Chapter 206: Takimi Yumiko

Sal Restaurant, second floor, inside a clean and tidy white room.

It was another bright morning, with Jiang Xia in a white pajama sitting on a chair, and there was no one else in the room.

The Rixia Bu Xi who had promised to come back yesterday for dinner still had some data unrecorded, so he got up earlier today.

As a researcher, it's completely normal to have a reversed day‑night schedule, and I work every day in the Earth Library.

If inspiration strikes, I might habitually stay awake.

However, as the manager of this place, he has never been late.

Wait, he's no longer the manager now—just a low‑rank temporary worker.

Moreover, his work hours are now the same as Kagami's, allowing him to sleep a bit longer.

But as soon as he opened his eyes, he realized he should keep sleeping rather than get up.

Yet he felt there was nothing that could help him fall asleep.

He could only wear his pajamas, take out a blank notebook, pinch the pen tip—clearly preparing to work again.

For Jiang Xia, who often lacks sleep, getting up on time is actually the norm.

Now that he has extra time, he might as well record the data from yesterday's battle.

Data can be useful sometimes, but at other times it's wildly inaccurate.

Jiang Xia doesn't go so far as to fully trust the data.

Even from an ordinary person's perspective on the Knight universe, one can see that these numbers are filled in by the screenwriter with his toes.

To fully trust the data and not get beaten up would be strange.

Fortunately, Jiang Xia only uses it as a reference, judging by the enemy's feel and his own combat performance.

to determine exactly what needs improvement.

The Hundred Insect Sword actually satisfies Jiang Xia greatly—its attack can pierce the time axis, launching from the past to strike enemies in the future.

Such a trait has no rival among weapons in this Knight circle.

Against Alien Insects, Jiang Xia's strength is enough to kill them bare‑handed or with a small knife.

However, the Hundred Insect Sword's time‑crossing attribute is an important weapon that can harm the Alien Insect Queen for him.

Jiang Xia roughly noted his improvement ideas in the notebook.

Original Insects have many time‑control techniques, such as Sea Pa Worm, ClockUp, molting, and various upgrade gear of the Knight system.

Such high‑end time‑related technology isn't low in difficulty, and the power of the Sea Pa Worm is still very necessary.

Of course, data on the Sea Pa Worm does exist in the Earth Library, but it's incomplete.

What's more troublesome is the lack of equipment and a large research team.

The Sea Pa Worm's ability to carry people through time cannot be solved by sheer grinding.

One careless misstep could leave you lost in chaotic time, with a high risk of going berserk.

For now, the only option is to use ZECT to obtain equipment and data.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xia glanced at the pendulum on the wall; the minute hand just jumped to the last mark.

This is also the time he needs to get up now.

Just like usual, aside from him becoming a temporary worker, nothing seems to have changed.

And the proprietress, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, has returned—not just coming back, but having completed her trip.

Actually, the proprietress's name is Takimi Yumiko, but everyone now habitually calls her "proprietress".

According to Jiang Xia's observation, her trip this time went quite well, and she's smiling broadly.

At that moment, the proprietress saw Jiang Xia coming downstairs and her eyes lit up.

When she returned, she had already sensed that Xiao Xi's heart had changed.

Of course she also admired her own decision, instantly recognizing that Jiang Xia is the one who can untie Xiao Xi's heart‑knot.

Originally Xiao Xi was as silent as a gourd, but now he's changed quite a bit; yet in her eyes he could still become better.

Moreover, to become fully lively, he certainly can't stay cooped up in the restaurant all the time; he should go out more.

"Xiao Xi, the olive oil in the shop is used up—would you and Jiang Xia like to go buy some?"

The proprietress spoke to Rixia Bu Xi, then turned her head and winked at Jiang Xia.

This isn't a hint—it's an outright suggestion, so obvious it's practically telling them to leave.

"All right, Xiao Xi and I will go buy olive oil."

Jiang Xia took over Takimi Yumiko's responsibility and brought Rixia Bu Xi out of the Saer Restaurant.

They need to buy olive oil, though it could actually wait a few days.

Because Jiang Xia knows there are still many bottles in the kitchen—he bought them when he was the manager.

Rixia Bu Xi surely knows that, yet she still came along.

"Let's first browse that store, then head to the park—I haven't seen you draw in ages."

Jiang Xia looked at the still slightly restrained Rixia Bu Xi Dao.

"Hmm." Rixia Bu Xi lightly nodded and agreed.

Now the small satchel slung across her body happens to contain those blank drawing papers.

Not long after Jiang Xia left, Kagami suddenly flung open the door of the Saer Restaurant, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Huh? Kagami, why did you suddenly show up? Today isn't your work shift."

Takimi Yumiko, holding a broom, looked surprised at the rushing Kagami.

Upon seeing Takimi Yumiko, Kagami instantly swallowed the words he had been about to say.

"I have an urgent matter I need to discuss with Jiang Xia—may I ask where he is now?"

Kagami looked around, and based on past experience, Jiang Xia should now be standing in the back kitchen, elegantly making breakfast.

Of course, this isn't him taking leave like last week.

Damn it, why does it have to be now?

Although Kagami was frantic inside, Kagami still managed to keep a calm face.

In the battles against the Alien Insect, Kagami also grew a lot, and often learned to hide.

"He and Xiao Xi went to buy olive oil together, at the import grocery store we usually go to. Is there something urgent?" Zhugong Gongzi asked.

"I just have something to give him, that's all. It's nothing; I can give it to him when he comes back. I'll go now." Kagami said.

Knowing Jiang Xia's current location, Kagami let out a sigh of relief.

He had been to that place before; getting there wouldn't take long, and he should be able to prevent the incident from happening again.

"Kagami seems to have changed, yet also seems not to have changed."

Zhugong Gongzi murmured while watching Kagami leave.

Boom—

Kagami, wearing ZECT's dedicated helmet, rode the YellowBee motorcycle, preparing to head to the import grocery store.

Suddenly, the voice of a Miying Squad member came from inside the helmet.

"What's up?" Kagami asked while gripping the handlebars.

"What, another squad member was killed? Tell me the address, I'll rush over right away."

Upon hearing the Miying Squad's report to Kagami of a similar address, it was only a few dozen meters from the import grocery store.

He sped toward the import grocery store.

Just now, the address reported by the Miying Squad to Kagami was also similar—only a few dozen meters from the import grocery store.

Meanwhile, Tiandao, who was strolling nearby, saw Kagami speeding past, narrowed his eyes, then got on his own motorcycle and followed behind him.

Whatever could make Kagami this frantic is either someone died or the Alien Insect appeared—these are the same. Just after things had settled not long ago, the Alien Insect appeared again.

(End of chapter)