Arknights' Lock of Heaven

"Humans..." Xia Yu murmured to herself, "Perhaps you are truly lonely."

The doctor on my lap mumbled a few words in his sleep, then shifted his position and continued sleeping.

It's fortunate that this guy has amnesia; he's a blank slate now. If he were in the state of suppressing all emotions like the evil spirit of Babel... perhaps their relationship wouldn't be so pleasant.

Thinking of this, Xia Yu sighed.

Did he not know? The price he paid for the PhD student's daily boasting was working overtime every night. Yes, because of amnesia, she couldn't help him with professional matters.

However, a large number of people, including Kal'tsit, were occupied with the inhibitor project, so guess who had all the big and small affairs on Rhodes Island during this period?

Even with amnesia, her unparalleled management and command skills, as well as her strategic vision, remain unmatched.

Kal'tsit disliked her no matter what, so she simply dumped all the work on her.

I can happily conduct medical research.

What a beautiful thing this is.

The result was that the PhD student would work overtime every night to handle the work, and then the next day he would drink a lot of tea to force himself to show off in front of himself.

Then she used the few hours she had to rest to create the illusion that she was taking paid breaks all day.

Then she continued to work overtime at night. Otherwise, why would Kal'tsit let her go on vacation when the higher-ups at Rhodes Island are so busy?

I'm just afraid she'll suddenly die!

What? You're asking why Xia Yu knows so much?

Amiya is such a good girl.

Xia Yu could sense that the professor had many things on his mind and many questions.

Unfortunately, he didn't have the answer she wanted and couldn't give it to her. He was just an outsider, and the real answer was probably in Kal'tsit's hands.

Perhaps even Kal'tsit hasn't mastered it all.

Everything is hidden in her past memories.

She was so close to him, yet he was so afraid of losing her that he dared not ask her the question...

It's really awkward.

However, since she didn't intend to ask, Xia Yu was happy to continue pretending.

After all... he really couldn't give her an answer.

Let her keep this beautiful expectation.

After all, memories of the past are not always pleasant.

A thousand years of desolate waiting... perhaps, maintaining the status quo is a good choice for her.

Even if one day she will remember that she has to take responsibility for herself.

Now is the calm before the storm, a time for rest, so it's best not to think too much.

Looking at the sleeping doctor, Xia Yu suddenly wanted to take off her hood and mask to see her face.

There are probably only two people on Rhodes Island who have seen her true face.

Kal'tsit and Amiya.

But after thinking it over, Xia Yu decided against it.

It's best not to pry into a lady's little secrets.

It's definitely not because I'm worried that there'll be a wide-eyed, smiling face underneath the mask.

Absolutely not!

Even though he could sense that the girl in front of him was truly asleep, the evil spirits of the Tower of Babel... were not to be underestimated!

Xia Yu smiled gently and continued drawing the array patterns.

-

"That's amazing..." Tianhuo watched from afar as Xia Yu's team surrounded the gigantic mutated Pompeii.

To a massive Originium worm like Pompeii, the three people surrounding it at this moment are so small and insignificant.

It didn't even notice the three people.

But the next moment, everything changed.

A colossal stone statue rose from the volcanic rock, blocking its path with a size comparable to Pompeii.

Originium bugs don't have eyes, but they have organs for observing the world.

Clearly, Pompeii was terrified in the face of this sudden enemy.

After all, the lava worms live inside volcanoes and have almost no natural enemies, so although Pompeii grew to such a large size, it did not actually grow up in the brutal struggle of nature.

Otherwise, in the original storyline, they wouldn't have changed course after being attacked by the Skyfire, Provence, and Ceylon.

To put it simply, this thing is extremely timid.

It wouldn't be afraid if it faced several enemies of normal human size, but in front of it was a rock giant as tall as itself.

Pompeii, who had lived for an unknown amount of time, had never encountered such an opponent. The rock walls that lived there had come to life and were even rubbing their fists together, ready to give you a good beating...

Let alone Pompeii, who wasn't very intelligent, even a normal person would be scared half to death if they saw him.

Imagine this: the wall of your house suddenly splits open, revealing a burly, muscular man rubbing his fists and menacingly walking towards you...

Are you panicking?

At this moment, Pompeii was clearly very panicked. Of course, living things have territories, so even though Pompeii was panicked, it wouldn't just flee in such a panic.

At least you have to make contact, right? Even a rabbit dares to kick an eagle.

But what's even more alarming is yet to come.

Just as it was filled with hostility, a very powerful heat suddenly burst forth from its side.

A giant of fire materialized out of thin air.

Although it wasn't as large as the stone colossi, the temperature... well, let's just say even the lava Originium worms living in the volcano couldn't stand it.

The mere presence of that place was like lava, enough to deter anyone from approaching, not to mention the fire giant wielding a massive sword and glaring menacingly at them.

The scorching hot greatsword made Pompeii shift uncomfortably to the left.

Even lava Originium worms cannot withstand such heat.

But the next one, it regretted it.

On the left, however, no giant rose up again.

But just as it approached, it sensed something.

That killing intent... was like a tangible killing intent!

The sound of the tide, carrying a strong stench of blood, rushed towards them; even Pompeii, who lived inside the volcano, had never heard of the sound of the tide.

But it instinctively sensed that this side... was even more dangerous.

Skadi was idly tapping the rocks beside her with her greatsword.

He squinted at Pompeii before him, seemingly trying to find a place to make a quick but not fatal cut.

The colossal mudstone statues approached with heavy steps.

Surtr's fire giant gripped Leivadin tightly. Skadi's eyes fell on a protruding horn-like structure on Pompeii's body; this thing... even if broken, wouldn't be fatal.

On the platform, Tianhuo, Eyjafjalla, Ceylon, and Provence stared wide-eyed, fearing that the powerful players might lose control and beat this treasure trove to death.

Just then, Pompeii let out a low, mournful cry, like a ship's horn.

Then...then it slowly backed away...

Yes, it is retreating, including the ordinary Originium bugs that have gathered around it.

It got scared.

No, that description is inaccurate. Cowardice is a choice made by intelligent beings, while Pompeii was simply following its biological instincts.

I can't afford to mess with them, I'm outta here.

Let alone the mudstone giants and Surtr, Skadi's aura of slaughtering beasts alone would be enough to make it back down.

It has to be said that living this long makes a difference; it's become somewhat mystical.

Ordinary Originium Bugs would be absolutely unable to perceive Skadi's true nature.

Pompeii, however, was able to sense something.

In addition, this big guy had no natural enemies and wasn't particularly warlike, so it simply retreated.

If the Lava Originium Worms were truly warlike, they wouldn't have turned to establishing new habitats while the Siesta people were gradually encroaching on their existing ones; they would have already begun large-scale attacks on humans.

The few reports of Originium worms injuring people were also due to those people first entering the nests of these lava Originium worms.

Take Ceylon, for example.

Of course, not all Originium Bugs are like this; it depends on the environment.

"It escaped..."