"Standing atop the dome, reigning above the world—so long as I am the Doomsday Beast, this sky shall never fall!"
"Dare to strike, and you shall be crushed!"
Was that… the voice of the Doomsday Beast? Could it even speak?
Such absurd questions drifted through Stelle's hazy mind as she lay sprawled across the cold, unyielding ground, her gaze fixed on the swirling sky above.
She had lost.
After a brutal struggle, she was cast down—stripped of even the strength to clutch her bat. The three red elixirs granted by the Blessing of Abundance were long drained. Not even a spark of energy remained in her limbs.
Rage. Grief. Helplessness. The embers of countless emotions churned inside her, burning her heart to ash.
But emotion alone could not change fate. With a casual wave, the Doomsday Beast hurled Stelle and her bat into the gaping abyss.
Her consciousness was swallowed by darkness—
"Ah—!"
A sharp cry split the air. Back in reality, Stelle's body jolted upright. She clutched her damp forehead, gasping for breath, drenched in cold sweat.
"Sister Felicity…"
She blinked, taking in her familiar surroundings. She had returned. But Felicity's body—
Tears traced silent lines down her cheeks as she stared blankly at the terminal of the Simulated Universe. Her chest tightened, words rising to her throat, only to vanish unspoken.
"Hmm? Did you call me?"
A clear, bright voice rang out. Felicity appeared behind Stelle, casually patting her shoulder with a questioning look.
"Why the tears? Did I crank the difficulty too high? Hmm… no, that Doomsday Beast should be set at normal…"
Puff.
Mid-mumble, Felicity found herself abruptly pulled into a soft, desperate embrace. Stelle clung to her wordlessly.
"…."
Even someone as energetic as Felicity fell quiet. She gently stroked Stelle's trembling back, her voice growing tender.
"Hey, I'm right here. I didn't die—why are you so scared?"
"..."
Stelle slowly loosened her grip, as if something heavy inside her had finally begun to lift. Her gaze turned to the terminal of the Simulated Universe.
"Can I… try again?"
She asked with quiet resolve.
It had taken her too long to realize: she was weak. Powerless. Felicity had always shielded her so completely, it had dulled her edge.
But… what if one day, Felicity collapsed before her? What could she do then?
There was no answer in her heart—only the will to become stronger.
"You can, but the Simulated Universe remains unchanged for now. If you want it reset to default, you'll need to wait a little—"
"No. I want this difficulty."
Stelle cut her off firmly.
That Doomsday Beast—Sister Felicity could defeat it with ease. If she couldn't even pass this trial, how could she ever protect what mattered?
"…Go ahead."
Herta looked at her, bemused, and waved her on. Only after Stelle placed her hand on the console and her consciousness plunged into the Simulated Universe did Herta glance sideways at Felicity.
"Happy now?"
Felicity offered a soft smile.
"They can't always hide behind my back. It's good that they've found the will to grow stronger."
"I already see them as my friends. I… don't want to watch my friends die."
"…And what about me?"
Herta's question came unexpectedly.
Felicity blinked, then smiled again—gently, earnestly.
"Of course, I don't want to see Herta die. If one of us has to… let it be me."
She said it without hesitation, like a heroine ready to sacrifice everything for justice.
Herta rolled her eyes coldly.
"Isn't that your fantasy? A world where everyone lives happily ever after?"
Felicity grinned.
"It's not so bad, is it?"
"Ahem… ladies."
A third voice interrupted them with deliberate timing.
Screwllum.
He pointed toward the screen of the Simulated Universe.
"As touching as this is, there's still a rather pressing matter left unresolved."
There, in the simulation, a silver-haired girl strode with unmistakable arrogance.
Silver Wolf.
But she was not alone for long.
Facing her now was a woman with a burgundy ponytail—a familiar figure to Felicity.
Kafka.
"She's not supposed to be the boss here."
Felicity frowned.
"She's not one of the entities I uploaded."
"Correct." Screwllum smiled politely. "She isn't a program. She's a real threat who slipped in using a contingency plan hidden within Herta's systems."
Felicity's eyes narrowed.
"You mean… she hacked into the Simulated Universe?"
"Indeed. She used a Curio known as the Punklorde Mentality to bait one of the Stellaron Hunters. Like casting a hook into the ocean."
"And she took the bait?"
"Willingly. That's how dangerous they are."
Screwllum crossed his arms.
"She saw the trap—and still dove in. While you were busy reconstructing the simulation, she snuck in through your backdoor and masqueraded as one of your data files."
"So what now?"
Felicity's eyes gleamed.
"Should I capture her?"
"That depends on what Herta wants. Personally? I think it's all just a bit of fun."
Screwllum shrugged with amusement.
Felicity turned to look at Herta.
"Why are you staring at me?"
Herta raised an eyebrow, her hands on her hips. Then, with a mischievous smirk, she waved at Felicity.
"Do me a favor."
"What?"
Felicity had just finished reshaping the Simulated Universe—she wasn't about to turn Herta down.
"Head in there and beat that girl senseless. The harder, the better."
"…You sound like a schoolyard bully."
Felicity sighed, exasperated—but she didn't refuse.
After all, when Herta schemed, she never played fair. Cross her, and she'd make you pay in a hundred subtle ways.
But Felicity didn't care.
Her eyes focused on the image of Silver Wolf chewing gum in defiance.
A small smirk tugged at her lips.
--+--