When Gu Zhi woke up again, she was greeted by the sight of a crumbling cityscape. Skyscrapers lay in ruins, cracks marred the ground, and the gray, murky sky reverberated with the hum of machinery.
"Welcome to the first world, Host!" chirped the cheerful voice of System One.
"Where am I?" Gu Zhi frowned, her mind still foggy.
"A post-apocalyptic world ravaged by war and a deadly virus!" One explained, as if describing something mundane. "Your task is to purify this world's core villain—Tech Overlord Cheng Ye—by lowering his corruption level and helping him rediscover the meaning of life."
"Wait," Gu Zhi sneered, "Cheng Ye? That name already screams 'trouble.' How am I supposed to purify him? With my heartfelt sincerity and warm hugs?"
One paused dramatically. "It might require a bit of brainpower, too. After all, he's a super-genius with tech skills far beyond this era."
Gu Zhi sighed. "Let me guess—his corruption level is maxed out at 100?"
"Correct! A perfect 100 out of 100!"
As One spoke, a low mechanical rumble echoed in the distance. Gu Zhi turned her head to see a massive metallic spider moving slowly through the ruins. Its body gleamed with a cold, silver sheen, and its six mechanical legs clicked ominously against the rubble.
"Oh, he's here," One exclaimed excitedly.
Gu Zhi's eyes narrowed. "Who?"
"The villain, Cheng Ye, of course! He personally controls these mechanical sentinels for patrol. You'd better be careful."
As if on cue, a cold, robotic voice echoed from within the metallic spider: "Intruder detected. Identification failed. Initiating clearance protocol in ten seconds."
Without hesitation, Gu Zhi bolted. The debris and jagged ruins hindered her every step, while the spider-like sentinel chased after her, its laser beams grazing perilously close.
"You've been in this world for less than a minute, and you're already about to get 'cleared,'" One teased.
"Shut up!" Gu Zhi growled as she dodged another laser. "If you're so smart, give me some advice on how to shake this thing off!"
"Find cover," One suggested helpfully. "Or, you could try reasoning with Cheng Ye directly using your charm and wit!"
"Are you kidding me?" Gu Zhi almost tripped in frustration.
Finally, she dove into a partially collapsed underground parking lot, hiding behind an abandoned car. She held her breath as the mechanical sentinel paused at the entrance, scanning the area. After a tense moment, it turned and lumbered away, its heavy footsteps fading into the distance.
Panting, Gu Zhi glared at the system. "You're the least reliable thing I've ever met."
One giggled. "Don't worry! The fun part is just getting started. You'll meet Cheng Ye face-to-face very soon!"
Gu Zhi groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Why did I sign up for this?"
Deeper in the parking lot, a figure moved silently. A tall man in a black tactical coat emerged from the shadows, his metal-like eyes glinting with cold precision in the dim light.
"Found you," he said in a low, icy voice.
Gu Zhi looked up, meeting his emotionless gaze. Her heart skipped a beat. Cheng Ye was even more formidable than she had imagined.
"Intruder?" He raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in his tone.
Gu Zhi forced herself to stay calm. "Wait. Can we talk? I'm here to help you."
"Help me?" Cheng Ye's laugh was sharp and bitter. "What can you possibly help me with? Saving this decaying world? Or perhaps saving my soul?"
"Uh..." Gu Zhi faltered, unsure of what to say.
But Cheng Ye wasn't interested in her answer. With a flick of his wrist, several small drones emerged from behind him, their sharp metal blades glinting menacingly.
"Well then—let's begin."
Gu Zhi clenched her fists, her eyes locked on the advancing drones. Their spinning blades gleamed menacingly, a metallic orchestra of impending doom. She took a step back, her mind racing for a way out.
"System! Do something!" she hissed.
"Relax, Host," One said, far too casually. "Think about it—Cheng Ye wouldn't send his prized drones unless he thought you were worth keeping alive… probably."
"Probably?!" she snapped, narrowly dodging a drone that swooped too close for comfort.
Cheng Ye stood motionless, his cold gaze fixed on her. "You claim you're here to help, yet you can't even defend yourself. A liar and a weakling—why should I waste my resources on you?"
Gu Zhi's frustration boiled over. "Fine! You want proof? Call off your flying murder-bots, and I'll show you exactly how I can help."
For a moment, amusement flickered in Cheng Ye's expression. With a subtle gesture, the drones froze mid-air, their blades retracting.
"Talk," he commanded.
Gu Zhi exhaled sharply, steadying herself. "This world is dying, and you know it. But you're too stubborn to admit that even you can't fix it alone. I'm not here to stop you—I'm here to work with you."
Cheng Ye's eyes narrowed. "And why would I trust a stranger who appeared out of nowhere?"
"Because I'm your best shot," Gu Zhi said, taking a step forward. "Your tech is impressive, but even geniuses like you need fresh perspectives. Or are you afraid you might actually learn something from someone else?"
A dangerous silence settled between them. The drones hovered ominously, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
"You're bold," Cheng Ye said finally, his voice quiet but sharp. "Boldness can be useful—or fatal."
Before Gu Zhi could respond, a guttural roar echoed from the far end of the parking lot. Cheng Ye's gaze snapped toward the sound.
"What's that?" Gu Zhi asked, dread creeping into her voice.
"Biomutants," he replied curtly. "The virus's byproducts. They've detected the drones."
"Fantastic," she muttered. "I guess this is where we 'work together,' huh?"
Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed a jagged metal pipe from the ground. Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow but didn't object. Turning to his drones, he issued a silent command, and they swiftly repositioned themselves at the entrance to the parking lot.
"Stay behind me," he ordered.
"I don't take orders," Gu Zhi retorted with a smirk. "But I'll follow—for now."
The first mutant burst into the lot—a grotesque fusion of rotting flesh and crude cybernetic implants. It let out a shrill scream, charging straight at them.
"Show me what you've got," Cheng Ye said, his tone almost mocking.