Honkai Star Rail Simulation: I'm Surrounded By Characters

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******

The battle between Punklorde hackers was essentially a contest of information and data, difficult for outsiders to comprehend.

However, with Black Swan's enhancements, the perspective transformed into a visually engaging fight.

Against the backdrop of flowing green zeroes and ones, representing the continuous stream of data,

the information aligned with Silver Wolf morphed into tiny figures resembling Silver Wolf himself, each wielding swords and shields.

Similarly, Su Qing's side turned into miniature avatars modeled after him.

[Firefly: So cute! They look like dolls!]

[Stelle (pointing at Su Qing's avatar): @Kafka, Mom! I want this one!!]

[Sparkle: Enjoy.]

[Kafka: I know you're excited, but hold on—me too, actually.]

[Himeko: If Stelle buys it, I'll inspect the quality first for you.]

[March 7th: ? Ha ha, even if such dolls existed, I doubt Stelle would get her hands on one before others do.]

[Qingque: Laughing. Two grown-ups fighting over kids' toys?]

Suddenly, a massive wave of Silver Wolf minions surged forth from the gaps!

The balance of power instantly shifted.

While Su Qing's forces had initially surrounded Silver Wolf's initial troops, now this new surge encircled them in turn.

In a flash, not only did Silver Wolf gain numerical superiority, but also achieved a strategic pincer movement around Su Qing's forces!

[Silver Wolf: Now's the moment—unleash the wild card!]

[Qingque: So Silver Wolf was feigning weakness?]

[Bronya: Leaving deliberate traces when issuing the challenge must have been part of that act as well?]

[Firefly: @Silver Wolf, you're truly despicable!]

[Silver Wolf: Thank you for the compliment. ?]

[Silver Wolf: A confrontation between hackers is akin to war, where deception is fair game.]

[Silver Wolf: Being able to perfectly conceal information and launch a sudden attack like this—I am indeed exceptional, aren't I? ?]

The situation appeared to have dramatically reversed.

Su Qing's minions were sandwiched, completely encircled by Silver Wolf's forces, seemingly placing him in grave danger.

However, upon closer observation, one would notice that despite being under siege, his minion count barely diminished.

At a specific moment, after confirming there were no further reinforcements from the opponent,

Su Qing's avatar ceased fighting momentarily and began to grow larger.

The silver wolf figure, wielding sword and shield, slowly lifted its head, mouth gradually widening.

Her entire form was gradually engulfed by the expanding shadow opposite her...

Through the avatars, one could perceive Silver Wolf's astonishment.

How did each unit on the other side suddenly become so powerful?!

[Stelle: Su Qing: Hmph, did you really think only you were concealing your true strength?]

As Su Qing's avatar grew four to five times bigger than the opponent's,

the ensuing battle held no suspense whatsoever.

With every unit under Su Qing's control, she achieved a tenfold effect, boasting not just formidable combat power but also remarkable speed.

First, the inner circle of silver wolf figures was swiftly annihilated.

The newly added outer group had no chance to escape; Su Qing relentlessly captured and eliminated them one by one.

Finally, the last remaining silver wolf with sword and shield, displaying a bewildered expression (?), collapsed onto the ground.

In this space, all data representing Silver Wolf completely vanished.

[Seele: So, does this mean Silver Wolf lost?]

[Silver Wolf: Wait, @Seele, actually, I won.]

[Seele: ...Do you think I'm that gullible?]

[Firefly: Cheating and still losing? Silver Wolf is seriously too weak...]

[Kafka: Su Qing probably intended to choose A, enjoying a playful match with Seele.]

[Kafka (laughs): But alas, what can we do? With Silver Wolf being both boastful and incompetent, she had no choice but to unleash her true strength for an utterly merciless defeat.]

[Himeko: @Silver Wolf, was this your strategy? My verdict: Truly impressive flexing. The battle ended in three minutes—swiftly self-destructive.]

[March 7th: Seems like everyone's opinions have aligned...]

[Qingque: hhh, well, it was Silver Wolf's own choice. From now on, every time she fails, expect at least three rounds of mockery first.]

[Sparkle: Spread this far and wide!]

[Sparkle: "Shocking! Stellaron Hunter Silver Wolf couldn't last more than three minutes against Su Qing's fingertips!"]

[March 7th: Sparkle, stop stirring up trouble!!]

[Himeko: @Silver Wolf, any thoughts on this?]

[Silver Wolf: ?]

[Silver Wolf: Fun fact: Before this match, all battles against hackers were stalemates. Therefore, winning or losing one round doesn't determine much.]

[Silver Wolf: Besides, my retreat was strategic; it can't be counted as a loss.]

[Sparkle: Laughs.]

[Qingque: Laughs.]

[Himeko: Strategic retreat? You mean every bit of data couldn't escape and got completely annihilated, right?]

[Silver Wolf: Who knows, maybe I had some wild cards up my sleeve that just didn't pan out. Wink.]

***

The room is spacious, with an entire wall on one side consisting of massive, one-way glass windows.

From inside, these floor-to-ceiling windows offer a view of the vibrant city at night, illuminated by flickering neon lights.

No lamps are lit within the room, leaving only three glowing electronic screens on a desk in the upper-right corner to provide light.

The trio of screens illuminate Silver Wolf's face from different angles. She sits focused and swift, her fingers rapidly tapping on the keyboard from her wide gaming chair.

[Stelle: Silver Wolf looks younger here, kind of cute.]

On the central screen directly facing Silver Wolf, streams of data initially flashed rapidly, indicating a tense battle situation.

However, after a brief moment, question marks began popping up incessantly in one corner and swiftly multiplied, quickly spreading across the entire screen.

Immediately following this, all the question marks vanished, replaced by a large, mocking smile appearing at the center.

Silver Wolf, her face illuminated by the screen, furrowed her brows but didn't give up.

She executed several swift keystrokes until the smiley transformed into a bomb. With a loud explosion, the screen went completely black.

Only then did Silver Wolf click her tongue and casually tap on the leftmost screen.

The numbers [0:19] displayed on that screen changed to [0:20].

[Seele]: Wow, how much time has passed since then?

[Kafka]: @Silver Wolf, you're already on your 20th consecutive loss, oh dear.]

[Silver Wolf]: No need to panic; these aren't losses, just strategic adjustments. It's merely 20 rounds of probing.]

[Firefly]: ??]

Dressed in shorts, Silver Wolf revealed her slender legs, adorned with a leg ring on her left thigh.

Despite her petite frame, her thighs were full and shapely. Not only were they fair and soft, but the leg ring gently accentuated her curves, exuding a healthy allure.

Silver Wolf turned sideways, reaching for a pillow from the bed. She hugged it close to her chest, wedging it between her legs and squeezing hard several times.

Next, she picked up an ice-cold soda from the table and took a couple of sips through the straw.

Finally, she set down the cola, leaned back, and reclined against the spacious gaming chair.

With the screen before her rebooting, Silver Wolf clutched the pillow tightly and muttered softly after a moment, "Lost again..."

[Himeko: @Silver Wolf, see? Even you admit it.]

[Silver Wolf quoted Himeko's earlier statement: "Her word doesn't count."]

[Himeko: ...]

[Seele: Ha ha, nothing like a well-aimed comeback.]

[Kafka (laughing): @Himeko, before mocking others, shouldn't you consider your own past comments?]

[March 7th: Huh? Why is Kafka suddenly targeting Himeko again?]

[March 7th: Aren't they supposed to be teammates now?]

[Sparkle: Teammates? They're fighting each other!]

[Stelle: Teammates? More like love rivals!]

[Fu Xuan: Little March is too naive. How could Kafka and Himeko truly unite? It's impossible.]

[Fu Xuan: Just consider their relationship dynamics, and you'll realize their conflicts are fundamentally irreconcilable.]

[March 7th: Let me think... Kafka was raised by Su Qing but also has feelings for him; then there's Sister Himeko, who is his girlfriend. So if we look at it that way...]

[Kafka (correcting): Himeko is just his ex-girlfriend.]

[March 7th: Indeed, their relationship seems destined to remain strained!]

[Himeko (gracefully holding her coffee): No worries. Later on, Su Qing and I will properly educate Kafka together, ensuring she behaves herself.]

[Kafka (@Himeko): Perhaps you're living in a dream, speaking wishful words.]

[Silver Wolf: Ha, this is your idea of unity?! A disorganized mob! Watch as I take them down one by one!]

[Firefly (@Silver Wolf): What about me, what about me? Surely, I must be your formidable rival, right?]

[Silver Wolf: Oh, my apologies, Firefly. Your presence is so faint, I inadvertently forgot about you.]

[Firefly: ...?]

[Firefly's hatred towards Silver Wolf has significantly increased!!!]

[Qingque: Silver Wolf is still generating hate! Still at it!!]

Inside the room,

Silver Wolf faced three screens. The central screen, serving as the main display, was currently rebooting. On the left, one screen was being used for counting.

On the right-hand screen, there were several animated, cartoonish symbols. Above each symbol, there was an icon of a battery.

The first symbol depicted an arcade, with its corresponding five-bar battery fully charged.

The second symbol showed a small mountain peak, also displaying a fully charged green battery.

As for the third symbol, it represented several skyscrapers.

This emblem, shimmering with neon lights, appeared larger than the previous two. Moreover, only one bar of its battery was charged, accompanied by orange text indicating "In Progress".

[March 7th: @Silver Wolf, what do these symbols mean?]

[Kafka: Silver Wolf explained this to me before.]

[Kafka: She views life as a series of levels to be completed. The first two symbols represent stages she has already cleared.]

[Kafka: As for the third symbol, it signifies the neon city, likely indicating her current stage.]

[Silver Wolf: Well, not entirely wrong. However, these three symbols actually all belong to the Punklorde phase alone.]

[March 7th: Ohh, feels very distinctive. But there seem to be some additional icons above those symbols?]

[Fu Xuan: Those probably represent Su Qing.]

At that moment, above the three symbols, there was another black profile picture with a question mark, signifying an unknown identity.

This must have been temporarily designated by Silver Wolf as a completion goal, and currently, the battery icon above showed only one bar charged.

[Firefly: Hmph! @Silver Wolf, how dare you claim even one bar of charge?]

[Firefly: Lost 20 times, so that counts as completing 20%? Does that mean after losing 100 times, it'll be considered reverse completion?]

[Seele: @Firefly, Yes! Exactly! Show her your assertiveness!]

[Firefly: Uh, (face slightly flushed) Seele, your encouragement is making me a bit embarrassed...]

[Silver Wolf: @Firefly, it's not about losing 20 times but probing 20 times. This means I've gained preliminary insights into Su Qing's hacking style.]

[Fu Xuan: Silver Wolf sure knows how to justify herself.]

[Stelle: Stubborn little Silver Wolf, with shades on, caring for none!]

Silver Wolf lightly tapped the question mark avatar, and its detailed information instantly shifted from the right-side panel onto the central screen.

Using her keyboard, Silver Wolf analyzed Su Qing's hacking style based on their twenty encounters. Indeed, she had obtained a fundamental understanding of Su Qing's capabilities across various aspects.

Firstly, in terms of information strength per unit, it was remarkably unparalleled compared to anything Silver Wolf had ever seen...

Next, reaction speed—exceptionally swift, as if the data obeyed his commands directly without any delay...

Lastly, adaptability—if he wasn't intentionally concealing it, his skills visibly improved during each of these twenty engagements...

After analyzing these aspects, Silver Wolf created a radar chart representing Su Qing's capabilities.

She studied it closely.

[Stelle: Isn't she practically a perfect all-rounder?!]

"Uh..." After marking her own assessment, Silver Wolf fell silent, clutching a cushion in her gaming chair.

[Firefly: Ha ha, I can almost feel her despair through the screen.]

[Qingque: What's the point of even trying now? Might as well concede.]

"It's alright; everyone has weaknesses."

Following a moment of dejection, Silver Wolf once again squeezed the cushion between her legs and rapidly typed on the keyboard, meticulously analyzing to find a strategy to defeat Su Qing.

[March 7th: Even back then, Silver Wolf was incredibly tenacious, never willing to admit defeat.]

[Stelle: High EQ version: tenacious. Low EQ version: stubbornly defiant.]

[Bronya: Her personality traits haven't changed at all.]

Just as Silver Wolf was searching for a winning approach...

Ding-dong.

A notification popped up on the left screen, indicating someone had rung the doorbell.

With a swipe on the monitor, Silver Wolf instantly displayed the view outside the door.

Judging by their attire, it appeared to be a food delivery person.

Silver Wolf spoke up, "Who are you looking for?"

The delivery person glanced around at the door and spotted the camera. "Oh, hello. Your food delivery has arrived."

Puzzled, Silver Wolf replied, "I didn't order any food?"

The delivery person looked down at the receipt. "Let me check... It says ordered by someone named... Twenty to Zero, for you."

Silver Wolf was taken aback for a few seconds.

[The chat also froze for a moment.]

[Then:]

[Sparkle: (bursting into joyful laughter) hahahahahahaha!!!]

[Sparkle: Oh man, I'm dying of laughter! Just at the start, and it's already so entertaining!]

[March 7th: Huh? How did Su Qing find Silver Wolf's address?]

[Seele: Ha ha ha, because she really got doxxed.]

[Kafka: @Silver Wolf, you're completely cornered now, dear.]

[Himeko: As a hacker, getting your real location exposed? No matter how you look at it, that's the ultimate embarrassment, right?]

[Firefly: @Silver Wolf, ready to admit defeat now?]

[Silver Wolf: Don't panic, still... making technical adjustments?!]

[Stelle: ? → ???, huh!]

[Firefly: Hahaha.]

[Himeko: (laughs)]

[Kafka: (laughs)]

In the simulation, Silver Wolf was equally speechless. After a moment, she managed to say, "...Just leave it outside the door."

After the delivery person left,

the camera at the door emitted a red glow, scanning thoroughly to ensure there were no hazardous items.

Subsequently, Silver Wolf pushed open the gate, put on her protective goggles, and conducted another detailed scan.

[Fu Xuan: Quite cautious, aren't you?]

The goggles, of course, weren't just ordinary glasses; they displayed information:

[Identified as: Balanced Nutrition Takeaway - Healthy and Delicious.]

A green smiley face appeared on the goggles, indicating the item was non-toxic and harmless.

With a slight frown, Silver Wolf finally brought the takeaway inside.

In truth, this is a common practice in Punklorde, being a planet renowned for hackers.

Among hackers, discovering an opponent's real address and sending them takeout signifies a definitive victory.

This method is considered one of the most benign ways to declare triumph.

Other more extreme tactics include wiping out all their data or hacking appliances to cause fires... the list goes on...

"Hm?"

As Silver Wolf opened the container in the living room, she found it unexpectedly contained not pizza or burgers—commonly ordered foods signaling victory by convention—but rather, a highly unexpected balanced gourmet bento!

However, to her utter surprise, it wasn't pizza or burgers—the commonly ordered takeout items signaling victory by convention. Instead, it was an unexpectedly well-balanced and gourmet bento box!

A sudden wave of frustration overwhelmed Silver Wolf.

What's up with this opponent?!

Sending such high-end takeout—is it some novel form of humiliation?! How humiliating!

[Stelle: Confirmed! This is definitely from Su Qing!]

[Himeko: (laughs) His choices are quite distinctive.]

[March 7th: Ha ha, based on Su Qing's personality, he probably just thinks pizza and burgers are unhealthy junk food, so that's why he ordered like this, right?]

[Firefly: I'm crying tears of joy, he's truly too kind!]

Yet at that moment, Silver Wolf remained oblivious to these thoughts.

Having already checked for any issues, she decided to simply grab her chopsticks and take a bite.

Silver Wolf fell silent.

It's delicious...

Which restaurant is this? How can it be so tasty...

I've lived here for so long, yet I never discovered this place...

After one taste, Silver Wolf held her forehead with her left hand while still clutching her chopsticks with the right.

Humiliating!

[Qingque: Ha ha ha ha, dying of laughter.]

[Bronya: Oh joy, such delicious food might make it even harder for Silver Wolf to accept!]

[Kafka: "Darling, since you're so inexperienced, at least enjoy some good meals as compensation."]

[Bronya: Ha ha ha, exactly! It feels like being pitied! Even though Su Qing didn't mean it, it still comes across as subtle mockery!]

Twenty minutes later, empty takeout boxes filled the living room's trash bin.

[March 7th: Ah, we finished eating after all.]

[Seele: Ah, we finished eating after all.]

[Firefly: Claimed it was shameful, yet ate everything—actions speak louder than words, @Silver Wolf.]

[Silver Wolf: Hmph, I just didn't want to waste food, that's all.]

[Stelle: Hee hee, stubborn little Silver Wolf? Adorable tsundere wolf!]

Silver Wolf retreated to her bedroom and started typing on her keyboard, logging into an anonymous website.

They had already faced each other twenty times, and through this anonymous platform, they established contact.

Upon signing in, Silver Wolf noticed she had received a message:

Su Qing: Did you enjoy the takeout?

[Seele: Ha ha.]

[Qingque: Laughing to death.]

[Bronya: Brutal burn for Silver Wolf, who just finished eating everything!]

Silence...

Indeed, this message struck a strong sense of frustration in Silver Wolf.

Yet she couldn't refute it.

Because that bento truly was exceptionally delicious.

Silver Wolf took a deep breath and sent her own reply: If you're brave enough, meet me at [an address] tomorrow for an offline showdown.

Of course, Punk Claude Hacker battles weren't limited to online arenas alone. After all, real-world confrontations best showcased one's true capabilities.

A moment later.

Su Qing responded: Sounds good.

Su Qing: But what if I show up and you don't?

Instantly energized, Silver Wolf retorted: Who backs down is a coward!

***

[Stelle: Oh wow! Finally transitioning from online battles to an offline face-off?!]

[Himeko: Good kids shouldn't follow suit, mind you.]

[Silver Wolf: Hmph! Next episode, will I finally take Su Qing down?!]

[Firefly: Next episode, still stubborn as ever, Silver Wolf~]

[Himeko: Next episode, Silver Wolf facing defeat once more.]

[Kafka: Next episode, Silver Wolf confesses and gets rejected.]

[March 7th: Classic replay!]

[Silver Wolf: ...Tch.]

[Sparkle: Joyous anticipation! Taking on three opponents offline seems quite challenging.]