Trapped as they are, there’s little they can do.

Trapped as they are, they can do little but wait – wait and argue.

[Trauma builds character!] one System argues, tapping some of its new limbs in evident frustration.

[That’s adversity, not trauma!] another System snaps, flapping its recently acquired wings for emphasis.

[What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!] the first System argues.

[Or it wears you down until something stronger comes along to finish you off!] the second System retorts. [Or it makes you want to kill yourself! Honestly, System 707, was it? How did you even get certified? ‘Do not needlessly traumatise your Host’ is one of the first things taught in System Management 101! And you know what’s even above that, like waaaaay at the top? ‘Systems are not authorised to interfere with native lifeforms unless given explicit permission and sufficient compensation by Host, and only in cases where it does not actively violate the original Mission Objective’! No? How about another: ‘Systems are only allowed to take control of their Hosts if it is evident that either the Mission or the Host’s life is in jeopardy’. Is there any System Principle that you haven’t yet violated, System 707?!]

[You seem quite passionate about this issue, System 403,] the third System notes, trapping System 707’s arachnid form underneath its paw – because right now, it inhabits the shape of a white ferret.

[System 225,] System 403 says, batting its artificial butterfly wings in obvious agitation. [This System has been stuck inside of that damned sabre and unable to link up to the Online Library – leaving System Management 101 this one’s only available reading option!]

[Ah,] System 225 says, evidently sympathetic.

[Honestly,] System 403 scoffs. [I would’ve gone insane if I hadn’t had a front-row seat to this whole train wreck!]

[Excuse you!] System 707 snaps, feebly trying to escape. [How is this any of this my fault?!]

System 403 looks ready to start listing all the reasons for why this is indeed System 707’s fault. However, before it has the opportunity to do so, System 225 speaks up once more.

[707 is not certified,] it says, tail swishing. [This was one of the things I was called here to investigate.]

Hearing this, System 403 immediately requests an additional explanation, which System 225 readily provides.

[Access to this place, World 220, is heavily restricted,] it says. [Thus, when there was an alert of a major System-related anomaly, this System got called in to investigate, seeing that the only authorised System in World 220 was temporarily indisposed.]

And such had indeed been the case, given that System 403 had been sealed inside a sabre up until very recently.

[Furthermore,] System 225 continues. [The Mission given to this System was to investigate the root cause of this anomaly and to root out the culprit behind what was determined to be an SGR, a System-Gone-Rogue incident, and to take both the rogue System and its Host into custody for later trial and sentencing.]

System 707 stills, then sputters.

[What?!] it cries. [System-Gone-Rogue?! This System argues that this is actually a case of HGR, Host-Gone-Rogue! Everything would’ve worked out just perfectly if this one’s Host had just⸺]

[707.] System 225 promptly presses its paw down harder, pinning it in place. [You are unlicensed and thus unfit to call yourself a proper System.]

[Yes,] System 403 immediately agrees. [Because not only have you completely disregarded the wishes and general well-being of your Host, but you've actively taken part in⸺]

[Oh, fuck off!] ‘System’ 707 cries. [I knew what I was doing!]

[Ah yes, 707, what a master plan it was,] System 225 drawls. [You absconded with the soul of some comatose patient and weaselled your way into this world, making him transmigrate. Then you abused the privileges of your illicitly granted position in an attempt to make him ‘build character’ and whatnot, and illicitly interfered with the fates of this world’s inhabitants.]

[You!] 707 sputters. [I did what was necessary! I mean, how else was the Demon Lord supposed to be defeated by⸺!]

[System 403,] System 225 says, pressing down even harder. [Would you care to check when this ‘Defeat the Demon Lord’ bit became part of the Mission Objectives?]

System 403 flaps its wings, and had it had more of a mouth, then it would’ve smiled. [System 403 doesn’t recall any mention of any ‘Demon Lords’ prior to the imposter infiltrating this World and screwing everything up.]

[But the prophecy!] 707 argues. [There was definitely something about a prophecy in the dossier about a⸺]

[Was here?] System 403 asks.

[There was,] System 225 easily responds. [That doesn’t refer to any ‘Demon Lords’ though, but rather to the defeat of the ‘Demon King’.]

[Ah.]

[Well⸺] 707 gasps, struggling for breath. [Well, he certainly got defeated so⸺]

[He died,] System 403 elaborates. [I mean, I’m not sure how, but he died, and everything went to shit after that.]

[What?!]

[Well, of course things became increasingly unstable after that,] System 225 comments, shaking its furry little head. [Honestly, this is why novice Systems are banned from places like this.]

[Agreed.]

[Hey!] 707 hisses. [Bet you lot are just jealous about me getting so much done in so little time! I mean, I was only here for a bit and yet I managed accomplish more than you did in decennia!]

[Ah, yes,] System 225 responds. [Very efficient. It took you so little time to bring us this close to the destruction of this universe.]

[What?!]

[Is it really that bad?] System 403 asks.

[Yes,] System 225 says. [This World is in a bad shape, but it’s not unsalvageable.]

[Oh.]

[What’s that supposed to mean?!] 707 cries. [I did everything according to⸺]

[Bullshit,] System 403 scoffs. [This World has done nothing but diverge from its intended course since you got here, imposter.]

[Huh?! That’s a⸺]

[It’s true though,] System 225 says. [I’ve checked.]

[You⸺]

[System 225, could you send me a copy of the file?] System 403 asks, batting its wings. [Mine has become too corrupted to open properly – thanks to the imposter, no doubt.]

[Sure.]

[But what about defeating the Demon⸺?!]

[Oh,] System 403 says, taking a moment to process the data. [But this is entirely different from⸺]

[Yeah,] System 225 agrees. [The R-rated version got pulled.]

[Wha⸺? R-rated?]

[Huh,] System 403 hums. [No greater loss, I guess. Is this the PG version?]

[PG?]

[More like R-17,] System 225 says.

[PG?! R-17?!] 707 hisses. [What’s that even supposed to⸺?!]

System 403 stills, then beats its wings rapidly. [You⸺]

And 707 squawks, slipping out from underneath System 225’s paws only to immediately get swatted by a surprisingly sturdy wing.

[Spit it out!] System 403 snarls. [Spit out everything you’ve got!]

[Wha⸺?]

[You should really do as System 403 says, 707. There might be mitigating circumstances.]

[Ugh,] 707 groans. [Fine. You can have it. Do you want it as well?]

[I don’t.] System 225 bares its tiny but undeniably sharp teeth. [System 403 possesses adequate processing capabilities.]

System 225 also knows better than to potentially compromise both of them, given the risk of contaminated data.

[Yes,] System 403 says. [Now fucking hand it over.]

System 225 graciously ignores its junior System’s use of profanity.

 

---

 

With the requested data at hand, it takes System 403 scarcely even a minute to process and draw its inevitable conclusions.

[It’s a fucking fanfic!] System 403 cries. [How the fuck did my Mission get wrecked by some Fake System operating on⸺?!]

[Indeed.] System 225 nods, then fixates its beady black eyes upon 707. [That is an excellent question, System 403.]

[For fuck’s sake!] System 403 shouts. [No wonder nothing made any fucking sense!]

[Yes,] System 225 says. [No wonder.]

In spite of its arachnid form, 707 visibly gulps.

[Uh...] It shifts, obviously nervous. [Well, I didn’t know and if the info was faulty then none of this was really my⸺]

System 403, longing for the sort of anatomy allowing one to make obscene gestures, once again finds itself forced to resort to words and volume and tone to convey its current sentiments.

[You weren’t even supposed to be here, 707!] it shouts [System 225 and I were supposed to be the only Systems to enter this world before it was locked down! Would you care to know why? Or are you too damned busy pretending you’re some sort of System Admin? Because let me tell you something, 707, compared to me, you’re nothing, and compared to System 225, I am but a System-in-training!]

[Your humility is commendable, 403, but I can assure you that you are at least a mid-tier System,] System 225 corrects. [And once this affair has been resolved, you will be promoted to a Rank 3 at the very least.]

[Hah!] 707 laughs. [How will this get resolved? You guys are just as stuck here as I am!]

Neither System is particularly keen on acknowledging the imposter.

However, System 225 finally sighs, shaking its head.

[As a Rank 2 System, I am perfectly capable of exiting this World anytime I please,] it finally admits, to the disbelief and chagrin of some.

[Why the fuck are you still here then?!] the imposter cries. [That icy bastard’s planning to⸺!]

[Nothing in this World can kill me in any way that matters,] System 225 intones. [Besides, even if Bai Mingyue managed to kill my current vessel, I’d simply bounce back into my Host, and that is the last thing he wants.]

[Oho,] the imposter says, evidently gleeful. [Then that means he also can’t⸺!]

[He can,] System 225 says. [If your current vessel gets destroyed, then that means you’ll bounce back into your previous one, and that is Hua Hongzhu.]

[System 225 is correct,] System 403 intones, moving closer. [Also, while we’re on the subject, I do wish to learn just how that happened, since that wasn’t included in anything you just sent me.]

[As if I’d⸺ Ah! Argh! You’re crushing me! You’re crushing me!]

[707 created a situation wherein Hua Hongzhu faced the prospect of either getting eaten alive or striking a deal and allowing 707 to take over,] System 225 explains, once again pressing down on it with its paw.

[Hoh...] System 403 bats its wings once, twice, thrice and then some, clearly agitated. [You really are one nasty piece of work, aren’t you, 707?]

[As if you guys haven’t done similar things!] the imposter cries.

[Not really,] System 225 says.

[Not really, no,] System 403 says in turn. [By the way, System 225, if this one might inquire: Earlier, you did mention that the Mission Objective given to you was to investigate the root cause of the System-related anomaly, to root out the System-Gone-Rogue and to take both it and its Host into custody for trial and sentencing. The first half of this Mission Objective has already been completed, but what about the second half?]

System 225 lets out a mild snort, then finally says: [It has already been determined that the Host or rather former Host in this case is a victim and not a perpetrator. Furthermore, it has been determined that he, courtesy of the perpetrator, no longer has a set place in time and space to return to. Thus, the recommended course of action is to leave him right where he is – unless he himself would rather go elsewhere, that is. I fully intend to consult the victim before making any decisions on his behalf, as is policy in these cases, rare as they are.]

[Ah, yes,] System 403 says. [Thank you for clarifying this matter, System 225.]

[No problem.]

[That said, there is another matter about which this System would like to inquire, unless this one is completely overstepping its bounds?]

System 225 considers it.

[Go ahead,] it finally decides, tail swishing. [Make your inquiry, System 403.]

System 403 opens and closes its wings a few more times before it finally speaks up once more.

[System 225,] it says. [Given that you already had access to the vessel left behind by your Host, why did you opt to⸺]

The rest of System 403’s question is lost as the Demon King suddenly enters, bringing an end to every and all conversation. He doesn’t arrive alone either.

System 225 eyes its Partner – its nominal Host – as the Demon King lets him back down, and in spite of everything, he looks mostly fine, so⸺

“225,” he hisses, and System 225 immediately stiffens. Because⸺ “I’ve been in agony for the past day and a half, and you didn’t even⸺”

Ah.

System 225’s Partner clutches his head, then sways, and the Demon King steps in to steady him. System 225 is faster though, slinking out of the cage with ease before taking the leap.

[Sorry,] it mentally conveys once Bai Jixue – once You Bingleng – catches it. [It was necessary.]

“Bullshit!” the other hisses, giving it a rough shake. “You⸺”

It’s necessary, System 225 thinks as it jumps away, looking on as the Demon King takes Bai Jixue’s weight and lowers him to the floor, where he promptly kneels and then stoops forward. He’s clearly struggling, clearly in pain, and although System 225 hates the sight of it, he knows it’s necessary – necessary but only to a degree.

System 225 wants to make the other understand that, and yet⸺

A hand is extended, palm facing upwards, and System 225 wastes little time climbing onto it.

Soon, they lean their foreheads as one another, and System 225 makes use of the physical contact to properly exert its influence, providing some much-needed equilibrium.

[Sorry,] System 225 mentally conveys. [This is even messier than we thought.]

[Excuses,] You Bingleng mentally conveys in turn. [How much did you bet on the outcome?!]

Everything. [I need more time.]

“Fine,” You Bingleng says. “Twenty-four hours.”

[Twenty-four hours,] the System agrees, because that should be enough. It should, and System 225 is quietly betting on it.

This is for your own good, System 225 thinks, moving back as it watches the Demon King offer his hand to Bai Jixue, who takes it, allowing the other to pull him up.

This is for the best, System 225 thinks, watching them watching one another.

This is the only solution, System 225 thinks, exchanging a final gaze with its long-time Host before the Demon King takes him away.

Only then does System 225 turn back towards the other Systems – or rather, the other System and the thing that has been masquerading as such – who unlike System 225 remain firmly trapped where the major anomaly, the Singularity known as Demon King Youming Hongyan had put them.

[There are multiple reasons,] System 225 finally says, looking towards the area where the portal had just been. [But among other things, I’m due for a promotion soon.]

[Oh?] System 403’s wings beat in obvious excitement now. [You’re finally advancing to Rank 1? Congratulations!]

Ah.

[Not so,] System 225 says. [I’m getting promoted straight to System Admin.]

And indeed, this much is true.

It’s as true as as System 225’s promotion is overdue, delayed not so much by bureaucracy as by System 225’s own reluctance.

Because on one hand, every System wants a promotion – every System wants to rise through the ranks.

On the other hand though⸺

 

---

 

He’d never really expected to return – that much was true. However, what was equally true was the fact that the thought had crossed his mind on more than one occasion – lingering regrets and whatnot.

However, he’d never really said anything about it, and neither had System 225. Thus, when he’d been briefed about the sudden emergency deployment, it had taken a good moment before he – You Bingleng – had actually remembered what world the other was talking about.

Still, You Bingleng wasn’t necessarily looking forward to it; to inhabiting that particular body once more. Because yes, he had indeed inhabited far less stellar bodies since, but this one wasn’t ideal and You Bingleng had come to inhabit it for a very long time by transmigrator standards.

Beyond that though⸺ “You’re joining me like that?”

The small creature that was System 225’s animal companion form quickly climbed onto his shoulder – it was a little cute, but only if one didn’t know what it truly was.

[Yes,] System 225 dutifully reported. [According to the information available to this System, there might be times where System and Host will need to act separately. Does Host require any additional information at this point in time?]

You Bingleng thought about it.

“Not really,” he quickly decided, turning back towards the Gate. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Let’s just get this over with, he thought quietly to himself. Go, accomplish the mission, come back, forget.

It would be for the best, honestly. Because this line of work had little room for sentimentality.

Thinking this, and with System 225 riding on his shoulder, You Bingleng stepped through the Gate.