Chapter 100: Nobody Knows the Simulated Universe Better Than Me

"I'll send you into the Simulated Universe using an unconventional method. This will help us quickly locate the cassette in the vast data of the Simulated Universe," Screwllum said.

"This time, I'll go in with you as well," Gu Tang said as he approached Stelle.

Stelle looked at Gu Tang in surprise. "I'm happy to hear that, but why?"

"To protect you, Miss Stelle," Screwllum explained on Gu Tang's behalf. "Using a special method could trigger unknown dangers. The Simulated Universe is unstable and full of randomness; even Herta and I can't fully control it."

"Don't worry, I'm also one of the creators of the Simulated Universe. But after it was established, I lost interest and didn't continue researching it like Herta and the others did," Gu Tang said.

"Gu Tang's characteristic is his jumpy thinking," Screwllum remarked, looking at Gu Tang.

He clearly remembered how close they were to completing the Simulated Universe, yet all the geniuses were at a loss on the final step. In the end, it was Gu Tang who stepped up and added a huge amount of spaghetti into the Simulated Universe, allowing it to finally take shape.

It can be said that without Gu Tang, this miraculous project would not exist.

...

...

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It felt as though her consciousness passed through water, creating ripples.

The immense feeling of weightlessness made Stelle lose control of her limbs.

Amidst the rippling characters and codes, she suddenly awoke.

"Is this... the Simulated Universe?" Stelle looked around, noticing that it was completely different from the Simulated Universe she usually tested.

It felt like she had stumbled into a 16-bit game, with pixelated bricks everywhere, floating coins, and crystals.

Under the bright blue sky and white clouds were exaggeratedly designed plants, crates that seemed to contain prizes, and pipes that led who knows where…

"Since this data chain is constructed from the ether cassette, it's a bit different from the Simulated Universe you're used to testing," Gu Tang explained as he appeared beside Stelle.

"This difference is huge, but I think I get it. These hackers from Punklorde must really love video games, huh?" Stelle said as she observed her surroundings.

Gu Tang pointed to himself. "I'm also a big fan. Next time, let me recommend a few good ones to you. We can even have a few battles."

Stelle smiled and nodded. "Sounds good. Let's bring March 7th along too. Dan Heng… he doesn't seem to like this stuff, but if you invite him, he'll definitely come..."

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation," Screwllum's voice echoed in their minds. "But we should start tracking the hacker's trail."

"Mr. Screwllum? Where are you?" Stelle asked, curious as she didn't see him around.

"I'm on the outside, ensuring the system mapping doesn't collapse," Screwllum responded. "Now, move forward. The clue should be ahead."

"Uh… it seems we can't move," Stelle frowned as she looked forward.

A group of pixelated monsters had appeared in front of them, clearly hostile.

Energetic electronic music began to play around them, and a scoreboard appeared at the top.

"Hmm, this is the danger I mentioned earlier," Screwllum's voice spoke to them. "The cassette's owner must have prepared some challenges for intruders."

"It's a good thing I came in with you," Gu Tang said as he patted Stelle's shoulder and walked towards the horde of monsters.

"I could handle these enemies on my own," Stelle said as she observed the pixelated monsters.

"I don't doubt your strength, Miss Stelle," Screwllum's voice carried a hint of amusement. "But you definitely won't be as efficient or quick as Mr. Gu Tang."

The monsters roared and charged at Gu Tang.

Facing the ferocious monsters, Gu Tang clenched his fist and threw a punch.

Boom!

A terrifying gust of wind swept out, like a massive storm, tearing everything in front of him apart.

The ground was uplifted, monsters were shredded, and even the clouds in the sky were torn apart, revealing the clear blue sky.

"Whoa!" The immense airflow even blew Stelle, who was standing behind, off her feet.

When Stelle stood up from the ground, the hundreds of meters in front of Gu Tang were completely empty, with only dust and shattered ground remaining.

"Alright, done," Gu Tang said as he retracted his fist, which was still smoking.

Stelle, stunned, walked up to Gu Tang. "How did you… do that?"

"Thanks to my understanding of the Simulated Universe," Gu Tang said confidently.

That was a lie.

It was just pure brute force.

"Ah, this is not good. Mr. Gu Tang's punch was too strong... I mean, Mr. Gu Tang's understanding of the Simulated Universe is so deep that the ground ahead has been corrupted," Screwllum said.

Stelle looked ahead and saw that the ground in front of them had indeed glitched. There were various texture errors, missing assets, and some blocks twitching chaotically.

"Hmph…" Gu Tang picked up Stelle, cradling her in his arms.

Then, he jumped.

Boom!

He left a shallow pit on the ground and leaped high into the sky like a missile streaking across the heavens, covering hundreds of meters in an instant.

Stelle clung to Gu Tang's neck, the wind rushing past her face, making her gray hair flutter wildly.

Thud...

Gu Tang landed, the momentum dragging his feet across the ground, leaving two clear tracks.

"Wow... That was so cool! You're amazing, Gu Tang!" Stelle lay in Gu Tang's arms, her eyes shining as she looked at him excitedly, her legs swinging back and forth.

"Hmph… I am omnipotent. Alright, let's find the hacker's trail," Gu Tang said with a faint smile as he put Stelle down.

The two continued forward and soon found the clue Screwllum mentioned.

It was the semi-transparent projection of a girl.

Her silver-gray hair was tied into a single ponytail that curled into a spiral.

Her asymmetrical black-and-white cropped top revealed her smooth, flat stomach. Paired with her black shorts, this formed the girl's bold yet stylish punk outfit.

Below the shorts were her snow-white legs, clad in sneakers, with a striking fishnet stocking on her left foot.

"I've called up the holographic records generated by the Simulated Universe. Here, every variable is preserved, down to the smallest detail, including the traces left by intruders," Screwllum explained. "You were right. The enemy's invasion has already spread deep into the Simulated Universe, just a hair's breadth away from the ether cassette. What we're seeing now is the footage from that time."

"So this is… the Starhunter's genius hacker? She's not quite what I imagined," Stelle scratched her head.

Gu Tang frowned as he looked at the girl's curled ponytail. "That croissant… It seems familiar…"

"You may refer to her as Silver Wolf," Screwllum said.

Stelle was a bit surprised. "Mr. Screwllum, do you know her?"

"We've met once... We had a confrontation, and Herta was also present—perhaps she mentioned it to Mr. Gu Tang," Screwllum explained.

Gu Tang nodded thoughtfully. "I vaguely remember. It seems you won."

"I don't consider it a victory. Both sides held back. She couldn't breach the difference engine's defenses, and I didn't stop her from leaving," Screwllum said humbly, though Stelle thought this was just Screwllum being modest.

Gu Tang looked at Silver Wolf's projection, recalling what Herta had told him.

"I'm not good at insulting people, so I'll leave it to you to give that girl a good roasting." Those were Herta's exact words.

In other words… It was time to use his verbal skills!

With his arms crossed, Gu Tang put on a mocking expression. "Hmph, I thought the infamous Starhunter would be something special, but turns out she's just a shorty."

"Hmm... yeah, she is pretty short..." Stelle nodded in agreement.

Given that Stelle was about the same height as Dan Heng, her comment carried a lot of weight.

"Everyone who sees her must exclaim, 'Look at that! How short she is!'" Gu Tang continued his barrage. "I bet when she was born, everyone thought she was just a head. It took half an hour before the doctors noticed that tiny, pint-sized body behind the head."

"Gu Tang, you're pretty sharp-tongued today," Stelle raised an eyebrow at Gu Tang.

Screwllum, knowing the context, said nothing.

It simply thought that Silver Wolf would undoubtedly come to harass Gu Tang next.

But considering Gu Tang's incredible intellect... all it could say was, good luck to that genius hacker.