Honkai: You're telling me this difficulty is from Honkai Impact 3?!

Excellent, Shu thought. The "imposing figure of authority" image worked perfectly. He breathed a sigh of relief and stepped aside, allowing Natasha to unlock the thick metal door.

"Not bad, Shu!" Kiana whispered, now that she no longer needed to maintain her serious facade. "You sounded so official, even though I didn't understand half of it." She nudged him playfully. "So… do you think I could be a captain someday?"

"You? No way. Mei and Bronya, maybe," Shu replied, mercilessly dashing Kiana's hopes.

"But…" Kiana protested. "In the story, I was special! If I were normal, I could totally be a captain like them!"

"Right, right. The Mighty Tuna of the Lunar Sea. " Shu rolled his eyes. "Let's talk when you manage to pass Otto's tests."

Kiana instantly shut up. They had all seen Otto's plans, and Shu had read the translated version. While only the lowest-level positions and a few high-level figurehead roles were currently active, Otto had already laid out the framework for upward mobility, dangling the promise of promotion like a carrot on a stick.

This included a "Valkyrie and Knight ranking system" based on information he had gathered. The requirements were intentionally set high, creating a sense of aspiration for the new Fire Moth recruits. Otherwise, if promotions and rewards were handed out too easily, who would fill the lower ranks? Who would do the grunt work?

They were desperately short-handed. They would have to wait for the next batch of "freshmen" before the current ones could become "sophomores."

For now, Otto was still evaluating the new recruits' capabilities. He needed to understand their potential before tailoring the promotion criteria for the mid-tier ranks.

As for the position Kiana coveted—Shu's role as Fire Moth External Operations Exploration Team Captain—that was a high-level position, requiring the ability to solo a Honkai Emperor with team support. Otto had based the test on Shu's own accomplishments.

Kiana wanted to advance, but she wasn't stupid. Quite the contrary, she was surprisingly cunning.

"Hmph… who needs to be a captain anyway?" Sour grapes, Shu thought. "I won't stop at captain. I'll become the strongest person in Fire Moth!" she declared.

Noble ambition! I fully support you! Shu nodded, mentally adding Kiana to the top of the list for his "divine blessing" experiments.

"I'll become… Finality!" Kiana whispered fiercely, her fist clenched.

Shu: "..." Maybe we should discuss a different codename. How about Mighty Tuna of the Lunar Sea?

In the past, he would have voiced that thought aloud. Now, he simply sighed, rubbing his temples, and followed Natasha through the open door.

Compared to the warehouse in Shanghai, Natasha's shelter was surprisingly well-organized. While much smaller, it had everything: designated kitchen and bathroom areas, individual rooms, no one sleeping on the floor, and even a few small amenities.

Shu spotted a generator with a stockpile of fuel cells beside it, identical to the ones used on the train. The generator was currently on standby, connected to a complex network of wires, powering the entire shelter.

Shu continued to survey his surroundings. While an ambush was unlikely, familiarizing himself with any unfamiliar environment was a good habit.

The shelter was full of children, just as his initial scan had revealed. When Natasha entered, the children had started to approach, then, seeing Shu and the others, scattered and hid. A few froze midway, unsure what to do, looking at Natasha.

Am I that scary? Shu subconsciously touched his face. He didn't sense any real fear from the children.

Natasha waved her hand, and the hesitant children scurried away to join the others.

There was a small slide in a corner, and the walls were adorned with colorful drawings, clearly the work of children. A plastic swing set, several tables, and clotheslines strung between ventilation ducts, hung with children's clothes. The largest garments were a woman's outfit and a simple white lab coat.

Another adult besides Natasha? Shu's eyes lingered on the lab coat before moving on. Discounting unknown individuals, who could be with Natasha? Night Squire Chen Tianwu? Or… Lord Kevin?

No… neither of them would wear a lab coat. So, someone he didn't know?

Having gained no useful information, Shu sighed. This is why I need Otto. I need more intel.

"Ah, Robot Mark II!" A slightly robotic voice called out from among the children.

That distinctive, inorganic voice…

Shu turned. As expected, Sora, her right eye and arm bandaged, hurried over to Natasha.

"Sora." Natasha's stern expression melted into a gentle smile as she patted Sora's head. "How has everyone been while I was gone? Any troublemakers?"

"Lyle tried to pick the lock again," Sora reported, her innocent expression belying the devastating impact of her words on a certain gray-haired boy.

"You… Sora! We agreed no tattling!"

"Lyle~!" Natasha's voice took on a warning tone, and the children scattered, revealing a despairing Lyle.

raised his eyebrows, Kiana took a breath, Mei smiled helplessly, and Bronya remained expressionless.

It really was... a thunderbolt at the opening.