Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1644 - 1642: No Longer Expecting to Meet Normal People (Licking Fur, Washing Face, Getting Up)

When Fang Zheng returned to the inn, to his surprise, the Priestess of the Goddess brought an unexpected delight.

"Sir Knight, I’ve found someone willing to join our party?"

"Really?"

Hearing the Priestess of the Goddess’ happy report, Fang Zheng was quite surprised as well.

"What kind of person?"

"It’s her."

While speaking, the Priestess of the Goddess extended her hand and pointed behind her. It was then that Fang Zheng noticed, standing behind the Priestess of the Goddess, a girl appearing to be about her age. She had waist-length blonde hair, wore adventurer armor, and had a longsword hanging at her waist... hmm, she seemed to be a close-combat-type adventurer.

The girl was very pretty, but unlike the Priestess of the Goddess, she appeared expressionless, as if indifferent to everything.

"How did you find her?"

"I met her at the Temple. I heard she wanted to get stronger and was looking for companions. So I invited her to join, and she agreed."

"Uh... wait a minute."

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng pressed his hand to his forehead and paused for a moment.

"Hmm... let me get this straight, you said you met this lady at the Temple, and then she said she was looking for adventurers to grow stronger together?"

"Yes."

"Why at the Temple? Generally, shouldn’t one look for adventurers at the Adventurers’ Guild?"

"Uh... I’m not quite sure either..."

"Fine, I’ll ask myself."

Fang Zheng sighed helplessly, then walked over to the blonde girl, who quietly stood there watching him. Her fair face showed no expression, with only a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Uh... hello, miss. My name is Fang Zheng, currently the leader of this team, in a manner of speaking. May I ask, do you want to join us?"

"Yes."

"Uh... the reason?"

"I want to become stronger."

"... No, I mean... never mind."

Watching the blonde girl tilt her head slightly, casting a curious glance his way, Fang Zheng surrendered with a wry smile.

"You seem to be quite a capable warrior, so let me say this upfront. Our team isn’t very strong. As you can see, over here we have a Little Priest who knows only two Divine Arts, and our remaining member, the ’Great Mage’ (gritting teeth), can only cast one Burst Magic per day before becoming completely useless. Even so, do you still want to join?"

"Yes."

"Uh..."

Fang Zheng was speechless at the girl’s straightforward, unhesitant answer.

"Why?"

"Because..."

As she spoke, the girl lifted her head to meet Fang Zheng’s gaze.

"You’re very strong."

"..."

What kind of reason is that?

At least it was a reason.

"I am indeed strong, at least stronger than you."

Fang Zheng nodded unreservedly.

"How about this? I’ll train you to become stronger, and in return, you’ll join our team. This can be part of the deal. What do you think, do you agree?"

"Yes."

The blonde girl nodded again, standing silently in place.

"Alright... then welcome aboard... what’s your name?"

"Ais Wallenstein."

And so, the girl swordsman named Ais Wallenstein joined this still-unnamed adventurer party.

Like everyone else, Fang Zheng put her through a test.

"Listen, this is a test, but it’s also a battle."

Standing in an open field outside the city, Fang Zheng held the Pitch Black Greatsword and Silver Short Sword, watching Ais before him.

"Show me all your strength, let me see your skills."

"..."

Facing Fang Zheng’s words, Ais didn’t respond, simply nodded slightly, then drew her longsword from her waist.

"Go Ais! Beat him to a pulp!"

Off to the side, Megumin cheered excitedly. Daily subjected to Fang Zheng’s sarcastic jabs, she was naturally furious. Although Ais had just joined, and they’d exchanged barely a few words, Megumin was already completely on Ais’ side.

"Heh heh, I’ll deal with you later."

Watching Megumin bouncing about, Fang Zheng chuckled and then turned his gaze back to the girl in front of him.

"You first, show me your skills."

"..."

Ais said nothing. She gripped her longsword, slowly drawing it, then in the next moment, her figure flashed, appearing before Fang Zheng in the blink of an eye. Her sword slashed down like lightning towards Fang Zheng.

Speed type, huh... Not unexpected though.

Observing Ais’ reaction, Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow but wasn’t surprised. Generally, female warriors, unless extraordinarily gifted, usually prioritized speed. The Ais before him was no exception. Her speed was swift, and her moves were decisive. Strictly speaking, she was like an upgraded version of Asuna and Yuki.

However, dealing with me, she’s still far off.

With this in mind, Fang Zheng subtly moved his right hand, and the Pitch Black Greatsword swung out, effortlessly blocking Ais’ attack with a "clang" sound. Then, with a twist of the Pitch Black Greatsword, Ais’ longsword slid along its spine, causing her to lose balance immediately. Without hesitation, Fang Zheng kicked her in the stomach, and with a dull thud, she flew backward like a cannonball, crashing heavily onto the ground.

At this sight, Megumin and the Priestess of the Goddess, who were watching from the side, were stunned.

A moment later, Megumin sprang up in a panic.

"W-wait, what are you doing to the girl!"

"It’s a battle."

Fang Zheng lowered the greatsword in his hand, looking at Ais lying on the ground not far away, while the Priestess of the Goddess hurried over to her side, softly calling out.

"Are you okay!"

"Ugh..."

Perhaps hearing the Priestess of the Goddess’ call, Ais opened her eyes, shook her head slightly, and slowly sat up.

At this point, Fang Zheng also came over to her side.

"Do you know what went wrong?"

"..."

Faced with Fang Zheng’s question, Ais was silent for a moment, then shook her head.

"Your power control is too poor."

Fang Zheng swung the greatsword in his hand again.

"Indeed, launching a full-power surprise attack might defeat an enemy unexpectedly, but if your opponent is much stronger than you, it’s like telling them ’please kill me.’ If, instead of kicking you just now, I had swung my sword at you, you would have been beheaded."

"..."

Listening to Fang Zheng’s explanation, Ais said nothing, merely got back up and raised her sword at him again.

Reckless... really reckless, hmm...

Looking at the girl before him, Fang Zheng, for some reason, was reminded of Asuna when he first entered the Death Game. Back then, Asuna was just as desperate, but besides that, she was a bit over-exerted, not knowing her direction.

This girl seemed to have a clear direction, but... her strength was still too lacking.

So...

"Let’s go again."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng raised the greatsword in his hand once more.