Honkai Impact 3rd - The Interference

Chapter 109 - Strained Relationship

"You smell."

The tension in the air thickened, as if the atmosphere itself had paused, waiting for what would unfold next. Everyone's gaze shifted upward to the maid, Rita, who stood elegantly above them, her ever-present smile unmoving. It was the kind of smile that concealed as much as it revealed—calm, composed, yet unsettlingly confident.

Both Hana and Mei exchanged a glance. They didn’t need to speak to understand each other; their thoughts aligned in the silent realization of the obvious.

'New battlesuit...' Mei’s mind raced, her eyes narrowing. What capabilities does this one have? Rita had already proven to be a formidable opponent. If her new suit was even more powerful, they could be in for a greater challenge than they expected. She mentally prepared herself for the worst.

Hana, on the other hand, had a different thought entirely. 'She likes blue?' Her brow furrowed slightly, bemused by the color choice. Despite the gravity of the situation, her mind wandered to the odd detail. But her guard didn’t drop for even a second—behind that whimsical observation was a readiness that rivaled Mei’s.

Rita, standing above them, seemed unfazed by their silent calculations, her glowing, icy-blue battlesuit blending seamlessly with the night around them. It gave her a cold, almost ethereal appearance—like she was one with the shadows and the stars themselves.

Mei's grip on her katana tightened, her muscles coiled like a spring. She was ready. Hana, too, though outwardly more relaxed, was subtly preparing herself for whatever Rita had planned. The quiet before the storm lingered, the weight of anticipation heavy on their shoulders.

And still, Rita smiled.

"Well," Rita said, her voice smooth, carrying a faint amusement, "it seems your sense of smell is sharper than I thought, Fujuki Hana."

The casual tone did nothing to soothe the tension. If anything, it only raised the stakes higher.

Theresa kept her stance firm, her weapon at the ready. Having fought alongside Rita before, she knew exactly how dangerous the maid could be. Rita wasn't just strong—she was calculated, a predator who never revealed all her cards.

Turning slightly, Theresa glanced at Bronya, Hana, and Mei, her voice low but urgent. "Stay sharp, everyone. She's an S-Rank... her power rivals that of a Herrscher." The weight of her words hung in the air, thick with caution.

Bronya’s eyes narrowed, fully aware of who stood before them. She who used to be the 'Silver Wolf' who had prowled the desolate wastelands of Siberia has incredible instinct and that instincts as an assassin, honed in the coldest, harshest environments, made her a natural-born killer but also an amazing observator. Bronya could sense it, the lethal intent simmering beneath Rita’s calm, poised exterior.

"Target poses a high risk..." Bronya said under her breath, her words laced with tension. But it was enough to catch Rita's attention.

"Ah, if it isn't Bronya-sama herself," Rita remarked, her smile widening as though genuinely pleased by the encounter. "We’ve never had the chance to properly speak, have we? I’ve had conversations with some of your friends, but it’s nice to finally meet you."

"The Bronya isn't interested in conversation," Bronya responded coldly, her grip on her weapon tightening, every muscle in her body coiled for action.

"Too bad," Rita replied with a sigh, her smile unwavering. But beneath her lighthearted words, there was an undercurrent of menace, a promise of what was to come.

The air between them thickened, a quiet acknowledgment of the deadly dance about to begin.

Rita closed her eyes briefly, the ever-present smile never faltering. When she opened them again, her gaze landed on the mechanical girl standing among the group.