Miss Riddler just wants to level up in peace.

He sheathed his sword, his face expressionless, his cold demeanor causing those around him to make way for him.

She shook her head, indicating that she hadn't caught up with the World Serpent and they had gotten away again.

The other person's back view looked vaguely familiar...

【……】

Celine became increasingly restless.

How could you be so stupid?

He's usually so bold, so why is he so timid and hesitant about this kind of thing? It's so frustrating to watch.

Give me your body, Kiana.

She needs to help this idiot, otherwise she'll die of anger in her consciousness space.

"I was overthinking it..."

After calming down, recalling what I had just said, I realized that I had been worrying too much.

Clutching the small box tightly, she politely declined Celine's help.

Kiana wanted to try harder instead of giving up without doing anything.

Otherwise, I would definitely feel even worse than before.

noon.

While Ziyao was organizing the documents, Kiana sat down next to her.

She didn't speak, but remained silent until Ziyao finished writing the information.

The girl's serious profile was beautiful, and her slender hands held a pen, leaving delicate handwriting on the paper.

Her hair exuded a faint, sweet scent of bellflower.

The scent that usually brings peace of mind is now making Kiana's heart race.

Thump thump.

Like a heartbeat, every time a word reached her throat, just as it was about to come out, she would hold it back.

"what happened?"

Putting down her pen, Ziyao rubbed her aching shoulders.

Why is Kiana so quiet today?

What game do you want to play?

"Huh? No, I got tired of playing yesterday."

"Do you want something from me?"

Kiana shook her head again, her cheeks flushed, and she avoided eye contact.

"Oh right, Ziyao, what are you writing?"

She hurriedly changed the subject, her gaze occasionally drifting to Ziyao's chest, shifting from side to side, unsure where to look.

At the same time, she mentally flicked herself on the forehead.

Wait, what am I hesitating about?

Now is a good opportunity.

However, due to her lack of confidence and nervousness, she changed the subject.

"I took these photos this morning. I'll get them developed, put them in the archives, and send them to the government later."

"That's great, thank you! Anna and the others will be so happy to hear that."

Knowing that Ziyao still remembered her previous complaints, Kiana felt a warmth in her heart and couldn't help but hug her happily.

Kiana, you've been acting strange these past few days. Are you feeling unwell?

Ziyao had actually noticed Kiana's subtle abnormalities long ago, as if she was deliberately hiding something.

Could it be that the Honkai erosion has intensified?

"No, no, no, that's not it. I'm perfectly healthy right now."

Kiana waved her hands repeatedly, her voice growing softer and softer, "Actually, there's something I wanted to give you."

He handed the small box containing the pendant to Ziyao, who quickly added, "Remember, you can only open it the day after tomorrow."

"What's inside?"

"Handicrafts and the like, you'll find out when the time comes."

She finally gave the gift, but she hadn't said the important thing yet: she wanted to ask Ziyao what she thought of her.

"Um... Ziyao, what do you think of me?" Kiana finally mustered her courage and squeezed out the question through gritted teeth.

"A lively and adorable pretty girl?"

This was the first time Ziyao had been asked such a profound question, and she didn't immediately understand Kiana's thoughts.

After hearing this, the girl shook her head repeatedly, "Relationship, I mean relationship."

Friends? More than lovers? Or just ordinary friends?

As she spoke, Kiana's voice trembled slightly; she didn't want it to be the latter.

"Beep beep, beep beep—"

An untimely phone call interrupted the two.

Upon answering the phone, it turned out to be Anna. She said that her friend had encountered some new developments and hoped that Ziyao could come over.

Anna sounded hesitant on the phone, suggesting something bad might have happened.

"Kiana, take it to the post office."

"Uh-huh."

It's very frustrating and uncomfortable to have things interrupted at a crucial moment.

Kiana puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction and took the sealed file.

Ziyao opened the door and headed to Anna's residence.

As afternoon approached, the snowfall lessened considerably.

Snowplows repeatedly rolled over the asphalt road, sweeping the snow to the sides.

To avoid the Valkyrie who recognized them that morning, Ziyao chose to take a side path.

Strictly speaking, the other party is right.

She is indeed a member of the World Serpent, but not entirely.

Destiny knew very little about the World Serpent, and was surprised that the two Valkyries actually knew each other.

After walking for more than ten minutes, Ziyao arrived at Anna's apartment.

The door was open, and the living room was unusually quiet.

The cups and wallets on the table... everything in the room was arranged as usual.

There was a half-full cup of hot water on the sink, still steaming.

I tried asking a few times, but no one answered.

The moment I opened the bedroom door, I suddenly felt a chill on my neck.

"Do not move."

"Raise your hands and sit obediently on the sofa."

With a sharp sword pressed against her neck, Ziyao had no choice but to remain still.

Looking back through the mirror's reflection, I saw a young man who looked to be in his early twenties.

He approached silently, without anyone noticing.

"Sister Lisa, she really came."

"Where's Anna?"

“I sent Anna out to buy groceries. Based on the distance between the apartment and the supermarket, it will take at least ten minutes for her to come back.”

Theresa lay down on the opposite side of the sofa and nodded. "That's good."

"Miss World Serpent, it seems you're not vigilant enough."

She raised her white-stockinged legs and said in a deep voice.

Volume 1: Chapter 151 What if I took it for real? (Part 1)

"You mean that Miss Zi cured the Honkai energy corruption?"

"You know Lady Rita too?"

"I met her briefly yesterday, I never expected she had such abilities."

As she spoke, Rita suddenly changed the subject, "I heard that someone broke into Lister this morning, stole secrets, and destroyed several Type II Demigod Machines responsible for security."

"The person in the surveillance footage looks familiar. Could it be her?"

“Eh…?”

Anna covered her mouth with both hands, somewhat incredulous.

She had also heard about the commotion that morning; they actually went to confront the pharmaceutical company?

"Lady Rita, are you going to arrest them?"

“No, that’s the work of the other Valkyries. I have more important tasks to attend to. Please take your vacation.”

Rita smiled.

There wasn't a single clue.

Kiana seemed to have vanished into thin air; the detector given to her by the bishop could not find her at all.