bioinnovel Chapter 8 A Different Simulated Universe
Chapter 8 A Different Simulated Universe
Gui Naifen's live stream room.
The plot continues:
After being glanced at by the God of Destruction, the protagonist's violent energy was on the verge of spiraling out of control.
In the nick of time, Walter arrived and saved her.
When Xing woke up again, Danheng told her to go find Ji Zi.
"You're awake. I'll have Mitsuki and the others stay near the train and keep an eye on things." Himeko's voice was gentle.
"It's almost time, the person I'm waiting for... should be arriving soon."
Sure enough, the next second, a cold voice came from behind.
"I've only been gone a few months? Huh? How did the space station get into this state?"
The comments section immediately reacted:
"Is this the Black Tower himself?"
"The joints have round bumps...it looks like a robot."
"You're ignorant. This is just a puppet remotely controlled by Lady Black Tower."
"Wow! It's almost indistinguishable from a real person. I wish I could get one too..."
"Is that guy upstairs crazy? He actually dared to think that?...Where is he?"
"Oh no! It seems the internet isn't above the law; it's become 'real'?"
"Boss @Honkai Impact: Star Railway official,!!!"
"Honkai Impact: Star Railway Official (Max Level): He's not dead, he's being rescued. Watch your words in the future, and consider your own strength first. (Sigh.jpg)"
"Exactly, those big shots have plenty of ways to contact you. Don't think you're safe just because you're hiding behind a screen."
……
The story continues:
"So now, the 'Star Core' is this brat?" Black Tower asked.
Himeko nodded silently.
Black Tower's face immediately showed an expression of great interest.
She then circled the star twice, looking it up and down.
"Hmph, truly amazing. To contain this unactivated 'star core' and save Azure Star from disaster, I built an entire space station..."
"As it turns out, someone went back to basics and managed to handle it using only this brat's body—how did they do that?"
Himeko added, "Moreover, the 'Star Core' is very stable within her body."
"Can I do some research on her?" Black Tower asked directly.
Himeko chuckled lightly: "I can't make that decision for you; you'll have to ask Hoshino herself..."
Xing showed a hesitant expression.
"Thank me! I'm helping you out; this is a service that even Star Peace Corporation couldn't get for a price." Black Tower's tone carried a hint of arrogant self-righteousness.
"Do you understand? Black Tower wants you to stay on her space station," Himeko explained to Hoshi.
Hei Ta quickly corrected him: "No, be precise: I'll only keep him for a short time—once I finish my research, or once I lose interest halfway through, this kid will have to leave."
Clearly, the importance of the star depends entirely on how long the Black Tower's interest can be sustained.
Himeko then asked, "And then?"
Black Tower retorted confidently, "What does that have to do with me?"
Her tone was nonchalant, like that of a spoiled young lady.
"Hoshi...you know you have another option." Himeko turned to Hoshi, her voice gentle. "There's a Star Train parked on the platform. If you'd like, you can come with us."
She extended a formal invitation.
The comments section became lively again:
"Indeed, geniuses have a temperament that is different from ordinary people."
"Of course we should choose to board the train! Otherwise, how can the story unfold?"
"I think staying here is fine, since food and accommodation are provided."
"Life is not just about the present hardships, but also about poetry and distant places."
"Little Gui, could you help us see if we can choose to stay on the space station?"
"Yes! Let's see if it triggers any hidden storylines."
Looking at the commotion in the live chat, Gui Naifen hesitated, "What if... my account gets banned after I try it all?"
Su Chang, standing nearby, asked in confusion, "Is the official account in the live stream?"
The comments section immediately started flooded with messages:
"Yeah! We have our boss! What do we need a streamer for?"
"I choose the official representative; he's the one everyone wants!"
"@Honkai Impact: Star Railway Official X10086!"
"Honkai Impact: Star Railway Official (Max Level): You can give it a try! This is a hidden option on the Black Tower Space Station route, which can also be considered an Easter egg."
"I knew it! There was definitely a hidden plot!!"
"Lin Lin, let's do research together at the space station later: I'll study you."
"I think I've discovered something terrible. Could the boss be killing me to cover it up?"
……
On the Starry Sky Train.
Lin Lin, who was leisurely lounging on the sofa, sat up abruptly upon seeing the message.
It's obvious who posted it.
Isn't my old rice enough?
unacceptable!
It seems that I will definitely not be able to return to the space station for the foreseeable future.
He swiftly blocked Estella's contact information—he hadn't added Black Tower as a friend in the first place, and only added Estella as a friend on the space station.
Meanwhile, March 7th and Xing also came over to ask Lin Lin.
"What would have happened if Xing hadn't chosen to get on the train?"
Lin Lin casually said, "Let things be as they are. The universe will keep turning no matter who's gone."
Xing snorted: "Of course it's different, I'm the main character!"
Lin Lin thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps... you'll miss out on an incredibly valuable adventure. Do you remember what Kafka told you?"
Xing fell silent.
……
The plot continues:
Black Tower sent a message to Star, asking her to test the "simulated universe".
Arrive at Black Tower's office.
"The club's four geniuses teamed up to write a program. See that big machine in the office? Inside that machine is a 'universe': it's like the world we live in, only more streamlined and more...customized."
In other words, it's a rogue-like game.
Perhaps there will be other models in the future.
Lin Lin simply copied some shell data and then casually designed it to cobble together this "simulated universe".
Gui Naifen was very excited about the geniuses' design and couldn't wait to click on it.
There were only two options on the screen.
"Simulated world" and "imaginary world"
The "imaginary world" is currently grayed out, with a note next to it saying "Coming Soon".
She clicked into the "Simulated World".
Then, three more sub-options popped up.
"Simulated Universe", "Star God Simulation", and "Infinite Universe".
The last two were made by Lin Lin on his own.
One is like a mowing-down-the-grass mode, and the other is a ranked-up mode.
However, the latter is not yet available. It will only be unlocked after a gameplay similar to the Abyss is released and players learn how to "maximize their score".
Gui Naifen continued clicking on the first one.
Suddenly, the screen went black.
---
【system】
Welcome to the Honkai Impact 3rd: Star Railway simulation universe.
Detecting fluctuations in the Trail Blazers' mental state...
Test complete. Synchronization rate 97.3%, meeting entry standards.
The following is today's system memo—dictated by Ms. Black Tower, proofread by Screw Gumm, illustrated by Stephen Lloyd, and Ms. Nguyen May said "it doesn't matter".
-
【system】
Today's simulated universe version: v3.14
Why 3.14? Because the Black Tower likes "pi".
【system】
Friendly reminder: The essence of a simulated universe is a "controlled loss of control".
If you encounter the following situations, it is normal:
I saw two Nguyen Mai standing together.
• Hearing Screw Gum tell corny jokes
• The 9999th insect bred by the Insect King was chasing after him.
Aha suddenly appears behind you and pats you on the shoulder.
If you encounter any of the above situations, please:
1. Keep smiling
2. Don't panic.
3. Panicking won't help anyway.
【system】
A reminder about choosing your destiny:
Want to be a hero? Select [Preserve].
Want to be crazy? Choose [Pleasure].
Want to be a riddle solver? Choose [The End].
Want to experience what it means to "beat yourself"? Select [Breeding].
Want to prove you're ruthless? Choose [Destruction].
• Is suffering the same no matter what you choose? Choose 【Nothingness】.
【system】
Today's blessing pool has been updated:
• New blessing for "Abundance": [May your mother live a long life] (Effect: Restores an additional 10% health when healing)
• New blessing for "Hunting": [What are you looking at?] (Effect: Increases damage against enemies with taunt by 30%)
• New blessing for "Joy": [Aha laughed] (Effect: 5% chance to trip over yourself when attacked by an enemy)
• New blessing for "Void": [Lazy to Move] (Effect: Stacks buffs even while standing still)
【system】
Oddities Report:
The "insect web" is still gathering dust in the corner.
The "Doctor's Robe" is still trying to maintain a cool and aloof demeanor.
The designer of "Pink Collision" is still unknown.
The "Star Lottery" jackpot remains unclaimed—because the winning plane was devoured by a breeding swarm of insects.
【system】
BOSS Battle Reminder:
Today's final boss is—
(The system was silent for 3 seconds)
...Ah? What, it's you again?
【BOSS·Aha】：
"Hehe, are you surprised? Unexpected?"
"Don't be nervous, I don't want to fight today."
"I just want to ask—"
Do you think that right now, you're really playing the game, or is the person in the game playing the real you?
【system】
……
【system】
Ms. Nguyen Mai commented: I suggest the Trail Blazers ignore the previous comment.
【system】
Black Tower's message: Don't listen to her! That guy Aha always brings out some new data every time he comes!
【system】
ScrewGumu commented: From a probability perspective, there is a 73.6% chance that Aha is just here to freeload off the air conditioning.
【system】
Stephen commented: My illustration is... Aha is using the air conditioning.
【system】
Loading simulated universe...
Loading progress: 99%...100%
【system】
One last friendly reminder:
Remember, everything here is "simulated".
Your pain is simulated.
Your happiness is simulated.
Your artifact drop rate -
【system】
(The system was silent for two seconds.)
【system】
...It's also a simulation.
【system】
good luck.
I don't need it anyway, I'm the system!
-
(The screen goes dark, then suddenly lights up again after three seconds)
【system】
Oh, right.
【system】
The Black Tower asked me to tell you:
【system】
"What are you looking at? Hurry up and test the simulated universe!"
【system】
This is truly the last sentence.
【system】
have fun.
【system】
(This time it's really over)
---
Gui Naifen was stunned when she saw the long string of "nonsense" that popped up from the system, and she didn't know what to say for a moment.
The comments section was filled with laughter:
"From this passage, we can already get a glimpse of the mindset during the planning process."
"Although I still don't understand some of the terms, the thought of 'Aha' instantly makes me feel better."
"Boss Aha, that was fun!"
"This opening announcement is even more fun than the game itself."
Summary: Streamer, stop dawdling! Get into the game!!!
……
Once you enter the real simulated universe, icons for seven "worlds" are displayed in the center of the screen.
There's also a shop in the Black Tower that displays one of each of the five-star light cones representing different destinies.
These are mostly general attribute effects and are not bound to any specific character.
It is a good alternative to the character's exclusive light cone.
Inside the Black Tower space station.
When Black Tower saw the "simulated universe" through the live stream, he wasn't particularly interested.
Because—guess why the machine head is looking at me and not Lin Lin?
But when she caught a glimpse of the "Star God Simulation" option, she suddenly became interested.
She knew that Lin Lin was quite mysterious, and that he might actually be able to obtain some unknown information about the Star Gods to expand the database of the simulated universe.
Black Tower opened "Star God Simulation".
There is currently only one playable level: Nanuk, the God of Destruction.
She clicked on it.
The next moment, her consciousness seemed to be drawn away, as if she had truly entered a simulated universe.
---
[System Prompt]
Loading the "Destruction" consciousness projection...
Loading complete.
Open your eyes.
Beneath my feet lay a burning ruin.
In the distance, countless warships, armies... and reckless "warriors" are charging towards you.
If you have trypophobia, you might have an attack on the spot.
[Nanook Projection] (You): (Silence)
[Enemy Commander] (shouting through megaphone): "Demon! Today is your burial ground! All troops—attack!"
You looked down at your hands.
My hand is fine.
But they're about to have something to do.
---
(The version that Gui Naifen is playing is a more player-driven, mowing-down-the-grass mode with some gameplay elements.)
The version experienced by Black Tower is completely different.
Her consciousness seemed to be in an incredibly real battlefield.
Countless ant-like characters rushed toward her (or rather, toward "Nanook").
A mere mortal dares to challenge the gods.
This is not turn-based.
It's essentially a hack-and-slash game, but it pushes the grandeur of the scenes and the destructive effects to the extreme.
What Black Tower experienced was the Star God's fighting style and some ineffable "information".
For example, Nanook: silent, violent, and effortless.
At the top of the screen, only a progress bar called "Destructive Will" is slowly decreasing.
When you kill an enemy, the progress bar will rise slightly.
Once the progress bar reaches zero, the game is probably over.
There are no skill icons or energy bars.
It's as if you're a god on this battlefield, able to do whatever you want.
You hardly need to move; the enemy will rush over and die on their own.
You only need to raise your hand occasionally, and the world will be quiet.
Every attack you make will permanently change the map.
It can create a deep crater, flatten a mountain peak, and penetrate the armor of a warship.
In the end, the entire battlefield will become a pitted, devastated ruin, perfectly fitting the aesthetic of "destruction".
Of course, this is not the true power of the Star God. It's already quite impressive that ordinary players (or researchers) can feel even one ten-thousandth of its essence.