Chapter 236: Very Important Guests

Tera woke up refreshed, and when she stretched, her joints popped in a sequence that was oddly satisfying.

She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling of her shelter, letting her thoughts catch up with her body.

When she remembered the sponsors, she immediately sat up, ready to shout for the system again when it appeared in front of her.

[Good morning, Host!]

[(????)]

[How is Host’s body feeling today? Is Host feeling rejuvenated?]

Tera glared at the screen.

’Where did you go?’

[This system must say, Host’s performance against the corrupted beast was truly spectacular!]

[Absolutely breathtaking!]

[The way Host manoeuvred through that battlefield with such grace and precision—this system was in awe the entire time!]

[(ノ?ヮ?)ノ*:???]

Tera’s eyes narrowed.

’The fuck?’

[This system has always appreciated Host’s talents!]

’You called me stupid two days ago.’

[That was taken out of context!]

’Hold on, are you acting this way because of those spon—’

[Ah! This system does not understand what Host could possibly be talking about!]

[Host has very important guests, please be mindful!]

[(?′? ? ?`?)]

’You mean sponsors?’

[Yes! They don’t seem to be available at the moment]

[These are high-tier Sponsors, and this system cannot predict when they will appear]

[They come and go as they please]

[(????)]

[Please, be mindful]

Tera frowned. ’Hold on. Back up. What exactly is a Sponsor?’

[Sponsors are higher-dimensional beings that exist above the management hierarchy that oversees this system]

[They observe Hosts across various worlds and, when a particular Host catches their attention, they choose to sponsor them]

Tera went still. The word ’higher dimensional being’ unsettled her a bit if she was being honest. There was something above the system’s own management?

[They are... very important!]

[(°△°)]

Tera pressed her palms against her face.

’You’re telling me there’s an entire hierarchy above you, and beings at the TOP of that hierarchy are now watching me?’

[Not the top! Sponsors vary in tier and influence!]

[But yes, these particular Sponsors are of a high tier]

’HIGH TIER?!’

[This system understands this is a lot of information]

’A lot of—I thought I was just dealing with you alone. Now you’re telling me there are powerful beings from higher dimensions looking down at me?!’

[That is... an accurate description, yes]

[?? ??]

Tera dragged her hands down her face.

Then she remembered the names.

’BeastWorldAddict and PervyGoddess. Are they the ones?’

[...Yes]

’BeastWorldAddict. And PervyGoddess. What the fuck are those names?’

[HOST! LANGUAGE!]

[Σ(°□°?) !!]

’One of them is called PERVYGODDESS!’

[This system does not control their naming conventions!]

[(╥﹏╥)]

Tera wanted to laugh and scream at the same time. She was being observed by cosmic beings with the screen names of degenerate forum users.

How did they even find her in the first place?!

"Okay," she said slowly. "Okay. So, what does having a Sponsor actually mean for me? Don’t omit a single damn detail!"

[Sponsorship is a tremendous privilege!]

[Sponsors invest in their chosen Hosts by providing gifts, resources, and occasionally rare items]

[They can send rewards when they are pleased with Host’s progress or entertained by Host’s actions]

Tera’s ears perked up. ’Gifts? What kind of gifts?’

[Gifts can range from useful tools to luxury items, and in some cases, items from Host’s world of origin]

Tera’s eyes widened, and her first craving was immediately chocolate.

Maybe a vibrator too.

[The gifts depend on the Sponsor’s generosity and tier, but Host does not need to worry about the tier!]

[(?????)]

Tera quickly reined herself in before she got too excited.

’That sounds too good. What’s the catch?’

[There is no catch!]

’There is always a catch with you!’

[Not really, Host! However...]

’There it is.’

[Sponsors may occasionally assign their own tasks to Host]

Tera’s brief excitement evaporated.

[They are entirely optional! Host can accept or refuse without penalty!]

’No penalty at all?’

[Well]

[If a Sponsor assigns a task and Host refuses, there is no system penalty]

[However, if Host refuses too often or displeases a Sponsor significantly, the Sponsor may choose to withdraw their sponsorship]

[Host can refuse a task, but it depends on its difficulty and how bad the Sponsor wants the task done]

Tera laughed nervously. That did not sound good at all.

’So the penalty is losing the Sponsor.’

[Which is not technically a penalty! It is simply a consequence of—]

’That is literally what a penalty is!’

[( •?? ? •??)]

Tera rubbed her temples. She was getting a headache, and she had only been awake for a few minutes.

’Is a Sponsor even necessary? I’ve been doing fine without one. Sort of. Even with your clunky help.’

[HOST!]

[SHH!]

[DO NOT SAY SYCH THINGS!]

[(°△°|||)]

[Sponsors are an enormous privilege! They are not "necessary". They are a GIFT!]

[Host’s life would become significantly easier and more comfortable with their support!]

[The benefits far outweigh any minor inconveniences!]

[And Host must understand that many system users across many worlds would do ANYTHING to attract a single Sponsor, let alone high-tier ones!]

The system’s screen was practically vibrating.

[Host must NOT be dismissive about this!]

[Please!]

’Okay, okay! Calm down! Why are you panicking?!’

[This system is not panicking!]

[This system is simply ensuring Host understands the gravity of the situation!]

[(⊙_⊙)]

Tera studied the screen. Something was off. The system’s reaction wasn’t just enthusiastic. It was desperate.

She thought for a moment.

’Wait a moment, you have something to gain from me having Sponsors since you are assigned to me, don’t you?’

[( •?? ? •??)]

[That much is obvious]

Tera chuckled.

[Why is Host laughing?]

[( ?o??o?) !!]

’These Sponsors... since they watch Hosts, does that not mean they also watch how the system manages the Host?’

[...]

’If they see the system doing a bad job... if they see the system being incompetent, or unfair, or difficult... could they have it replaced?’

[??]

[Ho—Host!]

[That is not how it works]

[It is not that simple!]

’Ehn? So it IS possible’

[HOST!]

[(ノ°Д°)ノ]

[This system has been VERY useful to Host!]

[Has this system not helped Host build an entire clan from nothing?!]

[Has this system not provided Host with tools, resources, and guidance through EVERY challenge?!]

The screen dropped from its usual position in Tera’s peripheral vision and sank low, hovering just above the ground in front of her crossed legs. If it had a body, it would have been on its knees.

[This system is begging! This system has been helpful!]

[This system has been GOOD to Host!]

[(╥_╥)]

[Please do not replace this system!]

Tera’s eyes widened!

Not once did she think she would actually live to see the day when the system would actually grovel at her feet.

’Damn...’

A small, extremely satisfied smile spread across her face.

Oh.

Oh, this was wonderful.

Tera leaned back and crossed her arms, letting the silence stretch.

[Host?]

She examined her nails.

[HOST?!]

[(;′??Д??`)]

[Have Mercy!]

Tera felt a little bad for the system and also wanted to laugh at the same time, but she was fighting to control herself.

The fact that the system was begging this profusely meant it knew it really had messed up on occasion.

She could use this.

"Hmm," Tera said slowly. "I suppose a more competent system could be useful..."

[THIS SYSTEM IS COMPETENT!]

’You designed a transit skill and didn’t even realise it could cut things.’

[That was an unconventional application that no reasonable—]

’You wanted to send beast-folk to fight an acid monster. And the massive disregard for their lives hurt me so much.’

’Do you really care about me if you want me to constantly be going through grief?’

Tera feigned, acting as if she was about to faint while she placed her hand on her forehead.

[Host...]

[.°?(っ-?-?)?°·.]

The screen sank even lower, if that were possible. It was practically underground.

[This system WANTS to do better!]

[This system WILL do better!]

[Please, Host!]

[(·???? ·????)]