"What do you mean her status is dead?" Mark raised his voice as he questioned the system. "Explain how deep the problem is."
Mark never expected that someone in the Phoenix Empire would dare to attack her in his absence.
But then again, he was also aware that androids cannot die. Even if they were completely destroyed, as long as he pays enough credits, the system will bring them back to life while retaining their memories.
He confirmed it on the day when he gained Allen as a quest reward. It is also the reason he gave them the freedom to do whatever they wanted while he was on a long vacation.
But, that doesn't mean he is okay with them getting killed by enemies. After all, there's also emotional bonding between him and the other two. He will have his revenge for sure but before that, he would have to understand the core issue.
Fortunately, the system was quite cooperative in explaining the details and providing him with the solution.
*Ding! Alina's core is intact and safe but it has been severed from her body. Her status is dead.
*Ding! The system recommends the host purchase the tracking system through which, the host can track the location of androids, beasts, weapons, and everything bound to the host's soul.
*Ding! Proceed to purchase?
Mark didn't respond to the system's sale offer but instead asked, "You said Alina's core was severed. So, if I buy this tracking system, I will track the whereabouts of the core but not the body. Am I correct?"
*Ding! Correct. An android's core contains everything ranging from its data (memories) to its energy. Without the core, the body is nothing more than a lump piece of metal.
"Alright, I'll buy it." Mark didn't even think of asking the system about the costs as it wouldn't matter. Not because he is rich or something but it is due to the fact that Mark treats Alina like a younger sibling. And you cannot compare a sibling's life to money.
*Ding! 10,000 credits were deducted. The tracking system is added to the character. Go to the character screen to use the function.
Mark didn't waste the time in opening the character screen where his stats were shown. As the UI has been updated, it looked slightly different.
The character screen was divided into several tabs.
One had the stats, one had the list of his properties, one had the list of his contracted beasts and their details, one had the list of his skills, one is dedicated to Mark's factory, one is dedicated to quests, one is dedicated to his soul bound weapons, one had the list of androids, one had the list of VIP clients and their level, one is dedicated to lottery wheel system, one is dedicated to Mining system, one has the list of the store's branches and their data, one had the list of all the weapons and their respective prices sold in the store, and lastly, there is a tracking system.
He clicked on the last tab and opened the tracking system.
There was one big circle in the middle of the screen and there was another circle beside it that had the symbol of lock and the number 1000 written below it.
Mark didn't need an explanation to understand how this works. He clicked on the second circle right away and purchased it for 1000 credits.
Once the two were unlocked, he clicked on one of the empty circles. 3D Illustrations of several beings popped up before his eyes.
If Mark had been doing this in some other situation, he would have been amazed but right now, his mood wasn't good. Hence, he didn't appreciate the system's artwork and just clicked on the second image.
*Ding! Lock Alina? You cannot change once you select the target.
"Do it."
The illustrations disappeared and Alina's image filled one circle. He selected Allen for the second one.
Once he was done with his selection, Mark proceeded to click on Alina.
"This location…" Mark's expression changed as he saw the directions and the distance. He could accurately guess where Alina's core was.
In the next instant, he hurriedly clicked on Allen. As their locations ended up the same, Mark asked, "System, can you send a message to Allen?"
*Ding! Allen Spencer's status is dormant. Can receive the message but cannot send it back.
"He was also attacked?" Mark's heartbeat spiked up once again. He gritted his teeth, "damn it. I need to leave…"
***
Meanwhile, at Lin Wuying's Mansion, Imperial City;
In one of the rooms of the mansion, Allen was seen unconsciously lying on the bed with Lin Xue and Song Yue standing nearby.
Both of these best friends appeared to be in the middle of an argument, although it is mostly Lin Xue doing the whole arguing while the minister of Personnel, Lin Wuying, had a look of worry on his face as he was walking back and forth outside the room.
"It is true that I brought Allen into the world of adventuring but it was Alina who brought us to this mission. It was not my fault. You are being unreasonable." Lin Xue shouted at Song Yue as the latter commented that she shouldn't have dragged Allen with her.
"And do you think my fiancée would care who was at fault here? Try to understand the situation, Xue Xue…" replied Song Yue. She was actually more worried about her friend.
Lin Xue didn't back down and said in a harsh tone, "What is there to understand? He will kill us and probably destroy our clan, right? Let him do what that devil incarnate wants. I'll never apologize to him."
"Hey, that's going too far. Mind your tone, Lin Xue. He is my husband." Song Yue furrowed her brows in displeasure. Even if Lin Xue is her best friend, how could this girl call her fiance a devil? This is something Song Yue will not sit out.
However, Lin Xue became so crazy that she wasn't thinking straight at all. She exploded without having control over her emotions, "Then, I guess he is a divine being, right? What a joke…
For the sake of accomplishing his goals, your husband will go to any extent. He is selfish to the core. I'm telling you. He is a warmonger who will burn this entire world one day.
Falling in love with him, choosing him as your husband, and supporting his activities, you are equally guilty, Song Yue.
From the moment we became friends since when did I ever abandon you? I stood by you at all times and shared all of my secrets with you, Song Yue. Yet, you have lied to me about Allen.
Even when I revealed to you the fact that I was in love with Allen, you should have told me that he is not a human. The least you can do is firmly oppose my decision using some sort of excuse. No, you didn't do anything of that. Instead, you suggested that I need Alina and Lu Zhen's approval for that to work.
You made me misunderstand that there's hope for me." Lin Xue was at the top of her voice. Fortunately, the room was sealed by her father through a noise-canceling barrier.
Meanwhile, tears filled up Lin Xue's ears as she fell to her knees, "In my whole life, I just loved one man and he isn't even a human, Song Yue. Just a human-looking puppet… I... I really love him, Yue Yue…"
Seeing her ever-cold-looking friend breaking down so emotionally, Song Yue's expression softened. She couldn't help but hug her friend and apologize. "I'm sorry… I just don't know how to tell you. So, I ran away from the problem… I don't mean to lie to you. I swear…"
Lin Xue continued to bawl her eyes out and hugged back, "please… do something… save him… the healers don't know what's wrong with him. Even the healing stone of the Heavens sect doesn't work."
Patting her friend's back, Song Yue replied, "Only my husband will have the idea of how to help Allen out. And don't worry. I will not let him lay a finger on your clan."
Just a moment ago, Song Yue was demanding an apology from Lin Xue, when Mark returns. She even suggested to Lin Xue that the latter should kneel before Mark and beg for her life. After all, she knew how precious the androids to Mark are.
But now, the situation has completely turned around. She was even promising her friend to shield her from Mark's wrath.
Well, such is the case with kind-hearted people like Song Yue. She forgives others too easily.
