บท 133: Chapter 133 Outer Wilds - The Story of the Nomai

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."