Sorry for no uploads, busy for the whole week.
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Before Durandal entered the Sea of Quanta, Otto had already heard the story of Haxxor Bunny's experiences in a Bubble World.
She mentioned that she would turn it into a game and put it online while assuring everyone would love it.
However, upon seeing the game titled Outer Wilds and entering it, witnessing that merely wearing a spacesuit jetpack could directly propel one out of the atmosphere, Otto seriously doubted the authenticity of Bronie's claims.
Nevertheless, after obtaining the launch key of the spaceship and venturing into the boundless space, witnessing planets orbiting the sun and comets streaking across the sky, leaving long trails in the universe, Otto also grew immensely curious.
The universe, that unknown expanse, was indeed beautiful...
However, just as Otto was preparing to explore the nearby Giant's Deep, a soothing and prolonged background music suddenly began playing.
Strange, could something have happened?
Suddenly, Otto remembered Bronie's earlier mention that the Star System was constantly maintaining a twenty-minute cycle, with the sun repeatedly exploding, then recovering, and then exploding again.
Subsequently, Otto hastily maneuvered the spacecraft and directed his gaze towards the sun.
The sun began to shrink gradually, and after contracting to a point, it expanded rapidly!
Though space appeared vast, the explosion of the sun swiftly, albeit somewhat slowly, seemed to envelop the entire solar system.
The sluggishness was due to the immense expanse of the universe, causing the expanding sun to appear somewhat slow as it continued to spread.
And the rapidity was because the spacecraft had nowhere to escape; regardless of how fast it traversed through space, it couldn't elude the expanding sun.
Ultimately, the spacecraft was engulfed by the firelight, and the protagonist woke up again by the bonfire, witnessing the space station on the Deep Giant Star explode once more.
It felt like everything was a dream.
Otto controlled the character and attempted to roast another marshmallow over the fire, but it caught fire and instantly turned into charcoal. After the protagonist ingested it, he couldn't help but gag.
Well, Otto hadn't succeeded in roasting the marshmallow properly last time.
Perhaps it was because it was too close to the fire.
However, the explosion of the sun did indeed pose a puzzle to everyone.
Furthermore, this time, when the protagonist directly initiated the spacecraft, the companion next to the bonfire would inquire about why he knew the password.
In essence, the protagonist's death was not simply a resurrection according to the game rules, but a return to the past.
Of course, the game's guidance was also excellent. Each time they reached a planet, the navigation log inside the spaceship would update, describing many puzzles that couldn't be understood and summarizing them all.
As all the clues were collected, the puzzles of the entire solar system, the issue of the sun exploding, the intentions of the Nomai people, and the matter of the so-called Quantum Moon would all be revealed.
Otto gradually became immersed, while Miss Amber grew increasingly worried.
There was no way around it; who made Otto the Schicksal Archbishop?
She could only offer suggestions, as it was absolutely impossible for her to command the Archbishop to work.
Thus, Amber could only quietly watch beside Otto, and when Otto grew thirsty, she had to fetch water herself.
"Amber."
"Your Grace, there are still many documents for you to process."
"Documents are not important. I just feel having you by my side is truly wonderful."
Instantly, Amber's face flushed.
No, why would the bishop say this kind of thing!?
"This game when played alone always evokes a very lonely feeling. I must say, Bronie really excelled in creating the atmosphere. If it weren't for you standing by my side, I fear I would be deeply affected by this loneliness."
The stars were lonely, the universe was vast; it was only after experiencing this game that one could truly comprehend the loneliness among the stars.
It made one hesitate and lose patience.
But with someone by your side, it was different.
Of course, there would also be some individuals who would become enamored with the feeling of exploring the universe alone. Everyone's personalities were different, yet when faced with this game, they all inevitably became addicted.
Why did the sun explode?
Why did time rewind?
What experiences did the Nomai undergo in the past?
And that Ghost Matter, why did it appear out of nowhere in the Nomai's civilization, and why did they encounter such occurrences?
With exploration and puzzle-solving, more and more mysteries arose.
Crossing oceans, flying through storms, journeying to the depths of planets, facing the Anglerfish in the Dark Bramble, and encountering the little green skins that would attack the spacecraft after docking in specific locations.
The green skins were later added by Bronie, mainly to recreate a wave of joyful explosions in the starry sky and to provide players with a slightly different surprise, making them experience how Aha blew up the Astral Express.
When all the puzzles were solved, when all the goals were determined.
The last twenty minutes will be the most thrilling and competitive cycle ever.
Because players need to obtain the device that allows them to travel back twenty minutes, and once they acquire it, death will permanently end the game.
Advancing along the planned route, heading to the deepest part of Dark Bramble, the Nomadic people's spaceship, and finally using the coordinates found in previous cycles to activate the Nomai's final spaceship to reach the interior of the so-called Eye of the Universe.
After entering the Eye of the Universe, everything will be reset, and a vibrant universe will be reborn.
In the midst of that universe, all the extraterrestrial beings encountered during the journey gather around the bonfire, playing the theme song of the game.
In that originally lonely melody, the ensemble creates an extraordinary effect.
Everyone sits together to celebrate the protagonist's arrival at the Eye of the Universe, and as the protagonist finds them, they gather around the bonfire to roast marshmallows, marking the end of the game.
Above the bonfire, there is a void resembling a quantum satellite, and diving into it leads to the final conclusion.
Otto controls the protagonist to fly into it, and then everything in front of him rapidly shrinks, from forests, to planets, to the solar system and the galaxy!
Finally forming a point, bursting into a dazzling light!
And the protagonist is completely torn apart by the shock of the explosion, losing all ability to move.
A new universe gradually takes shape, rejuvenating the once declining universe, just like the passing on of the torch through generations.
The rolling credits list, except for Haxxor Bunny, there is only Haxxor Bunny, nothing else.
There have long been doubts online, but no one can prove that what Haxxor Bunny said is false.
After the credits, the spaceship's log opens, revealing a new puzzle.
[Who blocked the signal emitted by the Eye of the Universe?]
And there are more clues at the place where the spaceship launch code is obtained.
These are hints that have never appeared in the game before, a photo of the solar system clearly showing the appearance of every planet, but with an unknown shadow in the upper right corner of the sun.
After that, there is more investigation to be done, more things to do.
This indeed gave Otto a very big surprise. It's like...
After exploring for dozens of hours, Otto thoroughly explored every corner of the solar system, only to discover that there are still many secrets in this solar system!
Timber Hearth, the protagonist's home planet, and all the secrets actually started from a photo, an observation satellite, and an observation station.
...
"Once again, she has created a masterpiece, Haxxor Bunny... really..."
In the Elysian Realm, Eden swayed the wine glass in her hand, and Elysia accompanied Eden, who had just reacted from the cosmic explosion.
Because this time they were playing a single-player game, Elysia's plan was to move the computer next to Eden and experience it together while also having a chat.
But who would have thought that as they played, they both became immersed in it, and with the data memory body not needing sleep, they spent a full two days during which there was almost no communication.
However, Elysia progressed relatively quickly in the game, so after entering the Eye of the Universe, new plotlines unlocked, and Elysia waited for Eden to also arrive at the end of the universe.
"It's really a romantic game, isn't it?"
"Yes, when we gaze at the stars, they're there, so distant yet so magical. Each planet is designed so interestingly, but I can't help but doubt if there really is such a Bubble World in the Sea of Quanta."
Eden heard from Bronie that this story was rewritten based on a Bubble World in the Sea of Quanta.
"In fact, the ending of that Bubble World might not be as good as in the game because of that so-called Ghost Matter."
At this moment, it seems that Vill-V came to the lounge for a walk, taking a stroll outside always helps relieve the pressure.
Looks like she is currently The Conductor.
"Why do you say that?"
Elysia naturally knew about this Ghost Matter, which caused the destruction of the Nomai.
If the protagonist approached, there would be a very obvious feeling of coldness, and direct contact could even lead to death.
"Bronie has said before that the Sea of Quanta is extremely dangerous, and some Bubble Worlds may be attacked by external forces and prematurely enter destruction. Although the forms are different, the data on the solar station indicates that the Star should have a lifespan of one billion years, but now it appears to have prematurely entered the end of its lifespan."
Vill-V has always been very sensitive to data, especially the data directly provided on the solar station, which clearly states that the sun should have a lifespan of one billion years, but now it seems to have prematurely entered a state of destruction.
Undoubtedly, the explosion of the sun did indeed end in the form of a star's last cries, the end of its lifespan, but whether there was any external force involved is unknown.
Perhaps this is also the self-rescue process of the Eye of the Universe?
"Ah~ I see, I'm really curious now. What kind of choice did Bronie make in the end? But..."
"But this Ash Twin Project, why didn't Bronie study it more and collect more data?"
Vill-V's complaint is understandable.
After all, for scientists, achieving time travel through scientific techniques is something that has driven countless scientists crazy.
For Otto, it also has a very terrifying attraction. Just one sun can go back twenty minutes?
With so many stars in the galaxy, if enough are collected, can it be done in five hundred years?
Can it be done in fifty thousand years?
"I've asked similar questions!" Elysia said.
"What did she say?"
Vill-V was very curious.
"She said that the laws inside each Bubble World may actually change, some have specific laws, and Bronie said she observed that the solar system inside the Bubble World is constantly being destroyed and restored, not so much time travel as she thought."
"Ah~" Vill-V suddenly realized.
Well, games don't represent reality, and according to the game's playability, artistic processing is often the case.
What the Bubble World inside the Sea of Quanta is really like, I'm afraid only Bronie who saw in person knows.
And this Eye of the Universe, maybe it's the legendary Ether Anchor!
She didn't expect that some Bubble Worlds would have such Ether Anchors, and in order to continue their existence, they would undergo annihilation.
This is an opportunity created by two races, and in the actions of the third race, redemption for the universe is achieved.
As for which three? Nomai, The Strangers, and the Hearthians represented by the protagonist.
"The game is really well done, and now I really want to design a spaceship that can travel through the universe with Bronie."
Vill-V wants to reward Bronie, but Bronie said she wants a train that can travel in the universe in the future, with the rear carriage specifically for traveling companions, and the more companions she encounters, the longer the train becomes.
At first, Vill-V thought this was too troublesome, completely making things according to Bronie's preferences, which didn't quite fit Vill-V's principles of making things.
Vill-V's inventions are all based on passion. She only does what she likes and is interested in.
To be honest, she has already made the Second Divine Key, The Cosmic Juggernaut before, and Vill-V hasn't had much interest in them for a long time, so she doesn't plan to make them for Bronie.
But now, Bronie's game has successfully aroused Vill-V's desire to explore the universe, and this desire is very strong!
From the memories of not knowing where it was thrown, Vill-V found the design drawings of Cosmic Juggernaut, but first she stored them temporarily and waited until the resurrection plan was truly implemented before giving them to Bronie.
After all, making that thing would consume quite a few resources.
"The Nomai are rational and optimistic. When the universe is about to come to an end, and the Eye of the Universe emits waves to attract even the people outside of the Universe, they rushed to the scene without hesitation. Even if the spaceship crashes, they will develop in place, seeking the only plan to save the universe. Bronie has brought us a very brave and exploratory story that deeply moved us. I'm starting to look forward to what will happen next. To be honest, I don't think there will be much sequel after the game ends."
Eden heard Vill-V's decision and couldn't help but smile knowingly.
Yes, Vill-V's curiosity has been aroused, and so has hers.
Although the universe is vast, scanning each planet with a scanner every time a common song is played on different planets, isn't this also a kind of romance?
The whole game, whether in terms of story or puzzle solving, is filled with romance, except for Anglerfish, of course.
...
In the teacher's office of the St. Freya Academy, Welt sat quietly livestreaming in front of the computer. "So, let's see what Haxxor Bunny wants to say to us after this complete story."
Want to read advanced chapters? go to my patréon for up to the current available chapters: Chapter 221.
patréon.com/PorterOfSomething
After completing his first playthrough of the game, Welt thought the game would end there. But little did he know that after entering the Eye of the Universe, there was still another surprise waiting.
Returning to the game menu, he noticed the option for "New Game+."
Upon selecting it, he found himself in the familiar deep space, witnessing the explosion of the space station once again. And there by the comforting bonfire, he embarked on the new game.
However, in this new game, the protagonist found that the launch code he knew was now incorrect. Consequently, he had to return to the original space center to observe the launch code.
While on the way to the space center and passing by the museum downstairs, he noticed a photo of the entire solar system. However, there appeared to be a shadow on the photo, representing a new celestial body beyond all known solar system planets.
After obtaining the correct launch code and returning to the spaceship, he found that all the logs from the previous cycle were still intact.
But to his surprise, a new puzzle had emerged in addition to the existing entries: the mystery of the shadow seen in the museum.
Following the clues and locating the specific coordinates where the photo was taken, Welt also spotted the mysterious shadow. It conveniently obscured the sun.
Summoning his courage, Welt flew towards the shadow. As darkness gradually enveloped his vision, he finally saw what was hidden within the darkness: a massive space station!
No, judging by the scale of the planets in the entire game, it appeared to be some kind of artificial world roughly the size of a planet.
Docking his spaceship inside, Welt discovered that the technology within was highly sensitive to light. Using the flashlight on his spacesuit, he could activate various mechanisms, such as the main gate of the entire space station.
Entering through the gate and passing through darkness, everything suddenly became clear. It was a spacious and vibrant environment, completely different from the architecture of the Nomai. It seemed to be a circular world built by another alien race, resembling a gigantic wheel. The edge of the wheel served as living quarters, while a massive river flowed along it endlessly.
As Welt floated along the river on a light-controlled wooden raft, he couldn't help but marvel at Bronie's exquisite design.
"I have to say, Bronie has never disappointed in designing scenes, whether it's the Twin Planets or the Intruders. It's all very impressive. And within these twenty minutes, I'm sure the interior of the space station will undergo some special changes. So, before we explore, let's take a quick look around this space station along the river," Welt remarked.
The game continued, with exploration at its core. This process might be lengthy, but exploring with curiosity always made one forget about time.
Bronya also played the game quickly. Bronie told her that watching videos would detract from the fun of the game.
To learn and trailblaze, knowledge was the only way to unlock the mysteries of the universe.
After entering the Eye of the Universe for the second time, Bronya truly understood why her sister never let her watch when she was making the game. Because after truly starting to play this game, the shock brought by the game could be enjoyed, in the end, could only be described in two words: romantic.
"Sister Bronie, I've finished the game!" Bronya exclaimed.
When Bronya entered the Eye of the Universe for the second time, at the bonfire at the end of the universe, there was another Deerhead alien playing again.
In the echoes of the second playthrough of the game, as the exploration deepened, the protagonist needed three passwords to unlock the final puzzle. However, the passwords had already been destroyed. The real way to solve the puzzle was the knowledge learned during the exploration.
"The secret to unlocking these three passwords is to learn to face the unknown, face fear, and face death. This is also my understanding of the Path of The Elation. I wonder if Aha will be satisfied with this explanation," Bronie pondered aloud.
"To face the unknown, fear, and death..." Bronya reflected.
In the past, Bronya didn't quite understand death. In her concept, death meant dying, the end of life, with nothing afterward. But with more knowledge and connections, Bronya couldn't view death the same way as before. Bronie indeed developed a fear of death and also a respect for it.
"[How about this, Aha will let you be the Elation?] Aha suddenly suggested, dropping a red mask, undoubtedly the very iconic mask Aha wore.
"Don't, I'm not really interested in becoming an Aeon. Quickly take it back, take it back!"
[Hahaha! Aha is being rejected, how embarrassing! But Aha has decided to reward Bronie with something!]
As Aha spoke, a game cartridge dropped in front of Bronie.
The game cartridge looked very similar to those used for the NES, but the pictures and words on it were unfamiliar to Bronie.
"What is this?" Bronie was very curious.
The things given by the Aeon shouldn't be anything bad, right?
["I don't know, a game cartridge?"]
Aha didn't say anything else, and Bronie wasn't sure if Aha was busy.
Picking up the cartridge, Bronie had a guess in her mind.
"Maybe... I know what this is."
"What?"
"Well... Punklorde. There's a planet in the universe where the line between reality and imaginary is much blurrier than other places. In such world, countless hackers believe that life is just a game. They wander through cyberspace, using ether editing techniques to rewrite reality. However, among these hackers, there was a genius who accidentally left his hometown, a newbie village, and arrived in the vast universe to become a legendary hacker known for upholding justice as a wandering cyber pirate. In the end, he left behind this ether cartridge, which records his life, his thoughts, everything about him."
Listening to Bronie's explanation, Bronya's eyes widened.
"Wow, let's open it and see!"
"I'm sorry, Bronya, but I currently don't know the programming language of Punklorde, nor can I understand its text. As for ether editing technology, I'm even less familiar with it. I'm more of a self-taught kind of person, so for now, this thing can only be treated as a collectible, and it might even offend some people."
"Huh? Offend who?"
"Herta from the Genius Society, for one. She's quite a big deal in the universe. And there's also the possibility of angering Silver Wolf, a wanted criminal with a bounty of several billion, who might join the Stellaron Hunters in the future. Offending two sides, truly befitting of The Elation."
If you calculate the timing, Silver Wolf is definitely still playing in Punklorde right now, but who knows what the future holds?
Bronie didn't feel much discomfort holding onto this hot potato. Instead, she was a bit excited.
Yes, this was a gift from the Aeon which aligned very much to Bronie's taste.
A genius among geniuses, using ether editing technology to leave his hometown and become a wandering cyber pirate who upholds justice in the universe, then ending his journey under the gaze of his companions.
Everything he experienced could be incorporated into the simulated universe, becoming an essential cornerstone of the simulated real universe.
This alone was enough to illustrate the importance of this thing.
Of course, this kind of gift also came with hidden fun, which was probably what Aha wanted to see.
"So, Sis Bronie, let's crack it!"
"Hmm, you can give it a try. Anyway, it won't hurt you, but I think the data inside must be very large, so be careful not to connect it to your brain and personally experience the other person's life. If you don't recognize yourself by accident, I'll be very sad."
"So, Sis Bronie, you mean the data inside might possess Bronya's body?"
"It's possible, who knows~"
Listening to Bronie's vague answer, Bronya felt annoyed, but didn't know what to say. After all, she wasn't proficient in programming, and even less so in handling this game cartridge.
Moreover, as Bronie said, this was an ether cartridge made with ether editing technology.
What is ether?
It's the basic substance inside the Sea of Quanta.
It can resonate with various thoughts at any time and transform into something.
It can also to some extent modify reality and create reality.
This thing, Bronya couldn't touch it now.
So, Bronya reluctantly returned the cartridge to Bronie.
"When Bronya becomes powerful in the future, she'll slowly analyze these things. But, Sister Bronie, do you have such things?"
"Me? I don't know anything~" Bronie responded with a subtle smile.
Bronya wanted to pin Bronie down on the bed, tie up her limbs, and make her honestly answer.
But forget it.
She can't win.
In terms of physical development, Bronya is indeed growing, and even the signs of female growth, the monthly visits, have appeared.
But in the current situation, Bronya still feels her growth is far from enough.
This time, Bronie directly made the Outer Wilds DLC, but she didn't say it directly. It was only unlocked during NG+.
Just when all the players thought the game was over, another surprise suddenly came up.
This caused quite a stir on the internet.
The altar fell on Bronie's head again, and this time, there weren't many players discussing the plot, but rather a unanimous focus on reading comprehension and various discussions.
Strategy?
There might be game guides, but before all the gaming guide videos, all the broadcasters unanimously advised players to personally experience the game.
Yes, Outer Wilds is this kind of game, no, strictly speaking, it should be considered an artwork. It perfectly demonstrates to players the romance of exploration, the usefulness of knowledge, and the unknowns of the universe.
Now, it's time to rest for a while. Bronie temporarily put the cartridge aside and opened her computer for some routine searching.
As long as it's related to Bronie, Bronya can see it.
A lot of praise!
Cool!
As for the theme of the next game, Bronie focused on the cartridge.
"I wonder how Kiana is doing. She should be able to take care of herself, right? If she really encounters a tough opponent she can't beat, Sirin should step in to help..."
With her mind in a mess, sometimes thinking about Kiana, sometimes about the ether cartridge.
But this is inevitable. Both sides are very important to Bronie. The ether cartridge involves Bronie's future understanding of the world, while Kiana involves the issue of the future Herrscher of Finality.
Finally, Bronie shifted her attention to her phone and prepared to contact Kiana.
But at that moment, AE contacted her directly.
This should be Tesla's private number.
"Hey! Bronie! Do you have any plans related to space exploration recently?"
"Whether I have any plans depends on whether I have enough resources to do it. But unfortunately, recently, the exploration plan for the Imaginary Tree has consumed a lot of my resources. It's impossible to spare more energy and resources to explore anything called 'space'."
"You, you're quite cunning! Who taught you that? And do you have the ability to develop space travel technology? Didn't you say that there's an abundance of imaginary energy outside the solar system, making it difficult to leave the solar system?"
"In fact, these are all insignificant. And I think you should have seen the magic show I performed over Thames, right?"
"What the hell was that? Are you finally willing to tell us?"
Previously, Tesla and even Einstein had asked Bronie about it, and it definitely wasn't a magic show, but something left behind by a possible ancient civilization.
But the whole process didn't cause much of a sensation. Instead, Schicksal, like a shark smelling blood, went straight for it. In the end, Bronie and Schicksal reached some kind of unknown agreement.
Later, Welt also tried to inquire, but Bronie was very tight-lipped.
"The Second Divine Key, a part of the Cosmic Juggernaut, but that part isn't important, the core part hasn't been found yet."
"What?!"
Tesla was furious.
If there's the Cosmic Juggernaut, can't they use it to go to the so-called Cocoon of Finality on the Imaginary Tree?
Tesla and Einstein had also considered one thing, how to reach the Cocoon of Finality.
But both of them thought of using the power of the Herrscher of the Void, only now that it had turned into K423, it wasn't easy to act directly.
Siegfried wouldn't allow it, Welt wouldn't allow it, and Bronie, probably wouldn't allow it even more.
"Okay, okay, I know what you guys are thinking. Anyway, the Cosmic Juggernaut is indeed planned to be used in future space travel plans, but before dealing with the Honkai, nothing else will be considered. But why did you suddenly think of this? Is the Honkai solved? Just thinking about doing those things..."
"It's because of you! That Outer Wilds... although there are many things in it that feel very far-fetched, I have to admit, you made a good game..."
"You're playing my game instead of piloting mechs at Anti-Entropy HQ? Do you really think the situation inside Anti-Entropy is good? Recently, I found some strange places in the flow of funds in Anti-Entropy, and recently, the new members of Anti-Entropy seem to have a rogue style, and they like to cause trouble."
"You! You don't need to worry about AE's affairs! As for the issue of funds, it's just that there has been some progress in researching your so-called ether particles recently, but I accidentally consumed a little too much, that's all, it's normal capital manipulation!"
"Yeah, yeah! I hope your so-called normal capital manipulation is completely under your control."
Want to read advanced chapters? go to my patréon for up to the current available chapters: Chapter 221.
patréon.com/PorterOfSomething
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