Chapter 183: Dr. Ratio enters the field! Duke Inferno, you dare to hurt our Asta?
On the large screen.
As the video began to play, the crowd of researchers, as if by unspoken agreement, fell silent.
They focused their attention completely.
With excitement and anticipation, they looked toward the video.
Various scenes of the Herta Space Station appeared on the screen, yet they differed somewhat from the station the researchers knew.
"What zone is this? Why is it so dark?"
"The layout and structure of this area are different from most of the station's cabins."
"There was a flash just now showing an elevator moving vertically downwards continuously. Does this mean this area is at the very bottom of the station?"
The researchers were bewildered.
This preview short had dropped a bombshell right at the start!
A suspected hidden space within the station!
The next moment.
The electronic voice in the video gave all the researchers a clear answer.
"Level 1 Classified Area."
"Authorized to Ms. [ Ruan Mei ]."
As the voice fell.
The back of a woman appeared in the scene.
Her voice rang out: "The station's secrets are far more numerous than you imagine."
"Before figuring out what has happened, you must first hide your expressions."
"Otherwise."
"You will be full of openings."
The woman turned around.
Revealing a subtle expression.
It was none other than… Ruan Mei!
All the researchers immediately let out a gasp of amazement!
A female researcher's eyes went wide.
She was so surprised her glasses nearly fell off!
It really was Ms. Ruan Mei!
At this moment, the bullet comments on the video came rolling in like a tide!
…
"Look what I found, a wife!"
"No way! Ruan Mei actually looks like this? I've always imagined her looking like my old auntie!"
"She's ridiculously beautiful, isn't she?"
"It's one thing to be a genius, but to be this gorgeous too? Sometimes I have to suspect if I'm just an NPC in this world."
"Even if she buffs the enemy, I'm pulling for her!"
"Someone! Bring me my credit card!"
…
At this time.
The scene shifted.
Inside the Space Station.
A man wearing a plaster head sculpture appeared.
He had one hand on his chin, seemingly in thought and observation.
"A move by a [ Genius ]."
"How will you solve it?"
The watching researchers instantly erupted into an uproar.
"Who is this guy?"
"He doesn't look like a researcher from the station…"
"And he's wearing a plaster head? That's so weird."
"It seems something big is going to happen in the station again in this storyline! Friends, get ready!"
In Dr. Ratio's personal office.
Aventurine knew that Ratio wasn't short of money.
Scholars who joined the Intelligentsia Guild generally traded knowledge as a form of wealth.
And Ratio wasn't the kind of arrogant scholar who looked down on currency.
Money was his means of disseminating truth.
So, seeing Ratio drop a tip of 20 Diting Storms in one go didn't really phase him.
But this new mission…
In this preview short.
Ratio actually made an appearance!
Aventurine immediately showed a look of surprise.
"Professor, don't tell me you read the script in advance?"
"You're actually in the plot?"
"Moreover, the mission's name is [ Crown of the Mundane and Divine ]. It seems Feathered Spirit has given full recognition to your intellect."
"I'm starting to waver a bit now."
"I think you really might enter the warp banner!"
Ratio wore his plaster head.
His expression was unreadable.
But Aventurine guessed that beneath the plaster, Ratio must be secretly pleased!
After all.
It was widely speculated outside that Ratio desired to join the Genius Society.
Now that he appeared in the storyline Feathered Spirit released concerning the Geniuses, this should count as a form of indirect recognition!
Ratio spoke up then: "The Genius Society?"
"In the past, I might have had some interest in it, but now, the excitement it brings me is far less than my role in this game."
Aventurine smiled politely.
He didn't commit to an opinion.
Appearing in the storyline of Honkai: Star Rail was certainly an honor.
But Aventurine felt…
Ratio still held a significant obsession regarding his lack of recognition from Nous.
He was saying one thing but meaning another!
They continued watching.
After Ratio's appearance passed.
The scene shifted.
A low, deep voice came from the background.
"The gods of the stars have left the mortal coil."
"Only the wounded Savior."
"Can command the worlds to bathe in the firelight of [ Destruction ]."
On the screen.
It was Screwllum and Asta.
The two seemed to be discussing something.
But that voice in the background clearly belonged to neither of them.
"No matter where you flee."
"Annihilation…"
"Will eventually arrive!"
As the voice fell.
Blue flames suddenly ignited on Asta's body.
She appeared very shocked.
The next second.
She vanished into thin air!
"That voice…"
Aventurine's gaze darkened slightly.
"Duke Inferno…"
It wasn't just him.
The players watching also recognized it instantly!
Because.
Not long ago, Feathered Spirit had released Ever-Flame: Scene 33.
Duke Inferno had already left a deep impression on the hearts of players across the universe.
The moment this voice came out.
Everyone knew who the mastermind was!
…
"The Duke! That voice! It's the Duke again!"
"Since when is Duke Inferno so camera-ready? He just announced to the whole universe he was going to Penacony to declare war on the four Paths, and now he's causing trouble on the Space Station too?"
"Is Duke Inferno being watched by Nanook or something? Feels like he's been super active lately!"
"My Asta! My treasure!"
"Is Duke Inferno going to off Asta?"
"If Asta gets taken out, the station will definitely fall into chaos."
"Combined with the Duke's voice in the background, it feels like a real possibility!"
"Friends on the Space Station, hurry up and warn Lead Researcher Asta!"
…
No need for the netizens to remind them.
Inside the Space Station.
The researchers watching this video were all dumbfounded!
Perhaps.
Before, some people doubted Lead Researcher Asta's actions, thinking she might be unqualified for management or something similar…
But after the appearance of the game Honkai: Star Rail.
The researchers' attitude toward Asta had done a complete one-eighty!
That was the young lady who would buy a Star Destroyer at the drop of a hat!
Usually, when seeing Asta, they would respectfully call her "Miss Asta."
Full of respect and praise.
Even.
People had started sucking up to Peppy!
Now in the Space Station, the number of people pushing Asta was almost catching up to the solo Herta stans!
So.
Upon seeing this scene.
All the researchers were shocked!
Someone immediately shouted: "Quick, notify the Defense Department! Protect the Young Miss's safety!"
"We have to tell Asta this news immediately!"
"Damn Duke Inferno! He actually targeted our Lead Researcher!"
"Asta is our one and only Lead Researcher!"
"Protect the best Miss Asta!"
"Whoever dares touch Asta, we'll kill them first! Duke Inferno is no exception!"
Master Control Zone.
Near the Inspection Area.
Asta was originally here inspecting the researchers' work.
Suddenly, she heard a burst of agitated voices from the researchers on the other side.
And, they mentioned her.
Asta immediately went over to check.
Seeing Asta arrive.
The researchers instantly became even more agitated!
They hurriedly replayed the preview short for this mission.
Seeing herself engulfed in netherfire, Asta couldn't help but be startled.
The Annihilation Gang.
Duke Inferno was actually coming for her?
Seeing Asta looking a bit panicked.
The surrounding researchers realized.
Their time to shine had arrived!
They patted their chests one after another, declaring: "Lead Researcher! You'd better stay right here and not move, just in case that Duke Inferno also saw this video and launches a surprise attack."
"That's right! Even if that netherfire comes, we will all stand together in front of you."
"I'm going to activate the Curio Collection Room's folded space right now! Just in case that ball of fire is ambushing us in a corner of the station!"
"We absolutely cannot let Miss Asta suffer any accidents, not even a single hair can be missing!"
Seeing the researchers care so much about her safety.
Asta couldn't help but feel moved.
At that moment.
Her slightly panicked heart settled down.
"Everyone rest assured, I will stay right here and go nowhere."
"I'll watch this storyline with you all, to see exactly how Duke Inferno intends to initiate destruction within the station."
"Since Duke Inferno has ideas about disrupting the station, we aren't soft persimmons that can be squeezed at will."
"Once we finish watching this mission, we will launch a counterattack too!"
"Yeah!"
The crowd of researchers was completely fired up!
They wished they could bring out all their various research results to use as weapons of attack.
They only regretted not developing some Star Destroyer-class weapons together sooner!
If Duke Inferno dares to lay a hand on Asta…
He is dead meat!