I am a former Flame Chasers

Chapter 282: Chapter 280: There’s No Turning Back



If Ryan was unscrupulous before, he is now utterly lawless. The Fire Moth Council, which once held him in check, has lost its power. Ordinary warriors tend to prefer this "people-friendly" style of leadership.

Hiding behind a desk and issuing commands from a distance simply isn't as effective as leading from the front. As for the more complex matters of governance, isn't that Mei's domain?

"Fishing in peace is really quite relaxing," Ryan mused, walking briskly. Without the constant distractions and temptations, he felt his mood lifting. Given the nature of Honkai, he found that this new organizational structure suited him perfectly.

With branches spread across the world acting as tentacles, ordinary fusion warriors as the backbone, and the rare upper-level fusion warriors forming the mobile core, the attack and defense response times were lightning-fast.

"For example, fusion warriors are like Astartes, the rare upper fusion warriors are the Primarchs, and the numerous regular soldiers are the Astra Militarum. Their motto? To burn for humanity. Tsk, it really does remind me of Warhammer," Ryan mused, shaking his head. He wasn't interested in sitting on a metaphorical golden throne—it would be far too boring for him.

Sakura followed silently, like a loyal secretary. She could sense Ryan's wandering thoughts and couldn't help but chuckle.

Ellie had been in a similar state recently. Since the Fire Moth's reorganization, it seemed both she and Ryan were suddenly bursting with creative ideas. Yes, except for Dr. Mei, no one could stop their brilliant brainstorming sessions.

They walked around the administrative district like it was an evening stroll. Ryan suddenly remembered something important.

"Where did Aponia, Kalpas, and Pardofeliss go?"

"Kalpas disappeared into an unknown location. Aponia and Pardofeliss are in the underground city, staying with Elysia and Hua."

"And Vil-V?"

"She's still working on rebuilding the city. Dr. Mei assigned her a team of experts specializing in architecture and fortifications. Dr. Mobius is still holed up in the research area." Sakura paused for a moment, then continued, giving Ryan an update on everyone's whereabouts as if she were reading from a report.

Ato, Coleman, Himeko, Andevich, and other senior fusion warriors were in a heated discussion about future combat strategies with Mei, along with debates over budgets.

Ryan nodded thoughtfully, then realized Mei had likely come to him to prepare for a meeting, but since he'd already made some questionable decisions, he decided not to go back.

"She can be scary sometimes, but she's reliable. She's fair-minded at work, and even the old men in the research institute respect her," Ryan said, his tone showing admiration.

"Well, aside from a few idle folks, most people have something to do. So I'm relieved." He looked over at Sakura, who was clearly trying to suppress a laugh. "But you're still as dependable as ever."

"Surveillance and observation are second nature to assassins. Are you planning to assign me to related tasks?" Sakura replied smoothly.

Ryan glanced at her and smiled. "No, it's not like I've come to the sunlight to retreat back into the shadows," he said, stepping into another elevator and pressing the button for the city. "I want you to be my adjutant. There's too much going on right now, and someone has to catch all the oversights."

Sakura hesitated for a moment, clearly surprised by the offer. But when she saw the look in Ryan's eyes, she quickly followed him into the elevator. She bit her lip and nodded.

"Okay."

Ryan's appointment wasn't just for the Fire Moth; it was a reward for her as well. As the numbers flickered on the screen, Ryan relaxed, hands in his pockets.

In this fight against the Honkai, he could organize everything according to his preferences. The freedom that came with this was incredibly refreshing. And he was particularly curious about Elysia's plans.

After all, it wasn't just about the thirteen heroes—twenty-three could also be made. What would this pink fairy come up with next?

The jungle was alive with energy, the thick leaves blocking most of the sunlight. Only the occasional glow from the honkai energy crystals illuminated the surroundings.

Shadows darted through the dark forest, while the occasional low animal roar echoed in the distance. The earth would occasionally tremble as giant collapse beasts over ten meters tall rumbled by.

They patrolled, acting like the ultimate social creatures—no need for energy replenishment, never tiring, and requiring no maintenance. Their only goal was to complete their tasks, no matter what.

Sometimes, cracks would appear in the sky, and new collapse beasts would descend to Earth. These creatures would momentarily freeze, as though being "rebooted," before flying towards a giant city in the distance.

"The South American branch has retreated, leaving Rio under the control of the Herrscher. It was a smart move, really—abandoning some things to concentrate their forces. If they had gone for a large-scale mobilization, Skynet would have detected them. But with a few elite forces, if the city isn't taken, Dr. Ryan will come and deal with it personally."

"The organizational structure of Honkai is odd. There's no clear hierarchy—each entity exists to sacrifice itself, leaving no room for infiltration or manipulation."

"For us, the Herrscher has never issued orders. It's as if they know we have no choice but to follow the path set for us, that we can never return to the human camp. But there's something else—Honkai doesn't just aim to destroy us. It's guiding us. Maybe not directly, but it's guiding us nonetheless."

Carius closed his notebook and reflected on the events of the past few days. It felt like a fantasy novel coming to life.

The sight before him was something he had never imagined: humans coexisting with collapse beasts. It was absurd, but here it was. He lifted his gaze to the thousands of monsters surrounding him, yet he saw no emotion in their actions. They acted as if they were indifferent, like they were staring into nothing.

Why were they ignoring him? Who had given the order? Carius was left feeling confused. Only through personal experience did he begin to understand.

There were beings beyond the Herrscher, and their purpose wasn't just to exterminate humanity. It didn't make sense if that was their sole mission.

None of the Herrschers or pseudo-Herrschers had taken charge to lead others into battle, treating them as mere cannon fodder.

"Herrschers are the apostles of God. Their mission is simple: wipe out all the sins of the world and die for God. Only then can their souls ascend to heaven and enjoy eternal happiness!"

A magnetic voice echoed from the distance. Carius lowered his head and noticed the large crowd gathered in the stadium. They were listening to the Pope's sermon.

The expert speaker had distorted the stories from scripture. The heroes who fought against the monsters were deceived. But in reality, the monsters were just part of God's test, like the legendary flood. Only the determined could survive and rebuild the world.

He spoke eloquently, reversing right and wrong, but he was undeniably powerful.

Carius quietly praised the speaker in his heart, looking at the masses in the stadium before pursing his lips again.

Among the crowd were anti-human elements, Ukrainian government agents, cult followers, Honkai-infected individuals, and fusion warriors who had been pulled in against their will. Not to mention the people abandoned in occupied areas, full of hatred for this unjust world.

"What a gathering of scum," Carius muttered to himself. "Except for a few unlucky ones, Dr. Ryan must have been planning to force them all here for a long time."

Just then, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Mr. Chief of Staff, I didn't come here unwillingly."

Carius turned to see a man with light golden hair, wearing a white coat. The Honkai corrosion on his face had disappeared.

"Please don't call me Chief of Staff, Dr. Damian. I understand. You came here on your own terms, to survive, right?"

"That's one reason. But you know my goal. I must surpass that woman, and now I have better conditions than she did." Damian raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist. "I'm now in contact with Honkai itself, and I have all the research materials. I've willingly placed myself on the operating table."

Carius raised an eyebrow. Damian was different from him—he had obviously been given special treatment. But why did Honkai need a researcher, and what exactly did they want to research?

He didn't ask out loud, but simply clapped his hands. "Then congratulations, with the support of the Herrscher and all these resources, I look forward to your research."

Damian's face was full of obsession. It was the obsession of someone who was trying to overcome their own mediocrity. His motivation was jealousy and the instinct of a researcher.

Damian relaxed his fist and adopted a rational expression. "Then why are you here? With your talents and reputation, the Fire Moth must have offered you a place."

Carius didn't answer. Instead, he watched as the city in front of them became filled with Honkai energy crystals. There was no order, only chaos.

There were no laws here. You could take whatever you wanted. Even the dead could become fertilizer. The air was thick with Honkai energy, filled with a crazy, paranoid atmosphere.

"I have a request from them. I think technology can't do it, but maybe there's a way to surpass all collapse."

"Have you found the answer?"

"No. Maybe the Herrscher can't do it, or maybe the Herrscher is testing me. But when I took that step, I became aware of it."

When the Faith Faction found him, he was determined to try—and there was no turning back.

"Do you regret it?"

"What's there to regret for a gambler who's lost everything? Once he's staked all his honor, there's no choice but to keep betting. There's no throwing a tantrum like a teenager."

The decision made by an adult after careful thought, even if it leads to the abyss, must be carried through to the end.

"You're really pitiful, but also admirable. No wonder you've persisted in the Project Soldier." Damian bowed slightly and walked toward the stadium.

The Pope had prepared himself mentally, and now it was Damian's turn to take action. In this environment, ordinary people couldn't survive a month. He would have to make use of the waste. Soon, these people would become fusion or mutant warriors.

"By the way, the two lords are looking for you. Go quickly. The new Herrscher is about to arrive."

Damian walked away without a second glance. Carius stood there, slightly stunned, before smiling bitterly and straightening his clothes.

The arrival of a new Herrscher was nothing new. He was just a little helpless.

As a drowning man, what he feared wasn't death, but the idea of losing everything and getting nothing in return. This wasn't about feelings or beliefs because—

He could no longer turn back.


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