Chapter 143: Reminiscing Arc City

When Bronya set aside the game in her hands and glanced once more at Bronie, who was tutoring Rosalia and Lilia outside, Bronya's emotions were undeniably complex.

Is Night City intriguing?

Undoubtedly so.

Assuming Sister Bronie's mental state is indeed stable, then how much of Night City which is similar to her hometown is authentically depicted within?

The narratives, the characters, the ambiance, and the chaotic essence therein.

Indeed, this kind of game is ill-suited for children to engage in, for they might find the gangs appealing and regard disposing of bodies casually as inconsequential.

In a world devoid of shame and morality, lacking a firm moral compass could easily lead one astray through gaming.

Bronya is relieved she didn't allow others to partake in this game. The age rating looked apt.

However, during her gameplay sessions, Bronie didn't engage in any work.

Typically, she either spent time with everyone or conversed and played games with Elysia. She showed no inclination towards creating new games or reviewing Cyberpunk 2077 at all.

It's rather peculiar, as if there's a desire to cease game development after completing this one.

Although there are ongoing developments regarding the online mode within the Haxxor Bunny Studio.

Just as Bronie was once again irked by Rosalia's foolishness, Bronya hastily followed her into the office.

"What's the matter? Or is the recent workload too light?"

Bronie was completely taken aback. Bronya silently followed her into the office, perhaps assuming she was going the same way.

"Nothing, Bronya was just pondering how had Sister Bronie lived in a city like Night City before."

"How so? Are you somewhat disillusioned about my past? There, it's a haven for the affluent and a hell for the destitute. Of course, if one possesses certain remarkable abilities and significant surplus value, they might still secure a better life."

"Impressive indeed."

"What?"

"Bronya noticed that there isn't even a place resembling an orphanage in Night City. Occasionally, some compassionate residents might offer a meal to children."

"But is it only a meager amount? Even while rummaging through garbage bins, you might face assaults from others, despite appearing frail, even though as a mercenary, V possesses formidable strength."

Some trash bins in certain areas can be rifled through, and sometimes, money can be found!

However, upon closer inspection, one would realize that these trash bins have been repurposed into makeshift homes, and the money found is merely because this was once someone's meager abode.

Assaults?

Merely to safeguard the last semblance of continuation of their existence, their home.

Later on, many players opted not to sift through trash bins anymore, while some attentive players could even come across logs from scavengers, stating that their last refuge had been raided, hence resorting to this path to ensure sustenance.

One could only lament the extent of this tragedy.

"In truth, this is just a game..."

"Thankfully, it's merely a game, and fortunately, everything has passed. You need not worry about the company. Didn't Takamura Goro mention that the company would shelter homeless children and groom them into loyal subordinates, akin to Lucy's former companions?"

Bronya suddenly recalled something.

"Similar to that Cocolia?"

"Uh... well..."

Bronie also nodded, albeit with a furrowed brow.

Bronya was only vaguely aware of the previous orphanage owner Cocolia's circumstances, and if described thus, it wouldn't be entirely inaccurate.

However, Cocolia's situation is more convoluted, more peculiar.

Forget it, she's too lazy to dwell on so much.

"Bronya is quite concerned about Sister Bronie's well-being. Lately, Sister Bronie hasn't shown any interest in anything related to Cyberpunk 2077, which is unprecedented."

Previously, Bronie would watch videos, live streams, and peruse comments. Upon seeing heaps of praise, she would proudly stand tall.

Occasionally, she would exchange ideas with the children at the orphanage and discuss some thoughts with Elysia regarding the game development process.

But this time, it's markedly different.

She's even delving into the children's studies in her everyday life!

Actually, everyone found it a bit odd, but focusing on studies was considered relatively normal, so no one knew what to say.

It was only much later that Bronya who often accompanied Bronie noticed the issue.

This change made Bronya feel quite puzzled.

"What are you looking at? It's just a few words of praise; I'm used to it. Don't worry about me. I just have occasional seizures," Bronie said, leaving Bronya unsure of how to respond.

However, she still approached Bronie and sat on her lap in the office chair. "Are you reminiscing about your hometown?"

"Hometown isn't worth reminiscing about; it's the people worth reminiscing about. When we venture into new universes in the future, we'll always encounter familiar yet unfamiliar people. You get used to it; occasionally reminiscing is fine," Bronie replied. She simply felt that leaving her original world meant she could never return.

The Sea of Quanra could truly be a tricky place!

"So, is Sister Bronie reminiscing about guys like Jack?"

"Jack is dead. I miss the living, and in Night City, Haxxor Bunny is known as a lone wolf."

"Then Sister Bronie is even more amazing!"

"Of course!"

Hearing Bronya's praise, Bronie felt much better. Apart from reminiscing about Cioara, Bronie was particularly nostalgic for the first idol of the Cyber Arc City, Theresa. Strictly speaking, she also had a senior sister identity.

However, every time the Third Honkai Eruption approached, Bronie couldn't help but think of that short girl. Although she looked young and short, she was more mature and reliable than she appeared.

Although it was said that Haxxor Bunny was a lone wolf in Arc City, without Theresa's information support, Haxxor Bunny would easily hit a wall in the world of the net.

"In just over a year, during the season when the cherry blossoms bloom in Nagazora City, it will be the time for the Third Eruption and the arrival of the Third Herrscher."

"Is it... accurate?"

Bronya never expected Bronie to provide such an accurate time.

"This is a lesson from the previous era's sacrifice. By using the remains of the Second Divine Key and observing the abnormal flow of imaginary energy within the narrative space, one can detect the formation of imaginary singularities in Nagazora City. Although the formation takes a relatively long time, that thing is like a bomb entering a countdown."

The Third Eruption is coming so soon?

Bronya only had a rough understanding of the dangers of the Honkai from what she had learned, and everyone in the orphanage had ended up here because of the Second Eruption, having lost their families.

And in the next Eruption, there might be even more people like herself?

"What can Bronya do? Or does Sister Bronie hope Bronya can do something?"

"You don't have to do anything. I'll try to evacuate everyone there before the Honkai. By then, the Anti Entropy will hold a grand assembly to select new people, and those corporate dogs... who try to obstruct and resist the Honkai will be wiped out under a carefully prepared lightning storm as a celebration of the birth of the Herrscher of Thunder."

Then Bronie smiled again. "Of course, these are decisions made by Anti-Entropy's own people. I just gave them a little push from behind. Do you know how scared Tesla looked then? Wanting to curse me but not daring to, she could only curse at those capitalists."

"Forget it, just think of me as being in a bad mood. Maybe it's coming over recently so it affected my mood."

"I see."

Suddenly, Bronya realized something.

Among the children in the orphanage, apart from Sin, the oldest was naturally Bronya. So only Bronya was the first to encounter these things and understand Bronie's pain.

Bronya turned around and straddled in front of Bronie, facing her directly, her little hand pressed against her abdomen. "Drink more hot water; it won't hurt~"

"Ah, don't treat me like a child. I'm just feeling a bit restless about the wheel of fate starting to turn. It's like worrying about whether I've completely mastered the subject matter before an exam."

"The Honkai can be considered a test for human civilization, so is Sister Bronie the biggest examinee now?"

"And also the kind of examinee who has to do extra questions."

Bronie sighed. "Although you do have combat experience, most of it is against humans. After this period passes, I'll take you out for a trip to broaden your horizons. After experiencing everything, you can talk about resisting the Honkai."

"Just... me alone?"

Bronya never expected it to come to this so quickly. After all, she wasn't very old.

"As for Sin... she's not very suitable for the battlefield, and she tends to push herself too hard. I don't want to see her suddenly become a zombie. Rosalia and Lilia have the talent, but they're still too young... As for Seele, her fairy tale story hasn't ended yet. Let her enjoy herself. Of course, if you don't want to get involved, I won't force you. I just think the timing is right."

Is the timing right?

Bronya had a premonition that if she missed this opportunity, she would be left behind in the future, losing even more.

"Okay, Bronya will go with you. But Bronya is more curious, are we going to the lab?"

"Of course not, we're going to see Elysia! If you offer Elysia a beautiful girl as a tribute, she will grant you new powers. Do you remember this?"

"Ah?"