"Good chance! If I follow them up now, I'll have an opening!"
Silver Wolf's eyes lit up as she watched Screwllum preparing to connect Stelle to the Simulated Universe. If she timed it right and entered the simulation concurrently with them, she could copy the Aether Cartridge!
Silver Wolf decisively seized the hard-won opportunity, immediately linking herself to the Simulated Universe.
At that very same moment, Herta, who was in her office, suddenly revealed a faint smile. The fish had taken the bait!
---o---
"Sigh."
Wende, who was slacking off in the Support Zone, suddenly let out a long sigh.
"Is something wrong, sir? Why do you sigh?"
Because the food Wende made was so soul-touchingly good, the staff of the Herta Space Station now held a strange, inexplicable respect for him. While Wende couldn't make heads or tails of it, he could only let them be.
Seeing the concerned look on the staff member's face, Wende put down his phone and, under their puzzled gazes, sighed once more.
Thanks to the help of these simple and honest station staff, he had decided to pour his entire heart and soul into tonight's grand feast!
He silently placed his phone, its screen a dull gray, back into his pocket. Gazing at the vast, starry expanse outside the window, all he wanted now was a moment of peace...
"I've been forced... into a digital detox..."
At this moment, Wende seemed to have become more mature and steady. Indeed, it is only when a man loses something... that he truly grows!
"What's wrong with Mr. Wende?"
The staff members watched Wende standing by the window, wearing the expression of someone who had just attained enlightenment, and began to discuss among themselves.
"I think Dr. Wende has had some kind of epiphany. Perhaps he's grasped a new, profound medical truth!" one staff member, who had once been treated by Wende, said to the person beside him, his eyes filled with reverence.
"I think Mr. Wende has thought of some secret cooking technique. He'll probably use it tonight!" another staff member, completely captivated by Wende's culinary skills, stated with conviction.
"Have you two been reading too many Xianzhou novels? How is that possible? This isn't some fantasy story."
A seemingly clear-headed staff member criticized the two before turning his own feverish gaze toward Wende.
"Lord Wende must be longing for something... Look, his expression is so melancholic, his eyes hold a hint of worldly-weariness and acceptance. Is this him reminiscing about his past! Lord Wende... just what kind of glorious past does he have?"
"......"
The other two staff members quickly distanced themselves from this one, whose mind was racing like a whirlwind with wild theories.
Oh no, it's a fanatic!
Although it was completely different from what the staff member was imagining, Wende was indeed reminiscing about something at that moment... his game accounts... they were all gone...
---o---
"Oh? Disguising yourself as a projection? Are you trying to test my acting skills?"
Silver Wolf watched with great interest as Stelle stood before her, listening to Screwllum's words.
Since the communication wasn't encrypted, Silver Wolf could naturally hear their conversation.
"So you're saying this is just a projection, one that reflects the events that happened at the time?"
Stelle looked at the small projection in front of her with some doubt. Even though Screwllum had said so, she still felt like something was off.
"Correct. You just need to follow her."
Hearing Screwllum's near-certain tone, Stelle had no choice but to trust him unconditionally.
Heh... Screwllum, what are you thinking? How could you possibly not guess that this isn't my real self?
Silver Wolf laughed inwardly. It seemed Screwllum was putting on a show for this little one. What a pity, because today, she was the star of the story!
Though she thought this, Silver Wolf worked hard to maintain her disguise in front of Stelle. And this person, the one Kafka was so obsessed with, truly didn't notice that the Silver Wolf before her was far too fluid and responsive to be a mere projection.
However...
Both Silver Wolf and Screwllum fell silent as they watched Stelle search for boxes to smash.
Screwllum was contemplating the reason for this behavior, from the dopamine secreted by the organic body to the sensation produced after smashing a box.
As for what Silver Wolf was thinking...
"Hmm, this person is a pro gamer at first glance. Look at that technique, clearing the map without leaving anything behind. Could she be from the achievement hunter faction? Looks like I can play games with her in the future."
Completely oblivious to the fact that she had once banned this person's account without even looking at the name, Silver Wolf gave Stelle's gaming spirit a high degree of approval.
After all, Stelle's behavior perfectly aligned with their Punklorde spirit of "reality is a game"!
Hmm, there are four Stellaron Hunters. If we exclude Elio, who doesn't play games, we can finally make a team of five!
Silver Wolf, who hadn't even found the Aether Cartridge yet but seemed to have already taken a liking to Stelle, thought to herself.
Following that, she led Stelle, under Screwllum's guidance, through layers of security, finally arriving with ease at the replica of Herta's office within the Simulated Universe where the Aether Cartridge was stored.
If they encountered any monsters along the way, she didn't need to lift a finger. After all, she was just a "projection." How could a projection possibly fight monsters itself?
And so, Stelle was used as a tool once again.
Looking at the cartridge before her, Silver Wolf smiled. She had already won! Secretly copying the cartridge's files, she turned to face Stelle. She hadn't forgotten that a more troublesome fellow was still waiting for her.
"Well then, were you satisfied with this journey through the Simulated Universe, Miss Silver Wolf?"
Screwllum's figure appeared within the simulation. He walked slowly to stand in front of Stelle and gave a slight bow to the Silver Wolf before them.
"Heh, you found out long ago, didn't you? I knew it wouldn't be that simple. But... I've already obtained the data from the cartridge. Do you really think you can keep me here now?"
A confident smile hung on Silver Wolf's face. She looked at Screwllum, her eyes filled with the exhilarating feeling of winning a game.
"Is that so? I'm afraid it's not quite that simple, Miss Silver Wolf."
Although Screwllum did not smile, he always gave off the impression of a gentle, warm smile.
"While I am unclear as to why you insisted on personally taking the risk to come to the space station, aren't you afraid that we will capture you and deliver you to the Corporation?"