Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

"I'm the captain of the local Valkyrie unit. I know this city like the back of my hand. I know the perfect spot. I'll take you!"

Lin Wei recognized Jell's voice and understood immediately. She was the best, and perhaps only, choice for this task—and she clearly knew it too.

"With Lady Rita here, I'm no longer essential as a commander. I'm just an ordinary A-rank Valkyrie now, and I can't contribute much by staying here. I'm the most suitable person to act as a guide!" Jell explained her reasoning to Rita.

"Not only am I familiar with the city, but as an A-rank Valkyrie, I can also protect myself and Mr. Lin Wei." Her confident and decisive tone left little room for argument.

"In that case, Captain Jell, I'll entrust this to you," Rita agreed without hesitation.

"Yes!" Jell saluted smartly and turned to prepare. Her team, understanding her intentions, continued their work without further instruction.

Lin Wei nodded to Rita and followed Jell, his new partner for this task.

Rita watched them go, her expression unreadable. With the enemy at their doorstep, cooperation was paramount. Other matters could wait. She returned to her task, her scythe a blur of silver as she relentlessly cleared the respawning Honkai Beasts.

The Valkyries, the thousands of survivors behind them, and the countless others further inland, spared from the tsunami, were like beacons, drawing the Honkai Beasts towards them. Driven by instinct, these creatures, in small groups, fell one after another beneath Rita's blade.

Their corpses, along with the receding seawater, released wisps of Honkai energy, permeating the Valkyries' defenses and insidiously infecting the survivors they protected, marking their skin with purplish-red lines – a chilling reminder that there was no escape.

"..." Rita, fully aware of this, was powerless to stop it. Schicksal had yet to find an effective treatment for Honkai infection.

There had been some progress after the Second Eruption, with the development of anti-Honkai drugs in collaboration with Heliopolis Life Sciences Pharmaceutical, strengthening their partnership.

But how many of these thousands of infected could they truly save? Rita had little hope…

However, as long as they held this line, as long as they kept these people alive, there was still a chance. As long as they prevented the disaster from spreading, their fight wasn't in vain. Rita clung to this belief; it was all she could do. She wasn't a policy maker. She couldn't change the system, only work within it.

"When you can't change the situation, all you can do is maintain it." This was her reality, and it likely meant she and Lin Wei would never be friends. Despite their brief interaction, she admired his resolve; he would have been a valuable ally.

"What a shame…" Rita sighed, closing her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, the steely Valkyrie returned, resuming her relentless slaughter.

Meanwhile, Lin Wei followed Jell to a corner piled with weapons and equipment, guarded by several heavily injured Valkyries. These were the salvaged remnants from their armory, the tools that had allowed Team Snow Lotus to hold out for so long. Most were damaged beyond repair.

Jell pulled out a battered motorcycle, its remaining paint and powerful frame hinting at its former glory. She gently stroked its damaged parts, her expression somber.

Lin Wei approached silently, his gaze following her hand, as if sharing her grief.

The silence lasted only a few seconds.

"It… carried me through a difficult battle not long ago. These are its scars," Jell said, her voice filled with sorrow. "I thought I had protected this city, fulfilled my duty… but I failed…" She slammed her fist against the motorcycle, her face contorted with anger and frustration.

"Damn it…" she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. She had tried so hard, but it hadn't been enough. Fate had mocked her efforts, crushing her spirit. The damaged motorcycle was a painful reminder of her failure.

"…I'm sorry. Let's go," Jell said, composing herself, gathering enough equipment for two, then hesitating before taking a third set. She handed Lin Wei a pair of blades and forced a smile. "Don't mind the condition. This is our only available transport." All their other vehicles had been lost to the Honkai Beasts. This battered motorcycle was a miracle in itself.

"Don't worry about it," Lin Wei smiled, accepting the equipment. He produced two motorcycle helmets, tossing one to Jell. "Catch!"

Jell caught it instinctively, examined it, and frowned, confused.

"Obey traffic laws," Lin Wei said, putting on his helmet and lifting the visor, his expression serious.

"…Mr. Lin Wei, this isn't the time for jokes!" Jell threw the helmet to the ground, pointing at Lin Wei's masked face, her voice filled with anguish. "Traffic laws? Hah! I know! I failed to protect my city! It's gone! Are you mocking me now?!"

"Captain Jell, you misunderstand." Lin Wei waited for her outburst to subside before removing his helmet and placing it gently beside hers.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, turning her to face a different direction. "Look. All these people… they're alive because of you and your team. They're all citizens of this city."

He pointed to each of them, his voice gentle but firm. Then, he gestured towards the area further inland. "Look there. Though damaged by the earthquake, thanks to your efforts, most of the Honkai Beasts were stopped here. Very few reached that area. There are more survivors there. They're also citizens of this city."

He turned her again, towards the sea, where they had fought. "Look. You and your team protected them, and you're still fighting, aren't you?"

Lin Wei released her shoulder, picked up the discarded helmet, wiped the dust off, and offered it to her again. "Look. The people of this city are still alive, and those who protect them are still fighting. How can you say it's gone?"

Jell's tears flowed freely, her heart aching. His gentle, yet firm, voice continued, "This is the result of your hard work! Manila is still alive. It still has hope, right here, under your protection. Can't you see that?"

"…Then what is this?" Jell asked, taking the helmet, still confused but understanding it wasn't mockery.

"If the city is still alive, then shouldn't we obey its traffic laws?" Lin Wei smiled, putting his helmet back on. "Especially you, its hero. Shouldn't you set an example?"

"..." Jell looked down, silent, her chest heaving with emotion.

He was right. She hadn't lost yet.

Jell put on the helmet with a decisive click, regaining her composure, a flicker of her former spirit returning. Lifting the visor, she said to Lin Wei, "Let's go!" Her voice was firm, her gaze steady. She lowered the visor, revved the engine, and the motorcycle roared to life.

"With pleasure," Lin Wei replied, smiling, also lowering his visor and hopping onto the back seat, his arms securely around Jell's slender yet strong waist.

"Hold on tight!" Jell yelled, and with a twist of the throttle, the motorcycle shot forward like an arrow!

Rita, on the outer perimeter, and Team Snow Lotus, holding the inner defenses, unleashed a barrage of attacks, clearing a path for Jell and Lin Wei.

Jell accelerated, taking advantage of this temporary reprieve.

"Hey, you're speeding!" Lin Wei yelled over the wind.

"Let the traffic cops give me a ticket!" Jell retorted, pushing the motorcycle even faster.

The safe passage ended, and Jell skillfully navigated the increasing number of Honkai Beasts.

"Hold on!" she yelled, launching the motorcycle over a collapsed bridge, landing gracefully on the other side, weaving through debris and enemies.

Damn, that's impressive, Lin Wei thought.

"Screech!" Lin Wei tightened his grip as Jell swerved violently, narrowly avoiding a massive Knight-class Honkai Beast. Another beast blocked their path. Jell gritted her teeth, preparing for a risky maneuver.

"Bang! Bang!" Two shots rang out. Both Honkai Beasts shuddered and collapsed.

"Phew…" Lin Wei blew on the smoking barrels of the now pistol-shaped "Projected Judgment of Shamash," thinking smugly, "I'm pretty cool too~"

"Screech!" Another sharp turn.

"..." Lin Wei quickly holstered the Divine Key, clinging to Jell, a wave of nausea washing over him.

Help! I don't remember getting carsick?!

But now, why do I feel like vomiting so much?