Bab 16: Chapter 16: Haxxor Bunny Likes to Be More Willful
When two people are squeezed into a huge bathtub, the bathtub becomes narrower. But the distance between them also grows closer. Bronie, with her hair twisted, and Cioara, sporting the same hairstyle, exchange glances.
"I thought it would float," Bronie remarks, following Cioara's gaze, understanding what Bronie meant.
"Envious of me? But honestly, excessive size affects mobility, it's like having two melons hanging in front, quite troublesome," Cioara responds.
Listening to this rich people-like remark, Bronie rolls her eyes. "I believe in my own growth. I'm merely engaging in a scientific discussion against rumors."
"Sure, sure," Cioara dismissively responds, pretending everything Bronie said was true.
After enjoying the feast for her eyes, Bronie feels somewhat dull instead. Indeed, as a gentleman, one should have more taste. Simply not wearing anything lacks the tingling sensation, it's just pure flesh. Pretty boring. What's more interesting is the part that arouses infinite imagination.
Clearly wrapped tightly, yet leaving ample room for imagination, that's the essence of a remarkable taste. Realizing this, Bronie's gaze gradually shifts away.
"Besides running a bar, do you have any other side businesses?" Bronie inquires.
"Oh? What do you mean?" Cioara responds.
"Customers, after getting drunk, tend to be more or less outspoken, but they didn't avoid your implications at all, and their eyes towards you also have a hint of admiration," Bronie explains.
"You're quite observant, but you also have many mysteries. I asked someone to check your identity, but there was hardly any information. What does that mean?" Cioara queries.
Taking a bath together was indeed an opportunity for frankness. After all, neither side had any weapons, and they revealed themselves to each other without reservation.
"My friend once said that secrets make women more charming. We have this layer of secret between us, but it has brought us to this point," Bronie reflects.
"So do you want to confess?" Cioara asks, putting her hand on the edge of the bathtub.
"I just want to know what your plans are for the future. Do you want to continue seeking excitement in life, or do you want to build a small harbor for yourself, a comforting home?" Bronie responds.
Bronie would make different choices based on Cioara's decision. It all depended on Cioara's answer.
Hearing Bronie say this, Cioara feels strange. "Why do I always feel like you know me very well..."
"After all, there are reference objects, but don't worry, I won't treat you as a substitute for someone else. I just have some concerns about your attitude towards life," Bronie reassures.
Hearing this, Cioara also feels puzzled. "In fact... I don't know either. But there are indeed things I want to do now, so I'll do them until I find a goal."
The island has already been bought, and the subsequent construction is almost complete. It wouldn't make sense to abandon it halfway, right? Of course, Cioara also has some thoughts about what comes after that, but that's something to deal with after Honkai. But can Cioara tell Bronie about Honkai?
Cioara still finds it difficult to judge whether to tell it not not.
"I am a traveler from a Bubble World, who crossed the Sea of Quanta, so you can't find my identity information," Bronie reveals.
"Bubble World? Sea of Quanta? I think I've heard of it before?" Cioara recalls.
After all, the Lord of the World Serpent was thrown into the Sea of Quanta and couldn't return for a while. Grey Serpent mentioned this, but unfortunately, she felt that was something researchers had to deal with, so it had nothing to do with her. She didn't expect to hear such information from Bronie's mouth.
"Just think of it as another world. There are different types of worlds, and the world I'm in... is simply an Arc City wrapped in a huge dome, like an ecological fish tank," Bronie explains.
"Are you not making up stories?" Cioara questions.
"Hmm, I've had enough of finding any fun for the meantime, so I want to enjoy a peaceful life for now. I've paced myself quite nicely. So, before growing up, I don't have too many thoughts of going in adventures," Bronie elaborates.
Freed from the cage, she gained freedom, but as a result, she couldn't go back to that world. What would happen to that World after, Bronie didn't know.
But...
Perhaps...
For her own life, that world has been completely destroyed, in exchange hasn't it?
But even if Bronie try to go back, it would be impossible. After all, that world is more oppressive than a cage. Staying there for too long, and even she would inevitably go insane.
"Undertale... is it also your doing?"
After much thought, Cioara pondered many questions. If Bronie's words were taken seriously, then...
"So? I've been good to you, haven't I? Elysia says that lying isn't the best way to get along with people. Actually, I'm quite keen on changing," Bronie says.
"You..."
She spoke like Elsyia again! Which means...
"Is this Intentional?"
"Huh?"
"Like imitating Elysia's behavior? Didn't you say Russians don't deceive Russians?"
Although angry, upon seeing Bronie's innocent face and hearing the words spoken in the bathtub, her initial reaction is shock rather than anger.
Has Bronie caused any harm?
Not really.
She even introduced her to a game called "Undertale."
But her deception still exists, even from the beginning. Of course, there's more to it than meets the eye. As a hacker, being able to infiltrate the Elysian Realm and even find something like this is incredible.
"Imitating Elysia? No, no, no, how could I be like her? I feel my personality is quite distinct!"
Bronie vehemently denies any similarities with Elysia.
"But..."
"But?"
"Maybe it's because of the signet she gave me?"
"Ah~"
The signet, a symbol of approval by the Flame Chasers.
What Signet do I have? Decimation, Bodhi, Gold, Infinity, Vissicitude, and Deliverance.
But not Elsyia's signet.
Although Elysia said she liked her, she still didn't give her a signet. Perhaps there's something else about me that Elysia hasn't acknowledged, but being able to leave, become a member of the World Serpent, and undergo my transformation, isn't that enough?
After all, in history, She received quite a few Signet.
Damn it!
Thinking about it this way, it feels like a loss. But because of this, Cioara's initial caution has relaxed quite a bit.
"So, in a way, are we allies?"
"Hard to say. Our goal of opposing Honkai is still the same, but can you really say that the World Serpent and the Schicksal are allies?"
Indeed. The current state of the World Serpent is such that Grey Serpent said the Lord hesitated and was thrown into the Sea of Quantum.
Therefore, until he is salvaged, the organization must be in a dormant state.
But why remain dormant? Isn't it because of fear of being discovered by Schicksal and Anti-Entropy?
But is it the time to consider these matters?
"The game is very good."
The conversation eventually returned to the game.
"Thank you for the compliment." Bronie proudly puffs out her chest. In return, Cioara pats her head.
"Knowing that this game was made for me, I feel that in your world of bubbles, there is also a Cioara, right?"
Then Cioara sees a complex expression on Bronie's face. "Bronie said she wouldn't treat you as someone else's, so can I call you Natasha?"
"I don't mind, but your kindness makes it difficult for me not to think in that direction." "...That's true."
But Cioara's usual behavior is indeed very similar to the Cioara in the Sky City, almost identical. It's easy not to think in that direction. But would I have the same attitude when facing that Cioara? Of course not.
"If I were to treat you as that person, I definitely wouldn't have this attitude."
"Ah?"
"She just wanted me to run a bar, then spend my life in boredom, eventually dying in the hospital with a catheter, leading an uneventful life and fading into obscurity."
"It seems like there are quite a few differences between her and me..."
"But her warmth and kindness will never change, so thank you."
With that, Bronie gave Cioara a deep hug.
Although it was a bit sudden, watching Bronie embrace her, feeling the soft touch, easily stirred something soft in her heart.
"I really can't do anything with you."
"That's my way of treating people differently. If it were someone else, I would definitely argue with her until the sky falls because all she pursues is a peaceful life and a stable environment."
After that, Bronie left the bathroom, leaving only a hint of milk fragrance, proving that Bronie had been there.
She is truly a magical child.
But thinking that in every text she wrote in the game, everywhere was filled with the layers of gentleness, made Cioara feel an unprecedented feeling.
The game is fake, although it has brought many feelings.
But when Bronie's gentleness truly was shown to her, it makes Cioara feel it is real.
Without a doubt.
Bronie suddenly entered her life, and undoubtedly establishing a deep bond with her.
The game...
The story, the music, the art...
All made by Bronie herself.
It must be said, she is indeed a genius, and as a parent, the desire for a child to live a stable life is understandable, but one cannot completely ignore the thoughts of other people.
Bronie has such ability.
And her decision is quite normal.
This is Bronie's own choice, but the price of freedom is to be cut off from the past forever, so she places her inner trust in herself, but is it different?
After leaving the bathroom, Bronie had already changed into pajamas and was drinking milk at the door, as if the previous intimate moment didn't exist at all.
"The World Serpent is looking for you all over the world. Are you okay?"
Are you really okay?
She must know that everyone who comes out of there is a member of the World Serpent, and naturally, she is too.
The Lord is still not here, which means she is one among the top of the World Serpent hierarchy.
From the standpoint of the World Serpent, She should never ignore Bronie's existence.
"I'm fine. Isn't your World Serpent Lord trapped in the Sea of Quanta? Well, I'm a veteran traveler of the Sea of Quanta."
"So, are you using this method to show loyalty to World Serpent? It seems possible..."
"No, I'm going to use this method to threaten Grey Serpent. You World Serpent members shouldn't want to see Kevin stranded in the sea, right?"
This sentence shocked the Exploding Island Crow.
"You're really... bold..."
If the World Serpent really wants to salvage Kevin without any problems, it must treat Bronie well.
For a while, there was nothing they could do about her.
Unless they directly find a Herrscher Core, and then accurately locate Kevin's position in the Sea of Quanta, only then can they directly salvage Kevin.
But where in the world does such an easy to find thing exist?
She's afraid that after the Third Eruption officially begins, with the continuous arrival of Herrschers, Project Stigma will definitely fall behind in schedule completely.
Thus the threat is simple and effective, so this threat is really outrageous.
"Also, how much information do you really know?"
Or, how much information have you stolen from within the World Serpent?
"Don't worry, I don't know anything!"
Now Cioara completely understood.
True and false, false and true.
There isn't much to trust in some of Bronie's words.
"Hmph, don't be presumptuous."
"Don't worry, knowing this information doesn't mean I'll act on it. If there's any meaningless large-scale massacre, I'll consider intervening, but your World Serpent shouldn't be those kinds of people, right?"
"No, we won't be."
"Yeah, after all, I'm a genius, so it's okay to be a little willful, right?"
"I really can't figure you out."
Cioara sighed helplessly.
Bronie has a sincere side, but also a mischievous side. If it weren't for that mischievous side, Cioara would probably think of Bronie as an adult.
Perhaps it's always been like this, which is why Cioara always sees the other as a child, but a child with great power.
But is she the kind of person who gives up easily?
On the surface, she will definitely cooperate with Bronie's actions, but in the end, she will still have to help the World Serpent, after all, the World Serpent might really be able to end the Honkai, and the Honkai is her enemy, which must be dealt with.
In simple terms, if you want Bronie to do something, you definitely need a so-called level of goodwill.
"But I won't allow your Kevin to rush things. I won't compromise on this point. For the current humans, there should be more choices. What Kevin plans to do, as a human, I cannot accept."
Cioara's response was only silence.
Bronie's level of knowledge doesn't seem to matter much anymore, as there will be plenty of time for interaction in the days ahead.She will determined to get Bronie to gradually reveal everything!
Later, Bronie arrived at her room, got into bed, and patted the mattress.
"Come on, come on! I can't wait any longer!"
-----
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Bab 17: Chapter 17: The Game Because of You
Lying on the bed in her own laboratory, Mobius pondered, tossing and turning.
She still couldn't understand why the game wouldn't let her play again after just completing a genocide run.
How could it suddenly restrict access?
The game could still be launched normally, but upon opening, there was just a black screen, devoid of any content. Remembering what the inexplicable character Chara had said earlier, it seemed her save data was indeed going to be deleted.
And now? Was her game data actually deleted?
Undeterred, Mobius opened the game again, only to be met with the same black screen. Yes, Mobius thought to herself, the game shouldn't just disappear like this. Since there was still a black screen, the game must still be running normally.
Perhaps because of the genocide run's uniqueness, there were other hidden plotlines? With this in mind, Mobius sat quietly in front of the computer, arms crossed.
Five minutes passed, and Mobius felt like a fool.
Eight minutes later, Mobius grew impatient, planning to seek out Klein or Vill-V to examine the game's internal code. Since the file size hadn't changed much, it should still be usable.
Just as Mobius was about to lose her patience completely, the game finally responded!
[Interesting, you want to go back. You want to return to the world you destroyed with your own hands. You pushed everything to the brink of despair. You led this world to destruction. And yet, you cannot accept it. You think you don't have to face the consequences.]
"Yes/No"
"Stay determined, so you can continue the game... I really want to meet this developer in person. If only Elsyia hadn't protected her so well, I wouldn't have missed the chance to get close to her..."
She didn't start streaming again, but seeing that the game could continue, Mobius couldn't help but mutter to herself.
After a long ten minutes of waiting, the game finally resumed. Mobius realized that maintaining determination within the game was indeed its core.
Thankfully, as a member of the Thirteen Flame Chasers, determination was something they never lacked, so it was all worth it.
She clicked "Yes."
[Perhaps... we can still reach an agreement, as you still possess something I want. Give it to me, and I will return this world to you.]
"Yes/No"
The dialogue was cryptic, but Mobius could anticipate what would happen if she clicked "No."
Since she wanted to continue playing the game, what other choice did she have?
She clicked "Yes."
[Then it's a deal. You'll give me your soul, and I'll return this world to you.]
Immediately, the familiar opening sequence appeared, and the background music played. But Mobius's expression became somewhat subtle.
In fact, until the other party mentioned the word "soul," she hadn't realized what exactly she was exchanging.
Trading a player's soul for a game? This plot felt like there was something left unsaid.
But since the game had resumed, was there anything left to say?
Next, she would enjoy the pacifist route. Compared to the genocide route, the pacifist route was undoubtedly much simpler. Experiencing the heartwarming storyline inside would lift her spirits.
Good things always come last, don't they?
...
"Congratulations on the game's success. Even after the platform's share, the game should have made quite a profit, right?"
Since living with Bronie once, Bronie had given up on pretending.
The next day, she came over with a suitcase, acting like she absolutely had to live with Cioara.
Bronie's belongings were still pretty clean, clean enough to make Cioara suspect she had a safe house elsewhere.
And those hacker tools were probably in a safe house?
But living nearby, Cioara could also see Bronie's progress on the game.
As the game approached completion, Cioara opened SBeam and saw Bronie's game appear directly in the popup recommendations.
"Three months, fifty-three thousand sales, over ten million. How about it? Feels much easier than the grueling mercenary business, doesn't it?"
Upon hearing that there was so much money, Cioara couldn't help but feel envious.
"Forget it, I don't have the ability to make games like you do. Besides, being able to take a small game to that level almost made Dr. Mobius cry with the genocide route."
You use your talents to fill your stomach.
Cioara believed that being a mercenary was her only talent. Living on the edge of a blade and making money, this kind of thing had accompanied her throughout her life.
But making games?
Whether it's technical skills or deeply moving stories, she didn't have any of that. And that artistic style reminiscent of Spiritfarer?
That was even more out of the question. Completely impossible.
To make money from that, you probably needed a lot of capital and just invest directly in a game studio, right?
"How could Mobius, with the sharpest tongue and tsundere mouth in the Elysian Realm, cry?"
Bronie shook her head, teasingly.
Cioara can only wryly smile at this, Perhaps only non-World Serpent members could jest like this to those renowned legendary soldiers.
"To be honest, I've started to wonder how much my investment really helped your game. Your income is already off the charts."
"Your concern is indeed valid, but I don't intend to use all that money on the new game for now. I'm planning to start my own company."
"Do you have experience running a company?"
"Well, don't I have you?"
Apart from her talents as a mercenary, Cioara was also very good at managing.
A bar that couldn't cook and only served average drinks managed to stay profitable in such a lively neighborhood, largely due to Cioara's various marketing strategies.
After all, the bar named Raven's wasn't just in the Arc City. In major cities around the world, there were more or less bars opened by Cioara.
Their main focus was on branding. Maybe the quality of the drinks was average, but overall, it had become somewhat like a Starbucks-like presence.
Pretty impressive, right? That was the bar managed by Cioara.
It was a little secret that Bronie only discovered later.
"The price of hiring me is quite high. Aren't you worried that I'll just use the standard rates from the Charon List?"
The Charon List was a ranking of mercenaries. The current legend was the Silver Wolf of the Ural Mountains, but Raven also ranked among the top. She just hadn't deliberately chased that top ranking.
"So you find it too much trouble... Hmm... the price is negotiable!"
"You know me, I'm quite idle when I'm resting, but when I'm busy, I'm really busy and don't have time for those things," she said, "But my game company is also quite relaxed. I just don't know how to manage personnel. If I were to start a company..."
"Company employees work a full eight hours a day, with only three meals and snacks provided. There's only milk for breakfast, and lunch break is only one hour. Even overtime gets only triple pay, and after work, there's an hour of mandatory exercise. There's only one day of psychological counseling a week, three bonuses a year, and only two months of vacation. And the most ruthless part is, wages are raised only once every four months.
They'll definitely not be able to stand it and leave my company directly."
"Is this the standard in your hometown?"
"In my hometown, if you're a company dog, the treatment is definitely better, but I usually look down on it. After all, being a company dog is just like that for the rest of your life."
Of course, compared to the world she had lived in in her previous life, the labor laws in the Cyber Arc City were somewhat useful, and the treatment was indeed better. But generally, companies would try to make you bear a lot of debt first and then, under the pretext of high benefits and high salaries, cultivate loyal employees.
Of course, it could also plunge them into hell at any time and then come to the darker places inside Cyber Arc City for body disassembly.
"Let me guess, some people don't even have the opportunity to become company lapdogs?"
"That's true. If you're helpless and have no one to rely on, you'll either be eaten up by company tricks or be taken by some other gang to be raised like a pig."
The topic seemed to have drifted.
"So, can you help a poor, weak, and helpless little bunny? The bunny needs your help. If it weren't for you, my company would definitely be eaten up by a group of vampires. I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to keep my own employees."
"You could be a bit more confident. Like your plan just now, it was quite good and could bring great cohesion to the employees."
Bronie wasn't really familiar with this.
"Really?"
"Russians don't deceive other Russians," Cioara retorted to Bronie, a mischievous smile playing on her face.
Now Bronie felt a lot of pressure.
Damn it. Even though she said the price was negotiable, she still refused!
Bronie could only express her regret.
Were there others with management skills?
Thinking it over, Bronie figured Bronya might be a possibility. But Bronya was still the Silver Wolf of Urals, and she is probably not even ten years old yet.
Anyway, it was troublesome.
"If I want to make bigger games, hiring people to open a company is necessary. Now, Spiritfarer has been in production for so long. In the future, I want to make more interesting and larger games. Won't that mean a lot more work?"
"But you're afraid of taking too big a step, so you want someone to help you manage the company?"
"That's right. The only person I can trust in this world is probably you. Should I pull someone out of the Elysian Realm to help me manage the company?"
"Flame Chasers managing a company? Isn't that a bit of a pipe dream? Among those I've met, perhaps Mobius could barely help manage a company?"
"Her? Forget it. I'm afraid she'd embezzle company funds for her experiments, and then I'd have to take the blame when the employees end up on the streets."
"It seems we can still agree on our view of Mobius!"
Cioara's mood improved a lot after that. But she was more curious about what Bronie was planning to do next. After all, now that she had the idea of starting a company, what kind of achievements could she create on her own in the future? Cioara was quite curious.
"Mobius may have a sharp tongue, but she's focused on pursuing the infinite possibilities of life. If it weren't for her breakdown, she might really achieve her dream."
Hearing Bronie say this, Cioara felt a bit uncomfortable.
"It's precisely because of her pursuit that she could never help me manage a company. So, are you really not considering helping me?"
"No."
Cioara's answer was resolute. Bronie shrugged and gave up on the idea.
"In the end, I'll do it myself. It's really annoying. I'll have to self-study management skills, wasting a lot of my time. Actually, I'd rather put all my efforts into making games."
"Have you already scheduled when the next game will be released? Have you released pre-order information and a trailer?"
"Do you want to see?"
There was a hint of wanting to show off in her expression.
Seeing Bronie's expression, Cioara felt a bit tired. But dealing with such a person required the same tactics as dealing with Elisia.
"Maybe not!"
"Hey! Don't be like that! I brought the trailer, are you really not curious?"
"Even if I watch the trailer, it doesn't necessarily mean I'll be able to play it. And if I get itchy about it later, even the taste of the drinks you make will probably change."
"With your crappy cocktails, what taste changes are there? You might as well taste the trailer of the game. It will definitely make you feel the core theme of the game!"
Bronie quickly took out her laptop, opened it, and then found the video in the folder, clicking play.
The video played, so why refuse to watch it?
Cioara also sat down at the computer.
A soothing song played.
This was the ending theme of the game called "What Will You Leave Behind?"
From the vast sea to a giant sailboat.
The protagonist woke up with her cute cat from a warm bed.
In the morning, she made breakfast with a hedgehog and Miss Deer.
At dusk, she and her lion and shark friends refitted the ship.
At night, she dined with her frog and hawk friends.
At the end of the banquet, the protagonist embraced everyone warmly, but afterward, the huge furry lion gradually turned into golden light and dissipated in her arms.
In the end, only the protagonist was left alone at the stern, enjoying the twilight by the sea.
As time passed, friends gradually left, forming a strong contrast with the warm life before.
But the protagonist wasn't sad, just gazing at the stars and the constellations they formed.
Then the video ended.
Although it was only a one-minute short film, it described the transition from a warm daily life to a happy life and then to a calm and relieved farewell.
The pervasive warmth made people's hearts feel equally peaceful.
If the video had such an infectious quality, what would the game be like?
Cioara was indeed starting to become eager.
The anticipation for the game Bronie is preparing is palpable.
-----
AN:
For people familiar with the game, yes the dialogue maybe a tadbit different. Its because I wasn't very familiar with the game and i wasnt able to find any text script of the game unless i either buy the game or search a playthrough, but both arent possible due to time availability. So all of the in-game dialogue is from the ff itself.
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