Honkai: Star Rail: I Developed the Star Rail Mobile Game at the Company Chapter 12

In the scene, Ms. Herta is still explaining the Simulated Universe Project to Stelle.

"Four geniuses from the Genius Club joined forces to write a program. See that big machine in the office? The machine contains a universe: it is just like the world we live in, only more streamlined and customized..."

"I call it: [Metaverse]!"

This name... why does it sound like those vague concepts cooked up a while back just to attract investment from bosses...

Back then, as long as something existed, people would slap that prefix onto it—Metaverse streamers, Metaverse catgirls, Metaverse starch noodles!

It got to the point where nobody knew what the thing was originally, and now there's no buzz about it at all.

I can only say, Ms. Herta, you really shouldn't be chasing that trend!

"Is that so? My partners said the same thing. Actually, I quite liked it... but since I, Herta, am open to suggestions, let's call it the [Simulated Universe] instead."

"Go experience it now. I will guide you from within the [Simulated Universe], and I guarantee you won't suffer any losses! I'll even pay you a large reward~"

After entering the Simulated Universe following Ms. Herta's instructions, the environment before one's eyes seems to simulate the Space Station, and Ms. Herta's communication comes through the screen.

"Stelle, can you see me talking? If you can, just tap the screen anywhere--"

"Your body is still in the office; this is a Simulated Universe generated based on memory."

"This is an Alpha test server, so the functions are simplified versions. Now, try walking around a bit."

"I want you to roleplay as Acheron. Go find some monsters to fight first and see which simulated Aeon will take notice of you first."

By roleplaying as the Trailblaze Aeon Acheron, one can attract the attention of the simulated Aeons within the Simulated Universe and inquire about information regarding the Aeons.

These simulated Aeons are created by deconstructing the Paths and using specific methods; they are nearly identical to the real Aeons!

This is the handiwork of the Genius Club's #76 Screwllum and #81 Ruan Mei, the two partners of the Simulated Universe!

The only difference is that they only exist within the Simulated Universe, so one can only attract their attention by roleplaying as an Aeon.

After defeating a monster in the Simulated Universe, the Preservation Aeon Qlipoth appeared!

[A tremendous roar erupted around Him--He was truly warning you, and then, He vanished right before your eyes.]

"Hmm... as expected, it's not like the real Simulated Universe; it's just simple Aeon imagery and plot text. I thought I'd be able to feel the shock of an Aeon's appearance in an immersive way."

Ms. Herta watched the Simulated Universe in the game quietly. If this were the real Simulated Universe, Qlipoth's body, which could cover the sky and sun, would be enough to shroud an entire horizon!

However, the audience was still captivated by this peculiar project experience, and they were actually able to see a portrait of Qlipoth!

"The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles! So this is what He looks like! He looks like a giant rock!"

"Is this Ms. Herta's Simulated Universe? If it were the real Simulated Universe project, would we really be able to see the figure of the King of Amber?"

"I can't believe it. Is this the power of geniuses? They can even create Aeons!"

"It's just data in a computer, right? No matter how realistic it is, it's just following set program logic. Don't tell me it could actually realize it was created?"

"By the way, why would the King of Amber warn Acheron? Do they have a grudge?"

"You don't get it, do you? Actually, Acheron is a rebellious youth. Because the King of Amber's massive walls blocked their trailblazing, they often piloted the Star Rail Express to smash through the walls the King of Amber built, which is why the King of Amber got angry!"

"Holy crap, did a Construct Historian just show up?"

"I never expected that playing a game would allow me to experience a project made by geniuses! I'm already looking forward to which Aeons I'll encounter next!"

"I just don't know if Ms. Herta is still looking for people to test the Simulated Universe!"

"Please, let me test it!"

The plot of the Simulated Universe continues. After Ms. Herta finishes explaining the tasks within the Simulated Universe, the screen enters the phase of choosing Blessings.

After combat in the Simulated Universe, one can obtain Path Blessings to enhance combat power. Because it is the first entry, Ms. Herta uses her authority to swap all Blessings for enhanced ones.

On the screen, there are three Preservation Blessing options, each with its own effects and levels.

"This gameplay, is it a roguelike?"

Lao Mu muttered to himself as he looked at the three Preservation Blessings before his eyes.

As one of the classic game genres, roguelike has captured the hearts of a large number of gamers with features like procedural randomness and unidirectional progression.

I never expected the production team to actually combine turn-based combat with roguelike gameplay!

If they can manage to continuously update the gameplay and patches, this Simulated Universe mode alone definitely has the potential to become a massive hit!

It's just that it's clearly still in the tutorial phase, and it's unclear how well the production team has completed the Simulated Universe section.

Thinking of this, Lao Mu accelerated his task progress. After experiencing a battle along the way, he obtained a gold-tier Preservation Blessing, which allows for counter-damage based on the amount of shield when attacking.

And after passing an elite battle, the figure of an Aeon appeared in the Simulated Universe once again!

Herta: [...He is here!]

[Ms. Herta's voice, filled with disbelief, comes to your ears.]

Herta: [No, not Him... it's another Aeon! It is--]

[Her voice is suddenly pulled away, and you have a strange feeling, as if Ms. Herta's words have solidified, and the entire Simulated Universe has become less real--]

"Oh, another Aeon has arrived. Who could it be!"

Lao Mu and the viewers in the chat began to anticipate which Aeon would appear this time—Destruction? Elation? The Hunt?

However, when the image of the Aeon appeared in the livestream, everyone was stunned!

In the scene, a blurred figure stood in place. They were composed of mirror shards, and their face was refracted into a riddle by prisms; only the Six-Liu Crown, with its dangling beaded curtains symbolizing their status, revealed their nobility.

Time is the most diligent thief in the world. It constantly steals our present and tosses it into a warehouse called memory. Some people wallow in claiming lost property, while others couldn't care less about what has been lost!

The Memory Aeon—Fuli!

Compared to other Aeons frequently appearing in the public eye of the universe, Fuli can be said to be extremely mysterious.

No one knows when the Memory Aeon appeared. They seem to have quietly emerged in the history of the universe, naturally and logically, as if they had modified everyone's memories.

The only recorded appearance to date was when the founder of the Interastral Peace Corporation, Louis Fleming, retired—that was an unknown number of Amber Eras ago.

Most people in the universe never have the chance to see this Lord of Flowing Light in their lifetime, yet now, their image has actually appeared in a game!

"This is the Memory Aeon Fuli!"

"Holy crap, Cyber Emperor of Jade!"

"Such a cool design, it feels exactly like the Jade Emperor from the Xianzhou Storybooks I've read!"

"Oh my god, first the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, now the Lord of Flowing Light—won't we be able to see the Lord of the Hunt later on?"

"I never expected to see an Aeon's true form while playing a game; this is too awesome!"

"If this were the real Simulated Universe, that would be insane!"

Compared to the previously appearing Preservation Aeon Qlipoth, the sensation caused by the Memory Aeon Fuli was significantly greater!

After all, the King of Amber builds walls in a fixed location; as long as you can travel to the Interastral Peace Corporation's headquarters planet, Belobog, you can see that towering figure above the Heavenly Dome.

Over time, everyone has gotten used to it—things are valued for their rarity, after all.

After the exclamation, Lao Mu looked at the story text in the Simulated Universe and began to carefully read these pieces of information related to the Aeons.

Fuli: [You see Kafka. Her body is pulled and deformed, blending with the umbrella in her hand, turning into water droplets that fall at your feet.]

Fuli: [You discover you are a Crying Adelfen Infant, embracing a twin whose umbilical cord has not yet been cut. You remember a golden scar on your body, golden blood flowing on a dying planet. You discover your skin is dark, your robes sweeping across the wilderness. You discover you are a swift shadow crossing the abyss, reaching out to embrace a meteor.]

[Then, their voice suddenly arrives—every word spoken from their mouth is connected to the others, as if whispering. Before you can answer, they suddenly disappear.]

A sudden riddle left everyone completely confused.

"What, what is all this?"

"A golden scar on the body—does this mean I've turned into Nanook?"

"How come I recognize every word, but I can't understand them when they're put together?"

"Is this the level of an Aeon? The things they say are truly beyond the comprehension of mortals like us!"

"It must be the work of a riddler!"

"Right, I think spaghetti should be mixed with number 42 concrete!"

"You've already started babbling nonsense, haven't you!"

However, in the plot, Herta was very satisfied with the result of drawing out the Memory Aeon Fuli and ended this test of the Simulated Universe.

[Your navel was tugged by a hook, and you did a somersault: when you opened your eyes, you were already back in Herta's office. The first experience ends here.]

"What's going on, it's over already?"

"I haven't had enough yet!"

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

"This game is truly magical! I'm going to recommend it to my friends!"

"Streamer, play another round of the Simulated Universe! I still want to see other Aeons!"

Having experienced the novelty of the Simulated Universe, Lao Mu was also thinking about playing another round; whether it was the Aeon's story or the Roguelike gameplay, it was simply too attractive!

After the conversation with Herta was completed, the character art flashed on the screen, and a four-star Herta was gifted!

Lao Mu couldn't wait to start the Simulated Universe again, and this time Herta had updated some content, with the obtained Blessings shifting to the Memory type!

And just after a battle ended, a change occurred!

[The enemies fall one after another, and you cannot control your excitement. You are a genius, you are certain of it. Your focus begins to shatter, you love the trembling of every leaf, you enjoy the destructive power of infinite thought, until you realize something is wrong with you—this isn't you.]

Herta: [Oh no, they are here...]

The chat was also excited at this moment!

"This description!!!"

"Haha, as expected, even they were created!"

"Interesting! This is truly hilarious!"

In the shadows, they appear before your eyes: they have no head, and they cradle a mask.

They wave at you, spinning on their own, their arms suspended in mid-air, muscles controlling the trembling of their knuckles, their posture like a sculpture.

Understanding joy is the exclusive right of intelligent beings; neither stubborn stones nor stars can comprehend the humor of life!

"Everyone, stand up!"

"He will never give you up, He will never let you down, He will never run around and desert you, He will never make you cry, He will never say goodbye, He will never tell a lie and hurt you!"

"He is the Aeon of Elation—Aha!"

"The man among men! The Aeon among Aeons! The King! The Emperor! The Demon Lord! The immortal pinnacle in the history of humanity!"

"Holy crap, did the Masked Fools launch an attack?"

"So many joy-seekers!"

"Question Elation, understand Elation, become Elation!"

Chapter 18: The Episode Where Aha Has the Most Face

The appearance of the Aeon of Elation, Aha, instantly made the livestream chat explode!

There has never been a shortage of joy-seekers Walking on the Path of Elation in the universe, let alone among the audience watching the stream!

In the plot, Aha was also quite excited to see Stelle, who was role-playing the Trailblaze Aeon.

Aha: "Acheron, Acheron!" A voice laughed maniacally. "It has been so long, how I have missed you! [You feel a chill, the kind of infectious madness only a lunatic possesses.]"

Aha: "[I am so sad.]" He suddenly turned sorrowful. "Why did you have to die?" He sobbed in pain, tears brushing against the back of your hand; you felt as if you had truly died once.

Aha: "[You fell for too long, and the universe lost its order.]" He began to clap, and then everything descended into chaos! "This is what I wanted! I want to embrace you, but alas, I am merely a computer equation. Oh, that actually sounds pretty cool." He scratched his head.

Herta: "[That bastard knows again. I must have Screwllum modify His data once more...]"

In just a short opening, Aha brought shock to everyone; He actually knew that He was just a fake!

"As expected of Aha! To think He could guess that He is a manufactured fake!"

"I take back what I said before; the creations of the Geniuses are truly terrifying!"