VAP - Chapter 6
Chapter 6: The Sleeping Beauty Whose Words Are Law (5)
As surreal beings constructed from data, systems retained human thought patterns and could freely access virtual worlds. They were called “systems” simply because human language lacked a more fitting term.
In truth, they were a race of beings with powerful spiritual energy but no physical bodies.
Created by the Main God, they were cast into various small worlds as blank slates to experience a full cycle of life—birth, aging, sickness, death, and all of human joy and sorrow—before being recalled to the System Space.
This entire process was designed to make them better employees for the Main God: to serve as the ultimate golden finger and assist their designated hosts in completing missions.
—All of the above was taken from the system training manual.
But was what the manual said the truth?
Yue Du was noncommittal, but she relayed the official explanation to Qi Jiu in its entirety.
The future villain propped her chin on one hand, listening with great interest. “So you’re here to help me.”
Yue Du said with great solemnity, “That’s right. You’re my host, which makes you my partner. We rise and fall together.”
Qi Jiu let out a laugh. Her beautiful eyes curved slightly, like two bottomless pools of dark water. She said lazily, “Let’s not get too friendly just yet. I haven’t agreed to do any system missions for you.”
Yue Du pitched her cause as enthusiastically as a salesperson. “You should really consider it. As long as you complete the missions, you’ll earn corresponding points that you can use in the System Store to exchange for all sorts of wondrous treasures from various small worlds. I’m sure there will be plenty of things you’re interested in.”
Qi Jiu said nonchalantly, “Do I look like someone who’s interested in anything?”
“...No,” Yue Du could only admit honestly.
Qi Jiu shrugged. “There you have it.”
This was why discrepancies between the data and reality were so troublesome.
If Qi Jiu were truly the pitiful little thing described in the files, Yue Du could have coaxed her with the promise of “changing her destiny and becoming a winner in life,” and she wouldn’t have had to worry about refusal—though, of course, that wouldn’t have been a lie in the strictest sense.
After all, the “Villain Awakening Project” sounded like it was designed for the villains’ benefit. That much was easy to understand. Villains like the Qi Jiu in the script, who had tasted all the world’s bitterness before finally turning to darkness, were the kind people loved to hate, the kind that could most easily draw tears and attract fans.
It was only natural to want to give them a happy ending. With a system to assist their awakening and act as the best golden finger, there was no fear of failing to achieve a Happy Ending!
But the problem now was… Qi Jiu wasn’t a pitiful little thing. She was already a winner in life.
That sales pitch had no appeal whatsoever.
Moreover, after a week of observation, Yue Du had come to understand Qi Jiu quite well: she was a terminal case of laziness!
Without sufficient temptation, Qi Jiu naturally wouldn’t be willing to meddle in other people’s business. She might even resent Yue Du for wasting her precious sleeping time.
Yue Du sighed internally.
Although system missions were mandatory and hosts had no right to refuse… she didn’t want to force a bond with her host unless it was absolutely necessary. That would only hurt their relationship.
Yue Du looked at Qi Jiu. The young lady had already lain back down, closing her eyes to bask in the sun.
Maybe I should try this?
She scooted a little closer to Qi Jiu. Wearing the innocent and lovely face of her seventeen-year-old self, she began to coax her. “Qi Jiu, aren’t you tired of going to school every day?”
Qi Jiu grunted in acknowledgment, cracking her eyes open slightly to look at her.
“Having to wake up early for school every day is such a hassle. We systems don’t have to do that; we just sit in our rooms and receive information from our trainers,” Yue Du lamented. “Going to and from school like you do must be such a waste of time. It must get really annoying.”
Her tone was so sincere, as if she genuinely felt sorry for Qi Jiu.
Qi Jiu said, “Just say what you want to say.”
So Yue Du did. “Our System Store has 347 items that can be used to skip class, and another 125 items to improve sleep comfort. This world is currently a completely technological world with a low level of development, so the probability of cracking the effects of the above items is 0%—we offer you a premium, worry-free truancy experience. Satisfaction guaranteed.”
She added a brilliant, professional smile.
Qi Jiu, who was always sleeping: “…”
She had to admit, she was tempted.
Yue Du pressed on. “The store also has a wide range of top-tier luxury lifestyle products from various small worlds for sale, not to mention countless gourmet meals with unique flavors…”
Qi Jiu loved to indulge and had a picky palate. These offers were hitting all the right notes for her.
“Finally, you’ll also get an all-purpose butler as a bonus—me,” Yue Du announced, poking her own cheek with a serious expression.
Qi Jiu spoke slowly. “It sounds like I’m getting a pretty good deal.”
Yue Du’s attitude was extremely positive. “Of course! An opportunity like this won’t come again!”
Qi Jiu said playfully, “Are you really that happy to give yourself to me?”
…That sounded a little strange.
Yue Du paused, then said frankly, “There are benefits to helping you complete your missions. When you finish a mission, I also get some points, which I can save up to buy a body.”
Qi Jiu asked curiously, “You don’t have a body?”
As she spoke, she slowly raised a hand to touch Yue Du’s cheek. The sensation at her fingertips was delicate and soft, reminiscent of a flower bud in early spring.
“You’re in your conscious form right now, which is why you can see and touch me. But you won’t be able to once you leave this place,” Yue Du explained.
Qi Jiu paused.
“Then, where is this place?”
Yue Du: “…”
I saw you didn’t ask before, so I thought you weren’t curious. You mean to tell me you’re only just now thinking about this, milady?!
Qi Jiu’s eyes were half-lidded as she took in her surroundings—the warm sunlight and the lake, as smooth as a mirror.
After a long moment, she finally said, “I know I’m dreaming. I’ve dreamed of this place before. It’s a good spot for a nap. So, is this my dreamscape?”
“It’s a mental space. Everyone has one,” Yue Du said, not about to miss another opportunity for a sales pitch. “Although everyone has one, you’re an ordinary person right now, without any mystical abilities, so it’s unlikely you could come here on your own.”
Seeing Qi Jiu frown, Yue Du immediately added:
“Of course, as long as you bind with me, you’ll be able to come here every time you fall asleep, right up until you enter your deepest slumber.”
“You said I’m an ordinary person now.” Qi Jiu focused only on that part of the sentence, saying thoughtfully, “Does that mean I won’t be an ordinary person in the future?”
…It had slipped out.
Yue Du’s expression didn’t change as she smiled. “I can’t tell you that just yet.”
That statement was basically an answer in itself.
Qi Jiu smiled and finally sat up, though she quickly leaned against Yue Du’s shoulder as if she had no bones.
“I agree. Let’s bind,” she whispered beside Yue Du’s ear.
Even though neither of them had a physical body, Yue Du had the distinct illusion of warm breath brushing against her ear, and her data couldn’t help but tremble.
It really was all Qi Jiu’s devastatingly beautiful face’s fault.
She thought silently.
The binding process was simple and quick. With a wave of Yue Du’s hand, a translucent blue panel appeared before Qi Jiu, on which was written:
【Do you accept the binding with System 0996?】
A. Yes B. No
Qi Jiu tapped option A.
Just as Yue Du breathed a sigh of relief, she heard Qi Jiu’s amused voice by her ear. “Your system number is 0996?”
“That’s right,” Yue Du said.
Qi Jiu laughed out loud. “How interesting. It sounds like a dedicated, model system.”
Yue Du: “…”
No, we systems are on call 24/7. It’s much worse than 996!
Author's Notes
If we’re talking about who has it rough, it’s the systems. They assist their hosts 24 hours a day. One world can last anywhere from a month or two to several hundred years… After returning to the System Space for a few dozen days of rest, they have to throw themselves onto a new battlefield.
Sigh, it’s so miserable, so miserable.
Interesting.. perspective
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