Chapter 72: Old Yang, Old Yang

The time required to develop a game is actually quite substantial. Bronie's gaming company has been expanding its workforce repeatedly, and its scale has been growing accordingly.

Of course, the company's rapid growth can be attributed to Bronie's cost-effective methods of game development, which other gaming companies simply can't replicate.

Whether it's art, music, setting, or copywriting, they are all created through Bronie's projections, resulting in virtually zero production costs.

The bulk of the revenue naturally lies in Bronie's hands, but she also treats her employees fairly. Strict adherence to the eight-hour workday is the norm, with a firm stance against overtime.

However, despite these measures, players are gradually becoming impatient.

The recent voting results have been announced, but no one expected the games released to be Kirby and Mario.

While these can be considered action games and support multiplayer gameplay, they fall short of satisfying the demand for online multiplayer combat.

What players truly desire are online multiplayer shooter games, preferably with a sci-fi twist.

Shortly after the release of Mario, Bronie provided an answer.

The promotional video was captivating, featuring giant robots, solitary battles, and dynamic environments such as burning forests and grappling hooks for agile movement.

Although the video didn't reveal much, it succeeded in generating widespread interest.

Even more significant was the announcement of another game, offered completely free of charge. The graphics quality speaks for itself, with the Schicksal engine delivering top-tier visuals that can run even on low-spec computers. Fortunately, hardware limitations are not a concern for game companies.

The meeting was scheduled in the Far East, quite a distance from Bronie's location.

Initially, Cioara expressed a desire to accompany her, but Bronie declined the offer. Given that Bronie would be facing Welt Yang, the second Herrscher of Reason, it seemed inappropriate for Cioara, with her mercenary temperament and affiliation with the World Serpent, to be present.

Thus, Bronie embarked on the journey alone, heading towards Nagazora in the Far East. It was her first visit to the city, which had yet to experience a Honkai Eruption.

Compared to Siberia, Nagazora was considerably warmer, allowing Bronie to adopt a more casual and stylish attire.

While she had picked up various fashion tips from Elysia, she felt that a cute style didn't quite suit her, preferring instead a slightly more refined and chic look.

Everything in Nagazora was unfamiliar to Bronie, prompting her to refrain from establishing her company there to avoid potential losses in the event of a Honka Eruptioni.

After disembarking from the plane, she casually explored the vicinity of Senba Academy before finding a hotel to stay temporarily.

"How's Nagazora? I never expected Bronie to receive an invitation from Mr. Yang. His Arahato series is incredibly fascinating. It's hard to believe that the same person authored Homu's Big Adventure and the Arahato series."

"I've also worked on Elden Ring and Kirby, so it's not unusual for a producer to create different styles of content. Nagazora is quite warm, though it's unfortunate that it's not cherry blossom season. Otherwise, I would have shown you the road lined with cherry blossom trees."

After arriving in Nagazora, Bronie communicated with Bronya. To avoid attracting mercenaries' attention, Bronie often contacted the children from the orphanage.

"When Bronya grows up and earns her own travel expenses, we can go together."

The little bunny is really cute!

"In the future, try not to come to Nagazora. This time, I'm here mainly for work. If you really want to see the cherry blossom sea, we'll have to go elsewhere."

"Why?"

Bronya didn't quite understand. It was Bronie who recommended this scenery to her, so why couldn't she come and play?

"Um... Why not?"

"Bronya doesn't understand what her sister is saying~"

"In short, Nagazora is where virtual singularities are most likely to occur. Staying here for too long may lead to unpleasant events. It's best to avoid it as much as possible, got it?"

"Bronya doesn't understand what her sister is saying~"

"Anyway, Nagazora has a lot of dirty stuff. It's best not to come here. I'm not joking about this. But how has everyone been lately? Did Rosalia eat all the cherries in the fridge? Cherries are prone to spoilage and can rot in as little as two days."

"Bronya don't know about that, but Rosalia is taking good care of the cherries. She said she wants to eat them for a month!"

As expected.

Bronie was looking forward to seeing Rosalia's reaction when she sees all the cherries rotten. But that's too mean.

"Remember to tell Rosalia not to forget her homework. If I come back and see that she hasn't touched a single word, I'll make her understand what cruelty means."

"Okay... Oh, and Sister Bronie, could you bring everyone Mr. Yang's autograph? Everyone really wants it, but we're afraid of troubling you."

Is Bronya already vying for the position of big sister among the children so soon? How oddly cute.

"You can leave the autographs to me. And what about Sin? Does she have any preferences?"

"She probably wants some merchandise? Arahato's."

Sin prefers slightly boyish things, cool stuff like giant robots, which are within her range of interests. Although Bronie's usual strategy of attacking with cute skirts has been quite effective, Sin's behavior has become more restrained.

But she still really likes the Arahato figurine that Bronie gave her.

"That's good. Let Sin wait at home. And don't tire yourself too much. There's a mechanism in the second drawer to the right of my office desk. When you open it, you'll find weapons inside. If you encounter any enemies, don't hesitate to use them."

"So, has Bronie made enemies outside?"

"I'm just worried that the Silver Wolf Squad might come knocking. Let's end our chat here for today. If we talk more, I won't be able to get up tomorrow. Goodnight, Bronya."

"Okay, goodnight, Bronie."

After ending the communication, Bronya left her room and went to Bronie's office. The secret door in the office was originally used by Cocolia to hide some secrets that children shouldn't see, or maybe something bloody.

But Bronie had cleaned everything up, and now there was only a weapons room in the hidden room, specifically for the children to use in times of crisis.

Sin also knew about this hidden room.

But Bronya wasn't very reassured. Since she promised to protect the children, keeping the weapon close at hand was the best choice. Otherwise, she would only have stockings to rely on.

Entering the hidden room, Bronya looked at the densely packed weapons on the rack and fell into a state of confusion.

"R-101? Little Helper? Flying Firestar? Peacekeeper? Why are these weapons from Bronie's games? Could it be that Bronie is also a Legend?"

Naturally, Bronie didn't know that Bronya still suffered from the fear of insufficient firepower, but even if she did, she would remain indifferent.

Being prepared for the worst is a good virtue, and having weapons ready at all times can indeed provide a sense of security.

The next day, waking up in an unfamiliar hotel, Bronie quickly freshened up and put on a red skirt with a blue hoodie.

The hoodie was the same style as Sans', and Bronie really liked it.

As for the skirt, it was just to blend in with the surroundings.

To be honest, Bronie had never experienced the life of a high school girl. Wearing a skirt and thigh-high socks was all about immersing herself in the atmosphere.

She had arranged to meet Mr. Welt in a cafe.

Approaching the front desk, she inquired about the reserved seat and followed the waiter to Mr. Welt's table.

In that brief moment of eye contact, Bronie saw surprise in Welt's eyes.

Facing the Honkai without flinching, the second successor of the Herrscher of Reason, bearing the name of the world, the surprise in his eyes made Bronie smile.

"It seems that Mr. Yang's age prediction for me was too conservative. He never expected me to be so young, right? My name is Bronie, nice to meet you! I'm currently sixteen years old, and I study everything by myself. I'm not attending school at the moment."

"Hello, Bronie. My full name is Welt Yang. I was still diligently studying in school at your age. I never imagined that there would be such a talented genius in the world who can independently create games, handle music, art, and programming all by herself. It's truly admirable."

Knowing the difficulty of creation, especially in game development, Welt had participated in game production, so he felt that it was not something one person could accomplish alone.

But Bronie did it.

And she looked so young doing it.

"Technology can always change people's lives. When technology reaches a certain level of portability, even auxiliary programming, composition, and drawing are possible. These can all be done through programming. It's just that currently, no one is better than me."

Indeed.

Before, Welt had been constantly pondering how Bronie managed to accomplish such a huge amount of work alone.

Especially for the work "Civilization," which typically would take at least a year in terms of art, but Bronie finished it in just a few months?

"It seems that your expertise isn't just in game development?"

"Well... I'm good at many things, but let's not talk about that for now. Mr. Yang, I have several copies of manga and merchandise here. I'll leave the signing to you!"

"So many?"

Welt didn't expect Bronie to take out so many manga from her bag. Normally, one would be enough.

"I have an orphanage where the children love your work, so I thought of giving each of them a copy, leaving behind a good memory."

"But you're only sixteen..."

"Does being sixteen mean I can't take care of children?"

Welt remained silent for a moment, but considering that a person's works could somewhat reflect their values, Bronie shouldn't be someone who acts impulsively.

"I'm just a little surprised. It seems Miss Bunny is like a box of chocolates, every step of getting to know her is a surprise."

"Thank you for the signatures. They will be very happy. Let's get down to business now. The agent for Apex in the Americas region, although it feels a bit strange discussing it in the Far East, it's okay. I happen to want to open a themed store in the Far East."

Bronie's plan was to open a game store in the St Freya Academy, with the theme based on her own games.

However, she arrived in this world a bit late, and she missed the bidding for commercial streets in that place, and her funds at that time hadn't accumulated yet.

"What an interesting choice. Apex, huh? Our Homu Entertainment has a very high interest in your network games. I believe you're prepared to introduce your new game?"

"Of course. I have great confidence in my game. Unlike the pay-to-win model in the market, the first thing I want to introduce is the subscription model."

Bronie detailed the gameplay of Apex, including the setting of Evolution Armor and the issues that adults would pay attention to.

Time passed quickly, and Welt carefully considered Bronie's new game.

"This new payment method imposes very strict requirements on the quality of subsequent updates."

"I think it's okay. Legendary updates and the setting of it, as well as each special skin, after all, I am Haxxor Bunny, and Haxxor Bunny's products are always top-notch. Moreover, the game is equipped with an anti-cheating program written by me, which can eliminate the possibility of cheating from all aspects, so there's no need to worry about cheating affecting the lifespan of the game."

"It seems you have great confidence in your programming abilities?"

"Of course. After all, I am Haxxor Bunny!"

"Well... So, did you also take the fifty kilograms of gold?"

"...What?"

Fifty?

Cocolia couldn't possibly come up with fifty kilograms of gold! Thirty kilograms was the maximum!

It turned out Tesla deliberately exaggerated the weight when talking to Welt!

She almost blurted it out.

"It's nothing. I was just joking. But speaking of which, what do you think of Kallen Kaslana in history? I see you seem to have some criticisms in the Civilization Encyclopedia."

Welt observed Bronie's reaction carefully, but that subtle pause gave Welt a strange premonition.

Could it really be her doing?

But how is that possible?

A sixteen-year-old girl, breaking through the anti entropy-repelling robot defense, and directly snatching fifty kilograms of gold.

No matter how you think about it, it's unlikely.

But...

Bronie is very confident in her programming abilities, so she's very capable in the network?

"Kallen Kaslana... I don't know much about her, but I think before she died, she probably had some doubts about her own sense of justice. Even without anyone's help, she didn't give up her sense of justice. It's just that the environment at the time was too dark, so she thought of using this clumsy method to resist? She's a very emotional person, and she acts impulsively."

"So, you don't think the description in history of her protecting the people from being invaded by monsters is false?"

This is the history published by the Schicksal. Although most people consider it fake, Welt still knows that there was probably an attack by the Honkai beasts at that time.

The reaction of a normal person wouldn't be like Miss Haxxor Bunny's.

"Monsters? Probably an embellishment, right? If it's true, it can also explain the disaster that took place during the Millennium, which took away the families of all the children in the orphanage."

Hearing Bronie say this, Welt also recalled that terrible time.

She is also a victim of the second eruption...

No wonder.

"So, Miss Bunny, do you want to know the truth? Do you want to know what really happened during that great disaster?"

It can be almost certain that the Bunny who robbed Tesla is the girl in front of him.

So let's be ho--

"Let's be honest! Welt!"

"Ah?"