Pardofelis continued to lead the way, showcasing her exquisite eloquence as she described every detail of the city to the "family of three" following her.
Regardless of the street or landmark, Pardofelis could weave a compelling story, effortlessly recounting anecdotes and trivia that captivated little Sirin, who eagerly requested more.
Pardofelis was exceptionally patient and tolerant with children. She deliberately slowed down her speech and accompanied it with exaggerated gestures, eliciting giggles from the purple-haired girl, filling the atmosphere with joy.
"Thank you, Pardofelis. Sirin loves your stories," Luo Lin said, taking a water bottle from her pocket and tossing it to the slightly parched cat-eared hood girl. Pardofelis deftly caught the bottle mid-air.
Siegfried watched her swift movement with surprise, but recalling Pardofelis casually mentioning "procuring" items earlier, such dexterity seemed fitting.
Without hesitation, Pardofelis opened the bottle and took a few sips, letting out a refreshing sigh. "Ah, I actually quite like kids. They're less complicated than adults... Oh, we're here. The person you're looking for, 'Kiana Kaslana,' should be working here."
Luo Lin glanced at the imposing, square building before them, with the sign reading "Fire Moth Honkai Research Institute" in bright letters. She looked at Pardofelis with a strange expression. "Are you sure Kiana is here? Could it be a case of mistaken identity?"
"It shouldn't be. I haven't heard of such a unique name anywhere else," Pardofelis replied, scratching her chin. "Actually, I have a strong impression of her. After all, she looks a bit like Boss Kevin..."
How could you possibly compare the clueless, sandal-wearing caterpillar form of Kiana with the cold, stoic Kevin, who's always swearing to eradicate the Honkai? Luo Lin and Siegfried thought to themeselves.
Siegfried rubbed his chin, observing the gatekeeper. "Looks like we can't just waltz in, huh?"
With a mischievous smile, Pardofelis produced a black card from her hand as if performing magic. "Heh heh, nothing can stump Pardofelis. Ta-da! Institute pass! With this, we can enter and take a look around!"
"Did you 'procure' this too?" Siegfried raised an eyebrow.
"I actually don't remember where I got this, but I don't think I 'procured' it. I've had this card for a long time," Pardofelis scratched her head, replying uncertainly. "Maybe I'm just really lucky, as it always allows me to bring people in for a visit—just for visits, though..."
"Is it really that magical?"
"Of course. Follow me, let's go in now."
Pardofelis led the group confidently inside, and upon seeing the black card in the cat-eared hood girl's hand, the gatekeeper pressed the clearance button without hesitation, allowing them to enter the institute.
Upon entering, Luo Lin immediately felt a sense of sophistication. Numerous shiny trophies and medals were displayed in glass cabinets, and various cooperation plaques adorned almost every inch of a nearby wall; it was quite extravagant.
Siegfried, unfamiliar with such grandeur, lightened his steps. However, remembering this might be an illusion, he relaxed his previously cautious stance.
Sirin seemed to sense the weight of knowledge or perhaps fatigue from her previous excitement. She quieted down and leaned against Luo Lin, curiously observing her surroundings.
As they proceeded, Luo Lin noticed many familiar devices, including weapon manufacturing machines and high-precision Honkai detection equipment—far more advanced than the ones they used on the battlefield. She had only seen such equipment in the research labs of Hyperion and certain institutes of Schicksal...
Everywhere, people in white lab coats bustled about, making Luo Lin's group feel out of place.
Siegfried, with his powerful attacks using the Shamash, displayed a certain level of ingenuity but was still within the range of normal human capabilities. He was more of a brute force type of player.
Sirin, well, her pufferfish state speaks for itself. If only she had more knowledge, she wouldn't have been beaten up so badly in her multi-core state.
Fu Hua, also inclined towards combat, although the Edge of Taixuan requires exceptional talent, talent is a mysterious thing, even if she learned some knowledge in the previous era, it's likely that it has been erased by the Fenghuang Down, leaving her mind blank.
Pardofelis, she avoids fighting whenever possible, relying on her extraordinary luck and agility to survive, belonging to the category of characters whose bodies run faster than their brains.
Finally, there's Luo Lin... Can you expect a transmigrator, or rather a transmigrator equipped with a combat-type system, someone who spends their days frowning and playing with the Revelation Key, to be immersed in scientific research?
As they navigated through the corridors and buildings, Pardofelis confidently stopped several resting researchers to inquire about the whereabouts of "Kiana Kaslana."
Fortunately, they all knew something.
"She's probably been called to help."
"Her strength is quite rare... It seems like she passed through here? Let's head that way."
"It looks like she went to run errands with Dr. Mei."
Following these helpful directions, Luo Lin's group quickly determined Kiana's whereabouts. They hastened their steps and finally found the white-haired bundle of fur in a rather spacious hall filled with relaxing greenery.
Kiana and Raiden Mei were sitting on a bench, both wearing expressions of exhaustion.
Previously, they had toured most of the research institute with Elysia, and in some rooms, the pink-haired girl would request Raiden Mei to operate some seemingly valuable machinery herself.
Raiden Mei hesitantly pressed a few buttons and manipulated the control stick a few times. Suddenly, the machine emitted a dangerous hum, prompting her to quickly release it and pretending nothing had happened afterwards.
Now, Elysia stood nearby, supporting her cheeks. Her tightly furrowed brows evoked sympathy, clearly troubled.
"It's really strange... Could Mei really have amnesia?" the pink-haired girl ran her fingers through her hair, "Something's not right... The situation doesn't seem to be unfolding as it should..."
Before she could contemplate further, Kiana, who had been sitting on the bench like a salted fish, suddenly sprang up, pointing angrily at the white-haired man's nose. "Stinky old man! Where did you run off to?! Do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you...?"
"Sister! Sis Kiana!"
"Who's your sister...?"
Following the voice, Kiana spotted a girl with purple hair waving happily at her. However, her attention was quickly drawn to the person holding Sirin.
It was a tall woman with white hair, her azure eyes fixed on Kiana, filled with complex emotions.
Kiana felt something stirring within her... a sensation she had briefly experienced before but now felt more pronounced and enduring, a subtle and familiar feeling.
All the words Kiana had intended to say vanished from her mind. She opened her mouth and murmured, "Mom..."
Luo Lin blinked.
Hasn't this scene happened before?