stimulant from Project Honkai allowed her to fight with greater ferocity than usual.
Bronya wasn't in peak condition either. Her fight with the Herrscher of Sentience had taken a toll. Even with the Divine Key constantly repairing her, she needed two more days to fully recover.
Worse, while trapped in the labyrinth, a strange green gas had seeped into the corridors. Despite her caution, she'd been exposed.
That small exposure had disrupted her Honkai energy. While not debilitating, it was a distracting annoyance, like a catchy but irritating tune stuck in her head during an exam.
Fortunately, the gas hadn't targeted her and quickly dissipated. But then, Raven ambushed her.
"Who are you?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you that? Intruder."
"Where are my companions?" Bronya avoided answering directly. She wasn't about to reveal her identity.
"Who knows? Maybe dead. Maybe strapped to a lab table." Raven cradled her Chakram, a playful smirk on her face. "It's quite amusing. We expected the three of you to be more troublesome together, but someone got separated and fell into our trap."
Recalling her earlier curiosity, Bronya grimaced. She knew it had led her into this trap, but regret was useless now.
"Then I have no choice but to dismantle this labyrinth."
"Project Bunny, ride on!"