Gu Lin hadn’t even spoken yet when the system caught sight of the sender’s name, Hicks, it immediately perked up with excitement.
【Open it, open it! Let’s see what he says!】the system urged eagerly.
Gu Lin sighed helplessly. “Alright, alright,” he muttered, giving in to the system’s enthusiasm.
He had to admit, he was curious too. Judging by the timeline, Hicks should have just left the “Black Star Domain,” a region where communication signals couldn’t even penetrate. How had he managed to send a message so quickly?
That could only mean one thing, Hicks hadn’t been seriously injured. In fact, from the look of it, the man had probably gained quite a bit from that battle.
When Gu Lin opened the message, he found it wasn’t a brief note but a long letter of gratitude. Hicks had written in great detail about his fight with the Takashi Clan.
Although certain key details had been intentionally glossed over, the rest of it was enough to surprise Gu Lin.
According to Hicks’ account, they had nearly annihilated the Takashi Clan’s main forces. Their leader, Roefeller, had been defeated and had since disappeared without a trace. Several dozen enemy captives had been taken.
Gu Lin frowned as he read. That was not at all the outcome he had expected.
In the original novel, Hicks had died in this very battle. Roefeller’s decapitation strike had succeeded and Roefeller had gained military merit, earning him a promotion.
Gu Lin had run the calculations before. Even with the guidance he had secretly provided, Hicks shouldn’t have been able to gain such a crushing advantage. Unless… the Takashi Clan’s internal strife had become so severe that even Roefeller could no longer keep his own people under control.
The system, who was reading along with him, gasped in awe. 【Whoa! Is Hicks actually that amazing? I was just laughing about him slacking off at work and now he’s gone and turned the whole battle around. That’s crazy!】
But after a moment, the system’s thoughts shifted.
【No! 】It said proudly to itself,【 It’s not just Hicks. It’s our host who’s amazing! Without your guidance, he’d have been a corpse on the battlefield. He wouldn’t even have had the chance to make a comeback!】
The system puffed up with self-satisfaction, mentally showering its beloved host with a storm of rainbow-colored praise.
In its mind, Hicks’ success was proof of its host’s genius. Hicks being strong only meant that Gu Lin’s teachings were even stronger.
And Hicks now admired his host deeply. He was practically worshiping him.
【Just you wait】the system thought happily, 【Once Hicks returns to the Capital Star, he’ll definitely be our host’s loyal little follower!】
Gu Lin couldn’t help but chuckle. “Silly system,” he said, “Have you forgotten how the protagonist in the novel got his position in the first place?”
In the original story, Hicks’ death happened early on. His death was the spark that set off a chain of critical events.
It was because of Hicks’ death that the protagonist met Kaili, who had run away from home. It was because of that meeting that the protagonist later came into contact with the important supporting character, Olcott.
And it was only after Hicks’ death that the protagonist began to stand out, gradually rising to become one of the candidates for the next Marshal.
Now with Hicks alive and well, the entire plot had gone completely off track.
If things kept going this way, how was Gu Lin supposed to complete his mission?
The system froze as realization struck and panic quickly followed.
But only for a moment.
It quickly steadied itself again, clinging to its unwavering faith in its host.
Its master was the best. He would definitely find a way to fix this.
And indeed, Gu Lin already had a backup plan.
Even though he hadn’t foreseen such a sweeping victory due to incomplete information, he had still prepared for this kind of outcome.
Hicks was someone he had never intended to abandon. Not just because Gu Lin had borrowed Hicks’ identity to earn points, but because of the current political climate of the Zerg race.
On the surface, the Zerg territories looked calm. But beneath that calmness, turbulent power struggles were raging.
Though Hicks lacked refinement in piloting mechs, his sense of strategy was sharp and his personal combat ability was nothing to scoff at. Gu Lin had no intention of letting a useful piece like that fall.
Of course, all of that depended on whether Hicks could survive Roefeller’s attack. Gu Lin had taught him everything he could.
If Hicks still managed to die after that, then there was nothing more to be done. He’d have to abandon this pawn and look for another.
But judging by the results, things had gone much better than expected. True, there had been traitors in Roefeller’s camp stirring up chaos, but Roefeller wasn’t someone who had gotten to his position through luck.
In the original novel, even with betrayal in his ranks, Roefeller had still managed to kill Hicks. That alone spoke volumes about his strength.
For Hicks to come out on top this time showed that his own power had reached a new level.
【What should we do now, Host?】the system asked, no longer panicking but still curious.
“For now, nothing,” Gu Lin said calmly. “We’ll wait until he returns to the Capital Star. He’s only just entered Zerg territory. The Zerg starfields are vast and the journey home will take time.”
He had other, more pressing matters to take care of before then.
As for Hicks, it was best to maintain the current misunderstanding, that the Gu Lin guiding him and the Gu Lin he thought he knew were two completely different Zerg.
His identity as a transmigrator had to stay hidden at all costs. Without proper groundwork, revealing it abruptly would only get him dragged off to a research institute.
Even his status as a high-ranked male Zerg might not be enough to save him then.
Gu Lin opened the communication channel again and typed out a new message.
[Gu Lin]: 【Now do you see what I meant? You finally understand that I was right all along, don’t you?】
The entire message was dripping with smugness. It was an unbroken stream of self-praise, mixed with relentless criticism aimed at Hicks.
Yet despite all the bluster, his “insults” kept circling back to the same thing, “your piloting skills aren’t good enough”, repeated in different ways, sometimes even with a few obvious mistakes sprinkled in.
It was the kind of message that made you want to laugh and roll your eyes at the same time.
The system watched its host’s calm expression as he typed out those overbearingly arrogant lines and nearly rolled across the floor laughing.
Its host really had a talent for manipulation.
Even knowing exactly what kind of person Gu Lin was, the system still felt its fists clenching as it read the message, half from amusement, half from secondhand anger.
And if that was the reaction of someone who already knew the truth, just imagine how flustered poor, clueless Hicks must be on the other end.
He didn’t believe for a second that this little combination of jabs and provocations would fail. Hicks would definitely take the bait.
And indeed, Hicks did.
The last time they had spoken, Hicks had already suspected that the one messaging him was not the real Gu Lin. He had assumed it was some lovesick bug who admired Gu Lin and wanted to build connections for their beloved master.
But after receiving this new round of arrogant, condescending replies, that suspicion became certainty.
Hicks felt both angry and helpless.
He had always despised the arrogance of certain male insects. If not for that, he would not have remained single for so long even after his third metamorphosis. With his strength, status and S-class bloodline, it would have been easy to find a partner.
Many A-rank males had pursued him before, but he was always at the front lines, constantly away on missions. It was easy to dodge their advances when you were always at war.
But on sleepless nights, when the battlefield fell silent and the stars stretched endlessly across the void, Hicks sometimes wondered, was this really the kind of life worth living?
And yet, countless people told him the same thing.
You need a male.
You need to reproduce.
You need eggs.
He remembered the way his subordinates looked at those pampered, radiant males with awe, longing, envy.
He remembered how the females around him chased after male favor with feverish devotion, their wings trembling with desire.
And every time, Hicks grew a little quieter.
Maybe he was the one who was wrong. Maybe he was the one who didn’t fit in this world.
He might feel lost and powerless, but instinct told him that an “abnormal” insect like him needed to learn how to hide, how to bury his differences behind layers of discipline and silence.
【Host, points plus fifty!】 the system suddenly announced with gleeful surprise. Apparently, Hicks had reacted just as Gu Lin intended, fifty whole points in one shot.
Gu Lin’s lips curved faintly. Unlike the naive little system, he didn’t believe that an S-class female and a former Marshal like Hicks would lose composure over a few mocking words. Fifty points didn’t come from wounded pride, it came from emotional impact. His plan was working.
That mysterious “female” persona he had crafted, an unknown admirer pretending to be someone else, had taken up a real place in Hicks’s mind.
So when “Gu Lin” appeared later, arrogant and self-important, snatching away the credit and sneering at him with cheap insults, Hicks finally snapped. The emotional spike was exactly what Gu Lin wanted and the system rewarded him accordingly.
Everything was going according to plan.
Still, beneath his fury, Hicks couldn’t deny that Gu Lin’s methods worked. In the end, the only thing he could do was swallow his pride and respond with reluctant grace.
[Hicks]: 【Of course, Your Highness. I must apologize for my earlier foolishness. Your methods were remarkably effective…】
He went on for quite some time, writing a full paragraph of flowery flattery. At the end, he even promised to make a public statement acknowledging Gu Lin’s contribution and apologizing to him in front of everyone.
Hicks thought Gu Lin would leap at the opportunity. After all, humiliating Hicks had practically become one of Gu Lin’s favorite pastimes. Why would he ever turn down the chance to have the great Hicks bow his head before him?
But to his surprise, Gu Lin refused.
He even asked him to keep it a secret.
Hicks was bewildered. None of it made sense to him.
The system, however, understood instantly.
Was he kidding? If Hicks went public and cleared Gu Lin’s name, how would they earn points?
Gu Lin’s reasoning wasn’t far off, though his motivation was slightly different. He didn’t want to fix his reputation among the females. If Hicks publicly apologized, they would start thinking there was still hope, that he was not as bad as he seemed.
And if that happened, who knew what kind of ridiculous fantasies they’d start inventing?
He’d learned long ago that the thought process of females in this world could twist itself into the strangest shapes.
Being a villain among the insects was truly exhausting.
When the conversation with Hicks finally ended, Gu Lin noticed that another window had been flashing the entire time, messages from Kaili.
He opened it lazily. The tone had shifted from arrogance to panic. What began as smug taunts had turned into desperate, angry pleas.
Gu Lin scrolled through the long chain of texts without the faintest change in expression. Then, without hesitation, he closed the chat, deleted the thread and added Kaili to his blacklist.
Afterward, he couldn’t help but laugh, a childish, satisfied laugh that lit up his face.
He was in a good mood and the system’s cheerful notification, 【Points plus thirty!】, made it even better. Apparently, Kaili’s rage had been deliciously intense.
But Gu Lin didn’t care about that fool anymore. He had more important things to do.
After finishing dinner, he leisurely opened the nutrient pod, climbed inside and logged into a newly registered account.
Meanwhile, somewhere far away in a lavish, extravagant bedroom, a silver-haired male was pounding his pillow in sheer humiliation.
Kaili was furious. No one had ever dared ignore his messages. No one had ever blocked him.
He swore with trembling fists and burning cheeks, that he would make Gu Lin pay for this insult.
These two gonna end up as bestie… I swear… A calm and sharp one and then impulsive and silly one….
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
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← 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 · 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