The male supporting character was actually myself.

Just like when I choose to come to the bookstore to look for clues.

Other hosts will also consider and actively seek out similar clues.

As long as one can deduce the tasks a host has performed from the experiences of certain famous figures in certain star systems, keeping a close eye on close acquaintances will naturally allow one to follow the clues.

This is also one of the few ways to find clues about other hosts throughout the entire galaxy.

Some books are only sold in bookstores, which is their way of attracting business.

For example, while I was waiting for the right opportunity, I also checked biographies and historical records of famous people, and I have already identified several suspicious targets.

"As long as a host tries to use past memories to get close to those powerful and influential protagonists, I can quickly identify them!"

“Even though he didn’t buy the kind of book you mentioned, he could still be a host!” Dumbo said seriously. “If he survived that kind of start, he might be a tough opponent if he really is a contestant!”

"Then let's kill them. It'll be perfect for completing the hunting mission." Yao Tianyu revealed a wicked smile. "I'm always forced to be a turtle by the main system. I finally have a chance to go on a killing spree. Why not take advantage of such a good opportunity?"

Killing the host will also give you clues about him, so this is a good deal.

However, I still think he couldn't possibly be the host, so there's no need to take the risk.

Just get some money from him to spend.

Dumbo flapped its ears and said in a muffled voice, "Then be careful and get out of here as soon as you're done using the items. If we become the first host to complete the Nightmare Beginning Group's main quest, we'll receive a luck bonus from the main system, which will increase our chances of encountering other hosts by 50%. Don't waste your time recklessly."

"I understand." Yao Tianyu twirled a button in his hand, then threw it on the ground at the right moment, causing a wisp of smoke to rise unseen by others. He stepped forward and said loudly, "Hey, friend! Long time no see, you're here?"

Jiang Chen, who was hit by the prop, asked blankly, "Long time no see, is there anything I can do for you?"

"I don't need much, just give me all the money you have on you." Yao Tianyu gave a non-threatening smile while glancing at the countdown timer.

One-time use B-grade item – “It seems like an old friend has come”.

After use, the target will consider you their closest friend and will be able to fulfill any non-lethal request. Note: The item's effect lasts only forty-five seconds, and the target will have no memory of what happened after regaining consciousness.

Jiang Chen frowned slightly, but his brain was clearly not quite ready. He stretched out his right hand and placed the chip on the anonymous interstellar card that the other party had prepared.

"Ding! 150,000 Star Coins deposited."

After a soft sound, Yao Tianyu's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

The countdown for the props was nearing its end, so he hurriedly grabbed the card and blended into the crowd, turning several streets before finally stopping.

"Pah! I knew this thing could never be the host!" Yao Tianyu fumed as he looked at the card with only 150,000 interstellar coins left, wincing in pain.

That's a B-grade item!

Although the time is short, it can definitely have a miraculous effect if used in the right place.

I never expected to fall for this guy!

Dumbo sighed, his ears drooping, "It really is the protagonist's halo at work; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to get so little money. The item investigation results show that he clearly awakened his racial talent, which allows him to control some spatial abilities."

Those rare and precious treasures of Aphrodite must be with me!

When we got first place, we received a hidden rule from the main system that all items that prevented the effects of other items would become ineffective. Therefore, our B-rank item could not have been weakened, so there is only one explanation—the protagonist's halo.

What a pity.

And you absolutely must stay away from him. Judging from his resume, he's very likely the protagonist of this mission world. Protagonists in interstellar worlds are all incredibly powerful; without a special aura, no amount of items will help.

"I thought I could make more money, but the nightmare start of the main system is just too damn rip-off."

Yao Tianyu spat and quickly left the area, muttering under his breath, "I was on the battlefield of fighting for territory on a level 5 planet as soon as I transmigrated here. Despite my noble status and first-class talent, I am not favored. I finally completed my mission and came to the main planet, but I have no capital at all. I have to work to earn my daily meals."

The main system is a complete jerk!

Dumbo shook his trunk and reminded everyone in a serious voice, "Watch your voice, this is an assessment!"

The main system scores each host's performance at any time. If it hears you say something so impolite, wouldn't it be easy for it to arrange for you to be killed by another host?

Yao Tianyu grinned and quickly put away the card. He found a secluded spot, transferred the money from the card to his chip, and then threw it into the trash can.

Just a dozen seconds after he turned and disappeared into the crowd, the little white cat suddenly paused slightly, "Host, why did you give that guy money?"

"What money?" Jiang Chen snapped out of his daze and quickly clicked to check the playback on the recorder.

He glanced at the man and hurriedly chased after him in the direction he had left. "Xiao Bai, hurry up and see if you can find this guy. He just used a tool on us. He's definitely the host!"

"Host? Could it be that you have some kind of racial talent?" The little white cat responded and hopped after him, while muttering to itself, "No, that's not right. Even if a racial talent can fool the host, how could it affect me?"

That's right, that guy is a host who's participating in the competition!

"How dare you lay a hand on my host and swindle him out of his money! I'll show you what I'm made of!"

Chapter Thirteen: I can't do it!

After chasing the other party for two streets without finding any trace, Jiang Chen signaled the little white cat to come back and give up the search.

Since we already have his image, we can spend a few dollars to learn all the information about him, and maybe even strike first to complete the hunting mission.

"Host, do you think he might already know your identity?" The little white cat rubbed its face anxiously and muttered, "The main planet is so big, how could it be such a coincidence? I suspect he has some kind of detection tool at his disposal, which is why he's targeting us!"

"If he was 100% certain, why didn't he just kill me to complete the hunt? You know, I've only just landed on the main planet. It doesn't matter if I don't have connections; now is the perfect time to make my move. But he just came up here to rob me?"

"Ah...that's true."

Jiang Chen quickly returned to the hotel, first checking his transfer records on the chip, and then studying the footage recorded by the recording device.

"He's definitely an experienced guy. He followed me for about ten meters after I came out of the bookstore. But I didn't notice at all. He must have been using some kind of prop to cover his tracks."

The recording equipment captured the scene very clearly; this must be him discussing something with his auxiliary system.

Judging from lip reading, they were speaking Mandarin, the language spoken in China.

He couldn't help but smile. "As expected, the hosts are most likely from the same world. Just like how we often communicate using common phrases, so does he."

That makes it easy to determine what he said.

A moment later, Jiang Chen smiled faintly, “It seems we haven’t been exposed. He used props to investigate most of the settings in my script and thought I had a lot of wealth and was trying to make a quick buck.”

Therefore, it can be inferred that he chose a starting position that was financially deficient.

Even his auxiliary system probably didn't expect that I was using the item money bag issued by the main system, where I would receive the same amount of reward as I spent. So, in reality, all the money I had on me was those 150,000 interstellar coins, while the items stored in the system space were protected by the main system and wouldn't be affected by the items.

As expected of a seasoned host, the resources and knowledge behind the items are truly abundant.

What a waste of that tool of his; he completely misused it. It could make people obey his every command, even if only for a short time, but if used well, it could be incredibly effective!

"I think he's pretty stupid. Since the prop can make people obey his every command, why doesn't he ask the host about his true identity?" The little white cat, happily munching on a bag of dried fish, muttered, "What a waste to use it for robbery!"

"There's probably some kind of restriction. We need to hurry up and find this guy. Hunting a host isn't easy. Now that we've encountered him, we can't let him go easily."

Money makes the world go round; this saying is true at all times.

Jiang Chen is least worried about money right now. As long as the price is fair and it falls within the scope of the transaction, he will accept money bags and props. Therefore, he quickly figured out the other party's background.

Yao Tianyu: A scion of a prestigious family from the fifth-level planet Buansen, who is not favored in the family because of his mother's humble origins.

The planet Bouanson is in a state of internal strife, with war raging everywhere. Although he, as a scion of a prestigious family, did not enjoy any particularly good treatment, he had to shoulder his share of responsibility and was therefore dispatched to the front lines to participate in the war early on.

Intelligence indicates that Yao Tianyu is a young man who values ​​responsibility. After being sent to the front line by his family, he worked diligently and took the lead. However, about a month ago, after successfully escaping from a battle where he was almost certain to die, he unusually abandoned his family and honor and fled from Planet Buansen overnight, eventually arriving at the main planet.

"A month ago?" Jiang Chen frowned slightly. "It seems he chose to start with a nightmare, and after eliminating the danger and completing the main quest, he chose to cut his losses and actively sever ties with his home planet."

Although there seems to be no problem from the rules published by the main system;

From his personal perspective, it's plausible. After all, being out of favor and having to risk his life makes it easy for people to develop thoughts of defection.

However, in doing so, he essentially cut off the help he could have obtained through his identity.

They wouldn't be so broke that they had to resort to robbing with props.

The little white cat slowly licked its fur and replied, "Probably because he lacks patience. It would take a lot of time for an unfavored illegitimate son to fight for favor and power through military merits! He quickly resolved the main quest and came to the main planet to prepare for the hunt. Such a choice is quite normal."

"The biggest problem now is that we can't find his whereabouts. Yao Tianyu didn't have a specific place to stay after arriving on the main star. It's really troublesome to find someone with props to hide in such a big place."

"Yes, if I can find him, I can stake out and keep an eye on him. Once it's confirmed that he's a contestant, Host, I can just take him out!"

Jiang Chen's expression faltered for a moment, then he raised an eyebrow slightly. "Staking out? You can stake out other hosts without being detected, but similarly, if we're targeted by other auxiliary systems..."

"Hiss~" The little white cat gasped upon hearing this. "That's too dangerous! What should we do, Master?"

Its fur stood on end, and its little head looked around anxiously. "Did that guy send an auxiliary system to track us? Could it be right next to us? What should we do, host? Is there anything I can do?"

"There's nothing we can do but be careful." He frowned, pondered for a moment, then shook his head helplessly.

Hopefully, Yao Tianyu didn't send his auxiliary system along, otherwise it would be impossible to defend against.

Just as Jiang Chen and the little white cat were worried about being monitored without realizing it, Yao Tianyu had already swiped his card to check into a five-star hotel.

150,000 Star Coins isn't a huge amount, but it's not a small amount either. If it's just for ordinary expenses, it's enough to splurge for several months. It's just a qualifying competition, and I believe it won't be long before it ends. There's no need to deprive myself of food, clothing, and shelter.

"The percentage increase given by the main system is meaningless!" Yao Tianyu lay comfortably on the bed, resting his head on his arm and sighing, "The main planet is so big and has so many people, tens of thousands of people pass by every day!"

Even if we have a higher probability of encountering other hosts, it's impossible to tell right away.

If all else fails, let's stake out those suspicious targets; we might be able to find something.

Hey, little elephant, it's fine if you do tasks normally, but now it's an assessment competition that concerns your own future. Can't you at least keep an eye on things for me?

The other hosts and auxiliary systems can't see you! If you're willing to go, our chances of winning will increase even more!

The little elephant, perched on the lampshade, flapped its big pink ears like a rag doll. It swayed its long trunk and said in a serious tone, "Don't always assume things like that, okay?"

If I could go, I would have gone long ago, why would I need to tell you?

I've told you countless times that I'm just an ordinary auxiliary system that can only stay by the host's side and cannot go on missions outside the host's side. Why can't you understand?

I'm not lazy, I'm just unable to. My freedom is restricted by the main system, understand?

You should be thankful that all auxiliary systems cannot act independently of their host; otherwise, if you were targeted by another auxiliary system, we wouldn't even notice!

Chapter Fourteen: Lu Xinnan's Repayment of Kindness

"Your auxiliary systems are absolutely useless!"

Yao Tianyu sighed and said with emotion, "Look at those protagonists, besides their halo, they also have systems that give out all sorts of benefits."

Many of the conditions that seem harsh on the surface are actually roundabout ways of offering benefits. Why am I so unlucky? Even in death, I'm bound to such a useless system!

When Dumbo heard that his host was about to start complaining again, he quickly flew to the chandelier to make sure his host couldn't catch him, then covered his big pink ears tightly and closed his eyes to sleep.

"You're playing dead again!" He grabbed the ashtray from the bedside table and smashed it.