I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era

Ryan's initial plan was simple: let the powerful handle things; he'd quietly grow stronger, waiting for the End to arrive, hoping to survive into the next era to see the Valkyries.

But after nearly twenty years in this world, his experiences had gradually changed his thinking. Coupled with Path's feedback, a growing urge emerged; as his strength increased, and his understanding deepened, this urge intensified.

The Chiba Academy incident served as the catalyst.

He realized he couldn't idly watch his friends die; the world was changing because of the butterfly effect. If he hadn't intervened, Kevin and Mei would be dead.

Simultaneously, he realized he'd become a pivotal figure; few were stronger in this era.

This was awkward. He was becoming a big shot, but he wasn't arrogant enough to become a savior, nor as selfless as Elysia.

"At least make some preparations, do what I can."

Pathstriders are inevitably influenced by their ideals. When Ryan made his decision, the previous confusion vanished. He'd spent several days in his room, rejecting repeated invitations from the Far East branch.

"Almost."

At dusk, in the fading sunlight, Ryan removed his glasses, setting down his pen. His eyes, filled with determination, focused on the wall.

The wall was covered with notes and arrows—his synthesis of Fire Moth intelligence, an analysis of the current situation.

Honkai, Herrschers, along with countless numbers and images.

"The first Herrscher was defeated in Europe; the second in the northern ice plains. Before their appearances, Honkai incidents in those areas showed increased energy levels; individual Honkai Beast strengths also increased."

Ryan narrowed his eyes. He recalled encountering rare Chariot-Class Honkai Beasts ten years ago. Yet, before the Herrscher of the Void, he'd encountered a Templar-Class while traveling in northern Shenzhou, just before the appearance of the Herrscher of the Void in the ice plains a thousand kilometers away.

Based on the particle collision experiments, Honkai energy in the atmosphere was increasing; at least, at a microscopic level, it was clearly evident.

"The first and second Herrschers appeared five years apart; it's been two years since the second. Is the next one coming soon?" A serious expression settled on Ryan's face as he circled an area on the map.

The area was in the Far East; no wonder the Far East branch was strengthening, though most of that area was ocean.

He could calculate this; Fire Moth had no reason not to. However, Honkai and Herrschers were unpredictable; historically, they appeared in sparsely populated areas.

"This probability is illogical. Unfortunately, the world has changed too much."

Ryan knew he'd already affected the timeline; for example, Kevin and Mei had joined Fire Moth early, making future outcomes unpredictable.

Herrscher 3rd, Herrscher 3rd…

He muttered, not despairing. Following his previous thinking, he shouldn't consider this. A wise person doesn't stand under a collapsing wall; careful calculation would allow him to avoid this.

"But that's no longer an option. To walk a more difficult path, I need more power. I must test whether I can touch a Herrscher's Authority."

Ryan's breathing grew heavy. This wasn't merely a pursuit of power but a call from his soul, an intense desire to explore the unknown.

No, confronting a Herrscher now is suicide. A one-on-one fight has virtually no chance of success.

Ryan closed his eyes. Herrschers were Honkai 'Apostles.' Besides their unique Authority, they could control hundreds of times more energy than Low-Rank Honkai Beasts, and could summon numerous Honkai Beasts. How could he possibly cope?

He needed Fire Moth's power, but couldn't let them discover his ability to access Authority.

His pen hovered over the paper, then retreated. This was an unsolvable dilemma. Even with Elysia's help, there was no guarantee of success. He couldn't just wait; what if she moved?

"I'll look for opportunities. Dealing with more Honkai incidents will improve my strength." Ryan didn't dwell on it, wiping the notes from the wall. He couldn't let Fire Moth discover his plans to confront the third Herrscher so early.

Time for dinner, then a meeting with the Far East branch; finding a breakthrough there.

Like back at the Research Institute, everything needed to be tackled step by step. Guesswork was useless.

Night fell. Dinner at the hotel was over; Ryan didn't care about quality of life; planning to practice long-range Honkai energy control, he headed to a convenience store.

The streets were quiet; occasional cars sped past; youths with brightly colored hair lingered in doorways, smoking. Seeing Ryan, they stirred.

But before they approached, the harmless-looking man pulled open his jacket, revealing a two-meter-long military combat knife. They swallowed, returning to their smoking spots.

They had some sense of self-preservation; no need for him to kill them and have the Far East branch clean up the mess.

Ryan ignored them; he didn't like 'face-slapping', preferring to strike vital points.

He walked down the dark street, soon reaching a 24-hour convenience store. It was deserted; the clerk was yawning.

Ding.

As Ryan approached, the automatic doors slid open. A tall, slender figure emerged, her chest obscured by a pile of items, only her grey skirt and black stockings visible.

Ryan ignored her, glancing only at her perfect legs, passing by and continuing.

Huh?

He seemed to sense something, stopping, instinctively turning his head. The woman also stopped, turning around.

"It's you!?"

Ryan's eyes reflected the woman's face.

Long green hair, shimmering golden eyes, about 170cm tall, wearing a tight white shirt accentuating her ample bosom, paired with a tight skirt that highlighted her perfect figure.

Her legs, clad in black stockings, were particularly striking—straight, slender, perfectly proportioned.

Just like the photos—a mature woman with a seductive figure, yet her expression was rational and cold, creating a bizarre contrast.

But this didn't affect Ryan much. After his surprise, he felt a surge of caution.

Mobius, head of Fire Moth's Fifth Research Institute, a genius comparable to Mei, with significant accomplishments in engineering, biology, and genetics.

This woman was extremely dangerous; she wanted to exploit him.

For him, it was even more complicated. This woman had been pursuing him for years, not romantically; she simply wanted his secrets.

How did she end up in Nagazora City? No such coincidence existed.

"You're here to spy on me again? Wasn't the last lesson enough?"

"Indeed. Thanks to your good fortune, higher-ups cut my funding significantly." Mobius concealed her surprise, a slight smirk touching her lips. "Don't be narcissistic; I'm just vacationing in Nagazora City and happened to run into you while buying dinner."

Ryan noticed she was also carrying instant ramen, recalling her chronic funding shortages.

"Vacation? You think I'll believe that?"

"Ha, believe what you will. Do you think I'd dare attack you?" She smiled enigmatically under the dim streetlight.

"You lack both authority and power. What can you do to me?" Ryan also smiled, unlike his encounter with Elysia; he was more aggressive.

He inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Mobius wasn't as unhinged as in Elysian Realm; she was still rational.

Mobius's smile faltered; she coldly regarded the young man, who seemed to have her completely figured out.

This desperate, yet unattainable feeling was infuriating.

"Be careful. Don't fall into my hands."

"Don't worry, I'm not a softie. You'd better behave yourself." Ryan smirked, pointing down the street. "Friendly reminder: there are thugs around here. Wandering around at night looking that alluring… I don't want to see you in tomorrow's news."

"I don't need your concern. I actually encountered some thugs." Mobius showed no embarrassment, pointing towards a nearby alley. "Now, their remains are probably in the sewers."

Not an ordinary woman.

Ryan's eyes twitched. He knew Mobius wasn't a gentle lamb; he wasn't interested in a verbal sparring match. He'd been careful these past few days with his food and sleep; without a clear opportunity, she wouldn't act.

Mobius was intelligent; she knew her limitations and wouldn't act without certainty. That's why their interactions over the years had been tense but uneventful.

"Go back to Mu Continent. It's dangerous out here."

"Where I go is none of your business."

Mobius echoed his words, frowning slightly as the automatic doors closed. She'd secretly left the base to find an opportunity to set a trap, to hunt quietly. But this young man wouldn't give her an opening.

He was not only strong but also possessed an enigmatic quality, making it impossible to gauge his depth. Without certainty, she could only suppress her curiosity.

"The remaining money will buy five days' worth of instant ramen. Then it's back to the grind. So frustrating."

Mobius smoothed her hair, her mind calculating her next move.

Thump!

A dull thud. Mobius, having taken only two steps, stumbled, slowly crouching. She realized she'd tripped over a piece of rebar.

Ouch…

She picked up her high heel, glanced behind her, then slowly stood, limping away.

Serves you right for not paying attention.

Ryan, watching from the window, couldn't help but laugh, quickly taking a picture of her retreating form.

Laughing at someone else's misfortune was petty, but Mobius and he had no personal animosity; she just tried to set traps without actually harming him.

But Ryan knew her intentions and avoided her schemes.

"Seen the battle report? Heard you're coming?" Ryan's smile vanished; Mobius was dangerous; her attention could leave traces. Fortunately, he'd been prepared.

Yet, he couldn't completely eliminate this danger; Mobius was as important as Mei.

He rubbed his head. The only way to deal with this persistent woman was to ignore her, perhaps by cutting her research funding until she gave up.

'I should leave Nagazora City soon; confronting her directly is too troublesome.' Ryan tossed his empty container into the trash, standing up. He'd just picked up his coffee when—

A tremor?

The ground vibrated slightly, imperceptible to ordinary people. In an instant, Ryan looked up.

Where Mobius had fallen, the rebar suddenly rose, the ground heaving, revealing a square mechanical device.

Ryan's first thought was that the woman had finally attacked. But he quickly realized it was wrong; the machine sprouted a torso, launching several miniature missiles with bright trails into the night sky.

Towards Mobius!