“Captain, your male master sure is… something else. Haha.”
Pond was the first to step forward, his awkward laughter breaking the silence as he patted his superior’s shoulder in a show of sympathy.
Inside the most expensive thermal lunch box in the entire interstellar zone, something that could easily hold a small fortune, there lay nothing but two slim tubes of nutrient solution.
Did nutrient solution really need such precious protection?
When Pond glanced at his superior’s expression, he found the same stunned and helpless look reflected there. A moment of shared disbelief.
He couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for the new commander. The poor man had probably thought his male master had “carefully prepared” a special meal for him, only to discover it was all an illusion.
And Pond wasn’t the only one who thought of that. The other subordinates standing nearby had clearly reached the same conclusion.
One by one, they found excuses to quietly slip away.
Once the room had emptied out, Kaxiu finally picked up one of the two tubes.
He twisted the cap open, brought it close, and inhaled. The faint scent that met his senses made him freeze.
This wasn’t a nutrient solution at all, this was a mental-soothing potion, and not just any kind, but the highest-grade formula available!
But… Why were there two bottles?
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Gu Lin glanced at the time, his mood bright and light as starlight.
Kaxiu must have already seen the “gift” he sent, right? He wondered what expression he would be wearing at that moment.
In the Zerg Empire, Kaxiu was truly a peculiar one. Unlike most submales, he showed no instinctive frenzy or blind devotion toward males.
His greatest concern had never been whether he could gain a male’s “favor.” Instead, in those sharp, calm eyes of his, there was something that most Zerg lacked, a yearning for freedom.
Gu Lin remembered teasingly telling him once, “If there’s someone you like, I’ll help you two out.” At that time, Kaxiu’s emotions had shifted ever so slightly, so subtle, yet impossible to miss.
That flicker of emotion had made Gu Lin wonder if Kaxiu… might really have someone he liked.
Still, he didn’t dwell on it. He had more pressing matters.
It was almost time to change into his formal attire for the evening banquet.
After dressing, Gu Lin stood in front of the mirror, and his system circled him like an overexcited stylist inspecting its masterpiece.
Although his host had refused to indulge its endless curiosity about his “past life,” Gu Lin had at least let it enjoy playing dress-up for quite a while. The system decided to magnanimously forgive him for that.
Satisfied, it chirped happily.
Gu Lin, on the other hand, never had strong opinions about fashion. Still, before stepping out, he glanced once more at his reflection.
Good-looking, yes but far too dazzling. He nearly blinded himself.
He blinked rapidly to ease the sting in his eyes and decided that was good enough. After all, it wasn’t his problem if he dazzled others.
Maybe some unfortunate Zerg would even develop an aversion from the light pollution he radiated, earning him a few extra points in the process.
Seeing that Gu Lin didn’t criticize its fashion choices, the system grew even more delighted and chattered nonstop the whole way.
It rambled on about its “fashion philosophies,” while Gu Lin half-listened, half-pondered the mecha technology he’d been studying lately.
He had gained a general understanding of the Zerg’s mecha systems, but getting close to the core technologies would still take time, and data.
But Gu Lin wasn’t impatient. No one becomes a master overnight, and he still needed to figure out efficient ways to earn points.
Time slipped by quietly. Before long, he arrived at his destination: Starl Palace.
This was no ordinary banquet, it was the welcome reception for the empire’s only male, hosted by the prestigious Balk family. Practically every distinguished male in the capital had been invited.
Although the event would officially begin at dusk, guests had already started arriving by midday.
As the current head of the equally powerful Elton family, Gu Lin was, of course, among the top names on the invitation list.
The submale stationed at the gate recognized him instantly. Without even checking his invitation, he stepped aside and allowed Gu Lin to pass through immediately.
That face alone was enough to open every door in the male-dominated social world.
Ignoring the admiring gazes that followed him, Gu Lin strode straight inside.
Naturally, he wasn’t heading directly to the main hall. As an A-class male, a private lounge was always prepared for him before each event. Only once the banquet officially began would a submale come to escort him in.
Normally, he wouldn’t have arrived this early. He could’ve waited until dusk, appeared fashionably late, and left after showing his face.
But alas, the original owner of this body had an important scene to play during this period.
As soon as he stepped through the doors, a submale approached respectfully to guide him to his lounge.
Gu Lin gave a slight nod, signaling him to lead the way.
The submale’s cheeks flushed, his breath faintly uneven, clearly excited.
A quiet chuckle slipped from Gu Lin’s lips. The submale stiffened instantly, his excitement replaced by panic. He lowered his gaze and led the way properly after that.
Along the corridors, many Zerg who had already arrived paused to look at him.
It wasn’t their fault for staring, Gu Lin’s appearance today was simply too striking.
The extravagant formal suit, the ornate accessories, he looked, in his own words, “like a Christmas tree covered in twinkling lights.”
A few acquaintances of his looked tempted to come greet him, but after a brief hesitation, they all pretended not to see him and scurried away.
Gu Lin, with his heightened senses far sharper than the body’s original owner, noticed this and sighed helplessly.
Oh well, he couldn’t see himself anyway. If someone was suffering, it was everyone else’s problem.
But strangely, ever since he’d entered the palace, the system had gone completely quiet. Just moments ago it had been chatting away without pause, and now… nothing.
He frowned slightly.
“System?” he called out.
No response.
“System?” He tried again, scanning his surroundings discreetly. Was something here blocking the signal?
Then he smirked. “Someone said your outfit is ugly.”
That did the trick.
【What?! Who? Where? I’ll find that bug and show them what ugly really is!】the system exploded, sounding ready for war.
Gu Lin chuckled softly. “You froze up for a moment. I thought something had blocked you.”
【Ah, uh, well… I was just thinking!】The system’s tone turned sheepish. 【Thinking about what you said earlier, about the banquet being connected to the villain.】
In the original novel, the villain had indeed been a peculiar character. Though he constantly opposed the protagonist, readers adored him.
Eventually, his hatred softened into reluctant admiration, and perhaps something deeper.
Gu Lin’s expression remained thoughtful. “Why do you think the original owner came to the banquet so early?” he asked.
As he spoke, he dismissed the attendant submale and continued walking alone down a quiet path through the palace gardens.
In the novel, the protagonist, confused and uncomfortable with Zerg society, had wandered aimlessly, only to meet the third imperial prince, Coverdale Bevis, who was helping set up the venue.
Coverdale might only have been a C-rank submale, but with his intellect and extraordinary grace, he captivated even the highest-ranking males.
Even Gu Lin’s body’s previous owner, once a small-time antagonist, had fallen for him and had even wanted to make him his mate.
Gu Lin didn’t believe that someone capable of charming even the empire’s first mecha master, Orlcott, could possibly be “reformed” by kindness.
The original owner had been thoroughly used by him from start to finish, eventually dying miserably on a barren planet in the hands of mad Zerg.
The protagonist had found Coverdale refreshingly different from other submales, and they had gotten along splendidly.
Gu Lin guessed that someone must have photographed that meeting, and that the leaked photo was what had driven the original owner into jealousy, causing him to arrive early.
The original had already looked down on the protagonist for being a C-class male. Add to that the rushed nature of the banquet preparations, which made him feel the Balk family wasn’t giving him enough importance, and it wasn’t surprising he grew even more resentful.
And then, this. The rumor that the male he despised was cozying up to the very submale he adored. Of course he’d explode.
The system now understood exactly why Gu Lin suspected the villain’s hand behind the scenes.
“Speak of the devil,” Gu Lin murmured, glancing at his wrist terminal.
A new message had just popped up, an image showing the protagonist and Coverdale conversing intimately, their faces close under soft garden light. Coverdale’s gentle smile and gaze could melt steel.
“Sharp as ever, host!” The system was praised with genuine admiration. “But why are we rushing there early?”
Gu Lin’s lips curved faintly. “To catch them in the act,” he said half-jokingly. “We’re not the only ones who can be used. We can use them too.”
As if on cue, a new task alert appeared before his eyes.
[Main Quest 1: First Encounter]
Objective: Humiliate the protagonist at the banquet.
Reward: 2000 points.
Progress: 0%
“Two thousand points,” Gu Lin mused. “That’s quite the bonus. More than I get for any random stunt.”
It seemed that anything tied to the protagonist was highly valuable. Something to remember.
He didn’t waste any more time. Memorizing the location shown in the photo, he set off toward that particular courtyard.
“Thank you for telling me all this,” Colin said, feeling a bit embarrassed. The confusion of arriving in this strange world had been soothed somewhat by the submale’s gentle voice.
Coverdale smiled with elegant warmth. “There’s no need for thanks. A male is the treasure of our entire race, it’s my honor to help you.”
He glanced at the time discreetly. “As much as I’ve enjoyed our conversation, I’m afraid I must excuse myself. There’s still much to prepare for the banquet.”
Colin immediately apologized, flustered that he had delayed the other’s work.
Just as Coverdale turned to leave, a shadow suddenly loomed behind him.
Gu Lin stood there, his face dark, eyes cold with disdain. His gaze toward Colin was dripping with mockery.
“Your Highness, what brings you here?” Coverdale recovered quickly, offering a polite bow, his expression calm and pleasant as ever.
Gu Lin’s voice was ice, “I came to see what’s so special about the piece of trash the Balk family picked up.”
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The Realm demands coffee. The Realm is not accepting complaints.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Crossing OverChapter 2 · KaxiuChapter 3 · Social DeathChapter 4 · Female Servant/WifeChapter 5 · ConfusedChapter 6 · MysteryChapter 7 · CamouflageChapter 8 · AcquaintanceChapter 9 · Man in a ShellChapter 10 · FoodChapter 11 · RemunerationChapter 12 · GossipChapter 13 · TaskChapter 14 · CoverdaleChapter 15 · Mission AccomplishedChapter 16 · ExchangeChapter 17 · DreamChapter 18 · DelicateChapter 19 · ReasonChapter 20 · SpecialChapter 21 · 2 Dose of VialChapter 22 · Night WatchChapter 23 · One NightChapter 24 · GratefulChapter 25 · ContestChapter 26 · FortChapter 27 · RecordChapter 28 · SealChapter 29 · MissedChapter 30 · Treasure TroveChapter 31 · Battle SpiritChapter 32 · IllusionChapter 33 · PhotosChapter 34 · DifferentChapter 35 · Heartfelt wishesChapter 36 · TeasingChapter 37 · InterestChapter 38 · TrappedChapter 39 · Borrowing a knifeChapter 40 · SecretChapter 42 · ConditionChapter 43 · QuestionChapter 44 · AnswerChapter 45 · CoreChapter 46 · MeetChapter 47 · WeirdChapter 48 · DifferentChapter 49 · Spiritual SeaChapter 50 · ConceptsChapter 51 · RoefellerChapter 51 · Hicks Return!Chapter 53 · 10 thousand points!Chapter 54 · RedemptionChapter 55 · ChangeChapter 56 · ReceiveChapter 57 · Side QuestChapter 59 · It seems like a old FriendChapter 60 · TrainingChapter 61 · MoodChapter 62 · ConfusedChapter 63 · Children’s PlaygroundChapter 64 · GiftChapter 65 · ApproachingChapter 66 · ThreatChapter 67 Part 1 · Do you have any objections?Chapter 67 Part 2 · Do you have any objections?Chapter 68 · MaintenanceChapter 69 · Thank youChapter 70 · UndercoverChapter 71 · VisitChapter 72 · FrenzyChapter 73 · TransactionChapter 74 · ReminderChapter 75 · ArenaChapter 76 · InterestingChapter 77 · CuteChapter 78 · SecretChapter 79 · CompareChapter 80 · StrategyChapter 81 · CrisisChapter 82 · ProtectChapter 83 · Blind SpotChapter 84 · SafetyChapter 85 · Mission ObjectiveChapter 86 · DeterminationChapter 87 · Grave DangerChapter 88 · GuessingChapter 89 · Chess PieceChapter 90 · EmotionsChapter 91 · Guardian’s HeartChapter 92 · A Dangerous FigureChapter 93 · FrustratedChapter 94 · BullyChapter 95 · NegotiationChapter 96 · ChallengeChapter 97 · RejectionChapter 98 · PlantingChapter 99 · Thank youChapter 100 · LeveragingChapter 101 · ChaosChapter 102 · SubmitChapter 103 · ThoughtsChapter 104 · Good news and bad newsChapter 105 · MadmanChapter 106 · CooperationChapter 107 · Just drawingChapter 108 · It was a pleasure working with youChapter 109 · StargazingChapter 110 · GuideChapter 111 · Plant FlowerChapter 112 · White WolfChapter 113 · SterilisationChapter 114 · CollarChapter 115 · RunChapter 116 · GenerousChapter 117 · ImageChapter 118 · FriendlyChapter 119 · LostChapter 120 · TasteChapter 121 · System upgradeChapter 122 · Transfered FromChapter 123 · Keep dragging it outChapter 124 · CategoryChapter 125 · DemolitionChapter 126 · I want to cry but can’tChapter 127 · Upgrade completeChapter 128 · Tears streaming down my face in the windChapter 129 · Strange luckChapter 130 · UnknownChapter 131 · Dog plant flowersChapter 132 · Contest of Wits and Silent UnderstandingChapter 133 · ColinChapter 134 · AmbushChapter 135 · DullChapter 136 · BattleChapter 137 · Post-WarChapter 138 · Return ToChapter 139 · Strength EnhancementChapter 140 · Is this a staged accident scam?Chapter 141 · ToolChapter 142 · ProcessingChapter 143 · CluesChapter 144 · MemoryChapter 145 · UnderstoodChapter 146 · I want to hug youChapter 147 · Differential treatmentChapter 148 · So DifficultChapter 149 · Going to farChapter 150 · Real or FakeChapter 151 · ResponseChapter 152 · The truthChapter 153 · Let’s chat Causally?Chapter 154 · A Way to RelaxChapter 155 · ConversationChapter 156 · Daily MissionChapter 157 · A QuarrelChapter 158 · NamelessChapter 159 · ProbingChapter 160 · A Good HelperChapter 161 · ConfirmationChapter 162 · DiscussChapter 163 · ForgottenChapter 164 · TraceChapter 164 · TraceChapter 165 · Contact