I am a hero of the former civilization.

She knew how powerful this hand was, enough to destroy a small town, but somehow, Hua felt no fear whatsoever.

There's a longing, a sense of admiration, but even more—

Hua raised her head, and the not-so-tall man in front of her blocked her view, as if he were also blocking out the terrifying storm.

Gradually, the girl raised her hands, hugged Ryan's waist, buried her head in his chest, and shook her head firmly.

"I'm not afraid."

Chapter 46 My Senior Brother is a Big Shot

Ryan remembered that Hua said "I'm not afraid" twice after they came out together, but upon closer inspection, the same words sounded completely different.

The last time, it was the curiosity and drive unique to a seventeen-year-old girl, with a hint of eagerness, as if she possessed the power to save the world.

But this time was truly precious. She witnessed the reality of the world firsthand, and unlike Ryan, she saw high-level combat right from the start.

The fishing boat shattered like paper, and the seawater broke apart like a curtain. Humans were insignificant in the face of this force, which is why Ryan, fearing it might have the opposite effect, came to comfort her.

'If my first encounter with Honkai was like this, I'd probably end up a path of survival.'

Ryan thought to himself, quite surprised by Hua's answer. He thought to himself, "As expected of one of the Thirteen Heroes, strength can be improved through training, but personality is predetermined."

"As expected of my junior sister, you have a naturally strong heart. You're not afraid of this kind of situation." Ryan pressed down on the girl's shoulder, his eyes burning. "Don't overthink it. This was an accident. I originally planned to use two low-level Honkai Beasts to test you, but who knew that a big guy would appear."

Hua looked at Ryan with a "I have high hopes for you" expression and sighed inwardly. She was actually very scared, but because this man was standing in front of her, like a mountain sheltering her from the wind and rain, she was no longer afraid.

But she wasn't good at explaining, so she changed the subject: "Was what fell from the sky just now a missile?"

"Yes, the Honkai warheads launched from foreign naval ships are more corrosive than ordinary explosives and are very efficient at breaking through Honkai energy protection."

Hua wasn't a military enthusiast and didn't quite understand, but he asked excitedly, "So there really is an organization secretly protecting the world? Is it like the one in the popular movie 'The Avengers,' where Miss Eden sings the theme song?"

What Avengers Alliance??

Ryan didn't have time to watch a movie, but he understood the meaning, though he didn't nod immediately.

While the Moths do indeed protect the world in secret, they are by no means as virtuous and righteous as depicted in the movies. The organization is rife with factions, power struggles, dirty deals, and even ideological inconsistencies.

Some people want to control the world in the name of salvation, some pursue self-redemption, and there are also theological schools, destruction and rebirth schools, pure-blood schools, and all sorts of other filth. The young and strong members of the Far East branch are considered the most innocent.

"That's roughly the idea, but don't think too highly of it, and I won't let you join the Firemoth right now."

Hua was stunned. This was not what he had imagined. Logically speaking, he should not have been invited by his senior brother to join the organization, then follow him around and grow stronger, eventually becoming a member of the savior team, just like those important supporting characters in movies.

Of course, if given the chance, she would prefer to be the leading lady.

"But I already know the secret, will they just turn a blind eye?"

“Generally, hypnosis is required to erase this memory.” Ryan noticed the girl’s expression tighten instantly and quickly reassured her, “But with me here, this step can be skipped.”

"Why? Are you the leader of the Moths that chase fire?"

"No, there are two reasons." Ryan raised his head, looked at the approaching gyrocopter, and smiled coldly: "First, these bastards concealed the truth and owe me an explanation; second, right now in the Fire Moth, apart from a certain eccentric girl, no one is better at fighting than your senior brother!"

Absolute confidence dispelled the tension in Hua's eyes. Just like when she was a child, she quietly grabbed the man's clothes and watched the black gyroplane land.

The rotor blades, now vertical, churned up the trash on the ground, and the gyroplane quickly landed outside the village. The hatch opened, and a man with silver hair stepped out.

He was nearly 1.9 meters tall, with silver hair tied in a small braid, and quite handsome, but a long, narrow scar on the bridge of his nose added a touch of menace to his good looks.

The man looked around, then at the two men standing motionless at the village entrance, muttered a few curses under his breath, and forced a smile as he approached them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Ryan. I've heard of you before, and seeing you today, I can see you are truly extraordinary." The man walked up to him, extended his right hand, and said, "I am Hen, the director of the combat team of the Southern Divine Continent Branch."

The positions of the Fire-Chasing Moths are adjusted according to the country where each branch is located. Ryan looked the other person up and down and realized that this person's position was similar to Himiko's.

Trace? I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before.

He thought for a moment, guessing it was some minor character who didn't even have a line of dialogue, so he didn't pay it any mind. He just put his hands in his pockets and looked at the other person indifferently.

With his hands covered in blood, Ryan's gaze was quite menacing. Hen instinctively tensed his muscles, then awkwardly withdrew his hand, continuing to smile.

"I'm sorry, what we did was really not very ethical."

As the saying goes, you can't hit a smiling face. Ryan knew that these middle-level managers only had the job of following orders, so he simply asked, "Was the information leaked by the Far East Branch?"

"No, this information came directly from headquarters. You started making plans before you decided to come to Canghai."

"You arranged her house too, didn't you?" Ryan pointed to Hua behind him.

Hen glanced at the other person and said straightforwardly, "It was a coincidence at first, but this lady was very persistent, so we didn't let the police forcibly relocate her. According to the procedure, there should be no permanent residents within ten kilometers, and the outer perimeter should be guarded by the military."

Hua blinked, completely bewildered, before finally realizing what Ryan meant by 'not so wonderful'.

No wonder they only put up a single wire fence and that was it; no wonder some villagers went to scavenge for scraps.

Aren't you afraid of innocent people being harmed by doing this?

Hen glanced at Hua, his smile fading, and said seriously, "If we don't solve it, even more people will die. If sacrificing a few can save the majority, then such a sacrifice is worthwhile."

Hua opened her mouth, feeling that something was wrong, but she couldn't say a word. Fortunately, Ryan moved half a step to the side and shielded the girl behind him.

“I understand. You were inspired by the Far East Branch. To fight against the elusive Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, you need a strong person to hold them back while you unleash a barrage of fire. Even if you can't kill them, you can severely injure them.”

"Yes, it's a pity that this tactic can't be widely adopted."

"Then why not look for Alicia? She should have been to the Azure Sea before."

“Miss Alicia did come to see it, but ‘Moshazhi’ is hiding in the sea, and there’s nothing we can do about it. She wanted to go into the water, but I stopped her.” The man shrugged and said helplessly, “The water is too complicated. Since Moshazhi hasn’t shown any aggression, there’s no need to let her take the risk.”

So this thing bullies the weak and fears the strong.

Ryan's eye twitched. Although he pretended to have never used his full strength, he was actually far inferior to Alicia. The Honkai Beasts were not high-ranking members of the Fire Moth, so they wouldn't be fooled by him.

Is it a mosha branch?

He muttered the name of the Honkai Beast, and his stiff expression softened considerably. Since this mark had stopped Alicia, it must be a member of the younger generation.

Putting aside other aspects, this faction at least respects warriors and has pure ideals.

Hen noticed this change and raised his right hand once more.

You should have told me.

"I'm sorry, the target might be able to read my memories, so I have to take some risks, but you, who are on par with Miss Alicia, certainly did not disappoint me."

The two men clasped hands tightly, Ryan smiled, and he was already making plans in his mind.

What a fine example of equal fame! It seems I've given that illusion enough over the years.

It's normal for his reputation to skyrocket. Half a year ago, Ryan's main achievements were dealing with lower-level Honkai Beasts, which seemed special but not outstanding. It was only after the Thousand Feather Academy that he changed his mind slightly, using Adiedo's life to explain a lot of things.

This has its advantages and disadvantages, but Ryan cannot remain stagnant forever, hiding among the crowd, which would also go against the way of pioneering.

“I also thank you for protecting Alicia. The questioning of her from above has never stopped.” Ryan smiled bitterly and pointed to his chest. “Looks like things won’t be easy for me in the future either.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he clearly saw anger on Hen's face, but even more so, helplessness.

"Who knows what those geniuses up there are thinking? Miss Alicia is a savior sent by heaven, yet they are always on guard against her. Even when she travels, she is followed by a bunch of agents. If it were me, I would have rebelled long ago."

"Unfortunately, Alicia doesn't care. She seems to only have love and no hate. Even when she is targeted or betrayed, she will love everything equally and powerfully."

“That’s what I admire most about her. If there really is a goddess, she might be the one.” Hen sighed and forced a smile. “So you don’t need to worry. Miss Alicia is fine, they won’t touch you.”

That makes a lot of sense. Putting aside his abilities for now, at least Ryan has a strong background and is of impeccable lineage.

"Don't worry, as long as the higher-ups aren't out of their minds, Alicia won't be in any trouble, and they wouldn't dare to be."

The two exchanged a smile. The younger generation was Alicia's best support, and it seemed that Ryan and Alicia had a good relationship. As long as the two of them didn't fight amongst themselves, what could the Fire Moth do?

"What do you say about her?" Hen glanced at the girl behind Ryan.

“Tell them that Hua will join the Fire Moth at the appropriate time, and will train with me until then. Use the excuse that the Southern China branch used me this time.”

“Okay, that makes sense.” Hen nodded immediately and then made a phone call gesture: “Himiko should have given you a business card. This is my number. Call me anytime.”

That idiot didn't explain himself clearly; he must have messed things up again from drinking.

Ryan shook his head helplessly: "Alright, I'll stay in Canghai for a while, and I'll definitely visit you when I have time."

“Come anytime. Oh, right, there’s something else I forgot to mention.” Hen, who had already walked several steps, turned around and pointed in the direction of the sea: “A big shot has come to the branch.”

"Who?"

"Chief of Staff at headquarters, Carlis."

It was him? What a coincidence, arriving in Canghai before the Third Collapse?

Ryan paused for a moment, then nodded to indicate that he understood, rubbing his chin as he fell into deep thought.

The Honkai Beasts had fled, and the stench in the air seemed to have lessened somewhat. Hua, who hadn't had a chance to speak, glanced at the taking-off gyrocopter and couldn't help but steal a glance at the man's profile.

She didn't disturb the other person who was deep in thought, but the image of the online novel Carol had shown her flashed through her mind, and the scene seemed familiar.

My senior brother is a big shot?

Chapter 47 The Childhood of Humanity

The Moths of Fire embody all the public's fantasies about mysterious organizations: they have extraordinary connections, are ruthless and rational, and possess the ability to appear and disappear without a trace.

Ryan, however, couldn't bother to explain for Hua; he was lost in thought because of someone Hen had mentioned.

Chief of Staff, Carlisle.

He hadn't heard that name in a long time. In terms of position, the chief of staff was the one who assisted the leader of the Moths of Fire, which was the position of commander-in-chief, but this person was no ordinary person.

"I don't understand what he's trying to do. He seems to be detached from all factional struggles, yet he's connected to everyone."

On the surface, this is Kalis's responsibility, but Ryan always felt that it wasn't that simple. First of all, the fact that he came to Canghai City was unclear.

Could it be an inspection of the Far East? Moth of Fire has already deduced that the Third Collapse is probably in this area, but it's useless for a bureaucrat like him to come here, and the Divine Government doesn't seem like the type to cause trouble.

That's not all. The key thing is that Mochachi is very strange. It neither causes trouble nor leaves. It just sits quietly by the sea, as if it is waiting for something.

The Third Herrscher? Could it be its companion beast? But companion beasts are all Judgment-level, and that monster is roughly at the top level of Emperor-level, but it's still a bit different from Judgment-level.

Before coming to Canghai, Ryan hadn't thought much about it, but now he realized that the city seemed to be shrouded in a thin mist, and his initial exploration had brought up many problems.

"Never mind, I'll think about it when I have some free time."

Since he couldn't figure it out, he didn't bother to dwell on it anymore and looked to the side, finding it rather amusing.

Hua held a shovel beside him, cautiously surveying his surroundings with a serious expression, unlike the excited look of a typical kid who discovers a secret.