The sun was high in the sky when Ryn stirred, wriggling out of bed like an inchworm.
Tianqi had said no, no, and resisted with her hands, but in the end, she was successfully overpowered by Ryn.
However, the moment he relaxed, Tianqi found an opportunity to blow him up with a single punch and kick him out of the Stigmata Space.
As expected of Tianqi, she easily accomplished what others could not. But damn, soul intercourse was exhilarating, and also exhausting.
Ryn felt as if his body was no longer his own. The ancients were right, the saying about having your soul sucked dry was really true.
Penglaiji Ryn hadn't woken Ryn up today, and she was already gone. It wasn't until Ryn went outside that he realized the entire base was mobilizing.
Everyone was carrying large packs and weapons, forming orderly squads and leaving the base.
Ryn stopped a person who was strapping on their weapon and asked what was happening.
"What's going on? Is it a Honkai Creature invasion?"
"Something like that. Someone saw Leader Bronya and Captain Himeko heading to ME Corp together yesterday, and they haven't returned. A short while ago, the observation squad detected a large number of Honkai Creatures gathering and advancing on ME Corp.
The leaders might be in danger, so Seele is preparing to lead us to attack ME Corp and support them.
I'm heading out to escort the engineering department to establish a defensive line in front of ME Corp. Do you want to come?"
The combatant, having finished gearing up, invited Ryn.
Ryn waved his hand, declining her invitation.
"Not for now. Where are Seele and Penglaiji Ryn? I'll go meet up with them first."
"They were in the command room when I left. They should be going..." The girl paused, because she saw Penglaiji Ryn running over from a distance.
She pointed in Penglaiji Ryn's direction and continued speaking to Ryn: "There, Penglaiji Ryn is coming. You two can talk. I have to go assemble."
"Take care. Come back alive."
"Don't jinx me..."
The girl laughed and nudged Ryn with her hand, then jogged off to join her unit.
Although it did sound a bit like a death flag, Ryn genuinely hoped they would survive. After all, they were just ordinary people, ordinary girls who had taken up arms to survive...
Penglaiji Ryn, having run up to Ryn, leaned against a wall, panting slightly. Directing people was more exhausting than fighting...
"Hah... hah... Brother, something's happened."
"Yeah, I've got the gist of the situation."
"Really? Seele is planning to lead a group to attack the Honkai Creatures and delay their assault wave. The rest of us, the majority, will all go to ME Corp, clear out the Honkai Creatures inside, and then occupy it.
I'm going to fight with Seele. Which side are you going to?"
"Hmm... I'm fine with either, but I think you should change your strategy. For example... Seele doesn't go to intercept the Honkai Creatures. Instead, she leads all of you to attack ME Corp, and I'll handle the attacking Honkai Creatures by myself."
"Huh?"
"Don't 'huh' me. Sorry to make you run again. Inform Seele of my plan. Go quickly."
Ryn nudged Penglaiji Ryn, telling her to stop being surprised and hurry to inform Seele, so that all of Fire Moth's forces could go to ME Corp and establish a defensive line.
——————————————
In the command room, Penglaiji Ryn, who had sprinted back, relayed Ryn's request to Seele.
"Is that really what Ryn said? That with him and his sword alone, he can hold off ten thousand troops?"
Seele looked in astonishment at the gasping Penglaiji Ryn beside her.
"According to the signals detected by our instruments... that number of them could drown us with spit alone..."
"But even so, didn't Seele plan to take people to intercept them herself from the start? Don't worry. Since Brother said so, we should just trust him."
Penglaiji Ryn had complete faith in Ryn. Just based on the time he created a black hole out of thin air, she was certain that even if everyone else in the base died, he wouldn't.
Moreover, Ryn's abilities were all large-scale and destructive. Having people around would only lower his combat effectiveness.
It's like how turning evil makes you ten times stronger, and being redeemed makes you three times weaker. When you're evil, who cares about friendly fire? You just go for maximum power. When you're redeemed, you're constrained everywhere, having to constantly control your power to avoid harming the innocent.
"..."
Seele clenched her fists and remained silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled at Penglaiji Ryn. "Well, well, since Ryn has spoken, I guess we have no choice. After all, you two siblings are as stubborn as mules..."
Penglaiji Ryn grinned, revealing her goofy smile. "Yep, both stubborn mules... But I'm guessing Ryn doesn't know the way, so I've decided to go with him. Sorry Seele, I can't fight alongside you this time."
"...You don't know the way either, do you?"
But no one answered Seele. Penglaiji Ryn had already rushed off again.
——————————————
"Tch, what are you doing here... Shouldn't Seele's side need you more?"
Ryn helped up Penglaiji Ryn, who had run back and forth countless times within the base to deliver messages to various squads.
"Hah... hah... They have so many people over there, they won't miss me. Besides, how could I leave you alone to face so many Honkai Creatures... hah..."
"You little rascal, that's actually quite touching. Let's go, let's go! In that case, I'll show you what it means for one man to hold a pass against ten thousand!" Ryn laughed heartily, picked up Penglaiji Ryn, and flew off, charging towards the Honkai Creatures' line of advance.
"Let me remind you, it's two holding the pass!"
"It's one holding the pass. You're in charge of cheering."
"I refuse... I even turned down Seele's confession to come here!" Penglaiji Ryn puffed out her cheeks and raised her fist.
"What confession?"
"When we were deploying the troops earlier, Seele was going to intercept the Honkai Creatures, and I said I would fight alongside her, that I would protect her! Then Seele said,
'Hoho, I'm starting to fall for you a little, but unfortunately, my heart only belongs to Big Sis. But if you can survive, there's still a small chance, so even if it's for my sake, you absolutely must not die.'"
"Er... I think you can ignore everything except 'my heart only belongs to Big Sis' and 'you absolutely must not die.'"
"Screw you... this is the first time someone other than my parents has said they've fallen for me!"
"Is that so? Then what if I were to say, I really like my little sister, Penglaiji Ryn~? What would you do?"
"Eh? Eh!!!"