I am a hero of the former civilization.

To avoid appearing stingy, he ordered several servings of sushi and takoyaki, as well as a bottle of sake.

"But Kevin, why did you order four bowls?"

"Because I also invited someone else. Just the two of you would make me seem superfluous."

"You bastard, you betrayed me!" Ryan's eyes widened instantly, looking ready to fight to the death.

"No, Mei doesn't have time to go out for a late-night snack. I called a friend."

friend?

Ryan was somewhat puzzled. Just then, the door was gently pulled open, and he turned his head, his pupils slightly contracting.

The newcomer was quite handsome, with long gray hair and slightly narrowed eyes, giving him a neutral yet gentle appearance.

"Su!?"

"It's been almost a year since we last met, Ryan." Sue was as gentle as ever, raising her hand in greeting and nodding to Hua. "This must be your junior sister. It's been a long time since I've heard so much about you."

"Kevin, you big-mouthed bastard."

“It wasn’t him who said it. He guessed it as soon as he met her, Ryan. You look at her differently. She’s as gentle as a sister.”

Ryan chuckled awkwardly. Hua was initially pleased, but upon hearing her sister's pout, she watched as the three embraced warmly.

That's what good friends are like; even if you don't see each other for years, you won't feel estranged.

Noticing Ryan's questioning gaze, Kevin pulled out a stool and explained helplessly, "This guy came to York last month, supposedly to study at the Medical Research Institute."

"Medical school? Honkai disease?" Ryan instantly understood. After the Third Herrscher, something even more deadly had appeared: Honkai disease.

Previously, getting infected with Honkai was like getting close to the core of a nuclear power plant; you could only be infected within a certain range. But now, the world has seen the emergence of 'Honkai Disease,' which can cause infection without a Honkai disaster.

"Yes, it's a deadly infectious disease. There's no cure once you get it. As the infection progresses, patients gradually lose their mobility until they die. It's like another kind of cancer," Su explained with a somber expression. He was a doctor, and this was his battlefield.

Everyone fell silent. The Honkai disease was like a dull knife killing people; you couldn't see anything in a short time, but by the time you realized it, humanity was already on the verge of extinction.

“There will be a cure, we just need time.” Ryan patted Su on the shoulder. He didn’t know if the previous civilization had ever solved the Honkai disease. He poured four glasses of wine, slid them over one by one, and raised his own glass.

"We are all dealing with the Honkai in different ways to continue human civilization. I have always believed that as long as we keep going, we will always find a way out."

"Ryan, you've learned to drink alcohol?" Su asked in surprise.

"Alcohol messes with my thinking, but I don't need to think about all that nonsense today. Let's just indulge ourselves this once in a while, cheers!"

After downing a cup of sake, the sake lived up to its name, with a refreshing and slightly sweet taste. Neither of them were sentimental. Even Su had gone through painful struggles in the hospital, so there was no reason for her to become depressed.

The alcohol helped to liven up the atmosphere, and the three of them chatted about their lives these days, while Hua listened quietly from the side; she really enjoyed listening to these conversations.

Kevin and Sue's lives were actually quite monotonous, one traveling between battlefields and the other busy in the hospital ward, while Ryan's life was the most colorful.

He challenged the Herrscher alone, participated in the conspiracy, joined forces with Mebius to advance the Fusion Warriors, and even took the time to hold an important meeting.

He revealed everything except for some key information, and then reaped the satisfaction of incredulous and admiring glances.

“Ryan, there’s something I’ve wanted to complain about for a long time.” Kevin’s lips twitched as he picked up his wine glass and downed it in one gulp: “You, you used to have to go to school, secretly deal with Honkai Beasts, and still find time to learn a whole host of martial arts. What kind of time management master are you?”

“Yes, just in research, you can have equal discussions with two giants like May and Möbius. Ordinary people would have to exhaust their lives to achieve that.” Su also couldn’t understand.

If Ryan is a workaholic, he has just as much time to play as anyone else. For example, May never has time to go out for ramen; she seems to want 48 hours in a day.

"That's the difference between a top student and a slacker, isn't it?" Ryan mimicked Möbius's tone, speaking slowly and deliberately. "Kevin, don't look at me like that. I'm not targeting you specifically, but..."

"Or are we all trash?"

“You said it yourself, alright, alright, I’ll punish myself with a drink.” Ryan didn’t wait for Kevin to settle the score before he drank a glass himself, his indifferent face slightly flushed. “Efficiency is the most important thing. I’m very organized and focused when I do things, and I enjoy the process to the fullest. Just like now, I’m enjoying my friendship, but if a Herrscher suddenly appears, I will focus on fighting.”

Kevin didn't quite understand, but Sue roughly grasped the meaning.

"Are you deliberately making your life more fulfilling?"

"Reality is cruel enough; how can we not find some fun?" Ryan smiled slightly; this was his heart, not his principle.

The reason why one can become a master of time management lies in one's destiny; few people can achieve this level of learning ability, and it even surpasses that of humans.

"I think you're just trying to fool me. Never mind, I wasn't planning on learning from you anyway." Kevin slurped up a mouthful of noodles. Actually, aside from the fact that he loved it, the taste of this ramen could take him back to the past, as if nothing had ever happened.

In just one year, the three of them have changed. At least their eyes are no longer clear, and their hearts seem to be filled with many things.

War, illness, the future—everything carries a heavy weight. Enjoying noodles and chatting quietly like this, though pleasant, is fleeting.

"I have to go back to Shenzhou General Hospital in two months. Is there anything you need to tell me?" Su asked abruptly, a hint of reluctance appearing on his gentle face.

"Be careful and find a partner soon."

Ryan and Kevin spoke in unison, making Sue a little embarrassed. She glanced at Hua, who had a blank look in his eyes, out of the corner of her eye.

In this world where life and death can separate us at any moment, these two guys are really carefree.

"I'll try my best. What are you two planning to do?"

"Let's wait for the Fourth Herrscher. It'll be soon. Let's try to beat the crap out of her," Ryan said viciously.

The word 'Herrscher' is something that would make anyone tense up at any time, but it just happened to elicit a burst of laughter.

"You're addicted to killing Herrschers, aren't you? By the way, Ryan, compared to you, our danger is nothing." Kevin suddenly frowned and said seriously, "I'll apply to be a volunteer, and I'll help you kill the Fourth Herrscher."

Sure enough, this Kevin is brave.

Ryan wasn't surprised, and simply waved his hand: "It's not your turn to be a volunteer yet."

"You don't like me?"

“How could that be? The current fusion surgery is still immature. If you’re going to play around, use something of Emperor level or higher. That’s what makes it exciting.” Ryan picked up a piece of sashimi and stuffed it into his mouth. He said calmly, “I will make preparations and select the best materials. You will all benefit from it.”

"Including me?" Su pointed to the tip of her nose.

"Of course, we agreed to travel together, how could I leave you behind?"

Su's narrowed eyes widened slightly, a mixture of nervousness and anticipation in them. She finally understood what Ryan meant by saying "You are special too" when he left last time.

"Okay, if this is fate, I accept it."

Su poured himself a full glass of wine. He usually didn't drink at all, but his handsome face was slightly flushed at this moment: "Then I wish us both to go further on our respective paths."

The three of them raised their glasses at the same time. Just as Ryan felt that one person was missing, he heard a 'clang' sound, turned his head, and saw that Hua had fallen asleep on the table.

"Ryan, your junior sister is a bit weak."

"Don't talk nonsense. She's only just come of age. I forgot, and I still don't want her to enter this world." Ryan laughed and scolded.

“But she’s already inside, so it’s difficult to get rid of her,” Su said with a faint smile.

"Thinking and doing are two different things. If you don't believe me, ask Kevin if he'd let May join the Firemoth."

The two turned around at the same time and saw only a bitter smile on Kevin's face. In his mind, even if he worked himself to the bone, he would maintain Mei's peaceful daily life so that she wouldn't have to work overtime every day.

But fate is not so easily controlled; you can't even control your own destiny.

"Looks like we have no choice, let's do it!"

The three leaned forward slightly, their glasses clinking together as they finished their drinks.

Sake isn't actually very strong, but apart from Kevin occasionally drinking beer when he was on the basketball team, almost everyone else doesn't drink at all. Ryan slammed a wad of cash on the table and leaned on the edge to feel it.

Sure enough, my thinking slowed down, and many strange and unusual things popped up, but it wasn't bad.

The pressure has eased. Indeed, feelings are reciprocal. As long as Kevin and the others are all dead, I can't stop being obsessed.

"I'll have Kevin take me back. You can decide what to do next."

"Hey, wait a minute." Ryan had just turned around when the two bastards, arms around each other's shoulders, had already run out the door.

Because Su has long hair and a tall figure, she looks somewhat like a woman from behind.

Running so fast, busy with your gay stuff, huh? Be careful, I'll take a picture of you, Photoshop it, and send it to Mei.

Ryan gave a wicked grin, then turned his head and scratched his head.

We were having such a good time chatting that I didn't keep an eye on you.

Hua lay on the table, her disheveled gray-blue hair revealing her fair neck, her small mouth slightly open, emitting light breathing sounds.

Is this girl pretending to be asleep?

Ryan was very skeptical, but seeing the ramen shop owner's blessing-like expression, he couldn't bring himself to rub Hua's face. He could only squat down slightly and carry Hua on his back.

Flat, not much meat.

That was the first impression. After placing his hands on the back of his legs and feeling the smooth texture of the flesh, he nodded slightly.

She's finally starting to look a bit more feminine.

He was deeply moved. Although she was in military uniform, over the years, Hua had become more and more like an ordinary girl, all thanks to him.

And so, he carried the girl out the door. It was already quite cold in York in autumn, so he instinctively turned up his collar, but then, afraid of obscuring Hua's face, he had to put it down.

Strands of hair and breath brushed against his neck, causing a slight tickle. Ryan walked out of the alley and stared blankly at the bustling street.

He's here for a meeting and hasn't booked accommodation yet. Where can he go in the middle of the night?

Just then, the phone rang. Ryan struggled to take his phone out of his pocket and held it to his ear. It was Klein calling.

"Dr. Ryan, Dr. Mebius and I are temporarily staying at the Aierle Hotel on Seventh Avenue. I'll send you the room number via text message. The doctor asked me to ask when you're coming back."

They still have some conscience; they even remembered to book a room for me after the meeting.

Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he opened his mouth, he felt the small, fair hand around his neck tighten slightly. He turned his head in surprise and saw Hua awake, staring straight at him with an unusually firm gaze hidden in the night.

He swallowed hard and answered the phone.

Tell Mebius that I'm not coming back tonight.

Chapter Ninety-Nine: Wooden Stakes Overcome Everything!

The streetlights flickered, and cars whizzed by on the road. After midnight, even Manhattan quieted down, except for the nightclubs with their flashing lights, which were still packed with people.

Ryan carried Hua along the roadside. Even though the girl on his back was awake, she refused to get down, leaving him at a loss. He'd just let go, and now she was hanging on his neck; he couldn't very well throw her over his shoulder or use a guillotine.

'Would this be considered drunken disorder?'

Ryan walked and thought. It wasn't as exaggerated as the personality swapping in the anime, but it was definitely different from the usual Hua.

Hua is usually very serious and a bit introverted. If I rub her knees a few times, she will blush and jump down, and she would never dare to disobey me.

Alcohol emboldens cowards, right? Oh well, it's inevitable to act impulsively sometimes, you have to understand.