"Look, Trailblazer. The final result is now on display. You may examine it closely. We still have plenty of time today I can answer any questions you may have."
Screwllum's voice resonated throughout the space.
The camera focused slightly behind Stelle's head, where faint wisps of white smoke could be seen rising.
"So... actually..."
What followed was Screwllum's Q&A session.
The so-called "graffiti clues" left by Silver Wolf were, in fact, a two-way channel.
While Stelle and Screwllum could track them, Silver Wolf could also exploit them in reverse.
Moreover, Screwllum and Herta had known about this all along.
Of course.
To ensure the plan proceeded flawlessly,
the two had not informed anyone, including Stelle.
Thus, Herta and Screwllum's argument
was entirely staged to justify shutting down the "Simulated Universe."
It was all just a ploy to lure Silver Wolf into taking the bait.
However.
Silver Wolf chuckled. "I wasn't taking reckless risks I was eager for the challenge, understand? Screwllum, do you know how thrilled I was the moment you appeared?
A worthy opponent how long has it been since I last enjoyed this kind of excitement?
Reality is a game but what's the point if it isn't fun?
Two geniuses jointly handed me an invitation, a challenge how could I refuse? Could you?"
Screwllum's voice remained calm. "Are you certain you can withdraw unscathed?"
"Of course and I'm taking this with me!"
Mid-conversation, Silver Wolf had already finished copying the "tape."
All her words were merely a stalling tactic her primary objective had always been the tape.
Not only that,
her tone carried a hint of provocation, as if eagerly anticipating a true showdown with the two "geniuses."
Her excitement was palpable.
After all, a hacker from Penacony wouldn't let herself die of boredom.
"Please, let me have some fun, okay?"
Silver Wolf crossed her arms but flashed a smile.
But.
Screwllum's response was like a bucket of cold water. "My apologies, Miss Silver Wolf. What you anticipate will not occur. You may leave now."
"Hah?"
Silver Wolf's burning enthusiasm was, unsurprisingly, extinguished.
"Leave?… Why? Aren't you going to arrest me? Clap me in irons and toss me into some distant exile?"
Screwllum, as a mech, should have been expressionless.
Yet the slight lift of his left hand gave the impression of a confident smile.
"Your imagination is fascinating. However, your grievances with the station are irrelevant to me. Logic dictates I shall not interfere."
Silver Wolf seemed unwilling to concede.
It was like choosing a late-game hyper-carry,
grinding through 60 arduous minutes of cautious farming,
finally reaching your power spike, ready to pull off a 1v5 pentakill—
only for the enemy team to surrender!
Or, needing just one more kill for a pentakill, with your teammates heroically sacrificing themselves to block the fountain's attacks—
right as you're about to land the final hit—
the enemy surrenders!!
You win the match but lose at life,
then lie awake all night!!!
Naturally, Silver Wolf refused to back down. "Then I'll just take this tape with me."
"That is merely a copy. Correction: Not just the one in your hands the one stored here is also a replica.
The true artifact was relocated at the plan's inception.
Conclusion: You are free to share that data."
"I might attack the station again."
"That is irrelevant to me. However, I must note: It is likely someone will intervene."
"Then… what if I destroy the Simulated Universe right now?"
"Apologies, but you cannot. Ether editing is not omnipotent it cannot annihilate a universe."
Silver Wolf teetered on the edge of frustration. "What kind of trap is this? You set all this up just to do nothing?"
Screwllum remained unflappable. "Silver Wolf, I understand your desire. You seek a game one that requires opponents to be enjoyable.
Herta and I agreed: We will not build a stage for you."
Realizing neither was interested in a duel, Silver Wolf clicked her tongue. "So boring!"
[Screwllum god, I'm crying, damn it! This dialogue is so well-written. The gentlemanly vibes are strong, yet he always feels in control. So good!]
[Exactly. Silver Wolf seems like a kid craving attention from an adult, but Screwllum just ignores her.]
[Right? For Silver Wolf, she finally matched with the opponent she wanted Screwllum only for him to say, "Oops, misclick. Logging off!"]
[LMAO, that's the vibe.]
——
Screwllum crossed his arms. "However, Herta found this outcome too lenient and wished to add a few touches. For instance… at this moment, she has reverse-hacked and pinpointed all 76 of your interstellar network accounts an impressive number.
Shall we have the IPC freeze them all? Along with your game records."
"WHAT?! Wait—!!"
Silver Wolf frantically tapped her arm and vanished instantly.
"She logged off. How impatient. To a child, games are pure joy. But to adults, they are not the only solution to problems.
Let us depart as well."
With that, the two left.
——
In the next scene,
Stelle stood before Herta again, eyes sparkling. "Tata, was this part of your calculations too?"
"Who's 'Tata'?" Herta glanced at Stelle before flipping her hair. "Of course. Dare to provoke me? I'll pay it back a hundredfold!
I've already had the IPC freeze all of Silver Wolf's accounts. Bet she's crying over her computer right now!"
...
After a brief exchange, Stelle accompanied Leonard to clean up the digital graffiti.
As the last trace of graffiti faded,
the screen gradually darkened.
Then, before the visuals returned, a voice spoke—
audiences immediately recognized it as Silver Wolf's.
"Gone… It's all gone!"
Silver Wolf appeared on-screen, with Kafka standing beside her.
[WAH! KAFKA!]
[Kafka's as gorgeous as ever!]
[As a Silver Wolf stan, this was so satisfying. And we got Kafka too? I'm even more hyped for Kafka's web event now.]
——
"Not a single one left!! This is too much!! TOO MUCH!!" Silver Wolf gritted her teeth, her voice trembling with suppressed tears.
Kafka gently patted her back. "There, there. No tantrums you're not a child anymore."
Silver Wolf pouted, locking eyes with Kafka.
"I'm NOT throwing a tantrum!"