"Ah, my dear Miss Ciora, are you really going to keep hiding like a little mouse? Although I don't detest a game of cat and mouse... it's getting a bit boring."
Rita said softly in a pleasant tone as she walked through the corridor of the Shencheng Medical Building.
"Tsk... bitch."
Raven hid under a desk in an office with a gloomy look on her face, right in the blind spot of the surveillance camera.
Not all rooms in Shencheng Medicine have solid mechanical doors that are almost indestructible, and besides the elevators, there are naturally stairs that serve as fire exits.
Relying on this, Raven was able to temporarily escape Rita's "hunt."
What the hell is Jackal doing?! I've clearly suffered losses at Jackal's hands in this regard before, so why do I still believe in Jackal now? If you die, just let me know!
Facing the current situation, Raven simply felt a headache. Well, Gray Serpent's Lord wasn't rescued, and our own Medical Company also fell.
It truly fits the old Chinese saying: "When it rains, it pours; when the ship is delayed, it encounters headwind."
Raven increasingly felt that this job had no future. She had originally wanted to earn enough money to build a private island, but now... Raven felt lucky to be able to get out of Shencheng Medicine's door alive.
Step, step, step, step...
"Miss Ciora, where are you~~?"
That damn maid... Raven heard the crisp footsteps and annoying noises from outside, and a look of annoyance appeared on her face.
Why did I tell that damn maid my real name before?
Now, every time she heard Rita mention her name, Raven would get angry.
Fortunately, the footsteps outside were gradually moving away.
Raven shook her sleeves, and several miniature reconnaissance robots landed and quickly moved outwards. Then, the robots sent back a safety reminder. Hmph, I'm still more skilled after all.
"I finally avoided that maid... but how do I get out now?"
Raven looked at the window that had been completely sealed with special steel, and felt more and more that it was that damn Jackal who was screwing her over.
"I can only jump from the roof."
But I definitely can't go up the stairs. The other party will be able to find me, and if they're not stupid enough, they'll block the stairs.
This time I have to go up through the ventilation duct! I never thought I'd one day be forced to crawl through a ventilation duct.
Just as Raven was about to crawl out from under the table, a beautiful leg wearing silver armor and combat boots dropped from above, along with it, a sharp scythe that plunged directly into the ground.
"?" What's happening!?
"Really, Miss Ciora, you're not the only one who can move silently."
Rita's voice sounded above Raven's head, with a hint of mockery and taunt.
"But I didn't expect Miss Raven to hide here. You look like a little mouse... Or is your gift, to the Immortal Blades, to imitate mice?"
Rita's words are truly venomous.
"Rita, I'm going to fight you!"
— Three minutes later —
"Really? Why do some people always have a self-confidence that exceeds their capabilities?"
Rita, wearing Moon Soul, was sitting on the other side, looking at Raven, who was tied to a chair without her hood, with a "distressed" look on her face... Well, in reality, she was just admiring her own masterpiece.
Behind her, a silver-white human-shaped phantom silently floated in the air. This is exactly how Tian Shi looks after possessing the Moon Soul: [Silver Moon Guardian God].
Originally, the silver moon, which could only aid in attack when new moon particles reached a certain concentration, could now exist forever under Tian Shi's possession.
Moreover, in this state, Tian Shi also inherited the same combat skills as Rita, that is, level nine scythe combat skills.
It must be said that Rita's scythe fighting skills highlight her good waist: for example, she holds the scythe between her legs and flips in the air before slicing with the scythe.
In short, Tian Shi now unexpectedly looks like a stand-in. By the way, since the compatibility between both people exceeded 50%, a simulation was granted.
"Mmmmmmm!" However, with her own stockings stuffed in her mouth, Raven could only let out angry growls.
"It's not a good idea to stuff someone's socks in their mouth, right?"
"If you don't use hers, are you going to use mine?" Rita turned around and asked in a low voice with a smile on her face.
"..." That's right, there's nothing suitable for stuffing my mouth.
"But I thought you'd be more interested in seeing the other person screaming in helplessness and rage, Rita."
"Well... it's not bad, but I met a very noisy red-haired girl with two pigtails before. After I tied her up, she made a lot of noise and gave me a headache, so afterward I thought it would be better to gag her."
Rita rubbed her temples in annoyance. Apparently, the last person Rita tied up in this manner was the unfortunate Tesla.
Aren't you going to ask her some questions?
"Torture? There's no rush for that kind of thing." Rita chuckled and looked at Raven who was still muttering.
"By the way, Mr. Ghost, there's one left, what do you think of it as a thank-you gift this time?"
One left? Tian Shi was stunned for a moment, then realized Rita was talking about Raven's stockings.
"Am I a pervert in your mind, Rita?"
"Um... almost?" Rita pretended to think, then replied with a smile.
"..." If you say that, we won't be able to continue the conversation today.
"There's another World Serpent member in Shencheng Pharmaceutical's main control room. I've detained her. Let's go capture her too!"
"Good suggestion." Rita nodded, and then a sudden sound echoed in Tian Shi's mind.
[Rita Compatibility +5%]
Rita, is this how you test your officers?
"Alvirt, go up and accept the prisoners."
"Yes! Vice-Captain!"
"Mmm!" Raven struggled more and more.
"Relax, Miss Ciora, the more you struggle with this binding method, the tighter the binding. If you continue to struggle, you might suffocate."
After hearing this, although Raven looked angry, her body obediently stopped struggling.
"By the way, Rita, I want to learn this binding method." I have to say, Rita is really good at tying people up, even better than those little movies...
"Sorry, this is also a skill that is not passed on to others." Rita still rejected Tian Shi with a smile on her face.
Not long after, Alvirt and a group of Immortal Blades team members took over the care of Raven from Rita, while Rita walked towards the control room of Shencheng Medical.
However, in the hallway, Rita unexpectedly encountered an acquaintance.
— Gray Serpent.
And behind Gray Serpent was a woman wearing a Jackal mask.
Why is he here? Tian Shi, who had dissolved the particle form and caused the Silver Moon to temporarily disappear, looked at the Gray Serpent who suddenly appeared with some confusion.
Compared to Tian Shi, who was a little bewildered, Rita looked as if she was facing a formidable enemy.
— Anyone who finds that the person they killed is alive and well in front of them would probably show this attitude.
"Long time no see, Miss Rita." Even though his extremely important industry had been targeted, Rita felt that Gray Serpent's tone was calmer than when they first met.
"It wasn't long. It was only two days ago. I didn't expect us to meet so soon."
Rita's sharp eyes swept over Gray Serpent, who hadn't changed at all.
He wore a black hoodie, a white mask that only revealed his right eye, and even the black umbrella he held in his hand.
If Rita hadn't killed the other person with her own hands last time and taken his prosthetic organs, including his eyeballs, Rita would truly doubt whether she had never killed the other person.
"Is this a spare body?" For her own Bishop, Rita doesn't completely ignore this aspect.
"If you think it's easier to understand, Miss Rita, then you're right." Gray Serpent let out an unpleasant chuckle in a hoarse voice.
"..."
"May I ask a question?" Gray Serpent looked at the Valkyrie in front of him who looked like she would show her fangs at any moment, without a trace of nervousness.
"Of course, please ask, Mr. Gray Serpent, but the answer will depend on my mood." Rita smiled coldly and dangerously.
"It's not a serious question."
Gray Serpent took two steps back, showing his hands towards Rita, indicating he was not malicious, "I want to ask... how did you manage to bypass people and procedures' detection and control all of Shencheng Medicine?"
"Of course, our technicians are very reliable."
"You're full of shit—!" Hearing Rita's words, Jackal immediately cursed.
Gray Serpent, he didn't know when, but there was an extra weapon in his hand and he pointed it directly at Jackal's temple.
"Jackal, please keep quiet in the hallway," Gray Serpent said in a warning tone.
"..."
He wants to kill me?
A flash of disbelief flickered in Jackal's mind.
To be fair, Jackal didn't believe Gray Serpent truly wanted to kill her; after all, at this moment, World Serpent couldn't find anyone who could carry out the stigmata plan experiment in her place.
However, the cold brush against her temple and Gray Serpent's faint killing intent made Jackal not dare to bet at all. Although the two are World Serpent cadres, Gray Serpent is indeed half a level higher than them.
"Cut..."
It's hard to see her expression under Jackal's mask, but the unhappy emotion in her tone could be perceived. There's no need to risk your life over such a small matter.
Seeing Jackal retreat, the gun in Gray Serpent's hand disappeared again as if by magic, and then he bowed slightly to Rita.
"It seems that Schicksal's technicians are indeed excellent. I learned a lesson this time."
"?" A look of confusion flashed in Rita's eyes.
What does this guy want to do? Did he really believe my ridiculous excuse?
Tian Shi also fell silent at this moment.
Compared to Rita, he felt more like an "involved party." Gray Serpent is Mobius's failed creation, but at the same time, he is also Mobius's most successful creation in another sense.
Could it be that he... knows something about me? He didn't perform the Fire Moth simulation, so the final outcome of the Thirteen Heroes actually didn't change, just like before Tian Shi performed Einstein's simulation, Edison and Welt actually died in the Thanksgiving Incident in 1955.
And now, the two are inserted almost perfectly into world history.
At that moment, Tian Shi realized that his simulation was just a simple simulation and modification of the present, and that there was no such thing as the cause and effect of his future self's simulation falling upon him.
I really want to say that the only one who is more unusual is Fu Hua, who helped him in Einstein's simulation.
The anti-theft spray bottle was later proven to actually be a Soul Steel coagulant, which was specially used to trap Otto, but ultimately was not used.
Even if she wasn't there, in the original plot, Fu Hua would have given this to Welt.
So... even if Gray Serpent knew, he must have learned it from Mobius, and it's impossible that he ever lived with me.
"Mr. Gray Serpent might as well speak plainly; why are you beating around the bush here?" Although Rita felt some pressure, her momentum remained the same.
—The other party's attitude is really strange.
"Could it be that you want me to kill you again?"
"Hehe... it's fine if you kill me." Gray Serpent shook his head. He didn't care about the provocative words at all. His patience was surprisingly good.
"In that case, I'll be frank: Miss Rita, how about a deal... no, a cooperation?"
"Cooperation?" Rita narrowed her eyes slightly, "Tell me?"
"Release Raven, and we will provide you with all the information about Sky City; as long as you are in Sky City, we can find any information you want for you."
There was sincerity in Gray Serpent's hoarse voice.
"For example... K-423, the Bishop sent you here for this matter, right?"
"You never know. Aren't I about to destroy a World Serpent stronghold right now?"
It was a very tempting condition, but Rita didn't immediately agree.
"Although the Bishop has great power, he cannot see through our whereabouts... The only things in his eyes are the Saint and those who stand in his way."
In the end, Gray Serpent couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"We will not stand in his way. In fact, we can be on the same front as the Bishop... Unfortunately..."
Unfortunately, Kevin, who is qualified to negotiate with Otto, is still imprisoned in the Quantum Sea.
Without Kevin, hastily negotiating with the other party would be like trying to get a tiger's skin, and would only lead to being eaten without leaving a bone.
Gray Serpent's attitude made Rita feel increasingly confused about what the other party was thinking.
"What if I refuse?"
"Then we will abandon Raven." Gray Serpent replied decisively and without hesitation.
"What if I don't let you go?" There was a dangerous glint in Rita's eyes.
"Then this body and Jackal's life can only be handed over to you, Miss Rita."