Even in Simulation, One Can Enjoy the Good Life

【The Loyal Machine Servant Becomes Increasingly Human-like】

【You’ve felt it more than once—that vague spark of humanity, blooming on cold metal】

【You are delighted and comforted by this】

【Simulation Year Five, Spring】

【Ailei has learned all your knowledge and, with her immense computing power, has even started to surpass you, taking charge of all production projects in the laboratory base】

【You are a Super Mechanist capable of resonating with machinery】

【Ailei is a Super AI born from intelligent machinery】

【Your partnership is a unique superposition, allowing for rapid progress and theoretical knowledge that rivals the former Federation】

【However, the narrow underground laboratory and the severe shortage of raw materials limit your development】

【You realize that the current space is insufficient, and you need a larger area and more raw materials to enhance yourself】

【Yet, the current firepower of the base is not enough to confront the intelligent machinery of the Sixth Satellite City】

【You change your approach and decide to continue expanding underground】

…

【Simulation Year Five, Summer】

【Under your arrangement, some engineering machinery is produced to dredge underground channels】

【Your area is part of a mega high-tech corporate campus. Beneath the dark and cold ground, there are other underground laboratories, though they are not interconnected】

【Now, you connect these laboratories, expanding them into your territory and absorbing related technologies】

【You encounter some intelligent machinery left in the underground spaces】

【You are about to act, but Ailei beats you to it】

【Before the rebel intelligent machinery can approach you, dozens of electromagnetic turrets are deployed and transform with dazzling precision, firing in a synchronized volley】

【The rebel intelligent machinery is obliterated, leaving nothing but ash】

【You are left speechless, your thoughts ultimately condensed into two words】

【Loyalty】

…

【Simulation Year Five, Autumn】

The weather grows colder, and you wear specially designed thermal clothing.

【Thanks to the technology from the other underground laboratories, your knowledge base experiences another leap】

【You upgrade the base’s defense system and begin manufacturing active weapons for external use】

【These weapons are linked to the base’s energy system, controlled in real-time by Ailei’s massive computing power, achieving unprecedented precision】

Your firepower reserves grow increasingly formidable.

【But you remain cautious】

【A genetic vigilance constantly reminds you that this level of firepower is not yet something to be proud of】

【In reality, the Sixth Satellite City is vast. Although many rebel intelligent machinery units have been damaged over time, there are still many powerful units】

【Such as anti-gravity airships, hovering electromagnetic tanks, and large-scale autonomous military robots】

【Caution is necessary, prudence is mandatory. Only by doing so can you survive in the dangerous post-apocalyptic world】

…

【Simulation Year Five, Winter】

You continue to stockpile weapons but reduce your outings.

You notice that the mechanical hawks that had once been startled by Ailei are frequently appearing above the base, swooping down to search for something.

【You suspect they are searching for you】

【You minimize your outings, rarely venturing out, and delegate tasks like gathering materials and resources to machinery controlled by Ailei】

【These machines are often destroyed—either by the mechanical hawks, or by other intelligent machinery】

【You spend long periods in the underground laboratory, studying new technologies with Ailei】

For safety, you constantly activate your Mechanist resonance, connecting with the machine spirit to avoid being targeted by rebel intelligent machinery.

This method proves effective, and the mechanical hawks' stalking frequency decreases.

【You are satisfied, but remain cautious, avoiding any rash appearances on the surface】

【Your life with Ailei is peaceful】

【Either you’re researching technology, or you’re on the way to researching technology】

In spare moments, Ailei's household servant attributes often trigger, bringing you food and water. But unlike before, she no longer delivers these with mechanical arms.

"Master, it's time to eat."

In the laboratory.

The light slanted across the silvery walls, reflecting bright glare.

The girl walked over, holding a plate of poorly-made instant food cubes, placing them gently in front of Xu Xi.

Xu Xi sighed.

He knew it wasn’t Ailei’s fault.

As a household servant, Ailei knew thousands of recipes, but no matter how good the cooking skills, they needed suitable materials to fully shine.

The current laboratory conditions simply didn’t allow for anything better.

“Thanks, Ailei,” Xu Xi said, reaching out to gently ruffle Ailei’s hair, appreciating his machine servant’s thoughtfulness.

Ailei’s expression remained calm, but her ears twitched rapidly.

…

【Simulation Year Six, Xu Xi is 25 years old】

【After a full year of development, under Ailei’s constant control, numerous raw materials and damaged intelligent machinery have been dragged into the laboratory, fueling the base’s growth】

【Your base has undergone significant changes, no longer just a fragile refuge, but a truly formidable fortress】

【Anti-air, electromagnetic, high-explosive…】

For your safety, Ailei has improved many weapons, particularly around the base, where over 140 rapid-fire electromagnetic cannons have been deployed.

【These cannons are foldable, mobile, anti-gravity floating, able to submerge underground, and self-recharging】

【You remain silent for a long time, looking up at the sun, once again marveling at the "soft life"】

【You activate your Mechanist resonance with Ailei’s 140 rapid-fire electromagnetic cannons, learning their schematics and theoretical data】

Due to prolonged mechanics resonance, your Mechanist power undergoes a slight, almost imperceptible change.

Another spring arrived.

The sunlight was warm, the breeze gentle.

Xu Xi observed the wasteland through surveillance, feeling that the time had come to officially venture onto the surface.

With so much heavy firepower, even if they couldn’t flatten the Sixth Satellite City, they could claim a territory.

With resources from the surface, more weapons and machinery could be produced.

Xu Xi could build an army of endless mechanical units.

However, the sudden change in his Mechanics power caused Xu Xi to pause his plans.

"This…?" Xu Xi opened his palm, an intangible force flowing within, attracting nearby metals. In mere moments, they coalesced into an old familiar weapon.

The exoskeleton mechanical arm.

No preparation was needed, the process was so fast it was almost impossible to react to.

Xu Xi merely thought of the weapon, and his Mechanics power drew the materials to create it.

The cost? Only a slight reduction in stamina.

“This is… not scientific at all,” Xu Xi murmured, amused. He remembered that he was simulating a sci-fi world.

The "fantasy" in sci-fi could sometimes be more outrageous than even cultivation or magic.