"Herta? Simulated Universe?"
"Su Chen mentioned it earlier—it's some kind of VR experience!"
"They're really building an entire industry chain?"
"Herta! It's Herta! Where's her office? I'm rushing there!"
Following the staff's directions, the words "Herta's Office" stood prominently before everyone.
Instantly, whether genuinely interested in the Simulated Universe or just wanting to see Herta, the crowd surged forward.
Fortunately, Su Chen had hired plenty of extras and staff to manage the crowd,
and soon, a long line formed outside the office.
Meanwhile, other visitors began exploring the various zones of the space station.
The deeper they looked, the more stunned they became.
"Wait, these computers are real? The documents too? How?!"
A uniformed researcher (extra) smiled. "It's all the boss's arrangement. We're both actors and actual space station staff—like NPCs.
We even live and work here.
I guarantee everything—the facilities, the archives—is real!
Even Bernard, Rocky's mentor,
has his own backstory.
You can check the archives
or find an NPC named 'Wen Tianweng' to learn more."
"Damn..." A die-hard Kafka fan shuddered. "They merged reality with the show? You're playing yourselves? No wonder it feels so authentic!"
"Hey, look at this!" A Silver Wolf enthusiast held up a document. "This is the record for borrowing the Astrosign Spud—signed by Rocky himself! It matches the story!
This level of detail? Only Su Chen could pull this off! This place is amazing!
Come on, let's check out the other zones—there's gotta be more lore!"
——
Meanwhile, inside Herta's Office, groups of four were being let in one after another.
Herta stood beside four large "eggs," pacing in circles.
"Holy crap! She's real! The actress playing Herta—she's perfect! So tiny and cute!"
Herta ignored the compliments. "First group, huh? See those eggs? Climb in to experience the Simulated Universe!"
The four young visitors—two guys, two girls—stared in awe. One asked, "Wait, seriously? And what are these holograms on the sides?"
Herta flipped her hair. "Profiles of the Genius Society members—including me.
Ready to test—I mean, play? There's a long line behind you."
They quickly nodded and scrambled into the giant eggs.
...
Before long,
the four stumbled out, gasping for breath, faces flushed with excitement.
The crowd in line watched curiously—some with less innocent thoughts.
"Hey, how was it? Some kind of... stimulating service? You're all sweating!"
One of the guys grinned. "Yeah! So damn intense!"
"Ohhh? Go on, we're listening!"
"The Simulated Universe is an insane VR game! Defeat enemies, trigger random events, learn about the Aeons—it's wild!"
"Aeons?"
"Yeah! The show barely mentions them, but they're all hidden here! It's like we're not just watching—we're in the world of Honkai: Star Rail!
And look!" He pulled out a card. "This is my save file—records all my unlocked Aeons, Curios, encounters... Earn enough points, and you get merch! I gotta queue again!"
"Sorry, sir." A staff member smiled apologetically. "Demand's too high. Next available slot is in a few months."
"WHAT?! Sign me up NOW!"
——
Meanwhile,
in Belobog's Administrative District, filming continued at full speed.
Only the space station was open for visits—Belobog's set remained active.
"Little brother Su Chen, how should I act next?" Stelle approached, holding her script upside down.
Su Chen side-eyed her. "Tone down the gremlin energy. And stop calling me 'little brother'!"
"Got it, little brother!"
"Thanks, Stelle."
"No problem, little brother! Oh yeah—" She suddenly switched topics. "When I was dumpster diving yesterday, I saw something moving inside the Astral Express. Dunno what—"
Su Chen barely reacted. "Dumpster diving again?"
Just then, Himeo walked over. "Actually, I've noticed something odd about the Express too. Like there's something hidden there."
"Himeko, you too?" Su Chen recalled unlocking the Express—
it had cost nearly as much as a full zone.
But why? The Express wasn't that big or complex.
Something wasn't right.
Very not right.
Unless...
"BRB!" He bolted for the door, shouting over his shoulder, "Dan Heng! Take over!"
Dan Heng just raised two fingers in acknowledgment. Used to it.
——
Panting heavily,
Su Chen stopped before the system-generated Astral Express—
still trackless, still unused.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Running a finger along the floor, he frowned—not a speck of dust.
Aside from Himeko's occasional checks,
no one had been here since Season 1 wrapped.
Yet it was spotless.
Only one being was this obsessive about cleaning.
"Come out. I know you're here. I'm Su Chen—no ill intent."
Tap. Tap. Tap.
A giant lop-eared rabbit waddled into view.
Su Chen slapped himself twice. "Pom-Pom?! The conductor?!"
Clutching his chest, he tried to calm his racing heart.
This defied all logic—
but then again, so did the system.
Still—a talking, bipedal rabbit?!
"Passenger, you look unwell. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just really want to pet you."
"Oh, that's goo—HEY! I'm the conductor! No weird comments!
I clean the Express, but... certain reasons prevent me from leaving. So..."
"So, are you part of miHoYo?"
"I suppose... Pom?"
——
September 30th, late night.
"One more match! Just one win! How is this so hard?!" A gamer raged after losing all night.
His headset crackled. "No more. It's almost midnight—Season 2's dropping."
"I thought it was 8 AM tomorrow?"
"Last time it was 4 AM. You really believed him?"
"That was four hours early, not twelve! No way it's midnight!"
Beep.
Right at 12:00, his phone chimed.
He read the notification aloud:
"The second season of Honkai: Star Rail you followed has officially launched! Come watch now!"