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[Hicks]: Who are you?
【He’s Hicks! Host, what did you do?】the system exclaimed, shocked.
Before causing any trouble online, Gu Lin had sent Hicks a message. Hearing the system’s response, Gu Lin deliberately replied, “Haven’t we always been together? Didn’t you know I sent him a message?”
【Well… um…】 The system was a little embarrassed. It had spaced out, but how could it admit that? It could only laugh awkwardly, 【Even a host deserves a little private time, right? Haha.】
When the system had first asked about Hicks, it had a faint suspicion, though it had never been confirmed. Now, with the system’s answer, Gu Lin gained even more information.
He didn’t dwell on it too long, instead explaining the full context to the system.
Before posting anything online, Gu Lin had done some analysis based on the novel’s events. After calculating that Hicks’ battle had ended and he was on his way back, Gu Lin sent him a set of materials.
The package detailed Hicks’ errors in mech piloting, pointed out that Rofiller had already noticed the issues, and included videos of Rofiller’s battles with him.
Gu Lin had predicted that although Hicks spent most of his time navigating in the communication-gray zone, unable to receive new ID updates, there would be roughly three hours that evening, “right now” when he could access StarNet.
Messages from Imperial A-level male Zerg had priority delivery. Gu Lin had crafted a title compelling enough to catch Hicks’ attention. He was confident Hicks would open it.
Once he did, and saw the contents, he would naturally respond and Gu Lin’s patience paid off; the reply finally arrived.
[Gu Lin]: I am Gu Lin.
【W-what? Host, you told him directly? Aren’t you afraid of exposing yourself in this world, of ending up… dissected?】the system exclaimed.
“He won’t believe it,” Gu Lin said calmly, unconcerned. “Do you really think he’d trust a bug that spends all day doing nothing, causing trouble everywhere, bullying males and females or rather, males over females, who also happens to be a mech ace and extremely proficient at it?”
【Not a chance】 the system shook its head decisively.
[Hicks]: I understand.
【What does he understand?】 the system was confused. Why was Hicks suddenly so perceptive?
“He thinks I am the bug ‘Gu Lin,’ using his name to consolidate support,” Gu Lin explained.
Among Zerg, some females, after bonding with a male, would act on his behalf to help other Zerg, hoping to display value and gain the male’s favor. This was not uncommon, so Hicks naturally jumped to conclusions.
Then, Gu Lin and Hicks launched into a comprehensive discussion about mech piloting.
Gu Lin sharply pointed out many mistakes Hicks made while piloting, using phrasing so incisive that cold sweat broke out on Hicks’ forehead.
Hicks, however, understood that Gu Lin was not exaggerating. He had vaguely sensed some of these issues but, having never undergone systematic training, could not identify them precisely, much less correct them.
Gu Lin didn’t just point out the problems; he proposed solutions.
[Hicks]: Thank you very much for your advice. It’s been incredibly helpful.
[Gu Lin]: If possible, I hope you can correct them quickly, your challenge is coming soon.
Across countless star systems, Hicks read those few words. Suddenly, he recalled the sentence he had seen when opening his light computer: You will die in the Eclair system, at the hands of Rofiller from the Takashi clan.
Hicks, who had never feared anything, felt a chill run down his back. His next stop was exactly the Eclair system.
Yet after sending that message, “Gu Lin” never replied again.
【Host, it’s over?】 The system stared at Gu Lin, who had closed the chat without hesitation, baffled. 【Aren’t you going to remind him again?】
Gu Lin shook his head casually. “I’ve already given him the answer. If he can’t handle this on his own, how is he supposed to be a Marshal?”
“And I’m not a philanthropist. My primary goal in this world is to complete your task, not to build the bug society. I used him, yes, but giving him advice to avoid death is a fair exchange… actually, I’m still at a loss, considering his pursuer gave me a hard time too.”
【Then, Host, are you going to find someone else suitable…】
“Tch, if he doesn’t work, we’ll switch. After all, he’s not the only bug. The novel has main characters, antagonists, we can make use of any of them. “
The system went silent…
He had the strange feeling he had returned to that night when his host said, I’m not just a close-combat mech ace, his thoughts tangled with complexity.
But before he could dwell on it too long, Gu Lin interrupted him.
“System, I don’t need him. I need you.”
【Ah, what?】 The system, caught up in his own emotions, froze. 【Host… what did you say?】
“I said I need you,” Gu Lin repeated clearly.
Ah! The system was dumbfounded. 【Host… could you say that again?】
“I said, I need you.”
【I… what can I do? 】The system was embarrassed. Right now, he could only operate small robots without any defense protocols activated. If the defense programs were on, he’d be helpless. How could he help his host, who was a monster?
“Remember I said Hicks treats me as his female bug?”
【I remember.】The system remembered clearly, it had just been shocked by this fact.
“I need the smartest, most capable little system to act as my female bug.”
?!
The system froze. A female bug? Smart and capable? Was this a compliment?
“Host… I’m not that good,” the system said shyly. Could he really be as capable as his host claimed? But he recalled his host’s praise during mech analysis, maybe, just maybe, he did have some talent.
Gu Lin seemed unsure how to respond. The system was surprisingly easy to coax.
But Gu Lin wasn’t tricking him. “I’m going to give you the points to use.”
【What?】 The system jumped in shock, still flustered. 【Host, what nonsense are you saying?】
On system forums, many hosts tricked systems into lending points, manipulating internal discounts, and exploiting welfare in every way.
How to survive under a stingy host
Seeing Gu Lin actively giving points to the system was unprecedented, almost a miracle.
“No nonsense. Giving you the points now benefits me the most,” Gu Lin said.
This time, the system wasn’t confused. He intended to understand fully, but Gu Lin didn’t answer directly, he showed him the system page instead.
Curious, the system opened it. To his astonishment, Gu Lin’s points had increased by ten.
Huh? How was this possible?
“Credit Hicks for his contribution,” Gu Lin said.
The system was even more bewildered. Just a moment ago, Hicks had been chatting happily with his host, how could he have increased Gu Lin’s points? Points came from dislike toward his host, the more they disliked him, the more points he gained. How could this be?
Gu Lin didn’t answer, simply smiling gently. “A smart little system should think more. That way, your intelligence won’t go to waste.”
The system, thrilled by the praise, tried to calm himself like his host and analyze carefully.
Suddenly, a flash of insight hit him. He understood the truth.
【Hicks took the bug he just talked to as my host’s bug. He thinks ‘Gu Lin’ is exploiting my host!】
Among Zerg, unnamed followers rarely received good treatment. They were low-ranking females, some willingly, some forced under male authority. Many males hated using Zerg as tools without giving them status.
Especially when his host’s talent and abilities were extraordinary. Zerg who admired capability, like Hicks, might dislike Gu Lin but the points from Hicks came from precisely this.
“Not bad, very smart, as expected from my little system,” Gu Lin praised.
_____________
🫣 Tittle-Tattle ৻( •̀ ᗜ •́ ৻) ✨
Aww! Our little system is so naive! Fortunately Gu Lin is a good host! Yes! Yess!
Once a feared villain… now adored by the entire hive.
Praise is good — offerings are better. 🪐💫
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[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator has survived another chapter. Please reward them with coffee. ☕
☕ 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 · 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