A Knight's Journey Begins in Faiz

The next day, Keitaro got up early in the morning to begin preparations.

Yesterday, they found Orphnoch at Yamate University of Music, but it escaped. Today, they decided to investigate again, or at least that was the original plan.

"What's going on? What a coincidence! We agreed to go to Yamate University to find Orphnoch, but you're saying you want to rest today. What's going on?"

"I'm too tired today. You go ahead and look for it. Call me if anything happens, and I'll fly over."

As he spoke, he looked at Mari, who had fallen asleep from exhaustion after practicing all night.

Having no other choice, Keitaro could only call Jiang Yang and then set off on his own.

I need to go see Kazuhiko today to confirm his thoughts.

Jiang Yang got up early to start his morning exercise. Although sleeping in was very appealing, becoming stronger was just as attractive to him.

After receiving Keitaro's call, he quickly washed up and set off.

If nothing unexpected happens, there will be three memorable moments today.

One from Qiaoye, one from the lumberyard, and one from Haitang.

These three events likely occurred around the same time, so he can only choose one. However, it's still early, and he can go to the school first. The request isn't over yet.

I went downstairs and was just about to take out the War Lion.

"Jiang Yang, 18 years old, with a clean past, currently runs a general store. Who exactly are you?"

Hearing someone speak, Jiang Yang turned his head and saw a woman wearing a blue-black uniform, long blue gloves, and heavy eye shadow on her face.

Upon seeing this person, Jiang Yang felt a chill run down his spine. This person was the secretary to the president of the Brain Group, and also the one responsible for managing most of the Orphnochs, guiding new Orphnochs, and issuing tasks to them.

Simply put, the fact that this guy is here means that he has been targeted by the AI ​​Group.

But why? Did I do something that would expose me?

That shouldn't be the case. But what other reason could there be for me to be being targeted?

Instinctively, Jiang Yang wanted to play dumb. But he didn't. The fact that the other party had already investigated him meant that they had some information.

Moreover, Jiang Yang felt that there was no point in pretending to be stupid in front of the Blue Enchantress.

"You—the secretary to the president of the Brainpower Group, I don't know why you're investigating me. It seems I'm not dead yet."

If you haven't become an Orphnoch, what are you doing here?

"You seem to know a lot of things, which is very interesting, but I'm here for something else."

"what?"

"Recently, several of my companions have died for no apparent reason. They're so pitiful. So, could you please stop what you're doing? Otherwise, they'll get angry."

As she spoke, she took out two photos: one of herself in IXA security mode, and the other of herself after de-transforming.

Jiang Yang recognized the photo. It must have been taken a couple of days ago during his battle with Orphnoch. He never expected that the AI ​​Group would find it. Whose fault was it? He could only blame himself for being too careless.

But now, there's trouble.

"Just a few useless Orphnochs, that shouldn't be the purpose of your visit."

"Oh my, that's really clever. Our president is very interested in your belt."

"If you want me to hand over the belt, then forget it."

“They really hate taking things by force. I’m here for a partnership.”

"No need, your company can't give me what I need."

Don't you want to know our offer?

"Do not want to."

What he wants, the AI ​​cannot provide, and even if it could, he would not agree to it. The future chosen by the AI ​​Group is not the future he wants to see.

Even if he could leave this world and not care about its future, he wouldn't choose that path; it's a matter of principle.

Therefore, it is impossible for him to cooperate with the Brainpower Group, nor is it possible for him to hand over ixa.

Given the technological capabilities of the Brainpower Group, if we hand over ixa to them for research, who knows what strange things they might create.

"The negotiations have broken down, what a pity."

"Really? I think it's just right. Please give my regards to the president. I have other things to do, so I'll have to keep you company."

Having no intention of continuing the conversation, Jiang Yang ran away.

Watching Jiang Yang's departing figure, her face darkened.

"I don't know how to praise."

As she spoke, she stacked the photos of Ixa and Jiang Yang together and tore them in half.

After leaving, Jiang Yang regretted his decision; he had been too quick to refuse. Now, he had truly severed all ties with the other party. If nothing unexpected happened, he was now on the so-called "death list."

Actually, I could be more tactful, feign compliance first, and then act only after careful planning.

But thinking about it carefully, playing mind games with such a large corporation is just a risky proposition – you might end up being sold out and then having to pay the seller for it.

It's better to sever ties sooner rather than later. Thinking about it carefully, completely breaking off relations isn't necessarily a bad thing. That way, the other side should be sending Orphnochs to kill me in droves. It won't be so troublesome for me to find targets in the future.

Hehe, Jiang Yang was just joking. If the AI ​​Group really wanted to destroy someone, it would probably be a high-level Orphnoch that would appear, or maybe even a lucky four-leaf clover.

Putting J and Takuma aside for now, Lobster Girl is quite difficult to deal with. Kitasaki, sorry to bother you.

Jiang Yang, you have no obligation to face an enemy you can't possibly defeat.

To defeat Kitasaki, two problems need to be solved: enough power to break through his defenses and enough speed to stop Kitasaki in his dragon form from escaping.

The ixa does have the value for breaking through defenses, and its performance should be sufficient. However, for the second item, there's nothing we can do right now. Perhaps we should try to infiltrate the AI ​​to get the acceleration watch ahead of time.

No, there are other things to do besides this.

Jiang Yang was thinking when he suddenly realized the road ahead was blocked, and a person was standing in the middle of the bridge waiting for him. The river flowed on both sides.

"Tsk, you're really quick."

They just refused, and they sent someone right away. The AI ​​is really efficient.

Stop, stop about ten meters away from the other person. Although I guessed who they were, I should still go through the proper procedures.

"who!"

"Hand over the belt!"

After saying that, the other party transformed into an Orphnoch. Judging from its appearance, it was a bull Orphnoch, and its size alone was a size larger than that of a regular Orphnoch.

"Aren't they even going through the verbal sparring process?"

ixa transforms, and Jiang Yang steps forward, taking advantage of the free victory.

Jiang Yang took three steps forward, mimicking Qiao's large swing punch.

When throwing a punch, it's not just the arm that moves, but the waist that drives the shoulder and finally the arm. Following this process, Jiang Yang's punch becomes a large swing punch.

Based on past experience, this punch should leave the opponent stunned for quite a while.

But the guy in front of me didn't dodge or evade. He just half-clenched his fist in the air, and a warhammer appeared out of thin air. The sharp blade at the top of the warhammer pressed directly against the undergarment at my waist.

Isn't luring the enemy close and then suddenly conjuring a weapon in one's hand to achieve a surprise effect a tactic that Kiba Yuji usually employs?