Chapter 171: The Afterlife's Defense War Amidst Angelic Choruses

"Alright, some things are too complicated to explain right now," Zhang Fan said with a resigned shake of his head, knowing full well that revealing the truth at this juncture might not be believed or understood.

"Hey! Yui, how's the recruitment of new members going? We're desperately short-handed... We must resort to any means necessary..." Just as the girl was about to respond, an approach voice interrupted her. Any means necessary? Such bluntness from this individual.

Clearly, the speaker had noticed Zhang Fan standing before the girl, pausing mid-sentence in surprise.

With his blue hair, a hint of handsomeness on his face, donned in a beige school uniform with a white shirt underneath, and notably, an RPK-74 light machine gun slung over his shoulder, he seemed ready for a major battle. In a school setting, this was an odd sight indeed.

"I'm sorry, I haven't yet encountered any 'dirty tactics,' but I'm rather intrigued. Might you allow me the honor of witnessing them?" Zhang Fan said, eyeing the blue-haired youth with interest.

"Ah? You're already awake? Pleasure to meet you. My name is Hinata Hideki, pleased to make your acquaintance," the blue-haired youth stuttered, quickly introducing himself, though his attempt to change the subject was painfully obvious. Observing Hinata's uneasy demeanor, Yui sighed in frustration, foreseeing another failed recruitment effort.

"Zhang Fan, it's a pleasure," Zhang Fan said, extending a hand towards Hinata with a friendly smile, surprising Yui who hadn't expected such an amicable exchange.

"What a fortunate meeting," Hinata replied, his excitement palpable as he shook Zhang Fan's hand, grateful that his recruitment blunder hadn't led to a worse outcome.

As Zhang Fan prepared to leave, withdrawing his hand suddenly, Hinata stood frozen, puzzled by the abrupt end to their interaction.

"What? It's over just like that?" Yui was equally stunned. What seemed like a smooth recruiting process had suddenly shifted course. Surely, Hinata's earlier comment was to blame. Hinata, brace yourself for what's coming.

While Hinata remained rooted to the spot, contemplating Yui's imminent retribution, Zhang Fan had already made his way to the school's field. There, in the center, stood a silver-haired girl with amber eyes, exuding a serene presence in her school uniform. She was Zhang Fan's target in this world.

"Good evening," Zhang Fan greeted the silver-haired girl as he approached.

"Good evening."

"I've just arrived in this world, my name is Zhang Fan. There are many things I'm unfamiliar with, so I look forward to learning from you," Zhang Fan said, trying to engage the girl in conversation despite her brief responses.

"Tachibana Kanade, the student council president here. Please, make yourself comfortable," the girl replied, providing a bit more information than before.

"I see, so you're the student council president, Tachibana. It's impressive. I've heard this is a world after death, Tachibana, you..." Before Zhang Fan could continue, a gunshot interrupted, a sniper's bullet aiming for Kanade!

"Are you alright, Tachibana?" Even knowing death was impermanent here, seeing Kanade shot was unsettling. Blood soaked her left shoulder, but she showed no sign of pain, standing to confront the sniper.

"Please leave this area," she said, chanting softly, "guard skill, distort."

A transparent aura enveloped Kanade, showcasing defensive and distortion abilities capable of altering the trajectory of incoming projectiles, rendering conventional weapons ineffective.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Despite recognizing Kanade's strength, Zhang Fan couldn't help but express concern, noting the sniper's ceased fire. Was it merely a warning, or was there another motive?

"No concerns. Please, leave," Kanade urged, not turning back, her concern for others evident despite her stoic demeanor.

Zhang Fan, realizing the depth of Kanade's care, knew further conflict was unlikely. Deciding to rest and acquaint himself with this world's mission, he bid farewell to Tachibana.

After finding a classroom to sit in, Zhang Fan examined his mission details for this world, intrigued by the task ahead and the unexpected turns his journey had taken.