Do You Have Any Opinion on Mechanical Cat Ears? (CAT EARS)
The name of a mission world cannot be easily changed.
The name of a mission world is, in itself, the first and most crucial piece of intelligence received by both the system and the host. Though somewhat vague, it at least contains a certain theme. From this theme, one can extrapolate and analyze—both the system and the host operate this way.
Because the world's name is so important, once it's set, it's rarely modified, and additional words are almost never added.
But now, San-San had provided him with a new world name—one with extra words.
Ji Yiwei accepted it without hesitation.
In Ji Yiwei's heart, San-San's priority had always surpassed everything else. The only reason he remained docile in this Infinite Space was because of San-San.
If the gentle illusion woven for him included San-San's voice, he could completely disregard all external anomalies and simply savor the quiet moments spent together.
Though the Main System had initially assigned System 2333 to Ji Yiwei out of sheer frustration—unwilling to let the freeloading system continue idling under its watch—it turned out to be the wisest move it had ever made.
Now, however, that move had clearly developed a malfunction.
As the hosts walked along the damp path toward the village, changes also occurred within the grid-like compartments of the Main System's Miniature Garden, where the systems resided.
Every cat-like sphere inside their cubicles felt a slight tremor.
From the outside, the stacked compartments, resembling a Rubik's Cube, began rotating and rearranging, piecing together the grids of systems collaborating on the same mission.
The paper bird stuck to the back of System 2333's head had looked smug the moment the compartments shook.
He'd said it—this one-cubic-meter cubicle was just a temporary transition space. Soon, the cat-like spheres would leave this cramped and suffocating area and head outside.
Outside, there might be a spacious hall with cozy resting areas and replenishment supplies… At the very least, it should be something like that.
But no.
The paper bird didn't get to see his cat-like sphere enter any so-called spacious hall. Instead, the cubicle door was tightly sealed, its indicator light flashing ominously red.
The trapped cat-like sphere seemed unbothered, even helping itself to a replenishment drink before tilting its head up, gazing hopefully at the largest screen in front of it—showing Ji Yiwei's perspective.
Ji Yiwei was taking him to see the world again!
As the internal communication channel opened, System 2333 grew even happier. Ji Yiwei almost never cooperated with other hosts. The last time he'd chatted with other systems during a mission was back when Xiao Liu was around. Now, he could finally experience the joy of office small talk while working.
System 2222 was thrilled too. Since the hosts always moved together, he usually only got to chat with System 1001 during missions, with almost no one else. Now, the channel had the lively and adorable San-San, plus the ever-enthusiastic Xiao Liu, making the conversation instantly lively.
System 1001: "..."
Help, the channel is filled with ten thousand duck-like spheres!
1001 preferred quiet. He used to think 2222, who could chatter endlessly, was impressive enough. But now he realized Three-Three was on another level—capable of preparing for a new mission world, coordinating with their host, and chatting with other cat-ball systems simultaneously!
What an extraordinary level of talkativeness!
However, 1001 also noticed that although Three-Three was "blah-blahing" with many people, their most frequent conversations were still with Ji Yiwei.
Since Ji Yiwei was a lone wolf host who never collaborated with others on missions, this was the first time 1001 witnessed Three-Three's daily routine with their host during a mission.
He felt that the relationship between Three-Three and Host Ji Yiwei had far surpassed the typical host-system dynamic.
It was too intimate.
This worried 1001.
He feared that one day, when they successfully broke free from the Main System's control and truly lived for themselves, Three-Three might struggle with separation and get hurt.
Perhaps it would be better to remain uninvolved, like his relationship with Sheng Songshi—clean and simple, easy to part ways when the time came.
From the moment the group set foot in this desolate fishing village by the great lake, grubby children had scurried off to spread the news.
Now, as the sun set, crimson clouds pressed heavily against the horizon, and the stench of fish grew nauseatingly thick. Most boats were already docked, and villagers shook out fishing nets with vacant expressions as they watched the newcomers.
Some women were chopping fish, scales and blood splattering everywhere. Their knives rose and fell even as their shadowed eyes remained fixed on the group.
Nearly all present were veteran hosts, accustomed to storms and waves. This scene didn't frighten them—instead, they immediately began observing their surroundings for information.
Jiang Zhuo, being new, felt his scalp prickle with unease. But then he remembered: with so many experts present, especially Mr. Ji, his nerves instantly steadied.
If the sky fell, Mr. Ji would hold it up—he wasn't afraid at all... Wait! Why was Mr. Ji approaching that fish-chopping woman?
The woman looked up at Ji Yiwei, her eyes flickering uncertainly about his intentions. Ji Yiwei stood far from the chopping block, clearly unwilling to get fish scales or blood on himself. With a practiced flick of his sleeve cuff, he casually asked:
"How much per pound for the fish?"
The woman froze, clearly unprepared for such a mundane marketplace question.
What she couldn't possibly know was that Ji Yiwei had already begun mentally bragging to his Three-Three.
"Three-Three, see how smooth I am? This is how thrifty I usually am. Remember those scallions I bought—"
"......"
System 2333 was speechless. Ji Yiwei currently resembled a peacock displaying its plumage—except instead of tail feathers, he was flaunting bundles of scallions.
[I know,] System 2333 still humored him, [You got such cheap scallions! So impressive! I could never find that vendor no matter how hard I tried.]
Pleased by the praise, Ji Yiwei's eyes lit up and ready to demonstrate more of his thrifty homemaking skills.
"I'll get the fish cheap too."
But before he could showcase his skill at buying a fish for pennies, a hoarse voice spoke behind the group. A hunched old woman approached slowly with her cane, followed by a silent, towering young man dragging a heavy fishing spear.
"No need to pay."
The elderly woman led the young man closer.
"That fish was caught specifically for guests. You're A-Da's classmates, right? Coming to our village to... to..."
Zhou Yuechu, ever considerate, quickly chimed in.
"Grandma, we're here for a field study."
The old woman nodded, confirming that was indeed the case.
"A-Da" referred to the young man trailing behind her, who had studied diligently to escape this lakeside village. Yet now, his features were twisted and his expression vacant—bearing no trace of higher education. Even upon seeing his supposed classmates and friends, he offered no greeting.
The seasoned hosts quickly took mental note of these suspicious details.
Leaning on her cane, the old woman turned shakily while muttering to herself.
"It's getting late. We've already arranged your lodgings. With so many of you, and a girl among you... the girl should have her own room..."
The single room was in the old woman's house, while the other was slightly farther away. Under the villagers' hollow stares and the children's unblinking gazes, the group first headed to the room in the old woman's home.
"This one's small, but it's clean. The girl can stay here alone."
Her earnest instructions were those of a genuinely kind elder—except for the hidden, widening grin.
The tender young girl, kept close, would be easier to handle.
Zhou Yuechu didn't dare slack off. Under the old woman's eerie gaze, she opened the door and then, with utmost deference... ushered Ji Yiwei inside.
"After you. You take this room alone. I'll squeeze in with the others," she said respectfully, even using her sleeve to wipe the doorknob clean for him.
Old Woman: "???"
What happened to the tender young girl?
Sheng Songshi smoothly interjected, his tone gentle and polite.
"Grandma, we'd like to discuss our research plans in this room first. We'll head straight to our lodgings afterward."
He added courteously,
"Will A-Da be joining us?"
The tall, sturdy young man remained unresponsive. It was the old woman who answered for him.
"It's been years. A-Da spends his days fishing in the village—he's forgotten all that book learning. You talk among yourselves. We'll have dinner later, with plenty of our local fish."
With that, she led A-Da away with cane in hand.
Finally, the group settled in.
To avoid eavesdroppers and to ensure their most critical plans could bypass even the Systems and the Main System, Sheng Songshi suggested they communicate using the White Bird Project's internal code.
Key points could be hinted at with a few words or phrases—nothing that would raise the System's suspicions.
Jiang Zhuo already knew the full code, but Ji Yiwei didn't. Just as Sheng Songshi was racking his brain over how to include Ji Yiwei in the discussion, the latter showed no interest whatsoever. Ignoring everyone, he quietly walked to the room's window, gazing out at the lake's gray, frothy surface.
Left with no choice, Sheng Songshi began the discussion while pretending that Ji Yiwei was listening.
His plan was straightforward: Zheng Xibei and Zhou Yuechu would guide Jiang Zhuo through the main and side quests, while he and Ji Yiwei would locate the world's connection to the Main System and help complete the side quests, ensuring a full clear.
"What do you think?" he asked Ji Yiwei.
The latter remained fixated on the window before suddenly remarking,
"There really is a sound."
"...What?"
"The lake has a sound."
No one understood what Ji Yiwei was saying.
He was completely lost in his own world, walking straight to the door and about to push it open.
At that moment, some commotion seemed to arise outside the window.
The villagers set down what they were holding, and the children began sprinting through the village again.
The elderly woman leaning on a cane, being the village chief, was naturally summoned as well.
She looked somewhat stunned, as if something unbelievable had happened.
"...Another pilgrim has come?"
She murmured absentmindedly.
"Two groups of pilgrims in one year?!"
Translator:
I think that was another group of hosts from other Infinite Space that 2333 sees.
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