Create a game called "Collapse Iron," where the entire universe is the player.

(In Gui Naifen's live stream, the story continues.)

The four-person team left the defensive line of Hilva and Jepard and continued their advance into the deepest part of the Rift.

They arrived in a region severely polluted by the rift, where energy was distorted and warped, as if reality had been brutally torn apart and haphazardly pieced back together by some force.

Scattered on the ground were some frozen, long-lost debris.

Xing, with her sharp eyes, noticed an inconspicuous little thing in the snow. She bent down and picked it up, discovering it was a handmade toy. Although it was covered in ice chips and dirt, it was clear that it had been carefully cared for by its owner.

"This is..." March 7th leaned closer.

"It belongs to Bronya." Seele looked at the toy with a complicated expression.

They found Bronya's childhood toys in the lower level.

This discovery made the atmosphere even more somber.

Not far away, the light and shadow in the air distorted, revealing two afterimages that reflected the conversation that had taken place there not long ago.

Bronya (the afterimage) looked up at the frozen ancient ruins and the pervasive aura of the rift, her voice filled with confusion and inquiry: "You still haven't told me what this place is, Mother."

Cocolia (the afterimage) stood in front, her back to her daughter, her voice calm: "Seven hundred years ago, this was the northern border of Beloborg, and the ancient battlefield where the first Great Guardian, Alisa Rand, led the first Silvermane Iron Guards to resist the invasion of the antimatter legion with their own flesh and blood."

Bronya (the afterimage) stepped forward, her gaze fixed on her mother: "Mother, do you really believe the promises made by that 'Star Core'? Those promises about the 'New World'?"

Cocolia (afterimage) slowly turned around: "There's always a price to pay for being reborn, Bronya."

Her voice was low and deep, with an almost hypnotic rhythm: "Erase all the stale, doomed traces of the old world, abandon this meaningless way of life, this lingering existence in the wasteland... This is the price the 'Star Core' has set for us."

"When He fulfills His promise, Bronya..." Her gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, casting a shadowy future, "We will no longer have to spend our lives protecting a wasteland destined to perish."

"You and I...we will witness a brand new world rising from these ancient ruins."

Bronya (the afterimage) stared silently at her mother, saying nothing more, but her tightly pursed lips and clenched fists betrayed her inner struggle and disapproval.

The live chat was flooded with comments because of this crucial information and the highly engaging performance:

"Black pantyhose, high-top leather boots—is it possible that the mother and daughter have the same fashion style?"

"The tone and word choice make Cocolia sound a bit like the Riddler. It really does sound like she's been corrupted by the Star Core and instilled with some kind of twisted ideology."

"Abandon 'preservation' in favor of 'destruction'? That's a misguided path, Great Guardian!"

"Nanook: Kripper, the plans have changed. (Like.jpg)"

"To put it bluntly, it's just an unrealistic fantasy born from extreme despair."

"Using destruction to gain new life may ultimately only result in destruction."

"Fun fact: The modeling quality of these two afterimages in the game is very high. They do not become blurred as the player's view moves, and the details are top-notch."

"Good reminder! I haven't finished the main storyline yet!"

"Cocolia's profile and waistline, wow, the planner really knows how to please people."

……

The four then arrived at an even more treacherous pass, where a heavy metal gate blocked their way.

The control terminal next to the door indicated that four "energy hubs" scattered nearby needed to be found and activated in order to start the gate.

This is clearly a level that requires time to explore and decipher before you can pass.

However, Gui Naifen calmly switched to the Silver Wolf character, walked to the control terminal, and the familiar [Hacker Intrusion] icon lit up.

Click.

Data stream flushing.

"Click... Boom boom boom—" The heavy door made a rumbling sound, and the internal locks and energy lines were forcibly bypassed or simulated to activate, and the door slowly opened inward.

It was as easy as pushing open an ordinary wooden door.

The live chat instantly transformed into a massive display of emotional breakdown and meme-filled moments:

"It's a pity Xing doesn't have knees, otherwise I think he could easily jump over those two shorter doors next to the main gate with a simple flip."

"I've been playing this game for over an hour, trying to find those four energy centers! I practically know the map by heart! I should have known better than to throw all my StarCraft into Seele's gacha pool!"

"The second half of version 1.1 is coming soon, and the Silver Wolf banner is ending. Right now, the price of a starter account or self-pulled account with Silver Wolf is skyrocketing online. It's outrageous."

"It's another bunch of shills stirring up trouble. Aren't the authorities going to do anything about it?"

"How can this be regulated? Account trading itself has a gray area. It can only be said that the value and irreplaceability of 'Wolf Lord' are too strong, leading to an explosion in demand."

"If the official team gives everyone a free Silver Wolf, won't all these accounts in the hands of resellers be stuck with them?"

……

(Star Train.)

Lin Lin watched the comments on the live stream while pondering the situation.

The complaints from players about inflated account prices, and the potential impact of "bot accounts" on the legitimate player market, certainly warrant attention.

With a slight thought, he communicated with the system: "System, deal with those 'tech accounts' in the game that were detected using obviously illegal scripts."

"In addition, we could consider releasing a batch of 'self-draw accounts' containing basic characters and resources through official channels to try to suppress the maliciously inflated market prices and prevent ordinary players from being ripped off by scalpers just to play the game."

System: [Processing "Tech"... Additionally, some players have been detected using unofficial "skinning" mods. Should this be addressed?]

Lin Lin was taken aback: "Who? Skin replacement?"

Modifying character appearances in a "real game" where characters and worldviews are highly interconnected?

That's incredibly audacious. Aren't they afraid of being exposed?

This can really kill people!

He was about to ask more questions when suddenly...

"Bang!" The carriage door was pushed open rather roughly, and Silver Wolf stormed in, his little face tense, his eyes full of accusation:

"Hey! Lin Lin! Why was my game account suddenly banned?!"

Ever since Black Tower banned a bunch of his game accounts at the Black Tower Space Station, Silver Wolf has become almost hypersensitive to the word "ban."

Lin Lin: "..."

His gaze slowly shifted to the silver wolf, his eyes filled with an understanding of "So it was you" and a hint of speechlessness.

What exactly did you do with your hacking skills?!

……

(The game's story continues.)

The four-person team continued deeper, encountering and defeating another "Echo of Cocolia" formed from rift energy.

With the last obstacle cleared, all that remained was a cold, spiraling staircase, standing alone in the howling wind.

Seele stepped forward first, looking up at the direction where the stairs disappeared into the snow: "It seems that this is the only way left on these stairs."

Danheng stood beside her, his gaze calm: "No matter where it ultimately leads, it's probably the end of this journey."

March 7th rubbed her arms reluctantly, her eyes filled with anticipation for the unknown journey: "I don't want to reach the end so soon. If possible, I hope our 'exploration' journey will never end."

Upon hearing this, Seele crossed her arms over her chest, her voice unusually firm: "In other words... the fate of Bronya, and everyone in the upper and lower districts, now rests at the end of this staircase... in our hands."

Xing looked at March 7th and asked the question that came to mind as a newcomer: "March, our 'pioneering' journey... will it always end like this?"

March 7th tilted her head and thought for a moment: "Not entirely! In the several worlds we visited, the endings were all very happy! Everyone ended up having a good time together."

Dan Heng added, "The train passes through one world after another. We are just passersby, witnesses to a story."

"We always try to avoid being swept up in the waves that determine the life and death of the world... but there are always times when we are not in control of our own destiny."

March 7th nodded vigorously, a bright smile spreading across his face, and patted Xing on the shoulder: "In other words, Xing—your first pioneering journey was incredibly lucky!"

Then, everyone exchanged glances, their gazes returning to the final steps. March 7th took a deep breath and declared in her most triumphant tone:

"Help those in need, make trustworthy friends, and incidentally save the world a few more times—"

"—This is the spirit of 'pioneering'!"

The live chat was ignited by this classic statement:

"Alright, alright! Seele, I know you care about Bronya!"

"I'm so upset! So, the fates of countless people in the upper and lower tiers don't even matter as much to Seele as Bronya's? (I'm totally shipping them!)"

"I can't stop talking about Bronya! I have to ship this couple forever! I'll swallow the key!"

"By the way, you saved the world a few times... Even Aha would give you a thumbs up!"

"Fight for all the good things in the world! (Voice cracks)"

"Witnesses come to witness, and chroniclers are born to remember."

……

Before entering the final boss battle area, the game prompts that the team must have a "Pioneer".

Gui Naifen could only regretfully replace the silver wolf, who had been on a winning streak, off the field.

"It's okay, Seele's damage is explosive, and Silver Wolf is mainly for applying weaknesses and reducing defense. This boss..." Gui Naifen glanced at Cocolia on the screen, full of confidence, "Didn't the developers give Quantum a weakness?"

The plot continues to unfold.

As the four climbed the long and steep icy steps, the scene along the way became increasingly horrifying—large numbers of members of the antimatter legion were frozen in transparent ice, maintaining their ferocious postures from when they were charging or fighting, like eerie war monuments.

The higher you go, the thinner the air becomes, and the more intense the biting cold becomes. It's not just a physical low temperature, but also carries a kind of malice that strikes straight to the soul, as if it wants to freeze the will.

Finally, the stairs came to an end.

A platform enveloped by a powerful energy field appeared.

In the center of the platform, a rhomboid crystal, radiating an ominous light and seemingly containing the movement of stars—the "Star Core"—is suspended in mid-air, slowly rotating.

Beneath the star core stood two people.

Cocolia's eyes were cold and indifferent, like an ice sculpture.

Bronya stood before her, her eyes vacant and struggling, with a faint blue light flickering on her forehead, clearly enduring the mental influence and "brainwashing" that the "Star Core" was trying to exert.

"Enough with the brainwashing, witch!" Seele's sharp shout, like a blade breaking through ice, forcefully interrupted the process.

Bronya jolted, the confusion in her eyes quickly fading as she regained her composure. She turned her head in astonishment: "...Seele?"

Cocolia's icy gaze swept over the four intruders, and she let out a cold laugh that held no meaning: "I thought the blizzard would bury you all."

Seele ignored Cocolia's taunts, her gaze fixed firmly on Bronya. She spoke rapidly, with unwavering authority: "Bronya! I don't know what you've been through, but there are two things I know very well—"

"First, these three guys went through all sorts of hardships to get here, their purpose being to seal that damned thing called 'Star Core'!"

"Secondly, do you remember what I told you? If anything happens to you, no matter where you are, no matter how dangerous it is, I will come to save you!"

Her voice was resolute, filled with unwavering determination: "Even if... even if you've completely forgotten the promise we made—"

"I'm going to knock you out too, and then carry you back!"

The live chat was instantly flooded with comments praising the sweetness and the sheer impact of the moment.

"Ahhh! So sweet! Oh my god!!! Seele's A-ranked!"

"Three Guys... Xing, March 7th, Danheng: ??? Is this polite?"

"Seele: Your safety, Bronya, is more important than what will happen to this world!"

……

(Reality, Belloberg.)

Watching Seele's domineering declaration on the live stream, Pera couldn't help but nudge the two people beside her with her elbow, teasing with a laugh, "Seele, the way you said that... is completely unlike your usual 'keep away' style!"

At this moment, Bronya and Seele sat side by side, their cheeks flushed slightly.

Seele blushed even more, trying to cover her embarrassment with a sarcastic remark: "What on earth is Lin Lin writing in the game?! It's completely untrue!"

Although she knew in her heart that if she were really faced with that situation, given her personality, she might have said similar things and made similar choices, reality is not a game, so...

"That doesn't count! That doesn't apply!"

Bronya was relatively more rational and composed. She didn't say much, but subconsciously avoided Seele's gaze. Her eyes flickered slightly as she refocused on the live stream, but her slightly reddened ears betrayed her feelings.

Pera took in their reactions, a glint of light flashing in his eyes behind his glasses, a secret delight in his heart: The Azure Sea Group! Yeah, right!

After doing so much research and observation lately, I think it's time to release those fan comics sometime soon!

We guarantee that the plot is authentic and the details are based on historical research!

The grand plan to establish a "Bronya and Seele" CP fan club seems to be just around the corner!

……

(Star Train.)

March 7th cupped her hands to her heart, her eyes sparkling: "Wow...what a sweet scene! Seele is so cool!"

Xing stroked her chin, looking serious. "Wait a minute! Logically, I should be the main character, right? Why do all the highlight moments and key speeches seem to go to other people? Where's my protagonist aura?"

Firefly's gaze remained gently fixed on Star, finding her adorable as she watched her slightly confused yet diligently analyzing the situation.

Walter pushed up his glasses, his face calm, as if he had already seen through everything: "Sure enough, no matter how their personalities change, what's meant to happen will happen."

Suddenly, a serious question occurred to him: what if other "acquaintances" were involved in the future...?

I really hope he doesn't see certain faces, especially...

Dan Heng glanced around the carriage and frowned slightly: "Where's Chang Yeyue? It seems like I haven't seen her for a while."

March 7th was taken aback upon hearing this, and looked around as well: "Yeah! It feels like it's been a long time since I squeezed in with her... uh, chatted with her."

She subconsciously touched her arm; she was indeed a little unaccustomed to not having her "roommate" who always liked to stick to her.

Could it be... that guy left?

On March 7th, I felt inexplicably empty inside.

Finally, everyone's eyes were drawn to Lin Lin, who was drinking tea.

Lin Lin: "..."

I felt a sudden, inexplicable pressure.

Why are you all staring at me?

Is it something I've been doing lately that has given you the impression that I'm particularly interested in other people's private lives, especially women's?

I really don't have that habit!

Don't make me sound like a pervert.

Lin Lin shook his head decisively, looking completely innocent: "I don't know. She didn't tell me."

"I know!" Silver Wolf, who was working "hard" for her new boss, suddenly raised her hand upon hearing this.

"She asked me to help her open a few accounts on the train before she left."

Open an account?

Lin Lin immediately thought of a possibility, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "What did they send?"

Upon hearing this, Silver Wolf's face immediately showed disgust, and he curled his lip, saying, "Utterly unbearable to look at!"

amount……

Lin Lin had already roughly guessed what was going on from her vivid expression.

He shook his head helplessly and sighed: There's never a shortage of people in the world who like to court death in all sorts of ways... Do you think the characters in games are all Hello Kittys that can be dressed up however you like?

What I created was a "game" that actually exists in the world!

When they come knocking on your door, let's see if you're still "touched".

Himeko's face showed worry: "That child... I hope he's not in any danger?"

Lin Lin smiled and comforted her, "Sister Ji Zi, don't worry. I reckon that the person most likely to cause danger, or the most 'dangerous' person, on this trip out is probably herself."

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this: "Huh?!"

……

(The game's story continues.)

Cocolia coldly looked at the group of "troublemakers" before her, as if watching a group of insignificant ants making their final struggle: "Is that enough? I've given you ample time... to say goodbye."

Her gaze fell on Bronya, her voice devoid of much emotion: "I've told you everything, about the past, about the future...

"Now, make your choice, my daughter."

A deathly silence echoed in the howling winds of Yongdong Ridge.

All eyes were on Bronya, awaiting her final decision.

The viewers held their breath in suspense.

"Mother or enemy? Bronya's having such a tough time..."

No matter what choice she makes, Bronya will not be able to feel good. On one side is her mother who raised and taught her, and on the other side is the truth she has seen with her own eyes and believes in her heart.

"To be fair, Cocolia's position as a mother... at least at this moment, she didn't force Bronya and still gave her a choice."

"My answer will always be the same! Lady Cocolia! I will swear my undying loyalty to you!"

……

Bronya took a deep breath of the cold air, as if trying to inhale all her lingering feelings into her lungs and transform them into the power to make a decision.

She looked up at her mother, her eyes filled with indelible pain, yet her gaze was resolute:

"I'm sorry, Mother. This is the last time... I can't stand by your side."

Cocolia closed her eyes and remained silent for a moment, as if processing this answer that she was unwilling to accept but also seemed to have long anticipated.

Bronya's eyes grew clearer, and her voice became more steady and powerful: "You said that the depths of human nature are stupidity and cowardice... Perhaps that's not entirely wrong. Desperate situations do indeed reveal the darkest side of the human heart."

Her tone suddenly shifted, filled with strength: "—But, Mother! Because of this, you completely missed those who, in the same dire circumstances, were still striving to survive, fighting, and protecting!"

As she spoke, the game's visuals rapidly switched to the upper zone, where the Silvermane Iron Guards, battered and bruised, still stood at the forefront of the battle.

In the lower levels, miners toil in the dimly lit tunnels, sweating and working hard for their families and for tomorrow.

"I saw it! I saw with my own eyes the light shining on them! Right there in that corner you ignored, that you deemed 'meaningless'!"

"Our ancestors built this city with their own hands! They persevered and continued civilization amidst the harsh winds and snow!"

"Even if, even if this world is truly destined to fall apart, the path to the final end—" Bronya suddenly raised her hand, pointing directly at the ominous "star core" high in the sky, her voice resolute, "—should be paved by our own hands!"

"Instead of... handing over our own destiny to such a 'seed of disaster' that brings calamity!"

The light from the "Star Core" flickered slightly, as if in silent mockery.

The live chat was instantly ignited by this speech:

"Well said, Bronya! That's the kind of leadership a natural leader should have!"

"Star Core: Sorry, meow meow meow?"

"That's right! Even if the outcome may be difficult to change, the process leading to that outcome should be decided by ourselves! This is dignity, and it's also a manifestation of the will to 'preserve'!"

"It feels like the Star Core is currently spewing out profanities we can't understand..."

"Bronya: I will represent the will of the Builders and plunge this gun right up your nose!"

……

In the game, Cocolia slowly opened her eyes. The last trace of warmth that belonged to her as a "mother" seemed to have completely disappeared from her face, leaving only endless coldness and an indescribable regret.

"I see... So your choice is... I see."

At that moment, she seemed to have severed her last human ties, leaving her with no weaknesses.

Suddenly, the entire ice field shook violently! The intense tremors came from beneath our feet, as if some enormous creature was awakening deep underground, about to burst forth from the earth!

The scene instantly switches to story-driven mode—

Cocolia erupted with astonishing energy, and an icy blue light shot into the sky, lifting her into the air.

A cold light condensed in her hand, and an ice crystal lance radiating extreme cold instantly took shape!

"Without breaking the old, there can be no new." Her voice was as if it came from the coldest abyss, devoid of any emotion.

She raised the ice spear high above her head, its tip pointing straight to the sky:

"As the Great Guardian, I command you to rise—"

"—Creation Engine!!"

"BOOM—!!!"

As her words fell, a gigantic hand, comparable in size to a mountain, suddenly burst forth from beneath the ice field in front of them, carrying ice, snow, and pebbles, and slammed down on the train crew with the force of Mount Tai!

Everyone scattered in a terrifying panic, barely managing to avoid this devastating blow.

Once the smoke, dust, and snow have dissipated slightly, the camera quickly zooms out.

A colossal ancient mechanical creation, resembling a giant, its body wrapped in thick yellow energy pipes—the Creation Engine.

Its shape was fully revealed amidst the swirling snow!

It stood silently, exuding a suffocating sense of oppression.

Holding an ice spear, Cocolia stood coldly before the Creation Engine, like an ice queen riding a giant god.

Immediately, the screen shattered, and battle ensued.

On March 7th, someone exclaimed in astonishment: "A robot ten thousand times larger than Mr. Schwarzlo?!"

In the first phase of the boss battle, you need to clear three waves of Rift monsters and a mixed attack from the Creation Engine. During this time, the Creation Engine itself will occasionally launch a wide-range sweep attack, which will damage all characters.

With the first phase of the battle over, the scene shifts back to the story unfolding.

The enormous creation engine spread its steel arms, clenched its fists, and with an aura of annihilation, it looked as if it was about to smash down on the tiny people below!

At this critical moment.

Above the sky, the clouds that were originally shrouded in the energy of the rift and the snow were suddenly torn apart by the blazing red light!

A crimson energy beam, imbued with terrifying heat and a precisely calculated trajectory, descended precisely from beyond the heavens!

"boom--!!!"

The beam of light hit the mechanical arm perfectly, just as the creation engine was raised and ready to go!

The terrifying explosion instantly paralyzed the arm that the creation engine had raised!

The massive body of the creation engine suddenly tilted, and the arm that had been hit completely lost power, falling heavily to the ground and triggering another earthquake and snowstorm.

March 7th was taken aback at first, then burst into a joyful cheer: "Himeko! It's Himeko!"

The live chat was instantly flooded with various memes and praises:

"A Little Bit of Off-Site Assistance" - Parental Care from the Starry Sky Train.

Himeko: (Smiling) It seems I've been smiling at you too much. (Orbital cannon charging)

"Who's calling for the fleet? Oh, it's our own kid who's been attacked."

"I feel like if Himeko and Welt Young, these two matriarchs, were to leave the game, clearing the Arillow dungeon would be a piece of cake."

……

(Star Train.)

March 7th excitedly shook Himeko's arm beside her: "Himeko! She's always so cool when she appears in the story! That shot was so satisfying!"

Himeko smiled gently, her tone filled with concern: "As long as you're all alright, that's good. You see? Welt and I have actually been keeping a close eye on your adventures down there."

Xing was still fixated on her "protagonist treatment," muttering, "Lin Lin? Where's my highlight moment? It feels like I've been just a background character from the beginning until now..."

Liu Ying gently tugged at her hand, her voice soft and comforting: "Xing, don't worry, okay? The best parts are always yet to come. The main characters... often shine the brightest at the very end."

Xing quieted down a bit after hearing what Liu Ying said and nodded.

Lin Lin watched from the side, shrugged, and thought to himself: Having an understanding "mouth double" by my side really saves a lot of trouble.

"Hey! You over there, 'Wolf Lord'!" Lin Lin turned his gaze to Silver Wolf, who was buried in a thick pile of storyboards and code, working with a pained expression. "Speed ​​things up! The players are practically begging for more! We're only at version 2.2 now; even the donkeys in the production team can't afford to rest like this!"

Silver Wolf abruptly raised her head, her gaze so resentful it seemed she wanted to stab Lin Lin: "Are you even human?! I'm working myself to the bone here, from storyboarding to program implementation to testing and optimization, and you're just leisurely drinking tea and watching a live stream?!"

Beside Silver Wolf, stacks of storyboards, each half a person tall, were neatly piled up. They contained detailed plots, scenes, character interactions, and battle designs for all planned versions, from the launch version Black Tower Space Station, Yalilo-VI, Luofu Immortal Ship to Pinocchio—all materials "friendly provided" by the system.

Having a top-tier hacker who has traversed the stars do this kind of grueling work that combines the roles of "game designer, programmer, and tester" is indeed a waste of talent, and could even be considered a "misuse of his abilities."

Lin Lin chuckled, revealing the classic "capitalist" smile: "Oh, the capable should do more! Besides, we 'voluntarily' signed the contract. The consequences of breaching it... are quite 'serious', you know~"

Silver Wolf froze, recalling the specific terms of the "Thunder Punishment Contract".

The consequences of breach of contract... will both parties suffer severe punishment?

"Thunder Punishment Contract: Originating from a certain cultivation world, it is an equal contract type. If either party breaches the contract, both parties will be subject to heavenly thunder punishment. This thunder punishment can temper the physical body and soul; although the process is extremely painful, it has no side effects."

The other passengers in the carriage also looked on with amusement.

March 7th muttered to himself, "There really is such a contract in the world? It sounds like it's very equal, but in reality..."

Dan Heng calmly analyzed: "The key lies in the level of 'pain.' For those who fear pain, it is indeed a powerful constraint. But for those who don't mind or even 'enjoy' this tempering..."

Silver Wolf went berserk: "Then you'll get electrocuted too?! Aren't you afraid of the pain?!"

Lin Lin feigned an indifferent expression: "Me? Of course I don't care. That level of lightning punishment is like a massage to me. It also helps to temper my body and soul. Why not? But you..."

He gave Silver Wolf a meaningful look.

Upon hearing this, the silver wolf immediately fell silent, its little face turning pale.

She didn't want to experience being struck by lightning and turned into charred remains.

She looked at Lin Lin cautiously, with a hint of suspicion and inquiry: "You wouldn't... have that kind of tendency, would you?"

Lin Lin's face darkened: "No matter what nonsense you're thinking right now, that's not me! I'm simply—upholding the spirit of contracts!"

(P.S.: Should I speed things up? Just write some key plot points? I feel like I'm going so slowly! It's so painful to write!)