Honkai: Strijder

Chapter 9

The next day.

As agreed, Sigurd bought a small cake from the most famous cake shop in the town for Kiana. Then he led her to a forbidden place, a place forbidden for minors according to common knowledge.

An internet cafe

Kiana threw the empty cake box into the trash can at the entrance of the internet cafe.

She asked, "Internet cafe? Why are we coming to a place like this? Do you want to go online?"

Sigurd handed her a tissue.

"Yes. Also, wipe your mouth."

Kiana obediently wiped the cream off her mouth. She watched as Sigurd paid and rented two computers. Then, following the owner's instructions, the two of them entered the internet cafe.

"The internet is a virtual world that gathers various information from the real world, bringing together the knowledge that measures the entire real world and possessing the power to manipulate it."

As they walked, Sigurd explained to Kiana.

The current year was 2012, and excluding organizations like Anti-Entropy and World Serpent, the world's technological development level was roughly similar to his original world. The Internet's popularity was not low, but it was far from being as developed as Sigurd remembered.

Even so, there were already many things that could be done through the Internet.

Kiana's expression was one of confusion.

Her apparent age was 12, but in reality, she had only been in contact with this world for a little over three years. It was already good enough that she knew the concepts of computers and the Internet. How could she truly understand the power of the Internet?

"Do you know how to use a computer?"

"Well, I've seen it but never used it."

"What about reading?"

"Just a little, I understand a little."

Kiana smiled awkwardly and made a gesture with her hand indicating "a little."

Kiana had a showy personality, and she didn't understand modesty. So this gesture definitely didn't mean "the universe at my fingertips." Her "a little" was truly just "a little," maybe even less than what most people would consider "a little."

"It doesn't matter, take your time to figure it out."

As long as she patiently passed the time next to him, Sigurd didn't expect her to be of much help.

They sat down, turned on the computers, and on the surface of the desktop, there was a language that Sigurd had already grasped a rough understanding of.

Sigurd held the mouse and the first step was to learn the input method, then he started learning the operating system's logic.

About an hour passed.

After an hour, Sigurd reviewed and thoroughly understood the underlying logic of the operating system, mastering almost all the functions that the desktop system could achieve, including many functions that ordinary people might not encounter in their entire lives.

Sigurd leaned back and stretched his waist.

Understanding it was not difficult, but it required concentration and focus. He was a bit tired.

He glanced at the neighboring computer where Kiana had a chat window open.

'Not bad!'

Sigurd thought to himself.

The chat platform was already on the desktop, indicating that its popularity was quite good.

Kiana, at this moment, was biting her lower lip, her chubby little hands clumsily typing on the keyboard, very slow but very focused.

"But... what does it feel like? Does it really feel that good?"

Kiana blinked her curious big eyes.

At that moment, Sigurd felt his face turning green.

Any normal adult would turn green when faced with such questions from a little girl, especially when Sigurd knew that Kiana's actual age was only three or four years old!

"...I'll find some materials for you to study systematically. It's about time for you to learn some physiological knowledge considering your situation."

In Kiana's case, this stage roughly corresponds to a twelve-year-old girl, so it would be appropriate for her to learn about it.

Kiana finally seemed to settle down.

But Sigurd let out a deep sigh.

Let's call it a day.

Even though it had only been half a day, he felt mentally exhausted.

And, he never wanted to take Kiana to an internet cafe ever again!

...

Eating, shopping, buying a computer... finding educational materials.

That was the main agenda for Sigurd and Kiana in the afternoon.

The cheerful Kiana devoured three ice creams, two fruit juices, and several other desserts.

Sigurd didn't dwell on her appetite; his main concern was why she enjoyed eating ice cream so much in such cold weather.

Despite that, in the evening, as Sigurd was taking a bath, his stomach growled again, and Kiana, who was still hungry, planned to sneak out and find something to eat.

"Take the gun. Come back early."

Kiana thought she opened the door secretly, but Sigurd's instructions came from the bathroom.

Kiana shrunk her neck, stuck out her tongue, and replied, "Okay!"

...

After finishing his bath, Sigurd sat on the sofa and brewed a pot of black tea.

Sometimes in life, it's necessary to enjoy moments of tranquility like this.

But after about ten minutes, the door of the hotel room was forcefully kicked open.

Sigurd turned his head.

He saw Kiana rushing in, carrying a trembling young girl on her shoulder.

The young girl had beautiful golden hair, fair skin, and an adorable appearance. But those things were not important. What was important was that her hands and feet were tied with ropes, her hair and clothes were in disarray, and her mouth was taped shut. She was trembling and teary-eyed as Kiana carried her and placed her on the sofa.

Snap!

The teacup in Sigurd's hand fell to the ground.

Just as Kiana was about to reach out to the trembling little girl, Sigurd stopped her with his hand. His expression was complex and weighed down as he said:

"Just from watching a short video, has your unique feeling awakened this early? Kiana, I won't oppose your sexual orientation, but- you have gone down the wrong path! Stop now, there's still time."

Sigurd persuaded her while picking up the landline phone from the table and murmuring to himself:

"What's the emergency number here? And, how many years of imprisonment for kidnapping a minor?"

"Wait! Sigurd, listen to me and let me explain!"