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

Chapter 1808 - 1806: The Assailant (Rolling Back to Bed to Sleep)

And so, Fang Zheng and Kuroko began an unusual new relationship—well, we’ll put that aside for now.

And just two days later, Fang Zheng met with Elisa again to head to the audition site. However, this time, Index and Ruiko tagged along.

Ruiko was, of course, thrilled to hear that Fang Zheng had an appointment with the famous online singer ALISA, and wanted to go along to see for herself, while Index was basically just following her owner like a pet.

"Nice to meet you, I’m Saten Reiko!"

Seeing Elisa Minori in front of her, Saten Reiko excitedly rushed over and shook her hand.

"I’m your loyal fan, I’ve downloaded all the songs you’ve sung, they’re really amazing!"

"Ah, well... thanks for the support..."

Faced with the excited Saten Reiko, Elisa seemed a bit flustered.

"If possible, could we take a photo together? And a signature..."

"Huh? This..."

Although initially a bit overly enthusiastic, Ruiko’s social skills were indeed at MAX rank, and before long, the three girls were happily chatting.

"I believe you’ll do great, Elisa, since your songs are so marvelous!"

"But I don’t have much confidence, since there are quite a few people auditioning..."

Elisa glanced around as she spoke. This audition was held in the building of the Sky Rail Gate Company, and fashionable, trendy girls could be seen everywhere.

"Ah, really..."

Fang Zheng and Index obviously didn’t understand much about this, but Ruiko, who always liked chasing trends, immediately recognized them.

"Over there is the recently debuted idol AKIHA, ah, and over there is the underground idol group Yuka! Wow, there are even magazine models and some famous artists..."

Seeing this scene, Ruiko couldn’t help but be amazed, and understood why Elisa was so nervous. Indeed, Elisa was active as an online singer, but she was ultimately just a lone online singer, unlike others, who either had producers or huge company resources backing them; they even saw one artist bring along a makeup artist and a bunch of entourage before...

In comparison, Elisa appeared underdressed and lacking support; it’s quite normal to have this reaction.

"No need to worry so much."

At this point, Fang Zheng also came over.

"No matter how big the scene, only you stand on stage. In short, this is your chance, give it your all, and then regret later if needed."

"Hmm... I understand, thank you, Mr. Fang Zheng."

Hearing this, Elisa seemed to relax a lot, and she sat back in her chair, waiting to participate in the audition.

Soon, the staff called Elisa, leading her to another audition room. Fang Zheng, Ruiko, and Index watched the broadcast screen outside, where soon, judges began asking Elisa questions about her background, strengths, and preferences, and then let her perform a song and dance...

Having seen so many such processes while working as a manager at 765, Fang Zheng was quite used to it; he came this time mainly to ensure this audition wasn’t anything strange. It seemed apart from the unexpected nature of the organizer, everything else was quite formal and not peculiar.

Soon, Elisa came out, looking somewhat uneasy.

"Elisa? How did it go?"

Seeing Elisa this way, Saten Reiko and Index were curious and approached to ask, but Elisa only managed a smile without answering before Fang Zheng reached out and tapped each of them on the head.

"Okay, the audition’s over? Let’s go, I’ve left contact information, and they’ll call if you’re selected."

"What? Is it time to leave already?"

Holding her head, Ruiko looked at Fang Zheng in surprise.

"Shouldn’t we watch the other auditions?"

"No need, you can’t reverse time, and this world doesn’t have regret pills; even if you watch, what can you do? Run back and redo it?"

Fang Zheng waved his hand.

"Rather than this, it’s better to focus on the upcoming tasks, and don’t let your thoughts wander."

"Tasks?"

Hearing Elisa’s puzzled inquiry, Fang Zheng snapped back and patted his forehead.

"Nothing, just an old producer’s habit slipping out."

"What?! Mr. Fang Zheng, you were a producer?"

Fang Zheng’s unexpected reply left both Elisa and Saten Reiko stunned, while Index didn’t even know what a producer was.

"That’s right, so I have more experience in this area than you all, trust me."

Fang Zheng nodded and looked at Elisa again.

"See, as I said, the audition’s over, whether you get selected now depends on the judges’ thoughts, which you can’t change. At this moment, you should toss it behind you, relax, and continue your work. If this audition doesn’t pan out, there’s always next time; don’t stress over it."

This logic, the girls from 765 all understood very well, being legitimate idols, they were super first-class at self-adjustment. Like Meixi, normally snoozing endlessly in the car, awakening at work, and then switching back to sleep mode when it ends...

If she cared every day about how well each work was done or any lapses, she’d probably lose sleep at night.

However, Elisa, being wild and untrained professionally, naturally wasn’t as skilled in this area. Fang Zheng noticed straight away from her expression after stepping out that Elisa felt she hadn’t performed well during the audition... But as he said, it’s pointless to discuss that now.

"Since it’s over, let’s celebrate the successful completion of the audition with a feast!"

"A feast!"

Upon hearing these two words, Index was the first to leap up.

"I’m going!"

"Alright, let’s go!"

Fang Zheng didn’t hesitate and immediately waved his hand, leading the girls out of the selection hall. Just as he stepped out, Fang Zheng turned his head, squinted his eyes, scanned the shadowy corner of the hall, and then withdrew his gaze.

Afterward, with Fang Zheng treating, everyone found a place to have a hearty meal. Especially Index, who once again demonstrated her voracious appetite. Just looking at the towering stack of plates and bowls in front of Index was enough to prove her terrifying eating capabilities. However, that being said...

"She eats this much, how do you cook for her every day?"

Watching Index devouring her meal, Fang Zheng asked Reiko with puzzlement. Given Index’s appetite, it would be difficult for an average person to keep up.

Wait a minute, could it be the reason why the English Puritanism dumped her on me?

Because the little girl eats so much they couldn’t afford it anymore?

As for Elisa, she was completely dumbfounded at this moment. She finally understood what Fang Zheng meant when he said, "Order whatever you like, don’t hold back, because even if you hold back, it won’t save me money."

"Hehehe, of course, I’ve already prepared for this."

As soon as Reiko mentioned cooking, she immediately became smug.

"Recently, I bought a six-liter rice cooker, and I’m focusing on Chinese cuisine! After all, Mr. Fang Zheng, you can see that Chinese cuisine is large in quantity and tastes good, right? Basically, I just have to cook a pot of rice and then fry two dishes, and that’s enough to satisfy Index!"

"Nice, very impressive."

Fang Zheng also gave a thumbs up.

"Someday let us have a taste too?"

"Of course, no problem! I’ll go to the research institute tomorrow to make twice-cooked pork!"

"......Twice-cooked pork..."

Why not braised pork belly?

Actually, I prefer Kung Pao chicken...

After finishing their feast, the sky gradually turned dark. Everyone walked off their meal, with Saten Reiko and Elisa chatting ahead, and Index following behind, while Fang Zheng yawned at the rear. This meal certainly cost a pretty penny, but then again, it wasn’t spent from his pockets...

"Would you all like something to drink?"

Upon reaching a park, they stopped, and Fang Zheng casually asked a question, to which Elisa and Reiko promptly responded.

"I want a cola."

"Thanks, mineral water’s fine."

"Fang Zheng, Fang Zheng, I want some juice!"

"OK, got it."

Fang Zheng made a gesture and then turned away.

"La la la..."

Meanwhile, Elisa was walking towards the pond in the park while humming a tune, followed by Index and Reiko.

"Thank you so much today."

Elisa turned around, looked at Reiko and Index, and gracefully bowed.

"We didn’t do much at all. After all, it was Mr. Fang Zheng who brought us here, and it was his money that paid for the meal...hahaha..."

As she said this, Reiko smiled wryly and waved her hand.

"But if you pass the selection, you must let us know, we’ll surely come and cheer for you!"

"Of course! I’ll definitely inform you!"

Elisa and Reiko had naturally exchanged phone numbers before, so their enthusiasm was high. However, none of them expected that at this moment, a whirlpool slowly emerged from the pond behind Elisa, the whirlpool gradually expanded, and then...

"Reiko!"

As the Forbidden Index, Index finally demonstrated her usefulness beyond being a foodie, urgently shouting as she sensed something was amiss. Reiko was swift to react, and upon hearing Index’s voice, she quickly darted forward and appeared behind Elisa in the next instant.

Reiko then swung her right hand, took out her Retractable Sword, and swiftly slashed forward. Soon, a Wind Wall roared from the ground, forming a solid barrier in front of the two.

At the same time, the roaring water tornado came crashing down, heavily striking the Wind Wall.

"Reiko, be careful! This is a Water Element manipulation spell!"

"So the enemy’s a mage?"

Upon hearing Index’s shout, Reiko immediately understood the situation before her.

"Index, you take Elisa and retreat, leave this to me!"

Before her words could settle, the water tornado suddenly burst open, and a girl dressed like a witch from Western fairy tales emerged. She raised up something resembling a broom, and with her action, water rapidly condensed around her, forming arrows that whistled toward Reiko!

"Are you here to capture Index again? I won’t let you succeed."

Clutching her Longsword tightly, swirling winds appeared on Reiko’s body, spreading out.

"Face the Hayate!"