Chapter 2: Successful Advancement

He Kui's excitement was uncontrollable. After two years of struggle in this perilous world, just as he was about to give up, he activated his golden finger!

So, giving gifts could earn him micro-operational experience!

He had thought he would merely watch others in godly battles, but now he had a chance to become like them.

Overwhelmed with joy, He Kui clasped the girl's warm hands tightly.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"It's... just a small thing."

Feeling the warmth from their clasped hands, Shi He was a bit uneasy but didn't pull away. After all, he was her fiancé.

[Shi He Hanivis Favorability 50]

[Experience Bonus 2]

"No, it's a big deal! Absolutely a big deal!"

Seeing the continuous text on his screen, He Kui, now sure of his golden finger's existence, was eager to find something else to gift.

Of course, to avoid misunderstandings, he released her hand.

Favorability seemed to provide a bonus; although He Kui had never played any dating sims before, he knew being too hasty might backfire.

"This Haro has many flaws. Please forgive me, Miss Hanivis."

After the initial excitement, He Kui politely bowed.

"It's okay. Don't take the assessment lightly."

Truthfully, the craftsmanship was lacking, but knowing how much effort he put into making it, Shi He felt a twinge of sadness. Was PLANT, a nation proud of its Coordinators, truly fair? Beyond arranged marriages, many aspects weren't fair.

"I understand. Could I have your contact information? See you later!"

As long as she liked it, there was no need to worry about what to gift next. He Kui extended his wrist.

"Oh, sure."

Shi He extended her arm as well, and their white wristbands touched, emitting a circle of green light.

In this era, wristbands served as extensions of phones with many added features, especially in a nation built on science and technology like PLANT.

With her contact info, He Kui didn't linger and eagerly returned to his dorm.

Ed was probably out having fun and wasn't in the dorm. He Kui stared at the transparent panel in front of him, at the upgrade button that seemed pressable. Holding his breath, he pressed it without hesitation.

The panel vibrated slightly, and the text changed.

[Micro Component Processing C-level: (6/1000)]

He Kui looked at his hands. His eyesight seemed to have improved, able to see the fine ridges on his palm, and his fingers felt steadier.

Seeing the remaining Haro parts on his desk, he immediately began assembling them.

Soon, the Haro in his hands took shape at an increasingly rapid pace. Without interruptions, he completed in half a day what usually took a full day and much energy.

And it was of higher quality than the one given to Shi He.

At this rate, he could make three a day, earning 300 a day, and 9,000 a month! He'd never worry about living expenses again!

No, if he could enter the Helan Design Bureau, why sell Haros? He'd no longer have to live day-to-day.

Thinking this, He Kui's eyes brimmed with hope for the future.

Three days passed quickly. During this time, He Kui diligently showered Shi He with gifts, giving her two Haros a day.

Opening the panel before him:

[Shi He Hanivis Current Favorability 65]

[Experience Bonus 2]

[Micro Component Processing C-level: (78/1000)]

The experience bonus doubled, but with so many Haros gifted, the favorability gain seemed to diminish.

None of this mattered now. With his skill improving, the speed of making Haros increased, allowing him to complete four a day.

Today, instead of making Haros, He Kui traveled from December City to Helan Design Bureau's headquarters in May City.

The luxurious and technologically advanced entrance stood before He Kui, as if they were from two different worlds.

Outside the Design Bureau, numerous students in school uniforms like He Kui's gathered.

Besides those from December City's military academy, many were from May City's local university. Some were nervous, others eager, and some confident, seemingly having secured connections.

"He Kui."

At the entrance of Helan Design Bureau, Shi He quickly spotted the newly arrived young man and ran over.

"Shi He."

The young man smiled gently. With a favorability of 65, their relationship had become much more relaxed and harmonious.

"Don't take it lightly."

Shi He, now familiar with the young man she often saw, showed a hint of curiosity. From the Haros he recently gifted, it was clear his craftsmanship had improved. As long as he maintained it, his chances of entering Helan Design Bureau were high.

"Yes, I know."

As they spoke, two people emerged from the bright entrance of the company, standing on high steps, looking down at the students.

"The man at the front is the HR manager, and the one in the white coat behind him is Sule, from the High-Precision Radar Development Department."

Shi He whispered in He Kui's ear.

Sule, short compared to the tall Coordinators, appeared like a child. Her appearance was charming and friendly.

"Sule has great talent and was directly recruited from May City University."

Even Shi He, a Redcoat, showed a hint of envy when speaking of Sule.

"I see."

He Kui glanced at the girl on the platform. After acknowledging Shi He, the HR manager began explaining the assessment: high-precision processing of high-strength metal components linking the GINN thruster to its armor.

This task wasn't surprising, as even with today's advanced technology, oddly shaped metal connectors couldn't be manufactured solely by computers.

For He Kui, who hand-made Haros daily and had C-level skills, this task wasn't too challenging.

"How did it go?"

Waiting outside, Shi He approached He Kui with slight nervousness. It wasn't that she feared death, but with He Kui's MS operation skills so much lower than hers, the frontline was too dangerous. Any major skirmish could result in casualties.

"I think it went well."

Carefully observing He Kui's expression, Shi He relaxed, seeing no sign of pretense.

As long as He Kui wasn't nervous and performed normally, his chances of being accepted were high.

"That's good."

"To celebrate in advance, let's buy some groceries~"

Seeing the atmosphere was right, He Kui took Shi He's soft hand.

Recently, in his free time, he sold a few Haros at a stall. Although due to the war between the Earth Alliance and PLANT, the prices, especially for food, soared, thanks to the agricultural research in June City, prices stabilized between cities. Cooking a decent meal in May City, with some meat, cost about 300. Occasionally, he could afford it. Besides, this wasn't just for himself; Shi He's favorability needed to continue growing.

If he could get Shi He's favorability to 100, eating more synthetic meat would be worth it.

"Okay."

Buying groceries meant going to her place. Shi He's fair cheeks reddened, but she didn't stop He Kui.

Her fiancé, aside from lacking talent, truly treated her well. For someone with He Kui's background, each Haro gifted was likely all he had. Meals were the same; unlike those who feigned status, her fiancé simply cared for her.