Book 4: Chapter 27: The Lull Between Battles

After forming teams, Apostles could not only accept more impactful group missions affecting otherworldly dimensions, but also enjoy the benefits of the Team Warehouse and Team Channel. However, temporary Apostle teams lacked access to the Team Warehouse, only possessing the Team Channel function.

The so-called Team Channel served as a public platform connecting the Soul Sigils of all team members. It allowed sharing intelligence, assigning tasks, and showcasing equipment within the channel. Of course, members could freely block specific recipients, choosing to communicate solely with chosen allies.

At that moment, inside a lavishly decorated military train car, Lili was privately conversing with Little Lian through this Team Channel.

“Little Lian, do you think they’ll arrive on time?” Lili idly twirled her hair near her temples with a finger, tilting her head towards her companion beside her.

This transgender prisoner with a man’s body and woman’s soul had finally indulged her womanhood in this alien world. While Central European women typically had prominent cheekbones and sharper facial lines, Lili, with her short crop, possessed a delicate, androgynous beauty.

Moreover, good nutrition and exercise within the army shaped the body she inhabited with graceful curves. The ample chest was no less impressive than those of the originally youthful-faced, large-chested Little Lian.

Since their capture by the Allied Forces, several officer guards had voiced their admiration for Lili, overtly or subtly. One was even a Superhuman from the “Justice League,” greatly inflating her pride.

“You’ve asked this several times already. Didn’t Demon King Qin Lun agree with us? We’re doing as he said. He’ll find a way to lure the ‘Gentlemen Alliance’ here!” Little Lian sneaked a peek at Lili’s ample chest, then looked down at her own slight figure.

“Didn’t Demon King Qin Lun say that Shattered Starry Sky specifically selects Plot Characters for Apostles to inhabit, ensuring they’re as similar as possible to the ‘original version’? Why am I stuck in such a ‘mere child’?” Little Lian pouted, her expression gloomy as she muttered under her breath.

The Plot Character Little Lian embodied wasn’t actually a child. On the contrary, the female army medic was a genuine high-achieving medical graduate from Munich Medical University, tragically killed by infection while operating on a wounded soldier—far more accomplished than Little Lian’s meager nursing background.

However, this doctor had dedicated herself entirely to medical research before her death, lacking personal life experience or social skills. Though possessing gentle looks and the homely “girl next door” charm favored by Eastern aesthetics, her petite stature remained firmly within the “girl” category. This didn’t appeal to European male preferences, naturally failing to spark “romantic interests” among male comrades.

Shattered Starry Sky selected inhabitable characters primarily based on the Apostle’s disposition, not appearance. This doctor actually aligned well with Little Lian’s personality.

“I know!” Lili pouted, sounding anxious. “But we gave them false information on Qin Lun’s order. Won’t that be…?”

“Worried the Nazis might punish us later?” Little Lian sounded puzzled. “But we got the task notification too! Even if it was fake, it became real, right? And Qin Lun said once we complete this mission, we can nearly return to Shattered Starry Sky! We won’t have to stick around worrying about the Nazi orders!”

“No, I’m not worried about the Plot Characters…” Lili smiled bitterly. “Einstein is key to this false intel. Without such a central figure, even knowing the true cargo of this military train wouldn’t draw the heavily damaged ‘Gentlemen Alliance’. However, even if Skorzeny and his group show up without meeting Einstein, they probably won’t blame us or Lin Feng. This tip itself had substantial uncertainty. Besides, this train carries other important freight too!”

“Then what else worries you?” Little Lian blinked her large eyes, curious.

“Nothing!” Lili sighed, feeling helpless at her simple-minded friend’s naivete. Naturally, the one who worried her was another Serial Killer—Clown Grant. This false information operation was hidden from the Joker. Such was the sorrow of a small player; destiny wasn’t hers to control. Worse still, she answered to two equally terrifying Serial Killer bosses.

Actually, these two beauties—one true, one blended—didn’t even know this deception didn’t originate from Qin Lun at all, but from Joey. After the major battle, Grant hid the fact that Joey hadn’t reverted to Qin Lun, subtly undermining trust between Qin Lun and Little Lian’s group.

“Little Lian, why do you trust Qin Lun so completely? Though I’m no saint either, compared to these bosses…” Lili frowned. “Aren’t you scared at all?”

“Scared? Why be scared of Qin Lun? He’s not like Joey Foster!” Little Lian shook her head fiercely as if dispelling a nuisance. “You saw for yourself. At the District 91 Base, he saved me once.”

“Oh, ‘Chameleon’ Chekhov!” Lili tilted her head back in memory. She recalled the scene immediately, opening her mouth to speak.

“I know what you’ll say,” Little Lian continued as if bolstering her own conviction. “It was Joey who saved me. But! If Qin Lun hadn’t asked him, why would the ‘Dissector’ ever save me voluntarily! It was Joey who got Hu Fei killed, not Qin Lun! And Qin Lun gave me good advice several times!”

“Believe me, Little Lian! Whether it’s Joey or Qin Lun inside the ‘Dissector’s’ body—neither is trustworthy!” Lili pleaded earnestly.

“I won’t listen! I won’t listen!” Little Lian clapped her hands over her ears, shaking her head as she dashed from the carriage.

“You’ll understand eventually,” Lili whispered to herself, watching Little Lian disappear. “Serial Killers aren’t normal people. Those bosses are simply unreliably. Their dictionary lacks the word ‘comrade’! Actually, after finishing that ‘Savior of Physics’ side quest, we should have returned immediately. This is only our first Otherworld Mission!”

…

When the “Gentlemen Alliance” assaulted the underground shelter, dawn was just breaking. By the time they retreated to the German Intelligence agents’ secret hideout, less than an hour had passed; the sky had barely brightened.

But that intense artillery barrage and close-quarters fight turned Casablanca—garrisoned by American and British troops—into a boiling oil pot. Not only was the entire city under martial law, but even “Justice League” Superhumans joined patrols in shifts.

Skorzeny initially planned to move out at dusk. But intelligence agents outside their perimeter soon sent urgent warnings: they had to depart within half an hour.

German spies could handle extensive military sweeps, but were defenseless against “Justice League” Superhumans. These individuals possessed keen senses, various unusual abilities, and many excelled in psychic manipulation. Even the best German operatives couldn’t withstand their questioning.

Skorzeny understood this perfectly and didn’t pressure his support team. After consulting with Stark, they decided to wait until a Hydra Corps medic treated their injuries briefly before attempting a breakout.

Special Protein Serum: A potent drug extracted from human tissue and combined with essential trace elements. Assessed by Shattered Starry Sky, the item ranks Tier 3, Level 1 in rarity. First use permanently enhances Law Body attributes, focusing primarily on Constitution and Mana Value recovery speed.

Hint: This serum rapidly restores large amounts of Health Points over a short duration, significantly boosting vital signs but incapable of healing functional injuries. Due to resistance build-up, a three-day cooldown applies after each injection.

Just as the Hydra Corps medic inserted the needle into Joey’s arm, the Death Notice flashed with an unexpected and welcome message. Joey had sustained the most severe injuries since the big battle… only outstripped by Baron von Wurdenbeller who transformed into the Vampire Bat.

During the Serial Killer’s deadly duel with Kathleen, though Qin Lun’s scheme had severely weakened Professor Green, the final clash spelled mutual destruction.

While Joey channeled nearly every ounce of his Mana Value, using nearly ten Crystal Mirror Magic Arrays to shatter the sound barrier with his speed, this reckless move inflicted massive strain upon him.

During that final strike, Joey—moving at supersonic speeds—lost form slightly. His Dagger of Sin missed Kathleen’s heart, piercing her right lung instead, causing severe blood loss.

Conversely, Kathleen inflicted a far worse wound. Calmly forming her hand into a blade poised for stabbing motion, she sacrificed two fingers to spear through Joey’s abdomen. The Serial Killer’s left kidney even slipped out from his back wound!

Objectively speaking, Dissector’s fatal strike proved less effective than his opponent’s. Had he not possessed extensive recovery items in his Storage Space, the survivor would have been Grimm Academy’s esteemed professor—Kathleen Louis.

Naturally, Joey didn’t care about winning. For a Serial Killer, survival defined victory. However, Kathleen left a mark—which prompted the Dissector to take her head. He even crafted his perceived “artwork” during their retreat, obsessed with his idea of honoring it.

In the Dissector’s philosophy, Kathleen’s fate wasn’t meant as insult or provocation against the Justice League. Instead, this grim tribute served as a release for his twisted worldview.

“This is a specially developed drug from Hydra research facilities. Production is extremely limited. Unless for critical, life-threatening injuries to key members, it’s rarely administered,” boomed a hoarse, deep voice behind Joey. “Lieutenant Gerthard, you are remarkably robust. Few remain conscious, let alone active, after such a penetrating injury.”

“It’s nothing. Just honed endurance from long years as a sniper,” Joey’s face flickered strangely; muscles seemed adjusted deliberately like a mask settling back into place, finally revealing Qin Lun’s trademark detached smile.

“An honor to fight alongside such a noble and resilient Imperial officer!” The owner of the raspy voice sat beside Joey. Blood-red eyes stared from behind his silver mask, settling on the First Class Iron Cross pinned to the sniper’s chest. “Red Skull salutes you!”