"Just like before, pick a Path at random, and if we encounter an event, we'll go through the event."
"Sure thing~" Clara replied with obedient sweetness.
"Sister Herta, which Path do you think I should choose?"
"That's up to you. The Path doesn't really affect the outcome of whether an Aeon appears or not; it only influences the process as you progress through the stages."
Clara nodded, thought for a moment, and then selected the Path of Remembrance.
"Oh, by the way, Sister Herta, could you give me some buffs?"
"You need buffs?" Herta shot back.
"Why wouldn't I need buffs? What's the point of playing if I don't have any buffs?" Clara retorted, a bit annoyed. 'You want me to fight naked, is that it?'
"You didn't have any buffs last time, did you? Just do whatever you did last time."
Herta had watched the recording of Clara's previous Simulated Universe run over and over but still couldn't figure it out. How did Clara manage to instantly wipe out all the monsters on the field?
The Simulated Universe is virtual. Real-world abilities can't be brought into it; combat strength inside relies entirely on Blessings and Curios. So, Herta was completely baffled by how Clara had pulled it off.
"Not giving them to me, huh? Really not giving them?"
"Fine, I'll just lie down right here for you to see!"
Clara flopped onto the ground, closed her eyes, and completely ignored the so-called Simulated Universe.
Herta, Screwllum: "..."
"Miss Clara, allow me to provide you with the buffs." Screwllum tapped lightly on the screen. Inside the Simulated Universe, Clara felt a surge of power envelop her.
[Congratulations, you have obtained all Remembrance Blessings.]
"Screwllum, this takes all the fun out of it."
"Heh, the essence of the Simulated Universe is to study the Aeons. These monsters are merely added for a bit of gameplay." Screwllum chuckled softly. "Since Miss Clara isn't fond of them, we can simply skip that step."
"See? See? This is the difference between you, Sister Herta, and Screwllum." Clara wholeheartedly agreed with Screwllum's words, nodding. 'This Simulated Universe is your tool for researching the Aeons' mysteries. Why waste time with all these fights?'
'Just let me go on a rampage. I'll slash my way through—now that sounds satisfying.'
"Hmph, suit yourselves." Herta snorted coldly but didn't say anything else.
"Miss Clara, you may proceed directly to the end and eliminate the final monster. That will also open the portal."
"Okay." Clara nodded, then ignored all the monsters along the way and walked straight up to the last one.
A purple katana materialized in her hand, and she swung it at the creature.
"Stream forth... the gleam of old blades." (T/N: Acheron Talent)
As the blade light fell, the monster turned to dust and vanished into the air.
Herta, Screwllum: ?
"Wait, how can you ignore the Simulated Universe's rules and eliminate a monster without entering combat?"
Previously, Herta had focused her replay analysis on how Clara could instantly wipe out all monsters in an area, completely overlooking the fact that she never entered combat mode in the first place.
The Simulated Universe is essentially a turn-based game for studying Aeons. So how come you're playing a turn-based game without entering combat? What's even the point then?
"You guess~ Even if you guess right, I won't tell you." Clara grinned, flicking the katana in her hand lightly. The blade then shattered into fragments and disappeared into the air.
"That sword..." Herta and Screwllum focused their attention on the purple katana, but unfortunately, neither could discern anything about it.
Then again, it would be strange if they could.
That purple katana was just something Clara had casually bought from a roadside stall for two thousand credits. Don't let its appearance fool you—it looks utterly ordinary because, in reality, it is utterly ordinary.
"Whatever, never mind. Let's proceed with the event next and see if we can encounter anything related to an Aeon." Seeing Clara's attitude, Herta knew she wouldn't reveal anything. So, she didn't dwell on it further. Screwllum was right—the Simulated Universe's core purpose was to study Aeons. Combat and such were indeed somewhat superfluous. Maybe in the future, they should just start with all Blessings active.
"Sure thing~"
Clara responded and walked toward the event door.
...
[You stroll alongside a blue lagoon, pass through a garden full of hoary stocks, and go around a hall of ivory and white stones. You walk up a grand golden staircase... and stop in front of the "IPC Branch Bank" sign.]
"This is... an event related to the Interastral Peace Corporation." Looking at the opulent building before her, Clara's eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark, as if she were plotting something grand.
"It's related to the IPC. Doesn't seem to have much to do with any Aeon. Just go take a look." Watching the event unfold on the screen, Herta felt slightly disappointed.
"Mhm." Clara nodded and walked up to a nearby counter.
["The more you deposit, the higher the interest rate." The teller has an infectious smile and an elegant demeanor. You believe he is an excellent employee trained by the Talent Motivation Department of the IPC.]
"Just an event about depositing money for returns."
"Just refuse and leave. It's not like you have any money right now anyway."
"No money?" Hearing those words, Clara couldn't help but find it amusing.
"Who told you I have no money?"
A smile spread across Clara's face. She spread her arms and spun around once, as if embracing the entire IPC Branch Bank.
"Look, isn't all the money in this whole bank mine?"
Herta: "..."
"You're going to... rob it? That doesn't seem to be an option in the choices."
"You're right." Clara nodded, not denying it. "But rules are meant to be broken."
Clara lifted one foot, attempting to prop it on the counter...
Okay, fine, her legs weren't long enough to reach.
Discovering this awkward fact, Clara simply pushed off with both feet and hoisted herself up to stand on the counter.
"Everyone, eyes on me!"
"I have an announcement."
"I, Clara, am here to rob this place!"
"Hand over all the Cosmic Fragments in this bank!"
Herta, Screwllum: "..."
…
T/N: Occurrence is Ka-ching! IPC Banking (I)
…
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