Space station 43: The Crucial Match! Silver Wolf's Admiration and Curiosity

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Punklorde has produced many legendary hackers, but inviting them all back for the challenge would be impractical.

However, the organizers could recreate their presence through holographic projections.

After numerous iterations of effort,

while not achieving a perfect 100% replication, within specific arenas, the projections now possess over 90% of the original hackers' capabilities.

[The Legendary Hacker Challenge, as Punklorde's most anticipated and popular competition, is one you and Silver Wolf originally planned to enter together.]

[Given your current reputation, you both directly bypassed the initial selection round.]

[Naturally, progressing through subsequent elimination rounds was effortless, leading smoothly to the main event.]

[Just before the start of the main event, Silver Wolf approached you.]

Silver Wolf flashed her usual provocative grin. "So, how about it? Dare to compete and see who scores higher at the final tally?"

[Bronya: Still daring to challenge her? She's incredibly persistent!]

As always, Su Qing readily accepted the challenge. "Of course."

However, he paused before adding, "But I hope for the initial rounds, you can participate solo."

This caught Silver Wolf off guard.

She pointed to herself, surprised. "Me? Fight alone?"

That was no ordinary feat—it meant facing legendary hackers!

In Punklorde, they represented the pinnacle of existence!

Silver Wolf believed she would someday join their ranks, but currently...

Currently, in Silver Wolf's mind, the benchmark for a legendary hacker's prowess had been firmly set by Su Qing's level.

She genuinely lacked much confidence.

Su Qing nodded reassuringly. "Believe in yourself, you can do it. Plus, this way, you'll have the chance to showcase your skills early on and rack up high scores, right?"

Silver Wolf hesitated slightly. "Are you letting me win here? But..."

Su Qing smiled softly. "Afraid? If you're not confident, then forget it."

Silver Wolf promptly responded, "Huh? What's there to be afraid of?! I might just finish them all off myself, leaving you no chance to participate!"

[Qingque: Wow, that reverse psychology worked wonders, didn't it?]

[Firefly: Eas-ily ma-nipulated.]

The main event of the Challenger Tournament took place at Punklorde's largest stadium, capable of accommodating nearly one hundred thousand spectators.

In the commentary booth, the host wore extravagant blue glasses with continuously flashing information streams, making one wonder if he could actually read the content displayed.

The host's voice echoed through speakers, reaching every corner of the stadium.

"Please welcome! The team currently making the biggest waves - the Roaming Wolves duo!"

As Su Qing and Silver Wolf entered the arena, deafening cheers roared like a tsunami, with people filling every direction as far as the eye could see.

Standing amidst the crowd, Su Qing vividly felt the overwhelming pressure generated by tens of thousands gathered together.

He glanced sideways, noticing Silver Wolf blinking repeatedly and occasionally adjusting his goggles or tugging at the corners of his clothing.

[Kafka: @Silver Wolf, darling, are you feeling a bit nervous right now?]

[Silver Wolf: ... To be honest, yes.]

[Silver Wolf: Before this stage, I've never experienced such a massive crowd.]

[Firefly: It's alright, everyone goes through growth processes. Silver Wolf also took it step by step before becoming a Stellaron Hunter ~]

[Stelle: Firefly is right!]

Host: "And their opponent today is none other than the legendary hacker 'Number 0'!"

"During the era of cyber warfare, Number 0 was the greatest hacker and most fearsome player, causing Punklorde's first-ever global internet blackout..."

"And his motive for doing so, surprisingly—was just to summon the company's transport ship right to his doorstep!"

[Seele: ? Speechless... How does the company show up everywhere?]

[Herta: That's how monopolistic corporations operate.]

[Topaz: Ha... haha, it's all, all for maintaining peace in the universe, mind you!]

Su Qing patted Silver Wolf on the shoulder amidst the deafening uproar around them, making it temporarily impossible to hear what he said.

But when Silver Wolf met Su Qing's gaze, as if under the influence of some incredible enchantment, he composed himself significantly.

The commentator's unexpectedly surprised tone instantly reverberated throughout the arena: "Oh? One of the contestants has taken a step back. Could it be that they don't intend to engage?"

The commentator began to get excited. "There's only one, just one contestant advancing forward. Does she plan to take on Number 0 single-handedly? To face off against the legendary hacker alone?

"Could this competition start with such an explosive highlight right from the beginning?!"

The commentator's voice was highly infectious, and the director promptly adjusted the camera angles in sync, heightening the atmosphere at the scene.

Number 0's holographic projection appeared before Silver Wolf.

Simultaneously, an even larger full-scale hologram enveloped the entire arena, transforming it into a bustling corner of a cityscape where hackers could freely showcase their skills.

At the same time, all external sounds were isolated, allowing the competitors to focus solely on their battle.

The announcer declared, "Let the match begin! Let's see if this young hacker can take on Number 0 and emerge victorious!"

[Bronya: Ha ha, "young hacker girl," indeed.]

[Seele: ? Good thing their voices are isolated; otherwise, Silver Wolf might've tried to give that announcer a beating first.]

Silver Wolf took a deep breath, striving to enter a state of intense focus.

After initially feeling nervous, she gradually grew excited.

She decided to go all out from the start, ensuring that even if she couldn't defeat the legendary hacker opposite her, at least she wouldn't lose too...

Wait, I haven't even fully exerted myself, and you're already down?!

However! As soon as Silver Wolf unleashed her full attack, she was astonished to find that Number 0 seemed surprisingly weak!

Just one round, and Number 0 appeared somewhat disheveled.

"How could they be so weak..." Silver Wolf frowned, suspecting that her opponent might be intentionally feigning weakness. But after several probing attempts, she realized, Is this truly all they have?

Is this it...?

As a supposedly legendary hacker, not only did Silver Wolf's presence feel less intimidating than Su Qing's, but her actual capabilities seemed significantly inferior.

Thoughts raced through Silver Wolf's mind, but her attacks showed no mercy, relentless and unceasing.

Gradually, she realized something profound.

So my current strength can already rival that of a legendary hacker...

Despite Number 0's struggles, the match lasted barely more than ten minutes before Silver Wolf emerged victorious.

The commentator exclaimed, "She actually won, and so effortlessly?! My goodness! Could the biggest dark horse of this tournament have appeared on the very first day?"

With the holographic projection and soundproof barrier removed, the spectators' cheers once again filled the air.

Silver Wolf's immediate reaction was to excitedly turn around.

There, Su Qing stood with a smile, clapping along with the audience for her victory.

Backstage, still buzzing from the thrill of the competition, Silver Wolf exclaimed, "I won!"

Her lips curved into a grin as she raised her hand for a high-five with Su Qing.

In the next moment, there was a crackle of electricity.

"Ouch!" Silver Wolf recoiled, clutching her hand. "How did you see through me at such a perfect opportunity?!"

[March 7th: Ha ha! Still pulling pranks even now!]

[Silver Wolf: True players never miss any opportunity for a challenge.]

[Seele: Yet still ended up defeated.]

[Stelle: Yet still ended up defeated. +1]

Su Qing smiled warmly, "Every time you plan to prank someone, you give away your intentions with that mischievous grin. It's too obvious."

Only then did Silver Wolf realize her mistake, "... So it was my expression all along?!"

***

With the victory from the first match, one week later, Silver Wolf entered the second round confidently.

Announcer: "Their opponent this time is 'Foresight'!"

"As the creator of Ether Editing technology, Foresight even willingly abandoned their physical form to infiltrate the Black Domain, becoming a ghost forever wandering the interstellar network, just to leave this planet!"

"Let's see... Wait, another single combat duel again?!"

This time, Silver Wolf wasn't as nervous. After some initial probing, she discovered that Foresight's strength indeed matched Number 0 closely.

After defeating Foresight, Silver Wolf had enough composure left to perform a victorious gesture.

"The creator of Ether Editing?" Facing the camera, Silver Wolf flashed a thumbs-down sign. "In today's context, hmph! Just an old relic, nothing more!"

[March 7th: Ha ha ha, Silver Wolf looks so cool!]

[Firefly: After so many setbacks, finally witnessing her moment of brilliance!]

[Himeko: Quite impressive.]

[Silver Wolf: Just don't idolize me too much, okay? ?]

The photographer leaned forward, nearly half-kneeling on the ground, perfectly capturing her victory gesture onto the large screen.

"Wow!!!" The host instantly mirrored Silver Wolf's excitement. "I never expected this young hacker girl to be truly that strong! She already possesses the prowess of a legendary hacker, doesn't she?"

Without pausing, the host swiftly shifted the focus back to Su Qing as the camera angle changed. "Furthermore! Her teammate hasn't even made a move yet during this match!"

"Is it because they're hiding their true strength, feeling no need to intervene? Or are they just here to ride coattails and coast through for points?"

"This is genuinely suspenseful and definitely worth watching!"

On the sidelines, the director gave him a thumbs up.

Well done!

Creating continuous buzz was essential to ensure high viewership ratings.

[Qingque: Heh, regardless of what happens, with both Su Qing and Silver Wolf participating in this tournament, the organizers have hit the jackpot!]

[Stelle: Qingque is right!]

Another week passed, and now outside Silver Wolf's apartment, posters featuring the two of them were prominently displayed.

Inside, Silver Wolf sat at the table.

Last time, she transformed the "Demon King" personality into Su Qing.

This time, she turned the "Friend" persona into Su Qing's likeness.

"Friend."

It was logical and fitting, as this was indeed the first personality Silver Wolf created within her smart pistol. Having always been accustomed to working alone, Silver Wolf remained uncertain if she truly qualified as a "friend" to Su Qing.

Does staying up all night gaming together count as being friends? Does participating as teammates in competitions make us friends?

Perhaps I should just ask Su Qing directly...

No, no, no. Silver Wolf shook her head, thinking it sounded too foolish.

Additionally, she had already guessed why Su Qing wanted her to compete solo for these matches.

After two rounds, both her confidence and ability to handle large-scale events had significantly improved.

These were precious opportunities to gain recognition across Punklorde. Yet, Su Qing willingly gave her the chance to shine during the first two appearances.

[March 7th: Indeed, if Su Qing stepped in, there wouldn't be much room for Silver Wolf to contribute.]

[Stelle: March 7th is right!]

[March 7th: @Stelle, have you been repeating lines all day?]

[Stelle: March 7th is right on point!]

[March 7th: ...If you repeat that again, I'll treat you to more of Sister Himeko's coffee.]

[Stelle (quickly conceding): I was wrong!!]

[Seele: Heh, it seems Himeko's coffee has become a strategic deterrent weapon.]

[Himeko: It appears there might be some misconceptions about my personally brewed coffee...]

Silver Wolf rested her chin in her hand, watching Su Qing's miniature figure pacing back and forth on the table.

Ultimately, her current strength wouldn't have been possible without Su Qing's guidance and assistance...

Regardless of whether she could bring up the topic of "friends," finding an opportunity to simply say "thank you" felt necessary...

As she kept staring at the tiny avatar, something seemed to trigger within her.

Suddenly, Su Qing's miniature stopped and raised his hand, saying, "Friendship is destiny; always cherish it. Here's to our friendship, cheers!"

[Bronya: Ha-ha-ha.]

[Bronya: What a magical line is this?]

Recalling the dialogue she had designed before, Silver Wolf couldn't help but laugh too, raising her hand as well: "...Yes, cheers."

Just then,

Ding dong.

From the nearby screen came Su Qing's real voice, "Silver Wolf, are you there? It's almost time to depart."

Spotting Su Qing at the door, Silver Wolf, mid-toast, flinched and trembled visibly, clearly startled.

Without knowing why she felt nervous, she hastily panicked and quickly retracted her smart personality.

[Sparkle]: Got caught red-handed, huh? ~

[Sushang]: Does it really count as wrongdoing?

[Himeko]: Regardless of whether it does or not, earlier, Silver Wolf said she wouldn't include Su Qing in the smart personality.

[Himeko]: Yet here we see, with various substitutions, she's having quite the fun.

[Firefly]: Actions speak louder than words! Silver Wolf truly embodies both pride and bashfulness.

[Stelle]: Incorrect. Right now, she only has pride and stubbornness; the bashfulness is still missing.

[Firefly]: Ha ha, true indeed! ~

[Silver Wolf]: I just want to clarify, substituting ≠ adding, it's a clear inequality!

[Sparkle]: Heh.

[Qingque]: Heh.

[Herta]: Keep up that stubborn front, let's see how long it lasts.

[Silver Wolf]: Indefinitely. ?

***

The third match, the finals. The sports arena was packed, without a single empty seat.

"Let's congratulate Team Roaming Wolves!" announced the host. "They have successfully advanced to the final round, but their opponents this time are not just one!"

"One is 'Stone Sword,' the pride of Waste Heap Mountain. According to legend, he ultimately followed the Galaxy Rangers, continuing to ignite sparks of rebellion amidst the Milky Way!"

"And his beloved partner, 'Twin Snakes,' a notable figure from the Oasis District. To date, no challenger has been able to defeat this duo!"

As the match began, projections of these two legendary hackers simultaneously appeared on the field.

"This seems challenging..."

This time, Silver Wolf only needed a brief test to realize that the difficulty was markedly different from the previous rounds.

Compared to the earlier legendary hackers, Stone Sword and Twin Snakes were not only closer to the present era and more powerful, but their coordination was also exceptionally seamless.

No wonder nobody had passed before. It felt as though the organizers intentionally designed such high difficulty for dramatic effect.

How could they possibly fight this?

Fighting two against one was clearly impossible.

Silver Wolf didn't persist futilely; adhering to their agreed plan, she signaled to Su Qing immediately.

With that, Su Qing stepped forward and intercepted Stone Sword and Twin Snakes' attack.

Announcer: "What?! The second participant, who has been on standby throughout the previous rounds, finally makes their debut!"

"Let me check his information... Turns out he's actually the team captain! My goodness, what a surprising revelation!"

[Qingque: Ha ha, keep up the act, but let's be real—basic info like who the captain is would have been known from the start.]

[Bronya: Indeed? Nonetheless, I must admit, this exaggerated tone does stir up the atmosphere quite effectively.]

The announcer's commentary fueled the audience's excitement, creating a fervent atmosphere outside the arena.

Inside, however, it remained unusually quiet.

Across from them, Stone Sword and Twin Snakes seemed to be assessing the new enemy's capabilities.

As Su Qing moved in front of Silver Wolf, she instantly felt the pressure from the opposing legendary hackers diminish significantly.

Su Qing spoke up, "Let's stick to our usual coordination. You assist me, focusing primarily on the Twin Snakes. Their attacks can be unpredictable; I might miss some during defense."

Silver Wolf acknowledged with understanding.

Looking across the arena, she pondered if there were two of herself facing Stone Sword and Twin Snakes...

It would likely still be a challenging match.

However, Su Qing's straightforward strategy, coupled with his confident and composed tone, instantly instilled Silver Wolf with belief in their victory.

Stone Sword and Twin Snakes charged forward, coordinating their attacks for maximum impact.

Su Qing raised his hand, and in that instant, all Ether Elements within the arena responded as if aligning themselves under one banner—his command.

This move neutralized the enemy's offensive midway, rendering it ineffective.

Behind Su Qing, Silver Wolf swiftly joined in, her hands moving at lightning speed. Her slight trembling wasn't from nervousness but rather...from sheer excitement once again!

Su Qing's ability to manipulate such vast quantities of Ether Elements across the enormous arena revealed to Silver Wolf that he must have achieved another significant breakthrough recently!

When does an auxiliary player feel most exhilarated?

Naturally, it's when their main carry has formidable strength and can wreak havoc on the battlefield!

Announcer: "What is the newly entered contestant doing? Why do I sense a change in the wind direction of Ether Elements within the arena?"

"He directly charged towards Stone Sword. Is this the right choice? Keep in mind that Stone Sword is exceptionally skilled at..."

"He surprisingly isn't falling behind in close combat with Stone Sword... Wait, should I say it's Stone Sword who's faltering... No, Stone Sword has been defeated already?! Unbelievable!"

[Stelle: Heh, poor Stone Sword! The announcer didn't even finish speaking before he went down at lightning speed.]

The rapid and intense battle forced the announcer to frequently adjust his commentary, unable to complete one sentence before needing to swiftly move onto the next.

Announcer: "Oh my goodness! I scarcely dare to believe my eyes! Stone Sword was renowned for his close-quarters combat prowess, a legendary hacker following the path of the Galaxy Rangers..."

"Yet, just like that, he was vanquished with thunderous force. This contestant's Ether manipulation abilities are astonishing, and unexpectedly, his close combat skills are equally formidable!"

"Incredible!"

"We thought this previously unseen contestant was just here to coast along and rely on his teammates' strength. But turns out, he's truly the powerhouse himself!"

Meanwhile, the spectators erupted with excitement, feeling that their tickets for this final match were absolutely worth it.

The commentator exclaimed, "Was this participant simply uninterested in showing off before? Or was he concealing his true abilities, giving opportunities to his teammates?"

"Regardless, now we have a two-on-one situation. Unless something unexpected happens..."

"And there it is! Twin Snakes defeated as well! They've claimed victory!!"

Even the host appeared genuinely stunned, standing up and speaking fervently into the microphone, "Since its inception, no one has ever cleared this stage of the Legendary Hacker Challenge..."

"Now, they've effortlessly taken the crown!"

"This competition will undoubtedly leave a significant mark in Punklorde's history!"

On the sidelines, the director was ecstatic beyond measure.

Firstly, Silver Wolf, capable of defeating legendary hackers, had consistently won, generating immense buzz.

For the final round, the director knew the difficulty level and intended to create a dramatic, bittersweet ending.

Unexpectedly, Su Qing, who seemed merely along for the ride, turned out to be the true anchor and powerhouse—the real force behind their victories!

Such a dramatic storyline.

The director knew that this event would skyrocket both live viewership and replay rates exponentially!

***

With the competition concluded, the arena erupted in sustained cheers.

Announcer: "They've done it!"

"Now, let's welcome our sponsors and guests to deliver remarks and present the awards..."

Suddenly, a staff member rushed up to the announcer's ear, whispering something urgently.

Surprised, the announcer exclaimed, "What? They left early because they didn't want to listen to boring speeches, asking us to mail their medals instead?"

"Hahaha!!"

The audience burst into laughter, followed by a wave of loud boos.

Looking at the instructions from the director on his glasses display, the announcer continued:

"But fear not! I'm sure you haven't had enough of their awe-inspiring battle just yet. We will now replay it on the big screens for everyone to enjoy again!"

"Unbound by rules, formidable yet carefree—this is truly the spirit of legendary hackers!"

"Let's give them another round of applause!"

His words effectively reignited the enthusiastic atmosphere.

At one of the stadium exits, Su Qing and Silver Wolf turned back to glance at the still cheering crowd.

Then, their information and data shifted, concealing their presence completely.

They blended into the crowd, disappearing from sight.

***

It was already evening.

Inside the stadium, waves of cheers continued unabated,

while outside on the streets, it felt remarkably quiet.

Silver Wolf, still buzzing with remnants of excitement from the match, couldn't stop talking about the battle.

Su Qing watched his teammate, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes as he observed the joyful Silver Wolf.

Suddenly realizing himself, he smiled and shook his head.

No, Kafka would never be this lively...

[Kafka: ?]

[Stelle: (Unconsciously reaches out)(Good thing I controlled myself)]

[Sparkle: Too bad, almost had a burst of uncontrollable laughter.]

Su Qing patiently listened until Silver Wolf finished speaking.

With that, he began walking. "Let's go. I've already hacked into the organizer's account and transferred the prize money ahead of time. Time for a good feast today."

[Sparkle: Sounds delightful.]

[Sushang: Absolutely enjoyable.]

[Seele: Organizer: ??? Fine, skipping the award ceremony is one thing, but taking the prize money early too?!]

[Bronya: Hahaha, dying of laughter. Speaking of, Su Qing's approach in Punklorde this time was truly unconventional.]

[Stelle: Su Qing: Hacker extraordinaire, awesome!]

After venting their emotions from the intense battle,

Silver Wolf watched Su Qing's departing figure and suddenly recalled his initial intention to forge a new path in this competition.

However,

in the realms of hacking, combat, and gaming, Su Qing had consistently outclassed her, leaving no room for doubt.

During this tournament, Silver Wolf felt once again that she utterly lost to him, both in temperament and skill.

Not only did he selflessly yield such a precious stage without hesitation, allowing her full freedom to showcase herself...

but also, at the end, he revealed yet another level of prowess, making her feel even more awestruck...

All these experiences intertwined, forming a new sentiment within Silver Wolf towards Su Qing.

Her previously settled emotions began to surge once again.

This newfound sentiment might just be...

[Sparkle: Perhaps she's turning into a masochist?]

[Silver Wolf: Don't be ridiculous!]

Perhaps it was admiration.

As Silver Wolf gazed at Su Qing's back, an uncontrollable sense of awe emerged in her heart.

With this growing admiration,

Silver Wolf naturally found herself wanting to understand Su Qing even more deeply.

She became curious:

What exactly had Su Qing experienced? Before becoming who he is now, what stories and encounters shaped him? Who did he meet along the way?

Silver Wolf quickened her pace, walking alongside Su Qing.

As an unattainable "game," Su Qing's allure towards her significantly increased yet again.

***

[Black Swan: With feelings of admiration mixed with curiosity, things seem a bit risky for Silver Wolf now.]

[March 7th: So, I analyzed Silver Wolf's situation a bit.]

[March 7th: Let me give you a more everyday analogy - isn't this just like a game-loving little girl meeting her super cool and incredibly skilled gamer big brother next door!]

[Bronya: ...Your analogy, surprisingly, fits quite well.]

[March 7th: Su Qing is significantly stronger in the domain that Silver Wolf loves and excels at most.]

[March 7th: The key point is, he's also gentle, mature, and handsome.]

[March 7th: Uh-oh! Although not yet evident, with these classic romance vibes, I'm already feeling drawn to ship them!]

[Himeko: As little March puts it...]

[Himeko: Oh no, she might be onto something.]

[Kafka: Oh no, seems spot on.]

[Firefly: Oh no, why does it feel so true?!]

[Firefly: I remember seeing this classic pairing in some romance novels and movies!]

[Firefly: @Silver Wolf, quick explanation needed! Honesty earns leniency, resistance fuels the ocean of flames!]

[Silver Wolf: Admiration ≠ Love, disproving your equation once again!]

[Himeko: @Silver Wolf, you better make sure it truly doesn't equal love.]

[Kafka: @Silver Wolf, you better ensure it genuinely doesn't equate to love.]

***

To understand Su Qing better, Silver Wolf knew the first step was simple. He decided to reveal his own secrets and past to Su Qing first. It was akin to how, as children, one would lend their toys before borrowing from a friend, fostering trust and openness.

It was a remarkably straightforward and simple approach.

That day, shortly after the challenge match concluded, she used the pretext of "requesting another duel" with Su Qing to meet him once more.

Why this excuse again?

Because although Silver Wolf had genuinely come to respect him, her stubborn nature made it difficult for her to verbally express her true feelings...