Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1576: Chapter 1574: It’s All Gendo Ikari’s Fault!

When it comes to battle, there are many things to talk about.

Talent, timing, luck.

Of course, the most important thing is... strength.

Just like now.

Unit-02 leaped forward, thrusting its Long Spear with force at the Angel Envoy ahead. However, in the next moment, with a ”clang” sound, the AT Field appeared instantly, blocking Unit-02’s attack like a solid wall. Then, with a fierce push forward, Unit-02 was sent flying and landed heavily on the ground.

”Watch out, Asuka!”

Almost at the same time Unit-02 hit the ground, the toilet paper rolls of the Angel Envoy unfurled and shot out towards Unit-02. Meanwhile, Shinji Ikari hurriedly maneuvered Unit-01 to block in front of Unit-02, fully deploying the AT Field, and slashed the flying toilet paper in half with the Longsword in hand.

But before Shinji could make any further moves, the eyes of the Angel Envoy flashed, and a violent explosion pushed Unit-01 away.

”Unit-01’s cable is cut; switching to backup power!”

”Activate emergency cable immediately!”

Misato Katsuragi gritted her teeth and gave the order, while at this moment, Unit-00 rushed in, diverting the Angel Envoy’s attention. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Unit-01 jumped up and quickly changed to the backup power.

The three of them coordinated quite well, but there was only one problem.

The Angel Envoy was too strong.

Stronger than Luu Bu in the Three Heroes Battle Luu Bu.

Its AT Field was powerful enough that even three EVAs couldn’t handle it, and its attack intensity was such that a single strike could overload the EVAs’ AT Field. In fact, having fought this far, Misato Katsuragi couldn’t bring herself to complain, because Asuka and the others were indeed at their limit, successfully restraining the Angel Envoy and preventing it from advancing further.

But that’s as far as they could go.

Now, Misato Katsuragi couldn’t even pull the EVAs back for rest and a tactical reassessment because the Angel Envoy had already invaded the underground Great Hollow; proceeding further would penetrate Central Dogma. This was the last line of defense. Whether they could hold it or not, they had to try. If they retreated, it would be tantamount to a total collapse.

Fang Zheng had no solutions for this, as strength was not something that could be compensated for by technology and skills. Having watched thus far, Fang Zheng understood that unless Unit-01 went berserk like in the original, relying only on the three EVAs as they were could only achieve this much.

”—————!”

Radiance flashed again.

Unit-02, taking the brunt, was blown away, and Unit-01 was also forced to retreat amidst the explosion. Yet amidst the smoke and flames, Unit-00, holding a shield and a Longsword, charged straight into the blazing wave ahead!

”Second Qualified Individual.”

”I understand!”

Rei Ayanami’s voice remained utterly calm, without the slightest tremor, not uttering another word. Yet it seemed as if Asuka shared her thoughts, as she maneuvered Unit-02 to charge forward. Just as Unit-00 deployed the AT Field to neutralize the Angel Envoy’s defense, she activated her own AT Field.

”AT Field, full open!”

”Haaaaaaa!!!”

With Asuka’s furious roar, Unit-02 thrust the halberd forward forcefully at the Angel Envoy. The AT Field of the Angel Envoy, as thick as a city wall, was shattered layer by layer, instantly losing a third.

”Idiot Shinji!”

”AT Field, full open!!”

At this moment, Unit-01 also charged forward, gripping the Longsword with both hands and thrusting it forward forcefully, breaking through almost another third of the AT Field. However, in the end, the sharp blade of Unit-01 halted reluctantly before the Angel Envoy. Even though Shinji exerted all his strength, he couldn’t push further.

Meanwhile, the Angel Envoy’s eyes flashed with Radiance once more.

”Boom!!!”

A Light Beam capable of piercing through 24 layers of armor erupted once again, the cross-shaped Light Beam surged forward, enveloping the three EVAs within.

Seeing this, Misato Katsuragi’s heart was filled with alarm.

”What about the EVAs?”

Watching the flames fill the screen, Misato Katsuragi clenched her hands, cold sweat oozing. She grasped the significance of this strike. The so-called AT Field neutralization involved both sides activating their fields to counter each other’s defenses. Yet, all three EVAs had their AT Fields fully deployed, but still couldn’t penetrate the enemy’s defense. Thus, what good could come from the reverse...?

”What’s the situation with the EVAs?”

”All three EVAs are intact... this, this is...!!”

However, before the staff could finish, their voices turned to piercing screams, but no one blamed them. For at this moment, others were also left speechless, dumbfounded at the sight before them.

Ahead of the three EVAs, an Azure barrier appeared silently, blocking the terrifying bombardment by the Angel Envoy. At the center of the barrier, they could see a girl with a Red Ponytail and a Greatsword, floating in the air, one hand gripping the sword, the other extended forward.

”Whew........”

Seeing the appearance of this girl, Misato Katsuragi couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Although she still didn’t know who this red ponytail girl was, it was clear that she was on her side. At least, as long as she was there, she shouldn’t have to worry about NERV headquarters being breached...

”Woo---!”

However, at this moment, the toilet paper Angel Envoy also reached out its hands again, and the swirling toilet paper swiftly swept towards the EVAs in front. But this time, before those EVAs could make a move, the red ponytail girl raised the Greatsword in her hand and swung it fiercely at the toilet paper Angel Envoy!

”Swish!!”

In the next instant, the arms of the toilet paper Angel Envoy that were shooting forward suddenly became tattered, and its AT Field was instantly cut in half, with blood splattering out from the wounds and spraying onto the AT Field fragments that hadn’t completely vanished!

”Hiss---!”

Witnessing this scene, everyone gasped. Just how powerful this Angel Envoy was, they had witnessed firsthand until now. And this girl, who wasn’t even as tall as an EVA’s finger, managed to penetrate the AT Field of the almost strongest rejection-type Angel Envoy with just one sword?

Even Shinji Ikari and the others were momentarily at a loss for words, but soon, they heard an unfamiliar voice coming through the communication system.

”Come on, do I really need to teach you how to fight at this point?”

”You don’t need to say it!”

Asuka was the first to react; the unfamiliar voice hadn’t even finished before she directly controlled Unit-02 to leap up suddenly, raising the Halberd in her hand to slash down onto the Angel Envoy. Previously, because the Angel Envoy’s AT Field was too strong, they couldn’t inflict damage. Now, with its defenses directly cut open by this mysterious red ponytail girl, it would truly be foolish not to seize this opportunity!

”Blurch!!”

The sharp Halberd heavily slashed into the body of the Angel Envoy, leaving behind a deep wound. However, it didn’t manage to kill the toilet paper Angel Envoy; instead, the tentacles behind it, like toilet paper, frantically swung around and tightly wrapped around Unit-02’s head, trying to pull it away.

”Mmm... Mmm...”

At this moment, Asuka inside the Insertion Plug was suffering too. She raised her body, displaying a painful expression, with marks resembling strangulation appearing on her neck.

”Idiot Shinji, First! Hurry up!!”

”Aaaaaah!!”

At this juncture, Shinji Ikari also piloted Unit-01 to rise up; the weapon in his hand had shattered into fragments during the earlier battle. Now, Unit-01 quickly grabbed the High-Vibration Particle Dagger from the shoulder and thrust it forcefully towards the Angel Envoy, tearing open the thick skin enclosing its core.

”Ayanami!”

At Shinji’s call, Unit-00 picked up the Longsword dropped nearby without hesitation, then stabbed forcefully at the core of the Angel Envoy in front.

”Thud!”

The pitch-black, sharp Longsword pierced through the Angel Envoy’s core; in the next moment, the spherical core exploded suddenly, dissolving into a pool of blood. And the Angel Envoy itself also struggled violently before collapsing slowly into silence on the ground.

”Angel Envoy confirmed eliminated!”

”Phew.......”

Only at this point did the people inside the headquarters relax, with Misato Katsuragi also clenching her fist, pressing it on the table, using the cold touch to calm down, then planning to give orders.

However...... it was at this moment that the always silent Gendo Ikari suddenly spoke.

”Release NCL immediately.”

”Eh?”

Upon hearing Gendo Ikari’s order, Misato Katsuragi paused, quickly turning her head.

”But Commander, the Angel Envoy has already been eliminated......”

”Release NCL, disinfect all underground spaces.”

Gendo Ikari merely repeated the order quietly without further speech, while Misato Katsuragi hesitated, as if realizing something, suddenly turning to gaze at the red ponytail girl still hovering on the screen!

She finally understood what Gendo Ikari wanted to do!

NCL is a potent bactericidal disinfectant gas. Given that the Angel Envoy died underground, comprehensive disinfection is required to prevent residual substances from the Angel Envoy from causing harm; this appears entirely reasonable. But the problem is only one.... that NCL is extremely toxic, so lethal that anyone exposed would die within ten seconds!

Right now, outside the entire underground space, apart from the three EVAs, only the red ponytail girl remains!

EVAs can’t be killed by NCL, but it’s hard to say for that girl. Although she is mighty, at least she still looks human; despite exhibiting strength surpassing even the Angel Envoy in battle, who knows if she’s resistant to gas?

If this girl could be killed by the gas.......

Thinking about this, Misato Katsuragi clenched both fists, unwilling to execute this command. After all, in her view, having just helped eliminate the Angel Envoy, to reciprocate such aid with betrayal was truly unjustifiable. Unfortunately, Gendo Ikari holds the highest command authority; his order doesn’t require Misato Katsuragi’s endorsement, and others immediately commenced action.

”Seal all underground spaces.”

”NCL release initiated!”

No sooner said than done, white fog abruptly spewed from the ceiling overhead, enveloping the entire underground space in an instant......