NIKKE: The Apocalypse Arrives, But the System is 100 Years Late

"Don't contact me unless necessary. You're so annoying! (￣^￣)"

Seeing the cutesy emoticon, Mo Chen froze.

It was hard to reconcile the cold, aloof Eunhwa he had seen, with someone who would use such adorable symbols.

Even though he had somewhat played the game and knew her personality, this was a big mental disconnect.

Truly… appearances can be deceiving.

Mo Chen thought for a moment and sent a reply:

"Thanksヾ(*′▽'*)?"

The moment he sent the message, Eunhwa replied immediately:

"Don't use emoticons. They're disgusting."

Mo Chen: "…"

Double standards much?

A short while later, another message came through:

"Do you remember what we discussed before?"

"Discussed?"

Mo Chen paused, confused.

He couldn't recall any such conversation. He replied:

"What are you referring to?"

"(｀д′) You forgot?"

"Can you give me a hint?"

"Forget it. Talking to a third-rate commander like you is a waste of time."

"…"

Mo Chen was speechless.

Then just say it! How am I supposed to know if you don't explain?

After a while, another message popped up:

"The Simulation Room. The match."

Short, concise, and to the point.

Simulation Room?

Mo Chen was baffled.

He didn't recall agreeing to anything like this.

Wait.

Suddenly, it clicked. On their way back to the Ark, Eunhwa had mentioned wanting a spar.

But why was Eunhwa so keen on sparring with him?

He couldn't figure it out.

"Hey, did you hear me?"

Even without an emoticon, Mo Chen could feel Eunhwa's impatience through her words.

After some thought, he finally replied:

"Sure, when I have time."

Eunhwa didn't respond for a while.

Mo Chen had just put his phone down when a new notification popped up.

It was a friend request.

The name on the request: Emma?

Mo Chen was puzzled. How did she even get his number?

He pressed "accept."

"Commander, it's me."

"Hello."

"I got your number from Eunhwa's phone. I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Go ahead."

"Did Eunhwa challenge you to a match in the Simulation Room?"

"Yeah, why?"

"If possible, please let her win."

"What?"

"Eunhwa is extremely competitive and never accepts defeat. If you lose to her, she'll lose interest in you."

"Hold on, what's this about? I'm pretty sure I haven't done anything to make her interested in me."

"It seems you haven't realized just how famous you've become. Do you know your current reputation?"

"…?"

"Your Simulation Room score is the highest—by far. It's leagues ahead of the record Eunhwa once set."

Simulation Room score?

Mo Chen froze for a moment.

He didn't remember spending much time in the Simulation Room.

Except…

Wait a second.

He suddenly recalled something.

After his first meeting with Andersen, he'd been sent for a Simulation Room test.

Could it have been from that session?

"Eunhwa used to hold the top spot in the Simulation Room, but now the commander has surpassed her."

Mo Chen finally understood, but he couldn't help feeling a bit exasperated.

This wasn't just about being competitive—it was downright obsessed with winning.

No wonder Eunhwa had shown subtle hostility toward him during their first meeting.

So, this was the reason.

Mo Chen had thought she wanted a one-on-one offline match, but it turned out to be an online score rivalry instead.

"I get it now. I'll make sure she admits defeat," he replied.

"Such confidence! Truly befitting of a commander. No wonder you're so popular," Emma teased.

"…"

Just then, a new notification popped up.

"Emma has invited you to the 'Absolute' group chat."

A group chat?

Mo Chen accepted the invitation, and almost immediately, messages started pouring in.

Ding!

"This is the Absolute chatroom," Emma wrote.

New messages followed quickly.

Vesti: "Huh? Is this… the commander?"

Mo Chen typed back.

"Yes, it's me."

"Wow! It's actually a living commander!"

Even though Vesti wasn't physically in front of him, Mo Chen could easily picture her wide-eyed, open-mouthed expression of astonishment.

Mo Chen: "…"

What's that supposed to mean? Living? I'm not dead yet.

"Ah! Sorry, sorry! I misspoke. Waaa…"

Another message appeared. This time, it was from Eunhwa.

"= =;"

"Did you really invite that idiot?"

"Turn off notifications."

That unmistakable tone of annoyance—it was definitely Eunhwa.

Emma: "Don't be so cold~ haha!"

"Ah! Right, Commander," Emma continued.

"Vesti says~"

"Thank you for saving her."

"She's too shy to message you directly. Let me act as the middleman to help facilitate things."

Vesti: "Ah! How could you just say that out loud?! Waaaa…"

Saved her?

Mo Chen suddenly remembered the incident on their return trip when the transport aircraft was attacked by Raptures.

He had noticed a Rapture aiming its cannon at Vesti.

Vesti, caught up in the chaos and unaware, had been on a rampage.

Mo Chen instinctively pulled her back.

Since they were standing close together, his auto-dodge activated, allowing them to evade the incoming beam successfully.

In truth, with the Nikkes' mechanical structure, taking a direct hit wouldn't have been a big deal.

Mo Chen replied to the message:

"No need to thank me."

Vesti: "(//ω//)"

Emma: "What a charming commander! This is our private chat group—no outsiders. Feel free to chat here when you have the time."

Mo Chen: "Alright."

At that moment, a commotion came from outside. Before Mo Chen could stand, the door burst open with a bang, and two figures stormed in.

It was Anis and Neon.

Not only was Mo Chen startled, but the two intruders were also momentarily dumbfounded.

"What are you two doing? Trying to demolish the place?" Mo Chen demanded.

After a long pause, Anis surveyed the room and muttered two words: "Not fair."

Neon nodded solemnly, her expression serious. "Yeah, not fair."

Mo Chen: "What's going on with you two?"

Anis stomped further into the room, her indignant gaze sweeping across the luxuriously spacious quarters. Her chest rose and fell in frustration.

"What is this?!" she exclaimed. "The commander gets to live in a place this huge?"

The command room was at least five times the size of the dingy quarters Anis had seen earlier!

Not only was it spacious, but it was also extravagantly furnished.

Polished wooden floors, crystal chandeliers, leather sofas, modern appliances, and even a rare potted plant adorned the room.

"This is way too extravagant!"

Neon walked in, touching a finely crafted lamp, equally indignant.

"Compared to this, our dorms are nothing but pigeon coops!"

Meanwhile, Anis flung herself onto the plush sofa, clutching a pillow as though she'd never let go.

"The sofa is this comfortable? WAIT—there's even a sofa here?!"

"I need to confirm something," Neon said, adjusting her glasses as though she'd made a serious decision. She strode purposefully toward the bathroom.

Creak, creak…

Whoosh—!

The sound of rushing water echoed.

Hearing it, Anis darted over.

From the bathroom came a cry of surprise: "This isn't a shower—it's a downpour! A downpour!"

"And what's with this massive bathtub that could fit several people? This is way too indulgent!"

Recalling their miserable dorm conditions, the two fell silent.

Neon: "…I'm so disappointed in you, Master."

"Sure, you're the commander, and from one perspective, it's only fair for you to enjoy better accommodations," Anis began, her voice tinged with resentment. "But the gap between us is way too big!"

Thinking of their dorm's lack of water, electricity, food, and even a decent bed, Anis was filled with righteous indignation.

That day, Anis was once again reminded of the crushing weight of social inequality…

Suddenly, Anis's eyes lit up as if she had thought of something brilliant. She turned to Mo Chen.

"Commander, aren't you dedicated to bridging the gap between humans and Nikkes?"

"What are you getting at?" Mo Chen asked warily.

Anis grinned mischievously and leaned in closer. "Well, here's your chance to practice!"

"Nope." Mo Chen firmly pushed her forehead away. "Not interested."

"Come on, there are Nikkes in desperate need of your help!" Anis persisted, pushing against his hand and inching closer.

"Where?" Mo Chen pretended to look around. "I don't see anyone."

"The oppressed masses need you!"

"I'm busy. The oppressed masses can wait."

"Don't be so heartless! Think about it—if just one person sacrifices, the rest won't have to suffer. Isn't that better?"

"No."

"Really? Are you sure, Commander?"

"Absolutely."

"You're cheating!"

"How am I cheating? Did I promise you anything? No."

"Wait, wasn't it you who said—oh, maybe I remembered wrong. Was it some puppy dog who said it?"

"Even if you say that, I'm still not swapping. No way!"

What a joke.

Mo Chen resolutely refused. He wasn't a masochist!

There was no way he'd voluntarily subject himself to those conditions. He wasn't exactly on a mission to revitalize rural communities, after all.