As Sunny stepped into the sterile lab, he—
'...Wait, what?'
There was a certain... alluring fragrance in the air. It carried what Sunny thought to be floral notes...
Which was something that definitely did not belong in the lab housing the Simulated Universe. He frowned, turning his head to the perpetrator.
Ruan Mei elegantly sat at a tea table that shouldn't exist in this area, and certainly shouldn't be so close to the Simulated Universe's console. She could practically reach it if she wanted to. The tea table was layered with a tea pot, a wide array of varying pastries, and a scented candle burning in the center.
A mortal woman not granted the boon of Awakening their Soul Core would pale at the caloric spread.
Noticing Sunny's gaze, Ruan Mei's eyes flickered over to him, offering him an empty smile.
"Surprised? Tea?"
He sighed, but didn't comment on the various scientific safety laws that she was probably breaching. Then again, Sunny wasn't particularly knowledgeable on the the how or why surrounding the Simulated Universe's functions. It was entirely possible that its systems were so airtight and secure on all fronts that there was no risk of any contamination afflicting its systems.
Either way, it wasn't really his problem. A bodyguard was just a bodyguard.
"No and no. The last time I was offered tea, it was laced by a magical drug."
Fortunately, Sunny separated himself from the consequences of breaching the contract forged between himself and Fu Xuan. Otherwise, he would need to be far more careful about his wording.
Ruan Mei paused mid sip. Her eyes slowly rolled over to the cup that was being held against her lips. Then, she glanced at the teapot. Then, she looked back at Sunny.
"Well, that's too bad. Come. I'll start up the Simulated Universe."
Sunny raised a brow at the haste behind her words, filing it away for later. He didn't have any reason to be concerned, but it was better safe than sorry. He walked over to the platform as Ruan Mei fiddled with the console from her chair, continuing their conversation.
"Has Herta told you about the developments we have made?"
"Developments?"
She nodded as she lingered on what seemed to be a restricted screen. Then, she moved on.
"Hm, yes. As I am sure you already know, I am the one who managed to get the Simulated Universe to produce biological organisms—"
Sunny did not know that, actually.
"—so, my expertise is mainly grounded in that area. The Simulated Universe can now lead evolution and ecosystems in a particular direction. The AI governing it had to be enhanced so that it could accurately guide every variable, and Herta had to call in a favor in order to give the Simulated Universe a time-dilation effect. Don't worry. It won't affect you... probably."
Sunny let the information roll around in his head. It was a little complex, and sounded far too much like technobabble, but he got the idea. This time, he wasn't going to be cursed to face something as stupid as exploding wolfs.
Ruan Mei slid her finger across the console's screen, and a moment later, the Simulated Universe began to whir.
"The Nightmare Spell should recognize the artificial Soul Cores as genuine, now. You'll be able to receive Memories and Echoes as normal. You'll be able to use Soul Shards, too, if you must, but they can't be taken out."
"Alright."
Sunny kept his response curt and to the point, not particularly interested in any dignifying pleasantries. He stood in silence, waiting for himself to be pulled into the Simulated Universe...
Nothing happened. Sunny turned towards Ruan Mei in confusion.
"Is there something else?"
Ruan Mei just stared back, her creepy gaze making Sunny feel like there were ants crawling under his skin. Eventually, she sighed.
"Yes, I almost forgot. Herta increased the immersion rate. It'll be like entering a Third Nightmare, but nobody will realize that you look different. Moreover, you'll keep your Aspect and Memories with you."
...Wasn't that one of the first things she should have told him? How did she forget that, of all things? Nodding out of exasperation, Sunny waited again.
'...Seriously?'
He turned towards Ruan Mei once more, a hint of annoyance on his face as he challenged her emotionless, clinical stare with his own.
"Anything else?"
Once more, she lingered for a few moments. There was a quizzical glint in her eyes, cold and curious.
"Why did Herta choose you?"
Sunny tilted his head, the corner of his lips curling downwards in both irritation and impatience, but also a sense of deep perplexion.
"Choose me for what?"
"To guard this Space Station. And to be the Simulated Universe's tester. She could have requested any Saint, and they'd have no choice but to comply. As for Miss Song... well, I wouldn't delve too deeply into Herta's plans. Then..."
The Harmonious tranquility of her expression came crashing down when a frown creased her brow.
"There is also the fact that the Simulated Universe was meant to be operated with multiple subjects in mind. What makes you so special as to make her abandon that idea?"
Sunny's eyes narrowed. She was truly asking him some dangerous questions.
But, now that she laid it out before him, Sunny did find it strange. Why didn't Herta call in a Saint? No, she did, but it would take them time to get here. Couldn't she have just beat any single one into submission, then, or was this a matter of trust and reliability?
As for why Herta chose him for the Simulated Universe, the answer was clearly due to his uniqueness. A Divine Aspect holder carrying the stolen Lineage of War and the blasphemous blood of Fate. His soul was darker than any Nihilistic abyss, and the Divinity spreading through his being was undeniably scathing — so bright it was, that his four Cores produced Essence surpassing his Rank.
"Maybe I'm special. Maybe she finds me interesting. Maybe I'm just a reliable guy. Ask her, not me."
Ruan Mei gazed searchingly at his eyes. It was piercing, calculating, and perhaps something that felt like it was unraveling his being. She sighed, an oh-so very human gesture.
"I see. I'll do just that, then."
Ruan Mei simply pressed something on the console, and in the same instant, it felt like a hook was tugging on his belly button—