Arknights:The Madman Doctor Strikes Again!

The rational choice matched Amiya's proposed plan exactly. It was a safe, cautious approach.

However, neither of them yet realized that Misha was currently suffering from acute Oripathy. For someone in her condition, every second counted. Time wasn't just ticking, it was life itself. There was no luxury for delays.

Jay had rushed here just in time to notice that Misha looked far worse than expected… and it wasn't just fear. He remembered vividly how, in the game, all he could do was helplessly watch as the adorable Misha succumbed to illness and died. Now that he'd crossed into this world, he absolutely would not let that tragedy repeat before his eyes.

"Amiya, let me handle the negotiations," Jay said with a calm smile, gently patting her shoulder as he stepped forward.

"You sure, Doctor?" Amiya asked, a bit of relief showing in her voice.

Truthfully, she hadn't been confident she could keep the crazed Reunion member calm for the full fifteen minutes needed. With the reliable Doctor taking charge, her heart felt much lighter.

"Of course. After all, I'm a negotiation expert."

Jay left those words behind as he strode toward the armed Reunion member holding Misha hostage.

"...Huh?"

Amiya tilted her head, her long bunny ears twitching in confusion.

"Did I mishear that? Did the Doctor really say 'negotiation expert'... or was it 'disaster expert'...?"

Meanwhile, standing in the rear, Fran and Liskarm were whispering to each other with some amusement.

"Wow, we finally get to see the Doctor in action!"

"Yeah, Fran. Let's see what kind of negotiation tactics he has up his sleeve."

As members of Blacksteel Worldwide working with Rhodes Island, Fran and Liskarm hadn't interacted much with the Doctor. But they'd heard from veterans like Ace that this mysterious Doctor could solve any problem. They were curious to witness it firsthand.

Jay raised his hands slowly, flashing a warm and trustworthy smile as he approached the Reunion operative.

"Hey there. I'm the commander in charge here. I'd like to talk. Heart to heart."

"You're the commander?" the Reunion member muttered, eyes narrowing. "Fine. Tell your people to back off. And get me a vehicle, fast! Otherwise, I'll jump off with her right now!"

The rooftop fell into a tense silence, broken only by the howling wind and the panicked breathing of Misha and her captor.

Amiya, Fran, and Liskarm all held their breath, straining to hear how the Doctor would respond. Would he stall for time? Deflect with a clever excuse? Or maybe… actually agree to the vehicle demand?

They knew Jay needed to keep the madman talking for at least 15 minutes. Every second counted.

"You wanna jump? Then go ahead, you cyka blyat!"

Jay suddenly roared at the Reunion member once he got close enough.

"I'm right here, watching you! If you don't jump, I'll look down on you for the rest of my life!"

Ding!

[Detected: Host has made a choice.

Reward: Wind Wings acquired.

Agility +10.]

…

"Doctor?! What are you doing?!"

"Why would you provoke him like that?!"

"Wait wait wait, what is happening?!"

The stunned shouts of Amiya and the others broke the silence. They couldn't believe Jay had just screamed at a mentally unstable hostage-taker.

"To hell with it! We'll die together!" the Reunion operative shouted, eyes wild.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

Misha shrieked as the two of them plunged off the rooftop.

Without hesitation, Jay leapt after them.

Chains of Heaven!

As they fell, Jay summoned shimmering golden chains to whip toward the Reunion member, entangling his body and forcing him to release Misha's arm.

In the next instant, Jay snatched Misha into his arms.

Wind Wings!

With a thought, Jay activated the newly acquired artifact stored in his Dimensional Storage.

Black feathered wings burst from his back, flaring wide. Their plummet slowed dramatically, shifting into a controlled glide toward the distant street below.

"Doctor!" Amiya, Fran, and Liskarm rushed to the edge of the rooftop, eyes wide as they watched him descend safely with Misha cradled in his arms.

Just moments ago, they'd been completely baffled by the Doctor's sudden outburst. But now they understood everything. He'd had it all under control.

"Wow… never imagined the Doctor had such a trick up his sleeve," Fran murmured. "Gliding descent? That's crazy useful."

"Maybe he provoked the guy on purpose, just to create an opening and save Misha," Liskarm added.

"It was risky… but incredibly efficient."

The two Blacksteel operatives had once thought the stories about the Doctor were exaggerated. But now, having witnessed his mad brilliance firsthand, they were genuinely impressed.

...

...

Ring ring ring...

Amiya's phone buzzed in her pocket.

She opened it to find a message from Texas of Penguin Logistics.

"Amiya! A large group of Reunion forces is heading your way! Whatever happens, you need to get down there and support the Doctor, now!"

Her expression sharpened.

"Everyone! We've got incoming! Let's hurry and reinforce the Doctor immediately!"