LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 133: Chapter 128: Don't Let Him Escape!
"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.
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"Huh? Isn't this the simulated universe world?" Fu Lin scratched his head and asked in confusion.
"Of course not. So why didn't you go in?" Herta looked at Stelle fighting monsters in the projection, then turned her head to ask the two.
"I thought this invention of yours would be amazing, but it's really disappointing~" Fu Shi put one hand on her hip, complaining to Herta as she realized they couldn't even get inside.
"That kid went in, so the problem isn't with the machine—it's you two." Hearing Fu Shi criticize her great invention, Herta immediately brought up the projection of Stelle already battling monsters to refute her.
"Fine. Since you two are useless, just stay here and don't touch anything. If you break my stuff, you can't afford to pay for it." Herta focused intently on the projection while warning the two troublemakers nearby.
"I heard you've collected a lot of rare items. Can you show us?" Fu Lin remembered the scoring gun that Silver Wolf had mentioned and couldn't help but feel curious about what his score would be.
"Interested in my collection? Unfortunately, I'm too busy to take you there now. If you're really that curious, there's a room in the containment section... This kid really attracts Aeons."
"Tsk~ Aeons are all the same."
Herta, fixated on the projection, signaled the two to leave. However, seeing that Stelle had actually drawn an Aeon's attention, she couldn't help but sulk.
Fu Lin looked at Herta's back, grabbed Fu Shi's hand, and left the office. Soon after, they encountered a group of staff gathering nearby.
The staff froze at the sight of the two, momentarily unable to tell which one was the Herrscher of Sentience.
Rocky stepped forward and declared, "Then let's celebrate both of them!"
The staff exchanged glances, surrounded Fu Lin and Fu Shi, hoisted them into the air, and began cheering loudly, "Long live the Herrscher of Sentience!"
"The Herrscher of Sentience is invincible!"
"The Herrscher of Sentience is the hero who saved the space station!"
Fu Lin, overwhelmed by the crowd's enthusiasm, shouted awkwardly, "Hey! She's the Herrscher of Sentience, not me! Put me down!"
Hearing this, the staff obediently set Fu Lin down but continued tossing Fu Shi into the air to celebrate the station's victory.
Seeing Fu Lin sneak away without loyalty, Fu Shi quickly commanded the crowd, "Listen to me! It was he who defeated the Doomsday Beast, not me. Don't let him get away!"
The staff, still holding Fu Shi, shouted in unison, "Yes, Herrscher of Sentience!"
"What are you all doing?! Don't you have work to do?" Herta, disturbed by the commotion outside her office, appeared with a grim expression and scolded the gathered staff.
Startled by Herta's presence, the staff scattered and fled.
Predictably, Fu Shi fell to the ground with a thud, clutching her backside as she slowly got up and muttered, "Tch! You guys... What's so scary about that brat?"
With the area finally quiet, Herta shut her office door. Meanwhile, Fu Lin whistled as he emerged from a distant corner, waving at the fuming Fu Shi.
Asta, having finished her work, noticed Fu Lin's silhouette ahead and seemed lost in thought, recalling the events at the platform. She quickened her pace to catch up.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Fu Lin turned and, seeing Asta, asked curiously, "Can I help you with something?"
"You two don't seem to be part of the Astral Express Crew. Would you be interested in joining me? Don't worry; I'll make sure you're well compensated," Asta said with anticipation, glancing at Fu Shi as she approached.
"You're trying to recruit us? Sorry, but we're not fond of working under others." Fu Lin crossed his arms, eyeing Asta with amusement.
"Fair enough. Strong individuals like you wouldn't be easily recruited anyway. I was being a bit rash. By the way, thank you for dealing with the Doomsday Beast. If not for you, the space station would have been in real danger. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to find me," Asta said, shifting the topic to gratitude without surprise at Fu Lin's refusal.
"Ahem! It's only natural to help when you see injustice. It was just a small effort. Of course, if you insist on giving us a reward, I wouldn't refuse."
Fu Lin first replied modestly, then pulled out his phone, opened a payment QR code, and shamelessly threw away his integrity—figuratively stomping on it for good measure.