Night City.
At the very pinnacle of Punklorde Corporation stood the legendary hacker Romon, who even held shares in the company. His Aether cartridge had reached level 99, and in the field of Aether-editing hacking techniques, he had already reached the summit.
When he saw Herta hack into Punklorde's network and announce her intention to research everyone's cartridges, a cold sneer curled at the corner of his lips.
"Ignorant fool. Just because you're called Herta doesn't mean you possess the wisdom of a genius."
After speaking, Romon lay down directly into a pool filled with coolant. The cybernetic implants installed throughout his body began erupting with computational power, launching a ferocious counterattack against Herta.
In truth, Romon was far from the only legendary hacker from Punklorde Corporation to take action. There was also Skylark, a wild legendary hacker from the mercenary ranks. Her Aether-editing cartridge had likewise reached level 99—the absolute peak of Punklorde.
The legendary hackers made their move.
And they were not the only ones. Other hackers, unwilling to let some inexplicable outsider study their cartridges, also joined the fight.
All the hackers of Night City regarded Herta as their enemy, unleashing an utterly terrifying wave of computational attacks.
However, The Herta was a true genius. She had already developed the Super Herta Astral Computer—and upgraded it to version 2.0.
A mere planetary city's hackers wanted to counterattack her? To invade her astral computer?
Heh. Absolutely impossible.
In fact, with the Super Herta Astral Computer version 2.0 now in her possession, Herta dared to boldly declare that even Nous could come.
Yes— in Herta's eyes, only Nous, the being that had ascended from an astral computer, possessed computational power capable of surpassing the Super Herta Astral Computer 2.0.
More than ten seconds passed.
The hackers counterattacking within Punklorde's network discovered a horrifying truth.
The computational power on the other side was endless.
It surpassed all of them.
Their counteroffensive had failed.
And it was more than just failure—their Aether cartridges were now being read by the Super Herta Astral Computer.
This completely enraged the hackers of Night City, especially Romon and Skylark, the two legendary hackers. Their faces turned ashen. They had never expected that even after personally taking action, they would accomplish nothing.
They were utterly outmatched.
Just what kind of monster was Herta?!
Could it be… she really was the 83rd Seat of the Genius Society?
Many people began to speculate.
...
At that very moment, within Mount Scrap, a hooded figure finally finished her game. She stretched lazily, and the hood atop her head slipped down, revealing spiraled gray hair.
Her name was Silver Wolf.
She had just been playing an old-era Punklorde game—and had taken first place on the leaderboard.
"Another game cleared," Silver Wolf murmured to herself. "It won't be long before I clear every single game on Punklorde. Even the real-world game of Punklorde—I can clear that too."
After speaking, she took out the Aether-editing cartridge she had obtained by chance. The level displayed on it was 80—only twenty levels away from Punklorde's legendary hackers.
It wouldn't be long now.
Thinking this, Silver Wolf logged into Punklorde's network—and immediately received shocking news.
A being named Herta intended to research Aether-editing cartridges and had invaded the cartridges of all hackers in Night City.
Even more critically, hackers large and small across Night City had resisted.
But their resistance had collapsed completely before Herta.
Thus, Night City welcomed a new legend—Miss Herta!
Many hackers believed it must be the 83rd Seat of the Genius Society herself. Only such a genius could defeat all the hackers in Punklorde.
"The genius Herta? She defeated every hacker—even the legendary Skylark stepped in and still lost."
Silver Wolf murmured softly. A gleam flashed in her eyes.
"What an impressive opponent. If she researches and obtains an Aether cartridge, her cartridge level might even surpass Punklorde's upper limit!"
"More importantly, I still have Miss Herta's gift—a Soul Gem, a game item!"
"I've decided. After conquering Punklorde · Night City and ascending to become a legendary hacker, my next boss challenge will be Herta!"
As Silver Wolf's voice fell, a portal opened in the void above Mount Scrap. A stunning figure wearing a pointed hat stepped out.
"You're the one who wants to challenge me? I'm here."
The moment Silver Wolf saw Herta in person, her expression nearly cracked.
"Spatial jump of an Emanator of Erudition?"
The Herta replied calmly, "Incorrect. It's micro-wormhole transfer. Though you probably wouldn't understand, little one."
"I'm already an adult," Silver Wolf said, veins bulging faintly on her forehead.
"If you're an adult, why are you still so short...? Oh, I see. You were alone as a child. No family. So you didn't receive sufficient nutrition."
Silver Wolf's brows knitted tighter.
"You investigated me."
"Investigate? Is that even necessary?" The Herta chuckled. "The entire Punklorde network might as well have no firewall in front of me. With a mere thought, I can trace your life from childhood until now."
"Though you truly are special. Your cartridge was actually something you picked up."
Silver Wolf covered the cartridge at her waist.
"You're trying to take my cartridge?"
"No. I only wish to research it. In fact, the moment we met, my research had already begun."
"You invaded my cartridge's data?!"
"Not just yours. Every single person in Night City who possesses a cartridge has already been researched by me. Doesn't that make you feel a little better?"
After saying that, The Herta suddenly revealed a look of surprise. The way she looked at Silver Wolf carried a hint of strangeness.
"Your cartridge... even my astral computer cannot complete a full data analysis instantly. Even when I mobilized the entire computational power of the astral computer, I still couldn't uncover its secrets."
Hearing this, Silver Wolf also showed a trace of astonishment.
"You mean you've already deciphered the mysteries of the other cartridges?"
"Naturally. I could even handcraft a Herta-version Aether cartridge right now."
After speaking, The Herta swept her gaze across Mount Scrap. She immediately located all the materials required to manufacture a cartridge.
Then she waved the Herta Magic Wand, casually demonstrating the methods of a genius.
From within Mount Scrap, countless materials rose into the air.
Under Silver Wolf's incomprehending gaze, they assembled instantly.
The Herta Version · Aether Cartridge was born!
At the same time, a level indicator appeared above Herta's head:
???
Silver Wolf frowned in confusion.
"Why is your level just question marks?"
Herta replied matter-of-factly, "Isn't it obvious? I, Herta, have no limits."
"..."
Silver Wolf choked on her words for a moment before asking, "Miss Herta, I want to know— is the level cap for Punklorde hackers truly one hundred?"
Herta answered, "Yes and no."
Silver Wolf's confusion deepened. She clasped her hands together and looked at Herta with pleading eyes.
"Miss Herta, please. Tell me the answer."
"For native Punklorde residents, the maximum level of their innate Aether-editing cartridges is indeed one hundred," Herta explained. "But I'm different. My Aether-editing · Herta Cartridge was created by myself. Naturally, its level surpasses the cap—currently reaching level 420."
"Of course, that's only my present level. As I said earlier, my future has no limits."
"Four hundred and tw—?!"
Silver Wolf froze.
She had never imagined Herta's level would exceed Punklorde's cap by more than four times.
Is this the true weight of a genius?
No wonder she had single-handedly crushed every hacker in Night City.
At this moment, she was already a legend among legends.
The ultimate, invincible final boss.
At that moment, Herta's voice continued.
"That said, not all Punklorde natives are incapable of breaking past the level cap. Silver Wolf, you have that potential. Or rather—your cartridge is special. It can help you go further on the path of hacking. Break the limit."
Silver Wolf stood there, stunned.
She had never expected the cartridge she picked up to be this extraordinary.
Then came words that left her even more bewildered.
"Isn't that right, Aha?"
Aha?
Which Aha?
The Aeon of Elation— the one who stood at the summit of the Tree of Existence?
That existence... in Mount Scrap?
Was that even possible?
At that very moment, Silver Wolf noticed the handheld console she had been holding began emitting a faint glow.
A pixelated rabbit doll wearing a pointed hat appeared on the screen. Its expression was comically dejected.
"To think I was discovered. Aha has truly lost face," the pixel rabbit said. "But that only proves how special you are, Herta. You're almost comparable to my old friend Akivili."
"You're really Aha?" Silver Wolf stared at the doll in shock. "You look familiar... I remember now. You were the number two player on the leaderboard I just surpassed."
She paused.
"Aeons play games too?"
"Hahaha! Of course the Aeon of Elation plays games—what would that even mean otherwise?" Aha laughed. "And let me tell you a little secret. On that leaderboard, you'll also find my good buddy Akivili."
After laughing, Aha turned toward Herta.
"Herta, as a reward for discovering me, how about I give you a mask and let you become a Masked Fool?"
"I'll take the mask. As for becoming a Fool, I'll pass. After all, I'm a genius," Herta said seriously. "If you truly give me the mask, one day I'll show you a grand spectacle."
"A grand spectacle? I'm looking forward to it. The mask is yours."
The pixelated Aha reached into the game world with a hand formed of pixels, rummaged around, and pulled out a smiling mask before tossing it outward.
The mask fell from the handheld's game world into real space, instantly shedding its pixelated form and transforming into a genuine Masked Fool's mask.
Herta caught it with one hand.
I came to Punklorde to find Blade... yet I've gained unexpected rewards.
First the Aether-editing cartridge. Now a mask of Elation.
Especially this mask. With it, I'm one step closer to forging a Warp.
At that moment, Aha turned toward Silver Wolf.
"As a reward for surpassing my score on the leaderboard, I've granted your cartridge the possibility of breaking the level cap. You can continue to ascend."
"Punklorde's playground is too small for you. Why not make the entire cosmos your stage?"
The cosmos as a gaming arena?
Interesting.
A faint smile curved at Silver Wolf's lips.
Aha spoke again.
"The leaderboard score was a record from many years ago. Next time, when you ascend to the top of Punklorde, I'll play with you again. I hope you'll be smiling when you do."
"Deal," Silver Wolf said confidently. "I'm already number one now. And since I've surpassed you once, I'll win again next time too."
"When you lose to me, Aha, don't cry."
"Truly underestimated. Aha has no face left," Aha laughed loudly, then vanished from the handheld's game world. The screen quickly dimmed.
Silver Wolf looked up at the sharp-hatted girl before her.
"Herta—the ultimate boss. One day, I'll surpass you."
"Are you telling a joke?" The Herta smiled faintly as she gazed at Silver Wolf. "Ah, right. You are someone gazed upon by Aha. A Masked Fool walking the Path of Elation. Your cartridge is your mask."
"By the way, that joke you told just now was quite amusing."
"I wasn't joking!"
Silver Wolf exploded, her face flushing as she stomped her foot.
"Just like the Aether cartridges of Punklorde have no limit in your hands— with Aha backing me, I have no limits either!"
"One day, I'll defeat you, Herta—the great demon king, the ultimate boss!"
"Yes, yes," Herta replied perfunctorily.
Suddenly, she sensed something and turned her gaze toward the entrance of Mount Scrap.
Before long, she saw a woman in a long coat and sunglasses, a tall armored figure, and a man in a suit approaching.
Seeing them, Herta realized that Yao Guang's calculation had truly come to pass.
She had really encountered Blade.
In that case, obtaining the Blood of Abundance was finally within reach.
—
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