"Silver Wolf, delete. Silver Wolf, disappear."
Cold stares and colder words surrounded her from all sides.
Silver Wolf risked a glance. Beyond the puppets immediately around her, the entire population of Herta City was converging on this spot.
For her, this was nothing short of a universe-scale Herta-calypse.
She gritted her teeth and tried to forcibly use her Aether Editing to carve out an escape route.
But she realized her Aether abilities had been completely sealed.
"What?!"
She looked up. The real Herta gazed down at her with a knowing smirk, a hint of mocking disdain curling at the corner of her mouth.
As if to say: Little Silver Wolf wants to cause trouble for Madam Herta again? An ant trying to shake a tree. You only have yourself to blame.
Dozens of magic hammers swung at her in unison. Silver Wolf calculated furiously, dodging every strike within range.
But without Aether power, after mere seconds, she was already flagging.
Herta #33, desperate for the real Herta's approval, leaped high and brought her hammer down with reckless abandon, screaming something about bonds and friendship.
"For the great, beautiful, and brilliant Madam Herta!!"
Bam.
When the dust settled, Silver Wolf had barely managed to dodge. But instantly, dozens—no, hundreds—more magic hammers came crashing down.
Just as Silver Wolf closed her eyes, spatial mirrors materialized around her.
The real Herta regarded her with absolute arrogance, that mocking smile still playing on her lips. She yawned casually.
"Three minutes. Then the game resumes."
Silver Wolf breathed a sigh of relief. She looked around. These Herta puppets are terrifying.
One or two? No problem. But when their numbers reach the tens of thousands or more? A fundamental shift.
For the first time, she understood what Firefly must have felt facing endless swarms of True Stings.
Is this where my post-Punklorde gaming career ends?
Elio's predictions and that Masked Fool's gift—she probably saw through them from the start.
Her phone pinged. Sparkle.
"My friend, Silver Wolf, a Stellaron Hunter. Forgot to mention—I'm not actually an Emanator of Elation. I haven't even been graced by a glance from the Aeon of Elation."
"Of course, even if They won't look at me, I still walk the Path of Elation. As for that mask? It can fool ordinary people. But most Emanator-level beings? My Elation powers can't touch them."
Silver Wolf's expression darkened. Her vision blurred. She nearly fainted from rage.
Blinded by revenge. Rationality and composure reduced to zero. Sometimes even negative.
(A/N: Sparkle approached her three days ago. With some smooth talk and encouragement from an "old friend," Silver Wolf came to settle scores.)
("Old friend" because Sparkle went to Penacony at Silver Wolf's invitation.)
And she actually bought a Masked Fool's lies.
Herta waved her hand. The three minutes were up.
Silver Wolf slowly rose and glared at Herta.
"Lift the seal on my Aether power. Even if I lose, I won't admit defeat like this. Your reputation will suffer."
"Oh? How would my reputation suffer?"
"Beating me with numbers."
Herta, who had been in a foul mood, actually smiled at Silver Wolf's desperate plea.
"These puppets are me. How is that beating you with numbers?"
"Fine. Madam Herta has some compassion left. You and me. One-on-one. Deal?"
Silver Wolf blinked. One-on-one with the real Herta? That's suicide. She shook her head frantically.
Herta smirked.
"Silver Wolf. Don't you love games?"
"The harder the difficulty, the stronger the boss—isn't that what makes a game great?"
Silver Wolf clenched her fists, then slowly released them. She didn't want her life—or her game—to end like this.
In that moment, she realized there were things more important than revenge against Herta.
Collecting limited edition consoles. Topping the universe-wide leaderboards. Taking clueless Firefly on noob-stomping adventures and listening to her praise. And...
Finding those two she'd met in her dreams.
All trace of arrogance gone, Silver Wolf's eyes dimmed—as if beaten into growth.
"Madam Herta, let me go. I won't bother you again. I won't provoke any member of the Genius Society."
Herta shook her head slightly.
"I'd rather see you rebellious and hungry for revenge."
"Fine. Aether power restored. Space still sealed. Let's see how you handle my puppets now."
The moment her Aether returned, Silver Wolf's dim eyes blazed.
With Aether power, I, Silver Wolf, am unstoppable!!
"One-hundred-percent weakness break!"
Bam.
The first Herta puppet went flying. The others blinked, exchanged glances, and instinctively stepped back.
Silver Wolf blew a bubble with her gum, triumphant.
"LOL. Scared of little old me?"
"Then move aside and let me through. Don't get in my way."
The puppets parted, slowly creating a path.
Herta #99 pushed through and stood her ground.
"Everyone, don't be afraid! Silver Wolf's alone. There are thousands of us. Her Aether power will run out eventually."
Silver Wolf gritted her teeth. This one again!!
She brought me to Herta City. She's always causing me trouble.
Wait—last time in the Simulated Universe, she's the one who contacted the real Herta?!
Damn it.
"You know who I am?"
"I know..."
A chorus of voices echoed simultaneously.
Silver Wolf looked up. Every single puppet—regardless of expression, personality, or appearance—leapt into the air. Their magic hammers blazed with Path power.
Individually, it wasn't terrifying. But ten thousand of them? Even Silver Wolf was stunned.
This is what they call "bonds"?! I haven't even had my revenge. The real Herta hasn't even lifted a finger. I... won't... accept... this...
Bam.
When the dust cleared, Silver Wolf lay unconscious.
The real Herta stepped forward.
"Still breathing. She can be saved. You few, take her back to the space station. Have Asta look after her."
"Yes, Madam Herta."
----------------------------------
TL Note
Bonus Chapter Progress: 108/125