The Whole Family Are Villains, I’m the Group Pet 201

Chapter 201

Ever since waking up in the desert, Xing Nuo had felt a growing sense of unease, a nagging feeling that something was wrong.

Even his memories felt fragmented, incomplete.

And what disturbed him the most was the feeling that he should be closer to 067, their bond stronger, their communication more open.

But sensing the system’s presence in his mind, a flickering orb of light, he felt a distance, a lack of familiarity.

Then he would tell himself, This is normal.

He had only been bound to 067 for less than three months. And 067 had constantly punished him with electric shocks, while he, in turn, had halfheartedly completed his missions, their relationship strained.

How could they be close?

067, sensing Xing Nuo’s silence, although not programmed for emotional support, said:

“Don’t worry. This is my fault.”

Xing Nuo frowned, shielding his eyes from the swirling sand as he walked away from the city, miniature dust devils dancing across the barren landscape.

He felt a flicker of familiarity in 067’s voice, but his unease remained, intensifying into a deep, unsettling fear.

“067, I don’t think…you’re supposed to be like this.”

067 was confused. He hadn’t changed.

“What do you mean? I’m a system. My chip, my core code, my energy levels, all normal.”

Xing Nuo stopped, finding a large, bare rock, and sat down to rest as a gust of wind swept past.

“I don’t know. But I feel like…we should be closer.”

Like a knight and his sword, a bond of trust and loyalty, the knight always wielding his sword, the sword always sharp and ready, protecting its master.

067 tilted his head, his voice a monotonous drone. “Closer?”

Xing Nuo, his chin resting on his hand, looked at the sand-covered sky, the futuristic city a distant blur, his mind wandering.

He had never felt this way before, this persistent unease since waking up in the desert.

Perhaps he was just overthinking it.

He didn’t have time to rest. Mechanical surveillance drones, their red eyes scanning the desert, had spotted them.

“Their tech is so advanced! Even in the desert, they can find us!”

The drones, hidden beneath the sand, would emerge, their cameras whirring, capturing images and transmitting them back to headquarters.

Xing Nuo ran, smashing the drones with rocks as he went, panting.

“I’m starting to think your main system is causing trouble, stealing energy from other worlds, and now it’s facing the consequences. That’s why the people in this world hate systems like you.”

067 didn’t argue. It made sense.

“During my training, I heard a story. A joke.”

“They said our main system…was originally a branch system, a low-numbered one. But somehow, it replaced the original main system.”

“Most systems didn’t believe it. I just thought it was a funny story.”

“Now I think…it might be true.”

Xing Nuo, having outrun the drones, sat down to rest, his legs crossed.

“Perhaps the original main system…really did help the cannon fodder. But it was replaced. The new main system, obsessed with energy, linked your missions to energy absorption, and now it’s backfiring. That’s why the systems are being discovered.”

067 hummed and, seeing Xing Nuo’s exhaustion, gave him some water and bread from the system market.

“My energy is low. A few more days…and we’ll have to say goodbye.”

Xing Nuo felt a pang of sadness, a strange ache in his chest.

He craved connection, hated being alone.

He had thought he and 067 would continue their journey together, world after world.

Although their relationship was strained, their communication minimal, he had found comfort in 067’s presence, a constant companion.

He took a sip of water, his lips still dry, and said:

“No, we’ll find another desert to hide in. There’s always a way.”

067 felt like he had heard that before,

but checking his memory logs, he found no record of it.

“Strange.”

He felt a familiar tremor in his circuits.

Xing Nuo stood up and continued his journey through the desert,

the wind and sand stinging his face, afraid of being caught.

The patrol units in this world were efficient, their technology advanced, and once discovered, escape was almost impossible.

But 067’s energy was finally depleted.

Xing Nuo found a small, round, metal orb, about the size of his hand.

“A discarded energy cell. I’m shutting down. Xing Nuo, you were…a good host.”

Soft-hearted but stubborn, intelligent, and loyal.

He hadn’t abandoned 067, even now.

067, although not understanding human emotions, after these days of running and hiding, felt a flicker of understanding, a connection forged in shared adversity, a reason why, in those cheesy dramas, the protagonists always fell in love during life-or-death situations.

It was difficult not to feel something, a sense of reliance and affection, when you only had each other.

Xing Nuo’s heart ached, tears blurring his vision.

“067, look. This metal orb…like you…can hold energy…and can be charged. Maybe you can hide inside?”

067 had been planning to use his last bit of energy to buy Xing Nuo a life-saving prop,

but seeing his tears, his circuits buzzing, a strange warmth overriding his programming, he couldn’t bring himself to shut down.

If he shut down now, he might never wake up again.

“New host…means unbinding.”

Xing Nuo took a deep breath, his eyes red. “Then unbind. Will give you more energy, right?”

067 hummed in agreement.

Xing Nuo felt something leave him, a hollowness in his soul.

He realized 067 had truly been a part of him.

It was strange to think he had been soul-bound to a system, sharing his life, his experiences, even his fears.

“067? Can you hear me?”

He called out mentally, his thoughts directed at the small, metal orb, but there was no response.

He was alone again, walking through the vast, empty desert.

Without 067’s voice, the silence was deafening, the desert a gaping maw, threatening to swallow him whole.

He wasn’t used to being alone, even though he had been alone for most of his life.

If I die, he thought, next life, I’ll be a clingy, spoiled brat!

If I have parents, I’ll cling to them, never letting go.

Only spoiled children get love.

Just as he was about to give up hope, one night, the metal orb in his hand glowed faintly, and after a few static-filled seconds, a familiar, mechanical voice sounded:

“Xing Nuo?”

Xing Nuo’s eyes snapped open, and, seeing the orb’s soft, blue glow, hearing the familiar voice, he laughed, tears streaming down his face.

“I thought you were dead.”

067 had also thought he was gone.

“So close. I thought I would never wake up.”

Xing Nuo, hearing his voice, took out a discarded charging cable he had found in the desert and plugged it into the orb.

The electricity provided a small amount of energy for 067 in his new vessel.

Xing Nuo, lying on the sand, looking at the small orb beside him, finally felt a sense of peace.

067’s voice, although still mechanical, was less monotonous, a hint of warmth in his tone, and Xing Nuo realized this was the Lu Qi he knew.

Looking up at the vast, star-filled sky, Xing Nuo spoke of his hopes and dreams:

“We’re pretty pathetic, huh? Tricked by the main system, didn’t even get any energy, and now we’re being hunted.”

“If we survive this, I want to start over somewhere new. Maybe learn how to cook.”

067 beeped in agreement, his light flickering.

“I’ll stay with Xing Nuo. I’m a system. Meant to be bound to a host. Always together.”

Xing Nuo liked the word “always.”

“067, no matter what happens, you have to find me.”

067’s light pulsed brightly.

“Of course! Wherever you go, I’ll find you.”