"The decision is yours, Kevin," God's voice reverberated with an air bordering between nonchalance and indifference, as though he were discussing the weather. "Whether you choose to accept my offer is entirely up to you. Should you wish to embrace oblivion and become but a speck of cosmic dust, I won't lose any sleep over it.”
"After all, there are over 8 billion of your kind still circulating on the planet. Finding a replacement wouldn't exactly be a Herculean task for me," God added, his tone carrying the weight of admonishment, much like an adult scolding an immature child throwing a tantrum.
Kevin could only stand there speechless with disappointment, unable to come up with a comeback to debunk God’s divine scolding. Meanwhile, Howard stepped forward with another question, taking the opportunity to ask it as Kevin sulked over his defeat.
“Well then, God, can we get a preview of the village that's going to be given to us, the one we'll be in charge of? Like, what’s the name of the village, the population size, and perhaps an image of the village?” Howard inquired.
"How about this? Howard, you name the village, and I'll assign one to you based on your naming conventions. Same thing applies to you Kevin, whenever you're ready to face your responsibilities instead of dodging them." God remarked, his tone dripping with a subtle sense of intrigue and scheme behind the proposal.
The duo, skeptical yet resigned to the capricious nature of the devious deity, found themselves in a peculiar predicament. As they pondered the name for the village that would be forced upon them in their second life. Oh, the joys of the afterlife, where God can coerce you into administrative duties.
Kevin, teetering on the edge of his patience, was the first to break the silence. As his frustration grew exponentially, he yearned more than anything to move the proceedings along, fearing that another moment spent in this blank white void listening to the voice of God would drive him to coughing up blood from the sheer anger and stress.
"Xuanwu— My village will be called Xuanwu," Kevin sighed, blurting out the first thing that came to his mind. It was his typical approach— to half-ass things for the sake of expediency, even if it meant sacrificing quality for speed.
Howard, on the other hand, deliberated a bit longer before offering his choice. "Then... Gallimaufry, that will be the name of my village," he declared, showcasing a touch more consideration in his naming process compared to his impatient peer standing beside him.
The moment the names left their lips, a shimmering panel materialized before them, each showcasing the image of their respective villages. Kevin couldn't help but marvel at the phenomenon unfolding before his eyes; it resembled something straight out of a typical system dungeon archetype, a sight he had only ever encountered within the pages of his favorite fantasy novels.
Ho… experiencing the elements of fiction in person does certainly have a novel feel to it, Kevin mused inwardly, his attention fully captivated by the spectacle despite his familiarity with storytelling concepts.
A sense of nostalgia washed over him, reigniting a long-lost passion that had lain dormant within him for far too long. The honeymoon phase of his arc of binging novels seemed to have returned, he found himself absorbed in the moment, feeling a sense of excitement and happiness he hadn't felt in a long time.
As Kevin was lost in his thoughts, Howard's attention was drawn to the display before him, depicting the image of his village. The image of his village unfolded in remarkable detail defying all of his expectations.
The sheer level of image quality is astonishing, at least an 8K resolution if not higher... Truly impressive, Howard mused to himself, his eyes meticulously scrutinizing the intricate details of the village with a profound sense of awe and analysis on the architecture of the housing.
The houses bore the unmistakable hallmark of ancient Chinese tradition, evident in their tiled roofs weathered by the relentless march of time. With graceful slopes and curved eaves adorned with intricate oriental carvings.
Supporting these structures were sturdy pillars crafted from oak and pine, standing tall like guardians of the village. Smoothed by the touch of countless hands, carrying a legacy of enduring craftsmanship.
Lanterns, painted in shades of red and white, swayed gently from the eaves, their paper screens embellished with elaborate designs. As they cast their glow upon the cobblestone pathways below creating mesmerizing patterns of light and shadow.
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Howard couldn't resist the urge to reach out towards the captivating scene before him, longing to feel the tangible reality of the village. However, his efforts proved futile as his hand passed through the image, leaving him with only the bittersweet sensation of longing.
Maybe… Being the chief of this village wouldn’t be so bad after all, Howard contemplated, finding himself drawn to the antique charm of ancient civilizations. The serene atmosphere of the village stood in stark contrast to the chaotic hustle and bustle of modern urban life, a welcoming change of pace for him.
However, Howard’s thoughts were rudely interrupted by a sudden and piercing shriek, reminiscent of the native rats of New York, which promptly snapped him back to reality. With an exasperated sigh, he turned his attention to the source of the commotion: none other than Kevin.
"Why is his village all Asian-style when it's named Gallimaufry, but mine's Western-style when it's called Xuanwu?!" Kevin ranted, his frustration bubbling to the surface once more, his discontent palpable in every word as he expressed his grievance as if it were his sole purpose to bitch endlessly.
"Because, my child, variety is king. After all, names merely serve as labels; it's the essence that truly matters. Your village, Xuanwu… pfft has that rugged frontier charm, you know?" God retorted suppressing a chuckle in the process.
“No, no, names hold power! They give individuality! The whole point of naming the village Xuanwu is so I can have an Asian-style settlement!” Kevin huffed, his irritation seeping into his words like a leaky faucet.
"Alright, let's move on from Kevin’s tantrum. How many people are we looking at here, God?" Howard asked, breezing past Kevin's bitching, having grown accustomed to his recurring acts of stupidity. His patience was wearing thin, but his composure remained intact.
“Howard, my child, your Gallimaufry boasts a population of 365 strong, excluding you, and Kevin, your Xuanwu... well, let's just say it's a cozy gathering of 205, minus you,” God replied, his tone seemingly neutral, but somehow still grated on Kevin's nerves.
"...You're always screwing with me," Kevin grumbled, his face contorting into what Howard could only describe as the expression of a middle school girl dumped by her boyfriend of two semesters.
Suddenly, a subtle ping ping ping reverberated across the pristine white void, reminiscent of a notification bell from a smartphone. It was followed by the voice of God. "It seems that the system has fully integrated within your soul, as I had imparted to you amidst our conversation."
"Now, as we part ways my children… know that you carry within you the essence of creation and possibility," God intoned, pausing briefly. However, his tone lacked the expected gravity and emotion, and a yawn of boredom escaped him.
"Your journey into the realms of fantasy and magic awaits, but remember, it is not just about the adventure, but the bonds you forge and the growth you undergo. Cherish each moment, for they are the threads that weave the tapestry of your existence…"
"With heartfelt wishes for your success and happiness, I bid you farewell to your new lives," God concluded, his tone strangely monotone, devoid of the emotional depth one would expect from such parting words. It was as if he had recited this script countless times before, the weight of repetition evident in his delivery.
With each word of God's parting message reverberating through their minds, Kevin and Howard sensed a gradual descent from the blinding white void. The sensation was akin to being pulled by an invisible force, plunging deeper and deeper into the abyss with increasing velocity. Their voices trailed off into nothingness as if lost amidst the vast expanse of vacuum space.
As they continued to descend, the once glaring white surroundings began to shift and warp, morphing into an all-encompassing darkness that swallowed them whole. It was as if they were being consumed by the void, enveloped by its eerie embrace, shrouded in an impenetrable cloak of obsidian.
Kevin and Howard drifted further into unconsciousness, their senses dulled by the suffocating darkness that surrounded them. They surrendered to the void, allowing its icy grip to pull them into a state of oblivion.
As consciousness slowly seeps back into their minds, the echoing chime of notification bells reverberated through the void. Gradually, the darkness around them began to coalesce, solidifying into discernible forms. Before they could fully grasp the situation, the gentle tones of notification alerts filled the air, indicating their transition to a new realm.
ping ping ping
Host has been detected…
Initiating system startup…
2%
9%
37%
76%
96%
99%
100%
Initialization complete… All systems online.
Link Start
[Welcome, Outlanders, to the Phantasia Realm! Your journey now begins anew!]