Herta Space Station – Main Control Module
Stelle stared suspiciously at the man in front of her, then at the exquisitely crafted Herta plushie in her hand.
"…You're saying this is the large-size Herta plushie? Then how is it any different from the ones you sold me before?"
Noah Metron replied with a perfectly straight face.
"It's large-sized. See the chest bump?"
"…You added a bump and called that 'large-size'?"
She looked down at the plushie again. Texture—still soft. Outfit—still high quality. Even the signature purple flower on Herta's head was there.
But now… there was a subtle puffed chest that wasn't on the old versions.
"…This bump. It's definitely bigger than mine."
She squinted, then sneakily glanced down at her own chest.
After a long pause, she looked up again.
"…False advertising."
Noah remained calm.
"The question is—large-sized or not?"
"…It is."
"Then we're good."
He shrugged, looked at his terminal watch, then smiled and waved as he walked away.
"Thanks for your patronage, Ms. Nameless Explorer. I've got a meeting. Later."
Cool, smooth, confident.
A textbook suave exit.
Stelle blinked, staring at his back, and muttered:
"…Wait. You're selling merch with Herta's image just because Asta's not paying you enough?"
Noah paused in his stride.
He turned halfway and said calmly:
"First of all—Director Asta never withheld my pay. I'm just saving up faster for a new combat mech."
"Second—my name is Noah Metron. Galactic Legal Affairs Division. Section Chief."
As he turned to leave again, a translucent red-and-white system panel appeared before him:
> [Special Mission Completed: Successfully sold one "Enhanced Herta Plushie"]
[Reward: +1 Simulation Entry | Bonus Item: "Super-Enhanced Herta Plushie" x1]
Noah paused.
"…Super-enhanced?"
He looked again.
"…Thunder version becomes… ultra-thunder?"
"What kind of joke reward is this? I could've stitched this myself!"
No credits. No upgrades. Just a weird doll.
"Other people's cheats give them invincibility or triple S rank summons."
"Mine gives me… plushies."
"Every time I run a simulation, I have to do part-time work to survive, with not even a single credit to show for it."
"At this rate, how the hell am I supposed to buy a company-level combat mech!?"
He sighed, glancing out the space station window.
The stars beyond were vast and cold.
And beautiful.
He wanted to go out there—to truly explore.
But with his current salary and strength?
No chance.
Better to stay here where it's safe.
At least for now.
Just then—
Whoosh!!
A shadow rocketed toward him.
Before he could react, a Herta automaton in a black beret and wielding a hammer taller than her body appeared at full sprint—directly targeting him.
"???"
Don't tell me the Simulated Universe budget collapsed and now they're collecting debts!?
He turned to flee.
Too late.
She was in front of him instantly, hand clamped on his wrist like a steel trap.
Her cold mechanical voice rang out:
"Madam Herta requests your presence. Immediately."
And just like that, she dragged him off like a rag doll.
---
Inside Herta's office.
Noah was still in a daze.
I was just selling plushies… how did this turn into a kidnapping!?
Meanwhile, the automaton stood beside him, delivering its report:
"Task 114980 completed. Target retrieved: Simulated Universe Tester No. 2 — Noah Metron. Praise Mode initiated—"
> "Madam Herta is peerless!
A flawless genius!
The apex of elegance!"
Herta waved her hand. "Okay. Shut up now. Standby."
The automaton immediately powered down, standing still like a prop.
She turned to Noah.
Her eyes scanned him from top to bottom.
She didn't say anything.
Instead, she slowly walked up to him—
—and pulled a plushie from behind her back.
It was a Herta plushie.
But… different.
There was a noticeable bulge in its lower belly area.
She gently stroked it.
"Craftsmanship is good. The popularity makes sense."
"But… the one found on your bed had a little something extra. Would you care to explain?"
Noah followed her gaze and saw it—
A Herta plushie under his blanket.
Except under the skirt… something had been stuffed in.
That wasn't fluff. That was a damn Fleshlight.
His brain exploded.
"…THE HELL IS THAT DOING IN MY BED?!"
Even if he was high on Stellar Jam, he'd never have the guts to do that to Herta's image.
Then he remembered—
The system had just given him a "Super-Enhanced Herta Plushie."
He froze.
"…Aha. You damn pervert."
He looked back at Herta.
"Madam Herta! That version of the plushie is a system gift—I swear, not my design! It was Aha messing around!"
She gave a long look.
"…I believe you."
"…You do?"
She casually tossed the plush aside and walked to her desk.
"You think I'd fly back from the edge of the universe just to deal with plushie fraud?"
She leaned close, her face just inches from his.
"You really think any issue I step in personally to resolve… would be that petty?"
Noah swallowed.
His brain kicked back in.
He quickly answered:
"…So… I'm not in trouble. I'm just 'interesting,' right?"
She smiled.
"Correct. You've caught Aha's attention."
---
Red-and-white masks suddenly floated around him.
Aha's hologram appeared midair, grinning like a lunatic.
"Yohoho~! Not bad! You solved the plush problem faster than expected. You pass!"
"Now, new mission! Become my agent!"
Noah squinted.
"…What do I get out of it?"
> [Mission: Accept Aha's Appointment as Agent]
Reward: Aha's Blessing (slight survivability boost)
He stared at the words "slight."
"…This isn't cursed, is it?"
"Of course not! I, Aha the honest, am the most fair and pure Aeon! Totally no strings attached!"
"…Fine."
He tapped [Accept].
The world twisted.
The simulation reloaded.
Everything faded into static.
---
Back in the office—
Herta was sitting by his side again.
She gently pulled him close.
Laid his head in her lap.
Her soft thighs. His head resting peacefully.
Her fingers stroked his face as she whispered:
"Don't worry. I'm here."
Noah muttered in his half-sleep:
"…Please."
He reached out—
And gently held her hand.
-How about first chapter the other 100 you can find them on my kofi it on synopsis check it out!!!