Chapter 390: Bazett Takes Another Step Ahead!
Perhaps it was from inhaling too much oxygen in Dinosaur New Century, but as soon as he returned to the real world, Cheng Tian felt his throat dry and itchy, constantly wanting to cough.
He had been gone for almost half a month this time. For an ordinary person with an ordinary family, ordinary parents, and an ordinary social circle, it would likely mean a crazy number of missed calls, perhaps even alarming the police.
But Cheng Tian was as stable as ever. Besides some old clients on X-Chat asking, "Why aren't you setting up your stall anymore?" and his master sending inquiries like, "What are 'emojis'? What's 'DORO'? Why are young people's hobbies getting stranger and stranger?" there were no other changes.
At this moment, Cheng had returned to his original city.
After serving as a resident NPC in an arcade in Jinmen for nearly a month, sweeping through all the machines there, and then helping the rich guy search his warehouse for treasures, Cheng Tian went home.
Although he was someone who wasn't particular about pillows or beds, the indescribable comfort he felt upon returning to his old house was something no other accommodation could replace.
Sure enough, as soon as Cheng Tian got home, he lazily lay on his bed, occasionally sipping ice-cold cola he hadn't had in a long time through a straw, while furiously playing his NDS, continuing his Strategy of Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, repeatedly admiring Sister Shanoa's hair being pulled back, revealing her pristine, pixelated beautiful back, perfect for cupping.
However, as Cheng Tian gazed at the glyphs Sister Shanoa absorbed on the screen, he suddenly had an idea. The dormant MP within him began to flow, and soon, a visible, regular hexagonal Heart Barrier appeared in his palm.
Returning to the real world forcibly unequipped all "non-soul-bound items" from players, but players' own attributes and skills were not sealed or blocked.
Skills usable in the Space and dungeons could still be used in the real world.
It's just that Cheng Tian's material desires were very low; it was hard for anything other than game-related items to pique his interest. Food, drink, and lodging were all just 'good enough.'
Heaven's Chosen Space was where he truly unleashed his desires.
As for a "I don't eat beef" mentality, that had never appeared. If there was a way to bring back classic old games and IPs with remakes, perhaps then he would find some motivation.
...Hmm?
Cheng Tian, manipulating the floating, small Heart Barrier with his hand, suddenly noticed the back of his left hand.
The Command Seal, representing his contract with Bazett, remained on his hand and had not disappeared due to the forced item unequip.
He hadn't noticed it before when washing his hands or bathing, but now it became exceptionally prominent.
At this moment, Cheng Tian suddenly got excited.
If he were to use "Forced Recall" here, would Bazett, who was in Heaven's Chosen Space, be directly summoned to reality?
Once the thought emerged, it couldn't be suppressed. Cheng Tian's face was already filled with eagerness.
However, his rationality was still somewhat intact, so he opened the panel on the "Heaven's Chosen APP" that was forcibly installed on his phone and sent a consultation email to the Space.
Curiosity was one thing, but when it came to the safety of others, Cheng Tian himself was very cautious. His sudden impulse could potentially lead to big problems for someone else.
But the Space quickly replied, and the large "YES" on the message immediately calmed Cheng Tian's heart. He then carefully read the series of attached rules.
Cheng Tian pushed the rocking chair in the center of the living room aside, clearing an open space. He then drew the curtains to prevent light from escaping, raised his hand, and silently activated the "Forced Recall" effect on his subordinate Heroic Spirit.
As a red Command Seal on the back of his hand dimmed, a summoning circle appeared in the center of Cheng Tian's living room.
Bazett's characteristic red bean-colored suit figure materialized from virtual to real. However, the chopsticks she held and the half-eaten beef bowl in her hand, along with the white rice grains clinging to the corner of her mouth, indicated that she had just been in the middle of her post-training meal.
At the same time, a series of Space notifications popped up.
[You have used a 'Command Seal' to forcibly recall "Bazett Fraga McRemitz" in the real world.]
[Cross-dimensional information being recorded—]
[Heroic Spirit Servant "Bazett" has obtained corresponding real-world identity records and a "Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners." She will also receive a permanent "Cognitive Interference" effect.]
[Henceforth, Bazett can return to the real world with you, but cannot exist independently in the real world. When you return to Heaven's Chosen Space, Bazett must forcibly return with you.
Bazett's rules for returning to the real world are the same as the player's.]
Looking at the series of prompts that also popped up before her eyes, Bazett herself was still in a daze.
"Is anything uncomfortable?"
"No..."
Facing her Master's question, Bazett instinctively replied, then saw the oversized rice bowl she was holding. Her face instantly flushed crimson, and she quickly hid the bowl and chopsticks behind her back.
Although there were no secrets left between her and Cheng Tian, seeing such an unladylike, oversized rice bowl still made Bazett very shy.
Ever since she followed Cheng Tian and her strength attribute further grew, Bazett's appetite had also inevitably increased.
It wasn't just Bazett; everyone was the same. Increases in Strength, Agility, and Spirit—these three attributes all led to a sharp increase in the body's energy demands. The higher the attributes, the more unavoidable it was to become a big eater.
Don't let Cheng Tian's maxed-out Spirit fool you; he didn't eat much less than Bazett.
"So, there's no need for a battle?"
Bazett, also experiencing her first forced summon, looked around, taking in Cheng Tian's clean and tidy old, small apartment.
"Hmm, you could say it was a whim of mine. This is my old home."
While answering honestly, Cheng Tian also sighed a little. This was the first time a female creature other than the meter-reading auntie had appeared in his old, small apartment!
"Could it... could it be that you want me to meet... your parents!?"
Bazett, not surprisingly, got the wrong idea, and steam was already rising from her face.
However, upon hearing this, Cheng Tian pulled out his phone and asked this question:
"Xiao Ai, Xiao Ai."
"I'm here ~"
"Help me look up what 'parents' means."
Cheng very naturally delivered a dark joke.
But before Bazett could react, Cheng Tian snatched the bowl and chopsticks from her hand and threw them onto the small coffee table.
"What pork cutlet rice? Let's go! I'll take you to eat something delicious!"
Cheng, who usually had almost no social interactions, pulled Bazett's small hand without explanation and headed straight out the door.
At this very moment, Fina, the Goddess of Sisters in Heaven's Chosen Space, and Eileen, who had also returned to her own world, both suddenly shivered.