Hundred Street is not just an ordinary street; it is composed of several equally long and distinctive streets.
The Moon River Bar is located on the Seventh Street, which is rich in the culture of wine. There are many taverns, and many non-tavern shops make a living by selling brewing materials. Other streets mainly sell clothing, medicines, fruits and vegetables, and various meats. The Old Moer Restaurant is located on the Third Street, a paradise for gourmets, where diners always linger.
Before Wu Fan could push open the welcoming glass door, the lively scene inside made him hesitate.
"Maybe we should go to another restaurant," he pleaded with 4.
The interior was very spacious, and each round table, which could accommodate 18 people, was crowded. This restaurant was not just for lively guests. Wu Fan noticed that in the corner of the room, there were private rooms separated by red curtains, providing privacy for those who preferred it. The decoration of the house was simple but not shabby. A precious red carpet led from the front steps to the front desk, which also served as the kitchen. Through the glass, the busy figures of the chefs could be seen. The owner seemed very confident and never worried that others would learn his cooking skills.
Several large chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the crystal lights emitted an orange light, making the whole room bright and magnificent. Various types of artwork, mostly landscapes, were posted on the snow-white walls. There were deer drinking by the river, snow-covered mountain peaks, and the red glow of the setting sun coloring the forest. There was also a bird with blue eyes, red and white feathers, and a touch of black on its head, singing on a branch.
The floor was spotless, and a symphony that made people feel as if they were there and brought joy played in the room. It was performed by violins, cellos, and pianos.
As the guests ate, they whispered to their companions, their faces mostly filled with happy expressions. In short, it was a place full of joy.
4 shouted loudly towards the front desk and kitchen, "Lee, the usual." His voice drowned out all the chatter and laughter. A girl with a clear and delicate Asian face, wearing a pair of thin-framed gold wire glasses, raised her head upon hearing the call.
4 then led Wu Fan to the private room on the second floor.
There were seven or eight rooms on the second floor. 4 walked directly to the third room on the right. As soon as he pushed open the door, he sat on a rattan chair near the window. Wu Fan suddenly realized that the owner of this restaurant was likely the previous owner of the courtyard where he was staying.
When he saw the painting hanging on the wall, he became even more certain of his thoughts. In the center of the painting was a huge locust tree, almost identical to the one in the courtyard.
The room was not large, but it was quiet and private. When Wu Fan closed the door, the noise from the first floor abruptly stopped.
4 got up from the recliner and walked to a wall. He lightly touched the wall with his index finger, and soon, a soothing and melodious tune began to play in the room.
4 sat back in his original position, lying on the chair with his hands behind his head, eyes closed, right foot resting on his left foot, humming an unknown tune. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
"Don't worry, this room is exclusively for us," he looked at the anxious Wu Fan with half-closed eyes. "This is Lee, 15's restaurant. Relax a bit. We are honored guests, and the food will always be served first."
It was the restaurant of the fox-faced man, the previous owner of the courtyard. Wu Fan felt increasingly uncomfortable.
Unlike 4, No Name, and 22, these three people at least did not make him feel uneasy. Although 22 had startled Wu Fan when he first appeared, with the help of the memory chip, he quickly became familiar with him. However, 0 and 15 made him feel anxious. The memory chip seemed unable to completely eliminate this fear. The former made him feel mysterious and inscrutable, while the latter made him feel like a mouse encountering a cat.
"Lee hasn't returned yet, and his task is not yet complete. Relax a bit. We are free to do as we please," 4 seemed to understand the boy's feelings very well. He comforted him again and then fell silent.
Wu Fan sat on a round chair and placed the poster in his hand on the table. He needed to do something to ease his nervousness. A refreshing scent wafted from the poster, and he picked it up and sniffed it gently, as if he could feel the faint fragrance left by the girl. He blushed slightly at his own actions and then began to read the text on the poster.
“May my king preserve in me: faithful confidence, a clean conscience, genuine love, sincere dedication.
May my king help me have: a devout heart, sound judgment, a broad mind, a joyful spirit.
May my king remind me: integrity, upright governance, prudence, humility.
May my king grant me: clear thinking, good memory, eloquence, abundant energy.
May my king teach me to never forget: genuine love, the trust of the Lord, the golden light pointing the way, that is my direction.
This is a religious propaganda poster, but he was not interested in such prayers. Instead, two lines of text below the prayer caught his attention: "Grace Day, Hero King Cathedral." He couldn't understand the other sentence.
"What does this mean?" He pointed to that sentence and walked towards 4.
Once again, 4 opened his closed eyes and, speaking in a hushed tone, said mysteriously, "This is the ancient and mysterious Alexian script."
"Alexian script?" A familiar feeling lingered in the boy's mind, and suddenly, he seemed to hear the sound of gears turning and chains loosening.
"What does this mean?" he repeated.
"Past, present, future, the Trinity."
"Past, present, future?" He shook his head, completely unable to understand the meaning of this sentence.
4 shrugged, "I'm not sure about that. However, the Hero King religion generally believes that a destined child was born on this planet. He was born in the future, lives in the present, and will die in the past."
This was like the sun rising in the west and setting in the east, which was unreasonable. But before he could speak, a strange thought flashed through his mind, and he closed his mouth.
"The Hero King religion, what is that?" He furrowed his brow again, his eyes filled with a desire for knowledge.
"It is a religion created to commemorate the Hero King Reya Ye."
"Wu Fan, 45, as a human, you should have learned in history that there was once divine right and religious rule over the people in a time when technology was not advanced, right?"
The boy nodded, "Yes, in an era where technology was not advanced, religion and monarchy represented the interests of the highest ruling class."
"In the human world, religion was once very powerful, serving as a double-edged sword. It pushed human civilization forward to a certain extent, but it also constrained people's thoughts. Ultimately, it was because humans believed in those elusive gods. Because the gods were elusive, the clergy, who claimed to be the spokespersons of the gods, could speak without restraint and deceive the believers by claiming their own demands as divine revelations. Countless wars erupted from lies, and countless people died in lies. Every religion always proclaims to its followers that their god is the true god, and all others are false gods."
Wu Fan couldn't help but think of the notorious Crusades in history, and he couldn't help but think of the conflict between Palestine and Israel. Because of religious conflicts, civilians were caught up in war, children were sent to the battlefield, and the elderly and women were like fish on a chopping board. Fanatic believers turned into the cruelest warriors, with the blood of demons flowing within them. Countless people fell every day, villages were burned, crows feasted, fields lay fallow, and weeds grew by absorbing the blood of the innocent. Lonely graves stood, and wild ghosts wept. Cities that had stood for a hundred years were reduced to ruins and relics.
"But can't the duality of religion be avoided?" 4 posed this question and then answered it, "A religion that is purely illusory is like a castle in the air, too far from the believers, and will eventually be abandoned by the times. Even if it still exists, what can it change?"
"Dinosaur people are different from humans. Since I came to this world, I have deeply realized this," he shook his head.
"The religions in this world do not worship deities like in the human world. Just as the Prophet religion worships the Prophet, the King religion worships the Emperor, and the Hero King religion commemorates the Hero King. Whether it is the Prophet, the emperors of past dynasties, or the Hero King, they are worshiping only their deceased ancestors, not deities."
Wu Fan couldn't help but think of a mysterious religion: Shamanism. It was said that they worshiped their ancestors, and they had a warning: "The souls of our ancestors protect us."
4 touched the short stubble on his chin. If you didn't pay attention, it was almost impossible to see it. "Wu Fan, 45, what do you think drives the believers to worship their ancestors?"
The boy scratched his bangs and said uncertainly, "Just for psychological comfort?"
4 nodded, "Psychological comfort is just one aspect. Isn't the belief in elusive gods also for psychological comfort? I have said before, and I must reiterate now because it is crucial. Besides psychological comfort, the most important thing is for inheritance, and the dinosaur people attach great importance to this, to inheritance."
"Inheritance is a wonderful thing. It tells us who we are and where we come from. At the same time, it connects the past, present, and future."
"Your words are very similar to the sentence on the poster, 'past, present, future, the Trinity,'" Wu Fan suddenly realized that 4 might have a deeper meaning.
4 once again showed an approving smile for the boy's cleverness, "Yes, if you are familiar with the history of religions, you will find many similarities between different religions. The Hero King religion proposes the Trinity of past, present, and future, and the Prophet religion also has similar doctrines. Without the past, there is no present, and without the present, there is no future. But without the future, there would not be a past. This is a cycle, and we are trapped in a closed loop."
4 ignored the boy's confusion and continued, "The believers actually worship not deities or ancestors. What they worship is themselves, their past selves, and their future selves. Without the ancestors of the past, there would be no present self, and without the present self, there would be no continuation into the future. This is inheritance. It is difficult to find its starting point and endpoint, but in fact, the starting point is the endpoint."
The boy felt as if he understood and didn't understand at the same time. He felt as if he were in the dark, just grasping a ray of light, but the light suddenly dissipated.
The door creaked open, accompanied by the soft sound of footsteps.
He looked up to see a slender, graceful girl carrying a bowl of noodles towards him.
Setting the bowl down on the table, the girl's fair neck and ample bosom caught his eye, igniting a fire within him. His breath grew heavy, and his mind raced like a boiling kettle. He quickly lowered his head, closed his eyes, and tried to clear his mind.
"This is Jee, Lee's sister."
"This is 45, you can call him Wu Fan," 4 stood up straight and introduced them to each other.
The girl exuded a unique fragrance, stronger than the one on the posters. Suddenly, he remembered it as a blend of medicinal herbs, a scent he had encountered during his wanderings with 22 in the wilderness.
"Hello, Wu Fan," the girl extended her hand confidently towards the boy.
"Hello, Jee," Wu Fan lightly grasped her delicate hand, but quickly withdrew as if shocked, resembling a startled turtle.
"Listen, kid, Jee isn't as scary as you think. She's not like her brother, Lee."
"My brother isn't scary at all," Jee pouted, and Wu Fan stole a glance at her, causing her to chuckle. He hastily buried his head, his blush deepening.
"Alright, Jee, you've scared him. I remember I ordered two portions of food," 4's voice carried a playful tease.
"No problem," Jee said, covering her mouth as she left the room, her laughter fading like the sound of tinkling bells.
"Now that Jee's gone, you should lift your head. It's not a big deal," 4 patted the boy's back, laughing heartily despite his words.
4's laughter made the boy feel even more embarrassed, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the floor.
"Or maybe I should unlock your restrictions," 4's right hand moved up Wu Fan's back, stopping at the nape of his neck.
It was a devil's whisper. No, he must resist. The world would be against him if he succumbed.
He quickly brushed off 4's hand. "Relax, it's just a joke," 4 laughed even louder. "I understand your pain. Every newcomer has felt suffocated, but if you don't want to feel that way, you should open up more. There's no need to suppress yourself. In this world, you're not limited to interacting with just men."
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
He wasn't joking. He had actually intended to do it just now. Wu Fan saw a hint of malice in 4's eyes.
"Isn't the memory chip supposed to suppress my emotions? Why do I feel this way (blushing, heart racing)?"
"The AI mainframe doesn't act on a whim. It only intervenes when it deems something harmful to you. Is interacting with a beautiful girl harmful?"
Wu Fan was speechless. His shyness and timidity were reasons why he was known as the failure, Wu Fan.
"Alright, I'll try my best," the boy said, lacking confidence.
"Relax, my friend, you can do it," 4's smile eased his guard, and then he received a heavy slap on his back, causing him to scream.
"Easy, you clumsy oaf," he snapped, too angry to feel embarrassed. At least when Jee brought the other portion of noodles to the table, he didn't feel as tongue-tied as before.
"See, my friend, you did it," 4 was about to burst into laughter, but he suddenly stood up and hopped onto another chair.
"I did it," he exclaimed. He had never imagined that he wouldn't embarrass himself in front of an attractive person. But as he gazed into Jee's clear eyes, his face flushed once again.
"Alright, kid. I think you need time to adjust."
"Jee, why don't you sit down and tell our new friend here about some interesting things you know about this world. I'm sure our new friend would love to hear," 4 suggested.
"Oh, no, it's better not to," he feared her voice. It would make him unable to resist looking at her face. He feared her smile, which would stir up his emotions.
It seemed as if the girl hadn't heard his muttering, or perhaps she had and simply ignored it. She sat beside him, fingers interlocked on the round table. "Is there anything you want to know?" she said, playfully blinking her eyes.
She was deliberate, absolutely. Reflected in her eyes, she was full of curiosity.
"N-no, nothing," he stammered, hardly resembling a man.
"Jee is a member of the Hero King Church," 4 quickly interjected, breaking the awkward silence. "We were just discussing the concept of inheritance, and I think religion is a great entry point for understanding this world."
"Where were you in the discussion?"
"The doctrine of the Hero King Church," 4 snatched the poster from Wu Fan and placed it in front of Jee.
"In twenty days, the Hero King Festival will begin. Have you seen the pre-festival scenes outside?"
"Of course, this year's festival will be even more spectacular than last year."
"Where were you in the discussion?" she asked again, her smile becoming even more charming, revealing a set of teeth smoother and shinier than marble.
"The past, the present, the future, the doctrine of the Prophet, and the parts related to the doctrine of the Hero King Church."
She crossed her fingers over her heart and said, "May the Prophet and the Hero King be forever blessed, may the King's glory shine once more."
"May the Prophet's teachings remain in my heart, may the King's glory accompany you forever," 4 responded.
"Didn't you tell him about the Four Wonders?" she asked.
"The Four Wonders? The food on Little Hundred Street, the wine on Favorable Wind Road, the scenery at Holy Water Beach, and the Golden Road?" He furrowed his brow, like an apprentice cautiously seeking confirmation.
"No, no, of course not," she giggled, resembling a fox who had stolen a chicken.
A blush crept up his cheeks, and the girl's laughter made the boy even more embarrassed.
"One Night City, Salvation before Dawn, King and the Twelve Warriors, and the Oath of Non-Battle," she said slowly, but Wu Fan had only heard of the first one.
"You've heard of some, right?" his expression indicated a yes.
"Let me guess, One Night City, right?" Wu Fan nodded.
"Let me tell you about the remaining three stories," she cleared her throat and adopted a deep tone that belied her age. "When the king led his people to settle here, their troubles were far from over. In fact, the troubles were just beginning. They were outsiders, unfamiliar with the ways of this world, and the locals made sure they understood the rules. Six years after the founding of the kingdom, just as the people's lives were beginning to stabilize, a group of crocodile people disguised as merchants visited. They were delighted by the crocodile people's arrival, thinking they had found their first friends. However, the joy turned to horror when the crocodile people revealed their fangs and weapons. Unprepared, the settlers were slaughtered by the crocodile people. They resisted and awaited death. That night, the king left the city alone, and no one knew where he went. Those who remained in the city locked themselves in their homes and cellars. The resistors were thrown into the Holy Water River by the crocodile people, staining the river red with blood. The fish, shrimp, and crabs sought food in the bloodied water. The heads of the resistors were chopped off and piled on the shore, turning it into a sea of crows and rats. The pain of six years ago descended once again, and everyone despaired until the king dramatically reappeared just before dawn, leading a large army of snake people who helped drive away the crocodile bandits. This miracle was known as the Salvation before Dawn."
Her story was so captivating that the boy forgot his shyness and gazed at her with eager anticipation. "What happened next?" he asked.
"Twenty years passed, during which the people worked hard and developed, finally understanding the rules of this world. They were no longer as naive as before."
It wasn't naivety, he thought, but rather their goodwill not being reciprocated.
"They began to build an army, develop military, education, and politics, seeking allies in this unfamiliar land, treading on thin ice among various powers. The king possessed exceptional political acumen, and under his rule, the people who had barely survived began to recover and carry forward the civilization of Anunaqi. The king's reputation spread far and wide, and even the emperor in the imperial capital knew his name."
"Everything was progressing towards a brighter future, but some were not satisfied. The snake people of the Blackwater demanded more. When the savage crocodile people were driven away, the cunning snake people stationed their troops in the king's city under the pretext of aiding its development. They were insatiable, demanding more and more. The king endured humiliation, but the people could no longer bear it. They were noble descendants of Anunaqi, not slaves. War broke out."
"But they were so weak, and the snake people were so powerful. The city fell within a week. Faced with no other choice, the king made a decision on a stormy night. He left the city, not alone this time, but with hundreds of warriors who were willing to follow him to the death. In the mist, howling winds, and thunderous night, they set out from the Triumphal Gate in the pouring rain. They encountered interception and fought battles. One by one, the warriors fell, and the sounds of pain and battle were like a pause in the song of rain and night. Until the snake people's forces caught up with them. In the end, only twelve warriors remained, using their lives to form an iron wall. The king eventually broke through and brought reinforcements, driving out all the snake people's troops remaining in the city. From then on, the Reya Ye Kingdom was officially recognized by this world."
He couldn't help but admit that he was deeply drawn in by the girl's story. "What's the last story?" he asked eagerly.
"Twenty years later, no, let's start from ten years later. The old emperor's death marked the beginning of the imperial succession."
"Imperial succession?"
"The inheritance of the emperor in this world follows two important rules," 4 explained. "The previous emperor cannot directly designate his heir. He usually leaves behind four to nine male heirs. The next emperor will be born among these heirs. If any of the princes are recognized by the Hero King Church for their unparalleled contributions to the empire, they will be automatically crowned as emperor. If no one is recognized by the Hero King Church, they must unite their supporters to help them ascend to the throne."
"The Hero King Church?" Wu Fan felt like he had just learned a new term.
"One of the three major religions in this world."
"The Prophet's Teachings, the Hero King Church, and the others?"
"No, the Prophet's Teachings, the Hero King Church, and the other religions combined. In this world, all the other religions together can only contend with these two major religions."
"Jee, please continue."
The girl spoke again, "The prince supported by King Reya Ye failed, and the kingdom was about to face a purge."
Before Wu Fan could express his confusion, 4 seemed to have a prophetic ability. "The families, kingdoms, and duchies that supported the prince's ascension during the imperial succession would be considered the prince's private property. Once the succession failed, these families and the royal family had to pledge allegiance to the new emperor. The emperor could choose to accept their allegiance or purge them."
"King Reya Ye did not choose to pledge allegiance to the royal family and become part of the empire."
"Ten years later, at the end of the imperial succession, when the new emperor's army arrived at the city, all the city's residents looked to the king with hopeful eyes. The king shook his head in response to their expectations. This time, he couldn't seek outside help. The sea was mysterious, and he was unfamiliar with the aquatic people. Some accused him of arrogance, and some fled the city overnight. Others planned to present his head to the imperial army to appease the emperor's anger. Some stood firmly by his side, ready to face the same fate as the city. In the midst of the dispute, King Reya Ye opened the city gates and walked into the imperial camp alone. No one knew what happened that day, but the king returned to the throne and issued a decree. From then on, the city of Reya Ye would remain neutral and would no longer participate in the imperial succession. The people of Reya Ye would forever maintain their existing territory and would not allow it to be expanded."
"After the Oath of Non-Battle was issued, for tens of thousands of years, the city has maintained its neutrality and has not experienced any wars."
"Alright, I think I've spoken enough," the girl stood up. "Enjoy your meal." As she left the room, her laughter was like the song of a nightingale, even more melodious.
Jee's stories left his excited heart unable to calm down.
"What a great girl. Just think, how much worse could her brother, Lee, be?" 4 tried to change Wu Fan's perception of Lee.
"She's quite nice," but the thought of that person, 15, wearing a white fox mask, still made him uneasy.
The utensils for the food were more like basins than bowls. At least Wu Fan had never seen porcelain bowls the size of washbasins. The noodles were steaming in the milky broth, with a half-egg the size of a goose egg floating on top. (He had eaten too many ambiguous foods since arriving here.) There were a few pieces of bacon, some purple-black skins of unknown origin, some cabbage, spoon vegetables, and some orange-fried meat patties hidden among the vegetables.
He picked up the half-egg and put it in his mouth. Suddenly, his tongue felt numb, and he heard a cracking sound in his ears, like a small bottle of hydrogen not fully burning in oxygen.
"This is a thunderbird egg, and this is the armpit skin of a purple-scaled python. Of course, these are not from the wild. Wild purple-scaled pythons are poisonous, but domesticated ones won't cause such problems."
"Okay, I get it," he disliked it when people showed off their knowledge while he was eating. He had had enough of 22, and now he just wanted to enjoy a meal without being made to feel ignorant.
"This definitely isn't bacon, and this isn't cabbage either. Perhaps they are animals and plants whose names I can't recall." He sounded very impatient.
"No, what's fried to a reddish-black color in front of you is indeed bacon, pork hind leg meat, nine-tenths cooked. As for the green and white plant, it's called cabbage in formal language."
At that moment, he suddenly felt an urge to pour the noodles over the man's head.
As he finished the last sip of soup, licked his lips, and smacked his mouth, he found it hard to believe what was in front of him.
The dinosaur genes had brought about not just changes in appearance, but also an astonishing appetite.
"What do you think about this?" 4 asked.
"About what?" he let out a satisfied burp and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, which was covered in sesame oil.
"The dietary habits here." 4 pushed the remaining thunderbird egg towards him, and the boy, not one to mince words, said, "You know, it was a bit strange at first, but once you get used to it, it's a fantastic experience." He shivered, not just his tongue, but his whole body. "A novel experience."
"You have familiar food, clothing here. Haven't you noticed?"
The boy shrugged, indicating that it wasn't a big deal. "Isn't the memory chip changing my perception? It always manages to turn unfamiliar feelings into familiar ones."
4 smiled, "The intelligent mainframe isn't as great as you think, at least when it comes to the details of life."
"Human civilization has only been around for a mere 20,000 years. Do you know how long the civilization of this world has been around?"
Wu Fan didn't answer, but instead perked up his ears to listen to what 4 had to say next. "Tens of millions of years," 4 revealed with a bitter smile. "What does a 20,000-year-old civilization amount to in the face of a civilization that has lasted tens of millions of years?"
He admitted that his words did indeed shock him deeply. The figure of tens of millions far exceeded his understanding, so he could only widen his eyes and open his mouth to hear what 4 had to say next.
"Tens of millions of years have preserved traditions, which is a great thing," he exclaimed. "In addition to preserving traditions, this world is also evolving and integrating. Old things are not discarded, and new things are developing. I don't know how many years humans have been visiting this land, but their arrival has brought their own ways of life and dietary habits, derived from the cultural heritage they have received. The world opens its arms to newcomers, and newcomers actively embrace it. Here, you can eat French, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine, as well as local dishes you've never tasted before."
"Alright, I'm not saying all this to scare you. You need to know more about this world."
"I don't need to. Understanding all this doesn't benefit me in any way."
"You need to know." Suddenly, another voice appeared in his mind. It was 4 communicating with him through consciousness. His heart stopped, and his blood turned cold. "You can hear my thoughts, you know what I'm thinking."
"No, I don't." 4 continued to smile, but his smile was icy. "Your pupils give you away. When they contract or dilate, they can't hide your thoughts."
He couldn't believe any of this. It was all fake.
"It's true. Look, your pupils contracted sharply twice, indicating that you don't believe what I'm saying."
He covered his eyes with both hands. "Relax, I didn't mean to harm you. Observing is one of my few abilities. 22 is called the Pink Panther, 15 is called the White-Faced Fox, and I am called the Falcon. I have a pair of insightful eyes, but there is a big difference between that and reality. I'm just good at observing and enjoy revealing people's inner thoughts through their micro-expressions." 4's words echoed in his ears, without any medium, without air vibrations, without the eardrum, cochlea, or ear bones working.
"To integrate into this world, you must understand it. If you don't want to integrate, then you must understand it even more." He patted the boy's shoulder, and this time, Wu Fan didn't resist. "Dinosaur people are different from humans. You have a lot to learn, not just on a physiological level, but also on a spiritual level. I can invade your mind. Of course, I can't read your mind as much as you think, but with just a small suggestion, I can hypnotize you. If I were a skilled Prophet follower, I could control your consciousness."
His whole body trembled. Suddenly, the boy remembered that he had been controlled before. 22 had once made him confused. Fear surged over him like a tide, but just as the waves were about to engulf him, an invisible net suddenly opened, and the seawater beat against the net, making a sound like waves crashing against rocks. The interception from the memory chip pushed the pain back.
He stood still for a few seconds, then finally let out a heavy sigh. "Absolutely not," he shouted at Number 4, "but that doesn't stop me from listening and observing."
"Where to next?" He opened the door and walked out.
4 followed behind him. "22 told me not to tell you too much. Waking up from a beautiful dream is always cruel."
"Do you think I can't go back?" He stepped on the wooden stairs, making heavy footsteps.
"No, we believe that one day you will return to the human world, but the situation may not be as you expect."
"Great, that's enough." He walked away contentedly, ignoring 4's words.
"He's treating," he called out to Jee, who was busy in the kitchen. But just as he thought he could get back at her a little, 4 followed him out onto the street.
"Is it possible that in the world of the dinosaur people, you don't have to pay for meals?" he couldn't help but shout.
The eyes of the passersby on the street suddenly focused on him, and he immediately covered his mouth.
"Of course you do, but the currency circulation in the world of the dinosaur people is different from that in the human world. Once you open an account in this world, your personal assets will be recorded in the database of the intelligent mainframe. The intelligent mainframe will convert your personal assets into universal credit points through an assessment."
"But I don't have any personal assets," he was startled. Although it wasn't the first time, communicating through consciousness was still a novel and interesting experience. When he came to this world, he had to admit that his curiosity was constantly being awakened.
"You're unregistered, you know? You haven't obtained the recognized status in this world. Right now, you're someone who shouldn't exist in this world."
"But I do exist, right now, right beside you."
"The intelligent mainframe can only mark you but cannot give you a reasonable identity. My dear child, it won't ignore you. You have no assets, but the intelligent mainframe will give you a benefit."
"What benefit?" His mouth couldn't move, and he frowned, muttering like a fat-headed goldfish.
"Three times of consumption, as long as it's not too expensive, the intelligent mainframe will foot the bill for you."
He suddenly became curious, so he spoke, "Does it have a life? Will it consider others like a human, I mean, a real living being?"
He burst into laughter again, lightly patting the boy's shoulder. "I can't say for sure. Now, keep quiet, don't communicate with your voice. I just felt a sense of hostility, someone is watching us."
"Who is it? The vendor just now, the short man pretending to be a salesman, does seem a bit suspicious."
"No, I can't say for sure, but be careful. You may not think much of it, but if you really are the savior of this world, you must understand that many people want to get to you, no matter what their motives are."
"Am I just a commodity?" His emotions suddenly sank, and the boy let out a heavy sigh, his brows drooping.
Everyone has a price. 4 wrapped his right arm around the boy's right shoulder, pulling him into a hug. "Isn't life just about that little bit of value?"
The boy didn't respond. All he could feel was the strong heartbeat in the broad chest.