They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 177 The Night Angels Attack

A few days later.

Shinji Ikari stood at the door of the empty room, the last rays of the setting sun casting a long, lonely streak of light across the floor through the window.

There seemed to be a familiar scent lingering in the air, yet it was as faint as a dream that couldn't be grasped.

He remembered that person's gentle smile and the praise, "You did a great job," which was one of the few bright spots in his gloomy world.

Now the room is empty, and those who praised him will never return.

A faint, dull pain came from my chest, as if I were being gripped by an invisible hand.

Shinji Ikari took a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs, which cleared his chaotic thoughts somewhat.

Zhang Qisang once said that saving the world is not only their responsibility, but also the responsibility of many others.

This was the first time he truly understood the weight of those words, in Dr. Akagi's words.

Whether it's Angels or EVAs, there's still so much humanity doesn't understand, and researching such things naturally carries risks...

Just like his mother...

Therefore, he could no longer dwell on the past.

He must protect this world...

The boy clenched his fists, and his expression became more resolute.

……

At NERV base, after the simulated combat training session.

"Shinji-kun, well done! The synchronization rate has increased again!"

In the control room, Misato Katsuragi watched the numerical curve on the screen slowly receding, her tone carrying a deliberately crafted ease and approval.

The synchronization rate between the EVA and the pilot is a core indicator for measuring combat effectiveness; the higher the rate, the more terrifying the power that can be unleashed in actual combat.

"Ah."

Shinji Ikari simply nodded slightly in response.

After learning about the tragic "accident," he seemed to have matured overnight, becoming so composed that even Misato Katsuragi was somewhat unfamiliar with him.

This should be a good thing, right?

Thinking of this, Misato Katsuragi shook her head and then looked at another screen, which displayed the status of the pilot of Unit 2.

Misato's smile faded, replaced by a barely audible sigh.

"Asuka, you need to adjust your mood. I know you're very sad, but... even if Zhang Qi is gone, we still have a mission to complete. We have to protect this world."

Since the devastating news from the German branch, this once proud girl seemed to have lost her soul, and her whole being was shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.

Upon hearing this, Asuka on the other side of the screen abruptly turned her head away, avoiding the camera's view, leaving everyone with a stubborn profile, her expression undoubtedly quite unpleasant.

After training, the three changed into their combat uniforms and stepped out of the insertion plug.

The corridor was brightly lit, but it couldn't dispel the stagnant atmosphere.

"Um... Asuka..."

Shinji Ikari mustered his courage and wanted to say something to comfort her.

"you shut up!"

Asuka, however, reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling with fur, her golden hair seeming to take on an aggressive look.
"What do you know! You don't know anything at all!"

"You're taking your anger out on me."

A cold voice rang out without warning. Rei Ayanami had appeared beside them at some point, her azure eyes calmly fixed on Asuka, clearly stating the facts word by word.

"Turning anger that cannot be directed at the real target into innocent bystanders is a sign of weakness."

"What did you say?!"

Asuka's anger was instantly ignited.

"Hey, how are you guys?"

Just as tensions were about to escalate, a familiar, slightly magnetic voice broke through. Ryoji Kaji, carrying his signature briefcase and wearing a gentle smile, defused the impending conflict.

"Kashi-san?" Shinji Ikari breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had found a savior. He glanced at Asuka, who was still furious, and Rei, who remained expressionless, and replied with a wry smile:
"We're... alright. It's just that Mr. Zhang Qi is no longer here, and it's still a little... hard to get used to."

"That's it..."

Kaji Ryoji's gaze swept over the three children one by one, and a sense of emotion welled up in his heart.

He knew better than anyone that the pilots of EVA were essentially a group of children who had been hurt by the world and had built high walls around their hearts.

The strength of their AT field is a manifestation of their mental state of rejecting others and closing themselves off.

The adults at NERV, including himself, more or less condoned or even exploited this psychological deficiency in children in order to achieve that grand goal.

Zhang Qi was the only one who truly tried to understand them and get into their hearts.

No wonder these children, isolated from the world, love him so much.

"You guys have actually done a really good job."

Thinking of this, Kaji Ryoji smiled and reached out, imagining himself patting Asuka's head like Zhang Qi had done in the past, to offer some comfort.

"Do not touch me!"

Asuka, however, seemed startled and took a step back, forcefully slapping his hand away.

"Really,"

Kaji Ryoji shook his slightly numb hand, a rather helpless wry smile appearing on his face.
"Zhang Qi asked me to praise you all whenever I have the chance."

"Mr. Zhang Qi...?"

Upon hearing this name, Shinji Ikari's body trembled slightly, and the light in his eyes dimmed.

"Alright, enough chit-chat,"

As if by magic, Kaji Ryoji produced three exquisitely packaged small boxes from his briefcase.

"I've come to give you a gift. Zhang Qi commissioned me to make this, saying it was... a return gift for you."

The three children instinctively took the box. Shinji Ikari's fingers trembled slightly as he slowly opened the lid. A red crystalline necklace strung on a thin silver chain lay quietly on the velvet lining.

The crystal was crystal clear, with light seemingly flowing slowly inside, carrying an indescribable sense of life.

"This is……"

"In Zhang Qi's country, this kind of jade has a special meaning. It is used to pray for the wearer's safety and well-being, and can be considered a kind of amulet."

Kaji Ryoji explained softly, his voice gentle and steady.

Upon hearing this, Shinji Ikari could no longer hold back. A surge of emotion welled up from the bottom of his heart and filled his nose, blurring his vision instantly.

He clutched the necklace tightly, the icy touch seeming to convey a trace of that person's warmth.

Asuka, standing to the side, finally broke down completely the hard shell she had been maintaining the moment she saw the necklace.

She stopped screaming and arguing, and slowly squatted down, burying her face in her knees. Suppressed and painful sobs came from her arms, like a wounded cub licking its wounds alone.

"Okay, the items have been delivered. I'll be going now."

Seeing this, Kaji Ryoji wisely turned around and quietly left, leaving the space for the children who needed to vent their emotions.

As he walked out of the passage, he looked back and shook his head with a sense of helplessness.

These necklaces were indeed entrusted to him by Zhang Qi a long time ago.

Just yesterday, Zhang Qi suddenly contacted him through a secret channel, instructing him to make sure the necklace was delivered to the children today.

According to Zhang Qi, this thing is not just an ordinary amulet; at the most critical moment, it will become the proof of the last line of defense to protect the lives of these children.

……

A few days later, a piercing buzzing sound and a red light instantly swept across the entire base!

"Level 1 combat configuration! Repeat, Level 1 combat configuration!"

"A high-energy reaction has occurred in region C-05! Waveform graph... blue! It's an Angel!"

"Code name: Twelfth Apostle, Night Angel, confirmed to be attacking!"

(End of this chapter)