13. Cunning Merchant and Anti-Entropy?
This simulation didn't present Gao qi with the crisis of a Honkai eruption, giving him time to ponder the meaning of the simulation system.
He thought that since he had this system, he should take the initiative, seeking opportunities in each simulation rather than just letting the system push him forward.
And the most important thing, naturally, was to become stronger, to strengthen himself, to gain enough power to protect himself — at the very least, enough to deal with a Herrscher, right?
Herrschers are the chosen ones of the Honkai. They sound impressive, but honestly, they're about as common as cabbage.
St. Freya Academy produced four or five Herrschers, and the Herrscher of the Domination? That was like wholesale cabbage, not very valuable. Only the Final Herrscher managed to somewhat uphold their prestige.
Only by obtaining power on the level of a Herrscher would Gao qi dare to be a bit more reckless and go out to explore.
Since Gao qi had a connection with Fu Hua through the simulation system, he could naturally try to mediate the family conflict between her and the Herrscher of Sentience.
Meanwhile, in reality, Kiana had already ended up in Arc City, constantly struggling with the consciousness of the Herrscher of the Void. Gao qi absolutely had to find a way to help her.
Of course, the prerequisite for all this was that Gao qi must obtain sufficient power — I need more power!
The power Gao qi could obtain roughly fell into three categories.
First, knowledge and information that Gao qi could remember.
Within the simulation system, Gao qi could also learn knowledge and apply it in reality — and the Schicksal database held many secrets that could be used as bargaining chips.
However, in this world teeming with geniuses, it was genuinely a bit difficult for an ordinary person like Gao qi to learn anything significant.
Second, every time Gao qi died in the simulator, the system would evaluate his impact on the storyline and grant rewards based on that.
Actually, this was also a very difficult task. Last time, Gao qi tried to change Fu Hua's fate, but it ended up causing the Third Honkai Eruption to erupt three days early, ruining his plan to become a MANTIS.
He even had a suspicion: could it be that the Imaginary Tree detected his alterations to the set events, creating ripples to eliminate him?
He had to both change the storyline development and contend with the unknown threats caused by the butterfly effect. If he didn't think things through carefully, Gao qi would inevitably end up like last time — his endeavor cut short, meeting an untimely end.
And the third method? That would be changes to "Gao qi" himself!
Although the experiences in the simulator were false, the changes to Gao qi's body within the simulator could be faithfully reflected in the real world.
Of course, Honkai corruption also counted as a change, but it would be cleared by the system upon Gao qi's death.
The system would, by default, remove changes detrimental to Gao qi, helping the host retain beneficial influences.
Just like how Gao qi kept practicing martial arts with Fu Hua; he woke up to find his muscles much more developed. If he successfully underwent the MANTIS surgery, he could become a superhuman in reality as well.
So here's the question: if that's the case, could Gao qi try some enhancement methods with significant side effects?
For example... becoming a Herrscher?
However, more important than that was something else.
When he crossed over into this Honkai world, most of the tragedies had already happened, irreparable, which pained him deeply as a veteran player.
But, within the simulations, Gao qi thought, he had the chance to make up for some of his regrets.
And for this, Gao qi, have a plan!
——————
"Gao qi! You've been deceiving me all along! You came to our side to steal Kiana's genes! Kiana trusted you so much! You've already cloned over four hundred of her! You demons!"
In the living room of Kiana's home, Gao qi was grabbed by the collar by an enraged Siegfried and slammed hard against the wall.
This hot-tempered single father's attitude towards Gao qi had recently started to soften, but now he was like an enraged Honkai beast.
Beside him, Theresa's expression was also dark, the heavy black box behind her placed on the floor with a dull thud.
"Hey, hey, Miss Theresa, really not going to say something for me? I thought we had a pretty good relationship; you're kind of hurting my feelings~~"
Gao qi didn't dodge or evade, letting Siegfried hold him up, his tone relaxed.
"Who has a good relationship with you! I dislike you, Gao qi! I knew there was something wrong with you! Grandpa... he's really doing such things..."
Theresa was feeling quite upset. It was hard for her to believe that her beloved niece, Kiana, had her genes used by her respected Grandpa Otto for cloning experiments, and that the clones were implanted with the Core of the Void!
Theresa also participated in the Second Honkai War, fought against the Herrscher called Sirin, and knew the threat she posed to humanity. But now, Otto actually wanted to revive the Herrscher of the Void!
When Siegfried first informed Theresa about this, she didn't believe it. But when a series of experimental records were presented, Theresa had to accept the fact.
Gao qi, however, just shrugged, looking at the little cutie with a somewhat affectionate gaze.
"No, no, doing such things is exactly what makes Otto, Otto — Siegfried, you're really good to Theresa. You didn't tell her that during the Second Honkai Impact, it was Otto who killed Cecilia with a Honkai energy fission bomb, did you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Theresa's eyes instantly widened in disbelief.
"You... you're lying! Siegfried, what he said is false, right? Cecilia sacrificed herself fighting Sirin— Siegfried!"
Facing Theresa's shaken gaze, Siegfried, who had been hiding this matter, could only turn his head away, tacitly acknowledging it.
This sent Theresa into a spiral. Her eyes were full of confusion. The more she didn't want to believe it, the more memories, buried under the guidance of the Divine Key "Fenghuang Down," surfaced in her mind—
"You and your Anti-Entropy friends certainly have some skill. The process of you hacking into the lab system wasn't detected by Schicksal."
Gao qi, meanwhile, lightly patted Siegfried's shoulder.
"The fact that you're angrily questioning me here, rather than pretending nothing happened, means you trust me and think I can be a friend on the same side as you, right?"
With just a few words, Gao qi saw right through Siegfried's thoughts, who could only let go with a somewhat apologetic expression.
"Sorry, Gao qi, I just..."
Just as Siegfried started to apologize, Gao qi waved a finger, dismissing it.
"Ultimately, you had some psychological preparation, right? How do you think Theresa and Amber came to be? You must know, don't you? Your Overseer's favorite thing is cloning; would he let the Kaslana family off?"
Gao qi gestured with his chin towards Theresa, immediately earning a displeased glare from her.
Amber was like a "sister" to her, and they had a good relationship. Lately, Amber often came to play with her, which originally made Theresa quite happy. But then Amber said it was Researcher Gao qi who encouraged her to come.
It's that bad guy again! So annoying!
"The Kaslana bloodline is an unstable bomb to begin with. I still remember what I was like seven years ago... I'm already worried about Kiana's future, and Otto actually dares to put the Core of the Void into that cloned child!"
Siegfried frowned deeply. He didn't have much feeling for that experimental subject called K-423 now, only thinking that Otto's actions were inviting doom! He's insane!
"You don't need to fear that. When it comes to the 'cheat' abilities, the Schariac holy blood is more powerful than your Kaslana lineage. After all, the Kaslana family's power comes from— well, the rest will cost you. This is a secret even Otto doesn't know."
Halfway through his sentence, Gao qi suddenly stopped, raised his hand, and rubbed his thumb and forefinger together in the universal gesture towards the two in front of him.
Gotta pay up.
"The world is facing a catastrophic disaster, and you still want payment!"
This almost made both Theresa and Siegfried choke. Theresa decisively opened the black box, pulled out a heavy golden cross, and puffed her cheeks, pretending she was about to smash him — This guy is simply a cunning man!
"Of course. Everything has its price. But I didn't say I want money — I want to establish contact with Anti-Entropy. Or perhaps, Miss Einstein and Miss Tesla are still listening?"
Gao qi was sure that the two in front of him were both easy-going pushovers, so he naturally started making extravagant demands.
Last time, because he was taking care of Fu Hua, he set a low price for Fire Moth. But if he had no attachments next time, Gao qi wouldn't mind asking for more — although the Fire Moth higher-ups were a bunch of vermin who might double-cross him at any time, but worst case, he just dies!
As soon as he finished speaking, the air suddenly grew quiet.
After a long moment, a slightly distorted transmission sound came from Siegfried's waist, a calm female voice.
"Mr. Gao qi, Anti-Entropy hears you. This is Einstein."
Hearing that familiar, somewhat lazy voice, a brilliant, cunning merchant-like smile immediately spread across Gao qi's face — the fish has taken the bait.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?