Ultraman: I am really just a human.

Chapter 434 Katsuragi Shinobu

Beidu.

Led by a mechanical soldier, Xia Chuan entered the underground research institute. Electronic eyes were everywhere along the way, and soldiers with guns stood guard in the shadows, making it heavily guarded.

This is the Faust Base in the Northern Capital, which now appears to have been completely taken over by Eberl, who continues his research on a new type of Striker.

After contacting Eberl, he was only given this base address and told to meet with the person in charge here first.

"call!"

After a brief disinfection, Xia Chuan changed into a white hazmat suit and put on a gas mask before being allowed to leave.

The scene was almost identical to that of the Faust Institute in Tokyo five years ago. Occasionally, one could hear the deep roars of wild beasts and the dull metallic clanging echoed in the passageway. The dim lighting ahead resembled the gaping maw of a monster, making one feel as if they were venturing into hell.

Why does a perfectly good research institute have to be made into such a gloomy place?

Xia Chuan muttered to himself.

The research institute he now heads is spacious and bright; even a mediocre researcher like himself feels compelled to conduct research there.

but……

Xia Chuan paused slightly, his gaze fixed on the end of the passage, where he sensed the figure of a researcher dressed in the same protective suit.

It was Katsuragi Shinobu's aura, almost unchanged from 5 years ago.

Eberl actually told him to come see Katsuragi Shinobu directly.

Should we trust him or not?

Are they going to put him under investigation?

He could put on an act in front of Eberl, but Katsuragi Shinobu's words were really difficult for him.

Besides, his contact with Eberst wasn't for any research purposes.

"Come in."

Katsuragi Shinobu seemed to be adjusting some data. Hearing the noise behind him, he didn't turn around, but simply called out once before continuing to work.

Xia Chuan walked through the pipework and finally saw Katsuragi Shinobu's figure clearly.

Ordinary people wear protective gear here to prevent inhaling accidentally leaked nebula gas, because humans with a hazard level below 2.0 cannot withstand nebula gas; at best, they will become irreversible blasters, and at worst, they will die directly.

But Katsuragi Shinobu is different. Now, Katsuragi Shinobu's danger level should exceed the minimum requirement of 3.0 for transforming into Rider Build. It may not be as high as Kiryu Sento's, but it is definitely not low.

Wearing protective clothing specifically for him probably means they don't trust him, right?

They don't seem to have any intention of revealing their identity.

Xia Chuan turned his attention to the research data on the electronic screen.

The Lost Striker, the strongest form of the Striker, requires a human to absorb two conventional clones of the Striker and transform into it by injecting a high concentration of nebula gas. The requirements for the experimental subjects are extremely high in terms of danger level.

This monster, which later rivals the main character's knights, now seems to have very comprehensive data.

The secondary screen also displays information about the knights, suggesting a plan to use them as experimental subjects.

However, Xia Chuan doesn't care about that right now.

His current situation is giving him a headache.

A scientist can be a soldier, but a soldier is not necessarily a scientist.

He is the latter.

He can barely understand the data, but he's completely incapable of participating in research.

"Whoosh!"

A red light flashed in Natsukawa's eyes again, connecting him to Dan Kuroto, who was sealed in the game world.

There's nothing we can do.

Although this guy is unreliable and has a rebellious streak, we can only use his talent to get by for now.

He was, after all, a genius scientist in Exid, so he shouldn't have any trouble adapting to the world of TRON.

"Hahaha! I, the God of War Danli, am back! Didn't expect that, did you? Damn Parad, damn Shen Yong, this time I will definitely..."

"Snapped!"

In the game space, a bolt of lightning struck the smug Dan Kuroto with a deafening roar, instantly turning his dashing suit-clad figure black and smoking.

"You're just a low-level Collapse Source Formation, what gives you the audacity to call yourself a god?" Xia Chuan's gigantic face appeared above Dan Kuroto's head. "We have a mission. Come help if you don't want to die!"

"Pa...Palad?"

Dan Lidou bit his fingers in terror.

Although Xia Chuan had a new face, he could still recognize this annoying aura and attitude immediately.

Even without regaining his freedom, his life remained in Xia Chuan's hands.

"Don't wait until I escape one day, ##%@……"

After muttering a curse under his breath behind Natsukawa's back, Dan Kuroto slumped his head and followed the giant face. Soon, the scene in front of them was completely replicated from the Faust Institute.

The first thing that catches the eye is the information on the Lost Striker.

"Could you participate in the research?" Xia Chuan's voice rang out again, "After all, you are a genius scientist."

"what?"

Dan Lidou looked at the data interface with a blank expression.

Brother, do you have some kind of misunderstanding about scientists?

Even God isn't omnipotent.

The game system and this "Striker" thing are completely different things.

"I...I can help you develop a Slammer game," Dan Reito said with a sullen smile.

"roll."

Faust Research Lab.

Natsukawa frowned slightly, about to say something, when Katsuragi Shinobu finally finished processing the data and turned to look at him.

Surprisingly, the other party didn't seem to have any intention of involving him in the Striker research, but instead took a USB drive and plugged it into another computer.

"I heard you have a special talent for developing transformation drivers. Take a look at this," Katsuragi Shinobu calmly opened the database. "Since you are the director of the Tokyo Advanced Materials Research Institute, you should have seen the materials left by Katsuragi Shinobu, so you should have some understanding of them."

Natsukawa glanced at Katsuragi Shinobu but didn't expose him. He then leaned closer to the computer and discovered that it contained detailed information about the "Evolution Driver".

It's not just a simple introduction to the previous document, but a complete analysis, which even includes a breakdown diagram.

"This is……"

Xia Chuan's gaze lingered on the final drawing in the report.

It is also an evolution driver diagram, but it is very different from the internal structure of the main body.

"This is a modified copy designed for humans, or in layman's terms, a castrated version," Shinobu Katsuragi said, scrutinizing Natsukawa through his protective mask. "The original Evolution Driver was completely unusable by humans, so special adjustments were needed."

"So you asked me to come here because..."

"That's right. I have other tasks now, and I hope you can take over and complete this project. Although it's a replica, it's still an evolution driver, and it's not something that can be easily succeeded with. Do you have the courage to try?"

Yes, yes, yes!

Before Xia Chuan could reply, Dan Kuroto, who was synchronously sensing the game space, had already jumped up impatiently.

A brand-new Knight System, mysterious technology from outer space... Every secret hidden by the Evolution Driver is stimulating his brain cells.

If the research is thorough, perhaps an even more powerful game cartridge can be developed, which would increase his chances of escaping Xia Chuan's control.

"Pallard, say yes! I can help you finish your research! Say yes now!" Dan Kuroto snorted like a bull.

"Leave it to me."

Xia Chuan automatically blocked out Dan Kuroto's voice, and after considering it for a moment, nodded to Katsuragi Shinobu.

He certainly wouldn't miss the opportunity to study evolutionary drivers.

Moreover, while Katsuragi Shinobu's actions appear to be questioning, if he were to refuse, who knows what awaits him?

This old guy isn't inherently bad; everything he does is to reset the world and save humanity. But precisely because of this, he doesn't care about the sacrifices involved, believing that some sacrifices are a necessary price to pay for saving the world, and that as long as the world is reset and returned to its origin, everything can be salvaged.

"By the way," Xia Chuan changed the subject, "isn't Xue Qian here?"

Upon hearing the mention of Blood Lurk, Katsuragi Shinobu tensed up instantly: "He's probably in Tokyo right now; there's an important plan there too."

(End of this chapter)