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

There's a saying that you are only six degrees of separation away from any person, including the US president. It illustrates the interconnectedness of the world. Some connections are strong, others weak, but no event is truly isolated.

The world is a massive, messy domino setup. Some tiles are tightly packed, a nudge causing a cascade. Others are sparsely arranged, a fallen tile barely noticed. And some, seemingly isolated, act like fuses, slowly transferring energy to the center, until…

Click

Everything collapses.

Gray Serpent, having observed humanity for millennia, eagerly awaited this "domino" experiment. "Only change brings progress," he'd declared.

This was precisely what Lin Wei sought to avoid. He wanted to be a silent observer, maintaining a safe distance. Not interfering was his greatest contribution.

"Give me a chance. I want to be a good guy," he'd joked to Yae Sakura, quoting a movie line.

But goodwill didn't mean burying his head in the sand. He'd left traces, formed bonds. These invisible threads pulled him towards the center stage.

He mentally drew a large X. "Stay away from me!" He might resist, but he knew: avoidance was futile. Even if he succeeded, he'd live in fear. He'd learned this the hard way last year, when he realized he couldn't escape the Honkai's corruption. It was a painful realization.

So, he decided to participate, taking control, minimizing the impact of his presence. Then, he'd retreat to his peaceful fishing life.

Currently, he was unaware of the distant events unfolding.

"Strange, still no answer." Repeated failed attempts to contact the Anti-Entropy doctors raised a red flag. The timing was too perfect.

"This is troublesome…" He frowned, unconvinced by the coincidence.

Who is interfering?

Gray Serpent. It has to be him. He quickly narrowed down the suspects.

But why? Is he stopping me from joining forces with Anti-Entropy, helping Jackal? He stroked his chin.

Or is his target Anti-Entropy, and I'm the interference?

If so… He paused, his eyes narrowing. Is Jackal bait, meant to distract me?

But that didn't fit. If Gray Serpent was targeting Anti-Entropy now, why were they unaware of his existence in the original timeline?

He grabbed paper and pen, listing and scrutinizing every clue, crossing them out one by one.

Yae Sakura sat quietly, observing his furrowed brow, knowing not to interrupt.

"...Sakura, are there any significant events happening now, besides the upcoming Honkai eruption in Manila?" he asked, seeking her perspective. She knew his identity and memories. It was their shared secret, until Kallen's return and Fu Hua's recovered memories.

Sakura shook her head.

"Do you think the Manila eruption is connected to Anti-Entropy?" he asked, though he doubted it. Cocolia caused the Nagazora incident for the Gem of Conquest and the Herrscher of Thunder. Later, she'd seek a new Herrscher in Singapore, foiled by Otto and Fu Hua.

Manila, while devastating, yielded no new Herrscher. It resembled a successful Nagazora, not Anti-Entropy's style. Even World Serpent's involvement had been denied by Jackal.

Sakura considered, then asked, "If Jackal is bait, when should you have encountered her?"

Her clear voice sparked a realization. Lin Wei put down his pen, tearing the paper in half. "You're right. I was overthinking…" He burned the scraps.

"Even if Jackal is bait, I shouldn't have found her yet. It's too early." Knowing too much, while advantageous, had become a curse.

"Besides…" He'd only considered allying with Anti-Entropy because he knew about both Jackal and Otto's plans. "Jackal and Gray Serpent don't know about Otto!"

His thoughts cleared. "If Otto's presence were known, Durandal couldn't remain hidden!" Durandal's global Honkai suppression was too conspicuous to ignore. Her continued secrecy meant Otto was also hidden.

He'd known about Durandal because Yae Sakura had literally run into her. Otherwise, he'd only suspect Otto had backup in Manila – a logical assumption. He'd then waste time searching…

He shifted his focus. "Jackal wants both me and Yuno. Since we've met, she might target Yuno to draw me out…"

"That's the only way Jackal, as bait, could attract me. Normally, this would be the start of a long investigation, not an instant reveal. Gray Serpent couldn't have predicted this, so…" He hugged Yae Sakura, spinning her around excitedly. "Thank you, Sakura! Because of you, I have crucial information ahead of schedule!" Unlike Durandal, Yae Sakura was an unknown variable!

"…Lin Wei, you're being… indecorous," Yae Sakura said, blushing, lightly tapping his back. She was flustered by his sudden display of affection.

"Haha, sorry, sorry…" He put her down, slightly embarrassed. She looked disappointed.

Composing himself, he continued, "I can choose not to take the bait. And from Jackal's perspective, I haven't. So, her next attack will likely target 'Miss Yuno'…" He said "Miss Yuno" with a sneer. You've really stooped low, Otto!

After a few scoffs, he held up his phone. "So, if Jackal is bait, the plan has failed, at least for now."

"Therefore?" Sakura asked.

"Therefore, I'm the 'reinforcement' they're trying to divert, and Anti-Entropy is the real target. They should be operating normally!" He sighed. "More likely, Gray Serpent is cutting off my 'reinforcements' to help Jackal." But what was their goal?

"Wait! There's another possibility…" A new thought struck him. He closed his eyes, deep in thought. Sakura watched, her heart pounding.

He opened his eyes, exhaling slowly. "I may be overestimating my importance…"

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked.

"Perhaps both I and Jackal are bait. And the real target is…" He paused. "Schicksal!"

World Serpent didn't know Otto was already there, lying in wait. Thus, they could plot against Schicksal undisturbed.

"Are they aiming to weaken Schicksal, or is it a diversion, with Anti-Entropy as the true prey?" He closed his eyes again, weighing the options.

Sakura waited patiently.

"…The plan remains unchanged," he finally said. "If I withdraw now, things will proceed as Gray Serpent intends. If he is targeting me, I'd be playing into his hands…"

His voice was calm and firm. "We must use our advantage and strike first!"

Besides, if he quit now, Anna would die. He couldn't abandon her.

"If Gray Serpent isn't involved, I'll have misjudged him. But if he is… then I'll ruin his plans."

Tit for tat, he thought grimly.

"Alright," Sakura nodded. "What's next?"

Lin Wei's expression turned troubled.

"What's wrong?" Sakura asked, concerned.

"…I was hoping Anti-Entropy would keep Durandal busy while I dealt with Otto and Jackal," he said, grimacing. "Now, I have to deal with that elephant in the room myself!"

He imagined Durandal appearing at the worst possible moment, ruining his carefully laid plans. That couldn't happen.

But considering her track record… it seemed likely.

This is a headache. What do I do?