Chapter 7 (1/2)

Translator: Noodletown Translations  Editor: Noodletown Translations

If the apple was like a sweet poison to Adam and Eve, then an optical computer and a mech would be the ultimate dream for Mu Fan. He had fallen asleep at night and dreamt that he was riding one of those metal monsters and imagined owning an optical computer himself; but when he woke up covered in his worn-out blanket and felt his hungry stomach, he was instantly pulled back into reality.

But today was different! Mu Fan had always woken up on time, but today he was still soundly asleep wrapped in his worn-out blanket and curled up in a corner. He only opened his eyes when the bright starlight shined upon his face!

He quickly looked to his right, and that black egg was still lying there quietly.

“It wasn’t a dream!” Mu Fan shouted as he recalled the conversations between him and the black egg last night. His heart almost jumped out when he learned that his dream could turn into reality. He remembered that he had fallen asleep listening to Black making a list of all the necessary equipment for an optical computer, and he couldn’t remember exactly when Black had stopped talking as he fell asleep dreaming about his future.

“Black!”

“Master,” a familiar voice responded, coming from that black egg.

“Call me Mu Fan from now on! You’re my friend now!”

“Okay, Mu Fan.” Black paused a bit as if he was registering the new setting, but also as if he was pondering about what it meant to be a ‘friend.’

Mu Fan took out a curved shell and used it to scoop out some clean rainwater from the bucket, and he washed his face with the water as he said to Black, “What’s the part you need the most right now? I’ll go find it first!”

“Optical computer,” Black responded immediately.

“What? Optical computer? Aren’t you an optical computer?” Mu Fan felt lightheaded because even the most basic optical computer would cost 50,000-star coins. How was he going to get money for this?

“Correction. I’m a super Artificial Intelligence, codenamed Black, not an optical computer. However, I can enter into any machinery and use it as a vessel to exist. I need an optical computer to connect to the interstellar network and update my database, and then I will be able to transform into an optical computer.”

“Optical computer, optical computer. Okay, I’ll go and earn money!” Mu Fan clenched his teeth together after hearing Black’s answer.

“Black, sorry but I’ll have to cover you up for now.” Without waiting for Black’s response, Mu Fan carried over a bunch of random junk and poured them over Black.

“Black will be entering hibernation mode for self-inspection and correction. Please wake Black once Mu Fan retrieves the optical computer.” The cybernetic voice came from beneath the junk, and it was lacking emotions as Black had already entered into hibernation mode.

The sky was grey as usual without any colors, and occasionally there were small transport ships flying through the air while hover vehicles roamed through the highways across the city and suburbs.

The distance from the factory into the city district was thirty-kilometers, and there was a visible contrast between the broken suburbs and flourishing city structures along the way. Mu Fan’s breathing remained normal when he reached the city district after jogging for more than an hour.

He came here with a clear goal today, he was going to ask Oldman Budd, who was the owner of Budd Convenience store in District 22, some questions. He used to help him in the convenience store and Oldman Budd was a kind person who often fed Mu Fan food and gave him some money in return. However this time, Mu Fan didn’t come for work, but to ask if Oldman Budd had any suggestions to earn more money.

District 22 wasn’t big but it was always popular, and the crowd always kept at least one meter away from Mu Fan when he walked amongst them. Those people who lived within the city district saw themselves as nobles and were afraid of others mocking them for even walking too close to a poor person from the suburbs dressed in ripped clothes.

Mu Fan swallowed his saliva as he quickly passed the food district, and he continued walking until he paused in front of Xiuzhe’s equipment store; he had heard that it was one of the top outdoor equipment stores in District 22. He clenched his fist together as he stared at the superior quality daggers and the tactical combat uniforms with desire in his eyes.

After turning right at the block and passing through a supermarket, he finally arrived at Oldman Budd’s convenience store.

“Uncle Budd,” Mu Fan called out respectfully when he saw Oldman Budd behind the counter smoking his low-quality cigarette.

“Hey, if it isn’t my boy Mu Fan! It’s been more than a month since I last saw you. You finally have some time to visit me?” Budd greeted Mu Fan with joy as he smoked his cigarette.