Just after learning about Vill-V's artificial Herrscher project from Prometheus, Chang Yuan felt a sense of déjà vu.
Wait, wasn't this Otto's plan from Honkai Impact 2?
Wait, is this the previous civilization of Honkai Impact 2? No, Honkai Impact 2 didn't have a previous civilization.
After realizing this, Chang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.
He was genuinely afraid that this was the world of Honkai Impact 2. If it were, he might as well lie down in a coffin.
Resistance? Forget it. The Herrscher of the End in Honkai Impact 2 was truly immortal—she couldn't even kill herself. There was no way to fight her.
"Hmph, well then, Prometheus, from now on, you'll be my assistant. Let me adjust your permissions."
As she spoke, Vill-V began configuring her computer, first creating a human identity for Prometheus and then granting her permissions.
It was clear that Vill-V truly treated Prometheus as her own child, as this was her proudest creation.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mei, who was conducting Stigma experiments, suddenly felt as though she had lost something important.
Vill-V: That's right, I stole your Prometheus!
Dr. Mei's Stigma experiments were also part of Chang Yuan's plan. After all, most of the major projects had already been completed by Vill-V alone.
The Stigma Project was one of the few tasks left for Dr. Mei to handle.
After all, Chang Yuan saw Vill-V as a friend, not a tool.
He couldn't pile all the work onto her.
Moreover, the Stigma Project had to be prioritized.
It was one of the most challenging tasks, but once completed, people worldwide would no longer have to fear Honkai corruption.
"By the way, Vill-V, is the defensive Fourth Divine Key ready? If it is, install it on the Mu Continent. In the future, the Ninth Herrscher will use a pseudo-black hole to devour it.
So, that's the priority. Other continents don't have records of being destroyed."
"That one? It's already done, but the Fourth Divine Key is currently being used to restore ecosystems around the world. We'll deploy it after dealing with the Eighth Herrscher."
Hearing this, Vill-V pointed to a pile of miscellaneous items nearby, which were additional Divine Key shells.
These were alternate forms for the Divine Keys, designed to be used by simply swapping out the Herrscher cores.
Each had different functions.
For example, the alternate shell for the First Divine Key, when equipped with a Herrscher core, would continuously produce materials without manual intervention.
Or the alternate shell for the Third Divine Key, which could disrupt the magnetic fields of an entire region, rendering them useless, while the user remained unaffected.
There were all sorts of fantastical effects, including the train design Vill-V had always wanted, though it couldn't be grouped with the others.
"Alright, since you've already done it, I can't say much. I'll go check on Dr. Mei's progress."
"Go ahead, don't disturb me. I still need to create Prometheus's siblings. After all, creating a super-intelligent AI is no easy task."
Waving her hand, Vill-V didn't try to stop him.
Seeing this, Chang Yuan didn't say anything more and left.
He then headed to Dr. Mei's private laboratory.
"You're here. The Stigma research is progressing smoothly. We can now produce some basic Stigmas.
As for more powerful Stigmas, we're not there yet. Would you like to test them?"
Seeing Chang Yuan arrive, Dr. Mei immediately guessed his purpose and explained the progress of the experiment.
"Basic Stigmas? What's the expected effect?"
"They can turn an ordinary person into someone capable of fighting a Chariot-class Honkai beast. If equipped with three Stigmas, they might even stand a chance against a Templar-class.
If combined with a MANTIS soldier, even with the lowest-level Rush-class Honkai beast DNA and three Stigmas, they could rival a lower-tier Honkai Emperor."
Dr. Mei handed Chang Yuan a notebook with the recorded data and continued to explain.
As he listened, Chang Yuan was quite satisfied with the results.
Rush-class Honkai beast DNA was the easiest to succeed with. Combined with a set of three basic Stigmas, it would create a perfect mid-tier combatant.
As long as Honkai beasts above the Emperor-class didn't appear, they could mass-produce such fighters, significantly reducing the threat of Honkai to humanity.
"Phew, that's great. With this, the future of human civilization looks much brighter."
Putting down the notebook, Chang Yuan felt the weight on his shoulders lighten a little.
Perhaps once everything was settled and he no longer had to manage things, he could finally let go of all his burdens.
"That said, it's all thanks to you guiding us. Without you, even if we had discovered these things or had research directions, it would have been too late."
Dr. Mei didn't take credit for the achievements, nor would she.
Most of what she and the other two doctors had accomplished was guided by Chang Yuan.
If anyone deserved the most credit, it was Chang Yuan.
"Haha, it's also thanks to all of you. I can only guide, not execute. You're the ones doing the real work. But, Mei, are you really not going to let Kevin undergo the MANTIS surgery?
You know he's always on the front lines. There are no privileges here—everything is earned through merit. Are you really okay with Kevin being out there?"
"...Chang Yuan, since when did you start meddling in other people's personal affairs? I think you should focus on sorting out your relationship with Elysia first.
To outsiders, you two might seem like a couple, but as a fellow woman, I can see the barrier in her eyes.
Unless that barrier is overcome, your relationship will never progress."
"..."
Chang Yuan, who had intended to counsel Dr. Mei, found himself emotionally wrecked instead.
Of course, he knew. As the person involved, he was well aware.
But he didn't know what that barrier in Elysia's heart was.
They had already reached a point of mutual understanding. If he pushed a little harder, he could have his way, and Elysia wouldn't refuse.
Yet, she had never formally accepted his confession.
"So, Chang Yuan, it's best not to meddle in other people's affairs. You're already struggling with your own; how can you possibly sort out others'?"
Dr. Mei also wished Kevin could become stronger, increasing his chances of survival on the battlefield.
But the MANTIS surgery wasn't perfect yet, and under these non-essential circumstances, she didn't want Kevin to undergo it.