I am weak and friendly

Chapter 202 Congratulations on learning the [Working Mask] (4K)

“Awoo…” Stoka turned her head and looked at Tang Yiping, looking a little aggrieved.

"I'm sorry, it was my fault..." Tang Yiping finally remembered why he forgot to ask Stoka about this.

Stoka is usually so sarcastic that he's been banned from using translators.

I figured that even if I asked Stoka, he wouldn't be able to answer, so I forgot to ask.

Tang Yiping reached behind him again and pulled out a translator from his backpack.

Then you see Stoka already wagging its tail excitedly.

He reached out and put the translator on the dog, then said to the leash before the dog could speak, "If he talks too much nonsense, you can strangle him."

The leash silently tied a knot and wrapped around Stoka's neck.

Stoka had just opened his mouth, about to utter the first syllable, when he heard this, he immediately closed his mouth tightly.

It was even tighter than when he first came to Earth, before he met Tang Yiping for the first time, when he almost died from the heat, and his tail was drooping down.

He had an expression that said, "I don't want to say anything."

“Alright, you can speak now,” Tang Yiping said to Stoka.

“Hoo…” Stoka exhaled, then suddenly closed his eyes again.

He seemed to hold back a lot of things before continuing to speak.

“Actually, this is related to the special characteristics of our race,” Stoka explained. “Our race can adapt to various forms of prosthetics, even those that are not standard prosthetics.”

Stoka explained that, broadly speaking, a "prosthetic body" is a "body" that can "descend through consciousness" and carry out conscious actions.

Of course, to be able to carry consciousness and action, it usually needs to be at least physiologically similar, or to be "compatible" through "translation and conversion".

Different worlds and different organisms have vastly different physiological characteristics, which usually require "conversion" and "compatibility". This "conversion" and "compatibility" usually requires the "survival guide for the weak" to accomplish.

For example, Lux is a "tree of wisdom". Although Tang Yiping doesn't know what form this "tree of wisdom" takes, it is probably not very similar to humans. She descended to Earth's prosthetic body through the transformation of the "Guide to Survival of the Weak".

In this situation, official "prosthetic bodies" are needed, which can be traded and rented through the "Survival Guide for the Weak".

The prosthetic body needs a "receiver" to connect to the [Survival Guide for the Weak]. Stokka calls it the [Prosthetic Body Module], a kind of hard currency that is easily circulated among users, with a price comparable to some B-level or even A-level skill learning paths.

After all, a "learning path" is only a possibility of learning a skill, but the [prosthetic module] is real.

A prosthetic body with a [prosthetic module] is a regular, normal prosthetic body.

Obtaining a [prosthetic module] is also a "basic requirement" for creating your own prosthetic body.

However, the prosthetic body is not only used for descent; it has many other functions.

Installing the [Prosthetic Body Module] is just the beginning; it's just a regular prosthetic body. On this basis, many upgrades can be made around the [Prosthetic Body Module], such as the "autonomous action" of the Information Sea Prosthetic Body.

In this way, prosthetic bodies can be used as "consumables" for exploring dangerous locations, such as in combat or absorbing damage.

It is said that some users of the "Survival Guide for the Weak" are rather cowardly, keeping their real bodies hidden in their lair and engaging in activities outside using prosthetic bodies.

"However, prosthetics are very expensive. Apart from a few very powerful professionals, most people can only rent prosthetics temporarily for important activities. Very few people can actually use prosthetics at will."

Stoka said this, then sighed, "I heard that Lady Lola has a prosthetic body that is almost finished. As expected of a genius who can learn an A-rank skill like [Carrion Eater]."

Stoka said with obvious envy.

Tang Yiping listened in a daze.

Lola, you have something this good?
I've never heard her mention that!

Shouldn't this guy show off his good stuff to me?

I've never seen it before.

Maybe he's just bragging.

"Without a receiving module, to descend, one needs to be able to adapt to the target's body, that is, to be similar in form. Only in this way can one drive the target's body directly without conversion. In addition, one also needs a coordinate for descent and a stable connection."

“Coincidentally, adapting to different body shapes and having stable connections are unique strengths of our race,” Stoka said.

"So, your race is... silicon-based life?" Tang Yiping was a little confused.

So the dog is actually a mechanical dog?
“No…our race…” Stoka uttered some strange syllables, then shook his head violently, “I don’t know how to describe our race in Earth’s language. Earth doesn’t have a language. We are not any kind of life form that you know.”

Tang Yiping was speechless.

What exactly is Stokka?
"Doesn't that mean that as long as one of you is on Earth, your entire race can descend upon Earth at will?" Tang Yiping asked, his mind racing.

“That’s not how it works…” Stokka shook his head. “If the distance were close, we could indeed do it, but Lagrange first connected to his prosthetic body, and then used his prosthetic body to connect to the vending machine through my intermediary.”

I understand. Your original bodies are too far from Earth, so you need a relay.

"Wait, he's in another space... uh, a parallel world, and he can also be relayed through you?" Tang Yiping suddenly realized the key point.

“In fact, for our race, different bubble spaces are simultaneously visible, perceptible, and traversable,” Stoka said. “It’s just that my body has too many limitations…”

so?

What exactly is the Stoka clan?

He seems so much better than Lola!
So, with such a low rating in the "Survival Guide for the Weak," you can only learn some useless skills, right?

I've definitely gone in the wrong direction; the harder I try, the less useful it is.

You should bind your account to the "Survival Guide for the Strong".

Tang Yiping suddenly recalled the strange sights he had seen when he observed Stoka and learned about [asymmetric semantic heterogeneity].

In his eyes, the Earth is not the Earth, but countless topological bubbles that constantly entangle and bind him, nested and stacked together like bubbles...

Is each bubble a miniature Earth?
How many Earths are there?

So our world is a multiverse worldview, right?
How tacky!

“Our prosthetic bodies seem to have been produced by another bubble space. Now the passage between these two spaces is closed, and it’s likely that no other users of the ‘Survival Guide for the Weak’ will be able to descend into this bubble space for a long time,” Stoka said.

"Huh? That's it..."

Tang Yiping inexplicably felt...quite regretful.

Whether it's survivor bias or not, all the users of the "Survival Guide for the Weak" that Tang Yiping has met so far have been pretty nice people.

I feel like the users of the "Survival Guide for the Weak" are all good people.

Moreover, it can also provide a lot of useful information.

I always feel that the more the better.

"What a pity, there are quite a lot of skills here," Tang Yiping said.

Upon hearing Tang Yiping's words, Stoka's eyes widened immediately, and he shook his head, saying, "You are a pioneer with rich survival experience, so you think that such an arrival is very easy. Perhaps you don't think so, but this is an extremely dangerous world. According to rumors, the survival rate in this holy land of skills is no more than one in ten. We weak beings need to save for thousands of years to have enough money to buy a prosthetic body, and one failure means all our previous efforts are in vain!"

As he spoke, he said dejectedly, "Look at me, I've saved up money for so many years, and all I've managed to buy is this kind of prosthetic body... If it weren't for your help, I would have failed and returned on the very first day I arrived..."

That makes sense.

If it weren't for me, this dog would have died of heatstroke on its very first day on Earth.

Not only would the descent fail, but it might also leave you with a mountain of debt. After all, you killed someone else's cybernetic body, so you'd have to pay for it eventually.

Then think of Lola, who almost killed herself on the first day with a completely wrong guide.

This world is indeed extremely risky and dangerous... ...right?

Tang Yiping was wandering the streets late at night, lost in thought.

Wait a minute, is Lola's strategy guide actually aimed at the other side?
However, she didn't know how, but she accidentally passed through the passage and ended up in this world, so all the guides were no longer applicable?
This feels like something Lola would do.

But something doesn't feel right. The people in the world Tang Yiping had met all seemed very rigid and formal. For example, Fan Zhihong was completely like a soldier.

Just being connected to that world requires following many rules. For example, Li Chongshan and his group have to wear suits and ties every day, as does Lin Duo...

From this perspective alone, the other side seems to be a society with uniforms, similar to a dystopian society in a movie.

But what was the story behind those two "yellow-haired" guys in the beginning?

Privileged class?

So, is Lola's "it's nothing" act really a disguise of the privileged class?
Is that right?

What kind of world is next door?
Tang Yiping couldn't understand it.

However, after learning all this from Stoka, Tang Yiping suddenly wondered if he should also create a [cyberbody]? Or perhaps, use a [cyberbody] to descend to another place?
"Stoka, how do you make a prosthetic body?" Tang Yiping asked.

He now has an [Information Sea Prosthetic Body], but it is not a real prosthetic body. Moreover, his Information Sea Prosthetic Body is missing a "connection module" and cannot truly descend. It can only be displayed through a screen display device. Therefore, until now, he has never truly experienced what it feels like to "descend".

Putting everything else aside, if only we could have a healthy body...

He hadn't felt the joy of running and jumping in far too long.

"The creation of the [Crystal Body] requires [Crystal Body Modules], which are extremely precious, and the production process involves very advanced technology. I don't know how..." Stokka shook his head, "This is beyond the capabilities of our race! Perhaps those who learn A-rank or B-rank skills know, such as the clever Lady Lola..."

Don't underestimate yourself; your clan is incredibly awesome.

Tang Yiping thought to himself.

In any case, among Lola, Lux, and Stoker, Stoker's abilities are overwhelmingly superior, ridiculously strong.

Of course, it's still a step below Lux's "Great Heal".

One cannot deceive oneself.

The Stoka clan is completely restricted by the "Survival Guide for the Weak".

How exactly does this thing restrict you? Does it mean that if you disobey, you will be eliminated?

Why don't you resist? Why don't you break free from this constraint?
Tang Yiping now has conflicting views on the "Survival Guide for the Weak".

This thing granted him incredibly powerful skills, but the more he saw how it "oppressed" other users, the more he felt this way.

Did I also pay some price, but I just didn't realize it?

Otherwise, why should the "Survival Guide for the Weak" be good for you?
You can't be the only one who's your favorite son, and everyone else can just be used as expendable resources.

They chatted as they walked, and the man and his dog arrived at the entrance of the residential complex where Tang Yiping lived.

Just as Tang Yiping was about to enter the residential area, his phone rang.

"what……"

The call was made by Li Tieqiang.

"Tang, where are you now? Do you have time?" Li Tieqiang's voice was very serious.

"What's wrong, uncle?" Tang Yiping asked, puzzled.

"It's not convenient to talk on the phone. If you have time, I need you to come over," Li Tieqiang said. "Gao Ming has gone to pick you up."

"Okay." Tang Yiping gave his address, and Li Tieqiang said, "You wait here, Gao Ming will be there in five minutes."

Tang Yiping frowned.

It's already past nine o'clock at night, and for Li Tieqiang to still be calling me at this hour, it must be something important.

But what could be so important? We can't even say it over the phone.

Moreover, he asked Gao Ming to come and pick him up.

Just then, Tang Yiping had a sudden thought and subconsciously opened the "People Nearby" feature.

Then I saw a point of light rapidly approaching me.

—【Homo sapiens - Fan Zhihong】(marked by the stabbing technique)
Fan Zhihong is here too?

It was said to be 5 minutes, but in less than two minutes, a car had already stopped in front of Tang Yiping.

"Student Tang." Fan Zhihong jumped down first and bowed to Tang Yiping, as if he were meeting a superior.

"What's going on?" Tang Yiping asked.

Just as Fan Zhihong was about to speak, Gao Ming came down as well.

“Let’s talk in the car.” Gao Ming opened the trunk, preparing to help Tang Yiping lift the wheelchair in, then looked at Stoka: “This dog…”

“He is my guide dog, and he is with me.”

clever:"???"

No, I suspect you're trying to fool me, but I have no proof.

Tang Yiping was surprised to find that Fan Zhihong was the one driving.

Gao Ming trusts this guy that much?

Gao Ming watched as Stoka obediently crawled into the third row before sitting down next to Tang Yiping.

After the car started moving, Gao Ming first looked out the window before saying to Tang Yiping, "Old Fan has discovered a new passage."

"What?" Tang Yiping's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Hmm..." Gao Ming nodded slightly.

His face didn't show much expression; he remained calm even when Mount Tai collapsed, as if it were just a very ordinary piece of news.

Although Tang Yiping was quite certain, his heart was already in turmoil, and his urge to complain was about to overflow.

"Hiss..." Tang Yiping gasped.

To be honest, he was also conflicted.

He knew there must be a passage between the two worlds, but he didn't expect it to be found so quickly.

Should I be happy now, or should I force a smile?

He had absolutely no idea how to handle this kind of situation.

Sigh, this guy's quite the actor...

Looking at Gao Ming's calm profile, Tang Yiping thought to himself, "It's like Mount Tai collapsing but my face remains unchanged."

As Tang Yiping was thinking this, a notification suddenly flashed before his eyes:
—You have observed the discrepancy between the appearance and reality of the unknown Homo sapiens and learned the C-level survival skill [Working Mask]. Current level: E.

Tang Yiping: "..."

isn't it...

(End of this chapter)