【Hahaha! Host, you play the role of a spoiled young master so naturally!】
The system’s laughter rang endlessly in Gu Lin’s mind the moment he left the room. It laughed so hard it nearly short-circuited itself.
Gu Lin couldn’t be bothered to rein it in. He just let it laugh as he lazily scrolled through data, casually replying when necessary, while his fingers deftly searched for Kaxiu’s old battle videos.
【By the way】 the system finally asked when it managed to stop giggling, 【Why did you make such a bizarre request? That whole ‘pretend to be affectionate but secretly hate each other’ thing, it’s straight-up strange!】
Gu Lin’s tone was calm, almost lazy. “To cover all bases, of course. And have you forgotten? We still have a certain… identity to maintain.”
The system paused. 【Identity?】
Gu Lin smirked faintly. “The so-called character setting. Or, in this world, a worm setting. If I act out of character too abruptly, the world’s laws might erase me.”
The system froze. Then, as if remembering something horrifying, it frantically dug through its long-neglected system handbook. Within moments, it found the relevant clause and instantly metaphorically dropped to its knees.
Gu Lin ignored its wailing and continued calmly, “If I’m not wrong, one of the people secretly scheming against me is Carey Benson from the Benson family. That idiot has been my lifelong nemesis, he goes east, I go west. Same rank, similar family status, but we’ve never once seen eye to eye.”
He tapped open a new file. “I’ve already sent a formal inquiry to the Male Alliance. If my guess is right, Carey was the one who arranged the manipulation during the match that night.”
“To throw him off balance and to keep him from laughing at me, I’ll make a show of being affectionate with Kaxiu. It’s a perfect excuse.”
The system hummed thoughtfully, then asked, 【Okay, that makes sense. But why pretend to not be affectionate afterward?】
It regretted the question the instant it came out. Even it could tell how stupid that sounded. For a villain like Gu Lin, pretending to be kindhearted would ruin everything.
Gu Lin chuckled softly. “Exactly. If a villain suddenly turns into a doting lover, that’s not subversion, it’s suicide. I can’t afford that. And…” His gaze deepened. “I also want to test something.”
He had thoroughly read through the system rules and the records of other hosts who’d faced similar worlds.
The rule forbidding “breaking character” existed, yes but villains, as supporting roles, were treated differently. As long as their behavior didn’t derail the main story and still served as contrast for the protagonist, small deviations were tolerated.
The key wasn’t what he did, but how the world interpreted it.
“As long as I don’t step too far from the villain’s narrative arc,” Gu Lin continued, “I can adjust how I play it.”
The real challenge wasn’t maintaining his role, it was changing himself without making anyone suspicious. That would take careful planning.
And Kaxiu, he was the first step.
From now on, Gu Lin would subtly let small inconsistencies slip. If Kaxiu mentioned them to others, rumors would spread naturally. Later, when Gu Lin revealed more deliberate “flaws,” it wouldn’t seem abrupt.
If Kaxiu stayed silent, Gu Lin would reward him with little “gifts” as thanks for his discretion.
And if that route didn’t work, there was always Kaili’s lover, Marshal Hicks.
Gu Lin’s lips curved in amusement. He’s the perfect pawn.
Kaili had crossed him. Gu Lin wasn’t the forgiving type. He always paid back debts with interest.
He leaned back, eyes narrowing, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I wonder how the little young master will react when I start poking at his precious marshal?”
He remembered that time on StarNet when he’d “accidentally” insulted Hicks publicly. Hicks had even sent him a private message back then.
Checking the time now, Gu Lin smirked. “He should be biting soon.”
Hopefully, Kaili was still having a pleasant evening.
The system, sensing its host’s good mood, shivered. 【Why do I feel like someone’s about to suffer?】
Probably just paranoia. Probably.
“Hey, system,” Gu Lin suddenly said, pulling up a new screen. “Kaxiu is actually someone we’ve already met.”
【Huh? How?】
“Not in person, online.” Gu Lin slowed down the footage of Kaxiu’s mecha combat, playing it back frame by frame. “Look closely. Doesn’t his piloting style look… familiar?”
The system squinted. 【Familiar? I don’t… uh.. where exactly?】
Gu Lin switched the feed. “Then compare this with Hicks’s video from the other night. See any difference?”
The system watched once, twice, three times. Finally, it hesitated. 【The details. Kaxiu handles the details better. Much better, actually】
Gu Lin’s eyes gleamed. “Exactly.”
The system tilted its head. 【But Hicks is a marshal, right? Shouldn’t he be better than Kaxiu?】
Gu Lin chuckled softly. “Ah, little system, you still think strength equals rank.” He didn’t bother explaining the politics of power in this world; instead, he changed angles.
“You remember that StarNet mecha challenge, don’t you?”
【How could I forget? You made quite the spectacle, host.】 The system practically puffed out its chest, proud of its host’s infamous embarrassment.
Gu Lin ignored the jab. “Good. Then compare that night’s challengers to Hicks and to Kaxiu. What do you see?”
The system grew serious for once. It remembered vividly the suffocating pressure that came from Gu Lin when they first bonded. Even as a newborn system, it had sensed that its host had once been terrifyingly powerful.
Having someone like that give lessons? It couldn’t afford to waste the opportunity.
After careful thought, it answered, 【The others, including Hicks, don’t have Kaxiu’s precision or control. He’s smoother, sharper and more instinctive. Of course】 it added quickly, 【none of them are anywhere near you, host!】
Gu Lin’s tone softened, amused. “Good observation. You’ve got potential.”
The system almost glowed with pride. 【It’s all thanks to your teaching, host.】
“Bugkind relies too much on raw physical power,” Gu Lin continued.
“Their natural bodies are fast, strong, nearly invincible. Some S-class females can even survive in space without protection. They’ve ruled the galaxy for too long relying on instinct.”
He turned the screen so the system could see the slowed data streams. “That’s why they neglect finesse. Why bother perfecting control when your muscles already outpace machines?”
【I see…】the system murmured. 【Kaxiu’s micro-control is incredible, but in a society that worships brute strength, that talent goes unnoticed】
“Exactly.” Gu Lin nodded. “But there’s another problem. Even after decades of training, many females barely improve in fine control. Which makes me think that there’s something off about their mental seas.”
He frowned slightly. “I’ve never examined a female’s spiritual sea myself, so it’s just a hypothesis. But if I can observe a few ‘loving couples,’ I might confirm it.”
【Wait!】 The system suddenly blurted. 【You mean… Kaxiu might be the same one who beat you that night?!】
Gu Lin smiled faintly. “Yes. It’s him.”
The system nearly squealed. 【The same pilot who fought you to a draw and actually won? The one you saved a recording of afterward? Host, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for him!】
Gu Lin gave it a withering stare, one that clearly said, Are you stupid?
The system coughed awkwardly, then tried to change the topic. 【So, uh… what’s our next move?】
“Wait,” Gu Lin replied simply.
【Wait for what?】
He smiled slowly, eyes glinting with a predator’s calm. “You’ll see.”
Moments later, a message blinked across his screen.
[HICKS]: Who are you?
Gu Lin’s smile deepened. “Got you.”
On the other side of the network, Kaxiu logged into StarNet and returned to the same battle room where he’d once fought countless opponents.
Just as expected, all his recent friend requests had vanished into silence. No replies. No traces.
Still, he wasn’t discouraged. He opened the search bar again and carefully typed in the opponent’s ID.
But what appeared before him was… different. A new profile. A blank slate.
Kaxiu froze.
That ID, he remembered it perfectly. He’d even checked that player’s match history: twenty-nine consecutive victories.
Someone that was skilled shouldn’t just disappear. There should have been records, rankings, replays, something.
He searched again, checked archives, forums, and leaderboards.
Finally, he found the answer.
That player had deleted their account entirely.
Kaxiu stared at the screen, silent for a long time.
Gone. Just like that.
Even Zerg race is messed up wight political war and competition 😕
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ COFFEE OFFERING
☕ 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