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At this moment, inside Herta's room, atop the bed.
The bedsheets had long since been replaced with fresh ones. A black split-tail coat, identical to the one worn by the Herta Puppet, along with a white pleated miniskirt, lay discarded haphazardly on the floor. With skin as white and tender as a peeled egg, Herta—now as docile as a kitten—was held in Hiroshi's arms from behind, in a state identical to how she used to use him as a human-sized body pillow.
The insides of her calves, her collarbone, and her neck were covered in marks—the clear handiwork of her "power bank."
Heh! So... this is how it felt for him when I used to hold him like this... A faint smile curled at the corner of Herta's mouth as she let out a long breath. Ever since he started training day and night with Arlan, his physical constitution had improved significantly. Fortunately, he had that strange ability of his; otherwise... she was afraid she would have fainted by now.
Sigh... If I had known, I wouldn't have set my physical stats so low... Though tonight, he certainly seemed much more motivated than before. Thinking of this, a playful urge to tease him rose in her heart.
"Hey, little fellow! Which one do you like more: the me right now, or the usual me?"
"As long as it is Madam Herta, I like you no matter what you look like..." Hiroshi answered cleverly.
Hearing his words, Herta let out a disdainful chuckle. "Give me a break. Your state today is clearly completely different from before. Are you... more interested in petite, delicate girls?"
Having been seen through, Hiroshi didn't argue; instead, the hand wrapped around her waist held her even tighter. "Rather than saying it's that, it's more like... I prefer this version of you. The current you is so small, easily held in my arms. It makes me feel... like I can protect you right now..."
Herta's body suddenly stiffened. This little fellow is truly persistent. How could I possibly need his protection? But... is this what he truly wants? She let out a sneer. "Protect me? I think... it's more like I protect you."
"Yes, I understand. Madam Herta is beautiful and powerful. But... at least if you encounter danger, I hope to use my life to buy a slim chance of survival for you..." As he spoke, Hiroshi gently bit her earlobe.
"Ah!!!" Herta cried out instinctively. Her body was at its lowest point of resistance; she felt her bones go soft as her small fists clenched, enduring the sensation. What is he doing?! He's not going for another round, is he?! My body can't take it!
"Hmph, you just said you wanted to protect me, so why did you start bullying me in the blink of an eye?" Her voice sounded weak and listless, faintly pleading for mercy.
Hiroshi smiled playfully. "Because... I want to see more of your weak and helpless side, hidden beneath your usual powerful and cold exterior."
"Tch, pervert!" Herta grumbled with disdainful affection. "But considering today is your special day... I'll let you have your way..."
The next day arrived. After completing all preparations, Herta went out to continue tinkering with the Simulated Universe. Seeing that she was still in her small stature, Hiroshi asked in confusion, "Madam Herta, aren't you going to change back?"
"There's a one-day restriction; I can only change back tonight. Let's go!" Giving a perfunctory reply, she walked out.
At the Main Control Module, Screwllum greeted her. "Inquiry: Herta, why do you look like this today? Are you conducting some new experiment?"
"Ah, something like that. Screwllum, do me a favor!"
Meanwhile, Hiroshi was busy recording the Space Station's supplies. When he passed a Herta Puppet, he noticed its eyes were closed, entered into a standby state. He didn't think much of it until he realized that every single puppet across every section was in the exact same state—completely shut down.
"This... how can this be!"
These puppets were high-quality; for all of them to malfunction at once was a major abnormality. Panic flared in his chest. No, I have to tell Madam Herta! He dropped his work and sprinted toward the Simulated Universe.
"This is bad, Madam Herta! The... the puppets..."
He burst through the hexagonal door, but Herta wasn't there. Only a standby puppet and a gravity-laden Screwllum remained.
"Confirmation: You must be Mr. Hiroshi. It seems some accident has occurred with Herta inside the Simulated Universe..."
"What!!!" Hiroshi's heart felt like an ocean struck by a meteorite. He knew her body was still in its weakened, "low-stat" state from their night together.
"Then... is there anything I can do?" he asked anxiously.
Screwllum pondered. "Statement: I can send you into the Simulated Universe to assist Herta. Once you find her, I will be able to determine her coordinates and teleport her out. I must remain here to regulate the trajectory. However, given that you do not possess the constitution of a Pathstrider, if your physical body is destroyed, it will cause severe damage to your soul."
"Understood, Mr. Screwllum. Then let's begin!"
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