I’ve Got this Cannon Fodder’s Back

Chapter 1 - I’ve got this Tyrant’s back (1)

Translator’s Note:

Q: Why didn’t you keep the original title “This Cannon Fodder is Covered by Me”?

A: The original title is correct, albeit a little too literal. The word 罩 does mean cover and when used in the title’s context it means ‘to protect’. The original title could mean a lot of things so I decided on changing it to better reflect the meaning specifically implied by the title.

Q: Didn’t Isotranslations already pick this up?

A: No. They released three chapters (and almost gave me a heart attack) as part of their project called Novel Wars, which is aimed at bringing other translator’s attention to dropped projects. But they are NOT picking it up as stated in their chapter releases.

I will be translating this starting from chapter 1. I will eventually be releasing this 5x a week but for now, this will be released 3x a week. I hope you all enjoy this story.

Note: I also chose this from the pick up requests page in Discord. So, you know, thank you to whoever requested for this. =)

Also, as a sidenote, I wanted to translate more chapters for a mass release but I already had 2 prospective projects that suddenly got picked up while I was working on them, so I’m posting this now to break my cycle of back luck. =)

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Chapter 1: I have this tyrant’s back

The weather was clear. Sunlight fell through the gaps in the canopy of leaves, dazzlingly bright.

Pedestrians hurried to and fro in the bustling city center. In an inconspicuous corner, the rays of light quietly intertwined until they merged into a complete human form. The form then quickly filled it up to be true and complete and in the blink of an eye it became another person, no different from all the rest.

The teenager who appeared out of thin air stood still on the street corner. On his back, he had his backpack from which he took out his glasses and put them on. He blended seamlessly into the crowd. Later turning towards the door of a five-star hotel.

According to the information provided by the system, his mission’s target was waiting for him here.

The floor paved with silvery stone slabs was spotlessly clean. In the middle of the lobby was a suspended holographic star map projection. The decor on both sides were exquisite and elegant. Even the flowers and plants were rare treasures.

“Host, this is the most luxurious hotel in Galileo! The treatment were getting for our first mission is amazing!”

Carefully sweeping his eyes over the lobby’s layout, Lu Deng took a few steps forward. A cheerful mechanical sound suddenly chimed in his mind.

The system had just been deployed and this was its first time to come out and perform a task. For it, everything was very fresh and novel. Lu Deng smiled and slightly adjusted out the red chain with the amulet fastened around his neck. This was so that the system could have a wider field of vision. “Not necessarily. Have we gotten the background of this identity yet?”

Strictly speaking, he wasn’t actually a real host, nor was he a plot character. Rather, he was a staff member of the system specializing in bugs.

Just fifteen minutes ago, Lu Deng was still at home engrossed in reviewing for the formal assessment exam for probationary government employees of the system. He was rescued from the mountain-load of problem sets by an urgent deployment to this world to deal with some complicated emergency.

The main system had promised that as long as he was able to successfully complete the task, he would be exempt from the exam. With the incentive of being able to break away from this sea of homework exercises, Lu Deng took over this urgent overtime task without any hesitation.

Recently, the system world has been dealt a heavy blow. According to the recently released “Cannon Fodder Rights Protection Law”, when the fate of a cannon fodder is found to be too miserable and tragic, its world will then be locked up and subject to an investigation. However, the plot line of each world has already been fixed. Without any additional intervention, those characters who are classified as cannon fodders can only go towards their doomed ending.

The number of staff members was limited and thus Lu Deng has been called to serve above and beyond during this time of crisis. While preserving the original plot, he must find a way to integrate into the plot line and forcibly carry back the innocent cannon fodders who were preordained to be sacrificed, changing their original destiny.

Owing to the fact that the characters in the plot were too limited, in order to allow him to fully display his abilities, every time, the main system would generate for him a character that previously did not exist in that world. It would then integrate that character into the plot in a rational and logical manner. The new character’s personality, design and future were completely Lu Deng’s to be determined.

It was difficult to get the data of a world that was under investigation. His character’s background information and the plot were still loading. Based on his past experience, such a favorable start such as this was likely hiding an unexpected turn of events. Now was not the time to relax their vigilance.

Responding to his question, the system immediately turned on the inquiry mode.

The buffering icon only made two rotations when a figure in a suit and a pair of leather shoes quickly headed towards them. The man stood in front of Lu Deng and looked him up and down. “Lu Zhiguang?”

Hearing the name he specially used for work, Lu Deng revealed a friendly smile and stretched out his hand. “Hello, I&#k2014;”

“How come you only got here now? Mr. Gu has been waiting a long time for you. Quickly come with me.”

The man had interrupted his introduction. He grabbed his arm and dragged him to the VIP passage. He spoke quickly and quietly.

“I’m Mr. Gu’s secretary, Geng. Did they explain everything clearly to you? You are to be Mr. Gu’s kept man. All the contracts have been signed. As long as you do as you are told, aside from the money given to them, the money given to you would be no less…”

Lu Deng paused slightly in his steps. His movements somewhat hesitant.

According to his superiors’ instructions, he needed only to follow in the beginning and integrate into the plot. He should attempt to rescue the target cannon fodder’s fate while ensuring the main plotline. In the event of an unavoidable incident, he may also try to replace the target cannon fodder. So long as the target is successfully protected, the task will be considered completed.

However, his superiors had not informed him that along with selling his life, he would also be selling his body!

Perceiving his movements, Secretary Geng gave him a half-threatening glance. He then suddenly pulled him harder, dragging him into a room adorned with fine rugs and aromatic candles.

With a click, the door was immediately locked and the sound of footsteps hurrying away could be heard.

The room was a bit warm. The rugs were thick and soft, the lighting was soft and dim. Fascinating decorations were placed in every corner and the perfumed candles suffused the room with a hazy glow.

Lu Deng: “…”

System:”……”

The system tremblingly sounded the alarm for security threats.

Shocked by the sudden sound of the whistled alarm, Lu Deng went dizzy. Lu Deng stopped in his tracks and turned the amulet around his neck half a circle, reducing the volume to the lowest level. “Don’t worry. Let’s first have a look around.”

Seeing the host so cool-headed despite the situation, the system couldn’t help but be weighed down with worry. It brought out the definition of a kept man and highlighted it in red. It then brought out the tutorial on how to perform an emergency world departure under special circumstances and placed it full screen on the homepage.

The secretary had only mentioned “kept man”, even the character design has yet to be determined. The situation may not necessary be dangerous.

Since he was dispatched to this world, it meant that in this world there was a cannon fodder whose end was simply too tragic. Only he himself could help change that cannon fodder’s fate. This was a very important matter.

Lu Deng did not intend to give up. But considering that this was the first time he’d encountered such an explosive setting, he planned to find an evacuation route first in case of an emergency.

Putting down the school bag from his shoulders, Lu Deng stepped on the soft rug and walked to the window. With one hand as support, he stretched out his body and deftly half-squatted over the narrow windowsill.

He was at the 11th floor of the hotel and he was pretty high up. If he used the drainage pipes and the decoration on the outer edge of the wall, under the premise that he wouldn’t utilize any add-ons, he could probably give it a try.

Lu Deng reached out one hand to the exquisitely carved window railing. He squeezed through between the railings and leaned forward, checking out several possible handholds that had been hidden from view.

The amulet slipped out and dangled to on fro hanging on the red chain. Although he had turned the volume to its lowest setting, the system’s panicked cry for help still rang in his mind.

Realizing his slip up, Lu Deng released his hand and tucked the amulet back into his collar. He was about to speak when there came a sound from the door.

Lu Deng instinctively looked over. The door that had been locked from the outside had been opened by someone coming in.

“Be careful!”

The one who opened the door an impeccably attired man. Seeing the situation in front of him, the expression in his eyes suddenly tightened. He immediately slammed the door shut and leapt over. He grabbed hold on to the shoulders and arms of the boy who was almost hanging out the window, and dragged the boy back into his arms.

The arm clasping his shoulders was strong and nimble. Lu Deng let go. With one hand firmly around Le Deng, the man turned half a circle back around and set him on the ground.

Even in the three-piece suit known for being dull and stereotypical, the man still looked quite young. He was probably no more than thirty years old. All his vigor and strength lay dormant under the seemingly neat and ordinary suit. He looked handsome and deep. His eyes were keen and sharp.

A beep sounded in his mind. The person in front of him was the target of this mission; Planet Galileo’s business giant, the head of the Gu Group, Gu Yuan.

Lu Deng stood still. He raised his head slightly to look at this grave and imposing man before him, trying to think of a plausible reason as to why he was trying to jump out the window.

Without waiting for him to straighten the matter out, Gu Yuan had already raised his hand and placed it on top of his head. He leaned over and ruffled his hair. His tone was unexpectedly gentle, “What did they say to you? Did they scare you?”

This target had a better temperament than 85% of his other mission targets. Lu Deng raised his head to meet the other’s gaze. He blinked, calmed down and said, “It’s nothing. It was a little stuffy in the room so I wanted a breath of fresh air.”

So, for a breath of fresh air, not only was he on top of the window sill, he was also almost about to fall through the railing.

Sounds fair and reasonable.

“I won’t do anything to you. So, there’s no need to be afraid.”

Gu Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly. He declined to comment and simply closed the window. He pulled the boy over to sit on the sofa and then handed him an electronic light screen.

“You can order anything you want. Ask them to bring it up within half an hour. After that, I’ll turn on the shields so no one can come in after that.”

As he spoke, he had already one handedly unbuttoned his suit. He hung his tie and jacket over the back of the chair and walked towards the bathroom.

Unexpectedly, he already began to take a shower.

They were only given half an hour. The system was desperately sounding the alarm. Lu Deng, though, turned his attention to the light screen in his hand. Chin in hand, he looked through the list from top to bottom and ordered a few dishes and snacks that looked enticing.

The five-star hotel’s service was superb. Not more than ten minutes later, there was a special dining cart that delivered the dishes and snacks.

Galileo was known for its rich and abundant natural resources. Not only did it have unique minerals, it also had extremely rich natural food resources, with lots of ingredients and seasonings that couldn’t be seen on Earth. The dishes served were cooked perfectly, making all of them smell, look and taste great. The snacks were shaped to look exquisite and lovely. The mere sight of them caused people to instinctively reach out.

Lu Deng had been dispatched before he could grab something to eat. Right now, he was really hungry. As the dishes were set on the table one by one, Lu Deng meticulously recorded the ingredients and cooking data before picking up his chopsticks and leisurely starting his meal.

The system whose very first occupants of its internal storage turned out to be a dozen or so recipes:…QAQ

The meat slices wrapped in the soup were fresh and delicious. The aroma of the simply stir-fried green vegetables permeated the room. The fish cakes had been fried to a crispy rich golden brown and the rice was glittering and translucent.

Lu Deng ate to his heart’s content. He drank a couple of sips of Galileo’s specialty vegetable-fruit juice and then wiped his lips with a napkin.

Just as half an hour passed,

The sound of running water stopped and the door to the bathroom was pushed open. Steam came rushing out.

Lu Deng turned towards the sound. Gu Yuan had already changed into loungewear. A towel hung around his neck. He raised his hand and opened the smart computer shield as walked slowly towards Lu Deng.

The neckline of the man’s shirt was slightly open, revealing strong and sturdy muscle lines. A few drops of water dripped from his hair and slid down healthy wheat-colored skin past his collar, leaving a slightly deep mark.

The system trembled with fear as it shook the little bell to remind the host to watch out for his own safety. Lu Deng thought it over for a while and decided to respect the system’s opinion. He rummaged around in his pocket, took out a piece of toffee and handed it over.

Gu Yuan was taken aback. He stopped and cast his deep eyes on him.

The youth sitting at the table had clear eyes, pure and clear like obsidian. His features were soft, delicate and beautiful. He had yet to reach his full height and was obviously just a young student.

The hand stretched out towards Gu Yuan was opened wide. In the center of his palm lay a piece of candy that appeared to be being offered to him.

He hadn’t touched this kind of children’s food for a long time. He wanted to blurt out a polite refusal but when his eyes met the shine in the other’s sleek back pupils, he unexpectedly found himself raising his hand, pausing and then taking the candy.

The boy in front of him didn’t seem to be afraid of him at all. Seeing that he took the candy, the boy’s features spread out, his lips pursed and he let out an attractive smile.

Gu Yuan’s eyebrows rose slightly. Grasping the back of the chair, he leaned forward, covering the boy within the encirclement of his arms. He lowered his voice slightly, “Aren’t you afraid of me?”

Lu Deng retracted his hand and shook his head slightly.

When it came to predicting and perceiving danger, he had an intuition far sharper that of ordinary people’s. But Lu Deng did not sense anything in Gu Yuan that would require him to heighten his vigilance.

Now, he was being so brave. Just why did he almost jump out that window just now?

A faint smile quickly flitted past Gu Yuan’s face. He stood up. As before, he towered above Lu Deng as he looked at him, “Did you bring your schoolbag?”

Lu Deng nodded. He leaned forward to pull over his schoolbag. His obedience seemed to satisfy Gu Yuan very much. Gu Yuan nodded slightly and continued to instruct him, “Open it.”

Hearing the tone of his voice, the system became more nervous. “Host! Host! There must be [—beep—] in the schoolbag! Don’t take it out!”

Lu Deng didn’t understand. He took the schoolbag, and replied to the system in his mind, “Must be what?”

…

Don’t tell me it’s still homework!

[–Beeeeeeeeeep–] Of course it’s a small tool for doing THAT kind of thing!

The last crackdown on the system world had been too severe. Even this already incomparably cryptic statement was unexpectedly shielded by the smart censors.

The system was so worried, it was almost reduced to error codes. While it was trying its best to think up of a way to remind his simple-minded host, Lu Deng had already put his hand in.

He then…took out a set of problem worksheet from the schoolbag.

System:”……”

Lu Deng: “…”

Gu Yuan nodded in satisfaction. He took the exercise sheets and riffled through them. He spread them out on the table and turned up the lights to make them brighter. “Okay, do your homework.”

The author has something to say: #……#

#Too careless#