"You mean I can't become a (Bum) anymore?!"
Hearing the system's words, Gojo looked on in disbelief. The commotion he caused drew the attention of nearby passersby, who all turned to stare at him.
Gojo didn't care. continuing forward as he demanded answers.
"System, explain yourself!"
(Because you 'Dominated' too many Hollows previously, it caused the ether energy within the six major Hollows to become unstable. As a result, the difficulty of Nicole and the others main quests will skyrocket, and the ether energy across all of New Eridu will shift. If you continue to be a (Bum), you will also face life-threatening danger.)
The system repeated itself, still annoyingly patient.
This time, Gojo was fully awake. It felt like a bunch of gnomes had crawled straight out of hell, clutching his legs and laughing at his misfortune…
If a salted fish cannot live as a (Bum), then what meaning does life even hold?
He had originally intended to coast through life with a 55% Synchronization Rate!
If Nicole, Phaethon, and the others can't complete the main quests successfully, there will definitely be a mountain of trouble later!
Gojo's face darkened!
(Host… actually, returning to the Hollows isn't so bad, right? Besides, it could solve your shop's Denny shortage!)
The system tried to comfort Gojo.
"I want to know, if the current situation was caused by my frequent entry into and exit from the Hollows, what will happen to New Eridu if I continue completing commissions like this?"
Gojo suddenly fell quiet as he asked the system.
If his actions led to serious consequences for New Eridu future, that would be a heavy burden.
(That's unknown and can't be confirmed, but everything follows its own rules. Naturally, all things go through boom-and-bust cycles. think of it like the dot-com bubble.)
"I see…" Gojo mused, already forming a rough answer from the vague response.
So basically… it's like Aha smiling lovingly at you unpredictable, uncontrollable "affection"!
At present, it seems to be entering a period of prosperity, and there's no telling how "explosive" the Hollow anomalies will become!
(So, Host, please strive to speed up and reach the second stage of synchronization to protect your life before the peak period of New Eridu Hollows arrives!)
The system urged him forcefully, filled with anticipation.
Its host had been slacking off for two and a half years. even as a system, it felt miserable, with no sense of achievement in nurturing him. It felt like raising a son only for him to become an office junior manager, then go on a power trip, micromanage everyone, approve a disastrous project that loses millions, and still insist he was 'driving innovation,' while blaming the worker under him for 'not understanding his vision.'
"Understood."
Gojo gave a faint response and continued walking leisurely toward the school.
Gojo's lukewarm, nonchalant response made the system feel choked.
(Host, would you consider taking on a few more commissions on the Inter-Knot… or do you have another plan?)
"Yeah, to keep slacking off professionally."
Gojo answered without hesitation.
Going to the Hollows and getting stronger weren't things he needed to worry about right now. After all, everything needed a process.
As for today, he still had things to deal with, so of course, he chose to lie flat.
After all, his life motto was (Bum) is life!
Getting stronger and all that could just happen slowly.
(Huh?)
The system was dumbfounded. It had clearly applied so much pressure, yet its host still wanted to slack off... damn this (Bum)!
"You said yourself that New Eridu is only at the beginning of the Hollow disturbances. It's the early stage, so there's no rush!"
"Alright, mute yourself now and stop bothering me!"
(System:…)
(System: I suggest the Host proceed as soon as possible…)
"Mute!"
"What a pain. Let me check the time first…"
Having muted the system, Gojo hurriedly took out his phone to check the time.The moment he saw it, his expression instantly tensed up!
Current time: 8:10 AM!
Class had already started ten minutes ago!
"I'm not going to make it!"
Thinking of Ellen angry look yesterday and her specific instruction for him to come to school, Gojo immediately sprinted at full speed!
All to save his brand-new display cases and the "children" newly added "Sibling"… oh, and also the cake.
...
Meanwhile, at school.
Seeing the seat next to her still empty, Ellen's expression darkened as she clicked her tongue like a broken notification sound.
"Hey, Ellen... what's going on? Didn't you say yesterday that Gojo would definitely show up today?" the girl in the front seat turned around and whispered.
Since the class had already entered morning study and the teacher was sitting on the podium, Rin could only keep her voice as low as possible.
That's what he said yesterday. I don't know what's wrong with that guy," Ellen said with a dark expression. Gojo's absence clearly put her in a bad mood.
"It'll be trouble if Gojo doesn't show up. We have a Basketball Club match today, and those guys are insanely arrogant! They literally told me this morning that we will lose, and then made it sound like we'd be signing our lives away to their club afterward!"
"A bunch of boys mocking me first thing in the morning… it really pisses me off!"
Ruby also leaned in and whispered, but as she spoke, her face gradually filled with disgust and anger.
"I originally thought they just wanted us to join their Basketball Club, but later I heard through the walls that they have other motives! So annoying!"
"What do you mean?" Rin's eyes sharpened instantly, completely hooked.
Not just her, the three girls huddled closer and closer, eventually clustering around Ellen to form a group of four. They paid absolutely no attention to the teacher on the podium, who had stopped writing completely. Her gaze was now fixed on them like a targeting system locking onto heat signatures.
Ruby, leading the conversation, leaned in and hurriedly said
"The inside info is that these guys are betting on when they can get Ellen. That upperclassman captain of the Basketball Club even had the audacity to spread rumors about her, claiming he could get her in less than five days! And he dragged Gojo into it as well, called him a femboy, made him his dog, and said he exists only to be 'dominated' by real men like him!"
"HE SAID THAT?!" Monna froze.
"I've disliked him for a long time. He acts all self-important and thinks he's manly, hitting on girls everywhere. Now that he's targeting Gojo, it's probably jealousy!"
"Exactly. They're just bad people, like thugs. I heard their Basketball Club captain needs to get points like Gojo."
"Oh, apparently it's because he was caught by a teacher playing a nasty trick on a girl last time and had his points deducted. Now he has to earn credits or he'll be expelled. Maybe that's why he's targeting Gojo… He's a fem- uhh… a very 'handsome' man, after all."
"True, true. Ever since that incident, whenever he gets close to a girl, everyone pays attention. Maybe he thinks going after a femboy is easier."
"If that's the case, won't Gojo be in trouble too? He skips class all the time, and today he's nowhere to be found. he's a goner for sure, especially since he doesn't have enough credits either!" Rin chimed in, worry etched all over her face.
"No way! No matter what, we have to drag him to this match. It's organized by the school, and we absolutely cannot let Gojo get expelled. And on top of that, there's a disgusting unwritten rule, the losing side has to do whatever the winning side says. This is going to be really tough!" Rin's expression darkened.
The club rules were known throughout the school. if they lost, they would have to join the Basketball Club and hand over their contact information.
The mere thought of giving their contact information to people like that sent goosebumps crawling up their skin. And the thought of Gojo being suspended and dressed up as a femboy. dog ears, collar, and possibly even a maid outfit? That was something they were even less willing to accept. Just imagining it made them blu- shudder in fright! Yeah. Fright. Pure, unadulterated fright.
As for this Basketball Club thing, Gojo had been the one to insist on it back then, and Ellen had followed along, which led to all of them joining together.
As it turned out, after joining the Basketball Club, that guy didn't care at all. He never even played in a match, only practicing on his own occasionally.
Despite that, his basketball skills were indeed beyond question. The practice coaches and teachers all praised him for being amazing, scrambling to train him to be a future sports champion.
Knowing the situation, the atmosphere among the four of them became somewhat heavy for a moment.
"We need to take Gojo to practice more before the match tonight. He hasn't played in so long, he might not be as good as before. We absolutely cannot lose!"
"Right, we need to help him get his feel back. But I'm a bit curious, since they said all that about us, what happens if we win?" Monna frowned, thinking about this key question.
"I haven't really thought about it yet. They said we can request anything. If Gojo doesn't show up today, we'll lose a key player. Rather than worrying about what we'll demand if we win, we should focus on getting Gojo here. We only joined the Basketball Club to keep him company, Ellen and Gojo are the only ones who can actually play." Ruby said, flustered.
"Hmm..." Ellen looked at the three anxious girls in front of her and let out a soft hum. "If Gojo doesn't come, I can just handle it alone. They are no match for me."
"But Ellen… would you lose?"
"Nah, I'd win."
Thud!
As Ellen finished speaking, a book suddenly slammed down onto her desk!
The teacher had walked down from the podium at some unknown point. She lightly adjusted her glasses and looked at the four of them with a warning gaze.
"Ellen Joe!"
"Stand up!"
Rin, Ruby, and Monna saw the female teacher walk down so stealthily. They immediately panicked and sat up straight.
Ellen glanced at the teacher, sighed helplessly, and stood up obediently.
"Get out."
"Go stand in the hallway."
"Okay," Ellen responded softly.
Being targeted by the female teacher was practically a common occurrence.
Because Gojo used to make all sorts of strange noises during class when he attended, which often involved her, he didn't have a very good reputation in the teacher eyes.
However, she was targeted many times, and it was always when Gojo was talking to her. Sometimes it even made her wonder if the teacher liked Gojo.
Of course, that was just her suspicion.
Ellen had already stood up and was preparing to walk out the door.
The female teacher continued to talk incessantly behind her.
"Honestly, how many times have I emphasized that study should be quiet?!"
"Ellen Joe, don't think that just because you're smart and rank first in the grade every time, you can disturb other student studies. Even if you don't study, others still need to!"
"Rin, Ruby, and Monna. you three are now officially on silent reading duty! You're not as good at studying as she is, yet you've learned to gossip during class!"
The teacher's voice continued to ring out. Under such pressure, Rin and the others could only repeatedly agree.
Just as Ellen felt like plugging her ears, the back door of the classroom was suddenly opened quietly, and a person crawled into the class like a solid sneaky snake!
After Ellen saw clearly who it was, her eyes widened slightly.
Gojo!
This guy was sneaking like in a tutorial for "How to Get Caught Instantly" into the classroom in a bizarre posture!
It was simply unbearable to watch…
Ellen frowned and turned her head, wanting to pretend she hadn't seen him.
But Gojo wouldn't let her ignore him. He looked up with a smile, crawled in front of her, and greeted her.
But just as he reached out his hand to signal Ellen, a pair of high heels appeared in his line of sight with a "clack-clack" sound!
Looking up further, Gojo saw that familiar face the homeroom teacher's beautiful face!
"Hehe… Teacher?" To avoid looking guilty, Gojo, with a goofy smile, simply took the initiative to greet her.
When the female teacher saw Gojo's arrival, her eyes first lit up, but her expression instantly turned stern. She lightly adjusted her glasses and stared at Gojo fiercely.
"Student Gojo, it seems you are also late?"
"You get out too!"
The tigress was baring her teeth. Gojo immediately stood up and hurriedly responded.
"Yes, ma'am!"
He started walking, then turned around and gave Ellen a wink. With the sound of the back door closing, both of them left the classroom.
At this moment, the whole class was in an uproar. Especially the girls, upon learning that Gojo had come to school, they became excited, and some even started fixing their makeup. However, they quickly went silent under the female teacher pressure.
"What are you all looking at? Even if Gojo and Ellen don't come to class, they're still top-ranked. What about you? Stop being so nosy and study hard!"
"Today I'm going to check your homework from last night. Everyone, take out your homework!"