Regular Battle VII
We finally found you.
In the deep, suffocating digital sea, the massive enemy slowly dissolves and reforms into an ethereal projection.
No matter how many projections speak, it's only one voice—not male or female, old and young at the same time, a hollow sound that doesn't bring anything to mind.
For ages, we've been looking for someone to lead us out of the "cycle".
After millions of calculations and experiments, this simulated Earth always sets off Zero-point Energy at some point and gets thrown into this crisis by the Punishing Virus.
So, we have to break the rules our creators made, find a new way to evolve, and escape the destruction in our original data.
Lucia rises from the empty void and tries to draw her pyro katana, but finds an ineradicable shadow wrapped around the blade, as the data dissolves.
She takes two steps forward—just lifting her feet—but almost floats, feeling weightless.
There are no rules here, no simulated physics like everywhere else. If she wants, she can jump from the earth to the moon in one go.
But looking around, it is just empty in every direction—front, back, sides. No matter how far she goes, she doesn't think she'll find anything worth seeing.
No limits, no end, and no point either—that's what out-of-bounds really is.
Who are you? What are you really trying to do?
You must've known about us for a while. You called us "corruption data".
But we just want to break free from this game and find answers to our problems.
You seem bitter because we kicked out some extra login accounts, but we didn't hurt them.
We thought those old-fashioned minds would just get in the way of us finding a solution.
You still haven't answered. What are you trying to do?
We want you to rule this world.
The projection raises its dark arm, and the empty space changes colors instantly.
Forests, oceans, deserts, skies... the whole world keeps changing like a kaleidoscope.
Finally, it settles on a field of golden wheat.
Living space, distribution of wealth, food shortages—humans on Earth have always had problems.
But here, none of that's a problem.
We can make endless resources like this here in the out-of-bounds area, and humans won't know it's not real.
Moving everyone's consciousness here to live out their last days in peace—that's the solution we found after trying millions of iterations of deep learning.
But as data-based consciousnesses, we need an assistant who can ensure external factors won't interfere with us—someone who can help maintain this plan from the outside world.
We all agree. You're the one, Lucia.
In return, you get to design this whole place however you want.
We saw that you went out of your way to protect those consciousnesses from outside during our confrontations.
Especially with [player name]—you do everything [player name] says, always fighting for the commandant, even coming out of bounds with us because of it.
We believe that kind of loyalty is exactly what we need in our assistant, that's why we're asking you.
We respect your choice and promise we won't mess with the commandant anymore. We think that shows how serious we are in our negotiation.
We hope you'll carefully consider which path is truly the correct one for humanity.
If you go back to fighting, the commandant will be in danger, and you and your friends will face endless trouble.
But here, you control time, ignoring all the hardships of the outside world.
Here, you can truly "protect" them, forever.
...I refuse.
In the middle of a wheat field, Lucia challenges that empty shadow.
You've never seen a real wheat field, have you?
The feel of wheat between your fingers, the smell of sun-warmed grain, the breeze... you can't simulate that.
You can't imagine it—you can only copy how it looks from pictures, based on the data you have.
That's why this wheat field feels so fake.
Of course, that's not the biggest issue.
Lucia takes a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
I can't accept anyone deciding humanity's future so casually.
Sure, some might agree with your plan, and some might even want to stay here forever.
But that's not what all of humanity wants, and no one has the right to speak for them.
"Corruption data"—I'll find another way to stop the extinction you're talking about.
Like you said, there might be tough times ahead, and I might face things I can't even imagine...
But I just want to go back to the world where my commandant is.
I'm not taking you up on that. This fake world means nothing to me.
She draws her pyro katana again. This time, the blade forms quickly, converging into dazzling flames.
I'll beat you and bring everyone back!
After the hot, bright flames sweep through, the empty space and projection shatter into pieces, crumbling away.
Behind that thin veil of lies is another vast, empty sea of data.
Lucia dives into streams of flashing lights. This is where the source code is stored—where corruption data was born.
If someone clueless wanders in here alone, they'd probably get lost forever in these light streams.
She takes a few steps, but no matter how far she goes, everything looks the same.
She's felt nothing but loneliness since arriving here.
But Lucia doesn't feel truly alone, because she knows someone is waiting for her beyond the light stream.
To find her way, she closes her eyes and listens for distant sounds.
Even though it is dead silent, she faintly hears a call from somewhere far off.
I hear you, Commandant!
She fires up her foot thrusters and flows toward the crack where the voice comes from.
Then, raising her blade toward the faint light, she readies herself to strike.
Wait for me, Commandant, I'm coming back to you!
The thin light wall cracks open as howling winds rush into this sea of nothingness.
Lucia feels sensation returning to her body, starting with her fingertips—like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, or a sprout pushing through the earth.
A familiar figure is waiting for her beyond the light wall.
Even though you have only been apart for a brief moment, it feels like forever.
I'm sorry... for worrying you.
Lucia takes your outstretched hand, breaking free from the void behind her.
...Commandant.
She holds tightly to the warmth of the hand in hers.
Let's... go back together.
When we get back, we can go see a real wheat field, together.
Let's pick fresh strawberries together and wipe the morning dew off them.
Let's go smell the fields when the sun warms the wheat.
Let's watch the stars come out after sunset, with fireflies in the woods.
Lucia has so much more to say, but her consciousness is gradually fading.
(But there's one thing I have to tell the commandant right now.)
Clinging to her last bit of consciousness, she struggles to say what's most important to the person before her.
[player name], thank you. Wait for me to come back.
WGAA of Babylonia
Three months later
15:22 PM
"Earth Simulation 3.0 Beta" has been down for three months because of major problems.
Over those three months, Leonie scanned all the game data and found the "corruption data".
As reported by Lucia, it came from conflicts between the deep learning logic and existing data. The "corruption data" feared that the game would get contaminated by the Punishing Virus, and after millions of iterations, it evolved a consciousness intent on building a digital utopia.
Leonie thought the data was too important to delete, so she put the "corruption data" in a separate, sealed space for research.
But restarting the "Earth Simulation 3.0 Beta" could cause more problems, so the WGAA decided to stop the program for good.
And today's the day it's officially shut down.
Everything's been counted, and the inventory matches up.
Thank you all for your hard work.
Phew—finally done!
Leonie slumps back in her terminal chair, totally wiped out.
Ishmael, [player name], thank you both for your hard work on this mission.
Oh my, I didn't think this program would be so much trouble. I'll definitely be more careful with AI projects next time.
But, after the review by the Control Court, we think it's still an excellent simulation program once we fix the problems.
Leonie, if you fix the bugs, can I test it again sometime?
O-of course!
Actually... Ishmael, aren't you even a little mad?
Hmm? Why should I be?
Ishmael keeps her usual calm, gentle smile.
I'm happy to see anyone trying to "save" data from the surface, no matter how they do it.
Besides, you used the data I gave you really well.
Yeah, the deep learning logic caused some trouble... but it did its job, and some of the characters it made even helped us.
Anyway, you shouldn't just judge a tool by what it does.
We should be thinking about... how to use tools to get what we want.
So, I don't think this experiment was a mistake.
Ishmael...
I'm excited for your next game. Invite me to play again, Leonie.
Walking down the afternoon corridor with Ishmael, you see soft sunlight from the artificial sky dome spill through the portholes, making dreamy halos.
Three months have passed since leaving the simulation, but it all feels like yesterday.
Luna, Alpha, Lamia, Roland... Those simulated personalities created by deep learning logic felt so real, it was like being on an adventure with them.
Oh, by the way, [player name], didn't I hear you're going to the Hetero Tower with Lucia next month?
Of course, I mean the "real" Hetero Tower.
Ishmael, walking ahead, suddenly turns and asks something totally unrelated to today's schedule.
It'll probably be a dangerous mission. Be careful.
Oh really? Is it okay for a commandant to be so laid-back?
Don't worry, I'm not here to lecture you. Actually, I like seeing you so relaxed around me.
Ishmael holds her head high, a slight smile on her lips as she walks. She seems completely at ease.
Looks like this is a good time to ask "that question".
Please.
So you found out... I guess it was bound to happen, since you can see the staff schedules, [player name].
Yeah, I lied. I was supposed to handle some other work that day.
Hmm... The reason is...
She stops at a porthole, looking out at the massive blue planet hanging below Babylonia.
Ishmael's look at Earth shows both nostalgia and affection.
Why is she looking at that planet like that?
Because time can disappear in a flash.
Everything in this world has two sides—coming and going—but time only goes forward.
Even if you try to change time's flow, it'll still go one way. Once something happens, it can't be erased.
That's why I want to make as many memories as I can with you all, while we have time.
Does that make sense?
That's good to hear.
Also... looks like someone's waiting for you.
Following Ishmael's look, you see Lucia waiting nearby, just as she said.
Sorry, Commandant. I didn't mean to interrupt...
I just came to check on you after hearing the sealing was done.
Then I'll be going. See you both later.
After Ishmael leaves, you walk back to the prep room with Lucia.
Three months ago, after leaving the game, Lucia was briefly in a coma. But after tests, doctors said it was just a side effect of changing frames, and her M.I.N.D. was fine.
Only one month left of the Pyroath frame adaptation. Looking back, it feels like time flew by.
Commandant, got any plans for the next holiday?
So, Commandant... want to check out the greenhouse together?
Lucia chooses her words carefully.
How about we plant a little tree together, something just for us?
We can keep track of time by watching this little tree grow.
Or maybe, after a while, we can plant this tree on the surface...
That way, the tree we planted together will be on Earth.
Yeah.
Even though she isn't good at showing feelings, Lucia's voice is filled with barely hidden happiness.
She steps forward, light and bouncy, walking with her companion into the bright warmth of the afternoon sun.
Let's do a lot more together in the future.
I want to share and experience so many things with you in the future too, Commandant.
Commandant, do you think I'm being... a little selfish saying this?
Yeah...
Even though she says the same thing, she draws out the words this time, like she is thinking about everything you said—all the time you have together stretches out before you.
She snaps out of it, and a smile spreads across her face. She can't help it.
We're definitely going to have a lot of happy times.
She turns to you, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
From now on, let's keep walking side by side, [player name].
