Shinji Ikari, returned from Warhammer

Page 81

It's unclear whether Shinji Ikari failed to grasp the meaning behind Rei Ayanami's words, or whether he simply had no interest in the matter.

"It's nothing serious, just need a rest." Shinji Ikari's eyes shone brightly as he looked at Rei Ayanami.

Indeed, a little rest is all it takes. Every time he pilots a machine with a synchronization rate exceeding 100%, his own body undergoes changes. Sometimes, Shinji Ikari gradually feels that extraordinary power growing stronger within his cells. The Absolute Territory he unleashed when traveling through the Dirac Sea of the Night to another world is proof of this.

Although Shinji Ikari sensed some unusual movement from Kaworu Nagisa standing beside him when the special forces responsible for detaining him opened fire, that Absolute Territory was something he created himself. However, just like when Rei Ayanami confronted the Lightning Angel, it was through the Rosary of the Rose that he was able to manifest that wall of the heart that rejected everything.

Of course, what truly triggered the qualitative change was Unit-01 from that other world. After piloting that machine, he himself stepped into a forbidden realm.

Even with his eyes closed, Shinji Ikari could still vividly picture the infinitely powerful Unit-01 with its boundless energy. He couldn't forget it, and he absolutely couldn't forget it.

An endless power burst forth from within him, as if some divine force was lifting him free from the shackles of gravity, until that radiant halo symbolizing an angel gathered above his head.

The blurred image became clear again, and Shinji Ikari felt as if he were standing on a vast, desolate Earth, under a gloomy sky where a single giant tree grew, which could even be called His tree, and was crimson in color.

The next moment, he stood on the edge of the enormous crater, liquid spreading outward from the depths of the crater. The water was crimson, filling the crater layer by layer. Then, emerging from the blood-red water were embryos resembling fruits, all of them angels still in their infancy.

The next moment, a flock of white pigeons swept across the sky, and it felt as if I were back in the sweltering summer of the day the Water Angels attacked, with Rei Ayanami, wearing her middle school uniform, standing across the street. She didn't speak, nor did she wave; she just stood there quietly.

"So be it! Step onto the ladder to godhood! So be it! Step by step, step by step... to replace Him. This is humanity's choice to seize the apostles' seats before God, to make them submit to wisdom, and to become children of God. This is using the power of ADAMS to rebel against God!" Gendo Ikari's voice suddenly echoed in his ears.

"What's wrong?" Rei Ayanami asked.

Shinji Ikari withdrew his left hand from above his head. He had unconsciously reached up to touch it, as if the halo was still lingering above his head.

“I was just thinking about some things,” Shinji Ikari said.

After piloting the awakened Unit-01, Shinji Ikari had a vague understanding of the incomplete Level 4 classified document he had seen in MAGI. He realized that his failure to reach the final step was entirely due to the lack of a sacrifice. The previous four steps had been completed; only the Angel remained as a sacrifice to truly make Unit-01 the Firstborn Son of God.

In that state, Shinji Ikari sensed that there were at least three potential candidates to serve as sacrifices. Among them was someone he had initially thought could never be an Angel.

Shinji Ikari lowered his eyes and looked at his left hand. Perhaps he should go to Ritsuko Akagi for another medical check-up and ask her some questions.

"Is that so? That's good." Rei Ayanami said softly. "But Shinji seems very anxious since he came back."

“That’s only temporary.” Although exhausted, Shinji Ikari still placed his hand on Rei Ayanami’s hand. “I miss you so much.”

Rei Ayanami, who should have answered "I don't know" as usual, looked up at the hand resting on the back of her own hand. At that moment, she had her own answer in her heart, "Me too." She placed her hand on Shinji Ikari's hand.

Their fingers were clasped tightly, and they could both feel the warmth of each other's palms.

Compared to her own cold, pale hands, Shinji Ikari's hands were large and warm. Once again, Rei Ayanami was certain of her own feelings.

There was no conversation, only the rustling sound of clothes rubbing together. First to fall to the ground was a blue cardigan skirt from the school uniform, followed by a red tie, a white shirt, and underwear.

Rei Ayanami's shapely breasts swayed as she was freed from the constraints of her outer garment, revealing their form to Shinji Ikari. Moreover, although neither of them spoke, Rei's current posture placed her at the perfect viewing distance. Every part of her body could be fully appreciated by Shinji... oh, except for her feet.

Rei Ayanami approached Shinji Ikari's bedside without any shame or shyness. Seeing him gazing at her body, she slightly raised the corners of her mouth. This was not sexually suggestive; she was simply happy because Shinji was happy, and satisfied because Shinji liked her body.

Therefore, Rei Ayanami is special to me.

After removing all her restraints, Rei Ayanami turned her back to Shinji Ikari and picked up her clothes again, folding them neatly and placing them by the bedside. Then, she skillfully slipped into Shinji's bed and snuggled into his arms.

"Are you sleepy?" Shinji Ikari held Rei Ayanami's delicate body and habitually lowered his head to kiss her forehead.

Rei Ayanami shook her head, then reached out and wrapped her arms around Shinji Ikari's neck, wanting to get closer. But at that moment, Rei Ayanami pouted her tight nose; she seemed to smell Asuka's scent in the bed.

The scene in the bathroom resurfaced in her mind. And there was Asuka's mocking laughter.

"Shinji, can I kiss you? On the lips," Rei Ayanami asked.

Shinji Ikari looked down at Rei before him. Rei's crimson eyes, reflected in Shinji's, were even more moist and bright than before, as if she were ready to fully accept him. Without any hesitation, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Their lips touched briefly before parting. Rei Ayanami pursed her lips, seemingly happy yet also wistful.

Is this a real kiss? I'm so happy that my first kiss was with Shinji. But it also feels like it should be more than this.

“One more time,” Rei Ayanami said.

Shinji Ikari didn't speak. He gently brushed aside Rei Ayanami's blue bangs to see her eyes clearly.

“One more time,” Rei Ayanami said.

Shinji Ikari simply kissed those pretty pink lips, which were slightly cold. They lacked the warmth of a typical girl's lips.

Rei Ayanami closed her eyes and quietly rested her forehead against Shinji Ikari's neck. Perhaps it was her weakened state causing her body temperature to rise, but the scent emanating from Shinji was so strong and alluring, almost like a temptation for Rei.

Shinji Ikari was right there, and Asuka's words from half a month ago in the bathroom.

[Now I understand, it's all just a bunch of nonsense. It just means you're in love, doesn't it?]

It's basically sexual intercourse, mating, and reproductive behavior—that's the gist of it. Don't tell me you don't understand, you top student.

[No? I thought he must have been inside you. An idiot like him, obsessed with spreading his seed, definitely wouldn't have let you go… He didn't do it with you, or maybe he thinks you're not worth it… Heh, so how about kissing?]

Of course, I kissed that idiot; he was the one who initiated the kiss.

What we did, right before we came! In Yokohama, yes, right in Yokohama! Many times recently, my period hasn't come, so I might already be pregnant.

As the images shifted, Ritsuko Akagi reappeared before our eyes.

[Is that so? Congratulations, this is your first step towards humanity. I never imagined that your first emotion as Lilith would be jealousy.]

As she sorted through her own feelings, Rei Ayanami gradually came to the affirmative answer that it still wasn't enough. She wanted to get closer, and not just to this level of pity.

Shinji, I think...

When Rei Ayanami raised her head, intending to express her inner thoughts, she saw Shinji Ikari's eyes already closed. As she moved, he gently put his arm around her shoulders and waist, accompanied by a soft nasal sound.

He fell asleep.

Rei Ayanami placed her hand on her chest, unsure of the emotions churning within her. But now, there was no choice.

Alternatively, you can do what you want to do yourself.

At the same moment, the sliding door in the room closed gently.

----------

Hakone, the first test site.

Workers in yellow protective suits stood in the center of the testing area, spraying the ground with nozzles. Above them, even larger pipes were aimed at the yellow machine directly above, solely to wash away the blood from its surface.

“I have never felt such fear of EVA as I do today.” Ritsuko Akagi’s voice rang out from the top. “Perhaps we are hated by EVA, and Major Katsuragi may have already sensed something.”

"Is that so?" Gendo Ikari replied casually, as he also examined Unit-00 in front of him. "But it's alright for now."

"I'm not worried about Major Katsuragi; she can't do anything on her own."

“But what you’re worried about is the driver,” Gendo Ikari said.

Ritsuko Akagi took a deep breath. "Yes, if Rei, Asuka, and Shinji knew the secret of EVA, I don't think they would forgive me."

Perhaps, given Shinji Ikari's ruthless approach to enemies, he might just kill her.

“According to SEELE, the future of the world will unfold as described in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Civilization originated here, the world was born here, and the so-called Christianity uses God's love and mercy to educate all people. It's all a complete lie. Based on the guidance obtained from the Dead Sea Scrolls, they have found the ruins on the moon, unearthed the truth before the birth of the world, and discovered the apostle who carried Adam's soul.” Gendo Ikari paused, then continued.

"When SEELE uttered the words that the Outer Codex would be the standard legal code, SEELE had already become a servant of Adam's soul, essentially abandoning Lilith and signing a contract with Adam instead. What we can do is wait until they realize this and change the script, thus realizing our Human Instrumentality Project."

After a long silence, Ritsuko Akagi asked in a very low voice, "Do you wish to... become a god?"

Gendo Ikari couldn't answer. SEELE's handing over MK.6 to him had already surprised him, as it was intended to counter the awakening of Unit-01 with the "Unit-01 Special Attack Type," the very unit he suspected SEELE possessed as their ultimate weapon. However, their willingness to so openly hand over MK.6 meant his assumptions were wrong, and the script might even have changed.

Perhaps SEELE realized that Shinji Ikari and Unit-01's terrifying power meant that MK.6, which had once been able to end Awakening, was no longer enough. They needed an even more powerful ace.

“At least when facing SEELE, we are on the same side as Shinji Ikari. So there’s no need to worry for now,” Gendo Ikari said.

However, as the apocryphal script provided by the apostle who carries Adam's soul progresses, this relationship may be overturned at any time.

And was his own rebellion really not in the script?

But what Gendo Ikari wanted to express was that, at least for now, they, EVA, and the pilots were still partners. That was enough.

In Hakone, the Central Dogmatic Sub-region, Misato Katsuragi and Komaru Fuyutsuki are extremely busy.

Although the Night Angels were annihilated without any casualties, the damage was too severe; at least the area from the second testing ground to the monitoring room needs to be rebuilt.

However, funding for the reconstruction is another problem, because NERV is a subordinate organization directly under SEELE, so it receives funding from SEELE, but now several applications have been unsuccessful.

This is not the first time. With the Angels being wiped out one after another, leaving only three unknown Angels, NERV's value has drastically decreased, while its threat level has increased significantly.

The NERV threat theory has been brought to the forefront.

However, Asuka was unaware that after her application to re-pilot Unit-02 was rejected, she was dismissed by the busy Misato Katsuragi. And when she intended to visit the idiot Shinji, she witnessed the scene before her.

___________________

PS1: In the new theatrical version "Final Chapter", it can be seen that the Dead Sea Scrolls mentions that a total of 5 EVAs will be built. However, MARK.06 and other subsequent mobile suits do not appear in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is likely that the Outer Codex provided by Kaworu Nagisa will be used as the prescribed code.

SEELE, NERV, and Kaworu Nagisa act as a cushion for each other, creating a sense of mutual restraint.

First, assuming the Outer Codex was provided by Kaworu Nagisa, it would be equivalent to abandoning the contract with Lilith and instead making a contract with Adam. Gendo Ikari's subsequent maneuvers would then appear like clownish antics to the Seeles. As for the Seeles, by the time the Outer Codex became the established code, they had essentially become Kaworu's servants. As for Kaworu, because he desperately wanted Shinji Ikari to be happy, he too was deceived and manipulated by Gendo, becoming a scapegoat.

PS2: I recommend a book by a beautiful Taiwanese girl.

After transmigrating, Chu Yan was bound to an urban novel system that only issued female-oriented missions.

[The host will play the role of the important female lead—Su Qianmo's white moonlight substitute who went abroad when she was a child, and will fall in love with her and accompany her through the three years of high school.]

[After the role-playing session ends, you will receive a deluxe time traveler gift pack!]

No, are you serious?

Chu Yan was deeply moved by the small urban novel.

With a helpless sigh, I prepared to go through a standard process of regret.

First, pamper that female lead, who might be a fairy or some other spoiled brat, to the point of being utterly doting...

Then they disappear in a flash.

The plan goes through!

But Chu Yan had overlooked one thing... that this woman was damnably sweet!

Oh no, he had to admit it.

Urban fiction does have some merit.

===

Su Qianmo has been having a serious problem lately.