"So, it's called the Simulated Universe, right?" After dealing with the incorrigibly sassy Star, the name was more or less decided.
"I have no objections," Tian An stated her opinion. It was the original name anyway.
"Is the static you heard still ringing?" Herta suddenly asked Tian An.
"Ah? No, it only lasted a short while. It disappeared after a few seconds of inactivity."
"You kid... could you really have that thing inside you? No, if you really had it, I should have observed it long ago."
Classic left brain attacking the right brain.
"Regardless, once you experience my... Simulated Universe, we'll know what's going on," Herta pointed towards the large machine.
"It won't be dangerous, right?" Star eyed the big metal contraption with suspicion regarding its safety.
"Listen to yourself! This was developed by some of the top scientists in the entire universe. If something really goes wrong, it's definitely your fault," Herta was supremely confident in the Simulated Universe.
"Besides, what do you have that's worth me stealing? That broken Stellaron?" Herta's words rendered Star speechless, only able to offer an awkward laugh.
"And you? Do you have any other questions?" Having "persuaded" Star, Herta turned to Tian An.
"In the Simulated Universe, will it display scenes from our memories?" Tian An asked. If it turned into a scene from Terra, that wouldn't be fun at all.
"Pretty much. As long as you've personally experienced it and it exists in your memory, it's possible for it to appear in the Simulated Universe."
Hearing this, Tian An relaxed slightly. She hadn't experienced the events of Terra, so it should be fine... right?
"Alright, I've answered what needed answering. Now, it's time to begin," Herta was already eager.
"What should we do?" Star looked at the large machine; there didn't seem to be any space designated for people.
"Just stand inside. It was originally meant for one person, so it might be a bit cramped. I'll expand it next time," Herta pointed to the glowing circle beneath the machine.
Star tentatively reached out a hand. Feeling nothing amiss, she stepped inside, then motioned for Tian An to come in as well.
"I suggest you stand back-to-back. Otherwise, if you accidentally injure each other when you return, it's not my problem," Herta reminded them.
"Oh," Star's expression seemed a little downcast, but it vanished in an instant.
Once Tian An also stepped onto the glowing circle and stood back-to-back with Star, Herta began walking away.
"Where are you going?" Star asked.
Herta didn't even turn her head, walking straight out.
"To recharge!"
Voom...
A piercing sound rang out. Tian An felt as if her brain was being detached, suddenly pulled outwards, only to return to normal moments later.
The immense gravitational force made her close her eyes. Only when things seemed to settle down did she dare to slowly open them.
This feeling... is it a bit like motion sickness...?
Where is this... whose memory?
Tian An couldn't see any sign of Star, as if the two had been separated and partitioned off like an abyss. The scene on Tian An's side, however, was a cityscape of modern-style skyscrapers.
Strangely, there were no cars or people on the roads.
"Zzzt... zzzt... Hey hey, can you hear me? This is Herta," Herta's voice seemed to rise from within her mind, giving Tian An a slight sense of security, but not much.
"I can hear you," Tian An quickly replied.
"Looks like you entered different spaces. Star entered the space station. I told her to practice on a couple of Anti-Matter troopers first. Where are you?"
You ask me, who do I ask...? However, this area does resemble the world she used to live in.
"This place is so backward. This can't be your hometown, right?" Herta could tell the technological level of this place at a glance.
Compared... it is indeed backward.
"Maybe... perhaps," Tian An wasn't sure if this was part of her own memories and could only answer vaguely.
"No wonder you don't have a phone. Hasn't the Company's Trailblazing reached you yet? Just how remote is your planet?"
Tian An was the type who knew nothing when asked. Seeing she couldn't get anything out of her, Herta gave up.
"Looks like there's no one here. Explore around on your own first. I need to go check on Star's situation," Herta said. The things here were already ancient, outdated relics to her.
"What if... something goes wrong?" Tian An asked cautiously. Although it felt empty, she had a bad feeling.
"Then just shout 'Unparalleled Miss Herta, save me!'"
After uttering this last sentence, Herta went silent, apparently having left.
Looks like I have to rely on myself first.
Tian An walked towards the tallest skyscraper in the area.
If this weren't a virtual world, it would really resemble one of those old apocalyptic movies, the kind where you're the only person left in the world.
Tian An reached the entrance and looked at the glowing screen on the wall. The screen reflected Tian An's image; her pink eyes seemed perpetually tinged with melancholy and confusion.
Daily prayer.
Te-men x2
"Recognition error. Please ensure your head is fully within the recognition frame."
The machine issued a notification.
Tian An thought she hadn't positioned herself correctly and leaned her face closer.
"Recognition error. Your identity information has not been registered. Entry denied."
"..."
Pshh...
The glass door shattered loudly. Tian An had directly used her crystals to break the glass.
It's a virtual world anyway, breaking and entering shouldn't be a problem, right?
Tian An stepped over the glass shards and walked inside.
And then she saw another door.
...
"What kind of building has such good security?" Tian An continued walking. She had already broken three glass doors. Fortunately, the subsequent metal doors weren't locked, otherwise, it would have been extremely troublesome.
Soon, after passing through a long corridor and turning right, Tian An saw the building's front desk.
"Ni Shen Technology? What a strange name?" The four large characters were displayed on the wall behind the front desk.
She had only heard of Anti-Entropy and World Serpent, never Ni Shen.
Passing the front desk and heading towards the back, she found the area was empty except for a single elevator. The entire floor was as bare as a newly constructed roughcast house.
What surprised her was that the elevator was actually running, though it was constantly oscillating between the 3rd and 4th floors.
Should I go in...?
"Go check it out!" Herta's voice suddenly rang out again, nearly making Tian An jump.
"You've come this far, you definitely have to go check it out!"
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(Author's Note: The Simulated Universe is a good place, but please don't stuff a bunch of weird data in there for us players to play with, meow.)