The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"Kevin, don't worry too much. I just heard from the Doctor. This is a top priority for Fire Moth; almost the entire research division is working on it."

Lee held Kevin's trembling hand, her voice gentle. "It'll be okay. Mei, Mobius, Vill-V… they're the best minds in humanity. They'll find a solution. These people are just infected, not dead. There's still hope…"

"Never give up hope, Kevin."

"I—"

Kevin looked up, meeting Lee's gaze. Her sky-blue eyes, clear and calm, held only trust, determination, and gentleness. No anxiety, no fear.

"I'll handle this. You need to rest after fighting the 6th Herrscher." Lee wiped the dried blood from Kevin's face. "You look exhausted."

"Lee, I… I should stay here and watch the blockade. Just in case…" Kevin refused. He couldn't rest; he couldn't sleep.

"…I understand. You've grown up, Kevin." Lee didn't argue; she just smiled and let go of his hand. "I'll leave this to you. I'm going to the command center to see the Doctor. She actually came to the scene."

"But Kevin, don't push yourself too hard… I can still help you."

Lee left, leaving Kevin in silence.

He was relieved she didn't know the truth, that she hadn't gotten mad. But he was also saddened by his own deception.

What was the point? Lee would find out eventually. And then she'd be even more furious…

But did Kevin understand Lee well enough to predict her next move?

Nope!

Logically, the commander wouldn't tell Lee what happened—but all the higher-ups would be informed, including Mei, Lee's best source of information.

Mei didn't want Lee involved in the fight, but that didn't mean keeping her in the dark. Mei wanted to protect Lee, not imprison her.

Learning that Lee had arrived, Mei, wanting to prevent any misunderstandings, sent Lee a detailed report of the battle—making Kevin's deception pointless.

But Kevin's guilt gave Lee an opening.

She could slap him, yell at him, and ask why he hadn't listened to her, why so many people had suffered because of him.

That would yield a good chunk of energy—but Lee wanted more.

Even if she made Kevin cry and break down, his guilt would be directed at the victims, not her.

So, Lee changed her script. She'd arrived angry, ready to confront him, but seeing his distraught state, she'd softened, comforting him instead.

And why pretend she didn't know? To show her disapproval and to set up a future energy explosion.

You think you fooled her? She knows everything, but she's pretending for your sake!

Classic drama~

But Lee's plan wasn't over. The best part was yet to come.

"Honestly, they're better off dead."

Vill-V sighed, leaning back in her chair in the makeshift lab outside the camp. "If they were all dead, it would be like any other Honkai eruption, just a bigger body count. But they're not… Fire Moth can't help them. This is a PR nightmare."

"Fire Moth might be a mess, but they're still in charge. Without them, humanity's screwed!"

Vill-V scrolled through her phone, then grinned, showing Mobius a video of soldiers blocking the infected citizens. "Look, so many people in the comments are accusing Fire Moth of letting them die! I told them these PR stunts were pointless. Better to stay hidden~"

"Vill-V, are you here just to watch videos?" Mobius glared at her. "This city has millions of people!"

"Even if it had billions, it wouldn't matter. It's already too late."

Vill-V shrugged, then stood up, glancing at Mobius's data. "Hmm, similar to Honkai sickness, just more… intense… Maybe those Honkai antibodies would work?"

"They do." Mobius snorted. Of course she'd already tried. "But where are we going to get enough? It takes a thousand lives to make one dose!"

"Too bad the 6th Herrscher turns people to dust. We could have had ten thousand doses!"

Mobius's eyes narrowed at the giggling Vill-V. "…Vill-V, sometimes I wonder if saving you was the right choice."

"Don't be like that; it was just a joke. You don't think I'm that heartless, do you?"

Vill-V propped her chin on her hand, her gaze unreadable. "If it were up to me, I'd use… more efficient methods. Like that new drug you developed?"