"What Is God’s Game?"

The forest nymph paused for a moment, staring at me curiously before answering.

"Let me guess: the world you came from is in danger. Strange phenomena are happening that may very well lead to your entire planet being destroyed."

"Wait, how do you know that?"

"Because it’s all the same for all God’s Game players across countless other worlds. This game offers you a way to save your world and the people in it."

"By completing this game, I assume?" I asked, finally seeing the bigger picture, but the look on her face told me I was missing something.

"It’s a bit more complicated than that. It is important to note that you are only in the first stage of the game. The player to complete the first stage of this game receives a reward, though I’m not certain what it is."

So this was only the first stage and even she doesn’t know what the reward is.

"After the it is completed, the top 10 ranked players will all be given the title of ’Monarch.’ After which, these 10 players will be transferred to another game world to compete against the top ten players of other worlds, hosting the biggest intergalactic event in the universe!"

The forest nymph didn’t raise her voice, but her voice carried with it a melody.

An intergalactic event! So this was all a game? Clearly yes, but one where we would be observed by unknown forces. But for what reason?

"What is the reward for winning such a game?" I eagerly asked.

Even before she answered, a part of me already knew the answer.

And honestly, I couldn’t help but feel intrigued. The idea of competing in a game on a world stage was exciting.

I couldn’t deny that I felt a dopamine rush every time my rank increased. Clawing my way up the ladder of players in a world that had so much to offer was already exhilarating. Now she was telling me there was a reward for doing so?!

The nymph smiled teasingly and let out a soft giggle, as she could clearly see how excited I was.

"The prize for completing this game is the title of ’God’."

I imagine my eyes were sparkling as I looked at her. If I had a proper mouth, I would’ve laughed like a madman.

"But don’t think this will be easy. This is only the beginning stage. There are players of different races from almost every corner of the galaxy competing. Some have dedicated centuries and millions of years to completing this game and end up failing constantly. I don’t mean to discourage you, but in my opinion, this is all but a fool’s endeavor. After reaching a certain level, you’ll have all you’ll ever need, so what’s the point in godhood? You could live a comfortable existence, but of course, most don’t see it this way."

I understood her point, but it made me even more intrigued by the title of ’God’. My ’Boss Monster’ title already offered me several benefits so I understood why everyone was competing for the same honor of completing this game.

"The fact that you suddenly showed up here must mean you’re currently in a scenario," she hypothesized.

"Yes, that’s what the strange voice said before I was brought here. But what exactly is a scenario?"

The forest nymph smiled as she began to explain.

"Completing scenario is how you complete this game. This first begins with a flag. This is usually a major event that occurs in the game world. After a flag is discovered, the player will have to meet some unknown condition to enter the scenario."

A flag, huh? I’m guessing the flag for this scenario was the forest nymph devouring the surrounding area to gain biomass to create her children, and the condition must’ve been to kill a boss monster.

"When a scenarios begins, each player is given a role based on their character and several other factors. For example, a player might find himself as a king in a particular scenario, or even a squire, or maybe the young heir to a noble family who is about to enter a magic academy. Or a scenario could just require players to compete against each other in a game or completing a certain task."

That makes sense, I suppose. This was why my character was assigned as the son of the forest nymph in this scenario, since she was the one who created me.

"Also, during a scenario, players could be transported to different worlds, dimensions, or timelines."

Interesting... I was currently inside a building, a castle maybe, but I didn’t give any thought as to exactly where I currently was. Was I still in Vesperia?

"So what is this place?" I asked.

She wore the same smile on her face as she answered.

"This is another dimension and my personal domain. In Vesperia, I exist only as a forest." Her expression and tone suddenly turned a bit solemn. "I am usually here alone. That is why I decided to create children so that I would have someone to talk and play with."

But to have children requires biomass, which is where the problem arises.

In truth, I should be grateful to her. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have the ability to evolve.

Players were randomly assigned a character when they entered Vesperia. Some were given elves, some were given demihumans, but I was lucky enough to become an evolving centipede.

"By the way, after you complete a scenario, you are given a Terra-shard. There are 25 shards in total, and it is when a single player manages to obtain all the shards that the game is completed." She explained.

That explains why so many players were eager to come here. They’re all after the shard.

Realizing this, something else worried me. This game has been active for an entire year.

By this time, players must’ve already started to collected shards.

I wonder how many have been collected so far?

If they manage to complete this game, then I won’t be among the ones transported to the other game, since I am not ranked in the top 10. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Hey, don’t worry." The forest nymph said with a gentle smile as she stroked the back of my carapace lovingly. Her touch caused my body to relax instantly.

"If you’re worried about not obtaining the Terra-shard, then I would be happy to help. Tell me, what does your objective require you to do?"