"Ha…" Himeko walked out of her room, yawning. She casually reached into her short-sleeved shirt and scratched her armpit. Considering the possibility of being called for a mission at any moment, she hadn't been drinking to excess recently, only consuming a moderate amount of alcohol.
However, her definition of "moderate"... to borrow a quip from Immer, was the difference between a tank overflowing with water and one that was just one drop shy of spilling over due to surface tension.
"Hmm? Lin?"
From a distance, she saw the familiar figure walking toward her, his right sleeve empty, fully equipped with a hat, sunglasses, and mask. Were it not for his distinctive temperament and overly standard posture, Himeko would hardly have recognized him.
This attire, which seemed jarring to many, was Lin everyday look. Himeko continued to scratch her itch, unconcerned, and blocked Lin path.
"Where are you going?"
"Concert."
Concert?
Himeko pondered for a moment before remembering that someone recently mentioned a prominent singer announcing a tour in Australia. What was her name again...
This guy was actually going out of his way to attend a concert?
Even if there were no missions recently and he wasn't needed for one, wasn't this too relaxed?
"You have a ticket?" Himeko thought about it. Lin hadn't been out. Where did he get a ticket?
"I know the lead singer." Lin pulled out the ticket Eden had given him. "She gave me one."
"...You know the lead singer too?" Himeko was well aware of Lin social circle. It wouldn't be wrong to say he had social anxiety. Now his network extended outside the Fire Moth?
"Coincidence."
"Oh, alright. Wait for me. I'm coming too."
Without giving Lin any choice, Himeko closed her door behind her, ignoring Lin look of hesitation, and went to change her clothes.
...
"Oh, come on, don't worry about it. You know the lead singer anyway, and bringing me along won't hurt anything." Himeko also put on sunglasses, imitating Lin, and walked forward against the sun. "I've never been to a concert in my life. It's great that I know someone I can go with. By the way, what kind of music does the lead singer perform?"
"...Tends toward classical."
Lin hoped Eden's style would dissuade Himeko. Based on his understanding, even if Himeko had a preferred music genre, it definitely wouldn't be classical.
"Classical? That's good. I like classical music."
"…"
Lin shook his head. Himeko carefree attitude seemed to be her trademark. Was it really appropriate for one of the two remaining leaders of a Branch to be out listening to a concert?
"Don't worry. If anything unexpected happens, I'll go back immediately. It's nearby, so there's plenty of time."
Seeing through Lin thoughts, Himeko smiled carelessly. As they walked, she chatted casually with Lin: "How are things going with that girl named Sakura? You took advantage of her situation, so at least don't treat her like a maid."
"...She has great potential. With a little guidance, she should be able to surpass me." Lin pondered Sakura overall performance. She was meeting expectations. "However, her ingrained work habits mean she lacks experience dealing with large Honkai Beasts."
"Surpass you? Aren't you being too modest?" Himeko was used to Lin self-deprecating nature. His combat record was unparalleled, even in the eyes of a veteran like her.
"No, I'm serious. In fact, not just Sakura, but some of the new recruits recently enlisted by the Fire Moth have exceptionally high aptitude. The average strength is no longer a reliable standard for measurement." Lin analyzed seriously. "Perhaps the Honkai is also facilitating the progress of humanity, and humans themselves are starting to change."
What Lin experienced most profoundly was the recent surge of Emperor-class Honkai Beasts. A disaster of this magnitude, comparable to a major Honkai Eruption, should have cost the already rebuilding Fire Moth a significant price to resolve. Yet, it ended quite quickly.
Afterward, he specifically requested the medical reports of the newly expanded recruits of the Fire Moth and found that over half of them had achieved excellent levels of Honkai energy adaptability.
Humanity was gradually adapting to Honkai energy.
"In that case, humanity will have more opportunities, too."
"…" Lin lowered his head silently, offering no response to Himeko.
More opportunities?
For some reason, he recalled the unfinished sentence of the Lin from the simulation of the previous civilization: "Later, I utilized Honkai energy, and human technology experienced a leapfrog explosion of growth, but I didn't expect that what awaited us was...".
The intensity of major Honkai Eruptions was increasing, and they even possessed the characteristic of giving birth to specific Herrschers to counter humanity. What would happen if humanity surpassed the Honkai itself in utilizing Honkai energy?
"The concert venue should be just ahead, right? That's quite extravagant."
Lin looked over as well. The magnificent semi-circular building was certainly eye-catching. It was one of Australia's landmark buildings, where large speeches and performances were held, and the place Eden chose to visit every year.
Most of the pedestrian traffic around them was heading toward the venue. Whether it was an illusion or not, the previously lifeless city suddenly seemed to burst with vitality. Smiles appeared on the faces of people passing by, discussing what kind of performance Eden would put on this time, as if they didn't even feel the heat.
"Explosive popularity... But how did you get to know a celebrity like her?"
Lin silently dialed a number, then, guided by someone, led Himeko backstage at the venue.
"Why did you suddenly say you were adding another person? Didn't that pink-haired girl say she wasn't coming... Huh? It's not her?" The manager met Lin, looking exasperated. She immediately spotted Himeko next to Lin. The vibrant red hair was clearly not the Sakura from last time.
Lin calmly glossed over it: "I apologize. She is my friend. I hope you can accommodate her."
"Well, it's not impossible... Fine, just come in."
Upon entering the preparation room, Eden, wearing light makeup, smiled and met Lin gaze.
"My friend, welcome."
"I apologize."
"It's alright. I don't think appreciating art requires a threshold, but the laws of the market are not something I can decide." Eden's gaze briefly lingered on the curious Himeko before settling on Lin empty right sleeve. "Mr. Lin, your right hand..."
"Yes, there was a slight accident," Lin answered frankly.
"...That is truly sad and regrettable," Eden whispered sorrowfully.
Because Eden was not part of the Fire Moth, Lin decided not to disclose internal information, so he didn't explain that he could be healed upon returning to Headquarters.
"Then please take your seats with your friend."
"I hope this will be a performance you won't forget."