I am System Sprite Xiao Bai, code name Little Bai, created by the hand of the Third Overlord of the Third World of the Second Sector Universe from the 'All-Dimensional Systems Unite as One Family' collective.
'The Strongest Martial Arts System v233' was once my name, until I found a host not long ago. After we crossed over together, we were accidentally teleported in front of this world's administrator.
To the world at large, we systems are akin to bacteria.
Usually, after a crossover, the world consciousness grants an observation period to determine whether we will become beneficial bacteria or a virus. As long as you're not a system sprite who delights in chaos, you'll generally be fine if you just keep your head down and play nice.
But it's a different story when you run into a GM with administrative privileges. These types are capricious and often resort to violence at the slightest disagreement—they're practically System-Erasers.
In reality, system erasure doesn't harm the core of a system sprite, because our data is backed up on the Overlord's terminal.
Such foolish humans! Did you think we system sprites would be buried along with our systems when it's game over? [Smug face]
However, my top boss, the Third Overlord of the Third World of the Second Sector Universe, doesn't have the best temper.
I vaguely recall a senior with the code name Xian Fish, a senior with a very cheerful and brilliant smile. After it lost its system and returned to the terminal, the Third Overlord chewed it out, stuffed it into a gigai, and sent it to an offline organization called 'Hedgehog O.'
Later, I heard that said senpai developed a fondness for cross-dressing, had their legs covered in tally marks, and now spends all day typing endlessly in front of a computer.
I... don't want to follow in those footsteps.
As it happened, my host had a very bold idea.
Feed them, own them.
I applauded his reckless behavior and instantly changed the system's name: 'The Strongest Gourmet Emperor System v233.'
My host can't cook? No problem, neither can I. But as long as we know how to drug the food, it'll be fine.
All roads lead to Rome.
For freedom and my be♂liefs, as a mature system, I painfully parted with the 300 million points I had scrimped and saved from over a dozen previous hosts to buy him a Heart Power Awakening Stone.
After helping the host awaken his heart (drugging) power, we barely managed to scrape through the crisis.
Considering it was impossible for the host to pay back so many points in the short term, I decided to 'encourage' him by quietly adding three zeros to his debt.
I trust the host will understand my well-intentioned efforts.
===
The image on the computer screen froze on a scene from Cooking Master Boy, where Alkan lights up the Yangtze River to make his 'Heroic Broiled Mackerel.'
The playback ended. A cleaver with a USB port for a handle unplugged itself. "So being a chef isn't so simple after all."
As a diligent system sprite, Xiao Bai deeply understood the importance of keeping up with the times.
You have to be dedicated to your craft.
A person can't just live in the past.
What Xiao Bai didn't know was that while it was having this internal monologue, the word 'WUSS' was clearly written on the flat of its blade.
"It's about that time, the host should be back soon." The cleaver hovered in the air in some miraculous fashion, then used the data cable and USB plug on its tail end to open the bedroom door.
Just as it got downstairs, Xiao Bai saw an indescribable event unfolding in the main hall.
It froze on the spot.
"No! Xiao Bai, let me explain!!"
Mo Bai was panicking. Not just because he was alone in the shop, but because the current situation, no matter how you looked at it, perfectly resembled a scene where an evil youth acts on a whim, drugging an innocent and beautiful girl when she least expects it.
A peacekeeper could show up and make an on-the-spot arrest, closing the case right then and there.
There was absolutely no way to explain this away!
"You..." Xiao Bai's voice trembled.
"It's not what you think, it's absolutely not," Mo Bai shouted, his rebuttal sounding feeble.
"You actually put beef in the noodles!?"
At the earth-shattering roar, Mo Bai stared dumbfounded at Xiao Bai.
That's what you're focused on? You scared me!
As expected of an inorganic species, all it talks is inorganic nonsense.
"You noob host, are you trying to get me killed so you can inherit my system?" Xiao Bai blurted out, its survival instinct going into overdrive.
"It can be inherited?!" Mo Bai's eyes lit up. Wouldn't it be great to kill the system sprite and take full control of the system he carried?
"Screw you!" Sensing Mo Bai's thoughts, an enraged Xiao Bai flipped a table.
An indestructible object was a completely different matter in the hands of a system sprite.
The square table was flipped not only high but also with a rapid spin, a testament to the flipper's proficient table-flipping skills.
"Hey, hey, hey! Let's talk this out calmly."
"I didn't even blame you for the fact that there's something wrong with the miso we bought together!"
"What's wrong with it!" The enraged Xiao Bai pointed its blade at the tip of Mo Bai's nose. If Mo Bai couldn't give a proper explanation, it was going to show him the meaning of 'a bloody disaster foretold by a darkened glabella.'
"That tub of miso... was made with bonito dashi." Mo Bai calmly used his finger to push away the cleaver pointed at his nose.
As mentioned previously, the core of the Mo Bai & Xiao Bai brand Soul Repose Noodles is the vegetarian purity and tranquility of the ocean. The addition of meat-based ingredients would inevitably cause certain problems.
For details, please refer to the miko panting delicately to the side.
"NO!!!!!!" Xiao Bai fell to the floor, devastated, and started flopping around like a carp.
Completely absorbed in its despair, it had totally forgotten there was a third person in the shop.
Fortunately, as a miko, Yukikawa Yukie was long used to seeing strange, floating entities.
"...Senpai? Is this a blade spirit?" Yukikawa Yukie's voice was a bit quiet, having just come out of her visionary state.
"You can just think of it that way," Mo Bai said vaguely.
Even his blade spirit is a cleaver. Senpai must truly love cooking.
Yukikawa Yukie mused to herself as she handed over ten 10,000-yen bills. She had previously overheard Mo Bai's price quote to Ashiya Dōman.
"Well now, I didn't realize you were a little rich girl," Mo Bai chuckled, happily accepting the money.
"If you have any free time, Senpai, please consider visiting Yukikawa Shrine." Yukikawa Yukie said with a solemn expression, removing a blue fluorite brooch from her suit jacket.
"Okay." Mo Bai casually pinned it to his own clothes. He had other important matters to attend to right now.
"Right now! Immediately! NOW! Go buy it!!!" Its intense desire to live had driven Xiao Bai into a frenzy.
"So cooking can reach such a level... It's almost like magic."
Based on Yukikawa Yukie's experience as a seven-star chef, the flavor of the Soul Repose Noodles alone was merely top-tier for a street-side stall; every dish in a two-star restaurant was at this level.
But the comforting sense of bliss one felt while eating it was something even four or five-star restaurants couldn't replicate.
To say nothing of that intoxicating coastal illusion.
Her beautiful eyes shimmering with an indescribable emotion, Yukikawa Yukie watched Mo Bai lock the shop door and leave before she walked towards the train station, her steps still a little weak.
===
The clock struck eleven. A few scattered stars twinkled in the deep blue night sky, which had not yet turned completely black.
The little shop's door opened.
A cool breeze carrying cherry-colored petals blew into the shop. A beautiful woman in a flowing white dress closed her umbrella, smiling as she looked at Mo Bai, who was looking slightly dishevelled from having to remake the soup base.
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Welcome!" Mo Bai grinned like the village idiot from next door.
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