[Wait, I think I've stumbled upon a blind spot. All four language dubs seem to be translating to "Lumina"...]
[Upstairs, you can drop the "seem." All four dubs are freaking Lumina herself! But that translation... they might as well have just written her name. I almost died laughing.]
[Comprehending Abundance, understanding Life... I get it now! Lumina will become the Aeon of Life and then devour Abundance!]
[Holy shit, you guys just made Jingliu and Luocha's stories click into place...]
[For various reasons, Lumina will ascend to become an Aeon. Then, due to the expansive nature of the Path of Life, Abundance will be directly absorbed. Jingliu and Luocha's lifelong wishes will be fulfilled, and the Xianzhou Alliance's centuries-long hatred of Abundance will finally end... A perfect, happy ending!]
After some time, perhaps due to the reduced user load or the emergency server repairs and upgrades by the technical team, Weibo quickly stabilized.
Beneath the comments section of Lumina's Extraterrestrial Satellite Communication broadcast, comments surged relentlessly, as if the previous lag had never occurred.
[Speaking of which, if Lumina is in the first half of Version 1.7, who's in the second half? A Drop-In character?]
[Didn't they say Version 1.7 would introduce a new planet? Then the second half must feature a character from that planet. Why are you guys even guessing?]
[Now that Lumina's Extraterrestrial Satellite Communication is out, skill reveals and special effects should be coming soon too! (o'o)]
[Oh my god, we're still on Version 1.5?! Lady Lumina won't meet me until Version 1.7! That's fifty years away! I'm going to suffocate from the wait! (Cries hysterically)]
[I think we should be optimistic. Isn't the Version 1.6 preview this Friday? I bet five mao Lady Lumina will appear at the Space Station!]
Reading this comment and recalling Lumina's interactions with Herta, Asta, and others at the Space Station, it seemed plausible that Lumina might indeed appear there during Version 1.6.
At that thought, the Lumina simps, who had been flooding the comment section with complaints, instantly dwindled by more than half...
-
[How are you planning to handle the gacha characters and reruns for the second half of Version 1.7?]
[This version will be a standard one, featuring both the Main Story and a major version-wide event—all of which you'll need to create yourself.]
[The gacha lineup should follow logical patterns. At minimum, it should include one new character and three rerun characters.]
"At minimum? So I can add more?" Lumina instantly latched onto the crucial point as she read the three messages on the System screen.
[Uh... yes, you can, but the newest characters are limited to two—one in the first half and one in the second half. As for rerun characters, it doesn't matter...]
Hearing Lumina's words, the System seemed to realize what she was planning. It fell into a brief silence before patiently explaining the constraints.
"If that's the case, then I can rest easy." Lumina nodded, a smile spreading across her face as she read the System's confirmation.
With the strength, story, and rewards all maxed out, there was no reason the gacha shouldn't be maxed out too.
Since that's settled, it's time to give the Players a little gacha shock! o( ̄▽ ̄*)ブ*
"Quick, quick, bring up the design interface! I'm ready to work my magic!"
Eager anticipation tinged Lumina's voice as she urged the System to display the design interface immediately.
[Take it easy, Lumina. Don't make anything too outrageous, ha.]
Seeing Lumina's fervent enthusiasm, the System offered a brief warning before displaying the interface.
"Don't worry, I still have some restraint."
Lumina brushed off the System's caution with a casual reply and dove headfirst into designing her version of the gacha...
-
When you're truly focused, time always flies by.
Before she knew it, Lumina had reached the final stages of designing Version 1.7.
"Ahem~ Perfect!"
After finalizing the last event design, Lumina stretched luxuriously, cracking her joints.
"See? I still have some restraint, right? ♪"
With her stretch complete, Lumina's gaze returned to the System's screen, where she reviewed her creation: Version 1.7, complete with its various events, meticulous details, and generous rewards. The more she examined it, the more satisfied she became.
Leaning back in her chair with a smug grin, she asked the System, a hint of pride flickering between her brows.
[Hmm... It's pretty good, but this reward design... isn't it a bit excessive?]
As she had claimed, Lumina had indeed exercised considerable "restraint."
The events were fine, but the gacha system had pioneered an entirely new paradigm. Considering this was the final minor patch of a major version, however, it hardly mattered.
Still, the sheer volume of rewards seemed rather excessive...
"Excessive? It's not that bad, is it?"
After seeing the System's message, Lumina glanced at the welfare settings on the screen to double-check. Finding no errors, she waved her hand dismissively and said casually, "Fine, it's not so excessive that it would break the game balance. Do as you please."
The System remained silent in response. The welfare package Lumina had designed was roughly twice as generous as the launch period's offerings.
While this was undeniably excessive compared to a standard minor version update, considering the Version 1.7 gacha pool and Lumina's overall arrangements, the overall scale fell within a reasonable range.
This ensured players wouldn't feel like the game was about to shut down and cash out one last time before running off...
"Speaking of which, will I be entering the Test Server?" Lumina smiled at the System's message. But as her smile faded, another question occurred to her.
The Test Server was typically used for testing and modifying or completely overhauling character skills. But in her case, the skills were already finalized and unlikely to be changed.
If I enter the Test Server, what will they even do? Use my skills unchanged from start to finish, setting a precedent?
[ Didn't you revise your skill descriptions countless times before settling on the final version? ] the System countered, hearing Lumina's confusion.
"Oh, right! Could it be you saved every single record of my revisions back then?" Lumina wasn't as clueless as March 7th. Seeing the System's message on the screen, she immediately understood its meaning.
[Exactly. I've preserved every modification record you made. These records will be used in the Test Server to test and refine your skills until the final build, which will showcase your finalized skill set.]
"I see. That puts my mind at ease." Lumina nodded, relieved by this explanation.
Although the Test Server would leak Lumina's skill effects and map environments, the most crucial narrative elements would remain completely undisclosed.
Therefore, Lumina wasn't particularly bothered by the prospect of becoming the first character to enter the gacha pool without prior Test Server exposure.
"Hmm... it's about time. I should head to the Space Station now."
All her tasks were complete; now she just needed to wait patiently for player feedback.
Besides, it had been two versions since she last showed her face... it was time for a reappearance.
Plus, she'd been alone here for far too long. Without a beautiful girl to recharge her energy, Lumina was about to crack!
Ding-a-ling~ Ding-a-ling~ Ding-a-ling.
Just as she stood up, her phone's ringtone for the Special Group buzzed again.
Without hesitation, she snatched it up.
"Herta? Hmm... I wonder if I could use helping her test the Simulated Universe as an excuse to meet her main body?"
The avatar sending the message instantly sparked a plan in Lumina's mind: Operation: Meet Herta's Main Body.
Facing an Emanator of Erudition directly would have given Lumina pause under normal circumstances.
But the moment she remembered that Herta needed her help, Lumina reaffirmed her resolve to carry out her plan...
Without dwelling further, Lumina's gaze fell on her phone screen, where she reviewed the messages Herta had sent:
[Herta: Ruan Mei has already arrived at the Space Station. Screwllum will be here soon too.]
[Herta: I've also invited the Stellaron Spirit. Now all that's missing is you.]
[Herta: The Simulated Universe has reached a critical juncture. As one of its creators and collaborators, you shouldn't be absent unless it's for something truly urgent.]
Reading these messages, Lumina's eyes twinkled with mischief. Her fingers tapped lightly on the screen, typing out a reply.
[Lumina: Funny you should say that. I'm actually dealing with a major crisis right now, so I don't have time to visit the Space Station.]
[Herta: Is that so? Then come whenever you have time.]
Herta didn't question the veracity of Lumina's claim.
Given Lumina's formidable power and past exploits, it was entirely plausible that she was indeed engaged in some momentous undertaking.
Without giving it much thought, Herta simply replied:
[Lumina: But hey, if you owe me a favor, I'll immediately drop whatever I'm doing and head to the Space Station to meet up with you~]
[Herta: ?]
On the other end, Herta, who had initially assumed Lumina wouldn't come, stared at the message and slowly typed out a question mark.
[Herta: Aren't you doing something important?]
[Lumina: Yeah, but if you owe me a favor, my "important" matter suddenly becomes trivial.]
[Herta: ?]
Herta shook her head as she read Lumina's message. This Lumina was still as cheeky as ever.
Herta wasn't stupid; she knew exactly what Lumina was after. The "important matter" was undoubtedly a complete fabrication. Her true goal was simply to get Herta to owe her a favor.
Who was Herta? Herta, of course.
And who was Herta? The Emanator of Erudition, one of the cosmos's most brilliant minds.
With multiple buffs stacked, it goes without saying just how precious a favor from Herta is, right?
No, this favor couldn't be measured in mere money...
However, the worth of this priceless favor still depended on who it was given to.
If the recipient were Lumina, Herta wouldn't mind at all. After all, Lumina far surpassed her in status, influence, and even power and prestige. Being indebted to Lumina would almost feel like Herta was reaching above her station.
Therefore, even without this favor, if Lumina ever needed assistance within Herta's capabilities, Herta would gladly help.
Thus, Herta couldn't fathom why Lumina wanted this favor at all.
Oh well, she thought. If she wants it, she can have it. I don't care anyway.
-
[Lumina: Okay, Little Herta, I'll accept your favor~]
[Herta: What does "Little Herta" mean?]
[Lumina: Exactly what it sounds like! It's a cute way of addressing you. For example, you could call me Little Lumina too~]
[Herta: You're quite childish.]
[Lumina: Hmm? Just give me an Hour System Time, and I'll be right there♪]
[Herta: There's no rush on my end. You can take your time.]
[Lumina: Shhh~ I'll be quick!]
[Herta: ?]
In the end, the conversation concluded with Herta's bewildered question mark.
"Hmm♪ The most crucial first step has been taken."
Reviewing the chat logs, Lumina knew her objective had been achieved.
Obtain Herta's favor, then use it and the Simulated Universe to lure out Herta's main body...
That was Lumina's true goal!
Though the goal might seem a bit childish, as long as Lumina herself was satisfied, it was fine, right?
"Hmm... Before leaving, I should tidy up the room first..."
Lumina glanced around the "slightly disheveled" room and gently waved her hand.
Instantly, the potato chip bags and soda bottles scattered across the floor vanished without a trace.
"Hmm, that way there won't be any weird smells when I get back ♪"
Seeing the freshly tidied room, Lumina nodded in satisfaction, pushed open the door, and stepped outside...
On this planet, Lumina had no worries about anyone or anything intruding into her home.
For on this planet, every living being knew her, respected her, adored her, and revered her as their sole God.
Naturally, her dwelling had become a Holy place in their eyes. No living creature would dare set foot here without her explicit permission, lest they desecrate it.
This was why, despite the occasional mess in Lumina's home, you'd never find a single fly, cockroach, or rat...