Chapter 14: Humanoid Weapon Research Society

“It can now be confirmed that a void rift has been torn open by an unknown force, and over thirty Otherworld Beasts have appeared in the Tian Tan City Central First Middle School campus, along with the simultaneous presence of multiple Bloodkin.”

“Hmm, good, the situation is clear. But, Xiao Zi, you stand down first.”

“Huh? Big sis, why?”

“The current situation involves not only low-level Otherworld Beasts but also Bloodkin, making it extremely dangerous. We will deploy Tina. As a humanoid weapon, she has no life limitations; as long as the damage rate is below 80%, she can be fully repaired.”

On the rooftop of a department store.

The howling wind continuously swept past, gently fluttering Su Xiao Zi’s long hair and skirt.

From here, the entire Tian Tan City Central First Middle School campus was visible, the once bustling campus now shrouded in an eerie silence, accompanied by constantly rising thick smoke.

She held the communicator to her ear, questioning the instructions.

Su Xiao Zi pressed the communicator to her ear, her voice tinged with unwillingness: “Why do you always send Little Tina? She’s our friend too; we can’t push all the danger onto her!”

“Xiao Zi,” the Chief Officer’s voice softened, but remained firm.

“We belong to the Humanoid Weapon Research Society, unlike the Exterminator organization. Using high-energy technology to combat Otherworld Beasts and Bloodkin is our most basic combat method.”

“But!” Su Xiao Zi wanted to argue, but suddenly felt a cool little hand gently rest on her wrist.

Tina, standing beside her, held a small laser cannon, her face expressionless, her mechanical pupils showing no ripples.

She spoke in a flat tone, “The Chief Officer’s directive has high rationality. According to current data analysis, Tina’s deployment is the optimal solution.”

“Little Tina, why are you always like this too!”

Su Xiao Zi frowned, her voice tinged with helplessness and heartache, “Every dangerous mission, they send you. Can’t you protest a little, pay attention to your own safety?”

Tina tilted her head slightly, her internal calculation core rapidly whirring, trying to parse Su Xiao Zi’s words.

Moments later, she responded mechanically, “Tina is a cyborg, incomplete, unable to understand Big Sister Xiao Zi’s words. Tina was born for battle. If commands are not obeyed, her reason for existence is lost, and she should be destroyed.”

Su Xiao Zi rubbed her forehead, frustrated, and reached out to gently stroke Tina’s head.

Tina let out a soft “hmm,” her eyes filled with confusion.

“Don’t call me Vice Officer anymore; call me Big Sister Xiao Zi.”

Su Xiao Zi said softly, “In my eyes, you’re like a little sister.”

“Directive recorded,” Tina’s mechanical pupils remained unmoving, “Henceforth, the address ‘Big Sister Xiao Zi’ will be used to prevent operational plan errors due to the exposure of Vice Officer identity.”

Su Xiao Zi sighed helplessly, looking at her reflection in Tina’s eyes—a face full of distress.

“It’s not about identity exposure,” she gently explained, “I just want to be closer to you, Little Tina.”

“Closer?” Tina’s tone carried a hint of confusion, “Tina is a cyborg, without human emotions. Calculations yield no answer, unable to understand.”

Su Xiao Zi stared at the expressionless face for a long time, finally, as if surrendering, her tone shifted to a command.

“Tina, deploy immediately. Objective: Clear all Otherworld Beasts within the Tian Tan City Central First Middle School campus. If more than two Bloodkin are encountered, initiate emergency retreat immediately.”

“Received Big Sister Xiao Zi’s combat directive, understood. Tina deploying immediately.”

As soon as the words fell, a low mechanical hum came from Tina’s side, steam jetted, and the two turbine devices on her back activated. She leaped up, transforming into a streak of light, and sped towards the school campus.

Su Xiao Zi gazed at Tina’s retreating figure, a wave of unease rising in her heart.

She pressed the communicator again, speaking to the other end: “Big sis, next time we need to apply to the main Research Society to equip Little Tina with more powerful weapons. That way, not only will it enhance her combat effectiveness, but it will also put my mind at ease a little.”

“Understood,” the Chief Officer responded.

“I will do my best to advocate for it upstairs. Xiao Zi, you also be careful. The Bloodkin appearing in Tian Tan City this time might be a premeditated action. We will clarify the situation as soon as possible.”

Su Xiao Zi nodded slightly, her gaze still fixed on the distant campus.

“Okay, please do. Ah, someone’s calling—”

She looked down, her phone screen lit up, “Oh, it’s big brother calling. Looks like that guy is fine. Well, when it comes to escaping, he’s the fastest; it’s quite reassuring.”