The silent protest from the Voice of the World had no effect on He Wuning — he seemed quite pleased with the name and clearly had no intention of changing it.
After a brief pause, the Voice of the World finally relented: “Name confirmed — BUG (meaning: defect, flaw, insect; modification recommended).”
Hearing the long parenthetical note, He Wuning couldn’t help but curve his lips in amusement. He raised an eyebrow provocatively. “Not changing it. I like it.”
The Voice of the World: “…Accessing administrator database.”
A streak of light carved the shape of a doorway into the air. The Voice of the World indicated that he should enter.
Just as He Wuning was about to step forward, Yi Luo grabbed his shoulder. “He Wuning.”
He Wuning turned his head slightly to glance at him. Yi Luo’s face was tense, his brows knitted tightly — clearly uneasy.
“What?” He Wuning asked.
Yi Luo sighed. “You’re seriously asking me what?”
He pulled He Wuning behind him and looked toward the glowing manifestation of the Voice of the World. “Can I go in with him?”
The Voice of the World replied coldly, “No current authorization.”
Yi Luo let out a short, derisive laugh. “Hear that? Planning to lure you in alone and gut you.”
The Voice of the World: “No combat is possible within the administrator domain.”
Yi Luo narrowed his eyes — obviously not convinced.
He Wuning patted his arm. “Relax.”
If they were really that afraid of danger, they shouldn’t even be running dungeons — hell, they shouldn’t leave the safe zone at all.
He thought Yi Luo’s heightened alertness felt a little off and gave him an extra look, but still, just in case, picked up the Tang Broadsword and held it in his hand.
Yi Luo said nothing as he watched He Wuning and the system-controlled Q-chan walk through the illusionary doorway. He quietly loaded his sniper rifle and rested it across his knees, head bowed, waiting.
……a
Administrator Database.
He Wuning tilted his head back to take in the sight before him — a spiraling tower of books, shelves densely packed with countless volumes in every color. From where he stood, he could make out five levels in total, though only the first was lit.
The Voice of the World began to explain: “This is the game archive. There are five levels in total. The first contains introductions to all currently available map regions. The second contains data on ordinary monsters and field bosses. The third holds dungeon data. The fourth details the full background story of the game — the truth you seek lies there.”
He Wuning asked, “And the fifth?”
The spherical system slowly tilted its head upward. “Only a true administrator may access that floor. It represents all authority within the game.”
“All knowledge and resources that can be obtained from within the system are under the administrator’s control. I look forward to the day you ascend to that position.”
He Wuning withdrew his gaze. To him, that sounded exactly like the corporate pep talk you get on your first day — Work hard, and someday the whole company will be yours! Pure empty promises. He wasn’t buying it.
He started flipping through the first floor’s regional introductions.
“Lv. 0–10 Wilderness Plains: A grassland gradually transitioning into barren terrain. Near the safe zone dwell many harmless monsters, but hidden dangers lurk beneath the tranquil plains. Do not let your guard down.”
“Monsters available in v1.1: Slime, Mudman, Wild Ox. Field Bosses: King Slime, Stone Golem, Minotaur. Dungeons: Mine, Slaughterhouse.”
When He Wuning tried clicking on the monster and dungeon names, they all displayed “Access Denied.” In other words, he could only view the dry, surface-level descriptions.
“Lv. 11–20 Dense Rainforest: A perfect habitat for serpents and swarms of insects. Countless venomous creatures form the unique ecosystem here — bring antidotes before entering.”
“Monsters available in v1.1: Red Ant, Venom Spider, Green Snake, Living Vine. Field Bosses: Green Serpent Woman, Red Ant Queen, Hunting Spider Woman, Tree Demon. Dungeons: Botanical Garden, Poison Museum.”
Apparently, the game’s internal database even included safety warnings — though considering that most players could never access this information, He Wuning thought those so-called “warnings” were complete nonsense.
He said in a tone that sounded more like a statement than a request, “I’m going to tell the others about what I’ve seen.”
The Voice of the World sounded utterly calm: “You possess the right to share information, respected Administrator Candidate.”
He Wuning raised an eyebrow. “Then why can’t I bring someone else in here?”
The Voice of the World replied in its usual rigid tone: “Because they do not have permission.”
He Wuning frowned slightly. Compared to the overly lively Q-chan, this strictly rule-abiding Voice of the World felt much more like the artificial intelligences described in science fiction.
He skimmed over the remaining entries, memorizing what he could to later send to Xue Xun — since he wasn’t planning to leave the rainforest anytime soon, the upcoming maps didn’t mean much to him right now, but they’d likely be useful for Xue Xun.
Still, if the data here updated automatically with each new version, it might prove valuable later.
He had already confirmed with the Voice of the World that he could return at any time.
Once his administrator fragments reached 40%, he’d gain access to the second floor — and He Wuning was genuinely curious about what the bestiary and field boss records would look like. They’d probably be far more detailed than the notes the players had gathered themselves.
Finding nothing else of interest, he turned to leave through the illusory door.
The Voice of the World hovered behind him: “Have a pleasant game.”
Control over Q-chan was released.
He Wuning sheathed the Tang Broadsword and stepped through the doorway — only to find himself staring straight down the barrel of a gun.
Yi Luo stood there, raising his rifle. The muzzle nearly brushed He Wuning’s chest. He Wuning arched an eyebrow.
“Before I let you back in, I need to ask you a few questions,” Yi Luo said with a grin, nudging the gun lightly against He Wuning’s chest. “First — what do you usually call me?”
He Wuning froze for a second, thrown off by the bizarre question. He never actually called Yi Luo by name — if he addressed him at all, it was only ever, “Hey.”
“Good, correct answer.” Yi Luo’s grin widened. “Now for the second question—”
He Wuning’s patience snapped. He grabbed the barrel, his expression dark. “Are you done yet?”
Yi Luo let out a breath of relief. “Oh, looks like it’s really you.”
Before He Wuning could call him an idiot, Q-chan — who had just regained control of his body — came bouncing out behind him. “Wow, sweetie, you went into the Administrator Archive Room!”
“Huh?”
He stared blankly at the two men gripping a gun between them, tilting his head in confusion. “What are you guys doing?”
He Wuning glanced down at the weapon in his hand, then back up at Yi Luo. From his higher vantage, he jerked his chin toward him. “Ask him.”
Q-chan turned to Yi Luo — and then immediately put his hands on his hips and shouted, “What are you doing pointing a gun at my sweetie?! Put it down, right now!”
He was practically hopping with outrage, clearly about to lunge at Yi Luo himself.
“He’s the one holding me,” Yi Luo said innocently, shrugging. His gaze flicked down to his gun, and he smiled. The muzzle trailed slowly upward, pressing lightly against He Wuning’s chest. He Wuning didn’t resist, watching to see what kind of game he was playing.
The dark barrel slid up to rest beneath his chin. Yi Luo used it to tilt his head up slightly, his tone teasing. “You systems wouldn’t get it — this is called… kink.”
He smiled lazily as he withdrew the gun. “But I wouldn’t really recommend using something this dangerous for it. Accidents happen so easily when the gun—”
Before he could finish, He Wuning stepped forward sharply, grabbing the muzzle and yanking it upward while seizing Yi Luo’s collar with his other hand.
“Accidents?” He Wuning’s grip tightened, forcing Yi Luo’s gun hand down onto the couch. A faint smile crossed his face. “Careful — or your gun might just snap.”
Yi Luo couldn’t help but laugh.
He Wuning’s expression darkened. “What’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothing,” Yi Luo said lightly. “Just that your angry face looks… weirdly comforting.” He even had the nerve to reach over with his free hand, grab a cushion from the couch, and wedge it behind his back to get more comfortable — all while still being pinned. “Alright, go on,” he said, looking entirely too relaxed.
He Wuning narrowed his eyes. “What the hell are you doing, really?”
Yi Luo was silent for a long moment — then admitted honestly, “Nothing. Just… overthinking a bit, I guess.”
Yi Luo glanced at Q-chan. “Since the game can replicate the personalities of former players… if the developers were really fed up with this troublemaking Mr. BUG in front of me, what’s stopping them from quietly replacing you with a gentler, better-behaved version?”
He Wuning scoffed.
Yi Luo chuckled. “Although, thinking about it… I honestly can’t picture you being gentle and well-behaved.”
His eyes curved with amusement. “It’s fine. Keep glaring at me — the meaner you are, the more familiar it feels.”
“I promise, even if you punched me right now, I wouldn’t complain.”
He Wuning stared at him for a moment, then slowly straightened up and released his grip.
Yi Luo tugged at his collar, still smiling. “Not gonna hit me?”
He Wuning looked away. “I already said I don’t like people pointing guns at me.”
He paused. “Even if it’s for kink.”
Yi Luo froze for a second — by the time he blinked, He Wuning was already heading toward the bed. “I’m taking the bed tonight,” He Wuning said.
Yi Luo smiled lazily. “Sure — but if you sleep there, won’t it feel a little like you’re sleeping in my ar—”
Before he could finish “arms,” a blanket hit him square in the face.
“Change the sheets.”
“You change them.”
Yi Luo sighed in defeat and got up. “Alright, alright.”
Q-chan laughed gleefully. “See? You brought that on yourself — if you’d kept your mouth shut, you wouldn’t have to change them!”
Yi Luo obediently went to replace the covers. Amid the quiet, repetitive motions, he felt an odd sense of calm — a rare trace of normalcy. Without looking up, he murmured, “He Wuning.”
“What?”
He Wuning didn’t lift a finger, sitting nearby and watching him work.
“Don’t you dare die before I do.”
He Wuning didn’t respond, but Q-chan immediately jumped in, flapping his little arms. “Hey! Don’t say stuff like that — it’s bad luck! Ptoo, ptoo!”
Q-chan’s overly cheerful voice rang out through the room. “Everyone’s gonna live long and prosper together!”
Yi Luo looked at him, then chuckled softly. “Alright.”
“Then thank you, my extraterrestrial friend, for your kind blessing.”
Q-chan tilted his head in confusion. “You’re talking nonsense again — I told you, I’m not an alien!”
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The author has something to say:
Mini bonus skit (not canon):
Xue Xun: What were you two doing last night? Why are you washing the bedsheets first thing in the morning?
Yi Luo: Secret—
Xue Xun: …
...Do I know too much?
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