454: 8.54 Code Manipulation

8.54 Code Manipulation

Was it possible that Ella and Ellie were not the only villains in this world?1

Lu Yizhou tried to recall the time when he lost consciousness, but his memory was getting more and more blurry at each second as though someone was deliberately making him forget. It seemed like he might have seen himself — the one in real life — struggling on the brink of death, but it might only be his own imagination. But what could have explained the force that had yanked him back toward Irene's body?

Not only 666, Lu Yizhou also thought that they were done for. The bugs he had met previously were only so-so, hence he had never expected that 404 would be so strong that it could even affect his physical condition. It was the hardest battle Lu Yizhou had ever had, and he was not even an active participant.

He lathered soap on his whole body, absentminded. Earlier, he must have suffered from some serious internal injuries but now, he could not even sense anything wrong with his body save from the bone-deep exhaustion. It was like his body had been torn apart only to be pieced together again, turning him brand new inside out. 

He heaved a sigh. Now he had so many questions with nowhere to ask. Turning the shower, he started to wash away the suds and also used the cold water to sober himself up.

[Come to think of it.] Lu Yizhou was suddenly reminded of something as he wrapped the towel around his body. [What happened during the fight with 404? I couldn't get to you for a moment. You don't happen to suffer from any side effects, do you?]

[666: Aaaah… that despicable fight. 404 was indeed a very tough opponent, 666 had to give it that! But don't worry, Host, if you're afraid that 666's codes will be contaminated by the bug, then it will not happen! 666 has already done a full body check-up during the restart earlier!]

Lu Yizhou hummed quietly. If 666 put it like that, then what choice did he have other than to take its words at face value? The worst scenario that could have happened was that 666 was replaced and he had to bear with the bugs in his body. Lu Yizhou still had no idea what he should do if it were to happen but fortunately, 666 had quashed his concern into dust. 

[666: More importantly, check this out, Host! 666 has its own player profile! 666 wouldn't have known if it had not been for the battle against 404!]

That's right…! Lu Yizhou almost facepalmed when realization dawned on him. All this time, he had always warned 666 to stay under the radar. He completely forgot that 666 entered this world as a player! Of course, it would have its own profile. Not only that, it would also receive quest completion rewards!

Lu Yizhou might have to carry 666 during the game, but the reward he would get was also twice fold!

'Why didn't you say that sooner, stupid system?!' Ozzie hissed from where she was curling on the bed. 'Now fess up, what kind of rewards and skills have you gotten meow?!'

[666: W–What did you say?! You have promised not to call 666 'idiot' anymore!]

Ozzie pulled out her tongue. 'That's your agreement with Daddy meow! And let me remind you that the word is strictly limited to 'useless' and not 'idiot'!'

[666: Uwaaa QAQ… you guys have tricked 666! This world is truly unfair! 666 has fought blood, sweat and tears to get us to this point and this is all 666 gets?!]

  Lu Yizhou rolled his eyes as he donned another clean dress, making sure to fasten it especially tight around his waist so that it would not get in the way during the fight. He was grateful that Irene had brought quite a lot of skirt dresses. Even though the majority of them had wide and flowy hem, it was also practical and eased his movements a lot.

(He only had to bear the lacy underwear, but that was a problem he would rather bring to his grave.)

[Don't get dramatic and show us your player profile.] He demanded coldly. 666 did not even shed any drop of blood, sweat and tears, it was Lu Yizhou who had to endure it in its place!

All the while sobbing, 666 had no other choice but to obey its Host's command. In the next second, the system panel appeared in front of Lu Yizhou's eyes but the name on top of it belonged to 666.

[Player: 666 (???)

Race: System

Title: Most Handsome, Intelligent, Brilliant System

Current quest: Terror in the Knox Family (Progress: 68/100%) 

Route: True Ending 

Strength: 0 (10) // Agility: 0 (10) // Stamina: 0 (10) // Health: 10 (10)

Skill: Hacking, Code Manipulation (NEW!)]

Blatantly disregarding 666's ridiculous title (at least now he knew that his did not mean anything either), Lu Yizhou focused on the system's skill. Hacking, he was already familiar with it but code manipulation… [What does it mean?]

[666: Heheh~ *whistle* it's the skill 666 acquires after devouring 404's main code. System 404 is a bug that is not supposed to exist in the simulator, so after 666 defeats it, its main code becomes 666's own! In other words, 666 is now a predator among systems because 666 can revoke everyone's codes! Holy moly, 666 is so badass!]

'That is impressive, 666!' Ozzie sounded genuinely astonished and in exchange, making 666 so full of itself that it could not help but boast some more.

[666: Not only that, 666 can now tweak your profile too, Host! As long as it doesn't defy the rules of this world as well as getting in the way of your mission, 666 can do them all!]

Lu Yizhou was intrigued now. [For example?]

[666: For example, err… oh! 666 can refill your magic wand's power! Because Irene is not supposed to regain her power before the final fight, 666 can only recharge it up to its bare minimum, 60%! Do you want it, Host?]

Of course, he had been dying to have more power. His magic wand's power has gone down to 15% ever since he used it to tackle Diana. Moreover he did not have the slightest idea of the full extent of Irene's power as a white witch yet. He only knew that he could regain more if he were to devour Ellie's love juices but judging from their current perilous situation, it was not possible anymore! That's why this good news came at the perfect time. Lu Yizhou agreed to 666's proposition in a heartbeat. [Do it.]

In the next second, a deep blue glow enveloped Lu Yizhou's entire body and he felt it vividly as the chains that restrained his power broke down one by one. His body became much lighter, almost as if he could fly at any moment. And lo and behold, when he opened his eyes, he indeed found his feet floating a few centimeters above the ground!

Lu Yizhou opened his own profile and checked out his 'Magic Wand' skill.

[[Congratulations! You have successfully regained more than 50% of your power and now, you may access your formerly sealed power!

Remaining power: 60/100%]]

Lu Yizhou could not help but bark out a laugh when his eyes landed on the series of white witch's skills he could finally use with his magic wand. Maybe this world was not so bad after all.

[[Power unlocked (NEW!): Levitation, Healing, Light Beam Attack, Shapeshifting

Restrictions: can only be used with Magic Wand. Please pay attention to your remaining power!]]

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Mini theater

LYZ: So you still can't access the original plot?

666: No QAQ

LYZ: …

666: You're not allowed to call 666 useless anymore! We have struck a deal!!!

LYZ: …I didn't even say anything

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