While Gu Lin was still troubled by the state of his body, the system had already finished compiling the information it had found and sent the neatly organized results to him.
Gu Lin glanced through the files, rubbed his temples, and began patiently teaching the system how to properly sort through and analyze online data.
The system listened carefully, full of admiration. Its host was truly a wonderful teacher, patient, meticulous, never once losing his temper.
Since forming a contract with its host, the system had caused no small amount of trouble. Yet, not only had Gu Lin never blamed it, he had even taken the time to teach it, help it exchange for new skills, and even give it a little allowance.
As it listened to the lesson, the system couldn’t help but think of something it had read on the forum once, a post claiming that advanced systems could form a permanent bond with their hosts. If it could one day level up to that stage, then maybe… it could “kidnap” its host away, and the two of them would never have to part, even after all missions were completed.
But upgrading to a high-level system required an enormous number of points. Not only points, but also internal assessments and difficult evaluations.
“Did you understand what I just said?” Gu Lin’s calm voice suddenly interrupted the system’s wandering thoughts.
【Yes… yes, I understood…】The system, caught daydreaming, quickly straightened itself up.
Gu Lin sighed helplessly and repeated everything he had just explained once more.
This time, the system didn’t dare drift off. It listened intently, behaving as obediently as a schoolchild afraid of being caught again.
Gu Lin’s lesson was genuinely excellent, clear, thorough, and easy to understand. Even for someone as inexperienced as the system, everything made perfect sense.
Just as Gu Lin was wrapping up the session, the system suddenly asked, 【Host, can I share what you taught me with others?】
That question piqued Gu Lin’s curiosity. “Can you reach other systems?”
He had always suspected that beings like the system couldn’t possibly exist as isolated entities. The vast and sophisticated structure of its marketplace clearly wasn’t something built for a single user. Still, he hadn’t expected that his system could actually communicate with others.
【Yes, we can talk to each other on the system forum】the system said cheerfully.【Your lesson was amazing, Host. If I post it there, maybe I can even earn some points!】
Truthfully, it simply thought its host’s lessons were extraordinary. But it wasn’t completely sure how others would see it, so it didn’t want to sound too confident and risk making its host disappointed.
“Can your forum be accessed by hosts too?” Gu Lin asked, though he already guessed what the answer would be.
And sure enough, the system replied honestly, 【No, it’s closed to outsiders. But I have seen some system hosts in the system space. I’m not sure how they managed to enter, though】
Hearing that, Gu Lin became even more intrigued by the so-called “system space.” But since he had no access rights, there was no point in thinking too much about it now.
The idea of earning points, however, did catch his interest.
The system’s mall offered an incredible variety of tools and props, dazzling enough to make one’s head spin. Yet, as a newcomer, Gu Lin’s points weren’t even enough to exchange for a basic body enhancement potion, let alone those high-tier items with sky-high prices.
“How do you plan to do it?” he asked.
Perhaps this sort of discussion wasn’t restricted by the main system, because his companion answered eagerly. 【I’m thinking of posting it in the free trading zone. I just don’t know what price to set】
It hesitated a little, then asked directly, 【Host, what do you think is a good price?】
Gu Lin thought for a moment. “Set it at ten points.”
The things he had taught were relatively simple, more suitable for beginner-level systems.
Judging from what his own system had revealed before, control-type skills, like operating small mechanical assistants, were exchanged through a tiered structure. Even low-tier ones required between fifty to a hundred points.
Since his system had only been able to afford that ability after exchanging its first reward, he could roughly estimate that the platform took a commission of at least ten to twenty percent, maybe more.
He had earned two thousand points from his first mission. If other hosts had similar rewards, then most new systems should have at least a few hundred points after completing their first task.
Ten points was affordable, especially for something genuinely practical. The value was fair.
The system immediately agreed, not thinking the price was too low at all. On the contrary, it felt almost too cheap.
Its host’s lessons might not be something like an upgradeable golden finger, but for beginners, they were immensely useful.
After all, those expensive abilities didn’t provide instant results. Before being upgraded, they were often almost useless.
Take its own mechanical control skill, for example, before the upgrade, it could only control two small robots, and those were ones the system had personally configured to bypass restrictions.
Compared to the hundred- or thousand-point golden fingers, ten points for such a clear and applicable lesson was a bargain.
And more than that, its host was simply an incredible teacher. The system really learned from him, learned deeply, to the point that even questions it had about hidden golden finger functions were now answered.
Working efficiently, it uploaded the audio recording to the trading zone, carefully editing a few exciting clips as previews. When everything was ready, it proudly announced, 【Host, I’ve posted it! Once we earn some profit, how about I share the earnings with you, ninety percent for you, ten for me, okay?】
It felt a little guilty suggesting that. The host had taught everything for free, and it hadn’t done much in return. Still, the main system always said: a good system never does business at a loss.
“Hm? Ninety percent for me?” Gu Lin raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing.
The system panicked. 【No, no, no, of course not! I mean I take one, you take nine…】
Its voice grew smaller and smaller until it almost disappeared.
Gu Lin laughed softly. “I’m joking. We’ll split it evenly.”
He didn’t think the system asking for a cut was unreasonable. He provided the knowledge, the system handled the marketing and transactions, it was only fair that it received a portion.
But that wasn’t the real reason. He owed this strange little being far more than that.
He was supposed to have died in the war between species. It was the system that had pulled him into this world, giving him a second life.
True, this world was foreign to him, different, strange, and in many ways, unwelcome. And maybe the system’s reason for saving him had been purely pragmatic: it needed a suitable host.
Still, Gu Lin wasn’t the type to overlook such things.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason he treated it well. In truth, he didn’t value his so-called “resurrection” much. If it had been anyone else in the system’s place, he might have just paid them off and moved on.
But this system… for some reason, he found himself unable to stay detached.
【Host, are you serious?】the system asked, voice full of excitement. 【You’re too nice!】
It was practically bouncing with joy. Even though it didn’t yet know how many points the lesson would earn, a fifty-fifty split was a huge deal. Maybe it could even afford to upgrade its golden finger soon!
【Host, I love you so much!】 it cried, launching a cascade of holographic fireworks in front of his eyes. 【From today onward, you are officially my favorite person in this world!】
“There are only two humans in this world, me and the protagonist,” Gu Lin said dryly.
The system, undeterred, only laughed louder【Doesn’t matter. You’re still my favorite!】
“Oh? Then give me a larger share of the points,” Gu Lin replied in the same teasing tone.
【Have mercy on me, Host,】 the system whimpered dramatically, overlaying its words with pitiful background music. 【This poor child can barely afford to eat!】
Gu Lin couldn’t help but laugh. “Enough nonsense. Having a lesson isn’t enough. The real challenge is promoting it. I won’t help you with that part, you’ll have to figure it out yourself.”
When it came to marketing, he didn’t plan to intervene. Partly because the system forum wasn’t open to him, and partly because he wanted the little thing to learn by doing.
After all, children have to grow up sooner or later.
“If you really can’t manage, I’ll help later,” he added. “But for now, it’s up to you.”
【No problem!】 the system said brightly, and in the next instant, it dove headfirst into the system forum.
Once it went quiet, Gu Lin finally relaxed.
The moment his body loosened, exhaustion swept over him.
His daily training was already strenuous, pushing him right to the edge of his physical limits. Though today’s routine had been slightly lighter because of the banquet, it was still far from easy.
Not to mention, the system’s earlier “rollercoaster” maneuvers on the way home had nearly made him dizzy.
Then came the long teaching session, draining both mentally and physically. Now, every muscle in his body screamed with fatigue.
Still, he forced himself to wash up before bed. But just as he was about to lie down, a faint disturbance caught his attention.
Extending his mental sense, he immediately noticed someone standing outside his door.
Kaxiu
The young man was rooted in place, hesitation flickering in his beautiful eyes. He lifted his hand as if to knock, then froze, frowning in indecision.
He tried again. Stopped again. After several rounds of silent struggle, he simply stood there like a statue.
Watching through his psychic perception, Gu Lin could already guess what was going through his head.
That stiff, overly serious worm was probably still agonizing over whether or not to send him to the hospital.
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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 · Hicks Return!Chapter 51 · RoefellerChapter 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