"BT, I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"I wish to hear the good news first, Pilot."
"I found Colonel Anderson."
"That is indeed good news. What about the bad news?"
"Only half of him was found."
"Apologies, Pilot, I am unsure if my language module is malfunctioning. Please confirm, is that the literal meaning?"
"Yes, the literal meaning."
Kael sighed softly as he looked at Colonel Anderson, whose body was hanging halfway from the ceiling. He had moved so quickly, yet he still hadn't made it in time?
"...That truly is bad news."
BT paused, then expressed its sentiment.
"At least we've rendezvoused with Colonel Anderson. That counts as completing the mission objective, right?"
Kael reached out and took Colonel Anderson's Pilot helmet, putting it on himself.
"Theoretically, yes, but our mission objective is not yet complete. After confirming Colonel Anderson's death, Special Operation 2-1-7 will be transferred to you."
"Damn it, BT! Aren't I an infantryman? When did I become a colonel?"
Kael said, annoyed, handing Colonel Anderson's helmet to BT to extract important information.
"According to the Resistance promotion system rules, you will certainly be promoted to colonel after completing this special operation."
"Colonel or not isn't important. What I'm more interested in is whether the Resistance will give me a wife. I'm so busy fighting IMC that my personal life is still unsettled."
Kael complained, saying that if his life continued like this, he was really going to get emotional.
"Apologies, Pilot, my database does not contain information related to that, but I will report your request to Resistance Logistics Headquarters."
"Also, ask if custom orders are possible. Don't give me a bunch of ugly ones."
Kael leaned against BT's leg, his face full of anticipation, feeling that his days in the Resistance might have a little hope.
They were all Kael, he couldn't be the only one in jail.
Although mechs were a man's romance, one couldn't always live by romance. If he continued to suppress himself like this, he would really have to consider customizing a backup body for BT.
As an artificial intelligence, BT didn't have a specific gender.
Don't assume its gender just because its synthesized voice sounded masculine.
Sound, after all, was just the result of object resonance.
If Kael wanted to, he could change BT's timbre at any time.
As l*li as he wanted, as mature as he wanted.
Kael's gaze towards BT was already a little perverted.
"The following is the mission assigned to Colonel Anderson by Resistance SRS Commander Briggs..."
A holographic projection appeared, reenacting the conversation and mission assignment between Colonel Anderson and Commander Briggs.
The gist was that a few weeks ago, the Resistance intercepted an IMC communication confirming that IMC was conducting some dangerous experiments on the Typhon.
This not only caused a violent explosion but also led to a distortion of time in a certain area.
The advanced technology in the titan world had reached a level where it could affect time.
But unfortunately, this war of Resistance was far from over; otherwise, Kael really wanted to find time to calm down and study it thoroughly.
It would be best to go to an interstellar university for further study, meet junior and senior female students from different star systems, and contribute his energy to interstellar peace.
However, these were all matters for after the mission was completed. For now, he needed to focus on the task at hand.
Kael first had to find Colonel Anderson's butt—er, I mean, his other half, where the crucial instruments and equipment were located, which were key to completing the mission.
"I detect a breach in the structure. I will provide the Pilot with access."
BT said, moving to a lamppost.
The access it spoke of was to set up a zipline.
"Why bother? Just throw me up there."
Kael interrupted, seeing BT's actions.
"That is indeed a good idea, Pilot."
BT's voice sounded a little happy; in its opinion, this was the Pilot's trust in it.
Kael stepped onto BT's hand.
"Calculating wind speed... Adjusting force..."
BT raised its other hand, made some calculations, and then forcefully threw Kael out.
The force and accuracy were perfectly controlled.
Kael landed steadily in the breach of the building, entering its interior.
Due to the IMC's experiments, spacetime here was extremely unstable, overlapping with another spacetime.
Lacking a key item, Kael couldn't actively control whether to enter the overlapping spacetime and could only be passively drawn into it.
The experimental building, which had been reduced to ruins, instantly reverted to its intact state. The IMC experimental security system detected an unauthorized Pilot signal and immediately entered a state of alert.
Defense robots activated, and dazzling red lights flashed.
"Let's have some fun."
Kael was ready to vent his abundant energy here.
...
...
In the Pure White Space
Two unfamiliar faces appeared before Folk Chen Nuo.
One was dressed as a ranger, the other was a high school student.
"Are there newcomers?"
Folk Chen Nuo looked like he was drained and suffering from kidney deficiency. Calling upon ten dragon girls with dragon bloodlines at once was indeed a considerable challenge for him.
To 'convince' them, Folk Chen Nuo had pushed his body to its limits.
"Who are you?"
The youth dressed as a ranger asked curiously.
"Next time, I should try something lighter to change the taste. I heard a batch of Puji-niang arrived in the Undercity. It gets tiresome always having dragon girls and succubi."
Folk Chen Nuo pounded his waist and stood up.
Dragon girls were too fiery and dominant, easy to get inflamed from.
Succubi were too utilitarian, only thinking about draining your energy, interesting but ruthless. Sometimes being too skilled also reduced the fun of exploration and pioneering, and they carried a faint smell of sulfur.
However, compared to other Monster Girls, succubi had a big advantage: they were available on call and didn't cost money.
This made many Monster Girls very resistant to succubi, feeling that these guys severely disrupted market rules.
"Don't be nervous, give me a high-five."
Folk Chen Nuo raised his hand and greeted them.
It was his turn to be on duty, responsible for updating data for the 'Kaels in prison' across various worlds, and waiting to see if any new 'big legs' appeared.
The young ranger hesitated, exchanged glances with the high school student, and then both raised their hands to high-five, and everything became clear.
...
...
Sugisawa Third High School
Kael woke up from his desk. The classroom was already empty of other students. As an exchange student, it was normal to be ostracized and neglected on a local campus.
The only reason it hadn't escalated into physical bullying was purely because Kael was too good at fighting; it was already good if he didn't violently bully others.
Being bad and being stupid were not the same thing at all.
Moreover, his status as an exchange student had brought Kael some attention from the higher-ups at the school.
"Waking up with thirteen 'Nuos' within me, it's simply wonderful!"
Kael sat in his chair, stretched lazily, looking excited and refreshed.
Ever since he awakened his memories of his previous life and realized his current situation a while ago, he hadn't slept well at night, constantly feeling suspicious.
After all, Cursed Spirits were just like ghosts; normal people couldn't see them. Who knew if one was clinging to his back?
But now, the situation was different.
Kael felt the surging power within him and was eager to know his strength level. This would determine whether he needed to continue eating beef in the future.
"Itadori! Go! Itadori! Go!"
Noisy sounds came from the sports field.
Kael pushed open the window and looked down, seeing the sports field crowded with students watching the commotion.
To trick Itadori Yuji into joining the Track and Field Club, Teacher Takagi had gone to great lengths, using various methods and even altering his club application form, causing the Occult Research Club to face the dilemma of disbanding due to insufficient members.
Kael had heard of Itadori Yuji's reputation as an all-around athlete at school.
However, the two had no interaction in the past. Kael, with his awakened memories, had been avoiding him as much as possible.
As for now...
Kael propped his chin, watching the noisy crowd disperse, then got up and left his seat.
It was now club activity time.
Club activities were very important locally, with numerous club competitions in various schools, which could even help students secure direct admission to universities.
However, Kael hadn't filled out an application form before, which was why he had been sleeping alone in the classroom.
"Hey, you there, the one in front, with glasses."
Kael called out to a student walking past him. The student tried to pretend not to hear and quickened his pace to leave, but Kael grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Don't hit me! If you want money, I can give it all to you!"
The student with glasses cried out, his body trembling with fear.
Damn it, how did those punks he beat up slander him outside?
Kael felt he had been too lenient before. If he had another chance to see them, he should at least break three of their ribs.
No wonder female classmates hadn't been secretly glancing at him, this handsome guy with exotic charm, recently. It turned out his reputation had been damaged.
"Don't be scared, I just want to ask, where is the Occult Research Club?"
Kael lifted the student with glasses and showed a friendly smile.
"It's in the classroom at the end of the hall upstairs."
The student with glasses was influenced by the smile, and his tense, fearful emotions relaxed considerably. He answered in a low voice.
"Thanks, classmate."
Kael patted his shoulder and walked upstairs.
Watching his receding figure, the student with glasses touched the bridge of his nose, a murmur rising in his heart.
It seemed that the transfer student 'Demon King' wasn't as scary as they said.
In the country that coined the term 'chuunibyou,' high school campuses were a high-incidence area for its onset.
Just look at Itadori Yuji's nickname, "Tigerman of West Junior High," and you'd know.
Locals liked this kind of flair.
Kael quickly found the classroom for the Occult Research Club.
At this time, the two main and only members, who had just finished watching the commotion, returned here.
Seeing Kael waiting at the door, the boy and girl were both stunned, seemingly confused about Kael's identity.
After all, even if the transfer student 'Demon King' was famous, not everyone had seen him.
"I heard your Occult Research Club is short one person. Can I join?"
Kael stated his purpose.
"Join the Occult Research Club?"
The female student named Sasaki's eyes lit up. There could never be too many like-minded companions, and most importantly, the Occult Research Club was indeed severely understaffed right now.
Just by the name of the club, you could tell it was as niche as it gets, making it basically impossible to attract new members.
Students were also very practical. Who would want to waste time joining something without benefits, unless they genuinely liked it?
"Come in first, student."
Sasaki pressed her lips, took out the key, opened the Occult Research Club's classroom door, and invited Kael in.
"Just call me Kael."
Kael followed the two into the classroom.
This club office was actually a storage room, filled with useless books and equipment, but some of them were also tools used by the Occult Research Club.
The space wasn't large, but thanks to the small number of members, it didn't feel crowded during activities.
"Kael, right? I'm Sasaki, and this is Iguchi. Another member ran into some trouble and isn't on our club roster right now. I'll introduce you to them next time; they're a very interesting person."
Sasaki was quite talkative, while the tall Iguchi was a bit more reserved, not quite accustomed to interacting with strangers.
"That's enough for introductions. Joining our club isn't just about filling out an application form."
Sasaki pushed up her glasses, placed her hands on the desk, leaned slightly forward, and continued in a solemn tone.
"Let me ask you a question, Kael, do you believe in the existence of supernatural phenomena in this world?"
Kael's gaze lingered on Sasaki's eyes for a moment, then shifted behind her, pointing to the hallway outside the classroom and saying.
"Isn't there a Cursed Spirit right there?"
In his vision, a deformed, inhuman Cursed Spirit was crawling forward, disappearing into the restroom.
Cursed Spirits were born from human negative emotions, the materialization of curses.
They usually appeared in places where negative emotions gathered, such as hospitals.
Schools were also high-incidence areas because young people were more prone to emotional outbursts, and with high pressure, they could easily veer into extreme negativity.
"That's exactly right!"
Sasaki excitedly slapped the table. She had genuinely been startled by Kael's tone, her hairs standing on end, and immediately stood up and declared.
"Excellent, congratulations on joining the Occult Research Club. Now, please fill out the club application form."
"Don't I still have to fill out a form?"
Kael took the paper and pen Sasaki handed him, feeling a bit speechless.
"Well, that's the school's rule, you know."
Sasaki smiled a little sheepishly. Now considering Kael one of their own, her demeanor and tone became more casual. She lowered her voice conspiratorially and continued.
"Do you have time tonight? The club has a big event."
"Then I'll look forward to it."
Kael nodded, accepting Sasaki's invitation.