"She probably transferred her consciousness to another puppet," Fu Lin speculated. He approached Herta's puppet and poked its cheek, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Just like Otto? How annoying," Fu Shi crossed his arms, scornfully remarking.
"She mentioned going to the office. Does anyone know where it is?"
Stelle shook her head. "Emmm, no idea..."
Then Stelle shook Herta's puppet. Moments later, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Seeing that it was a message from Herta, Stelle quickly pulled out her phone to read it.
---------------------------
Herta, "Come to my office immediately! I'll be waiting!"
Stelle: "..."
Stelle, "Where is your office?"
Herta, "[Auto-reply] Hello, I'm currently busy and unavailable. Also, I won't be contacting you anytime soon."
Stelle, "???"
...
"Well, you finally showed up." Herta stood with one hand on her hip, looking at the tardy Stelle. Noticing Fu Lin and Fu Shi following behind, she asked, "Why are you two here too?"
Fu Lin crossed his arms and looked down at Herta, saying, "…Should I leave then?"
"Since you're already here, having two more people doesn't matter." Herta stared at the three of them, her expression turning serious as she said, "My colleagues and I are working on a major project. If it succeeds, we'll solve the ultimate mystery that's baffled us for thousands of Amber Era's: the secrets of the 'Aeons.'"
"The 'Aeons'—just think about it, what an incredible existence! Some Aeons were once ordinary humans like you and me, but somehow, they gained powers far beyond our imagination!"
"They are enigmatic, powerful, silent, terrifying! The mysteries surrounding them cannot be explained in a few words."
"How were they born? Why were they born? What is their purpose? … So, are you interested in exploring these questions with us?"
Herta then pointed to a large machine in the office and said, "The four geniuses of our Genius club collaborated to create a program. See that big machine?"
"It contains a universe: it's like the world we live in, but more streamlined and customizable…"
"I call it the 'Metaverse'!"
"Stop riding the hype wave," Stelle said with folded arms, unimpressed.
"Really? My partner said the same. Actually, I kind of like it... But since I, Herta, am open to suggestions, let's call it the 'Simulated Universe' instead." Herta, a bit disappointed, relented after hearing Stelle's reaction.
"Why does it feel like the fourth wall just broke... Am I imagining it?" Fu Lin, puzzled, looked at the exchange between the two.
Fu Shi, with her hands on her hips, added, "I feel the same way."
"Don't just stand there. Go experience it yourselves. I'll guide you in the 'Simulated Universe,' and I guarantee there will be no loss! I'll even pay you handsomely~" Herta pushed Stelle toward the "Simulated Universe" and turned to address the other two.
"Come on, just stand here. The machine will read your brainwaves and automatically match you to an immersive simulation system... It will give you a truly lifelike experience," Herta explained as she pushed Stelle into the machine, proudly detailing its usage.
Suddenly, Fu Lin grabbed Herta's shoulders, staring into her eyes with a serious expression. "If there's no exit button, I'm not playing…"
"Huh?" Herta was stunned by Fu Lin's words, taking a moment to process them before responding in exasperation. "Do you want to get trapped in the 'Simulated Universe'?"
Then, looking at Fu Lin seriously, she said, "The 'Simulated Universe' resets every seven days. If you really get stuck in there, you'll be wiped out with the reset."
Hearing this, Stelle immediately jumped out of the machine and said, "That dangerous? Then I'm not testing it."
Seeing this, Herta abandoned her dignity and began to act coquettishly, pleading, "Please, please, I'm begging you, just test it~"
Fu Lin, hearing Herta's pleading tone, felt goosebumps rise and coughed awkwardly, "Ahem! Fu Shi, you and Stelle go ahead and test it."
Fu Shi pointed at herself in surprise. "Me too?"
"Stop arguing. All three of you, get in," Herta said, reverting to her previous attitude and urging the three of them.
"This is all we need to do, right?" Fu Lin stood on the machine. Soon, Fu Shi and Stelle joined him, and they all looked at Herta for confirmation.
"That's right. Now, close your eyes."
As Herta activated the "Simulated Universe," a feeling of weightlessness overcame them. Fu Lin and Fu Shi slowly opened their eyes, exchanged glances, and looked around at the familiar room.
Seeing the equally familiar Herta, Fu Lin felt puzzled. He stepped forward, pinched Herta's cheek, and muttered to himself, "So realistic, the texture is identical too. Is this what immersive experience feels like?"
"...Why didn't you two enter the Simulated Universe? How strange." Herta, noticing that Fu Lin and Fu Shi hadn't entered the "Simulated Universe," quickly swatted away Fu Lin's dirty hands and asked.