章 26: Fooling a Hacker at Her Own Game part 2
Continuing where we left off...
*****************
Jalena and I opened our eyes and saw that we were no longer in Herta's office and were now inside the Simulated Universe.
Screlllum: Ritsuka and the young madam, are you all okay?
We heard Screwllum's voice coming from all directions, but Jalena wasn't paying attention to Screwllum's voice.
Jalena: Wow, what was that? Huh? How did we end up here? Is this the Simulated Universe?
Ritsuka: You hit the nail on the head, Topaz. Yes, we're okay, Screwllum.
Screlllum: You two are now inside the data link of the Aether Cartridge. Look around and tell me what you discover.
Ritsuka:Our hacker is right in front of us.
I say this looking at the hologram of Silver Wolf that is clearly visible.
💭 Also, is it just me or did I feel something strange when I arrived in the Simulated Universe?
The moment I opened my eyes I felt a familiar presence, but it was too quick for me to identify it.
Screwllum:Hacker? Oh... 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. 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.
💭Hmm... So Silver Wolf managed to enter the Simulated Universe temporarily... That's impressive. It was to be expected coming from someone who's part of the Stellaron Hunters.
Screwllum: Ritsuka and Young Madam,please stay still. Allow me to see what I can do with this record...
Silver Wolf:Hey,you,why are you staring at me?
We saw Silver Wolf's hologram turning towards us and we heard her speaking, taking Jalena a bit by surprise.
Jalena:Wait a minute is the hologram talking now?
Screwllum:I initiated the Simulation flow. This is just a record of the past. She's not actually talking to you. 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. Scondly, 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.
💭Hmm.... It still seems to me like she's very interested in this.
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 kernel he picked out of the bucket. It's truly amazing. 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?
Ritsuka: Of course she was talking to Kafka.
Jalena: How do you know the two Stellaron Hunters?
Ritsuka: I met them both while going after Herta's Stellaron. We talked a bit and I was able to get a good impression of their personalities. Kafka is a person who hides her feelings well behind her back and show has a dangerous smile and Silver Wolf is a bratty hacker who is looking for entertainment and enjoying life.
I say this by giving my impression of the two and I could notice a subtle and strange movement coming from Silver Wolf's hologram as if she reacted to my comment about her.
💭Oh? How interesting....
Jalena: Why did you leave two criminals run away if they were in front of you?
Jalena said this looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
Ritsuka: Let's just say that a greater force made me think twice about what to do with them.
I say this being completely vague, something that Jalena easily notices and she lets out a sigh.
Jalena: Okay. Keep your secrets.
Ritsuka: Moving on. Screwllum! Let's continue with our investigation.
Screlllum: You're now taking her partner's point of view. She'll react to the behavior of both of you.
We follow Silver Wolf's hologram and she takes us to a point where we have to choose which path of power to choose.
Silver Wolf: Fork in the road, huh? I got this. Wanna pick one first? Give your beloved instincts a try...
Ritsuka: She really likes to talk.
I say this while standing with my arms crossed looking at Silver Wolf's hologram.
Jalena: In my opinion, I like that. Sometimes having someone talkative is good to ease the tension on a work mission.
Silver Wolf: Wrong choice. The correct answer is the path on the right!
We went to the path Silver was indicating, which ended up taking us to a sector where it is possible to see an orb of light in the middle, but it is just a bait signal.
Silver Wolf is disappointed that she fell for it, but she said she will try again.
Jalena: It doesn't seem like her search is going well.
Screwllum: Actually, she is on the right path. She just needs to continue a little further. I trust she will understand this soon.
Jalena: You seem to know this specific Stellaron Hunter well.
Jalena said this, becoming curious about what Screwllum knows about Silver Wolf.
Screwllum: We only met once. Stellaron Hunter, Silver Wolf. We fought against each other before. Herta was there too. She may have mentioned it to Ritsuka once.
Ritsuka: Yes. She told me a little about it, if I remember correctly there was a draw, right?
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. I never thought our next meeting would take place under these circumstances. I believe the continuation of our last encounter will soon arrive.
As Screwllum expected, Silver Wolf discovers that she is on the right path she wanted and we continue to follow her which ends up taking us back to the space station.
Silver Wolf continues to guide us to her destination which takes us to another sector where it is possible to see a miniature of Herta on the way.
Silver Wolf:Finally,almost there. Ha. There's even a miniature Herta over here. A little narcicissistic,isn't she? The whole space station is filled with her face. Portaits,statues,even projections of herself. 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 portait is near indestructible.
Ritsuka: A little narcissistic is an understatement. Everywhere I go in the station there is always someone praising Herta saying how "amazing" she is besides her damn fan club being a bunch of demanding rich kids who are nothing but a bunch of idiotic fools!
I say this letting out some of my frustrations that I keep having at the station and Jalena looks at me with a pitying expression.
Jalena: It seems that being Herta's famous and mysterious Assistant Director is not easy.
Ritsuka: You have no idea, Topaz, what it's like to put up with Herta twenty four hours a day.
💭 That's why I decided to prank her by taking one of her copies that was not in use and reconfigured the copy to be my maid for a while, I even dressed the copy in a maid uniform. Herta's reaction when she found out about this was a wonder to behold. Although she didn't destroy the copy I had set up, perhaps she liked the maid uniform I put on her?
(Photo)
Ritsuka: Her breasts were small for a doll, though.
I say this part muttering to myself, but I feel a suspicious look coming from Jalena.
Jalena: Did you say something, Ritsuka?
Ritsuka:I didn't say anything. Anyway! Screwllum. Silver Wolf said she's almost at her destination?
Screwllum: You're right. The Aether Cartridge data is in the next room. Our pursuit is coming to an end.
Ritsuka: Finally. I want to solve this case as soon as possible.
Jalena: I have to admit that I'm enjoying this pursuit mission. It's a new thing compared to what I do at work.
We went to the last path that Silver Wolf takes us to the place where the Astral Express is. Arriving there, we found what we were looking for.
Screwllum: Look, we found it. The Aether Cartridge is here and It's perfectly intact.
Screwllum said that, but Silver Wolf's hologram is still present.
Jalena: That's good, but something's not right.
Screwllum: There is an unwelcome forth party here with us. If what we are seeing constitutes past images of Silver Wolf, then for her to have done It this far would've entailed the disappearance of the cartridge. We can only assume that the facts don't align with the theory.
Ritsuka: She did manage to hack into Herta's office, but she didn't stay there for long. No matter how good at hacking things you are, searching for something in a vast place like the Simulated Universe would be impossible. Unless...
Silver Wolf:Unless she had someone to guide her there.
Silver Wolf's hologram speaks to us directly, revealing that it is the real Silver Wolf who was guiding us.
Jalena: Hm... I can't say I expected this turn of events. I admit you had me, Stellaron Hunter.
Ritsuka: I suspected it was the real Silver Wolf talking to us. She's good at disguising herself, but she's not immune to insults.
Silver Wolf: Hmpf. I should have suspected that you already knew about the situation. You're not called the "Wild Card" for nothing. At least I managed to fool a member of the IPC.
Jalena: But how did she manage to enter the Simulated Universe with us?
Ritsuka: Simple. She used that graffiti that Leonard was hunting as a backdoor and as a way to monitor his progress. The moment we entered the Simulated Universe, she simply followed the trail we had left for her to enter.
💭Although she's not responsible for that strange feeling I felt earlier...
Jalena: So you two knew all about this from the beginning?
Ritsuka: I didn't know anything. I just analyzed the situation that was present to me, created my theories and waited for the conclusion to unravel the case.
Screlllum: I'm sorry. Herta forbade me from disclosing any information beforehand. She made it clear that knowledge would not be paramount to this operation, but rather the lack of It.
Screwllum:Well then,were you satisfied with this Simulated Universe journey.... Miss Silver Wolf?
Screwllum said that and we saw Screwllum himself walking towards us.
Silver Wolf: Hmpf, you knew from the beginning, didn't you? I knew it would be hard to fool you. All that bullshit you were talking on the way was for me, wasn't it?
Screwllum: It's joy and an honor to have the opportunity to face you again. Herta said that this cartridge would be able to lure in the biggest fishes in the universe,she was right.
Silver Wolf: So the business about shutting down the Universe and the deal with Herta was all just an act? Did you do all that to lure me in?
Silver Wolf said that as if she was enjoying the conversation we are having.
Ritsuka: Honestly, you can interpret it however you want. Herta and Screwllum are always honest with each other. These discussions they keep having are something that happens regularly. So you can't call it a simple act.
Silver Wolf: Hmpf.
I sit with my arms crossed and start analyzing the information and everything Silver Wolf did during this mission.
Ritsuka: I have to admit that her plan was really well thought out. She calculated everything that was happening and prepared for each variable that was going to happen. However, the news of Screwllum's arrival must have probably been a variable that she had no control over. Putting out the news that the Simulated Universe was going to be closed, she had to make a risky gamble.
Jalena:So she had to act quickly before everything she planned would go to waste.
Jalena said this understanding the situation that was happening.
Screwllum: You now know everything about this encounter.
Silver Wolf:Everything? No, no, you're wrong about the most important part. You thought I came here out of sheer desperation, but I was bursting with excitement the whole time. Do you have any idea how happy I was when you showed up, Screwllum? I haven't had the thrill of a formidable opponent in such a long time.... The Legion is nothing but a bunch of cavemen,and the IPC were a disappoiment. Only the Society has the talent to provide me with a fun challenge.
Silver Wolf said this insulting the IPC to Jalena's face, who got a little angry after hearing this.
Jalena:Hey! I take offense to that.
Ritsuka: Well, she's not wrong in that regard.
Jalena: You shut up, Ritsuka!
Jalena said this while elbowing my arm.
Silver Wolf reveals that she considers reality as a game and that she would accept the challenge invitation coming from two geniuses and she seems to be quite confident in what she is doing.
Screwllum: You're confident you will be able to get out of this in one piece.
Silver Wolf: That's right, and I'm taking it with me.
Silver Wolf said this, causing a copy of the Aether Cartridge to appear.
Jalena: Wait a minute. Now there are two Aether Cartridges?
Ritsuka: It's a copy. She probably completed the process while we were talking.
Silver Wolf: Why else would I entertain so much small talk? You're not the only one stalling for time. I'm guessing that Herta is hiding in a corner somewhere trying to pull off a reverse hack from where I hacked in. You, on the other hand, are responsible for taking me head on, just as you did last time.
💭Hmm.... If Herta and Screwllum were already aware of Silver Wolf, they probably came up with a plan, but the problem is that Silver Wolf wants a conflict with them, but will Screwllum and Herta give Silver Wolf exactly what he wants?
Silver Wolf: And I'm looking forward to It! How do you plan on stopping me this time? Are you going to turn the Simulated Universe into a black box? Or are you going to work with the IPC and put together a cross-galactic encirclement? Screwllum, will I be able to see your true strength this time?
Silver Wolf said this listing every possibility that Screwllum can approach this situation, but I can't help but think that this is not what should happen.
💭Hmm.... Silver Wolf is a brat looking for fun, but Herta and Screwllum are not people who engage in combat except in extreme cases so I highly doubt that the two of them should deal with Silver Wolf in the traditional way.
Screwllum: My apologies, Miss Silver Wolf, but nome of what you are hoping for will be happening today. You may leave now.
Screwllum said this, catching Silver Wolf by surprise, it seems she didn't expect this kind of answer from Screwllum.
Silver Wolf: Leave? But..... why? Aren't you trying to catch me? Don't you want to handcuff me and exile me to a distant planet?
Screwllum: Your creativity has proven to be interesting. However, I have nothing to do with your quarrel with the Space Station. Ergo: I won't stop you.
Silver Wolf seems to not like this answer and she has an irritated expression.
Silver Wolf: I'll leave with this cartridge then.
Screwllum: This is just a duplicate. Correction: Not only is the one in your possession a duplicate, but so is the one here. The real curio was transferred elsewhere at the very beginning. Conclusion: You may share that data freely.
Screwllum said this, completely destroying Silver Wolf's plans, and I can see a smug smile coming from Jalena.
Silver Wolf: What if I decide to attack the space station again?
Ritsuka: Try that and Screwllum will be the last of your problems. Don't even think I'll let you jeopardize my work.
I say this with a serious expression, making my threat very clear.
Silver Wolf:Then... What If I were to destroy the Simulated Universe right now?
When Silver Wolf said that, I immediately felt an overwhelming urge to laugh and I couldn't hold it in and started laughing out loud like a certain arrogant Golden King.
Ritsuka: HAHAHAHAH!! Wow, that was a good one. Please continue Silver Wolf. I'm genuinely curious to know what you're going to do. After all, it's quite clear that Herta and Screwllum aren't interested in fighting you.
Silver Wolf looks at me in annoyance and I continue to tease her with a sadistic smile on my face.
Ritsuka: The game is already over, Silver Wolf. It's quite obvious that even if Screwllum did one of the things you said, you would consider it a new and challenging game. So what's the best way to deal with a player? Just don't play the game she wants, after all, it's really bad to play a game alone.
Screwllum: Ritsuka's conclusion is correct.
Screwllum said that confirming my words.
Silver Wolf: Tch. How boring.
Screwllum: However, Herta felt that this would be too easy on you and wanted to add something of her own. And that is why, in this very moment, she has reverse-hacked you and located all of your Interastral Network accounts. A total of 76 accounts. A very impressive number. How would It be If the IPC were to freeze all of them? Including all your game records?
Jalena: Hmm.... I can confirm that the IPC must already be doing this right now.
Silver Wolf: What?! Wait a minute!
At the same moment, Silver Wolf's hologram disappeared along with the Aether Cartridge she made the copy of.
With Silver Wolf having lost at her own game, we exited the Simulated Universe with the mission having been completed.
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We return to the real world and find Herta with a smile of victory.
Herta: Hmpf, a flawless victory. Hope you caught a glimpse of Herta's awesomeness, my dear assistant.
Herta said this expecting words of admiration from me and I let out a sigh.
Ritsuka: Okay, I admit it was a good plan to trick Silver Wolf, I have no doubt about that.
Herta: And that's all you have to say? Aren't you going to say how amazing and well-articulated that plan was?
Ritsuka: Don't flatter yourself, Herta. The day I admire you like your fan club of fools will be the day death conquers my soul and we both know my bad habit of cheating death.
Herta: Hmpf. With that attitude of yours, I'm sure that Death itself must hate you very much.
Herta said this with her arms crossed and pouting as she hadn't received the answer she wanted from me.
💭Hehehe actually it's the complete opposite.
(A/N: Ritsuka Fujimaru, the man who has Death as a grandfather and a lover at the same time, Summer Ereshkigal voice lines confirm that even in death he has someone waiting for him.)
After talking to Herta, Screwllum said that all of Silver Wolf's backdoors had been destroyed and he said that the Simulated Universe would not be closed and that he would stay at the station for a while longer to participate in Herta's project.
With this case resolved, I took Jalena to the station's exit elevator so she could leave.
Ritsuka: What did you think of this mini adventure in the Simulated Universe?
Jalena: I have to admit it was a good experience, but unfortunately I have to get back to work to do what I'm planning.
Ritsuka: So from here you're going straight to Jarilo-VI?
Jalena: Not yet. I need to wait to receive authorization from the IPC so I can start my operation. I can hope that you'll be on my way when everything starts.
Ritsuka: Who knows? I still have my bet to play.
I say this with a smile on my face and Jalena stands with her arms crossed staring at me.
Jalena: What are you planning to do in Jarilo-VI, Ritsuka?
Ritsuka: It's a secret, my dear Jalena.
Jalena: Don't call me by that name in public, damn it!
Jalena said this blushing with embarrassment and I let out a light laugh seeing her reaction.
******************
Narrator's view
******************
While certain things are happening on the space station, Silver Wolf is complaining to Kafka about the bills she lost.
During the conversation between the two, Kafka says that she is participating in Elio's next script and Silver Wolf says something that caught her attention.
Silver Wolf: If I'm not mistaken, Blade is in the middle of this, isn't he?
Kafka: Yes. However, the situation with him is a bit risky and complicated.
Silver Wolf: What did Elio say about what will happen to Blade? "That he will suffer at the hands of death..."
Kafka: "And the Beast of Abundance will reveal itself in a scarlet storm, but it will meet its other half."
Silver Wolf: As always, Elio says things that don't make any sense. What does Blade have to do with all this? Is he really going to die?
Kafka: Who knows? Elio didn't give any more details about it.
Silver Wolf: Speaking of things that don't make any sense. I picked up something strange in the Simulated Universe that doesn't belong there.
Silver Wolf said this by showing Kafka a beautiful pink petal with five leaves.
Kafka: Did you find a simple Sakura petal in the simulated universe?
Silver Wolf: It's not a simple petal, Kafka! If it were, I wouldn't have picked it up. That's a mark. Someone left it there on purpose to find themselves.
Kafka: So someone invaded the Simulated Universe with you?
Silver Wolf: Exactly. And this person managed to go unnoticed by Screwllum and Herta, but I think our "Wild Card" noticed that something is strange, this certainly has to do with him.
Kafka: So our dear boy who was chosen by "Finality" has a hacker after him?
Silver Wolf: Judging by this mark, I think it's the opposite.
This Hacker is preparing something for him.
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In the Simulated Universe
****************
It is possible to hear someone walking happily in the Simulated Universe.
After a while, the individual arrives at the destination where they wanted and they meet the AI that has reached the level of an Aeon.
Nous the Aeon of Erudition
The person who is present and looking directly at the projection of the Aeon is none other than BB the Administrator AI who was able to Hack the Mooncell.
BB: So you are the most powerful AI in this place? Great! Nice to meet you in person. My name is BB!
Nous makes some subtle sounds as if they are reacting to BB who has a sadistic smile on her face.
BB: Great. It seems that I managed to get your attention. A dear friend of mine told me that you love "knowledge" and I have a lot of information to share with you and knowledge that goes beyond what your precious Emanator has, but it won't be for free. How about we make a deal? You give me something I'm interested in and I'll give you my "knowledge", how about that? Isn't that a good deal?
Nous's subtle sounds are louder and BB's eyes change to red and her smile gets bigger as if she's understanding Nous's words.
BB: Hehehe.. I'm happy to do business with you,Nous.
BB lets out a light laugh as if she is enjoying what she is doing.
BBI hope you like my gift, Senpai.
Next chapter:The Dark Side of the Space Station
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GrandMasterBRX
GrandMasterBRX Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
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