Honkai: Strijder

Chapter 17

The next day, early in the morning.

Vira, who always sleeps and wakes up early, rubbed her sleepy eyes and walked downstairs to the living room, but there was no sign of Kiana.

Of course, this was normal. Kiana liked to sleep in, sometimes waking up one or two hours late, or even oversleeping and being kicked out of the house by Sigurd's order. It was a common occurrence.

"Good morning, Big Brother Sigurd."

"Morning."

Sigurd was engrossed in the notebook computer on the table. The black metallic sheen of the computer's body was wider and more solid than the laptop Vira usually saw. On the left and right sides of the body, there were also a row of transparent protruding ports of various sizes, the purpose of which Vira didn't know.

He wasn't typing on the keyboard but rather assembling the computer.

After the remaining two or three parts on the side were installed, Sigurd closed the laptop and placed his palm gently on the top.

Click!

With the sound of mechanical electronics, the sci-fi protrusions on both sides of the computer retracted into the body, and the entire body shrank by a circle amid the mechanical sound, with many irregular protruding parts disappearing.

Looking again, this slim and thin notebook, except for the improved color and texture, and being sealed without ventilation or USB ports, was basically a common business laptop.

This was the mainframe that Sigurd had conceived for a long time.

Regarding the power of Honkai and the related black technology, Schicksal and Anti-Entropy were the experts. As an inexperienced amateur, even with the advantage of superior knowledge, it would still take him many years to catch up with them starting from scratch.

Not to mention Otto, Tesla, Einstein, and other geniuses who were continuously advancing!

Therefore, exploring their network data was like night grass growing for a horse without a night, and unexpected fortune for someone without a windfall.

With his superior intellect, Sigurd had absolute confidence in real-time code and data battles in network offense and defense. However, the performance of the computer as a weapon would determine whether he could extract data without leaving a trace, without being pursued by Otto or the people from Anti-Entropy.

It was impossible to find a computer on the market that met the criteria. Even renowned manufacturers couldn't produce a computer that could rival Schicksal and Anti-Entropy—unless you sought out a company affiliated with Schicksal or Anti-Entropy, but that would be walking into a trap.

That's why Sigurd designed this computer.

In the short term, Sigurd couldn't manually create a complete high-end production line that met his requirements. Many materials had to be ordered from the market. And with the technological capabilities of conventional manufacturers, this computer was already optimized.

In fact, the materials had arrived two days ago, but Sigurd hadn't had the time to assemble it completely.

Having spent the night without sleep, he had spent a long time under the moonlight, and then he used the remaining half of the night to complete the final modifications and assembly.

"It's already enough. It's impossible to even think about comparing it to the mainframes of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy. But computer performance is just a foundation; the key lies in myself."

Whether it's Kiana, the troublemaker, or Vira, the well-behaved one, they are both distractions.

Sigurd looked at Vira blankly, then furrowed his brow.

How far will Kiana go on this journey? Will she still follow the original story and meet with Raiden Mei in the City of Dreams?

She probably will.

The Third Honkai Impact would greatly accelerate the Awakening progress of the Void Drifter, and Theresa, the Aunt Mei, and St. Freya Academy were crucial in building emotional bonds for Kiana to complete the "sacrificing important people to awaken the true nature of the Valkyrie" plan.

No matter how you think about it, it's hard to imagine the encounters in the original plot without Otto's hidden manipulation.

Thinking of this, Sigurd couldn't help but look at Vira, who appeared crestfallen. According to that plan, Sigurd and Vira were also suitable sacrifices. Sooner or later—no, perhaps they were already on Otto's list of sacrificial candidates.

Especially after Sigurd handed the Honkai Energy Bullets and the two vials of reagent to Kiana.

Regular black technology was one thing, but any technology involving Honkai energy would inevitably attract the attention of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy.

"Seriously, even though I planned to stay away from those troubles as much as possible, why did I hand over something so sensitive?"

"Kiana..."

Sigurd chewed on that name, his hand stroking Vira's head, and for a moment, he felt like he was patting that peculiar white furball.

It felt like the next moment, that guy would lift his head, blink his big watery eyes, and shamelessly ask Sigurd for toys or treats.

And then, Sigurd's mouth curved slightly.

"Schicskal? Anti-Entropy? If they want to find me, let them come."

He didn't regret or fear it anymore.

Before Sigurd could fully understand why his attitude had changed, Vira sighed and looked up.

"Although I miss Big Sis Kiana, Vira will be strong. Big Sis Kiana also said that Vira is the cutest when she smiles! The same goes for you, Big Brother Sigurd, don't be too sad."

Sigurd was momentarily speechless and then replied expressionlessly, "Why should I be sad about getting rid of that troublesome brat? I'm actually very happy. Look, I even managed to assemble this troublesome computer."

"Yes, yes, Big Brother Sigurd is not sad at all. Then let's have breakfast together, shall we? Today is Saturday, and Papa will come to see me later."

"Fine, let's eat. No more mention of that willful brat."

Sigurd said so and looked to the side. Icarus had already set up breakfast.

The breakfast was eaten in an unusually quiet manner, which was quite unusual.