The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

"…"

Mobius's gaze was often cold, a reflection of her personality. The infamous scientist was surprisingly humane; her experiments were dangerous, but she didn't conduct them with the intention to kill.

But this time, Vill-V felt something different in Mobius's icy stare. She could say with certainty that Mobius, for a brief moment, wanted her dead—even more so than when Vill-V had orchestrated that monkey war on the island.

"Where did you learn about that?"

Mobius's voice was calm, but Vill-V knew that one wrong word, and the usually docile Doctor would find a way to silence her permanently.

But she was Vill-V; she wasn't afraid~

"Don't you remember, Mobius? I hacked your lab." Vill-V smiled easily. "I couldn't resist peeking at the chief scientist's files. You deleted them, but data isn't so easily erased. And that's my specialty~"

"That drug was amazing! More potent and longer-lasting than the current antibodies, and the key ingredient… just a tiny bit was more effective than a thousand doses of those so-called 'antibodies'…"

Vill-V narrowed her eyes, studying Mobius. "Such an effective drug, and you, humanity's greatest scientist, destroyed it… I doubt it, but—are you one of those idiots who think the Honkai is some kind of divine salvation?"

"The key ingredient is too rare; mass production is impossible. It's pointless." Mobius's expression remained neutral. "Telling the higher-ups would only give them false hope. Better to destroy it."

"Mobius, do you even believe that?" Vill-V shook her head, amused. "And your lab logs show plenty of failed experiments. That 'rare' ingredient clearly isn't so rare…"

"This city has ten million—no, let's use your precise figure—nine million, seven hundred and eighty-two thousand, four hundred and thirteen people."

Vill-V stood up, her expression turning serious. "The 6th Herrscher's attack… it seems to be about torture… revenge, or maybe breaking our spirit. But at least they're not dead yet. We have time."

"Your drug is easy to make. If we get that key ingredient, we can save most of them."

"I don't know what you're thinking, or why that ingredient is such a big secret—but these are lives."

"…No comment."

Mobius turned back to her equipment, ignoring Vill-V. She wasn't cooperating.

But Vill-V wasn't surprised or angry. When Mobius was stubborn, nothing could move her—except one person.

"Sigh, I knew this would happen…"

Vill-V shrugged, speaking to the doorway behind her. "Lee, you talk to her. I'm getting nowhere~"

"?!"

Mobius whipped around, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Impossible! How is Lee here? Mei forbade her from getting involved; she couldn't have gotten transport—

Unless someone helped her.

Mobius glared at Vill-V, who just shrugged innocently.

That little—!!!

But even grinding her teeth, Mobius couldn't change the fact. She watched as Lee entered, her expression troubled.

"Doctor, I heard everything…" Lee sighed. "I think Vill-V's right. These are lives…"

"Lee, I—"

Vill-V smirked as Mobius faltered.

Just as I thought. The only way to crack Mobius's stubborn shell…

What will you do, Mobius? Will you tell Lee that her blood is the key ingredient? Vill-V watched them, amused, no longer tense.

She'd orchestrated this entire scene.

Mobius's new drug… after finding such interesting data in her files, I had to investigate.

Mobius hadn't labeled the mysterious ingredient, but it wasn't hard for Vill-V to analyze. It was human blood.

A drug based on human blood wasn't something Mobius would destroy for ethical reasons. She was hiding it, protecting the source.

And who could make Mobius do that?

Even Kevin could figure that out.

Millions of lives… Vill-V cared, but not that much. They were already as good as dead. She'd used them as leverage for her real goal.

Just like smuggling Lee out of Twilight Street.

Lee, now that you know, what will you choose?

If you donate your blood, humanity gains a powerful weapon, but Mobius's secret is out. And once they know your blood is a miracle cure, your life will be in constant danger… Will you sacrifice yourself for strangers?

Let's see, Lee—are you a true saint, or just a hypocrite in disguise?