After Shen Wufei explained that the System Sprites were advanced AI, Jason couldn't help but view Xiao Shen and Xiao Yuan—the two mischievous kids—with newfound suspicion.
"Why are you staring at us?" Xiao Yuan crossed his arms, tilting his head. "Got some weird fetish or something?"
"What?" Jason snapped. "The real pervert's the one who designed your personalities!"
"Dad just set basic guidelines. Our true selves formed over time."
"AI can develop personalities?"
"Of course. The difference between machines and AI? Autonomy."
Jason eyed them skeptically. "You're really not humans in disguise?"
Xiao Shen smirked. Her head snapped 180 degrees backward, then snapped back. "Still not convinced?"
Jason recoiled. The sight of a four-year-old in a frilly dress twisting her neck like a puppet was straight out of a horror flick.
"Want to see my central circuitry?" Xiao Yuan giggled.
"No." Jason's stomach churned. He'd almost forgotten his mission: upgrading his weapon and offloading junk from the virtual system.
His current weapon—a 12-pound P-grade seven-ridged steel halberd—was cracked and underpowered. He browsed the system's armory, settling on a 28-pound tungsten steel halberd (500 points). Its weight promised better impact, though swinging it would require retraining his muscles.
After selling his old gear and virtual loot, Jason's points hit 5,134. He sprinted outside, halberd in hand.
Bai Yi practiced martial arts in the snow, his snow-white robes blending with the landscape. Jason, unused to the cold, peeled off his jacket. "Aren't you freezing?"
"Not really." Bai Yi's movements flowed like a crane in flight.
"New halberd's 28 pounds," Jason said, testing its weight.
Bai Yi turned, expression unreadable. "Let me see."
Jason swung the halberd at him—only to halt inches from Bai Yi's nose. "You're underage!" Jason grinned. "First time using a 28-pound weapon. Not bad, huh?"
Bai Yi frowned. "I'm not a minor anymore."
"What?"
"Today's my birthday."
Jason paused. "So… adulting begins now?"
Bai Yi stared at the snow. "The Bai Family's adulthood ritual requires discarding what we love most. Family, pets, passions—all gone."
Jason's smile faded. "That's messed up."
"You think so?" Bai Yi's voice cracked. "My only brother…"
Jason bit his tongue. He'd pushed too hard.
"Let's celebrate," Jason said abruptly. "I'll drag you to the bar!"
Bai Yi shook his head. "I don't drink."
"Then what's the point of adulthood?!"
Bai Yi turned away. "It's nothing."