Genshin Impact: Joining the Genius Society

Chapter 313: “Herta: Hunting Time!”

"Can you—""Can't."

Su Ran immediately shielded his invention.

"I haven't even said what I wanted yet!"

Getting rejected before even finishing her sentence—

That was just too ruthless.

"Even Herta herself hasn't fully understood the technology behind this. What use would it be to hand it over to you? Do you think you can surpass her?"

Su Ran didn't even bother looking at them.

There were already so many curios on the station waiting to be studied—

And these people hadn't even finished researching those,

Yet they were already eyeing his invention?

"…Then at least publish some data? Upload it to the interstellar network—that should be fine, right?"

If even Herta couldn't fully grasp it,

Then it made sense not to let them study it.

After all—

They didn't dare claim they were more capable than her.

"Why would I upload it?"

Su Ran tilted his head, puzzled.

"So people across the universe can know you've created something this great!"

The researcher's face flushed with excitement.

After all—

As one of the few who had witnessed this creation firsthand,

He felt a strong sense of pride—

Even if he had only been a bystander.

"Why should I let the universe know?" Su Ran replied calmly.

"I made this because I find it useful. What benefit do I gain from others knowing?"

"You'll become famous across the galaxy!"

"And then what? A bunch of brainless fans bothering my private life? Or people smearing my reputation?"

"…."

Silence fell over the room.

Some of the researchers had come precisely because they admired Su Ran.

But they had never expected—

That this was how he viewed "fans."

It felt like a bucket of cold water dumped over them.

"Strange," Su Ran continued.

"Fans make sense for celebrities. But for scientists? What's the point? Shouldn't you be doing research instead of chasing stars?"

He tapped Herta's head.

"What?" she snapped.

"What if someone likes you?"

Herta lifted her chin.

"Is it you?"

"No."

"Then what does it have to do with me?"

A clean, decisive answer.

There were indeed many admirers of Herta on the space station.

Some fantasized about meeting her.

Some even fantasized about being stepped on by her—

Even if it was just a puppet.

But now—

It felt like Herta was making one thing clear:

Ordinary people didn't even qualify to be stepped on by her.

"Everyone, please disperse. There's still work to be done."

Asta stepped in at the right moment.

Su Ran's words were harsh—

But she couldn't really refute them.

She had seen this kind of situation many times before.

The station had fans—

But also haters.

People who secretly smeared both Herta and herself.

Asta had even joined some of those groups herself.

Herta, of course, never cared.

And Asta understood the gap between genius and ordinary people all too well.

With Su Ran's blunt words—

And Asta's guidance—

The gathered researchers gradually dispersed,

Many of them visibly disheartened.

It was almost certain—

That in a few days,

A new wave of Su Ran "haters" would emerge on the station.

After everyone left,

Asta walked over to Su Ran with a troubled expression.

"Mr. Su Ran… what you said might really hurt their feelings…"

Those kinds of harsh words—

Only Herta could usually get away with saying.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Su Ran shrugged.

"At least now they'll see me as arrogant. Saves me from people constantly coming to me for help."

Sometimes being too kind—

Only invited endless requests.

He had no intention of becoming like certain "helpful heroes"—

Running errands, risking life and limb—

Only to get paid scraps in return.

And worse—

Not even being able to demand proper compensation due to reputation.

"…But that was still too harsh…"

Asta could already imagine how people would start badmouthing him in private.

That wouldn't be good for his reputation.

"Relax. It's not a big deal. Herta's done worse, hasn't she?"

Asta shook her head.

"…Actually, she hasn't."

"…Then how does she deal with them?"

Su Ran was genuinely surprised.

He didn't believe Herta was the warm, helpful type.

"Lady Herta simply ignores them completely."

"..."

Alright.

He had overthought it.

"But at least I acknowledged them, right?"

Asta nodded.

"That's true… at least you did that."

Compared to Herta—

He was technically less cold.

But still just as ruthless.

"Anyway, Mr. Su Ran, what you did earlier was incredible! Even the Aeon of Remembrance showed up!"

Putting aside the awkward moment,

Asta's admiration had reached a new level.

This time—

Even an Aeon had been drawn in.

Looking at the scale in his hand,

She was deeply shaken.

This was an artifact—

That had attracted a god.

"I thought you'd be more interested in Herta turning into a trash can."

Asta's smile froze.

Herta slowly turned her head.

"…Well…"

"Not curious about how it works?" Su Ran asked.

Asta glanced at Herta cautiously—

Then nodded.

"…I'm curious!"

What kind of device—

Could turn Herta into a trash can?!

"Equivalent exchange," Su Ran said, gently shaking the scale.

"As long as you provide something of equal value, you can exchange it for something else of the same worth."

"In other words—

'Priceless but unavailable' will no longer be a problem.

"…So… Lady Herta's puppet is equivalent to a trash can?"

Asta asked carefully.

Herta: "Hunting time."

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