God Simulator: The Goddesses In The Simulation Are All Real

Chapter 201 The Aftermath Of The Lab Incident

Linsley offered a small nod. "Exactly. She's not in her right state of mind. The gift amplifies negative emotions, and with her already spiraling from the situation here, she couldn't hold herself back."

Ted let out a deep breath, his gaze softening as he looked back at Lucy. "She must've been through hell, huh? To see her like this... It's not like her."

"She'll recover," Linsley said firmly. "But right now, she needs time to stabilize."

Ted's attention turned to Aurielle, who raised an eyebrow at his scrutiny, even while bound. "And her? Let me guess—she pushed Lucy's buttons."

Aurielle managed a muffled sound that might've been a teasing remark if not for the golden chains.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Ted sighed. "Figures. She's good at that."

Linsley crossed his arms. "Aurielle's antics didn't help, but Lucy's state of mind is the bigger issue. That's why I restrained her—for her own good."

Ted shook his head, his lips twitching into a small smile despite the chaos around them. "You really haven't changed, bro. Still the one keeping everyone in line."

"Someone has to," Linsley replied, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. "But don't get comfortable. You've just gone through a Second Awakening, and your SSS-rank gift might be powerful, but your flux is unstable. You need to work on controlling it."

Ted nodded, his respect for Linsley evident in the way he carried himself. "Understood. But what's the plan now?"

"We regroup," Linsley said simply. "The Dominion will send reinforcements soon, and we're not ready to take them head-on. Next time, we'll hit them where it hurts."

Ted's gaze lingered on Lucy for a moment before he turned back to Linsley. "I'll leave her to you, bro. You're the only one who can get through to her."

Linsley nodded, summoning a shimmering portal with a wave of his hand. "Go through. Stabilize your flux. We'll plan the next move from there."

Ted hesitated briefly, then stepped toward the portal. "Got it. But... thanks, Linsley. For everything."

"Don't mention it," Linsley replied, watching as Ted disappeared through the portal.

Ted hesitated, glancing toward Lucy, who stood silently near the edge of the chamber.

Though the golden chains that had once bound her were gone, her posture remained stiff, her crimson eyes flickering with frustration and embarrassment. She avoided Ted's gaze, clearly unwilling to address her earlier outburst.

Ted's shoulders stiffened as he turned back to Linsley, his voice subdued. "Bro... about Lucy... I get it now. Her Fallen Angel gift, the side effects, the jealousy—it all makes sense. But..."

"You're wondering why I restrained her," Linsley interrupted, his tone steady. "Because she wasn't thinking clearly. If I hadn't, she might've caused more harm—to herself, to you, and to us."

Ted nodded slowly, though his concern for Lucy remained. "I just want her to be okay."

"She will be," Linsley assured him. "But first, you need to stabilize. Sit."

Reluctantly, Ted complied, lowering himself to the floor. Linsley extended his hand, summoning a glowing, circular artifact from his Real Fantasy gift. The artifact hovered above Ted, pulsing with a soothing energy that began to regulate his flux.

Aurielle leaned against the wall, her arms crossed as she watched the process with mild interest. "You know, for someone who just had a major tantrum, Ted's pretty quick to play the obedient little brother."

Ted shot her a sideways glare, but before he could retort, Linsley's voice cut through the room. "Aurielle."

"What?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"Not the time," Linsley replied curtly, focusing on Ted's flux stabilization.

Aurielle shrugged, though a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "Fine, fine. I'll behave—for now."

As the artifact continued its work, Ted's aura began to stabilize, the erratic surges of brown flux subsiding into a steady, controlled flow. He closed his eyes, exhaling deeply as the pressure within him eased.

"Better?" Linsley asked, his gaze steady.

Ted opened his eyes, nodding. "Yeah. Thanks, bro."