Starting from the Collapse World, I became the behind-the-scenes boss

"It... seems very hungry?"

Bronya hesitated before speaking, sizing up the assassins staring intently at them from ten meters away.

Although the other person's eyes were filled with savagery and a desire to destroy everything, she still sensed a certain yearning from the assassin.

This reminded the girl of the black bear she encountered in the snowy plains during winter.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is probably a destructive weapon that can induce Honkai energy crystals to cause destruction by placing them."

Shihen said.

Under normal circumstances, assassins would indiscriminately attack humans.

This is the highest command rooted in all decaying creations.

They were created specifically to destroy civilization.

But this assassin... only had eyes for them, and didn't care at all about the black-clad men lying on the ground around them.

There is no doubt that the other side has its eyes on the Honkai energy within them.

The intense craving for Honkai energy is also an instinct inherent in Honkai creations.

"Bronya, Seele, will you believe me?"

Seeing the assassins who seemed unable to contain their desire and were about to launch an attack, Shihen suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Completely confused by what the two were saying, Seele was bewildered when she was suddenly called out. Then, she belatedly nodded and said, "I believe in the captain."

There seems to be little doubt about Shihen's own strength or the opponent's cautious behavior of calling for reinforcements before the battle even begins.

"..." Bronya was silent for a few seconds. Trust was a luxury in Siberia, but considering Shihen's strength and performance, the girl finally nodded slightly. "Bronya is willing to believe as well."

"it is good."

Nodding, Shihen glanced at the assassin who had crouched down and entered a charging state, then lightly scratched Xier's arm with the tip of his left finger, and bright red blood immediately flowed out along the girl's slender arm.

In an instant, the assassins' eyes widened, their dark golden pupils reflecting only Seele's image.

Theoretically speaking, Seele contains the largest amount of Honkai energy among the three, making her the most coveted prey for assassins.

Especially when the girl is injured and bleeding, the overwhelming scent of Honkai energy is enough to burn away the little remaining rationality of the assassin.

Therefore, the assassin immediately put aside all his worries and pounced on Seele at top speed, his ten claws extending like ten black swords.

But what awaited it the next second was not a sweet and delicious prey, but a crimson greatsword.

Instead of engaging the assassin head-on, Time Trace controlled the thermal sword and pierced the opponent's chest, the intense heat relentlessly destroying all the assassin's organs.

But the suicide soldier's vitality is ultimately tenacious, so it still has the strength to launch a final attack.

Following the crimson greatsword that had pierced through him, the assassin stared intently at the boy who was right in front of him, his five sharp claws thrusting forward with all their might.

The two bodies were connected by the heat sword, and Shihen even had to maintain the weapon's output, so the five sharp claws tore through the energy shield without any surprise, and with their remaining force, pierced through the boy's chest.

This is the consequence of not slowly whittling down a boss's health.

"The equipment department's stuff is really unreliable..."

With his last breath, Shihen murmured a sentence and then fell backward.

"team leader!"

She cried out in surprise. Ignoring her own bleeding arm, Seele quickly supported the boy's slumped body.

"..."

Bronya was stunned as she stared at the scene before her.

When Shihen scratched Seele's arm, she thought the other party wanted to use Seele as bait, and her anger flared up instantly.

After all, when she was a mercenary in Siberia, she was a ruthless person who often betrayed her teammates, and she didn't hesitate to do such things.

Before she could even react, it was all over.

Those who cannot complete the task are called useless.

But if you can't even protect your comrades, then you're worse than trash.

Bronya was lost in thought as the boy's words inexplicably came to mind.

In her value system, there is no such thing as teammates or companions.

Therefore, when Xing gets in her way, she can knock her down without hesitation.

If she were in Shihen's position, sacrificing Xier would undoubtedly be the best option, because even she could see which one the assassins desired most.

But no, Shihen didn't wait for the best opportunity for the assassins to launch a sneak attack; instead, he chose to confront them head-on.

Bronya did not believe that the other party would ignore the risks behind this behavior.

But the boy did it anyway.

Just to... protect them?

In an instant, Bronya couldn't help but recall the day she first arrived at the orphanage, when Seele handed her a bowl of steaming beet soup.

That warmth that penetrates to the core, how similar it is to today.

"Captain! Captain! Wake up..."

As she watched the boy's blood gushing from his chest, Shihen's body seemed to grow colder. Xier couldn't help but cry out, large tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Seele, the captain..."

Bronya spoke, her voice tinged with sadness.

Based on her years of experience as a mercenary, the girl could easily tell that Shihen was beyond saving.

The assassin's attack damaged the boy's lungs; he has at most a few more minutes to live.

"No! It can't be! It's impossible!"

Shaking her head vigorously, Seele refused to accept any of this.

Despite having only known each other for a few days, Shihen was willing to risk his life to protect them.

How could such a good person accept this outcome?!

In her emotional turmoil, the girl herself didn't even notice that a crack had appeared in the white ring surrounding the stigmata on her chest.

In the darkness, feeling that intense longing, a shadow couldn't help but curl its lips into a mocking smile.

"You actually pray for power for a guy like that?"

"Since that's the case, then I'll reluctantly grant your wish..."

A voice resounded in Seele's heart, and the stigma on the girl's chest immediately emitted a strong white light.

Amidst the dazzling light, a massive, silver-white scythe slowly materialized from the girl's hand.

High in the distance, an armed helicopter was speeding toward them, while a woman in military uniform with golden curly hair and a stunning figure gazed at the night sky with a somber expression.

Chapter 81 The Truth and the Mastermind

Ah, the strange ceiling.

Looking at the snow-white sky above him, Shihen felt no emotion whatsoever.

He's the man destined to become the ultimate boss of this world.

boom!

The door was suddenly flung open, and a blonde woman rushed in. Looking at the black-haired boy lying on the hospital bed, she couldn't help but feel distressed: "Hen, you're finally awake. How are you feeling?"

Although she rushed into the ward quickly, the woman spoke very gently, as if afraid that raising her voice would worsen the boy's injuries.

"Ms. Cocolia?" Shihen looked at the woman, a perfectly timed expression of surprise on his face. After frowning and pondering for a few seconds, he seemed to finally realize what was happening before speaking, "I'm fine, just a little weak. How are Bronya and the others?"

A qualified team leader must always put the safety of their team members first.

“Bronya and the others are fine, and Seele, the worst off, is just overexertion. But you…” Cocolia sighed, her fists clenching and anger flashing across her face, “You’ve been unconscious for a whole week!”

"so long?"

Shihen was surprised.

"You're too badly injured. Even Seele... Oh, right, you don't know that yet, do you?"

After you fell unconscious, Seele suddenly awakened the power of her Stigmata and performed emergency treatment on you, which allowed you to hold on until the rescue arrived.

Cocolia explained, a look of lingering fear on her face.

If Seele hadn't miraculously awakened, then the scars...

Thinking of the consequences, Cocolia's anger intensified.

Of course, she would never have imagined that even if Seele hadn't awakened, Shihen would still be able to survive until reinforcements arrived.

Don't ask why, just ask the power of miracles.

In any case, after a certain period of time, Shihen will also become one of those rare Saint Mark Awakeners, and at that time, everything that seems unreasonable will appear to be perfectly reasonable.

Without sufficient power, how can he fight alongside these cheating players in the future?

"Stigmata?"

Shihen asked in confusion, while secretly sensing his own hands.

Yes, the bandages on my hand have indeed been removed.

However, for Shihen, who has been at the Tianyuan realm for almost a year, temporarily hiding the holy mark pattern is not a difficult task.

However, once the power used reaches a certain level, this concealment will instantly become ineffective.

Therefore, bandages should still be applied when necessary, and both hands should be bandaged.

This makes it more symmetrical and easier to find an excuse.

Not everyone is as easily fooled as Kiana.

Sigh, it's the first day I've missed the white fluffy dumpling.

“Yes, the Stigmata.” Cocolia nodded gently, a hint of guilt on her face. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before that Seele is a natural Stigmata owner.”

"If I also had a Holy Mark, I certainly wouldn't have revealed it so easily."

Shihen shook his head.

He's at least risen to the rank of colonel, and his public persona is that of a model student, so it's only natural that he understands the importance of natural stigmata.

"If it were you, you would definitely choose to use this power to protect more people."

Cocolia shook her head, clearly not believing the boy's explanation.

“This is the thought that Mr. Walter left us.” Shihen did not deny this praise. “One person’s struggle should be connected with the happiness of the majority.”

"Yes, if everyone had your level of awareness..."

Upon hearing the boy's words, Cocolia couldn't help but sigh.

Although she didn't particularly like the conservatives' style, it was undeniable that Walter had considerable appeal, especially to idealistic young people like Shihen.

Unfortunately, the young man's passion was worthless in the eyes of some.

Thinking of that bastard who secretly altered the mission information, Cocolia wished she could tear him to pieces.

“But Mr. Walter also said that we must tolerate the differences of others.” Leaning back against the headboard, Shihen smiled brightly. “As long as we keep fighting, we will eventually attract other like-minded people to join us.”

"Y-really?"

Cocolia's lips twitched slightly.

Having been with Anti-Entropy for so many years, how come she doesn't remember Walter saying such a thing?

Besides, you brat, you've never even seen Walter's real face, have you?

But seeing the smile on the boy's pale face, Cocolia didn't have the heart to refute him.

After all, Walter is the other person's dream; how could she shatter a child's dream?

crunch--

As Shihen and the other person were playing Walter, the door to the ward opened once again.