I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era-Chapter 71: Daily

Ryan realized he'd miscalculated; his custom treatment plan for Mobius seemed effective; at least she hadn't mentioned studying Herrscher remains again.

However, she seemed to have developed a new symptom; for over two weeks, her invasive gaze made his scalp tingle, forcing him to sleep with one eye open, fearing she might harm him.

Apart from that gaze, Mobius was normal. She wasn't affectionate or seductive; they even argued less.

She simply observed, her curiosity growing.

The "warrior fusion project" progressed rapidly; Mobius essentially had a superhuman assistant; further acceleration would imply intellectual deficiency.

Possessing Authority, Path, and top-tier theoretical knowledge, Ryan was, in a way, better suited for practical research than Mei; his physical strength allowed him to work tirelessly for days before needing a break.

Trial, error, adjustment, replication, repeated trials.

The research was tedious and monotonous, making one feel robotic, yet it wasn't as simple as tightening screws; occasional breakthroughs—minor adjustments to a gene sequence—could save significant time.

Over time, a synergy developed; Mobius directed and adjusted; Ryan operated and extracted data. Even failed experiments were worthy of significant awards in Mu Continent biology.

Ryan even enjoyed this feeling; fifty-five gene mutations, eight basic purification methods, and hundreds of millions of gene sequences; each adjustment represented the unknown, then, through repeated experiments, transforming the unknown into the known.

He didn't actively pursue it; it was a Pathstrider's instinct—repeating ideals and concepts, exploring the unknown, seeking Truth, connecting the future.

Immersed in his research, absorbing Mobius's knowledge, he could independently adjust genes.

Everything was perfect; Ryan grew accustomed to this life; this underground world was ideal; no interruptions, perfect facilities; when tired of research, he could play games or write novels.

Mobius was poor, but instant ramen and instant coffee were sufficient; Ryan wasn't picky.

He still slept with one eye open; a man had to protect himself.

"It feels odd, but this is everyday life now."

After uploading a Chapter and discussing the plot with readers, Ryan contentedly propped his feet on the table, sipping coffee.

The metal ceiling, surrounded by flickering electronic lights, had a unique atmosphere; he even had time to ponder his novel's plot.

He should write about the Sixth Apostle; monsters destroying fleets were easy to write; he'd seen it.

He chuckled, concentrating a small amount of electricity in his palm, compressing and solidifying it into a tiny blade. This was truly capable of cutting through steel; an aircraft carrier deck would be like tofu.

I've become a monster.

Possessing Authority, his life level had fundamentally increased; logically, he should be an outcast, yet someone cherished him.

Good thing Mobius is intelligent. She's greedy, but she won't attack. If I can make her a Pathstrider, I'll be free.

Ryan sipped his coffee, smiling involuntarily. They'd lived together for nearly a month; trust had blossomed into synergy, strengthened through their experiments.

If she became a Pathstrider, 'Erudition' and 'Permanence' would be the best fit. Of course, compared to the freaks in Herta's club, she still had some way to go.

Given her talent and personality, she could surpass anyone.

Damn it, why do I have such faith in her?

Ryan snapped out of it, seeing the empty ramen on the table. She thinks she can become a Pathstrider with just ramen? Before initiating discipleship, I should teach her some manners.

"Ryan, help!"

Mobius's voice interrupted his thoughts. Ryan quickly dispelled the lightning; he didn't want her to see him drooling.

"What is it?"

He turned to see Mobius and Klein struggling to carry something; Ryan instinctively helped. It was a three-seater sofa.

The fabric sofa was somewhat old but clean. They carried it into the break room.

Mobius wiped her brow, grumbling. "It's because you're so busy; the break room needed some decoration. I had Klein get it from a secondhand market."

Ryan was stunned, remembering mentioning needing a better break room a few days ago.

Mobius actually remembered such a casual remark; that was impressive!

"I gave you 20,000 Euros, and this is what you bought?"

20,000 Euros! He could buy several top-of-the-line PX5s! He glanced down the corridor, confirming there was nothing else.

I used my money to decorate her lair, and she dared to embezzle funds.

Mobius was shameless and smug. "What do you mean 'junk'? It took Klein, who has three doctorates, half a day to find it. 20,000 Euros for her expertise is nothing."

Your sophistry is impressive; such a clever angle.

Ryan's eye twitched. "Fine, return the remaining money."

"It's gone. I had Klein bring back some worn-out equipment."

"You said she was working for me."

"It was incidental. You're the subject; I'm the object. Haven't you taken a dialectical philosophy course?"

Klein watched the bickering pair; Ryan looked ready to devour Mobius; Mobius stood smugly, seemingly impervious to any consequences. Klein weakly raised her hand.

"Doctor, may I take a break?"

Ryan had insisted on a break; Mobius couldn't argue and relented. She waved dismissively.

"Go. Be back in the lab at midnight."

Huh? It's only 5 PM.

Klein glanced at the digital clock, afraid to provoke Mobius; she silently left.

As soon as she was gone, the usually strong-willed Mobius smiled and approached Ryan.

"Don't be so petty. Look, I brought watermelon seeds; a snack."

"Cut it out. Are your watermelon rinds made of gold, or are the seeds made of gold?" Ryan avoided being manipulated, taking a step back, then rubbing his temples. "If this continues, I'll be broke."

Ryan wasn't wealthy, but since meeting Mobius, his funds had dwindled rapidly.

"Expenditures for science are worthwhile." Seeing Ryan about to protest, Mobius quickly sat down, patting the sofa. "Come, try it. I chose this sofa myself; good quality and cheap."

Really? 20,000 Euros for good quality and cheap? And you said Klein bought it?

Ryan was puzzled but couldn't argue; he sat down. Perhaps because his wallet was bleeding, the dilapidated sofa felt as comfortable as a spaceship seat.

The height was perfect; it was comfortable... and that was it.

"A sofa isn't enough; I'm sleepy; I'll go to my room."

"Having me around is a great benefit."

Ryan tilted his head, seeing Mobius lying comfortably on the sofa, looking lazy; her slender legs were crossed; she was stroking a strand of hair by her ear.

Her stockings were sheer, revealing her pale calves; her skirt clung to her hips, outlining her curves.

Ryan stared at her, noticing Mobius subtly adjusting her skirt; he smirked.

Ha ha.

Without a word, Mobius sat up, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at him.

"You're mocking me again!"

"Is your appearance worth 20,000 Euros? Do you think you're made of gold? Fine, I don't want to argue."

He stood, moving the sofa to face a large plasma screen—Mobius's conferencing equipment—about 100 inches wide. He connected his notebook, then turned off the lights.

"What are you doing?" Mobius peeked out from behind the sofa.

"Recycling resources. At least I can recoup some of that 20,000 Euros." Ryan didn't look up, focusing on his computer.

Confused.

Mobius didn't understand; the screen flickered, displaying his notebook; he opened a browser, entering a website; a page loaded.

A new blockbuster? What were those pop-up windows? What did "beautiful girl online poker" mean? And what was a "fruit chat"?

"Ahem, even if there's a virus, it can't penetrate your firewall." Ryan put down the wireless mouse, slowly scrolling. Seeing Mobius's puzzled expression, he said, "Don't you understand?"

"Isn't it just a movie? I'm not interested in fakes. I remember the last time I watched..." The woman faltered; she couldn't recall; was it a Fire Moth event?

Ah, she's as bored as I am.

Ryan knew Mobius's habits; she had no hobbies besides surgery and research; relaxation was nonexistent.

"Do you know why I insisted on a break?" Ryan took the watermelon, expertly cutting it into pieces, offering one to Mobius. "Obsessing over something isn't good; life should be diverse."

"Tedious; an excuse to waste time."

"Don't be contradictory. A change of pace is good for research." Ryan took a piece of watermelon, relaxing. Following Kevin's recommendation, he randomly selected a movie.

Rumble—

The sound of heavy rain echoed from the connected speakers; the image on the screen flickered; the camera focused on the male protagonist; Mobius, who had been somewhat dismissive, raised an eyebrow.

She was focused; even her internal contradictions vanished as the film began; her attention was captivated.

The film's pacing was fast; the protagonist, a former assassin, returned for revenge, eliminating gang members; the shooting scenes were professional; gunfire echoed throughout.

Kevin was right; Give Me My Normal Life was excellent.

Ryan was engrossed; he'd planned to relax; action films were his choice; romantic or art-house films were too boring; action-romance films too uncouth.

During a brief lull in the action, he glanced at Mobius; she was eating watermelon, her eyes glued to the screen. He saw something unusual in her expression?

"Ha ha, so much for being strong-willed; you're clearly engrossed."

"What did you say?" Mobius turned, pausing momentarily before replying. "I just think you're right; occasional breaks help with inspiration. Besides, watching these people fight is interesting."

She mimicked a gun-holding stance; it was unusual for her; she enjoyed the spectacle.

That's why I didn't choose Virus Crisis; having experts around to tease me is annoying.

Ryan felt his choice was excellent. Though the fight scenes were amateurish for professionals like him, it was about enjoying the spectacle.

He noticed Mobius massaging her calves; he was sure she'd chosen the sofa. But this time, he refrained from teasing.

"Sore calves?"

"Yes, a little." Mobius didn't look away; realizing her slip, she quickly explained. "I worked too hard these past two days; I've been standing for too long."

"Come, let me massage them. I learned some techniques." Ryan ignored her explanation; Mobius stared at him, surprised; he shrugged. "Fine, if you don't want."

"It's nothing; Klein sometimes massages my shoulders. Let's be clear; there's no payment."

Can't you be any less stingy?

Ryan was about to tease her when he saw a pair of slender legs extending onto his lap, as if fearing he'd demand payment.

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Warm and soft; he could see her delicate toes through her stockings; they were twitching playfully.

It was undeniably appealing.

Ryan raised his hand, gently kneading her calf muscles, experiencing the soft, silken texture. As he massaged, her leg moved restlessly against his hand.

Slender, shapely, perfectly toned.

"Mmm——"

"Don't make those suggestive sounds."

"It's just a little itchy; it's unusual."

"Itchy? Should I give you a nerve-calming shock?"

"Go ahead... Ow, ow, ow... Lighter, lighter." Mobius flinched but her leg remained held; just as she was about to scold him, Ryan switched to gentle strokes; his technique was expert.

"Aching and tingling; it feels good, doesn't it?"

Mobius didn't reply, rotating her ankle; the soreness seemed to have lessened; she watched Ryan quietly.

He continued kneading her leg, his gaze fixed on the screen, his profile illuminated and shadowed.

It felt... quite nice?

She didn't know why she was wasting time, resting her head on the pillow, enjoying the tingling sensation while watching the movie.

Silence descended; after a couple of hours, Mobius felt her eyelids growing heavy; she shifted, settling completely onto the sofa.

Fine, a little rest.

Rat-tat-tat...

Gunfire continued; the film ended, automatically playing Give Me My Normal Life II; Ryan's massage slowed, his eyelids growing heavy.

Since leaving Chiba Academy, he'd hunted in Japan, then dueled the Third Herrscher; aside from fighting, he'd been immersed in the lab; he'd forgotten when he'd last relaxed and watched a movie.

Sheesh, even an action movie couldn't keep her awake.

He glanced at Mobius; she lay on the sofa, clutching a pillow, sleeping soundly.

I'm getting sleepy too. He didn't pause the movie; he listened to the dialogue, slowly closing his eyes. After a couple of seconds, he suddenly opened them.

Hesitantly, he lifted Mobius's delicate right leg to his nose and sniffed.

No odor?

Ryan found this unscientific; he scratched her foot; Mobius smacked her lips, instinctively retracting her leg; he chuckled.

Possessing top-tier equipment, researching cutting-edge topics, yet he found even watching a movie novel.

She was, at times, quite endearing, especially when asleep.

"Ah, time for fishing. Odd, I seem to have gotten caught."

He yawned, slowly closing his eyes. Even with Mobius nearby, he'd forgotten his usual caution.

The digital clock struck midnight, yet the break room screen still flickered, the dialogue continuing.

Trouble. Late.

Klein hurried into the room, expecting a scolding; she froze seeing the action movie; she tiptoed to the sofa.

She peeked over and her eyes widened.

Watermelon rinds littered the floor; Dr. Mobius and Dr. Ryan were sprawled across the sofa, snoring softly; her slender legs rested on Ryan's shoulders, almost as if on his face.

Klein was surprised. Knowing the doctors' habits, midnight was the earliest they'd be finished, not asleep. Quickly, her expression turned joyful.

She'd seen a human side of Mobius, and it seemed she'd benefited as well.

If the doctors can balance work and life, I'm the biggest beneficiary.

Klein looked at Ryan with gratitude, then jumped as Mobius shifted; her leg was almost in Ryan's mouth; she didn't dare intervene.

Perhaps Dr. Ryan enjoys this sort of thing.

She tiptoed away, patting her chest in relief; her mood improved.