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

Clever people are rarely fooled. They see through contrived lies, often with a condescending smirk, their intellectual superiority on full display.

Take Otto, for example.

Clever people possess active minds, an insatiable curiosity, and a remarkable ability to process information. These traits often lead to an unshakeable self-confidence.

Again, take Otto.

However, this very confidence becomes their Achilles' heel. Understand their psychology, tailor a trap to their specific biases, and they fall the hardest, blinded by their own hubris.

Yet again, take Otto…

"Tsk, tsk, learn from his mistakes, learn from his mistakes… heed the lesson, stay vigilant, and avoid flipping the car in the ditch!"

Still playing dead on the ground, Lin Wei replayed his little deception, wondering if he would have fallen for it if he were in Otto's shoes.

After careful consideration, he concluded: no.

Honestly, even he would likely have been fooled.

The reason was simple: every piece of information he'd provided was true, carefully selected to align with Otto's intel, logically sound, and with clear motives.

Anti-Entropy, wary of Schicksal's unusual activity, sends someone to investigate. Reasonable, right?

Anti-Entropy executives are generally highly educated, technically proficient—except for Cocolia—and physically weak—including Cocolia. So, being easily captured by him was also reasonable, right?

Finally, he'd used the simulated Fenghuang Down to control the entire conversation, ensuring every word from "He Kun" was truthful. He'd even meticulously reviewed the man's memories for confirmation.

Otto: I was that thorough, tell me, how could this possibly go wrong?

Lin Wei smiled silently: It can.

Otto couldn't possibly know a third person wielded the Fenghuang Down's power.

Furthermore, Lin Wei had presented himself as a completely ordinary person, making it even less likely for Otto to suspect anything.

Would you suspect a guy in flip-flops, shirtless, eating street food, of possessing nuclear launch codes?

No. You wouldn't even consider it.

If someone suggested it, you'd laugh at them.

Him? A Divine Key?

You think I'm stupid?

The supremely confident Otto had fallen headfirst into the pit of his own assumptions, unable to climb out.

And from start to finish, Lin Wei had done only one thing: concealed the feather.

With a dash of Oscar-worthy acting.

As for Otto reading his memories?

The Fu Hua consciousness within his mind assured him that all he needed to do was tell a story. Weaving an illusion was her job…

Not only was it her duty to protect him, the very act of tricking Otto was its own reward.

"Still, can't underestimate Otto…" Lin Wei reminded himself.

Just because he'd played Otto like a fiddle didn't mean he was a fool.

The perfect confluence of circumstances had allowed for this deception. He couldn't afford to become complacent.

He'd explained his entire plan to Yae Sakura, convincing her to carry out her part.

"Regardless of Otto and World Serpent's schemes, I'll make the first move and gain the upper hand!"

By drawing Otto's attention, while Yae Sakura followed the Honkai beast to World Serpent's hideout, uncovering their plot, he would gain the initiative.

Whether out of personal grudge or misplaced anger, the moment Anna was injured, Lin Wei had decided he wouldn't remain a bystander.

And having decided to join the game, his next move was to find allies.

His plan was simple: gather enough information, then pull Anti-Entropy into the fray. He wouldn't be fighting alone.

Whether to disrupt Otto's plans or foil World Serpent's schemes, with the St. Freya crew still "factory reset," Anti-Entropy were the perfect tools.

"Schicksal and World Serpent are already on stage in Manila. Leaving Anti-Entropy out would be rude, wouldn't it?"

Even if Anti-Entropy was weak, with his help, they should be able to put on a decent show, right?

As Schicksal's newly appointed "spy" within Anti-Entropy, he felt obligated to contribute to the organization's cause.

"And I even got a direct line to the Overseer… Heh, interesting… You practically handed me this opportunity."

Recalling the scene, Lin Wei couldn't help but chuckle. He'd honestly only intended to distract Otto, buy time, and shift the blame – "I'm with Anti-Entropy, both sides are standing down, I'm here for internal affairs, not to target you, so back off."

Who knew he'd get a job offer out of it…?

The Overseer himself had extended the invitation. How could he refuse?

"Heh, digging his own grave deeper…"

Lin Wei's smile was wry. He hadn't figured out his next move.

"Anyway, I've overachieved here. Now I just need to wait for Sakura."

Once she returned with World Serpent's intel, having both sides of the story would allow him to piece together the puzzle and act accordingly.

"Guess I'll just wait here. Wonder if Sakura will return first, or the police after someone reports all these unconscious people…"

Still lying on the ground, Lin Wei waited patiently, still wary of Otto lurking nearby, searching for flaws in his act. Weakened and defenseless, he didn't mind playing mind games with thin air.

Just…

"Damn it! Sakura, hurry back, save me… The mosquitos here are insane!"

......

While things went smoothly for Lin Wei, Yae Sakura encountered a minor setback.

Rustle, rustle, rustle…

After nearly being disemboweled, Stan fled in terror, desperate to put distance between himself and the terrifying demon.

The hairs on his back, still standing on end despite being matted with blood, screamed one message: She's still coming!

The thought made him run even faster.

He had to admit, his modified body was resilient. Neither the claw pierced by "Yuno," nor the belly sliced open by Yae Sakura, nor the trail of blood he'd left behind, slowed him down. His wounds were even closing visibly.

And since Stan was running, Yae Sakura didn't press the attack.

She'd seen firsthand the creature's unnatural resilience, and wasn't worried he'd suddenly collapse. She would simply follow, hoping to find its lair, or rather, its master's lair.

Of course, if it was clever enough to lead her astray, she could always capture it later.

So, one chased, the other fled, out of the forest, onto the road, past villages, and into the city.

Yae Sakura glanced up at the familiar skyline of Manila. This was the same route she and Lin Wei had taken out of the city.

"..."

I actually outran Lin Wei and got back first, she thought wryly.

If she hadn't had the Divine Key, the projected Key of Erosion wouldn't have lasted this long.

This must have been part of Lin Wei's plan, she realized, her gaze fixed on her fleeing prey.

The cat was injured, exhausted from its frantic escape. Even with its enhanced physique, it was starting to slow down.

"Heh, now you can't escape," she thought coldly.

Honestly, if she hadn't seen it transform and attack without mercy, its current state, covered in blood and seemingly injured, might have evoked sympathy. After all, in its normal form, it was quite cute.

But having witnessed its true form, having been attacked by it, that was impossible.

Just like the rabbits and birds she'd hunted five hundred years ago to feed her sister, it was simply prey.

Since it was slowing down, she didn't need to press the pursuit. She would simply follow from a distance.

Yae Sakura slowed her pace, considering her next move.

Just then, a young couple emerged from a side street, chatting and laughing. They glanced at the traffic, then quickly crossed the road.

The boy seemed to have told a joke, making the girl giggle uncontrollably. She playfully nudged him with her free hand, making him yelp in mock pain.

Yae Sakura watched them go, then stepped into the intersection they'd just left.

When she emerged, she was transformed, taking on the appearance of the young woman.

She paused by a shop window, admiring her new form – an ordinary teenage girl, a far cry from her usual appearance. But Yae Sakura smiled, satisfied.

"Lin Wei always says, 'When traveling, wear multiple layers of disguises…'"

Even though no one in this world would recognize her, another layer of camouflage wouldn't hurt, right?

Having spent so much time with Lin Wei, Yae Sakura's mischievous side was showing. She admired her new look, then chuckled.

"Being a Stigmata is so convenient. Lin Wei would be so jealous…"

Lacking a physical body, her current form was merely a projection of the Divine Key, easily modified.

As for her only two real possessions – the hiking hat and the katana, the hat remained on her head. The katana was more problematic. A teenage girl carrying a katana was… conspicuous.

Yae Sakura frowned, considering her options, then transformed it into the parasol the girl had been carrying. At least the length was similar.

Disguise complete, she couldn't help but recall Lin Wei's struggles with his own disguises, the lengths he'd gone to alter his appearance.

As a Stigmata, she could change her appearance at will.

The thought made her smile even wider, amused by his clumsiness.

Her laughter drew the attention of nearby shoppers, curious about what had amused this elegant young woman.

Noticing the stares, Yae Sakura simply smiled politely and continued on her way.

She hadn't forgotten her mission. Locking onto the fading scent, she quickened her pace.

Not because she was worried about losing her prey, but because she'd noticed something unexpected – the cat had stopped moving.

Could this be it?

Her heart quickened. She approached cautiously.

Through a narrow alley, around a corner, she arrived at a small plaza. There, she saw the cat…

…and a blonde woman crouching before it.

As if sensing her gaze, the woman looked up, meeting Yae Sakura's eyes.

The face wasn't entirely familiar. She'd only seen it briefly with Lin Wei, a fleeting glimpse. But the woman's unique aura made her instantly recognizable.

"Durandal?"