Go deep into the Simulated Universe

📍 Herta Space Station Supply Zone

System

You feel a ripple, a great weightlessness that makes you lose control of your limbs, and in a flurry of symbols and code, you wake up with a jolt — this is the Simulated Universe.

Screwllum

{F#Young madam}{M#Young sir}, are you alright?

Options

I'm fine.

There's sound?

Where are you?

Screwllum

That's the communication module doing its job — Herta often speaks of it as an expensive and impractical function. She often shuts it off to increase calculating power.

Screwllum

However, I maintain that the voice carries greater emotional charge than the written word.

Screwllum

I'll be staying on the outside — I need to make sure the system projections remain stable. Mr. Leonard is here as well. There's no need to worry. We will guarantee your safety.

Screwllum

You are now inside the data link of the Aether Cartridge. Look around and tell me what you discover.

Options

Uh... that hacker is right in front of me...

I think I'm hallucinating...

Screwllum

Hacker?

Screwllum

Oh...

Screwllum

Conclusion: That is a holographic record that the Simulated Universe has created. In here, regardless of how large or small, all variables are saved, including outsider traces.

Screwllum

You were right. The enemy's invasion has spread to the deepest parts of the Simulated Universe. They were only a hair away from the Aether Cartridge's data link. What we are seeing are the projections of what happened in those moments.

Screwllum

{F#Young madam}{M#Young sir}, please stay still. Allow me to see what I can do with this record...

Silver Wolf (?)

"Hey, you, why are you staring at me?"

Options

It... speaks!?

It's a real person?

What did you do?

Screwllum

I initiated the Simulation flow. This is just a record of the past — she's not actually talking to you.

Screwllum

Please listen and don't interrupt her. We may be able to find out more of what we need to know.

Silver Wolf (?)

"First off, I'm not obsessed with it. On Punklorde, the stories of the cartridge are no different from textbooks. I'm not interested in something that everybody already knows about."

Silver Wolf (?)

"Secondly, it's not some kind of video game cartridge. It's an Aether Cartridge — it's the second pair of eyes, second brain, and second heart of the hacker."

Silver Wolf (?)

"Do you understand what that actually means? With that cartridge, if a guy went to a movie premiere and bought some mixed popcorn, you'd be able to know the flavor of the fourth kernel he picked out of the bucket. It's truly amazing."

Silver Wolf (?)

"Lastly, I'm gonna say it again — I'm not obsessed with it. The reason I'm still rambling about it is to make sure that you know how amazing it really is. Do you get it now, Kafka?"

Silver Wolf (?)

"Alright, let's get going. We have to move quickly. This place is different from the rest of the space station. We're on Genius Society turf."

Screwllum

It is safe to assume that two people entered the Simulated Universe — her, and her companion.

Screwllum

Interesting. Let's see what happened next.

Screwllum

You are now taking the point of view of the companion. She will react to your behavior now.

Screwllum

That is a normal reaction. Most organic lifeforms will experience discomfort after undergoing beacon projection. What do you see?

Options

That hacker is right in front of me...

Screwllum

Hacker?

Screwllum

Oh...

Screwllum

Conclusion: That is a holographic record that the Simulated Universe has created. In here, regardless of how large or small, all variables are saved, including outsider traces.

Screwllum

You were right. The enemy's invasion has spread to the deepest parts of the Simulated Universe. They were only a hair away from the Aether Cartridge's data link. What we are seeing are the projections of what happened in those moments.

Screwllum

{F#Young madam}{M#Young sir}, please stay still. Allow me to see what I can do with this record...

Silver Wolf (?)

"Hey, you, why are you staring at me?"

Options

It... speaks!?

It's a real person?

What did you do?

Find the Aether Cartridge's data

Silver Wolf (?)

"Hmm, not what we're looking for. It's a bait signal."

Silver Wolf (?)

"Ugh, why would Herta put something like this inside the Simulated Universe? Doesn't she find it annoying when she has to find something herself?"

Silver Wolf (?)

"Never mind, I miscalculated. Let's try another sector."

Options

It doesn't seem to be going well.

Screwllum

She's actually on the correct path. She just needs to continue a little further — I trust that she too will realize this soon.

Options

I hope she doesn't...

Why are you so sure?

You seem to know her really well.

Screwllum

Indeed. However, objectively speaking, it is almost certain that she will.

Screwllum

What has happened is destined to happen again — that was my conclusion after having met her.

Screwllum

We've met only once.

Screwllum

Stellaron Hunter, Silver Wolf. We've fought against one another before. Herta was there as well — she may have mentioned it to you.

Options

I recall that you won...

I recall that she won...

I recall that it was a draw...

Screwllum

From my point of view, it wasn't a victory.

Screwllum

In Herta's words, there was no loser in that fight.

Screwllum

It was more like a test than a duel. She would attack, and I would defend — neither of us gave it our all. She wasn't able to break through my defenses and I wasn't able to stop her from leaving.

Screwllum

I never thought our next meeting would take place under these circumstances. I believe the continuation of our last encounter will soon arrive.

Silver Wolf (?)

"What the... This was the right way all along. Ugh, Herta's got some psychological tactics going on."

Screwllum

Seems like we can now continue forward.

Go deep into the Simulated Universe

🏃‍♂️

Move

Silver Wolf (?)

"Oh, back to the space station again. A riddle? Where's the skip button?"

Find the Aether Cartridge's data

Silver Wolf (?)

"A little narcissistic, isn't she? The whole space station is filled with her face — portraits, statues, even projections of herself."

Silver Wolf (?)

"I was planning on adding a mustache for her but the spray didn't work — the entire space station feels like it's made of paper but her portrait is near indestructible."

Screwllum

Hehe, she's talking about that portrait in the elevator room, no? Herta commissioned me to design an encryption tool for her — seems she ended up using it on her portrait.

Options

She said she's almost at the destination?

Screwllum

That's correct. The Aether Cartridge data is in the next room. Our pursuit is coming to an end.

Options

I have a strange feeling about this...

I have a wonderful feeling about this...

Screwllum

Yes. That incongruous feeling has persisted throughout this long pursuit.

Screwllum

She came for the Stellaron but showed a strong interest in the curios... And just as we found out about the existence of the Aether Cartridge, she just so happened to show up in the Simulated Universe.

Screwllum

I must admit, this feels less like a chase and more like a chance encounter.

Screwllum

I recall a story about Punklorde. It is said that graffiti is a special kind of symbol there. Hackers see reality as a magnificent game and attempt to finish the stage we know as "life."

Screwllum

Whether it be for competition or for joy, they leave a trail in the places they visit. One symbol after another link up to become a long, long journey that writes the game of life.

Screwllum

And would this ongoing affair not be part of such an endeavour? Perhaps this is all nothing more than a game she's decided to play with us...

Screwllum

...in which case — let us accompany her till the end.

Reach the deepest depth of the data chain