In Honkai with Tom Cat

"Alright, miss, I don't want to engage in a pointless argument with you right now," Li Huan said as he put on his mask. "To be honest, driving this vehicle is really exhilarating. Once I'm out, no one can stop me... I'm tempted to take another spin."

"I'll leave her to the two of you! We're heading out now!"

After sitting back in his seat, Li Huan instructed Tom to start the engine. Tom immediately did a sharp turn on the spot, blasting Bronya with a cloud of black smoke from the exhaust before driving off at high speed.

*Cough, cough, cough, cough...*

After finishing her coughing fit, Bronya, her face covered in soot from the smoke, could only watch helplessly as Li Huan and Tom sped away in the Heavy Armored Rabbit.

"So, what's your plan?" Kiana, who had managed to avoid the smoke earlier, approached Bronya. "I'll be honest, from the little I've seen of those two, they seem more than capable of making your life a living hell. Your steel monster is proof of that…"

"Anyway, are you still going to keep—"

"My name is Bronya Zaychik. I'm fourteen years old, uneducated, and I live in Siberia. I launched a surprise attack to retrieve the Herrscher of Thunder." Before Kiana could finish, Bronya rattled off these details like a machine gun, leaving Kiana momentarily stunned.

Only later did Kiana realize that everything Bronya had just said were the questions Li Huan had asked her earlier.

"She's really cooperative now. Totally different from her previous attitude," Kiana said, clearly surprised.

"According to my calculations, Bronya has no chance of defeating you," Bronya replied matter-of-factly. "In terms of numbers, tactics, and combat power, Bronya and the Project Bunny stand no chance. Surrendering is the only logical choice."

"In simple terms, Bronya has no other options besides surrendering."

"Tch, even though what you're saying is true, I can't help but feel annoyed by how quickly you gave in," Kiana remarked, glaring at the now docile Bronya. "Are you just as shameless as those two guys… no principles at all…?"

Bronya, ignoring the remark, continued, "Since Bronya has chosen to surrender, could you let your companions in to free me and the Project Bunny?"

Kiana looked at Bronya as if she were an idiot.

"Hah? Do you really think we'd trust you just because you said you surrender?" Kiana scoffed as she dug into her ear. "If you want us to believe you, at least show some sincerity."

Mei chimed in, "Yes, after all, you did try to kill me before. It's hard to trust you just like that."

After a moment of silence, Bronya slowly said, "If you trust me, I can tell you a secret about this academy."

"What secret?"

"There's a laboratory beneath this academy, secretly built by Anti-Entropy," Bronya said, glancing at Mei. "And yes, it's also where you were transformed into a Herrscher."

"What did you say?!"

Mei's expression turned serious at the mention of this. "Where is this lab?"

"It's right beneath us—though don't expect to find much information about Anti-Entropy there," Bronya replied calmly. "During an experiment earlier today, there was a malfunction that caused an underground explosion, damaging some sewer lines and making parts of the area inaccessible due to the stench."

"Also, when you became a Herrscher, you caused severe destruction throughout the lab. Most of it is in ruins now… But there are still some weapons, equipment, and supplies left. I think you might need those."

"If you accept Bronya's surrender and release me and the Project Bunny, I can take you there."

"…"

After hearing this, both Kiana and Mei fell into a contemplative silence.

Seeing their reactions, Bronya was confident that after weighing the pros and cons, they would accept her surrender.

"Alright then…"

Finally, Kiana spoke up, "We'll accept your surrender."

As Kiana and Mei reluctantly agreed, Bronya lifted her head. It seemed like she had won.

Her mission was to retrieve the Herrscher of Thunder, by any means necessary. Since she couldn't defeat them, she chose to feign surrender, bide her time, and strike when the opportunity arose.

Time was on her side.

However...

It turned out that guy was right—she really did choose to surrender.

Kiana thought to herself.

Mr. Li Huan was spot on—she actually surrendered.

Mei thought to herself.

What Bronya didn't know was that her every move and thought had already been anticipated by Li Huan, who had basically hacked the system.

To Li Huan, who already knew all of Bronya's schemes, her attempts were meaningless.

Before driving away, Li Huan had already discussed with Kiana and Mei that if Bronya were to surrender, they should agree immediately but make it seem like a difficult decision.

Her target was Raiden Mei. If brute force didn't work, she would definitely try a softer approach.

Kiana had asked what the point of all this was, and Li Huan's response was: "She's a merciless killer who'll stop at nothing to complete her mission. Once she's infiltrated our group, she'll work hard to prove her worth and stay with us."

"Since we know she's a spy, we might as well use that to our advantage. Treat her like a second-class citizen—make her do all the dirty work, send her on dangerous missions, use her as a shield, and squeeze out every bit of value she has left."

That was what Li Huan had said at the time, his tone so calm and his words so cold that even Kiana felt a chill.

But she couldn't deny it—Li Huan was absolutely right.

Not only did Bronya surrender, but she also revealed a critical piece of information. They had practically won big.

"So, can you release me and return the Project Bunny to me?" Bronya asked calmly. "I suspect that man and the cat are hiding outside, watching what's happening inside."

Upon hearing Bronya's request, Kiana's expression became slightly awkward.

"Uh… While we can release you now, those two really did drive off."

"?"

"It's exactly as it sounds," Mei explained. "Mr. Li Huan and Tom really took your Project Bunny out for a spin."

"They'll probably be back in half an hour or so."