After finishing her hacking tasks, Yue Ling stretched lazily and leaned back in her chair.
Her fingers were still slightly warm from moving continuously across the keyboard.
"Done…"
A faint satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
Just as she was about to close her laptop, the system's voice suddenly rang in her mind.
"Congratulations, host."
Yue Ling raised a brow.
"For what now?"
"Due to the host actively using hacking skills," the system said proudly, "the Technology Domain has been unlocked."
Yue Ling blinked once.
Then smirked.
"Oh?"
"That sounds useful."
The system immediately became energetic.
"Yes, host! Now you can start learning advanced technological knowledge. This will greatly help you in the future."
Yue Ling closed her laptop and stood up.
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"Let's go."
The next moment, her consciousness entered the virtual room.
The environment shifted instantly.
A clean, spacious learning space appeared around her. Screens floated in the air, and countless streams of data flickered like stars.
Yue Ling looked around with slight interest.
"Hmm… looks decent."
The system quickly responded,
"Host, this is the Technology Domain training space. Here, time flow is different, and you can learn much faster."
"Good," Yue Ling nodded. "Then start."
As soon as she finished speaking, a figure slowly appeared in front of her.
A middle-aged man, dressed neatly, with calm and sharp eyes.
He gave off the aura of a strict but knowledgeable teacher.
"Welcome," he said.
"I will be your instructor for the Technology Domain."
Yue Ling folded her arms and looked at him.
"Alright, let's not waste time."
"What are we learning first?"
The teacher adjusted his glasses slightly and replied,
"Since you have unlocked the domain, we will begin with basic computer fundamentals."
Yue Ling's expression turned a little strange.
"Basics…?"
The teacher nodded calmly.
"Yes. Every advanced skill requires a strong foundation."
Yue Ling sighed softly.
"Fine… start."
The lesson began.
"Computers operate based on binary logic…" the teacher explained.
Yue Ling listened.
At first, she didn't pay much attention.
I already know hacking… why am I learning this basic stuff…
But slowly—
She realized something.
What she knew before was just surface-level application.
But this…
This was deeper.
Much deeper.
System architecture.
Data flow.
Hardware interaction.
Every small detail connected to a bigger concept.
Her eyes slowly became focused.
"Oh…"
"So that's how it works…"
The teacher glanced at her and nodded slightly.
"Good. You're understanding quickly."
Yue Ling smirked faintly.
"Of course."
Her learning speed was extremely fast.
Problems were given.
She solved them.
Again.
And again.
Time passed quickly inside the virtual space.
But gradually—
Something felt wrong.
Her head started to feel heavy.
Her vision blurred slightly.
Yue Ling frowned.
"…Why am I feeling like this?"
The system's voice came immediately.
"Host, your mental strength is still low."
"You already used too much energy earlier during hacking."
"And your body is still affected by poison."
Yue Ling clenched her teeth slightly.
"…Tch."
"Not now…"
The teacher continued speaking,
"Focus. Continue solving this—"
But before he could finish—
Yue Ling's hand paused.
The pen slipped slightly from her fingers.
Her vision darkened at the edges.
Her body swayed.
"Host!" the system called out urgently.
"You've reached your limit!"
Yue Ling tried to stay conscious.
"Just… a little more…"
But her body didn't listen.
Her mind started slipping.
Everything around her became distant.
The teacher's voice faded.
The virtual space blurred.
Her legs gave out.
She collapsed.
As her consciousness began to fade—
A strange image suddenly appeared in her mind.
A face.
Clear.
Sharp.
Unforgettable.
Handsome face of muchen she didn't even know the name
His cold eyes.
His strong presence.
That slightly dangerous aura.
And that face—
That face…
Yue Ling's thoughts flickered weakly.
Why… am I thinking about him now…?
Out of all times…
Her lips moved slightly as if she wanted to say something.
But no sound came out.
Her consciousness sank deeper into darkness.
In the real world—
Yue Ling's body lay quietly on the bed.
Her breathing was light.
Her face pale.
As if she had fallen into a deep sleep again.
Inside the virtual space—
The system panicked.
"Host! Host, respond!"
But there was no reply.
After a few seconds, the system sighed helplessly.
"Host's condition is unstable…"
"Entering forced rest mode."
The space slowly dimmed.
Everything became silent again.