Liam stood amidst the vibrant flora he had crafted, feeling a swell of pride at the life thriving around him. The gentle rustle of leaves and the soft glow of the night-blooming flowers filled him with a sense of purpose. Yet, something deeper nagged at him: this world, though lush and teeming with life, was not complete.

Suddenly, a familiar chime broke through his thoughts.

Ding! System Update Available.

A glowing interface materialized before him, shimmering with an otherworldly light.

System Notification: New Quest Available!

Quest Title: The Call to Creation

Objective: Create intelligent life to expand your realm.

Reward: Access to the Origin Network.

As he absorbed the quest details, the nagging sensation within him intensified. The Void's hunger echoed in his mind—a persistent whisper of thoughts and emotions that felt foreign yet strangely familiar. While the satisfaction of creating life filled him with pride, it was intertwined with a pressing need—an urge demanding more than what he had accomplished. The thought sent a shiver down his spine. The Void’s presence was unmistakable, and it scared him.

He had already learned that every life he created bore consequences, a truth he faced with his first bird. Now, the prospect of creating something new—a being capable of thought, emotion, and perhaps even ambition—felt different. Remembering the nothingness of the void made him resistant to the idea, yet the part of him that sensed these alien thoughts warned that the Void would gladly reclaim him if he did nothing. But what right did he have to subject a conscious being to that same fate, just to save himself?

Liam felt the weight of the decision pressing on him. He could either continue down this path of creation, risking the fate of another being, or he could find a way to grant life that might escape the Void’s insatiable hunger. The thought of creating beings capable of consciousness filled him with dread and hope in equal measure.

He remembered something he had once heard about telomeres—the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, which shorten as cells divide. It was said that in certain organisms, telomeres could be maintained, leading to long, almost eternal lives. This concept showed that he may be able to allow his new race a chance at avoiding the void altogether.

But as he considered this, doubt crept in. Would the Void even allow him to attempt such a thing? Would it intervene, snatching away the lives he sought to create? The thought sent a chill through him, but he quickly dismissed the fear. The potential reward—beings that could live, learn, and grow without fear of being devoured by the Void—was worth the risk.

Thinking on the idea some more he imagined that they could be the caretakers of his world. Though he was unsure how much of it was the voids influence on him he did find himself wanting to be able to share his world with someone. He was proud of the world he created and the beauty it had in it, and felt it would be a pity if he was the only one to ever see it.

As Liam began to shape his vision for the new beings, he started out with by selecting a a human base out of the many choices the system presented for him, though he knew they wouldn’t end up as the humans he knew from his world. He wanted them to not have to adapt the world to there needs to survive but instead be able to easily adapt to the different environments that existed in his world. So, he gave them the ability to be able to change with to better survive any environment imaginable though continued exposure to it. That way they could live in harmony with the world around them. Then, he turned to the fundamental makeup of their bodies. He recalled his thoughts on telomeres, and this time he dug deeper, envisioning a genetic structure that would let their cells replicate endlessly, free from the usual limitations that led to decay. Strengthening their DNA felt almost like a protective measure, a way that would hopefully ensure these beings could enjoy an existence unshackled from the fleeting fragility of life.

He wanted more than them living in harmony with nature, and having long lives though, he wanted them to be caretakers for his world as well as being able to thrive in it. After making sure the latter was complete was left thinking of how he could better equip them for the former. Thinking back to how he was able to change them to adapt to each environment over time, he began to wonder if there was other abilities he could give them.

Ding!

System Notification: Power Systems Available for (Unnamed Race)

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

1. Superpower Mutants

Members of this power system possess random, extraordinary abilities that manifest in unique ways, often tied to their emotions or circumstances.

2. Mana Channeling

This system harnesses mystical energy found in the environment, allowing (Unnamed Race) to cast spells and manipulate magical forces for various effects.

3. Spirit Energy

Drawing on the life force of spirits and the essence of nature, (Unnamed Race) can unleash powerful abilities or commune with otherworldly entities for guidance.

4. Qi Manipulation

This ancient energy system focuses on the flow of life force within, allowing (Unnamed Race) to enhance physical abilities, heal themselves, and perform extraordinary feats.

5. Elemental Affinity

(Unnamed Race) can connect with elemental forces (fire, earth, water, air) of the world granting them the ability to manipulate or summon these elements in their environment.

At this point Liam was getting used to the system responding to his different thoughts. He was usure what to think of it as while it clearly was related to the void yet while it did push him to build his world, it didn’t give him that same feeling of hunger he received for it. It seemed solely focused on getting him to create and didn’t even care how he did so. The system didn’t try to stop him when he wanted to keep his race away from the void. If anything, it almost seemed willing to help him do so, as seen by its latest message. So its goal had to be better then the voids, but that doesn’t mean he trusts it.

Shaking himself from his thought Laim decided to focus on the choices in front of him. Theres not much I can do even if the system has an ulterior motive, he thought to himself.

After looking over the list of choices, Laim found himself tempted to select the first one as he was always a fan of superhero comics. To be honest none of the choices quite fit what he had in mine when it came to his new race. But the fact that Superpower Mutants System was random lift him with no choice other then to reject it. What if someone got power that they couldn’t control and ended up destroying his work. He also ruled out the Qi Manipulation System as while he couldn’t deny it would be helpful to them it seemed to be geared to themselves. That left him with 3 choices of which he immediately decided against the Elemental Affinity System as he felt that would limit them. Out of the remaining two he found himself leaning towards the Spirit Energy System. While the thought of magic from the mana system seemed great what settled it for him was the fact that he already new spirits would be something his world would have in abundance. And this system seemed like it would not only let his race maintain balance among the living but the spirits as well. With his decision made he quickly selected it. After doing so a new screen popped up that he wasn’t quite expecting.

Ding!

System Notification: Power System detected.

System requests permission to regulate Power System.

Please select.

Yes No

To be honest when this screen popped up Liam found himself rejecting the idea. To be honest he still wasn’t sure if he should trust the system. Though at the same time all it has done is push him to create. He was also wondering why the system didn’t just do it. It clearly dint need his permission. So since the first time since arriving here he decided to question the system.

“What are the benefits of allowing you permission to do so.” Liam in a horse voice as he realized that was the first time he said anything out loud since arriving.

What followed was silence as Liam felt stupid in the fact that he was talking to a machine, that was equipped to relply. Right as he was about to give up and press no thought he heard another ding.

Ding!

System Notification

Positives: Power System users will gain access to Status page and level ups allowing users to direct there growth in ways they want via attribute and skill points.

Negatives: The creator will not be able to direct the growth of his race.

Liam hesitated. He was wary of relinquishing control, but something deeper made him reconsider. He didn’t know what this system ultimately intended, yet it had done nothing but guide him toward his goal of creation. What’s more, allowing his creations to take control of their own fate felt like the least he could offer them. After all, he would be bringing them into a world where the Void existed; granting them autonomy was a least he could do.

Taking a deep breath, Liam selected Yes.

He knew the risks, knew the hunger that lingered beyond his world, and yet, as he gave his creations the freedom to forge their own paths, he found comfort in the thought that, one day, if they ever learned about the Void and the dangers it held, they might forgive him for bringing them into existence despite it. With his decision made, Liam took a deep breath, pouring his final intentions into his creation. With a single, resolute thought, he brought them into existence. A gentle light shimmered, gathering in front of him as forms began to materialize. One by one, a group of men and women appeared, their eyes wide with a dawning awareness. They gazed upon their world, taking in the sights and sounds that surrounded them, with childlike curiosity flickering in their expressions.

Ding!

At this point Liam was already expecting this so it didn’t come as a surprise when he read the notification.

“Please name your new race”.

Even though he expected it part of him thought maybe he should let them name selves, but after giving it some thought he decided to go ahead and give them the name that been on his mind for a while now.

“Aeons, in hope that they see many.” He told the system.