Free Web NovelChapter 1394
The system Willow intended to create with Neltarid Mk II was, in a way, a reimagining of the virtual reality system the previous Neltarid had made to create the Awakened.
If one asked whether Willow could make it alone, the answer would be yes, but the problem was the time it’d take. That was why she made the current Neltarid help her.
Of course, it wasn't just for the purpose of having fun.
“Senior, why’d you do it this way?”
When Neltarid asked about the massive energy sphere, Willow answered casually, “It's not just a game. I have a ton of work, and sometimes I just want to chill, you know? I'm just using this system to cut down on the stuff I have to personally regulate on Earth.”
“Hmm. What about other worlds?”
“I gotta handle those myself. I can't exactly make something like this there. This way, if there's anything I miss, this thing will back me up.”
On the surface, it was just a virtual reality system linking human minds. Yet, as a system created with the power of gods and connected to the entire dimension of Earth, it went far beyond mere human interaction.
Its influence was different from that of a simple virtual reality game.
Neltarid quietly watched her as she smiled softly and happily, sticking out her tongue. “Senior, normally you're a total slacker, but... when I see you like this, I realize you're actually a good person.”
“Cut the crap and harmonize it well. If you fail this test, too, I'm seriously gonna twist and rip your thing off.”
He exasperatedly remarked, “Shouldn't a goddess be a little more... you know, graceful?”
“That's sexual harassment, you bitchass. Don't say stuff you don't mean. Forget it, I'm gonna resonate and harmonize it myself, so just keep it stable.” Willow closed her eyes and placed her hand on the enormous blue light sphere that flickered like a massive sun.
As the warm blue sphere began to violently fluctuate, Neltarid lightly waved a hand to dominate the space and concentrate the immense energy. Honestly, Neltarid was impressed.
Even though he called her senior, she wasn’t born a goddess, so she couldn’t control her power as deeply as he could. Nevertheless, the power she possessed after awakening was stable enough to make him gasp in admiration.
He had complained out of annoyance at first, but things couldn't just stall forever. Neltarid slowly reached out his hand, constantly assisting her to resonate fully. She did need his power at first, but once stabilized, it’d move on its own with only minimal maintenance needed, just like nuclear fusion.
What Willow was resonating with was a core, a single core containing a massive flow.
The way she created virtual reality was simple. She used equipment to make a human’s consciousness resonate with the core, then copied that consciousness through the core into a single unifying space. That space would then be the virtual area she created, ensuring it was as stable as possible by using her power of harmony. She used the method of vastly dividing and expanding that virtual space to make it seem like a virtual world.
There wasn't a huge difference from the method the previous Neltarid had created alone, though by using her unique power as the Goddess of Harmony to harmonize the space itself, she was able to make it much more stable.
Willow was currently working to stabilize that space while also implementing preemptive measures to protect human souls from external influences.
She wouldn’t release it until absolute safety was guaranteed. That was the promise Willow had made with Goddess Freyja to receive permission.
“How is it?” she asked nervously once finished.
“It's surprisingly stable. Honestly, I didn't think it’d go this well.”
Enjoying his praise, she wiped the sweat off her face and reached out her hand again. “Just in case, let's test it a few more times.”
“Are you sure you’ll be alright? Reckless tests like these must be pretty draining on your mental energy.”
“It's no big deal. Once I decide to do something, I do it well.”
‘Is she really doing all this just for fun?’
Neltarid was once again reminded that his senior goddess was truly nuts.
* * *
Whummm.
Hyun-Ah, attending a demonstration of the technology as the representative of the Sacred Group, as well as Al Hajat, who had agreed to provide the funding, made astonished faces as they looked at the gigantic, blue-glowing core with a massive device slowly rotating around it.
“This is the first time I've seen something like this in person,” she marveled. “The church never showed this much of it before.”
While the past Neltarid had problems with revealing the core, Willow didn’t have the same misgivings.
Willow began, “First off, there wasn't enough time to introduce additional technology. I basically implanted the resonance core I made for the original prototype. That way, this equipment and that gigantic resonance core are linked, ensuring I can connect to the virtual space I created.”
Al Hajat stroked his chin as he listened to her explanation, remarking, “I’m sure it just sounds simple because you explain it that way. Actually implementing it is astonishing, especially in such a short time.”
Willow had only taken a few weeks to squeeze the virtual reality system out of Neltarid Mk II and refine it.
Seeking clarification, Hyun-Ah asked, “So basically, you create a massive space with your power, and then have people's consciousness resonate through this device, right?”
“Yes,” Willow confirmed. “It looks complicated on the outside, but it's actually pretty simple. It's just using a part of my authority to transfer human consciousnesses to a safe place.”
Some among them still had misgivings. “What about external intrusions like hackers?”
“If I explained it in detail, it’d take all day, but... simply put, unless the opponent has the same level of godly authority as me, they absolutely cannot interfere,” she explained decisively, her tone full of confidence.
The foundation of the project itself was the magnum opus of the previous Neltarid. The problem was that even the previous Neltarid had been forced to leave a flawed loophole in the system to create the Awakened. Determined, the current Neltarid and Willow had blocked even that, turning the system into a formidable fortress of technology and magic.
“Even if it were possible, I wouldn't just leave it alone as it was without modifying it.”
Even Neltarid and Thanatos at the time hadn't been able to fundamentally tamper with the system itself. The fact that the connection had weakened as part of it crossed over to Tionis was due to that loophole left open to create Awakened individuals being exploited.
Their new version was a complete, independent space not connected to other dimensions. Therefore, the stability was absolute.
“What's next? Should Auntie check it out?” Hyun-Ah asked, excited.
“Sure, but since the stabilization process is underway, you might feel a little dizzy,” Willow warned.
“It's still a prototype, right?”
“Yes.”
“Aww, my niece is so talented! I heard about it from that ugly squid face, but...”
Hyun-Ah and Al Hajat were people who recognized that Willow was a higher being with divinity. Therefore, they weren't surprised when she revived Neltarid's system in a short amount of time.
“Since the system is similar, I'll gather the people who participated in the project before and apply it.”
“How long will it take?”
“This project was one of the games the Church of Neltarid was originally planning to release in parallel with their other plans. It was complete, but the incident happened before it could be released. The system itself has been completed. However, we need to get a safety inspection first and then recruit testers. How long do you guys think the testing period should be?”
“Since it's already complete, and you seem focused on pushing it out as soon as possible, it seems best to finish it within two months at most,” Al Hajat said.
Hyun-Ah nodded in agreement. “Great! Then link it with the server equipment we used before, and we'll handle the rest.”
“I'm counting on you,” Willow remarked with a smile.
The work itself was smooth. Since the only thing that had disappeared was the gigantic energy body that essentially acted as the core of the virtual reality, the infrastructure for the virtual reality system was instantly reestablished once a replacement was found.
Besides, the device didn’t even need internet cables—it was fine as long as it had enough divine power to run. That was also the reason why competing companies could never get their hands on virtual reality content.
That evening, Sacred Group quickly and quietly formed a new team. They gathered the people who had previously managed the game into a squad, and everyone came back together without much complaint, seeming happy to work on virtual reality again.
After about two weeks of non-stop work, Hyun-Ah smoothly passed the safety inspection, and a public recruitment campaign started popping up online.
[Second Virtual Reality Game Tester Recruitment]
People who had only heard rumors and said it was realistically impossible went wild over the official recruitment, and various online communities quickly became frenzied.
[New virtual reality just dropped! :O]
[Holy shit, is it really out?]
[Willow that crazy bitch OMEGALUL how tf could she have pulled something like that off???]
[The Saint of Tionis’s younger sister established a nuclear waste neutralization system not long ago, and now his daughter is causing complete chaos KEKW what a bloodline]
[Wait, didn’t they say it’d be impossible to implement in real life ??? This shit is a miracle straight from god apparently KEKW]
[I told you! She's the real Goddess Willow lol she said so herself. I heard it, I definitely did.]
[Ah yes. I see... 5head Turns out she was indeed sane all this time.]
[Shut up.]
[Damn... Alf Online was seriously my main no-life game, and they're bringing it back? I'm joining the Church of Willow starting today bro]
[Isn't Willow probably just a mascot or some shit? Sacred Group probably already implemented it and is using her image to boost their stock.]
[Is there a reason they'd even need to do that?]
[But when I watched her on Eva’s streams, she definitely performed miracles that were different from regular Awakened individuals.]
People who had been addicted to the old Alf Online, which had disappeared after the monsters attacked Earth, were divided into two groups.
Some questioned why anyone would want to play a game like that after the monster attacks caused so much damage, while others casually brushed those concerns aside, saying it was just a game. Plus, since they weren’t Awakened in real life, they could at least pretend to be one in it.
However, since there was no official announcement besides the recruitment notice, people could only wait with bated breath as their curiosity grew stronger.
After days of online communities buzzing with virtual reality news, Evangeline's stream—the source of the rumors—was more popular than ever.
Of course, not everything was good.
[Explain]
[Now]
[Explain]
[RIGHT NOW]
[Explain]
[NOW]
Evangeline, who’d been drawing the game characters her viewers requested while chatting with them, groaned at the sudden flood of viewers. “What the heck am I supposed to explain, you guys?!”
[Is the virtual reality thing real?!]
[That shit is definitely cap frfr. The experts already said it was practically impossible to implement.]
“What are you talking about? Virtual reality?”
[Bro you were there when Willow said she’d do it lmao. It was YOUR stream]
[Did the Sacred Group make it in advance and just tell Willow to mention it for publicity? Can I get my hopes up that it’s inc?]
“Is there even any reason for the Sacred Group to make virtual reality again? Oh. Yeah, it looks like my sister actually made it.”
As Evangeline muttered with a weary look, question marks filled the chat.
[???]
[???]
[Wait, so Willow actually IS the one who made it? Wtf, hasn't it only been a few days since we heard it on the news?!]
“My sister Willow’s more capable than you all seem to think. How should I put it... Her main focus isn’t the programming or anything like that, but the core technology of virtual reality? Even if others can't do it, she has the power to implement it.”
[Wow...]
[So it’s real? DAMN]
[Shit, we're living in the age of Willow...]
[Her sheer initiative is insane broooo]
“Well, I don't know all the details. I'm busy with my own stuff, and she has her own work too.”
[Have you heard anything else about it?]
“Even if we’re family, I can't pry into her personal work, can I?” Smiling sweetly, she picked up her tablet pen again. “But if the news is real, then she’s screwed. Does she think making something like that overnight is easy?? It probably has way more bugs and work to be done on it than anyone expects, so she’s probably tearing her hair out right now.”
[She seemed really confident, though. I would think it’s already prepared by now if they're recruiting, right?]
“I don't think so. I'd bet on it,” Evangeline proudly predicted.
Yet, at that moment, someone swung her door open and stormed into her room. “I'm tired! So tired! I feel like stress is traveling alive from my esophagus to my intestines! This isn't fair! They didn't tell me there’d be this much work!!”
Hearing her furious complaints, Evangeline wore a sour expression. “Ummm. Willow? Weren't you busy?”
“Debugging in this situation is crazy! So many bugs! I can't believe this!!”
Evangeline's mouth dropped open at the absurd sight of her sister jumping onto the bed, pulling the blanket over her head, and rolling around wildly.
“H-hey!! You’re the one who volunteered to do it! Also, what’s up with barging in and running my stream? You annoying little fudge!!”
Willow suddenly sat up and glared at Evangeline with wide-open eyes. “What did you call me, you dumdum?!”
Evangeline instinctively felt that if she didn't stop the girl’s tantrum now, a disaster would happen.
She desperately lunged at Willow, who was gathering a huge energy mass in both hands, and screamed as they tumbled down, “Stop it! I don't know what it is, but can't you stop?!”
“Hehehe. I absolutely won't forgive them for this!!”
‘Now who’s she talking about forgiving?’
It seemed Willow had been under extreme stress over the previous few days. She soon gritted her teeth and spread her hands. A translucent pair of wings unfolded behind her back and fluttered.
She instantly flew over to the corner of the room and ripped open Evangeline’s treasure chest with her bare hands, then grabbed a handful of what looked like very-high-end cookies from inside.
Evangeline was mortified. “W-what?! No! Don't eat those! They’re content for later! No!”
The vicious Willow didn't spare her even a glance. “Heh... hehehe.”
“Do you know how much I had to go through to get those?! A famous baker viewer made it with care! It literally took them several days just to make ‘em!”
“I'm going to eat them all!” Willow loudly declared.
Witnessing her eccentric act of growling and dumping the sweet cookies into her mouth, Evangeline finally screamed and rushed at her.
[LOLOLOLOL]
[lols today’s stream is legendary brooo]
[A crazy older sister coming to her younger sister's room to steal and eat her hidden snacks smh]
[They’re both so pathetic and adorable lol]
[No but why are they so simple like that T_T it’s killing me]
[it makes me so happy to see her eat well... I'm happy as long as those two are having a good time.]
[Godly Baker, thank you for facilitating this revelation on stream]
[Oh my...]
A viewer from overseas reacted with a cute emoticon, cheering for the two sisters fighting over the cookies.
[(≧▽≦)]
[Constellation Sagittarius has donated 500,000 Won.]
- Worship her.
[Constellation Leo has donated 500,000 Won.]
- It is a sacred object. Worship her.
“Don't eat it, you psycho!” Evangeline raged.
“Kuaaaah! Pigeon Willow, here to eat all your treats! Coo coo!!”
It took a good amount of time of Willow practically having a breakdown before Evangeline was able to calm her down.
The events of that day’s stream were clipped and uploaded everywhere, drawing a lot of reactions.
People who had been showing renewed interest in virtual reality heard about her stream and went to check out the clips, causing the video’s views to skyrocket past all her other usual videos. Naturally, her channel, which had unintentionally farmed content everyone was interested in, grew even bigger with the surge of attention.
About a week after Willow's eccentric behavior, the Sacred Group released four videos showcasing coming virtual reality games they'd been working on.
They didn’t showcase an RPG format as before, instead revealing various genres being developed alongside the old Alf Online. It included exploration games, FPS games, MOBA games, and more, all designed for simple fun.
Each of the videos reawakened the instincts of countless gamers. Naturally, the shares of the Sacred Group and Al Hajat’s companies began to climb day by day as the news became a hot topic among game streamers.
Many were excited, enthralled by the hype of the trailers, and looked forward to the quick release.
The approach Sacred Group had chosen was different from the past, where RPGs were the main content.
Amid all the excitement, the first game released was a zombie-hunting survival FPS. The mechanics were solidly balanced, and the moderately stylized graphics didn’t feel too disturbing.
Most importantly, Willow had given her own special touch to it. She offered users a choice between hyper-realistic graphics and moderately game-friendly graphics, allowing people to choose what they wanted.
“If the game is too realistic when you first launch it, that might actually kill the excitement. Right, Uncle?”
Al Hajat and Hyun-Ah somewhat agreed on that point, but the problem was the amount of work required to prepare two different graphics styles. On top of that, the maintenance costs would be enormous.
Yet, Willow presented another ingenious solution for that. “I'll handle the hyper-realistic graphics myself. Please proceed with the moderately game-friendly graphics.”
The ace in the hole she squeezed out after that was none other than...
“Seniorrrrrrrr!!!”
Neltarid, who held considerable authority in the virtual space Willow had created.
Willow maliciously poked at his weak point. “Do you think harmony’s only about Earth itself? Regulating living beings is the hardest thing in the world, you jerk. The game is just a simple, friendly way to approach it. We need to get people to connect through communities, leisure activities, and other things to create a stable space that’ll be easier to manage than what we’re doing right now. Are you really that stupid?? Aren't you interested in the people of Earth anymore?”
She had realized that managing everything herself was too annoying.
Given how customizable and accommodating the game’s settings and content were, people who enjoyed extreme horror, zombie games, or even just FPS games all ended up loving it.
It ended up drawing immense expectations and popularity.
The main reason for its popularity was none other than the price of the connection equipment. The equipment was so cheap that one might wonder if they were even turning a profit, making it accessible to pretty much anyone.
Of course, since the equipment was meticulously designed by divinities to store the power of a god and resonate with human consciousness, the defect rate of the equipment itself wasn’t an issue.
Naturally, no one could figure out how it was structured or how it worked, even after taking it apart. On top of that, mindlessly farming in-game was impossible just like before, and macros didn’t work either since the system was linked to the user’s soul for authentication. That made it even harder for illegal programs to prosper.
Before they knew it, two virtual reality games were released to the world.
Astonishingly, the first-day concurrent player numbers echoed back to the glory of the past.
