Chapter 167 - 84: Rei Ayanami, So Many Rei Ayanamis! (Part 1)

Chapter 167: Chapter 84: Rei Ayanami, So Many Rei Ayanamis! (Part 1)

"Stop! He’s the one who just destroyed Unit-02!"

Rei Ayanami suddenly stepped in front of Alex to block him, her pale blue short hair swaying slightly in the shadows of the base.

Facing dozens of laser sights aiming at her, her face showed no trace of emotion. Her eyes were as calm as a deep pool, not rippling in the slightest at the threat of death.

"Number 7346, you were supposed to die out there."

A cold voice came from deep within the base, echoing repeatedly in the vast space and carrying a machine-like indifference.

"Your return will lead to the complete exposure of this base. Outside is filled with his clones!" The cold voice rang out once more, reverberating through the massive underground facility.

"I know, but I feel that this might be our—or rather, Shinji’s—last chance!" Rei Ayanami’s eyes were resolute, showing no intention of backing down.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

The spotlights at the top of the base lit up in sequence. The pale, stark light pierced the darkness, illuminating the scene deep within.

Hundreds of Rei Ayanamis walked out from the shadows. They possessed the exact same pale blue short hair, the exact same fair skin, and the exact same ruby-like eyes. Even their standing postures were identical, without the slightest deviation. They lined up neatly on both sides of the corridor—a scene so bizarre it made one’s heart palpitate.

’Clones?’ Alex’s eyes flickered, but this had nothing to do with him. He had followed this Rei Ayanami to the base solely to obtain intel on the world’s mutation and, conveniently, to find the Spear of Longinus!

Two Rei Ayanamis stepped forward. Using devices that emitted green light, they scanned Alex and Number 7346. Then, they turned back and shook their heads.

"There are no signs of infection. Although it is unbelievable, that is the reality!"

Among the many Rei Ayanamis, the one who looked the most mature relaxed her gaze slightly.

She spoke coldly. "Follow me, powerhouse from another world! You must also want to know why this world has become like this!"

Alex stepped forward. The Rei Ayanami who had brought him here stood quietly in place like a robot, completely devoid of any further movement.

The most mature-looking Rei Ayanami led Alex deeper into the base. Her voice was slightly deeper than the other clones, carrying an imperceptible hint of exhaustion.

"Hello, I am Rei Ayanami, or you can call me Number Nine..."

Alex nodded slightly without speaking, an imperceptible cold glint flashing through his eyes.

The two walked silently in tandem toward the interior of the base. Passing through a heavy, thick iron door, the air became filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant and some sort of biological culture fluid.

Guided by the dim emergency lights, they stepped into a massive, circular underground space.

The central area was illuminated by a soft white light. Presented before his eyes was a biological laboratory so gargantuan it was heart-stopping.

Countless cylindrical incubation pods lined up neatly like a silent forest, all filled with pale orange LCL fluid.

Inside every single incubation pod, a Rei Ayanami floated quietly.

They all had the exact same pale blue short hair, the exact same fair skin, and that iconic pair of ruby-red eyes.

Tens of thousands... perhaps even hundreds of thousands of naked bodies were soaked in the life-sustaining fluid, resembling exquisite yet freezing wax figures, completely motionless.

Facing this scene, Number Nine showed no intention of explaining anything.

_____

T/N:

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