Chapter 19: Silver Wolf Visits the Space Station? Nobody Cares About Me?

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While card-drawing fever raged within the space station,

At the same time, a holographic projection moved unnoticed through one of the compartments.

"Is the management here really that poor? I've been around for quite some time, and nobody has even acknowledged me—it's so boring." Silver Wolf grumbled as she searched for clues related to the 'Punklord Spirit' game cartridge.

During her previous visit to the space station, although she encountered numerous intriguing objects, none of them were what she was specifically searching for.

Consequently, she had left electronic graffiti at various locations as backdoor programs to infiltrate the space station more easily. This would allow her to return and leisurely search for "[Punk-Lord Spirit]" after completing Elio's scenario.

"If it's not in the Anomaly Containment Center, there's a high chance that the Herta has hidden it within the 'Simulated Universe'."

As Silver Wolf pondered how to verify this suspicion, entering the Simulated Universe posed risks. After all, it was designed by several geniuses working together, making any hasty intrusion potentially dangerous.

She certainly didn't want to waste her efforts.

Just then, she spotted a familiar staff member approaching from nearby.

His name was Leonard, a cybersecurity engineer for the "Herta".

Grumbling while holding some documents, he said, "Dammit, why am I being called to review network security management right now? I just got my hands on [Herta], and before even having a chance to look at it, work duties pile up!"

"Got"? "Herta"?

Silver Wolf was taken aback momentarily.

These words were clearly familiar, but why did their combination create phrases she couldn't comprehend? Could it be related to the unusual atmosphere she noticed around the space station?

Has something intriguing emerged here recently? The corners of her lips curved slightly upward.

First, she concealed her figure and began heading towards the most crowded area—the Master Control Zone.

Soon enough, Silver Wolf noticed a group of scientists gathered around a large screen, watching intently.

It was... a live stream—a game livestream, to be precise.

The streamer on display was playing a game unlike any she had ever seen before.

Upon closer inspection, the setting seemed somewhat familiar!

"Hey folks! Seems like after the Antimatter Legion's invasion, the space station's scientists aren't doing too well."

"I guess it'll take them some time to recover!"

"Now let's go report to Asta!"

said the game streamer while simultaneously controlling a character named Himeko, running through the map.

Silver Wolf's eyes narrowed slightly.

The game's style appeared to mirror reality closely.

This map...

Clearly resembled the layout of this very space station!

And what did she just mention?

Invasion by the Antimatter Legion?

Isn't that an event from not long ago?!

"Could this game be based on real-life events?"

However, even more astonishing developments unfolded for Silver Wolf.

As they approached Asta, a storyline trigger activated!

Suddenly, numerous red hazard symbols flashed on the screen in front of Asta.

Everyone was taken aback.

Suddenly, a claw resembling molten metal descended from the sky, swiftly piercing through the space station's force field.

"Take the train and leave; I'll stay behind," Asta decisively commanded.

The observing scientists erupted with exclamations of shock.

"Woah! It's really here!"

"I knew this monster would show up! Brings back memories of that terrifying day."

"Asta, the station director, is quite courageous."

"This time we can witness how Trailblazer deals with the Doomsday Beast firsthand!"

Meanwhile, Silver Wolf, hidden nearby, felt a slight jolt within her!

What kind of game is this? How could it so accurately recreate the Antimatter Legion's creature?

She was no stranger to the Doomsday Beast. When infiltrating the space station alongside Kafka, she had deliberately lured part of the legion's forces in this direction, including the very same beast!

It was specifically meant to delay the Astral Express crew.

Could the game's storyline be recreating their experience at the space station?

As the members of the Astral Express arrived at the Supply Zone's Railway Platform for support, the Doomsday Beast made its timely appearance.

Landing on the platform, it unleashed a powerful shockwave.

However, instead of the anticipated free-for-all battle scene that Silver Wolf expected, the screen shattered.

Both sides took their positions, facing off against each other.

"Is this...turn-based?" Surprise flickered briefly in Silver Wolf's eyes before he shook his head slightly.

"Turn-based gameplay was popular several Amber Eras ago."

"In most turn-based games, it's challenging to capture the intense, high-stakes tension of combat."

"What a pity; I thought the premise had potential."

Soon, the battle escalated to its peak intensity.

The Doomsday Beast's attacks were wide and sweeping, causing significant damage with each strike to characters without shields. The team's survival hinged entirely on March 7th's protective barriers.

Under relentless assault and counterattacks, two characters' energy bars filled completely.

"The line between life and death lies within a single thought."

Dan Heng activated his ultimate ability:

"Realm of Illusion, Eternal Slumber."

An ink-wash-style backdrop emerged.

Dan Heng opened his eyes, thrusting his spear forcefully towards the target!

"Break!"

The Dawn's Left Hand shattered instantly.

Next came Trailblazer-Stelle's ultimate move.

"Rules are meant to be broken."

"Finishing Strike!"

With these two ultimate abilities unleashed, Silver Wolf's eyes instantly lit up.

She exclaimed, "So this is the Astral Express Crew's Ultimate technique? Impressive work!"

"I admit I may have underestimated them earlier!"

From then on,

she began paying closer attention to the turn-based combat mechanics of the game.

Soon, she discovered that each character had distinct roles and were divided by different attributes.

The Doomsday Beast was segmented into three areas, each with unique attribute weaknesses.

Moreover, every character had varying speeds, affecting their turn order. They could also initiate their Ultimate at any point, creating a "queue-jumping" effect.

This game was far from a simple back-and-forth battle mode. Even just the mechanisms she observed so far allowed for numerous varied scenarios.

As Silver Wolf watched the gameplay unfold, she gradually became fully immersed.

In her absorption, she muttered as if speaking to herself, "In this battle, the timing of releasing character Ultimates is crucial."

"Since Ultimate abilities can swiftly exploit the Doomsday Beast's weaknesses, it's crucial to interrupt its charging with these moves. We must prevent it from unleashing that powered-up attack."

"But with just these characters currently available...combined, they seem insufficiently strong?"

"The Doomsday Beast has three vulnerable spots all weak to Fire attribute attacks—Himeko is absolutely key!"

"If only Himeko's Ultimate were more powerful; it would make this fight much easier."

Meanwhile,

Dan Heng's health bar had nearly depleted.

Guinaifen intended to cast a shield to protect him but was interrupted by the Doomsday Beast's sweeping attack, leaving March 7th momentarily immobilized.

She couldn't activate her Skill!

The next wave of assault swiftly followed.

Dan Heng collapsed instantly.

The remaining characters' health bars were also perilously low.

Guinaifen started panicking, unsure of what move to make next.

"Guys! This battle is even tougher than I anticipated!"

"Dan Heng's down! Miss Himeko won't last much longer either!"

Viewers flooded the chat with comments.

"Is Little Gui Zi getting too nervous? Sweating profusely just playing a turn-based game?"

"Wipe your sweat, Little Gui Zi! It's alright, it's just one battle in a game. If we lose, we can always try again."

"My advice is to retreat first and level up your characters' ranks with better Light Cones."

Guinaifen's expression seemed teary yet dry as she stubbornly replied, "But our opponents are the Antimatter Legion's Doomsday Beasts! Little Gui Zi really doesn't want to lose to them!"

"Not even once!"

"No way, I must continue fighting. Even if only one character remains, we can't give up!" Guinaifen reignited her determination.

Combined with the stirring background music, it created an atmosphere reminiscent of heroic defiance against overwhelming odds.

Suddenly, amidst the chat, a line of shimmering blue text appeared.

The font featured unique particle effects, making it impossible not to notice!

"Could the streamer activate Himeko's ultimate ability for me to see? If it's a powerful group attack, there might still be a chance."