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

Chapter 157 The Day Angels Attack (The End)
The incident involving Suzuhara Touji was like a pebble thrown into a lake; although it created brief ripples, it also subtly changed something deep within the lake.

After resolving numerous problems, both big and small, Zhang Qi was finally able to devote all his energy back to the EVA modification project.

To his surprise, Shinji Ikari's attitude towards him seemed to have shed its last layer of cautious distance from that day onward.

The boy is no longer like a frightened hedgehog, always raising his quills to protect himself, but will occasionally and proactively share some trivial things about school.

"Um... Suzuhara-san apologized to me today."

After dinner, Shinji Ikari said in a low voice as he cleared the dishes, a hint of ease in his voice that he himself didn't realize.
"He also...he even made me punch him, saying that would make it even."

"So you hit him?"

Zhang Qi leaned against the kitchen doorway and asked with great interest.

"No……"

Shinji Ikari shook his head, a look of confusion on his face.
"I always felt something was off. But he didn't seem like such a bad person."

"That's good."

Zhang Qi smiled but didn't offer any further comment.

The boy paused, as if remembering something, his movements faltered slightly, and his face revealed that familiar expression, a mixture of confusion and unease.

"And... that Ayanami-san, lately... it seems like she's been watching me a lot."

He added in a low voice,
"Did I...do something wrong? Did I make her angry?"

"Oh? Li?"

Zhang Qi raised an eyebrow.

"I wanted to ask her about it during training at the base today, but... I didn't know how to bring it up."

Shinji Ikari nodded, then quickly lowered his head, as if afraid that his thoughts would be seen through.

Ah, youth really is...

Zhang Qi smiled at her helpless look.

However, this rare period of peace did not last long.

Just a few days later, the shrill and urgent alarm once again shattered the tranquility of Tokyo-3.

The second apostle has arrived.

At NERV headquarters, on the huge command screen, a long, slender, bizarre creature resembling a giant sea worm was wreaking havoc on the city.

It has two tentacles that resemble energy whips, and with each swing, it leaves a deep, bone-revealing scorch mark on the ground.

"Target has entered Zone C-05! Citywide defense system activated! Ground-based electromagnetic railguns, begin engagement!"

Misato Katsuragi's voice echoed in the command room as she calmly issued the orders.

Unlike the last time the Water Angels attacked, this time, the enemy they faced was not an army, but NERV with full firepower.

At her command, a muffled rumble echoed from beneath the city, and menacing cannons rose from beneath the camouflaged buildings, their muzzles flashing with eerie blue arcs of electricity, locking onto the enemy in the sky.

This is a city defense system that Zhang Qili spearheaded the renovation of a few years ago. It is powered directly by an underground Ark Reactor, replacing some of the traditional gunpowder weapons.

That's why the EVA modification plan could be implemented so quickly, since the production lines for the relevant parts were already in place.

Last time, in order to make the world's leaders realize the terror of the Angels, NERV deliberately kept this trump card hidden.

Now, it's time for humanity to show its true fangs.

"Fire!"

The next second, a sharp whistling sound rang out, tearing through the air!

Dozens of solid projectiles, traveling at ten times the speed of sound (beyond the naked eye) and leaving long white trails, rained down on the Day Angel!
However, a desperate scene unfolded once again.

Faced with projectiles powerful enough to pierce an aircraft carrier's steel plates, the Day Angel was merely surrounded by a pale orange hexagonal light barrier.

AT's position.

The solid projectile struck the field, creating ripples, before turning into dust under the intense kinetic energy impact.

Without pausing for even a moment, the Day Angel raised its two energy tentacles, sweeping them across the ground like a mythical demon wielding a whip!
"Boom——!"

Two electromagnetic artillery turrets, having just fired their ammunition, along with the entire defensive structure they were situated in, were instantly severed in half! Broken steel bars and concrete scattered like crushed biscuits in the massive explosion. The atmosphere in the command room froze instantly.

"Shinji, are you ready?"

Zhang Qi ignored the commotion around him and calmly asked into the communicator.

On the other side of the screen is the cockpit of Unit-01.

"Ready!"

Shinji Ikari took a deep breath, and his voice no longer trembled as he answered. His eyes, which were always filled with confusion, now burned with an unprecedentedly firm light.

The scene Zhang Qi had taken him to see a few days ago involuntarily flashed through his mind. Deep inside the enormous hangar, countless technicians in work clothes were working day and night to modify and debug the EVA.

"It is the fault of us adults to drag children like you into the battlefield."

"The only thing we can do is to do everything in our power to provide support for you on the battlefield..."

Zhang Qi's words still seem to echo in my ears.

Even if it's just for Zhang Qisang... for those who placed their hopes on him... he has to work harder!
The next moment, with tremendous thrust, Unit-01 was launched by a high-speed catapult, like a purple cannonball, breaking through the ground and landing steadily in front of the Angel of Day.

Compared to the last one, this time Unit-01 has undergone a significant change in appearance.

The originally slender armor became thicker and more powerful, and on its back, two long, slender swords were crossed and hung diagonally, their cold sheaths reflecting the unique cold light of metal in the sunlight.

Just like during training... Calm down!
Shinji Ikari suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and firmly gripped the control stick with both hands.

Unit-01 raised the Gauss rifle in its hand, pointing the muzzle directly at the enemy.

“Bang bang bang bang—!”

A series of rapid shots were fired, the projectiles whistling out at five times the speed of sound. Although the speed was not as fast as the city's main cannon, it was superior in terms of continuity and accuracy. Each shot hit the same point on the Day Angel AT field, stirring up ripples.

But just like before, Unit-01 emptied an entire magazine and still couldn't break through that barrier of the heart.

The Angel of Day seemed to be enraged. It let out a silent roar, and its two energy tentacles, stirring up clouds of dust, lashed out at Unit-01 like two venomous snakes ready to devour its prey!
quick! too fast!
In the blink of an eye, Shinji Ikari's pupils suddenly contracted.

Without the slightest hesitation, Unit-01 discarded the rifle in its hand, and its huge purple hand gripped the hilt of the sword behind it.

"Qiang——!"

With a clear metallic scraping sound, the first high-frequency katana was instantly drawn!

Instead of retreating, the purple giant advanced, facing the deadly energy whip. The gleaming blade in its hand drew a precise and elegant arc, slashing squarely at one of the tentacles!
Unexpectedly, the blade was not deflected by the energy. Instead, it seemed to come alive, coiling and wrapping around the tentacle's waving trajectory, and actually wrapped the violent energy whip around the blade!
The next moment, Unit-01 suddenly lowered its waist, exerted force with its arm, and slammed the bound tentacle hard to the ground, the tip of the blade penetrating deep into the earth and pinning it firmly!

"Good job!"

In the command room, Misato Katsuragi couldn't help but shout out.

On the battlefield, Shinji Ikari's movements did not falter for a moment.

While pinning down one of the tentacles, Unit-01's left hand had already gripped the hilt of the second katana on its back!
Draw your sword and charge!
The entire movement was performed in one smooth, fluid motion!

The purple giant transformed into a blur, charging towards the day angel who had lost his balance and revealed an opening. The second katana in his hand was aimed directly at the core of the opponent's chest, which was emitting an ominous red light!

"It's now!"

Shinji Ikari roared, pouring all his will into it!
Om-!
On the blade in Unit-01's hand, the previously invisible AT field suddenly condensed into a cone-shaped energy field that was visible to the naked eye, enveloping the entire blade!
That wall of the heart was no longer a simple defense, but transformed into the sharpest spear!

"Pfft——!"

There was no resistance whatsoever, as if a hot knife were cutting into butter.

The AT field that the Day Angel was so proud of was instantly pierced and torn apart by that indestructible energy drill! Immediately afterwards, the gleaming blade precisely pierced through its crimson core!

Time seems to stand still at this moment.

The angel of day froze, slowly lowering its head to look at its pierced chest, then fell completely silent.

"I... I really did it?"

Inside the cockpit, Shinji Ikari stared blankly at the dead Angel of Day on the screen, then slowly raised his hands, feeling a sense of unreality.

This time, he didn't rely on a rampage after falling into a coma, but on his previous training and his own strength to defeat the enemy.

So... if he works hard, he can do something like that too?

(End of this chapter)