“I’m sorry, but does anyone else not have a problem with this choice?” Sog asked. “Surely you cannot expect our people to worship and revere us if a rabbit is the herald who tells our story to everyone who enters your temple.” “And you think a demon is a better herald?” Cordellia replied. “That’s not even considering the story you had her tell.” “Of course! Everyone knows they are some of the most sought-after in my world. Just ask Rakonath! Many of them came to see him!” The silver dragon’s eyes widened, and he waved both hands in the air, their elven archer turned god, approaching him. “I’m sorry, they what?” Cordellia growled. “He lies! He’s a demon, you know everything… well, most… ok, some of the stuff he says is a lie, and at no point did I even consider finding out what the allure was! Max smiled as the discussion continued, squeezing Tanila’s hand and winking. “I never imagined this is what we’d be doing after defeating the tower,” Max whispered. “What did you think we would do?” his wife asked. “Create new worlds from our fingertips and fight other gods the moment we arrive?” Both of them laughed as the conversation between the other five grew louder. “The dwarven herald is the best!” Fowl exclaimed. “He gives beer to all who seek him!” A clicking sound came as the image of Jazzjak returned to a miniature humanoid chrome figure. “Please, may we move on to the next part?” their helper protested. “I will have you know that most new world champions have already filled their worlds with life. You six are… fighting over something that doesn’t matter. How I look isn’t as important as getting your worlds underway.” “We’re not fighting,” Batrire replied. “Just having a heated discussion. I still don’t see the point in why this matters since the capital city we each create will have its own herald.” “But think about it,” Sog said. “Each of you could have my–” “We’re done. Make it so,” Max said, cutting off the demon. “Each of us can have the herald we want for our cities, but nothing crude. But in here, we want a consistent companion. That’s why we’re discussing how you should look and what name you should have.” “Finally,” the assistant given to them by the system said. His purpose was to help them design and run the first world they had created. The chrome figure tapped a few areas on the large glass table before him. “Uh, hey Jazzjak, remember what I asked for?” Max said. “You cannot be serious? This is my natural form. To take that shape feels… wrong. Surely just having the voice of the one you–” “No,” Max replied. “Fur, ears, and twitches and all. I won, fair and square.” “Bah, that wasn’t fair at all,” Fowl muttered. “You clearly cheated.” “How could I cheat at dwarf, beer, donkey?” Max asked. “Uh… I’m not stupid anymore, you used your sonar,” their dwarf warrior replied. Max winked and shrugged, ignoring his friends' complaints, turning his attention back to their chrome-covered helper. “Fine, but I swear if I suffer some disease due to this, like fleas, you will pay.” “You won’t and know that what I asked for is because I considered Jazzjak to be my friend. It didn’t start that way and I’m hoping you’ll see that this is my way of reaching out to you as well.” Their helper grunted, his body shifting and transforming before them. The metallic skin became fur, and a soft, padded foot tapped against the crystal clear floor. Each of them could see through it, gazing upon the world they owned below. “With that problem solved, the system you chose was YKR-401,” Jazzjak said. “Standard experience gained through dungeon seeds you purchase, kills against natural creatures, and a fifty percent decreased experience gain when killing any of the races you six represent.” “You all take the fun out of killing,” Sog sighed. “Imagine the fun we could have, demons fighting elves, demons fighting dwarves, and demons fighting dragons!” “What about demons fighting humans?” Cordellia asked. “That wouldn’t happen. I’m connected to Max,” Sog replied. “Focus, please!” their helper cried out. “Standard experience in the tower, and a twenty-five percent bonus to all crafting experience except baking, which is fifty percent.” “Stupid bakers,” Fowl muttered. “The cities you designed have been completed and are in place. Each of you will receive the standard population numbers based on your racial type and…” Jazzjak paused, scanning the information displayed on the table, “only Max can grant a bloodline to one human currently.” “That’s unfair, but why would I expect anything less?” Cordellia asked. Ignoring the comment, their helpers' padded fingers swiped up and down along the table, occasionally tapping out things before swiping again. “We have a standard three hundred years of protection, preventing other gods from attacking this world, and each of you will receive the medium Divine Points earned for a seed world.” His voice droned on as the rabbit spoke, muttering occasionally as he worked. “That total will be two thousand Divine Points per day.” “And is that good?” Fowl asked. Jazzjak’s nose scrunched as he shook his head. “Just wait… all will be revealed upon the world being registered and the system grants it life. You will each receive a copy of Being a God:Things to Know. It’s a resource given to all new world champions. Don’t lose it, as they’re not cheap.” Fowl started to ask another question, but he received an elbow to the side from his dwarven wife. “Starting seed…. System has accepted… lifeforms are starting to appear…” their helper muttered. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Beneath them in the capital city, for Max and Tanila, Sunreach began to glow. Beams of light rained down from the sky, striking all over the city they had designed. It was basically an exact copy of Peltagow, as each of them knew the layout and didn’t want to bother with figuring out the best way to provide sanitation or water to everyone. “It’s beautiful,” Tanila whispered. Max and the others nodded. When the glow faded, each of them took a deep breath, a new power suddenly filling their chest. “Gods, er… I mean… Fowl! What was that?” Fowl asked. “You are now connected to the life you have created in this world,” Jazzjak said. “Each of them is now a part of you. As they grow stronger, produce more of your kind, acquire new skills, craft or clear dungeons, you will gain more Divine Points. They will be the currency that allows you to progress to the next tier of godhood.” Before they could ask another question, his padded hand tapped the glass tabletop, and everyone had a blue glowing book appear before them. Almost as one, they all reached out and took it. “Being a God: Things to Know,” Max said. “Who picked this name?” “That is actually decided by the gods of the world you came from. Some are very… crude while others choose to be helpful,” Jazzjak replied. “Still, there is much to read and learn. You would do well to read it and–” The white vorpal bunny stared at Max, his tiny mouth open, sharp teeth moving up and down. “Done… you… You just got it.” “I’m a fast reader, now can I ask questions about what I read?” “Hold on!” Fowl said. “I haven’t even opened mine.” The others chuckled. Each scanned and started reading the book while their warrior friend stood there, holding a closed one in his hands. “I’ll give ya the cliff notes,” Batrire said. “Now be quiet, I’m trying to read.” Max nodded at their helper, who shook his head. “Uh… give me a moment, and then yes, you can. I need to finalize a few things.” The rabbit turned back to the glass display and tapped a few spots, and then cleared his throat. “If you all could listen briefly, I must give a few final details.” Everyone closed their book, and when they were looking at him, Jazzjak continued. “Rakonath, you have five thousand dragons on this world. Half of them are still eggs, hidden deep within the mountain area you have created. Only ten are fully mature dragons, and the rest are scattered through the different ages for your kind. Even more, a third are scattered throughout the world. This planet is larger than you might realize, but even dragons need space. “Just Sog,” the demon interrupted. “Sog… you have ten thousand demons at your beck and call in that… place you laid out. Only two are fully mature, and the rest are… well, you know, demons… a nightmare waiting to be unleashed.” Their demon friend roared and nodded. “Oh, the fun they’re going to have!” “Cordellia, you have thirty thousand elves in your capital city and the surrounding fifty miles that you designed. Six percent are older elves, maybe one hundred years left in life, but most are middle-aged or younger, providing a long life to come.” She nodded and the rabbit glanced back at the display. “Tanila, same thing for you, except in the city you share with Max.” “Batrire and Fowl…” Jazzjak said their name, grunting as he scanned something on a screen none of them could read. “Eighty thousand dwarves between the two of you. They will fill that mountain and the surrounding area for a good fifty miles or more. You may need to consider helping to build more places for them to live sooner than later.” “Wait, why do we have to work and not any of the other do?” Fowl asked. “You spent most of your initial resources I gave you on that secret brewery area while Batrire spent most of hers on the actual city,” their helper replied. “Fowl Hammerfall,” Batrire growled. Ignoring the dwarves, Jazzjak looked once more and then faced Max. “You have fifty thousand humans waiting for you below. Ten percent are elderly, thirty percent are children, and the rest are a mix of ages between. Your capital and the surrounding area have enough room to spread for a few generations without problems.” “Teacher’s pet,” Sog teased. “That brings us to one last item,” Jazzjak said. “If you would, turn to page five in the book you’ve been given.” Each of them followed the instructions, except Max, who could recall each word from memory. Official source is novel·fiɾe·net You do realize that he hasn’t mentioned me yet. Max smiled as Bob spoke. Not everyone gets a fearsomeblack skill living in their head. Besides, what would you get? Little black skills everywhere? Your jokes, as always, fall short. Now, I recall something about what he is going to talk about, and we need to discuss how this will impact everything we do. “As you can see,” Jazzjak said, “this is the cost for climbing through the tiers.” TierTitleDivine Point Cost 5Lesser God1,750,000,000 6Intermediate God17,500,000,000 7Greater God175,000,000,000 8Domain Sovereign1,750,000,000,000 9Divine King/Queen17,500,000,000,000 10System Archon Tier175,000,000,000,000 11Overgod3,500,000,000,000,000 12Prime Aspect70,000,000,000,000,000 13Eternal Diety1,400,000,000,000,000,000 14True God28,000,000,000,000,000,000 15Primordial *560,000,000,000,000,000,000 Fowl choked and then glared at their helper. “Did you say we get 2,000 Divine Points per day?!” “Per day. That is correct,” Jazzjak replied “But that would take….” “Two thousand, five hundred days, or roughly seven years, to earn enough points for the next god tier,” Max said. “Correct!” Jazzjak exclaimed. “The good news is that as your people prosper, you gain a little more DP daily! Remember, you have three hundred years of protection. What is the time when you potentially have eternity to grow?” Max smiled and nudged Tanila. He winked and then looked at their helper. “Jazzjak, what about the arena and betting?” “Foolishness is what I would tell you,” the rabbit replied. “Still, you are permitted to bet on the fights that take place or even participate in them after you grow stronger.” “But we don’t have to wait, do we?” Max asked. “You do not… but I would recommend it. Since you have read the book it seems, then you know you can only fight against another who is one tier above you, equal to you, or below you. Many gods spend those early years honing their power, spending the DP they earn to enhance stats, gain new skills, and more. You aren’t ready for that. None of you is. Trust me.” The rabbit sighed, nose dancing as he did. “If you fight and if you lose, the god that defeats you gains whatever world or worlds you own. On a world , it will cause chaos. They could bring their other world and armies to attack if they had the right skill. Or… they could fight, just start attacking the other gods on their own. I do not doubt that if six of you fought against one, you should win, but it would be bad for your world and yourselves.” But you gain more than just their world… he is leaving something out. Ask him. “If you defeat another world champion or a Demi-god right now, what else do we gain?” Jazzjak shook his head and gave Max a look he recognized from his old friend. “You would gain twenty-five percent of any DP they had yet to spend. But none of this matters as you don’t have enough DP to purchase a teleport beacon for the world.” “And how much is that?” “Two million,” Jazzjak replied. Max just smiled and nodded. “Just two million, huh?” Bob began to laugh, the sound resounding within Max’s entire being.