Dating the Fallen Lord Chapter 17

Gu Jiu looked at the points from this game instance’s settlement, then at the points required for two items, and said nothing.

System 387 cautiously said, [“Don’t think the items are too expensive. They’re really not! After all, they can save your life. Any amount of points is worth it, right?”]

Gu Jiu couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “387, even you think they’re expensive. Otherwise, you wouldn’t sound like this, right?”

The system wanted to retort but didn’t know how, so it muttered, [“Can’t help it. I’m just a broke system managing 101 low-level players. I don’t even have a single mid-level player, let alone a high-level one. You’re right; I am quite a noob… A poor noob system…”]

The floating ball in front of her flickered, emitting a dim light as it spoke, feeling rather down.

Gu Jiu consoled, “You’re not that bad. After all, you only have just over a hundred players. Those systems with over 200 players are far worse than you.”

The system felt even more disheartened.

There’s a difference between systems and agents in the entertainment industry; the more players a system manages, the worse it is.

After checking the points needed for both items, Gu Jiu said, “I want to exchange for the Cursed Doll.”

[“Are you sure? After exchanging for the Cursed Doll, you’ll only have 200 points left. You won’t be able to purchase anything in the game store next time you enter the game.”]

Except for the newbies in the first game, players can buy items from the game store before each game—assuming they have enough points, of course.

“I’m sure,” Gu Jiu said nonchalantly. “Judging by the exchange prices, it’s clear how stingy Multiverse Game World is. Typical example of squeezing out every bit of wool from the sheep.”

When the system settles points after players complete a game, it also lists items from the game world they cleared, clearly trying to drain the players’ points.

Why they want to consume players’ points in advance was something Gu Jiu wanted to explore further.

The system remained silent, unsure if it was embarrassed or had another reason.

“By the way, what level are the points I earned?” Gu Jiu casually asked.

[“The maximum points in a D-level game is 1200,”] the system said regretfully. [“You lost 200 points for not actively searching for information when you entered the game.”]

“Oh,” Gu Jiu said. “Who scored the highest points among all the players in the Cursed Village instance this time?”

[“Of course, it was you,”] the system said happily. [“The other six players weren’t under my management, so I don’t know their scores. But I can see the ranking, and you were the highest scorer in this game instance.”]

Gu Jiu smiled, “So, my performance wasn’t bad.”

Although the system wanted to criticize her, it knew that scoring 1000 points in a D-level game indicated she was quite capable.

After exchanging for the Cursed Doll, Gu Jiu was left with just 200 points.

She tossed the Cursed Doll into the player-issued personal inventory, which had ten slots, each able to hold only one item. Once players become seasoned players, they’ll receive an inventory, though low-level players have smaller ones. If you find it too small, you can save up points to exchange for a larger inventory.

Gu Jiu then asked about some of the game rules, and the system answered her questions in great detail.

This earnest response made Gu Jiu even more intrigued by the Multiverse Game World. She asked, “What kind of existence is the Multiverse Game World? Are you systems considered players’ caretakers, responsible for supporting players, issuing tasks, and rewards? You all seem like a bunch of workers. So, who’s your boss?”

The system meekly replied, [“…Sorry, I’m just a noob system. I lack the authority to answer that question.”]

Its voice sounded so sheepish, it seemed like it wanted to shrink away in embarrassment.

Gu Jiu gave the small floating ball a gentle pat. “It’s fine, I was just asking out of curiosity. I knew you wouldn’t be able to answer.”

System: “…”

“Alright, send me back to the real world,” Gu Jiu said.

The system quickly perked up, reminding her, [“Your next game session is in three days. Don’t forget!”]

Even if she did forget, the system would still dutifully remind her, ensuring she wasn’t unexpectedly pulled into the game unprepared, as that could easily lead to mistakes in the game world.

Gu Jiu nodded.

Just before sending her off, the system hesitated, then sheepishly said, [“Ah Jiu, when you become a big player in the S-level game world, I hope you can give me a little boost—a few kind words would be enough…”]

Gu Jiu smirked, “You have high hopes for me?”

[“Of course! After all, you’ve awakened a special bloodline, which gives you a better start than other players! While not all high-level players have special bloodlines, almost everyone who does will eventually become a high-level player. It shows just how rare special bloodlines are.”]

The system’s voice took on a proud tone. After being a low-level system for so long, it finally had a player with an awakened bloodline. A path to becoming an elite system lay ahead.

Gu Jiu nodded slightly, “Seems there are many types of special bloodlines. I’ll have to learn more when I get the chance.”

After chatting with the system a bit more, Gu Jiu finally let it send her back.

—

The autumn sunlight drifted lazily through the window.

Gu Jiu opened her eyes to a blurry world, her vision filled with abstract colors.

Calmly, she pulled out a pair of auxiliary glasses from her coat pocket. Even after putting them on, her sight didn’t improve much, but she could vaguely make out a few cats curled up on the table.

Noticing she was awake, her cats meowed at her.

Gu Jiu began petting them, her thoughts lingering on the Multiverse Game World. At the same time, she felt a strange sensation, as her fingernails suddenly grew long, a deep red like blood. She willed her nails to scratch the table lightly, easily shaving off a thin layer of the bamboo.

It was worth noting that, while the table in her bamboo house was made of bamboo, it was highly polished and resilient, so she hadn’t expected her nails to cut through it so effortlessly. If she wanted, her nails could even pierce straight through.

It seems it wasn’t a dream.

Gu Jiu retracted her “Demon Nails” and stared blankly out the window.

Although the world outside was still a hazy blend of colors, she felt no discouragement. As long as she continued clearing games, she knew she would eventually become a high-level player and regain her sight.

“Ah Jiu, you’re awake?”

The voice of Zhang Jingyi broke her thoughts. Gu Jiu turned towards her, a dazzling smile blooming on her face, like a precious flower bursting into life, delicate and vibrant.

Zhang Jingyi froze for a moment, sensing something different about her friend.

Since the doctors had warned that Gu Jiu’s vision might soon be gone, although her friend had remained calm and even comforted them, Zhang Jingyi had sensed her quiet regret—the sadness of not being able to see the world with her own eyes again. But now, that regret seemed to have faded, replaced by a serene and open-hearted resolve.

Zhang Jingyi’s eyes grew warm, fighting back the urge to cry.

She placed a freshly baked cake on the table and forced a smile, “I made this cake with extra cream—your favorite.”

Gu Jiu took the fork she handed her, savoring a bite of the cake. The sweet, soft cream melted in her mouth, making her smile even brighter.

“Thank you, Jingyi. It’s delicious.”

After finishing the cake, Gu Jiu spent a bit more time petting the cats until it was about time to leave the Bamboo House.

Like a caring mom, Zhang Jingyi saw her to the door, fussing, “Are you heading back alone? Maybe wait a bit longer; I’m about to get off work and can drive you home.”

“No need.” Gu Jiu tilted her head with a smile. “My grandmother sent a driver to pick me up.”

Feeling reassured by the thought of Gu Jiu’s grandmother, Zhang Jingyi reminded her to be careful on the way and personally saw her off as she got into the car.