Chapter 507: Forged Identity
Continuous covert observation of Rei Ayanami further corroborated Ryo's initial genetic analysis conclusions.
Her behavioral patterns exhibited the typical characteristics of an unnaturally cultivated individual: emotional responses were sparse to the point of near absence; there were massive blanks in her understanding of social common sense and interpersonal rules; her personality structure appeared extremely thin, lacking the desires, curiosity, and autonomous decision-making capabilities typical of ordinary people.
She strictly adhered to the schedules and directives stipulated by NERV, her life trajectory simple and repetitive, like a device merely executing basic functions.
This anomalous state of existence formed a bizarre resonance with the environment she was in.
Although Tokyo-3 had been rebuilt as a fortress city to counter the Angels, the entire city remained shrouded in the long shadow of the Second Impact.
That global cataclysm, originating in Antarctica, not only claimed the lives of billions and fundamentally altered the planet's climate and topography, but its lingering trauma was still clearly visible today.
Traces of the old and new intertwined were visible everywhere in the city. Some areas featured brand-new high-tech buildings, while others still held scattered, incompletely cleared ruins, or old-style buildings that had been barely repaired and still bore obvious signs of damage.
The apartment building where Rei Ayanami lived was a microcosm of this post-traumatic urban landscape.
It was an old-style building located in a relatively remote area. Its exterior was aged, the walls bearing the marks of wind, rain erosion, and unrefined repairs likely stemming from past conflicts.
Many window panes were broken, boarded up with simple panels.
The entire building seemed to have long been abandoned by other tenants, becoming a nearly forgotten corner—whether by NERV's deliberate arrangement or simply through the city's natural decay.
Based on vital sign scanning and environmental monitoring, Ryo confirmed that Rei Ayanami was currently the sole occupant of the entire building.
She commuted daily between this lonely residence, her school, and NERV Headquarters—a simple three-point line, practically avoiding any unnecessary interaction with anyone.
NERV provided her with the most basic living space but seemingly had no intention of improving the quality of her living environment. This arrangement revealed a coldness akin to keeping a tool at the absolute minimum maintenance cost.
Ryo recorded all of this: the target individual's unnatural personality traits, combined with the isolated environment shaped by the shadow of disaster and human factors, formed a complete case study of immense research value regarding the existential state of "artificial life" within a specific social structure.
This also gave him a more concrete understanding of the operational logic and ethical boundaries of the organization known as NERV.
However, within his psychic perception, the situation was entirely different. Deep within that seemingly fragile, empty shell lay a vast, ancient, and dormant spiritual existence.
The essence of this consciousness was unlike any human or psyker he had encountered before; it was grander, more primal, carrying an inhuman, almost divine quality.
According to the memories transmitted by the main body, this was undoubtedly the soul of "Lilith," currently in a state of deep slumber. Yet its mere existence, like a dormant star, held incalculable power and mysteries.
This discovery vastly stimulated Ryo's desire to research.
A living clone sample fusing specific human genes with "divine" genes, while simultaneously bearing a dormant ancient soul—its research value far exceeded an EVA unit or an Angel carcass.
She herself was a walking treasure trove regarding the shaping of life, the essence of the soul, and the core secrets of this world.
The desire to acquire her became stronger than ever.
But the practical obstacles were equally massive.
The protective measures NERV had in place for Rei Ayanami far exceeded those for Shinji Ikari.
She lived in a special isolation zone deep within NERV Headquarters. Her travel routes were fixed and under multiple layers of surveillance, and there were always hidden agents escorting her.
Even with Ryo's individual combat prowess and psychic abilities as a Space Marine, the success rate of forcibly abducting the target from the heavily guarded NERV Headquarters—and dealing with the subsequent full-scale counterattack, which could potentially include berserk EVAs—was extremely low, and the risks were entirely uncontrollable.
Through the dimensional communicator, he discussed this dilemma with the main body.
"The biological and soul-logical value of the target 'Rei Ayanami' is confirmed to exceed expectations," Ryo transmitted the assessment results. "But the risk of forcible seizure is too high; a safer method of intervention is required."
The main body's response was calm and pragmatic: "Assessment affirmed. Recommend adopting an infiltration strategy. Utilize the information chaos caused by the Second Impact in this world to establish an identity."
"Agreed. Need to establish an identity sufficient to justify contact with the pilots," Ryo began a feasibility deduction. "A simple external expert identity lacks sufficient clearance; a more attractive entry point is needed."
They quickly analyzed the explicit crisis facing the current world: the devastating blow the Second Impact dealt to the global ecology.
The once-blue oceans were now dyed an ominous red, and the ecosystem was near collapse.
"We can use our achievements in Genesis Particle environmental reshaping as an entry point," the main body suggested. "Demonstrate the theoretical feasibility of partially restoring the marine ecology. This will not only provide a professional background capable of withstanding scrutiny, but its research field is sufficient to attract NERV's attention."
"Understood. I will construct an identity profile by hacking into the global database, and publish relevant research findings under my real name," Ryo accepted this plan.
Against the backdrop of the chaotic information management following the Second Impact, it was not difficult to establish a complete resume for the marine biology and environmental restoration expert "Ryo."
He utilized the application data of Genesis Particles in microscopic material restructuring and ecological guidance to author several forward-looking papers on "High-Activity Environmental Catalytic Particle Theory" and "Feasibility of LCL Water Body Purification," publishing them through controlled academic channels.
These papers presented an entirely new approach to environmental restoration, surpassing the current era yet possessing a rigorous theoretical framework, aiming directly at how to reverse the "red pollution" caused by the Second Impact on the oceans.
He predicted there was a high probability that NERV—which had constantly been dedicated to handling various post-Impact crises—would notice this suddenly appearing expert with a unique research direction.
Particularly Misato Katsuragi, the Head of Tactical Operations; having witnessed the world's destruction firsthand, she would likely be even more attentive to such technology.
Once NERV proactively contacted "Ryo," he would obtain an official, legal cover identity.
Relying on this identity, he could legitimately request to research the environmental impact of the residual LCL from Angels, and even expand into researching the physiological reactions of EVA pilots under special environments. This would gradually grant him the clearance to conduct regular, legal contact with Rei Ayanami.
After the consciousness link ended, Ryo temporarily ceased close-range physical observation, devoting his primary focus to identity construction and academic preparation.
In order to make contact with that unique research sample, he chose to first become the "expert" capable of solving a manifest crisis in this world.
(End of Chapter)