After pondering it for some time, I finally decided to go for the Infinite island appearance. I always wanted to own my own island, and this is probably the closest I’ll ever get to it. I chose it, and the world started shifting. The green numbers melted in pillars of water falling from the sky, quickly filling the ocean beneath. Primus and I were now standing on a small rocky island, and we looked up in awe to see the sky became blue. After two minutes, the pillars finished falling, and the ocean slowly calmed.

I looked again at the options, and there sure was a lot of them. I could elevate or lower the terrain, change its composition, its form or pretty much anything. But even the simplest change would cost me 10 points, so my twenty-something wouldn’t go very far. I was going to switch to the building editor when I noticed Primus was poking my shoulder. For quite a bit of time if the irritation was to be believed. I looked at him, but his eyes were stuck on someone else. In front of me was a tall humanoid figure wrapped in an overflowing white cape, complete with an oversized cowl masking him entirely. Geometric figures, mathematical formulas and complex algorithms were shifting on his cape. Did I mention the cape was floating in a non-existent wind, or that he was standing with the sun behind him, giving him a halo of light? There wasn’t even a sun before!

We stood in silence for quite a long time. I had a good idea of who this was, and knew he wanted me to speak first, and I refused to give him that pleasure. But Primus was not privy to this information, and simply asked.

“Hm, excuse me but, who are you?”

The silhouette shuddered for a second, then answered in a booming voice.

“I. AM. ENIGMA! I AM THE GOD OF THIS WORLD!”

“Oh. Hum, nice to meet you?”

Enigma deflated a little at this lack of awe. The non-existent wind stopped blowing, and the sun went back to a more normal spot in the sky.

“Oh, come on! Were you really forced to make him just as non believing as you?”

“He takes after his mother, what can I say?”

“I really would have liked a bit of, you know, maybe not respect, but just some awe, like ‘Damn, he’s so cool’ or something like that.”

“I’m sorry sir. How would you like to be called?”

“No Primus, don’t fall for this, you’re free to call him however you want.”

“Oh please, can’t I have just a little something? Like Lord? At least?”

Primus looked toward me with uncertain eyes. I suppose it wouldn’t cost much to please Enigma, and it could be useful.

“Ok, if you want to.”

“Thanks Mother. I salute you, Lord Enigma.”

I could practically see Enigma beaming smile, and I sure could hear it.

“I accept your salutations, Primus, first of my people. And your lack of salutations, LoG.”

“You’re not going to call me like that each time?”

“Well, it IS your name here…”

“Fuck my life…” I didn’t even mention the fact HE had chosen that name for me, he probably wouldn’t budge on that.

“So, I came because I have a gift for you. I know it's hard to get points at first, and you’ll need a lot of buildings and subjects to have a decent income. So I’ll give you a limited access to my godly powers. You can freely use the terrain editor until your next deconnection. Aren’t you glad?”

As much as I ate his smug tone, that IS a cool gift.

“I do. Thank you, Enigma.”

He pumped his fist in the air and took a victory pose.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“YES! Hm, I’ll let you work. Don’t forget to build me a shrine later.”

And he disappeared in a ray of light.

I looked inside the terrain editor, and saw that everything was free. But some options were grayed out, with a note from Enigma : ‘No abusing the system for you’. Those options all includes some kind of direct benefit, like a coral reef, that naturally acted as a firewall, or a cliff with built-in nests that acted as some kind of mail-box. A lot of things don’t really make sense to me. Ok, I don’t have an unlimited time, so let’s use it wisely.

Several hours later:

Ok. I probably went a bit overboard. I’m sitting on the the edge of a rocky spike on top of some Niagara-like falls, born from the ocean. On the bottom of the falls (which are sweet water and not saltwater like the ocean, because apparently it’s just a matter of preference) there’s a deep lake with underwater caves, and on the center of the lake is an island. The island is just a stone spike pointing toward the sky, towering so high it‘s shadow is cast upon the rock spikes. Yes, there are several spikes. Four big ones and 8 small ones. For those that follow, it’s like a big clock with the spire in its center. I wanted to make it so the sun would be moving in circles around my clock, so that the shadow really gave the hour. But apparently this is Enigma’s privilege. On top of the spire, I made the perfect resort for me to live in, a small house in a garden, with hot springs and everything. Well, the house is a bit poor as of now, and the garden isn’t very diverse, but it will come. Then I’ll start building my cities on the spikes below. I just don’t have the points yet.

On the good side of things, I got Digital communion up to level 4 already. On the bad side of things, it means I can stay longer inside this world, and I don’t know how long I did. I need to go out now! I wave goodbye to Primus, who’s sampling the water, and come back to the real world.

I open my eyes and check on the clock. Only 25 minutes, I’m safe! I knew there was some time compression, but the exact number changed when the digital communion leveled up, so I was kinda lost.

In front of me, Audrey is folding clothes and packing her bags.

“Hey, I’m back.”

“Great! So, how does it look?”

I then spent a good half hour describing the Digital World and the feeling I got there. After I finished, Giiru asked me if I wanted to make another pseudo-soul.

“I really want to make one with defensive properties, but I can’t without a way to carry it around. So maybe a scout, someone to enhance my senses… Or one to be more discreet? Oh, I could make a spy! I have an idea!”

I was starting to cast when I was interrupted by the sight of a small fireball heading toward my face. I promptly ducked under, and saw it vanish right after.

“I’m sure I know your idea, and don’t ever try that with your pitiful level and mastery!”

“What are you talking about, I just had a good image in head!”

I was absolutely not trying to use my two Divine magic at the same time and make an undetectable spy…

“Hmph… Then proceed…”

I concentrated. I would have liked to create him in the likeness of a crow, but I guess an incorporeal body is better for a spy. So I will just think about the image and concept of a crow spying, but won’t give him a body. Then I started casting.

You have created : Lesser pseudo-soul of Darkness.

Do you wish to bind it to a material body?

No, no body for you.

You have created : Lesser darkness stalker.

Do you wish to name it?

Hm, a spy name. Maybe a codename, that would be fitting. But calling him by a number would be strange. Maybe in another language? I remember some words of irish… Ceadsul? Sulcead? Ceadsul is better I think.

Ceadsul wants to enter a binding contract with you.

Do you wish to make it your familiar?

Yes.

As Ceadsul has not awakened yet, it’s personality isn’t determined. Please think about what you want it to be.

A man lurking in the dark, fiercely loyal and willing to always do his best.

Input accepted. Pattern identified. Personality being implanted.

I felt a small disturbance under the bed, and I heard a voice.

“Taoiseach, I’m honored to be under your service.”

Taoiseach? It’s clearly an irish word, and I think I saw it once or twice, but I can’t remember what it meant. I looked at Audrey with pleading eyes. A small research later, it was translated as ‘clan chief’. I guess giving him an irish name influenced him.

“Please, call me Sarah. And I’m glad to have you by my side. For now your job would be to survey my surroundings for dangers or hidden things. Do you agree?”

“It’s my duty, Chief Sarah!”

Okay, maybe he’s a bit too loyal. Whatever, now that I’m ready, we just need to take the boat, the plane, and we will begin our researches!