Clang!Bang! Clang!The hum of drills filled the room, followed by the sharp rhythm of keys being pressed in rapid succession.
[ Alert: System initializing… Portable Consciousness Diver engaged ][ Alert: Overriding data frequency to seventy percent ][ Alert: Memory backup of Code 0.1 (Aoyama) stored in neural membrane ][ Alert: System check complete. All backups, variables, and properties secured ]
After two days of relentless work, Aoyama finally placed his tools down and stretched.
"Ahhh, finally! This might be the most exhausting invention I've ever made. But it works perfectly, even neutralizing the strain on consciousness. At least if I die, this device will keep me intact. Time to return home and hear what Crystal has been doing. Let's go!"
Thirty minutes later, he was still walking.
"I really should have invented teleportation first," he grumbled. "Oh well, still the same Aoyama."
When he stepped through the door, he called out, "I'm back, my dear daughter!"
Crystal crossed her arms with a pout. "What took you so long, Father? I've already finished my tasks ages ago." Her eyes sparkled, clearly asking for a pat.
"Good job," Aoyama said with a smile, ruffling her hair.
Her expression softened instantly.
"Anyway, what have you been doing while I was busy making this safety device?" he asked.
"I repaired a few parts of the world. Oh, and time inside advanced about five hundred years. The j-boys are long gone, and the world has grown into something far greater. Fate itself is weaving a major event about fifteen years from now. Our next step is transferring you into a body of your choice. Since you are the creator, you can customize your appearance freely through the system."
"Alright, then let me sit at my computer first before heading in."
Three hours later, after an endless struggle of customization…
"All done!" Aoyama announced proudly.
Crystal burst out laughing. "Dad, you were already handsome, but why did you make yourself even more handsome?"
"Because, my dear, a man must preserve his dignity. You are too young to understand the convictions of culture," Aoyama said dramatically.
He then gestured toward the pod beside him. "Now, I'll enter the sleeping pod. It will keep my body alive while I dive. Wait for me on the other side."
"Alright, Dad!" Crystal beamed.
[ Alert: Connection successful. Initializing pattern sequence, Code 0.1 ][ Alert: Logging in… ][ Loading: 50%… 60%… 80%… 100% ][ Alert: Login complete ]
[ Alert: Welcome, Dr. Aoyama, to Earthspire Online (Beta) ][ Alert: HyperDive initializing ]
==============================================================[ System Message ]Welcome, Dr. Aoyama.You have been transported to The Nexus.[ End Message ]
==============================================================
"Dad, finally!" Crystal greeted him with a laugh.
"It takes time. Initializing the consciousness membrane requires precision, or else the sub-worlds will warp. But the dive was successful, so show me where the problem lies."
"It's at the upper section of the world," Crystal explained. "Each time I repair the domain border, it collapses again."
"That's strange," Aoyama muttered. "Maybe the problem is outside the border itself. Have you checked there?"
"Not yet. But let's go together. I don't want to get caught in a loophole alone."
"I knew you'd say that. Then let's check it."
At the edge of the world, a rift pulsed violently.
"What in the world is that… an eye? Tentacles?" Aoyama's eyes widened.
Crystal's face turned pale. "No… this can't be happening…"
"Seriously?" Aoyama muttered, frowning.
He knocked her lightly on the head. "Pull yourself together. Let's get in there and fix it."
"Fine," Crystal pouted, rubbing her forehead.
They stepped into the rift. A colossal eye glared at them, its form so vast it towered like a planet. The air trembled as it lashed out with terrifying speed, striking dangerously close to the world's border.
"We need to move away from the border!" Aoyama shouted. "If it gets damaged further, repairs will be impossible!"
"Got it!" Crystal shouted back.
But the currents surged, the monstrous figure driving them deeper into the rift. Their bodies were swept away uncontrollably, hurled into the unknown.
[ System Message ]
[ Current Rift Timeline: 690 years old world ][ World Content: A realm of fantasy creatures, filled with magic, knights, and ancient nature, born from the wish of the Origin ][ World Name: Continent of Aeltheria ][ Continents: 5 ][ Current Helper God: Crystal ][ Creator: Aoyama ]
[ End Message ]
To be continued…