Chapter 73: Thoughts and Perceptions

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To be honest, Ji Yu was quite surprised by Adam's response—especially when he nearly pointed out Ji Yu’s own existence. At first, Ji Yu thought the Oak would reveal everything, but the outcome was, indeed, unexpected. The Oak acknowledged his existence, yet it was as if he hadn’t said anything at all. Whether to an individual or to all the believers, it left a sense of profound mystery. It didn’t seem like the usual charlatan’s trick, but was even more enigmatic than that. The way he spoke half and left half unsaid created a natural rhythm of divine mystique.

Ji Yu found this approach impeccable. However, at the same time, a heaviness settled in his heart. Adam regarded him as the savior of the world, a true deity. But could he really become such a god or savior? Just over a month ago, Ji Yu was an ordinary worker, and thanks to the game, he had transformed into this lofty, ethereal figure.

“Ethereal”—that described Ji Yu’s current state: lacking true power, yet influencing the world’s changes. This was all because of the powerful avatars he utilized. Such a state was fraught with hidden dangers. The weak being worshipped by the strong was fundamentally unstable, like a castle in the sky that could collapse at any moment.

He even lacked confidence. He believed that if Adam learned he was just a frail human, it would be hard to accept. After all, in Adam’s mind, Ji Yu was an omnipotent father, his sole pillar of spirit and faith. What changes might happen if that faith crumbled? Ji Yu could not be certain, so the thought weighed on him.

Yet, upon reflection, although Ji Yu could not be entirely sure about Adam, he had great confidence in Little Deer. Little Deer’s consciousness was truly childlike; with just a little guidance, it would trust him completely. Even knowing he was a weak human, it would still support and protect him. This was simply Little Deer’s nature, and only a bit of nurture and guidance was needed.

Therefore, with this awareness of danger, Ji Yu resolved to change himself. At the very least, he needed to become steadier, and gradually build genuine charisma. After all, who among the ancient kings and warlords was born mighty?

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What did they rely on to seize the world? Was it just their fists? Luck was important, but craft, courage, and charisma were indispensable. Right now, Ji Yu’s luck was the “Avatars of All Things” game, and each of his avatars was a pillar for changing the world, even controlling destiny.

“Though some of the ancient emperors’ methods may not suit my avatars, there’s still much to learn.”

Adam possessed an old soul, so Ji Yu met him with the demeanor of the father Adam desired. Little Deer was timid and lacking in security, so Ji Yu became a warm coat, offering a safe haven for his heart.

“A god is omnipotent, but I am not, because I am human. Still, even without being a god, I have my own strengths: I can sense the state of mind of every avatar. If I give them more care at the right time and place, any problem can naturally be solved.”

Given time, even without the game’s blessings, Ji Yu believed everything would eventually change as he wished.

Moreover, he didn’t think the “Avatars of All Things” game would let him remain weak forever. Reflecting on it, what had the game actually returned to him? Each avatar bestowed a trait upon him, and it seemed always to be their best trait. Plus, whenever an avatar under his control advanced a level, he would gain a new trait as well.

Suddenly, Ji Yu was enlightened. When Little Deer was favored by the game, he was already a level two lifeform, so only one trait—Life Grafting—was granted. Oak was favored at level one, so Ji Yu received two traits: Vitality and Natural Affinity. Natural Affinity wasn’t Oak’s trait, but a reward, which puzzled Ji Yu.

Was Natural Affinity a reward? If so, where was the trait he should have received when Oak advanced to level two?

“Did the game glitch? Or was the level-two reward replaced by this bonus?”

“But that doesn’t make sense; it doesn’t fit the nature of a game, nor its established rules.”

Frowning, Ji Yu opened Oak’s panel to check which traits Adam gained when he advanced to level two: Hardened Toughness, Area Radiation, and Solid-State Activation.

Three traits. Upon examining them, Ji Yu realized that aside from Hardened Toughness, the other two didn’t seem compatible with a human lifeform. The game had previously explained that some traits simply don’t fit humans, so Ji Yu’s thoughts were reasonable. Even the powerful Life Grafting trait was greatly weakened when applied to him, so these lesser traits probably became negligible for him.

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Thus, Ji Yu guessed these three traits might not suit him at all. The game must have compensated by granting him Natural Affinity. With this reasoning, Ji Yu felt his logic was sound.

Still, the game’s lack of notes and explanations was quite something. Hesitant and uncertain, Ji Yu decided to wait and see what happened when the Oak and Little Deer reached level three; perhaps there were other factors at play.

With future plans in mind and a rough idea about the traits, Ji Yu finally had time to take in the wild world before him once more.

After the battle with the grass cluster, the wilderness was even quieter than before—so much so that even the rustle of grass in the wind had vanished. Ji Yu couldn’t see what lay more than ten kilometers away—night, the purple moon, and the unsettling black particles filling the air shrouded the distance in a veil of darkness. Beyond that might be more prairie, perhaps more carrot-like creatures, but none of that mattered now.

The recent battle had clearly shown the distant creatures that the new overlord of this land was not to be trifled with.

Finding the silence dull, Ji Yu turned his attention to the people beneath the Oak.

The myriad facets of humanity were fully displayed in their faces. The recent battle and the Oak’s words had filled them with countless speculations, as well as anxiety and unease.

Yet, amid the unease, some people began to imagine a brighter future. After all, the Oak had said that he was not the only fantastical being in this world. These beings were of the same kind as the Oak, and their presence meant the world was not alone, nor as hopeless as they had once thought.

Some even clung to hope, recalling the Oak’s final hint: “My father, the only god.”

And so, as Ji Yu watched, time flowed quickly by. Just over an hour later, the Oak, the birds, and the humans all vanished from the world of the purple moon as suddenly as they had appeared, leaving behind only a vast pit where the Oak had taken root.