Cherreads

Chapter 120 - Gift

This Elysia really had too much imagination.

Ryan hadn't even said a word, and she was already off building the next scene in her mind. Was she scripting a million-word romance novel in real-time?

He genuinely couldn't follow the train of thought this Miss Pink Elf was riding. They had just been talking about Mobius and Hua—how did the topic suddenly jump to her? And what was with that serious look on her face?

Ryan had a favorable impression of Elysia. Honestly, who could dislike her? She was charming, warm, and practically radiated allure. But at the same time, she gave off the vibe that she'd be open to dating anyone—yet the difficulty of actually getting through to her was easily Hell-level.

As Elysia herself had once said: her heart held too many people. It simply didn't have space for just one.

Unless, of course, someone existed who could surpass all of humanity, who stood on a tier above every other soul on this plane, someone capable of filling the entirety of Elysia's heart on their own.

...Wait, why am I even thinking about conquering her?!

Ryan blinked hard, mentally snapping himself back to reality. Madness really was contagious, huh?

With a helpless sigh, he turned and looked at Mobius, who was still lying sprawled across the greenhouse roof where he'd flung her earlier.

"Go ahead, laugh all you want. That Elysia is seriously impossible to deal with."

Mobius lingered in the shadow of the door, eyes glinting with mischief. After a beat of silence, she chuckled.

"Should I call you brave or just plain dumb? You actually confessed to Elysia? Do you even know she's called the 'Fantasy Killer' in Fire Moth?"

I didn't confess... And hold on, 'Fantasy Killer'? That name's kinda cool, actually.

Ryan suddenly felt a wave of malice from the universe itself wash over him. And strangely enough, Mobius's sarcasm had the opposite effect—it calmed him.

No one really knew what went on inside Elysia's mind anyway. Let her be. It wasn't like he was some overpowered protagonist with a cheat system that unlocked new forms every time he confessed to a girl.

He was busy enough just trying to stay alive.

Hell-level conquests? Sorry, I'm exhausted.

"This time, I messed up. Believe what you want."

"You're not even going to explain?"

"What's there to explain? It's Elysia. Getting mad at her feels like yelling at the sun."

Ryan dragged over a rattan chair and sank into it with a sigh. The view from the greenhouse was gorgeous. He could hear the rhythmic sound of the waves below, while the glass shielded him from the outside chill.

Definitely a toad.

Mobius's face darkened slightly, her mind replaying the earlier exchange.

Ryan had used his birthday to confess—yes—but Elysia had acted... differently this time. She hadn't outright rejected him. According to the version Mobius had heard, Elysia used to shoot down confessions like it was second nature. But this time?

She'd said, "Give me more time."

It was a subtle but critical difference.

If Elysia had rejected him, Mobius could've roasted him for the rest of his life. But she didn't.

Mobius narrowed her eyes. Deep inside, something stirred—faint, but undeniable.

A rising sense of competition.

I said he's mine.

But why was Ryan hers?

Mobius didn't bother answering the question. She didn't need a reason.

All she knew was that if she wanted something—she wasn't going to let anyone else have it.

"...What are you spacing out for? Come here."

Lost in thought, Mobius snapped out of her haze at Ryan's voice. She hesitated for just a moment before quietly walking over and pulling up another rattan chair beside him.

A small tea table sat quietly between them, a lone teapot resting at its center. Ryan reached out and touched it—still warm. He didn't need to ask. Sakura must've changed the water not long ago.

"Sakura really is thoughtful. A perfect assistant—she can fight, and she's considerate," he mused aloud. Then, noticing Mobius's expression, he narrowed his eyes. "Hey, what's with that look?"

Mobius was staring at him, face unreadable, her voice flat when she finally replied.

"The look one gives a scumbag."

Ryan sighed, lifting the teacup to his lips.

"Sakura only cares about her sister. I protect Rin, she works for me. That's all there is to it." He paused, then added with a shrug, "Besides, what's it to you?"

"…Why isn't it— Never mind. It's not my business," Mobius replied coolly. "But I'll admit… I'm enjoying watching you flounder. Is that so wrong?"

Ryan chuckled, eyes narrowing.

"Right back at you. I'm rather fond of seeing you flounder."

Their eyes locked—mocking, amused. Beneath the teasing, there was tension, subtle and coiled. Not quite war. Not quite peace.

They drank in silence, letting the tea warm their hands and hearts. For a while, the room was still.

Ryan remained composed. Mobius lounged with deliberate ease.

And yet… Ryan began to wonder why he'd dragged her up here in the first place.

Why did I even bring her? Just to make things complicated? I could've slept in.

He couldn't explain it. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was the look she had—odd, unreadable—that made him reach for her hand without thinking.

"Ahem. It's snowing."

Mobius turned, and sure enough—outside the wide glass window, snow had begun to fall.

Soft, pure-white flakes drifted down like silk threads, melting quietly upon touching the ground.

"…Snow. In Hawaii. The weather's certainly strange."

Of course, it wasn't natural. Not here. Not now. But she wasn't a meteorologist, and she didn't need to be. This was clearly the work of the Honkai.

The snow thickened. The wind grew stronger. Far off, waves crashed against the shore—slow, heavy, ink-dark.

The villa felt more distant than ever from the world. Surrounded, but utterly alone.

Ryan suddenly lost all interest in arguing.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

He patted the rattan chair beside him.

Mobius turned slightly, immediately catching on to his meaning.

She rolled her eyes at him but said nothing. Her skirt, like flowing water, slid as she shifted, then laid her legs—long and clad in black stockings—across Ryan's lap.

Because of the high slit, a glimpse of lace and a purple garter belt peeked through.

Her pale thighs caught the dim light, creating a stark contrast with the dark nylon, the garter hugging tight enough to press a faint mark into her skin.

Ryan admired the sight, his hand tracing along her calf.

It was soft, elastic beneath his touch—like high-quality hosiery. A strange kind of comfort, a tactile distraction, like squeezing stress balls… or, more crudely, instant noodles.

"Tonight should be good."

"Mhm. A little peace now and then isn't so bad."

Surprisingly, Mobius didn't bite back. Her voice was quieter than usual, almost… calm.

Maybe it was the snowfall.

"You must've had a hard time handling the Fourth Herrscher," she said after a pause. "She's… different. I've never heard of a Herrscher who runs."

"It wasn't that bad," Ryan replied with deliberate nonchalance. "Though I almost died."

He felt the tension ripple through her legs at once.

"She was cunning. Used Śeṣa as bait. If I hadn't been overly cautious…"

He began recounting the fight, describing the moment he sensed something off, how the Herrscher had chased him, how he'd narrowly turned the tables in that tight battle between Wind and Fire Moth.

Mobius didn't say a word.

Her leg muscles stayed taut the whole time—until he got to the part where he dove into the sea, forcing the Herrscher to retreat. Then, and only then, did she relax just a little.

"…Even Sakura doesn't know all that. You're the first person I've told the whole thing to."

Mobius turned to him slowly.

"Should I be grateful?" she murmured, placing a hand on his cheek. Her voice had softened. "How many times do I have to say it?"

Her gaze locked with his—sincere and sharp all at once.

"Your life belongs to me. Don't you dare throw it away."

The plan was intricate—layered with contingencies, fail-safes stacked one atop another. If anything went wrong, he'd either fall to the Herrscher or be hunted down by Fire Moth.

Mobius frowned.

"Who else knows the truth?"

"Sakura. Elysia. Mei will probably figure it out eventually."

"So it's limited to three." Her voice dropped a note, brows furrowing. "That's a problem. Why would a Herrscher target you?"

"If the Honkai eliminates threats logically, they should start with the Fire Moth Council. Take out command, and humanity fragments on its own."

She leaned forward, propping her chin with one hand, lost in thought. No matter how she turned the equation, the variable always returned to the same point:

Ryan himself.

"It seems I'm not the only one who sees your value," she murmured. "There's only one optimal move now—commit a crime, volunteer for the Deep End. Vill-V reworked that place. It's absolutely secure."

Ryan scoffed, eyes on the falling snow. "When have you ever seen me run?"

"Then what—you're planning to wait for them?"

"No," he said, voice low. "I'm planning to kill them."

Mobius raised an eyebrow, but Ryan leaned in close, whispering the next words into her ear.

"From the very beginning... I planned to counter-kill."

"You crazy, brainless brute!" Mobius snapped, shoving him back, trying to pull her leg free from his lap. But Ryan's grip didn't loosen.

"Resisting Honkai is madness by nature," he said softly, massaging her stockinged calf. The smooth, elastic texture calmed him. "But this madness benefits me. For once, I can drop the façade… and go all in."

"But this isn't just about your fight with Honkai. If Fire Moth learns the truth, they'll use you—like bait in a trap."

"But you didn't expose me," Ryan said, glancing at her. "You're here, working through it from my side."

Mobius flinched, her gaze faltering before hardening again.

"I told you. Your life belongs to me. But I can't speak for Mei—or anyone else."

Keep talking tough.

Ryan smirked and applied a bit more pressure to her leg, causing her to shift uncomfortably.

"I'll adjust the plan," he said. "Step by step, I'll gain control of Fire Moth. Eventually, Mei will support me. Then Kevin. The others will follow."

"You're trying to lead the fight against Honkai?"

"No different from how it's always been," Ryan said. "Herrschers appear. Someone defeats them. The only real difference is—who leads humanity? Career politicians clinging to Fire Moth bureaucracy? Or superhumans who act?"

He spread his hands, voice matter-of-fact.

"The Fusion Warrior project is almost ready. Once it rolls out, individual combat strength will outpace all existing military models. For someone like me, that just means more work—but the structure stays the same."

Ryan was part of humanity. Whether the Honkai targeted him or not didn't change that.

Mobius stayed silent for a moment, digesting his words.

"That's not easy. Fire Moth's influence reaches into every crevice of the world. No one controls it. Not even Karius—he's just a face."

"That's why we don't rush. For now, I'm satisfied with their progress," Ryan said. "Fusion Warriors. God Keys. Super soldiers aren't enough. We need factories. Researchers. A full supply chain."

He glanced back at her.

"Mobius, the world's definition will shrink. When its value is spent, we'll optimize it."

Utterly ruthless. Cold to the core. Treating world leaders as disposable tools.

Mobius didn't mind.

After all, every time someone cut her budget, she fantasized about grinding their skulls beneath her stiletto heels.

"Interesting," she said, smiling thinly. "Count me in."

"Oh?" Ryan grinned. "Willing to betray them? You sure?"

Mobius crossed her arms, looking down at him—her leg still pinned in his lap.

"I owe Fire Moth nothing," she said. "Besides, only you can help me evolve. And only you can win my heart."

A bold statement.

But not unexpected.

They'd spent too much time together. Despite her sharp tongue and hard edges, Mobius had already started shifting—just enough—for Ryan to notice.

As for the last part, he hesitated.

Then dismissed it.

Because he knew—if he showed even the faintest smile, Mobius would instantly lift her chin, smirk, and say something like:

'Oh? Do you crave my affection that much? You're adorable. Like a little toad.'

Tch. Amateurish.

You think I'll fall for that bait?

He clicked his tongue and released her leg at last. Then stood, walking toward a wall panel. From behind it, he retrieved a hidden suitcase.

"Since you're cooperating so nicely… here's a gift."

He popped it open.

Inside, a small glass vial lay nestled in shock-foam. Inside it swirled a dense, viscous darkness—dark green liquid that shimmered faintly, and in its center floated a strange eye, serpentine and unblinking.

Mobius's eyes lit up with wild delight.

As if he'd handed her ten priceless gems.

Ryan held up the vial between two fingers.

"The first step toward your godhood," he said. "The gene of a Judgment-Class Honkai Beast—[Śeṣa]."

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