Free Web NovelChapter 16: Chapter 16: Misfortune.
’Misfortune’
A mechanism in Godcraft that refers to any kind of event capable of becoming a catastrophic threat to a governing species within a world. It wasn’t something random, nor was it willfully dumped upon players.
Rather, it was a mechanism triggered by a world’s crises. The actions of races, their choices, mistakes, and even unresolved dilemmas could eventually give birth to a Misfortune.
It could occur in a hundred god days or even after a hundred planetary years.
"Tsk! The Misfortune couldn’t wait an hour, could it?"
Volcano complained to the empty air as he stepped into his apartment, the door closing behind him automatically. He was visibly frustrated by the timing of the event. Right when he had been watching and daydreaming about the love of his life, this had to happen.
If only he could stay and watch her a little longer.
Unfortunately, a Misfortune threatening a species wasn’t something to laugh at, and Volcano knew that better than anyone. Reluctantly leaving those pleasant feelings behind, he hurried back to save his creations.
"Login."
A luminous portal appeared before him.
Without hesitation, Volcano stepped through it, every ounce of his presence vanishing from the world.
Once inside the familiar void, he wasted no time. Immediately, he merged his divine gaze with Volcan.
"Let’s see what this Misfortune is all about."
His senses swept across the world, searching near the Silicari intelligent species. Being a predator race, they carried higher expectations than most in Volcano’s eyes.
A few seconds later, he finally found them.
The Silicari population had multiplied considerably. Their numbers were far greater than when he had last seen them, no longer a handful that could be counted on one’s fingers.
"That’s great progress... however..."
Concern flickered across Volcano’s face.
The species had evolved exactly as natural evolution permitted, yet they looked tired, thinner than before, and perpetually exhausted.
The look in their eyes as they glanced at one another couldn’t be ignored, even if Volcano wanted to. It carried an unmistakable breed of hunger.
The reason was simple.
Although the Silicari had begun preserving portions of their hunts and consuming less than before, the amount they required was still monstrous. A single meal could sustain a human for years. Naturally, a food crisis had begun to emerge, especially since there were very few creatures left worth hunting.
"If this continues, they’ll eventually start devouring one another."
Volcano frowned.
"But that still isn’t an immediate threat."
Pulling back his divine gaze, he redirected it toward the continent where the Magnari intelligent species resided.
As soon as he located their settlement, he began observing them closely.
The longer he watched, the wider his eyes became.
"H-How is this possible?"
He couldn’t comprehend such a drastic change.
His Magnari had evolved far beyond what the planet’s age and atmosphere should have allowed.
"Is that a spear?"
He watched one of the Magnari training alongside her peers.
"Wait! They’re using vocalizations in a coordinated manner... they’ve formed a language already? This early?! Impossible."
He continued watching as they practiced together, displaying advancements that should not have appeared for several generations.
Volcano felt like a father returning from a long business trip, only to discover his family had grown without him ever noticing.
"Character Information."
He pointed toward a female Magnari practicing her spearmanship.
[Name: Gre Ka Chu]
[Sex: Female]
[Age: 9 Years Old]
[IQ: 78]
[Affinity: Fire-Based]
[Spearmanship: Level 1]
Volcano studied the status carefully, but there was nothing particularly noteworthy.
Moving on, he inspected one Magnari after another.
He still wasn’t convinced that such explosive development could occur naturally within such a short period. Something had to be responsible.
And he was right.
He couldn’t have been more right.
A slow chuckle spread across his face as he opened the status of a Magnari who stood noticeably apart from the others, larger, more intimidating, and far more imposing than his peers.
Gree Ka Go.
[Name: Gree Ka Go]
[Sex: Male]
[Age: 9 Years Old]
[IQ: 200]
[Battle IQ: 200]
[Affinity: Fire-Based]
[Spearmanship: MAX]
[Flamethrower: MAX]
[Physical Combat: MAX]
"Holy fucking cow! What is this?! What is this divine blessing I’m seeing among my own creations?! How is this guy packing so much?!"
Volcano’s voice echoed throughout the void.
The absurdity of the situation struck him so hard that laughter spilled from his lips.
Never in a million years had he imagined such a lifeform being born naturally among his creations.
Unless he had personally interfered, something like this shouldn’t have existed.
"Lady Luck is on my side! Who can stop me now?!"
His laughter continued for several moments before his gaze drifted toward the threat he had nearly forgotten.
The Misfortune.
A massive predator was preparing to descend upon the Magnari.
The moment he realized it, panic surged through his heart. freewebnøvel.com
"No, no, no! I can’t let this happen. I can’t let this golden goose die so meaninglessly."
Thoughts spiraled through his mind as he frantically formulated a plan. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
He would do anything to save them.
Anything.
Especially that one.
Calming his nerves, Volcano once again focused his gaze upon Volcan.
Then he whispered a single word.
"DESCENT."
[Ding! The Descent is initiating]
[Ding! The Magnari have witnessed and acknowledged the first crafted weapon.]
[Ding! Contribution to Technological Development recognized.]
[Ding! The Magnari have adopted structured language.]
[Ding! Contribution to Cultural Development recognized.]
[Ding! The Magnari have exceeded projected evolutionary milestones.]
[Ding! Exceptional Individual Detected: Gree Ka Go.]
[Ding! Divine Intervention Authorized.]
[Ding! Misfortune Event Initiating...]
