Inside the Simulation
The turbulence stopped after barely a minute. A hellish minute.
My instincts told me that just a few more seconds…and the ship would have collapsed under the intense ocean currents and pressure.
The Manta was launched upward at an incredible speed, until it stabilized in a completely different environment. According to the controls, we were fifty meters below the surface.
I looked down, and had the strange feeling that the waters there were even deeper. Too deep.
—Where are we? —I asked.
[According to my map, master, we are near the gulf shared by the Kingdom of Enath and the Kingdom of Britain. (☆₃☆)✌]
—How did we move so fast?
[The point we crossed was a tunnel formed by five converging ocean currents. (ノⒾ▿Ⓘ )ノ]
—So…
[We crossed half a continent in one minute, master. (◉‿◉)]
—Okay… thanks. (So this kind of travel is possible in this world too…)
I sighed, letting my body finally relax.
The adrenaline was starting to fade, but Athena had a… Strange expression. I looked at her with curiosity.
—What's so funny?
Athena raised an eyebrow, holding back a smile.
Athena: —"You. Were you scared of that little fish?"
—And what's wrong with being scared?
Athena: —"Well, I thought that being so strong, you wouldn't fear anything."
—You're wrong. I fear many things.
Athena: —"Like what?"
—Not returning home. Not seeing my friends again…
Athena: —"Then… are you afraid of death?"
—No. I'm afraid of leaving without being able to say goodbye.
Athena: —"Because you say it as if…"
I grabbed the Manta's controls again and resumed the course.
I didn't want to hear what Athena was going to ask next.
"Just… not now."
The submersible lights began to fail, flickering as if matching our nerves.
Athena tried to insist, but I raised a hand.
—Wait.
Athena frowned.
Athena: —"Don't think you can avoid my question."
—Just stay silent for a moment.
Athena: —"Damn it… If you're going to be like that, don't talk to me."
(I ignored her on purpose, yes… but this time it was different.)
At that moment, my basic skill —"Systematic Transcendental Omniscience"— activated on its own.
A sensation identical to when I found Artia.
That could only mean one thing: another base was nearby.
I could feel it, almost like its energy was calling me from the darkness.
I grabbed the Manta's controls firmly. Even though the lights had completely died, I decided to trust my instincts and follow that hunch.
The ship scraped against something solid.We had collided with something.
—There it is… —I whispered.
Athena was startled.
Athena: —"Wait! What are you doing?"
—I'm going there to investigate.
Athena: —"Are you crazy!? That could be "the death trench"! They say no one who enters there ever comes out alive."
—And what about the gods? (How does she even know about it? More importantly… can she see in this darkness?)
Athena: —"Well… the former god of the central sea, Ceto, is believed to have died in an intercontinental trench at the hands of Jörmungandr. That's why trenches are forbidden places."
—Jörmungandr is there!?
Athena: —"Yes. That thing is a walking natural disaster. One of the divine monsters. No ordinary god can face it."
(So that's how they know Jörmungandr in this world…)
Unease crawled down my back, but at the same time that familiar spark of curiosity ignited.
The risk was enormous… but so was the reward.
If that was another base, another core like Artia… then my life could change again.
I turned to Athena, determined.
—I'm not afraid. Let's go!
Athena: —"WAIT!! YOU CRAZY BASTARD, DON'T DRAG ME TO MY DEATH!!"
And before she could refuse, the Manta descended into the forbidden depths.
The roar of currents mixed with the metallic echo of the hull, while absolute darkness swallowed us.
We sank deeper and deeper into the trench.
The darkness was so dense that even the flickering lights of the Manta couldn't cut through it.
Everything was silence… except for the dull metallic rumble and Athena's breathing.
Then my instinct confirmed it. That familiar sensation ran through my body like an electric pulse.
[Basic skill "Systematic Transcendental Omniscience" has been activated.]
—Jackpot, baby… Siuuu.
[A high-level AI system has been detected in the installation.]
My heart jumped.
And at that moment, a square light ignited in the middle of the abyss, suspended like a door into another reality. No doubt: a hatch.
I steered the Manta toward that light. As we approached, more and more lights began activating around it, revealing a colossal structure.
Then I saw it. A gigantic wheel-shaped ship, a fortress of metal submerged in the heart of the ocean.
It was so vast the Manta looked like an insect in comparison.
I guided the submersible into the hatch, and it opened wide. Mechanical arms emerged, gripping the Manta with surgical precision and lifting us into the interior of the complex.
When the water drained, we were suspended inside a hangar so immense it felt like its own world. And when I looked around, I was speechless.
The walls, the corridors, the platforms…everything was technology far beyond Artia.
Blue energy lines flowed through the metal like a living organism.
Then the familiar sound echoed:
[Ding!]
[System Notification: Congratulations. You have found the second base of ancient humanity.]
[Updating search… Base 2 of 3 located.]
[Reward obtained: AI designated Gideon— Control of the Ancient Humanity Research Center.]
Athena, wide-eyed, stared at the scene in confusion.
Athena: —"What is all this?"
—My new toy. (And I can't imagine what surprises this base holds…)
Then a male voice resonated throughout the hangar.
Deep.
Clear.
Precise.
As if every word was calculated to the microsecond.
[Welcome, General. I am Gideon, the AI in charge of these facilities.]
I looked around, trying to locate the source of the voice, but it came from everywhere at once.
—How do you know it's me in command and not her? —I asked, pointing at Athena.
[The vehicle you arrived in was created by my sister Artia. In her records, you are listed as the Supreme General. Am I wrong?]
—No, Gideon… you are correct. Can you communicate with Artia?
[Yes, Marshal… or would you prefer I call you General?]
—I like how "General" sounds when you say it.
[Then it shall be so, General.]
—Perfect. Before any report… I need to know if you have a fast ship available. The Manta is damaged, and I can't stay stranded down here.
[Of course, General. I have analyzed your vessel: its design is archaic. But I have more advanced models. The fastest reaches a maximum speed of 10,000 knots.]
—And what is it called?
[Narwhal, General. Its name is Narwhal.]
—Good taste, Gideon.
[Thank you for your words, General.]
—Can you bring it?
[Please wait one minute, General.]
…
While I waited for Gideon, the metallic silence of the hangar felt heavy.The echo of repair machines, the electrical hum of drones… everything created that tense calm before a new storm.
I looked at Athena, who was still observing with a mix of intrigue and annoyance.
—How much longer until we reach Atlantis? —I asked.
Athena: —"Well… this trench shouldn't be too far from the city. But… what do you plan to do with Poseidon?" (There are many deep trenches near Atlantis... I wouldn't be able to distinguish them.)
—I'll talk to him. (Hmmm. Honestly, trusting Athena as a guide… not my best decision.)
Athena: —"Do you plan to forgive him?"
—I don't know.
Athena lowered her gaze, fingers brushing against the cold metal of a control panel.
Athena: —"Can you promise me something… master?" (How degrading it is to address a damn brat like this...)
—What?
Athena: —"Don't kill him, please."
—So you're still interested in him, aren't you?
Athena: —"N-no… I just don't want you to hurt him."
—I can understand you forgiving him. And I understand compassion… But he committed a crime against my friend, your priestess. That's something I cannot forgive.
Her gaze studied me, as if analyzing my words.
Athena: —"A few days ago, you didn't even know her… Why do you care so much?"
—I follow one conviction, Athena. Everyone has something that makes them different. Some are more extraordinary than others—emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually—but everyone has something that sets them apart. And what Melissa is, because of the environment she grew up in, makes her more precious than a hundred thousand stars.
Athena raised an eyebrow:
Athena: —"Are you in love with her?"
I swallowed.
Took a breath.
—No. I just… felt comfortable with her. Something I hadn't felt in a long time. She reminded me of something… and that alone is enough.
For the first time, I saw her smile.
And I panicked internally:
"Please, damn system achievement…"
"I already have enough problems with Aphrodite and that crazy Lilith…"
"I don't want a goddess harem."
"I just want peace…"
"¡PEACEEEEE!"
Athena's expression became lighter.
Athena: —"You are more sensitive than you appear." (What an adorable way to think...)
—Believe me, I've never talked this much about philosophy with anyone.
Athena smiled again.
Athena: —"Why? It's beautiful…" (What did I just say?)
—I don't think everyone is capable of listening or understanding.
Athena: —"Am I?"
—I don't know. But I said I would influence you.
Athena: —"So your plan is to make me change."
—No. My plan is to show you my essence and see what happens.
Athena: —"Have you done this before?"
—Let's say… you're not the first.
Athena: —"Do you think it will work on me?"
—It hasn't failed so far.
Athena: —"That's arrogance."
—No. It's absolute confidence.
Athena: —"Confidence in what?"
—Not the time to say.
Athena: —"You're going to leave me curious?"
—Not curious. Interested.
Athena smiled slightly.
Athena: —"Fufufu… are you really a child?"
—What can I say? I have the soul of an adult.
Suddenly, the hangar trembled slightly.
A hatch opened at the back of the complex, and a ship rose from the containment elevator.
The Narwhal.
A 40-meter machine, scissor-shaped, with a gray metallic finish that absorbed light like a living shadow. Elegant. Lethal. Beautiful.
I looked at Athena and said:
—You're going back to base.
Athena: —"Why?"
—I already have Gideon. Trust me, I have the best GPS. No offense.
Athena: —"What is GPS?"
—Never mind. Go back in the Manta once Gideon repairs it. I'll go in the Narwhal.
Athena: —"Fine… but I don't know how to operate that thing."
—Don't worry. Artia, are you there?
[At your command, Marshal.]
[Long time no see, Artia.]
[It's you… Gideon. I thought you were destroyed.]
[I suffered severe communication damage.]
—Were you two close?
[General, I was conducting research while Artia was producing.]
[Actually, Marshal, all my technology is based on the original designs of the first generation created by Gideon.]
—Interesting... Gideon, can you take Athena back the same way?
[Of course, General. Leave that to me.]
I approached Athena, who was still hesitant, and smiled at her calmly.
—There. Problem solved.
Athena: —"Okay... I'll leave when that thing is repaired. But remember what we talked about."
—It all depends on that idiot's attitude.
She boarded the Manta. Gideon completed the repairs in a matter of minutes, and soon the vehicle began to submerge, heading back toward the Artia base.
Silence returned.
Only Gideon and I remained.
—Tell me, Gideon... do you know the location of an underwater city inhabited by strange creatures?
[Of course, General. Do you wish me to guide you there?]
—Obviously. What is their technology like?
[Acceptable, but archaic.]
—Have you been keeping an eye on them?
[Yes, General.]
[They are my most immediate threat.]
—What weaponry do you have here?
[I have the "Angels" model ready.]
—The Angels model? What's that?
[A battle suit that enhances physical abilities to a new level.]
—Sounds great... what's its power source?
[The Angels model harnesses ambient radiation and radioactive stones.]
—So... mana?
[Mana? I'm not familiar with that term.]
[I think I'll register it as such, General.]
—Do you have any of those models ready?
[As many as you want, General.]
—I don't think I'll need them... (with my stats, that equipment would be useless)
I boarded the Narwhal.
The hatch closed with a soft hiss, and the interior lit up in blue.
[Welcome aboard, General.]
The Narwhal slipped out of the hangar and back into the deep ocean.
The pressure enveloped us, but the ship moved with impossible elegance.
—Can you move your location, Gideon?
[Of course. The entire facility has a stealth mode.]
[It's perfect for relocating and avoiding detection.]
—Have you done that before?
[Yes. To gather resources and minerals.]
—Minerals? You're mining too?
[That's obvious, General. How else do I expect to fund my research?]
—Good answer. When I finish what I'm planning... you'll tell me all about it.
[Alright, General.]
—Does the Narwhal have stealth mode?
[Of course, General.]
[Sea creatures are dangerous. It's essential to have it enabled.]
—Activate it.
[Right away, General.]
The engine roar vanished.
And the Narwhal disappeared into the abyssal currents.
The sea opened before me like an infinite extension of darkness and promise.
—Alright… time to meet Atlantis.