You Invited Me, I'm in Honkai, Grinding Stats to Level Up

Gwen tried to move his body, which had regained consciousness, but he had overestimated his soul's recovery ability and swayed, falling directly into the wet soil.

However, Gwen didn't care about his predicament and continued to enthusiastically study the chat group in his vision.

Compared to the system, which was empty except for basic stats, the chat group offered much more to research.

Instead of immediately diving into the chat functions, Gwen first located the settings.

Message notifications, file management...

Among the list of functions, Gwen spotted an option that made his eyes light up—

"Help"

He clicked on Help without hesitation, opening the terms of service first.

While plagiarism isn't a good practice, familiar things are always more convenient to use.

Channeling the intensity of cramming for an exam, Gwen patiently read through the chat group's terms of service, sentence by sentence. Surprisingly, it wasn't filled with unnecessary jargon.

Although a portion was clearly missing, it still allowed Gwen to grasp the general rules of the chat group.

Firstly, as Gwen had initially guessed, the chat group could transcend time and space, enabling communication and information exchange between vastly different beings from two completely different worlds.

Secondly, there were the usual features like "red packets" and "teleportation," which allowed members to exchange goods and personnel.

Finally, there were the chat group currency—points.

Sending items or resources via red packets, or facilitating personnel exchanges, all required points for the transfer.

Beyond these basic functions, points had other uses, such as the gacha machine, which reportedly offered everything from simulated stellar charts to ramen flavored with the essence of beautiful girls, or... the shop.

After searching the chat group interface, Gwen finally found the shop icon, resembling a gray treasure chest, next to his avatar in the upper left corner.

However, Gwen, who expected to see a plethora of mouth-watering items, was astonished to find the shop completely empty, with only a single line of text displayed—

"The shop is currently under maintenance. Please wait patiently..."

While he wanted to complain about false advertising, not even allowing him to browse, Gwen's mindset remained relatively stable; he wasn't greedy or demanding.

Closing the shop, Gwen proceeded to check the other functions of the chat group, summarizing and inferring the information he obtained.

Compared to the empty upgrade system, the chat group's content was far more extensive and offered more for analysis—

"A portion of the terms of service is clearly missing, and I couldn't find it anywhere else.

If I'm not mistaken, it's likely due to the damage I caused earlier, resulting in missing content.

Since the chat group suffered damage, the upgrade system probably did too; it might have more features in its complete state.

Perhaps the shop system, which is currently under maintenance, is also related to this, such as integrating and selling items from both systems.

However, it's also possible that the damage rendered many items in the shop unusable, and the shop is attempting to repair or reorganize them..."

Despite reaching some less-than-ideal conclusions, Gwen felt no disappointment or regret.

After all, if he hadn't acted at that moment, he might have already exploded into a bloody mist... no, a pile of shattered spiritual fragments. And to think he'd still want to reap the benefits of this dual cheat system? A pipe dream!

Moreover, seeing how vigorously the system and the cheat system clashed before, they might have been two energetic fellows. Now that they've been reduced to fool systems, it might not be a bad thing.

This is what they mean by "Sai Weng's loss is a blessing in disguise."

As he pondered, a wave of fatigue gradually washed over him. Before Gwen could resist, his utterly exhausted spirit was pulled into a peaceful and serene darkness.

After Gwen's soul closed its eyes, the chat group interface before him transformed into a stream of blue-gold light, merging into Gwen's soul...

And just as Gwen received the two cheat systems in his spiritual world, and his exhausted spirit finally found a moment of respite, the person standing by Gwen's bedside also let out a sigh of relief—

The doctor, clad in a white coat, wearing a medical mask, and with thick hair completely covered by a blue cap, confirmed that Gwen's spiritual fluctuations had calmed. He finally straightened up and let out a long breath.

"Doctor, how is he?"

Seeing the doctor's reaction, You Lan Dai Er, her small face filled with anxiety and worry, quickly asked.

When she had left, he was still awake, but upon her return, he had fallen unconscious again, his complexion fluctuating between red and pale?

"Don't worry, he's basically fine."

The doctor waved his hand, his voice carrying a hint of relief.

"He might have experienced something before falling unconscious, and his spirit couldn't quite handle it upon waking.

His spirit has now calmed down, but he's very tired. He should be fine after a good night's sleep."

"That's good, that's good..."

Hearing the doctor's answer, little You Lan Dai Er also let out a sigh of relief, a relaxed smile gracing her small face.

Chapter 5 Void Archives: Otto, are you preparing for fatherly love and filial piety?

Opposite the doctor, standing by the side of the bed, Rita's delicate little face also showed a faint smile. However, due to her nature, Rita didn't express her emotions as openly as You Lan Dai Er. Her movements, though, became even more careful—

At this moment, Rita was gently wiping the sweat from Gwen's forehead with a handkerchief. She herself was slightly sweating on her fair skin from bending over for so long. Her bangs, no longer as fluffy as usual, had stuck together, revealing the eye hidden beneath them, reflecting Gwen's pale face.

Just as Gwen had suspected, his physical condition was not good. His face was thin, he lacked congenital strength, and his vital energy was depleted.

Seeing the pale, weak little face, Rita couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

"Shhh..."

The doctor standing opposite glanced at Rita, who was carefully wiping sweat from Gwen, then looked at You Lan Dai Er and made a shushing gesture.

"..."

Seeing this, You Lan Dai Er quickly covered her small mouth with both hands and nodded vigorously, indicating she wouldn't disturb the patient's rest.

A moment later, after Rita finished wiping the sweat from Gwen's face and straightened up, the doctor opposite spoke in a low voice:

"I've adjusted the equipment, and the nutrient solution is being infused steadily. Let him rest well for now."

"Mm..."

Putting the damp handkerchief back into his pocket, Rita wiped the sweat dangling from her chin, nodded in agreement with You Lan Dai Er, and cast one last look at Gwen, whose face was weak but peaceful, as if he were drifting in a beautiful dream. She then followed You Lan Dai Er out of the ward.

After leaving the ward, You Lan Dai Er and Rita said their goodbyes. They had come to visit during their lunch break, and they had training in the afternoon, so they couldn't stay any longer.

As for the doctor, who only showed his pair of emerald green eyes, he returned to the empty doctor's office.

After closing the door, the doctor, who had been calm and collected just moments before, unceremoniously plopped down onto a chair. He casually removed the blue cap and mask from his head, revealing brilliant golden long hair and a handsome face that everyone on this floating island could recognize at a glance.

"What?

You actually panicked?"

Seeing the golden-haired man so flustered, a teasing voice echoed in his mind.

"..."

Hearing the familiar voice, the golden-haired man's eyes flickered. The slight relief on his face was instantly replaced by composure, and a faint smile curved his lips.

"Heh... I won't deny it."

"Then you really haven't changed at all..."

Hearing the golden-haired man admit it so easily, the voice held a bit more surprise, but also more mockery.

"Anything, big or small, as long as it involves her, can make your clever mind act emotionally.

Didn't the events of five hundred years ago teach you enough of a lesson?"

"After all, I'm a clown, born to make people laugh."

Facing the mockery in the voice, the golden-haired man's smile remained unchanged, as if he were discussing something pleasant rather than the foolish mistake that made him regret it for life.

"As for whether I've learned enough of a lesson... at least, you're still here, aren't you?

Void Archives?"

The golden-haired man enunciated the other party's name word by word.

"Yes, I've been imprisoned by you for five hundred years. Leanna and Welt Joyce chose to rebel against you, the tyrant. And you, to eliminate Siegfried, an unstable factor, personally ordered the crippling of one of your obedient pawns and brainwashed that clever Theresa into a silly, cute child..."

Having his past brought up by the golden-haired man, Void Archives didn't seem annoyed. Smiling, it played a card of "pulling the rug out from under someone."

"This time... let me guess.

You've blurred that child's past memories and are appearing as the attending physician...

What, are you planning to replicate the method used on little Kiana on him?

And finally, stage a scene of... fatherly love and filial piety?

Am I correct, Otto Apocalypse?"

"It seems the five hundred years of imprisonment had some effect. You're even preparing a script for me..."

Facing Void Archives' pointed remarks, Otto's smile remained unchanged. He leaned back in his chair, casually crossing his legs.

"However, you seemed to have overlooked some issues because you were too focused on me—

Although he has the Caslana bloodline, that child, like me back then, is congenitally weak. Even if we spare no expense to strengthen him, he can barely reach the threshold of S-rank. This is clearly not cost-effective.

In comparison, why not let him live a life of wealth and leisure?

Coincidentally, after Siegfried defected, the position of Caslana family head has been vacant.

Now, it's time to return it to its rightful owner."

"Oh?"

Hearing Otto's words, Void Archives' voice carried a hint of surprise.

"Are you planning to raise another Theresa?

Hmm... you can also disgust Siegfried, who repeatedly disrupts your plans, test the obedience of your subordinates, and divert attention..."

"Whether this child inherits his intelligence or her bravery and courage, he will undoubtedly shine in the future.

But before that, he needs a little hardship to grow."

"Heh... I wish you fun."

With a sneer, Void Archives fell silent.

Although Otto's words sounded sincere, Void Archives would bet its last penny that he was definitely up to something else.

Otto, on the other hand, no longer paid attention to Void Archives and calmly gazed at the bright sunlight outside the window.

After sitting like this for a while, Otto, who seemed to have turned into a statue, suddenly moved again.

Otto withdrew his hand from the pocket of his white coat and took a silver necklace from his shirt pocket. The necklace had a pendant shaped like the Caslana family crest.

Otto's fingers deftly manipulated a small mechanism on the pendant. The crest, depicting a shield and sword, sprang open, revealing a hidden photograph.

Although the photograph was somewhat blurred with age, it was still clear that it depicted a couple, a husband and wife, nestled closely together.

The blonde husband looked almost identical to Otto, just a bit younger. The white-haired wife, though beautiful, had a pale complexion, her weakness evident at a glance.

And in the wife's arms was an infant in swaddling clothes, with the faint outline of white stubble visible on the baby's head.

"Haa..."

Every time Otto looked at this family photo, representing his own self in a certain world who had taken the correct path, he felt a suffocating pressure, like a great mountain, bearing down on his chest. Even exhaling with all his might couldn't alleviate it in the slightest.

Chapter 6: Otto: I Have a Son!

A week ago, Bianca and Rita, who Otto had dispatched to explore the Sea of Quantum, completed their mission and returned successfully, bringing back many unexpected gains.

Upon their return, You Lan Dai Er carried an additional person on her back.

According to Bianca and Rita, they had encountered this white-haired youth of unknown origin during their return to the Eigenworld.

To prevent the stranger from perishing in the Sea of Quantum, Bianca had rescued him and carried him back to the Eigenworld.

As a teacher who had personally witnessed Bianca's growth, Otto knew her character well and harbored no suspicions.

When Bianca offered to pay for the stranger's medical expenses with her future salary, Otto smiled and politely declined the straightforward young girl's offer, stating that Destiny had no shortage of funds for treatment and that he would personally arrange for the best physician for this survivor of the Sea of Quantum—

Which was Otto himself.