Chapter 12: Hail HYDRA!

"Did you see that? Did you hear that? She's praising you!"

"Yeah, I saw."

"Hehe~"

"Why are you giggling?"

Looking at Elysia's smiling face felt a bit creepy; Bronie wondered what scheme she was plotting.

But Elysia just replied, "Bronie's smile is really cute. That's what a genuine smile looks like! The previous smiles, although unique, always felt a bit off."

During battles, those smiles definitely stemmed from her own formidable power, serving as a psychological boost to increase confidence.

Otherwise, smiling all day would be exhausting!

Bronie's expression changed instantly.

Then she responded, "Bronie knows she's very cute. Rather than complimenting my appearance, it's better to praise my work. Besides, Bronie's original goal was to ensure Cioara's mental health. Seeing it's nearly accomplished, I think it's time for me to leave."

Just like a child sneaking out to browse the internet, they also had to return home before their parents got off work, at least pretending to open their homework folder for a bit, right?

"But we agreed to meet up with everyone for a bit, didn't we?"

"Agreements will naturally be fulfilled. Plus, I'll leave my contact information. If anyone wants to reach me, they can do it on the computer. Quantum Communication is essential for space travel. In the future, I'll be exploring the stars and seas, so why would I be unable to contact you just because the location of Cioara is remote?"

"Wow, that's impressive! So, are you planning to leave temporarily, deceive Miss Raven, and then rendezvous with everyone later?"

"Exactly, and everyone seems to like the games I've made, right? It won't be long before I bring in a brand-new game. But don't idolize me too much when the time comes!"

"Then I'll be looking forward to it. But leaving in a hurry is a bit hard to accept. I'm not ready yet."

"Hackers are like that, right? Coming and going like the wind. After achieving their goals, they disappear without a trace. Besides, I haven't completely cut off contact yet. Although I can't modify the Elysian Realm, one day I'll make you all acknowledge me."

So far, no successor in the Elysian Realm has successfully inherited all the Signets, nor has anyone gained the approval of all the Flame Chasers.

But upon hearing Bronie's bold words, Elysia felt there might still be a glimmer of hope?

At least Bronie successfully brought news of the Herrscher fighting for humanity.

That was indeed gratifying. The only regret was that she had only heard about the other party's news without the chance to see it firsthand.

If she could witness it with her own eyes, that would be even better.

But such thoughts could only be kept in her heart.

Making Bronie find the First Herrscher and bring her over was a tad bit of a high task..

"So, we'll just wait and see ypu later?"

"Yeah, Wait and I'll see you later."

Having entered the Elysian Realm, receiving the Ego Signet bestowed by Elysia, obtaining the Decimation Signet, and even picked up a Su's Bodhi Signet for free, it could be said that she gained quite a bit of battle experience without spending a dime.

Although it was different from the absurd damage increase effects in the game, the valuable experience inside also served as a significant reference for Bronie.

Then Elysia smiled very happily. Bronie was a bit puzzled.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just feel like time is starting to drag on a bit. Beautiful flowers blown away by the wind will also cause heartache, won't they?"

"Praising my appearance won't make me happy!"

Bronie in her past life was a boy, and as far as she could see now, there weren't any major issues with her body.

But in the future, who knows?

The future was unpredictable. Although Bronie didn't refuse to dress up, if someone commented on it, the principles she had always upheld might be shattered.

Although there weren't many remaining left now.

But it was still irritating.

Very irritating.

"Okay, okay, actually, I'm very curious about your special ability. Can you create anything, no matter what it is? How big can you make things? Can they exist permanently? Are these things just really created out of thin air?"

As Bronie pondered how to respond to such a question, Elysia seemed to sense that she had asked something a bit impolite and quickly added, "If you don't want to answer, that's fine, but, for the sake of my charming self, could you satisfy a little bit of my curiosity?"

Only Elysia would use such a charming tactic and expect it to work against Bronie Was Bronie the kind of person who could easily be caught off guard and seduced?

"As long as I have accurate data, I can perfectly reproduce it. I can make certain modifications based on the data. The largest thing I've made so far is this Project Bunny. If you want something to exist permanently, drones are already my current limit. Other things will gradually dissipate."

But facing her was the cute and pink-haired Elysia!

"Oh! Why are you suddenly being so frank when you're usually so awkward?"

"So, praising someone sincerely means you have to point out all their flaws?"

Bronie also knew she was very awkward, but how could Elysia just say that directly!?

She really hit where it hurts.

"It's not like that! I'm just so happy!"

"Alright, my reason is very simple because I've never considered being the enemies of the Flame Chasers of the Elysian Realm. Even if they knew about my abilities, so what? Although it's easy to say, but Kalpas was really a bit too enthusiastic..."

"In fact, he held back! And when he fought with you this time, he was actually very gentle!"

Yeah, meteorites falling from the sky along with perpetually burning flames, a flaming manic guy burning everything everytime he runs while chasing as well as throwing flaming rock pillars at you and coupled with a reckless fighting style and that sunny smile.

Which part of this picture wouldn't traumatize children?

No wonder Cioara hated Kalpas so much.

"I know! Also, I want to leave before Cioara does."

"I understand. Shall we talk later? Elysian Realm has become deserted again. Next time, could you make a cute game for me?"

Approaching it with a joking attitude, Elysia made this request.

How should she put it?

It's not impossible to consider.

But what kind of game would be suitable for Elysia?

Bronie felt that it definitely wouldn't be the kind of game where you fight and kill, but something rather something heartwarming and memorable.

Maybe it sshould still involve some fighting?

"Let me think about it. Maybe I have some ideas?"

"Why do I always feel like you're planning something bad?"

Elysia's thoughts were quite sharp.

But Bronie just made a face.

"Just guess?"

"Hey! When you come back next time, I'll definitely prepare a surprise for you! Want a hint or two?"

"It's just a thought. Whether it will be implemented or not is another question. There are many inspirations in Bronie's mind. As for which one it will be, you can look forward to it. Also, I'm leaving the Elysian Realm now, so lead the way."

"Alright! Follow me."

Leaving Elysian Realm actually required quite complex procedures. Besides cooperating with ELF units like Klein, assistance from the internal Flame Chasers of Elysian Realm was also needed. After granting permission, the mind could leave Elysian Realm. If there were any minor mishaps along the way, one might end up being turned into a fool.

Fortunately, after a moment of dizziness, Bronie saw the familiar corridor.

Elysia had completely dissipated without notice, and Klein was standing at the entrance of the corridor, looking at Bronie.

"Next time, please try not to modify the data of the Elysian Realm. The appearance of major bugs internally increases my workload."

Seeing Klein's hesitant expression, Bronie was originally curious about what she wanted to say. But the first thing she said was this.

"Isn't it normal for programs to have bugs? Next time, I'll add some hardware for you, would you like me to increase your computing power?"

"If you don't modify me, I can consider...no, no. Although it's normal to have bugs, when they accumulate, it affects the trials of the successors. For example, imagine a powerful monster suddenly appearing prematurely. That must be quite distressing for you, right?"

So that's how Tonatiuh came about!

But Bronie couldn't abandon her innate ability.

"Encountering elite bosses early is just a way to train. Once I fully understand the machines of Elysian Realm, it'll be easy to deal with any temporary malicious bugs."

"You!"

Bronie was really stubborn!

Klein was a bit frustrated, but could only watch Bronie leave Elysian Realm.

It wasn't clear whether Bronie's arrival was good or bad for the Elysian Realm.

But overall, the visitor wasn't brought in by the World Serpent, so one had to be cautious.

As for whether Klein played games?

Need you to ask?

This workaholic never did anything besides work. This had been the case for fifty thousand years. So, using a completely rational thought process, she judged whether Bronie's arrival in Cioara had ulterior motives.

But at least for now, after obtaining three Signets, she was thinking of leaving, which Klein found hard to understand.

Bidding farewell to Klein, Bronie activated her stealth device again, preparing to leave the Elysian Realm and book an earlier flight back before Cioara returned to Celestial City.

Finding the ascending elevator, she hacked into it, then activated it.

Ascending from a kilometer depth would take quite a while, but during the wait, the elevator suddenly stopped.

The elevator doors opened, and a man in black entered.

Bronie shrank into a corner in fear, still cloaked in invisibility. Surely, she wouldn't be noticed?

She shouldn't be...

The newcomer was Gray Serpent, who even inside the elevator was holding an umbrella, which seemed odd.

But once inside the elevator, Gray Serpent seemed to sense something was amiss and began randomly pressing buttons on the elevator control panel.

Because the elevator was still going up.

Silence pervaded, and Bronie became increasingly nervous at the sight of the black figure.

She dared not make a sound, trembling.

After randomly pressing the elevator buttons a few times, Gray Serpent gave up on the idea of taking the elevator go down directly, and silently looked up at the screen displaying the height.

Perhaps someone on the ground was preparing to come down?

So the elevator was going up first.

That's how elevators worked.

But...

Besides himself, who else would be going from the ground down to the Elsyian Realm?

Bronie felt like she could hear the other person's thoughts, and could only nervously huddle in the corner of the elevator, praying that the other person wouldn't see her.

Of course, since the other party was a mechanical life form, attempting to hack was possible.

But the elevator space was too small, and moving randomly would only result in self-inflicted harm. Since the other party hadn't noticed her, it was best not to move.

Ding

Bronie breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked to the door.

But just as she reached the door, Gray Serpent spoke.

"Stop, unknown visitor."

There was no one at the elevator door.

In other words, the purpose of the elevator itself was to send people in the depths to the ground.

So Gray Serpent decided to bluff the other person.

And Bronie fell for it.

"So, what's up?"

Seeing the invisible person answer him, he spoke.

"Do you want to join the World Serpent? Friend or foe, choose."

Imitating your Lord Kevin, huh?

"Does World Serpent have a habit of hiring child labor? I'm not the type to work for others for free. You need to pay compensation to hire someone to do things, right?"

"No, it's not compensation, it's cultivation from the World Serpent."

"Okay, I agree."

"Do you know what the World Serpent possesses... Hmm?"

Gray Serpent thought the visitor in front of him would hesitate and directly refuse, but he never expected Bronie to agree without hesitation!?

"So can I leave now?"

So, she intended to just appease him, casually agree, and then disappear?

This kind of childish cleverness holds no meaning for him whatsoever.

"No, cultivation naturally requires guardianship. After all, who can guarantee that once you join the World Serpent and obtain its information, you will remain loyal?"

"In that case, forget it."

Her change of heart was quicker than flipping a book, also, speaking of the girl in front of him.

Gray Serpent sensed only mischief and evasion, yet her mood still shifted slightly.

"So, have you decided to become an enemy?"

With a slightly threatening tone, since the other party communicated with him as a mercenary and hacker, Gray Serpent naturally responded with an attitude from that perspective.

"No, from now on, there will be a faction called Hydra within the World Serpent. Now, youe control is mine!"

"How...is that possible..."

Gray Serpent's pride lay in his unparalleled hacking skills. In today's civilization, no one surpassed him in hacking skills. So when he heard that a hacker had entered Elysian Realm, Gray Serpent found it amusing. How could any hacker be more skilled than himself?

But Bronie's ability was close to that of a Herrscher, making it easy to deal with individual Gray Serpents. All she needed to do was rewrite his fervor for Kevin into fervor for herself, and Gray Serpent's attitude will change.

Bronie had been working on this in the elevator all along, but she had finally completed it.

100% COMPLETE

The Gray Serpent knelt in front of Bronie.

"Lord Haxxor Bunny."

"Yes, also, say that line for me to hear?"

"Long live Hydra!"

"Alright, from now on, the task of developing power within the World Serpent will be entrusted to you. Try to keep it discreet. Also, within the Gray Serpent network, don't expose yourself!"

The logic of the subsequent memory module still needed some improvement, but for now, this version of Gray Serpent before her was her future undercover agent in the World Serpent!

"Yes, sire!"

"One more thing!"

Gray Serpent paused.

"Help me find a simple way to promote my game. Even the best wine needs a good marketing strategy, you know what I mean? Hmm?"

"Yes, sire!"

Underneath that black umbrella and within those mechanical eyes, Bronie saw a hint of enthusiasm.

Uh...did I go a bit too far?

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Poll at Patréon. Will last up until June.