Star Railway: I'm developing the Star Railway mobile game at my company.

In the story, Black Tower is still explaining the simulated universe to Star.

"The club's four geniuses teamed up to write a program. See that big machine in the office? The machine has its own universe: it's like the world we live in, only more streamlined and customized..."

I call it: [Metaverse]!

This name... it sounds like some kind of mysterious concept they created a while back to attract investment from bosses...

During that period, anything could be prefixed with something else, like Metaverse Streamer, Metaverse Cat Girl, Metaverse Starch Sausage!

As a result, nobody knows what this thing originally was, and there's been no further activity about it.

All I can say is, Ms. Black Tower, you'd better stop trying to ride this wave of popularity!

"Really? The partners say so too. Actually, I quite like it... But I, Black Tower, will follow your lead. Let's call it [Simulated Universe] then."

"Go experience it now! I'll guide you in the [Simulated Universe], and I guarantee you won't lose anything! I'll even pay you a hefty reward!"

After entering the simulated universe as instructed by the Black Tower, the environment before them seemed to simulate a space station, and the Black Tower's communications came through the screen.

"Star, can you see me? If you can, just tap the screen—"

"Your body is still in the office; this is a simulated universe where survival is based on memories."

"This is the Alpha test server, and all functions are simplified. Now, try walking around."

"I want you to play Akivili. Go find a few monsters to fight and see which simulated star god will notice you first."

By impersonating the pioneering star god Akivili, one can attract the attention of the simulated star gods in the simulated universe and inquire about information about the star gods from these simulated star gods.

These simulated star gods are created through the deconstruction of destiny in a certain way, and they are almost indistinguishable from real star gods!

This is the work of the two simulated universe partners, #76 Screw Gum and #81 Ruan Mei, from the Genius Club!

The only difference is that they only exist in the simulated universe, so you can only attract their attention by playing the role of a star god.

After defeating a monster in the simulated universe, the guardian star god Kripper appeared!

A tremendous roar came from around Him—He was truly warning you—and then He vanished before your very eyes.

"Hmm... It's not like a real simulated universe after all. It's just simple images of star gods and plot text. I thought it would be enough to experience the shock of the star gods' appearance in person."

Black Tower silently watched the simulated universe in the game. If it were in the real simulated universe, Kripper's sky-covering body would be enough to cover an entire sky!

However, the audience was still drawn to this unique project experience, and they even got to see a portrait of Cripper!

"The God of Mending Heaven! So this is what He looks like! He looks like a big rock!"

"Is this Lady Black Tower's simulated universe? If it's a real simulated universe project, we might actually see Amber King!"

"I can't believe it! Is this the power of geniuses? They can even create a Star God!"

"It's just data in a computer. No matter how realistic it is, it just follows the set program logic. Could it possibly be aware that it was created?"

"Why did the Amber King issue a warning to Archivist? Did they have a grudge against each other before?"

"You don't understand, do you? Actually, Akivili is a will-o'-the-wisp boy. Because the Amber King's giant wall blocked his expansion, he often manipulated the Star Train to destroy the wall that the Amber King had built, which is why the Amber King was angry!"

"Holy crap, the fictional historians are attacking?"

"I never imagined that playing a game would allow me to experience projects created by geniuses! I'm already looking forward to encountering which Star Gods I'll meet next!"

"I wonder if Ms. Black Tower still needs people to test the simulated universe!"

"Please, let me take the test!"

Chapter 17: Roguelike Gameplay, Cyber ​​Jade Emperor Appears

The storyline of the simulated universe continues. After the Black Tower finishes explaining the tasks in the simulated universe, the scene moves to the stage of choosing a blessing.

After a simulated universe battle, you can obtain a Blessing of Fate to enhance your combat power. Since it is the first time you enter, the Black Tower uses its authority to replace all the blessings with enhanced ones.

There are three options for protection and blessing on the screen, each with its own effect and level.

"Is this a roguelike strategy?"

Lao Mu looked at the three protective blessings in front of him and muttered to himself.

As a classic game genre, Roguelike has captured the hearts of a large number of gamers with its features such as random generation and unidirectional progression.

I never expected the development team to be able to combine turn-based gameplay with roguelike elements!

If they can keep updating the gameplay and patches, this simulated universe gameplay alone has the potential to become a hit!

It's clearly still in the beginner tutorial stage, and it's unclear how well the development team has completed the simulated universe section.

Thinking of this, Lao Mu accelerated the progress of the mission. After experiencing a battle along the way, he obtained a golden blessing of protection, which could cause a counterattack based on the amount of shield when attacking.

After an elite battle, the Star God reappeared in the simulated universe!

Black Tower: [...He has arrived!]

[You hear the Black Tower's incredulous voice in your ear.]

Black Tower: [No, it's not Him...it's another Star God! It is—]

Her voice suddenly faded into the distance, and you had a strange feeling, as if the Black Tower's words had frozen, and the entire simulated universe had become less real—

"Oh, another star god has arrived. Who could it be?"

Lao Mu and the viewers on the live stream began to anticipate which Star God would appear this time—Destruction? Pleasure? Hunting?

However, when the image of the Star God appeared in the live broadcast room, everyone was shocked!

In the scene, a blurry figure stands in place, composed of fragments of a mirror. His face is repeatedly refracted by a prism, creating a mystery. Only the six-beaded crown on his head, symbolizing his status, reveals his nobility!

Time is the world's most diligent thief. It constantly steals our present moment and casually throws it into a warehouse called memory. Some people are obsessed with finding lost items, while others are indifferent to what they have lost!

Memory Star God - Fu Li!

Compared to other star gods who frequently appear in the public eye, Fu Li is quite mysterious.

No one knows when the God of Memory appeared. It seems that He appeared quietly in the history of the universe, naturally and logically, as if He had modified everyone's memories.

The only verifiable appearance of him was when Louis Fleming, the founder of Interplanetary Peace Corporation, retired, which was countless Amber Ages ago.

Most people in the universe will never have the chance to see this Radiant Celestial Lord in their lifetime, but now, His image has actually appeared in a game!

"This is... the Memory Star God, Fu Li!"

"Holy crap, Cyber ​​Jade Emperor!"

"What a handsome image! This is just like the Jade Emperor I've read in the fantasy novels!"

"My goodness! First it was the God of Heaven Mending, now it's the Heavenly Lord of Flowing Light, will we see the God of Bow and Fate next?!"

"I never expected to see the appearance of the Star God while playing a game, this is so awesome!"

"If this were in a real simulated universe, it would be unimaginable!"

Compared to the previous Guardian Star God Kripper, the Memory Star God Fuli caused a significantly greater sensation!

After all, the Amber King built a wall in a fixed location. As long as you can go to the planet Pierpont, the headquarters of the Interstellar Peace Corporation, you can see that majestic figure in the sky.

Over time, people got used to it; things are valued for their scarcity.

After his initial amazement, Lao Mu began to examine the plot text in the simulated universe, carefully reading the information related to the Star God.

Fu Li: [You saw Kafka. Her body was stretched and deformed, tangled with the umbrella in her hand, turning into water droplets that fell at your feet.]

Fu Li: [You find yourself a crying Adrenaline infant, embracing twins whose umbilical cords are still attached. You remember a golden scar on your body, golden blood flowing on a dying planet. You find yourself with dark skin, your robes billowing across the wasteland. You find yourself a swift shadow traversing the abyss, reaching out to catch a shooting star.]

Then His voice suddenly came—each word He spoke connected to the next, like a murmur. Before you could answer, He vanished.

Suddenly, a riddle left everyone bewildered.

"What, what is all this?!"

"I have a golden scar on my body. Does that mean I've become Nanook?"

"I recognize each word individually, but I can't understand it when they're put together."

"Is this the level of a Star God? His words are indeed beyond the comprehension of us mortals!"

"It must have been the riddle master who did it!"

"That's right, I think pasta should be mixed with No. 42 concrete!"

"You've started talking nonsense, haven't you!"

However, in the story, Black Tower was very satisfied with the result of drawing out the memory star god Fu Li, and ended this test of the simulated universe.

[Your belly button was tugged by a hook, and you tumbled over: when you opened your eyes, you were already in the Black Tower's office. Your first experience has ended.]

"What happened? Is it over already?"

"I haven't had enough yet!"

"This is the first time I've ever experienced such a lingering feeling in a game!"

"This game is amazing! I'm going to recommend it to all my friends!"

"Streamer, let's play another round of simulated universe! I want to see other star gods!"

Having experienced the novelty of the simulated universe, Lao Mu is already thinking about playing it again. Both the Star God storyline and the roguelike gameplay are incredibly appealing!

After the conversation with Black Tower is completed, the character's portrait flashes on the screen, and a four-star Black Tower is given as a gift!

Lao Mu couldn't wait to start the simulated universe again, and this time the Black Tower updated some content, and the blessings obtained were changed to memory type!

But right after one of the battles, things changed!

[As enemies fall one by one, you can't control your excitement. You're a genius, you're absolutely certain. Your attention begins to wander, you love the trembling of every leaf, you revel in the destructive power of your boundless thoughts, until you realize something's wrong—this isn't you.]

Black Tower: [Oh no, He's here...]

The chat was buzzing with excitement!

"This description!!!"

"Haha, so even He was created!"

"Fun! This is absolutely hilarious!"

In the shadows, He appears before you: He has no head and holds a mask.

He waves at you, spins around on his own, his arm hanging in mid-air, his muscles controlling the trembling of his knuckles, his posture like a sculpture.

It is the unique right of intelligent beings to know joy; neither rocks nor stars can comprehend the humor of life!

"All rise!"

"He will never give up on you, never discourage you, never abandon you, never make you cry, never say goodbye to you, and never hurt you with lies!"

"He is the god of joy—Aha!"

"A man among men! A star among star gods! King! Emperor! Demon King! The immortal pinnacle of human history!"

"Holy crap, the Masked Fool is attacking?"

"So many fun people!"

"Question pleasure, understand pleasure, become pleasure!"

Chapter 18: The Episode Where Aha Gains the Most Respect

The appearance of the Star God of Joy, Aha, instantly caused the live stream to erupt in excitement!

The universe is never short of people who walk the path of joy, let alone the viewers watching live streams!

In the story, Aha is quite excited to see Sing, who plays the role of the pioneering star god.

Aha: Akivili, Akivili! A voice laughed maniacally, "Long time no see, I've missed you terribly! You're terrifying, the kind of infectious madness only a madman possesses!"

Aha: [I am so sad. He suddenly became sorrowful. Why did you die? He sobbed in anguish, tears streaming down your hand. You felt as if you had truly died.]

Aha: [You've been fallen for too long, the universe has lost its order. He started clapping, and then everything went haywire! This is exactly what I wanted! I want to hug you, but unfortunately I'm just a computer equation. Oh, this is kind of cool. He scratched his head.]

Black Tower: [That bastard found out again. I need to get Screwgoom to modify His data again...]

In the very first scene, Ahab shocked everyone by revealing that he knew he was just a fake!

"As expected of Aha! He actually guessed that I was a fake!"

"I take back what I said before, the creations of geniuses are truly terrifying!"