Story Reader / Event Story / Lingering Stars / Story
The pink-haired girl stands before a rust-covered server rack, sorting through the cables of this ancient piece of equipment.
This is a sub-server of the virtual world "Challenger 99"—a relic from the Golden Age. Don't tell me you've never heard of it?
A bunch of neuroscientists created this virtual world. They supposedly packed it full of Easter eggs referencing other works from that era.
Here, take this and stick it on the back of your neck. Make yourself comfortable. You must've done this plenty of times in Babylonia, right?
Teddy sits down against the metal casing of the server, hands over two fiber optic cables with adhesive patches at their ends, and pats the marble tile beside her.
Floral commands initiated... Commencing deep dive!
Everything in sight suddenly fades away into nothingness, but an arm holds onto you firmly.
Hold tight and breathe!
A crimson sunset fills your vision as the acrid scent of gunpowder permeates the air. Countless red lights flicker and dance on the distant hillside.
The Third Eye's judgment has been made: humanity's greatest threat is... humanity itself. Executing elimination protocol...
Isn't this a bit too intense for just the tutorial phase?
Before those words can fully register, a whistling explosion pierces the air and a grenade appears directly overhead—
Never thought there'd be a day when I'd switch to a melee role.
As the smoke clears, Teddy stands at the forefront, wielding a colorful shield made of flower petals.
Who knows... Maybe it feels like getting whacked with a hammer while you're sound asleep?
I think I found a level skip cheat code. Buy me some time.
Teddy types on her terminal's keyboard with one hand, streams of data reflecting in her gleaming pupils.
Crouching beside her, you draw out your pistol and accurately take down several approaching machines.
Hey, this is a virtual world. Can't you use your imagination? Get yourself a better gun already.
With a thunderous roar, a sci-fi electromagnetic sniper cannon materializes on the ground, its massive base reminiscent of an old anti-aircraft gun.
Climbing onto the control platform, you aim at the hillside and pull the trigger—each positron beam fired consumes enough power to run an entire nation, and it's now raining down like droplets upon the heart of the mechanoid legion.
Duck!
Teddy hurls her shield, destroying a mechanoid that was closing in on you.
Just focus on what's in front. I'll handle any enemies that get close.
Through the skillful coordination between the two of you, wave after wave of mechanoid attacks are repelled.
Trojan implanted... Found it!
The moment Teddy hits enter, the hazy sunset instantly transforms into an endless dark purple starscape.
Congratulations, players. You've reached the edge of the world and discovered the hidden Easter egg of "Challenger 99".
Uh—did we score too high and accidentally trigger some achievement?
I'm the level designer of "Challenger 99". Many people wonder where I hid the Easter egg—is it beneath the final boss room, or right behind the spawn point?
The conditions for my Easter egg are simple: two players need to be physically together in the same location, log into the game, and clear a stage together on this special day.
Technological advancement has made us increasingly content with isolating ourselves in our own spaces, yet we've forgotten to embrace real love. I don't know how many players will see this message, but at least at this very moment, I hope that you two, under this galaxy—
Cherish each other, and please don't end up with regrets like I did... This world is my Easter egg to you both. From now on, you can return to this universe whenever you wish, to share in its serenity or venture into any stage together, making memories of your own.
That's it? I thought the Easter egg would be a treasure map or something.
Teddy lounges lazily in the center of the iridescent galaxy, patting the empty space beside her—just as she did before you entered this world.
I was planning to go wild with the game, but we accidentally stumbled into such a beautiful place instead. It's so peaceful...
Sometimes... I lock myself away in the random programs I code. Compared to the messy reality, virtual worlds give me more peace.
A celestial body silently glides past as Teddy stretches and yawns. Light from millions of years ago mingles with the shine of stars, illuminating her face.
See all these planets? This area connects to all the stages and we can freely access them now.
Let's see—"Save the Rhythmless Star with Music!" Not bad, I want to try this one. What do you say, up for another challenge?
Hehe, before we dove in, I hacked your exit protocol, which means—
You're not getting out of here until you've played with me to my heart's content!
