The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

Lightheaded, dizzy, weak-limbed…

Lee had never felt like this since creating her Incarnation.

People described the frail as weak enough to be blown over by the wind, but Lee didn't even need the wind. As Elysia carefully helped her out of the experimental capsule, her legs gave way, and she almost collapsed.

If Elysia hadn't reacted quickly and caught her, Lee's face would have had an intimate encounter with the floor.

"Sorry, Elysia, I'm a little dizzy…"

"Lee, should I carry you?"

Looking at Lee's pale face, Elysia felt her heart clench painfully in her chest, making it hard to breathe. "You're too weak right now."

Lee didn't answer immediately. Her gaze swept over the bodies on the floor, her expression darkening. "What happened here…?"

"There was a riot at HQ, and here too—" Elysia started to explain, but stopped upon seeing Lee's sorrowful expression. But it was too late.

"Was it because of me…?"

Elysia could see a light dimming, fading from Lee's eyes.

"I killed them."

Lee's voice was soft, almost devoid of emotion. But Elysia, holding her close, could feel her frail body trembling.

For Lee, who had always made protecting humanity her mission, this was perhaps the most unbearable outcome.

[Energy +30,000]

"No, Lee!" Elysia said frantically. "It's not your fault! The entire HQ is in chaos. The higher-ups are making their subordinates attack each other. The people here were just—just caught in the crossfire. It has nothing to do with you!"

"…Mei isn't here. As ordinary staff, they had no reason to be targeted." Lee hung her head, her messy white hair obscuring her face. "There's only one thing here that could attract those people. Me, isn't it?"

"It's not like that, Lee. It's not…"

Elysia could only repeat her denials. How she wished she'd learned more of Eden's silver tongue.

But the truth remained unchanged. She couldn't distract Lee with words, could only feel her already low spirits sink further.

"It's okay, Elysia. I'm fine."

Lee looked up at Elysia, her voice calm. "Is the riot at HQ under control?"

"Almost."

"Elysia, please don't lie to me."

"…Not yet. But the troops recalled to HQ are almost here. Order should be restored soon."

She knew she should lie, should stay with the vulnerable Lee, but looking into those vacant eyes, Elysia couldn't bring herself to deceive her.

"Then don't worry about me. Go maintain order, Elysia. Your power is essential right now."

As expected, if she knew the truth, she'd choose this…

"Lee, you need protection right now."

"I don't need protection. These minor injuries will heal quickly." Lee shook her head slightly. "The people outside need you more."

"But—"

"Please, Elysia…"

Elysia could feel Lee's unconscious grip on her shoulder, but it was so weak, weaker than a child's.

"More people will die… because of me… So, please…"

That always confident, always gentle voice now held an unfamiliar fear and tremor.

Would Lee's body really recover?

Even without any knowledge of bioscience, Elysia could tell from Lee's current state that it was impossible. Lee was simply putting on a brave face.

She hadn't flinched when facing Herrschers, hadn't wavered at the prospect of being drained of her blood, yet she was terrified at the thought of others dying because of her…

[Energy +20,000]

"I'm sorry, Lee, I can't do that."

Lee was clearly in shock, her physical weakness likely exacerbating it… If Elysia left her now to quell the riots, it might ease Lee's mind a little.

But that would mean leaving a defenseless Lee alone, and Elysia couldn't do that.

Elysia understood Mei and Mobius' thinking. They believed Lee's wishes should be respected, even if it meant harming herself.

But Elysia couldn't. If respecting Lee meant letting her get hurt, she'd rather be the one to refuse, the one to be the "bad guy."

"Why?! If this continues, everyone… I—!"

"Calm down, Lee! I will stop this. But now, let me take you to the medical bay, okay?"

"…Sorry, Elysia. I got a little carried away."

Seeing Lee on the verge of panic, Elysia quickly soothed and explained, and after a while, Lee seemed to calm down.

"Then I'll leave it to you. My current condition is indeed… not very good right now."

Hearing Lee relent, Elysia finally felt some relief. She carefully held Lee and rushed towards the medical bay, the only relatively safe place now.

In her arms, Lee still seemed listless.

Of course, she was faking it.

If Elysia alone generates this much energy, then Kevin and Vill-V, the true culprits, will be a goldmine!

Though her body was weak, Lee was practically giddy with excitement.

Her injuries were indeed severe. She could even see that her "Rapid Regeneration" and "Honkai Resistance" traits had disappeared from her status panel. But compared to the energy she could gain, those traits were insignificant!

Moreover, now that her Honkai resistance was gone, Lee could sense the surrounding Honkai energy more clearly, reminding her of another trait: "Honkai Affinity."

Could it be that my high Honkai resistance was suppressing this trait's effect?

I might have lost resistance, but I still have adaptability. And if I get that Meta-Morph surgery…

This plan is going swimmingly~