Chapter 16 (1/2)

Translator: Noodletown Translations  Editor: Noodletown Translations

Black’s voice came from inside its hull. “This is my secondary portable vessel made with nano liquid metal, and it has been shaped into a ring to avoid unwanted attention. I will soon transmit the data over and exist as a digital lifeform on this ring. Once you receive the optical computer, you can place this ring near its chip, and I will automatically complete the data transmission. You can then take the optical computer anywhere once the ring disappears.”

“What happens to you if the ring disappears?” Mu Fan asked as he wondered how he would bring Black back.

Black replied immediately as soon as he asked, “I am an intelligent life. Therefore, when I am connected to the network, I can exist in a digital form within all networks. The current vessel will become unnecessary. However, when I complete the level-2 database update via the network, I will notify you of some uses. You will need some of the parts and components of this current vessel. Therefore, please keep the current vessel and take good care of it for future needs.”

“Alright, I understand. I’ll bring you with me tomorrow.”

“Then, I’ll be completing data transmission later. You can take the ring once the green projection appears.”

“Alright.”

A blue light soon lit up on the mechanical arm. After a few seconds, a projection of a smiley face in green light appeared above it.

“Mu Fan, I am Black. This is only a reserved data projection, and the vessel can now only perform the basic functions, and it has no other uses without my activation. Please keep and take good care of it. I will connect to the network to complete emotional simulation afterward. This will be the last time you see me in my primary life form. Mu Fan, goodbye.”

The green light screen shut off, and the mechanical arm turned black. There was only a single lonely ring lying there on the tray.

Mu Fan took the ring and put it on his finger. Then, he got up to cover Black’s hull with a bunch of junk again. However, this time around, Mu Fan dug a deep pit before burying Black’s hull since it was unlikely that anyone would notice this creation from a parallel universe buried underground in this remote wilderness.

Without Black’s voice, the night seemed quiet with an occasional crackle from the bonfire and Mu Fan’s breathing. Mu Fan looked at the simple ring on his finger as he wrapped his worn-out blankets around himself, and he soon fell asleep accompanied by the bone-chilling coldness.

…

As the first streak of light shined through the sky after the departure of the darkness, Mu Fan was ready to leave. Unnoticed by anyone, he jogged at a fast pace towards the city. Mu Fan felt comfortable when the cold air in the suburbs filled his lungs, and he arrived in front of the Budokan after not too long.

The Starfall Budokan had opened already early in the morning, and four big men in black stood there at the main gate as usual. However, Man Kun wasn’t amongst them this time as it was probably a shift-based position. Mu Fan didn’t care too much as he showed them his ID card and entered the Budokan.

“Mmmm, so hungry!~~”

“Eh? Budokan takes care of breakfast too! Right!”

Mu Fan was touching his belly when he started to feel hungry, and he recalled that Man Kun mentioned yesterday that the Budokan covered breakfast as well. He got up as he walked towards Cafeteria No. 3, and it was no surprise that there was already some staff here. However, he didn’t recognize any practice partners who he saw yesterday, and he guessed that he was probably the first out of yesterday’s shift to get here.

At the counter behind the window, the staff member from yesterday with the white chef hat wasn’t there; it was someone else.

“Nutritious meals please!”

“How many boxes?”

“Ten, please.”

“Okay, here you… Wait, are you kidding me? Ten boxes? You can eat ten boxes of nutritious meals for breakfast?” This dining staff was surprised as he thought, This is breakfast! Compressed meal boxes! Ten would be enough for five big men!

“Hand them over to him. You didn’t work yesterday, so you don’t know.” The dining staff with the white hat from yesterday appeared and quickly poked his colleague; he had probably walked over because he noticed the situation here.

“Here… Here you go.”

“Thanks!” Mu Fan took the stack of meal boxes in his arms and returned to his seat, leaving the shocked dining staff behind.

Everyone stared at Mu Fan as he quickly finished his stack of meal boxes, and he walked out of cafeteria No. 3 and patted his stomach in satisfaction while everyone looked at him in admiration.

“I wonder when Chubby Harry is coming today?”

“Mu Fan, you’re early.”

“Morning! Mr. Man Kun,” Mu Fan said as he looked up, seeing that it was Man Kun.