I'm living off a woman in Arknights.

Page 71

Seeing this, Conar and Anso, who were standing below the platform, breathed a sigh of relief. The short period of information gathering had been filled with various unexpected events that had left them on the verge of nervous breakdown. Fortunately, it was finally over!

Minerva calmly waved for the two still-shaken individuals to come up, then handed them two piles of paper. He picked up several voice recorders in each hand, stood up, and announced loudly, "Request to submit the mission."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yi had a sudden thought, and the prison was plunged into darkness, with only a single blinding light shining like the eye of judgment onto the platform, framing Minerva alone within it.

Gasps of breath rose and fell from the cells on both sides. Conar and Anso, who were on the same platform but not caught in the light, looked worriedly at their companion in the middle.

Minerva, thrust into the spotlight, completely ignored all of this.

She gazed firmly at the empty space ahead, opened her arms and said, "These are the answers collected by the temporary workers. There are 423 people present, of whom 356 are inclined to stay and 64 are inclined to leave. All relevant details have been recorded."

The reason why only 420 of the 423 people were counted is that temporary workers do not have the freedom to choose before completing their tasks.

To motivate temporary workers, Yunyi and Shihuaiya offered high rewards but also imposed equally severe punishments and restrictions to prevent them from slacking off.

Of course, this only applies before completing the task. You will be free after completing the task, which is also one of the rewards.

Volume Two: Fireworks at Dragon Gate: Chapter 115 System: Just got back and saw the main body seemingly abusing someone...

After briefly recalling the original arrangements, Yun Yi squeezed his vocal cords and turned on the prepared onomatopoeic microphone.

A strong male voice suddenly rang out in the prison: "Temporary workers, bring those who don't want to stay to the platform and let them keep their information themselves."

The chilling words plunged everyone in the prison into a long silence. On the platform, Conar and Anso exchanged a glance for a moment before turning their gazes toward Minerva in the light.

“Do as he says. The objection period has passed. There’s no need to pay attention to those who want to back out.” Minerva’s tone was utterly cold.

After she finished speaking, she controlled the slightly rotating mechanical arm to send herself off the platform and headed towards the cell first.

As it moved, the clanging of the metal joints of the Minerva robotic arm and the soft whirring of gears mingled in the silence, sounding particularly jarring.

The two men behind her immediately followed trustingly and began wandering around the prison releasing people.

Yun Yi's gaze moved across the projections of the three people. As long as the three people's hands touched the cell bars, he would remove the bars from the cell.

Sixty-four people gradually walked out of the cells where they had been staying for an unknown amount of time, and hurriedly stood on the platform with their information, guided by three temporary workers.

Once Yun Yi confirmed that everyone had arrived, he had a thought, and icy blue mist, carrying a bone-chilling cold, surged out from the cracks in the platform.

The figures of 64 people distorted into a data stream-like phantom in the fog, accompanied by faint electronic buzzing, and collapsed and disappeared instantly as if swallowed by a black hole.

Before anyone could react, the metal platform, where light and shadow intertwined, had become empty, and then the last light suddenly went out.

Outside the projection, Yun Yi gently transferred the victims, who had been temporarily stunned by the special gas of the Nirvana, one by one into the temporary cubicles covered with fluffy blankets. He also fed those with physical disabilities and injuries a small half of the Nirvana potion to help them recover—ordinary people could not withstand the whole tube of the potion.

On the projection screen, the prisoners, who were completely unaware of what was happening, immediately erupted into chaos after realizing what had happened—a full 64 living people had vanished in a flash!

Who knows what will become of these people, but just thinking about it makes it clear that it won't end well.

They were cheated!

The temporary workers confidently claimed that the other party wouldn't bother with them, but that was just a ruse!

Seeing the outrage of the victims left in the prison, Yun Yi naturally wouldn't let the temporary worker who had helped her so much take the blame.

Just as people were about to cause a commotion, they discovered that the pitch-black prison had suddenly become brightly lit. It wasn't that the lights had come on, but rather that the entire building that had been blocking out the sky had been wiped away by an invisible force, revealing a white but inexplicably bright space outside.

Under their very noses, each person's cell twisted and swirled into a cozy, light blue single room, and the solid, cold walls and bars around them were transformed into translucent glass.

They could clearly see that their room, along with everyone else's, was like a small boat bobbing in a whirlpool, slowly rotating around a beautiful woman who sat cross-legged on a throne-like chair, a woman whose beauty was both captivating and inexplicably terrifying.

Some of the more determined individuals snapped out of their daze at the beauty's stunning looks and bewitching aura, only to discover that floating in front of her were the three temporary workers who had been trying to persuade them.

Not only were the victims, who had come to their senses, looking at the temporary workers who were treated differently from them, but the beautiful woman sitting in the chair, Yun Yi, was also observing the three of them.

Yun Yi glanced briefly at the beastly body of Connar, a combination of claws and hands, and Minerva's mechanical arm crackling with electricity, then focused his gaze on Ansuo. "Your mission is complete. Now, tell me, what do you want?"

The work assignment paper had already stated that temporary workers would receive a reasonable opportunity to make a wish upon completing their tasks.

Under her gaze, An Suo was quick to respond, stammering for a moment before saying, "B-Boss, I don't ask for anything else, just send me back to the Guard Bureau!"

"?" Yun Yi was confused by An Suo's inexplicable statement. If she remembered correctly, An Suo was a thief, right?

Did the thief wish to be taken to the police station?

Yun Yi frowned, trying to understand the other party's logic.

In a flash, she realized a possibility: the thief wanted a more stable life and was asking to become an informant or go ashore—that made sense.

Yun Yi understood. She leaned back lazily in her chair, her fingertips tracing the delicate blue patterns on the armrest, and tapped the end of the armrest.

The slightest movement was so subtle that it made no sound, yet the three people floating in front of her felt the air around them freeze for a moment, pressing down on them heavily.

Unaware of this, Yun Yi raised an eyebrow and asked An Suo, "You mean—you want me to help you join the Guard Bureau?"

"No, no, no, I don't need to trouble you, just take me back to the Guard Bureau!" An Suo's legs were trembling, how could she dare to trouble this terrifying guy in front of her.

Making a wish? She's lucky she didn't get crushed here!

Let's get her back to the safer Guard Bureau as soon as possible; she's used to living there.

Conar's Adam's apple bobbed, beads of sweat trickled down his thick mane and into his collar, and he kept his head down, not daring to look at the woman in front of him. His fur stood on end uncontrollably under the invisible pressure emanating from her.

He gritted his teeth and suppressed his instinct to turn and run away. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw An Suo, who was trembling but still able to speak, and a sincere admiration welled up in his heart—this Cats (rabbit) is really brave!

What about Minerva?

Minerva's brain had already crashed due to the unfinished chip inside, and her robotic arm was not spared either. After a few moments of chaotic electrical sparks, black smoke billowed from the top of the machine, and it completely shut down.

Yun Yi wasn't blind; she noticed the unusual behavior of the three of them, which was more or less noticeable.

In particular, the raw awe in An Suo's words was as if he were facing some ancient beast, afraid that he might be crushed by a single careless move.

Yun Yi touched her small face. Was she scary?

Her confused gaze swept over the three of them. Yun Yi remained silent, and the two who were still conscious dared not utter a sound or even move.

An eerie silence fell over the scene, until the cheerful chirping of birds broke the strange atmosphere as they approached from afar.

001, like a yellow ball of fluff, tumbled and floated into Yun Yi's arms, raising its wings and chirping, "Chirp!" I've decided what kind of dwelling I want to build!

"001 is amazing!" Yun Yi praised instinctively while hugging the fluffy creature. Then he realized that 001 had already inspected the victims and determined the style of their housing, but she hadn't made any progress at all.

Yun Yi looked at the two people in front of him, who were sweating profusely and timidly, and Minerva, whose eyes were empty, and felt that this really was not her problem.

The other side is not cooperating... How can I get someone who either doesn't talk or talks like they're being squeezed out of toothpaste to cooperate with me?

Just as Yun Yi's fingertips were tapping the armrest in frustration due to her unclear thoughts, the system's demonic laughter suddenly exploded in her mind:

[Hehehe, look what I found...]

The system's reappearance brought Yun Yi's irritating tapping to an abrupt halt, and his attention immediately shifted to it.

—Compared to the trembling temporary workers in front of us, the list of easily contracted workers is much more crucial.

She was about to ask about the system's contract list when its tone suddenly changed: "[Huh? Main character, do you want to sign a contract with Darkseid?]"

"Not yet," Yun Yi said, arms crossed, urging, "Stop talking nonsense, have you finished the list of signings? I need it urgently!"

[It's organized, but...]

The system hesitated, saying, "[Main character, perhaps you should stay away from these three people. They're almost driven mad by the oppressive force of your dissipating soul.]"

Volume Two: Fireworks at Longmen: Chapter 116 The Gap Between the Dao and the Mortal World

Soul... oppressive force?

Yun Yi paused for a moment, glanced at the three who were indeed acting strangely, and waved his hand to push them away. He only stopped when the three looked much better.

Subsequently, Yunyi shared the construction permissions for the driving space with 001, allowing it to help the three recovered individuals build the victims' next residence.

After finishing these tasks and watching 001 lead the three away, Yun Yi asked the system in his mind: 'Wasn't it said that beings harmed by my soul wouldn't see me, and that the system would block any dangerous situations caused by my soul?'

As he spoke, Yun Yi was somewhat speechless. 'You couldn't protect Swire before, and this time even the temporary worker couldn't protect her—your protective measures are way too weak, aren't they?'

The system wasn't happy to hear that.

He immediately displayed the system panel in Yun Yi's eyes, enlarging the level column, as if he wanted to shove it directly into her face:

[Hey main character, check your own level—Level 3!]

'Hmm, I saw it, and then what?' Yun Yi glanced at his level.

The level grants free free attributes and increases the contact area between her soul and the outside world, making her soul more powerful. But what does this have to do with system protection? No matter how powerful her soul is, shouldn't it be protected?

Seeing that Yun Yi still didn't understand, the system said helplessly, "[Main character, you haven't even carefully read the entries for the various functions of the system, have you?]"

"Who told you to write such a long, tedious, and riddle-like introduction to all the functions? I'm already doing well just to barely get through the gist of it, okay?" Yun Yi couldn't help but complain.

When she first transmigrated, she read the complete introduction to the system and began to doubt whether her native language was actually Chinese.

Fortunately, the system has a more user-friendly introduction; otherwise, she might not have fully understood the part about understanding her cheat ability even now.

Yun Yi's undeniable facts left the system speechless, and it immediately switched to explanation mode, feeling guilty:

[Regarding rank, it actually refers to the life level or class of this being, but you are different. You and those of the same rank will actually create a class difference with you as the superior.]

[Class differences are like the difference between a god and an ant. When the god stands there, the ant may be psychologically overwhelmed by the rhythm that the god brings—this is instinct, and the system does not shield it.]

[Besides, those who might actually be crushed by you don't even see you, so they don't need the system.]

The system's explanation wasn't entirely clear, but Yun Yi's extensive exposure to various forms of entertainment in his previous life made it understandable: 'Higher life forms and lower life forms?'

[Yes!] The system popped up a series of red exclamation marks, almost overflowing the border: [Look, you're level 3 just like them! Of course these little guys will feel uncomfortable!]

Yun Yi raised an eyebrow, about to retort, when the system popped up a bunch of illegible data and quickly added, "[This isn't because I'm incompetent, it's because their willpower is weak.]"

[Those who can see you are generally not going to be crushed... Oh right, except for machines. Before machines develop their own will, they won't be shielded, and they'll either be damaged or crash when they face you directly.]

"I see..." Yun Yi stroked his chin. No wonder Minerva didn't react at all.

She could use the large robotic arm behind her with ease, which might be due to some kind of neuroscience technology, which is why she was affected by the robotic arm malfunctioning.

It seems she'll have to be careful to stay away from those expensive machines in the future—wait!

Yun Yi frowned, annoyed, and said, "Then does that mean I won't be able to enjoy the conveniences of technology?"

After all, the machine crashes as soon as it gets close to her.

[How could that be? As long as the machine doesn't store your images or audio, it's not considered to be directly facing you, and it generally won't affect your normal enjoyment of convenience.]

The system panel displayed machines such as motorcycles, air conditioners, and automatic washing and drying machines, making Yunyi realize that this did not affect her daily use of machinery.

Relieved, Yun Yi looked up at the glass room surrounding her, where the victims briefly exchanged glances with her through the semi-transparent glass.

They immediately turned their faces away as if burned, staggered and knocked over the supplies on the ground, and scrambled away from Yun Yi.

Many people still felt it wasn't safe enough, huddled in the corner of the glass wall, trembling, as if they wished they could disappear into the cracks on the spot.

"Wow..." Yun Yi raised her eyebrows in surprise. She estimated the distance between herself and them, which was at least several tens or hundreds of meters, right?

Are you scared even from this distance?

Yunyi originally thought the temporary workers' performance was bad enough, but he didn't expect them to be so good.

Just now, standing in front of her, even An Suo dared to look her in the eye and speak to her, but Conar just lowered his head and didn't say anything, without backing away or trembling.

Minerva was tricked by the robotic arm, so it doesn't count.

This made Yun Yi curious: 'How exactly is this life level calculated? They seem really afraid of me. Is there any way to lessen this fear, or even make them unable to see me at all?'

[The simplest division of life levels is mortal, divine, and Dao. Levels below 10 are mortal, levels above 10 are divine, and levels above 100 are Dao. Your soul essentially belongs to the 'Dao,' so even beings of the same level will still fear you.]

(Saves money: Physical level is the same, but soul level is overwhelmingly superior)

[By the way, you can view the level of a specific object through the panel. You'll understand after looking at it a few times; only those with the same or higher level as you can see you—except for those with whom you have signed a contract.]

After a brief explanation, the system stated that there was only one solution: "You just need to level up. Most life forms in this world are between level 0 and 3. Once you reach level 4, the number of beings that can see you will drastically decrease."

'Level 4?' Yun Yi stroked the armrest, his eyes looking at his level on the panel.

[Level 3 (4424/10000)]

I'm still short by nearly 5,600. Last time I slept in the same bed with Swire, I made nearly 3,000. Swire said she would come back tonight.

So if she can get Swire to go to bed early tonight and spend more time in bed together, she might be able to get 5,600 points in one go.

Or... Yun Yi unconsciously rubbed his lower lip with his fingertips, recalling the fleeting warmth of Shi Huaiya's embrace before she left.

A mischievous smile played on her lips, though her fingertips barely concealed them—she might as well take this opportunity to ask Swire for the first kiss she "owed" her! She was sure to see a hilarious reaction from her.

I wonder if she'll say "I'm bored" while avoiding eye contact, or if she'll agree willingly but then blush and regret it at the last minute?