“No way, you call this just ‘slightly difficult’?!”
The moment Xian Ling saw the task prompt pop up on the panel, regret hit her immediately.
What do you mean the mission is to stop the birth of the Great Black Tomb?
You’re making me tackle a side quest Elio wouldn’t even touch?
[Don’t worry, this one might actually be on the simpler side.
Because of the game’s underlying setup, tasks with an Enigmata alignment are generally tougher than Erudition-aligned tasks…]
“Simpler?” Xian Ling inhaled sharply.
“Is it still possible to quit now?”
[Sorry, actually, my name’s Akihiko Kayaba.]
After a brief snarky comment shared with Xian Ling, text began popping up rapidly on the pixelated panel.
[Before the game starts, there’s a short prep period.
I won’t have time to explain every feature of this game, so I’ll prioritize the essentials.
Once you escape Polka’s pursuit, I’ll explain the rest.]
[First, the simulated worldline will develop much like a normal one; characters won’t be OOC.
In this demo, the Erudition side’s computational host is a small Nous… Don’t ask how anything can tussle with a small Nous—due to the nature of Enigmata, I can’t see it.]
[Second, upon entering the simulation, you’ll receive a temporary identity.
This is based on my analysis of you, simulating ‘what you might become in this worldline,’ so you won’t enter it in your current weak, unarmed body.]
[Most importantly… you probably noticed that task completion isn’t tied to whether you survive.
Even if you die, the worldline continues to simulate until the segment is complete—this will greatly impact your strategy, so proceed with caution.]
[Additionally, since Erudition and Enigmata tasks operate under different core logic, the objectives, rewards, and effects on the real world will differ—but that’s not important for now.
We’ll cover that once you’re out…]
After searching Xian Ling’s memories briefly, the pixel screen displayed a single line:
[Link Start!]
With a sudden burst of white light from the screen, Xian Ling instantly lost consciousness.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a very familiar place.
[Current Coordinates: Herta Space Station · Seclusion Zone]
[Simulated Identity: Xian Ling, an ordinary girl.
Previously affected by an experiment initiated by Ruan Mei, she was rescued in time but ultimately could not preserve her original body.
Presented with the options of memetic transformation or mechanization, she chose the Path of Remembrance and, with Herta’s assistance, became a Memetic Lifeform.]
[Afterward, Xian Ling lived among geniuses.
Out of guilt, Ruan Mei cared for her constantly, and since part of her body’s origin owed to Herta, Xian Ling’s relationship with Herta remained very good.]
[Background info complete.
Simulation begins.]
After giving Xian Ling two minutes to read the background, the pixelated screen disappeared.
She immediately felt her body regain sensation.
This feeling… a bit strange?
Is this a memetic body?
“Xian Ling!”
Before she could get used to her new body, the room’s door slammed open.
A Herta automaton rushed in, grabbed Xian Ling by the sleeve, and started dragging her out.
“Why are you still here?
I’ve been looking for you forever… Things are urgent, no time for pleasantries.
Come on, we’re leaving immediately.”
“L-Leaving?”
“Yes.
Like I told you before, that mysterious star region called Amphoreus is in big trouble… I don’t know the specifics yet, but based on current leaks and Path Energy analysis, it’s probably a serious problem.”
The Herta automaton guided Xian Ling while explaining rapidly.
“Although we don’t know exactly what went wrong, this trouble was likely triggered by the Garden of Recollection.
For safety, I need someone with a memetic constitution to accompany me… Sorry, Xian Ling, this is urgent.
I don’t have time to hire other Memokeepers, but I’ll compensate you later and explain everything to Ruan Mei.”
“You haven’t told Ruan Mei yet?!”
Xian Ling’s voice rose a few octaves in shock.
According to her memories, the relationships between Ruan Mei, Herta, and herself in this worldline were delicate.
If she had to describe it… the trio almost felt like a makeshift family.
Looking at Herta’s boldness now, Xian Ling could understand the feeling.
And Herta, being the cautious one, was still taking this risk.
“Because there’s no time—I’ve already deployed all usable mini-Hertas here.
Company, Screwllum, Ruan Mei, the Genius Society… I’m contacting them all, but if I’m right, this problem is less than twelve system units from exploding.
By the time those corporate folks finish their meeting, one-third of the universe could be erased from the map!”
Seeing Herta in such a flustered state, Xian Ling suddenly understood what Lygus meant.
Throughout Herta’s long life, [Conscience] had played a crucial role.
After a few explanations, they reached the bottom of the Seclusion Zone.
There, the original Herta—the Great Black Tomb, not too large—stood at the center of the chamber.
Surrounding her, the four almost identical magic mirrors were neatly lined up, ready for action.
“Xian Ling, five minutes for you.” Herta tossed a figure toward Xian Ling: a Memokeeper bound tightly in purple light, already unconscious.
“Read her memories.
They contain a rough overview of Amphoreus.
Be careful—according to her, the Garden of Recollection has already killed countless Memokeepers there.
It’s extremely dangerous.”
Because she had to bring Xian Ling along, Herta’s expression showed rare tension.
Even as Xian Ling read, Herta kept repeating precautionary instructions.
“Herta… if we follow this Memokeeper’s memories, Amphoreus isn’t just dangerous—it’s downright strange…”
Though Xian Ling was already aware of Amphoreus’ situation, she furrowed her brows slightly to show she had just finished reading.
“We really can’t wait any longer…”
“No.
In anomalies of this magnitude, every second counts.”
Herta cut her off, then took a deep breath, softening her tone slightly.
“For this mission, Xian Ling, don’t try to show off.
I brought you only to access areas exclusive to Memetic Lifeforms… Don’t follow the curiosity-driven Memokeepers.
Some of them are still undergoing tortures worse than death.”
“Also, since projecting my consciousness only requires three magic mirrors, I’ll have the fourth mirror stick close to you for protection.
Your safety comes first…”
Herta paused, lowering her voice a bit.
“So… promise me, Xian Ling.
Take care of yourself, okay?
Ruan Mei can’t bear the cost of losing you, and… cough, cough, neither can I.”
Yet…
Seeing Herta’s worried expression, Xian Ling obediently nodded, though her heart didn’t feel any lighter.
After all, the one truly stepping into danger this time… was Herta herself.