For the next few days, Nexus continued visiting the grand library while also exploring different places in Country K.
Upon entering the grand library, he was greeted by the librarian—a slim-built figure with four arms.
"Welcome, Nexus! What will you be needing my help with today?" Richard asked, his tone carrying clear fondness for him.
At first, Nexus had been puzzled by the curious looks Richard gave him. Later, thanks to Richard, he discovered the reason—he resembled one of the rarest main species, thought to have gone extinct after the Great Storm thousands of years ago.
The Great Storm had brought not only the Star Beasts but also new energy sources, mutating the DNA of the original five species into the thirty-five intelligent races that existed today.
Over the past few days, Richard had grown fond of Nexus. It was rare to find someone who shared his passion for knowledge.
"So, what subject will you be reading today?" Richard asked.
"Cultural entertainment. Preferably general entertainment," Nexus replied.
"Interesting choice. That would be section thirty-eight."
"Thanks."
"No problem," Richard grinned. "But make sure to share the rest of the story. It was amazing!"
"Haha. It's not that amazing, but alright."
"What do you mean?! It's AMAZING! Don't be so humble!"
"Alright, alright," Nexus said, waving as he walked away.
Lumos appeared beside him—unseen by others.
"Master, why are you spending time coming to this library? You can easily get the information," Lumos asked.
"You don't understand, Lumos. Sure, it's easier, but it's not fun. The process itself is something to be enjoyed. If you take shortcuts all the time, you lose the motivation to do the work. For others, it's different, but for me, this is it."
"I see… Besides, Master, the grand Q&A will start soon. Are you ready?"
"Ready as always."
A few hours later, Nexus sat beneath a tree on the floating island, a glowing panel hovering before him.
It displayed different players—their playthroughs, their experiences, their enjoyment. Some had struggled at first, unable to grasp the mechanics, but that was normal. Not everyone enjoyed every genre. In those cases, Nexus had left small tips, guiding them without outright interfering. Soon, they had found their rhythm, overcoming their struggles and truly immersing themselves in the game.
He checked the time.
"It's time."
With those words, he disappeared from the island.
In a surreal expanse of floating islands, each one bore its own unique style. Some shimmered with waterfalls that flowed endlessly into the sky, while others pulsed with neon lights or thrived with ancient, towering forests. Over it all, a massive sun loomed, casting a warm, orange glow across the dreamlike realm.
But among these islands, one stood apart.
It was a breathtaking fusion of nature and the unknown—a land where towering trees intertwined with luminous crystals, their surfaces glimmering like captured starlight. At its center lay a grand circular platform, surrounded by chairs sculpted from pure crystal, refracting colors that danced like living light. The sheer beauty of it left onlookers mesmerized, their awe lingering in the air like an unspoken hymn.
One by one, figures materialized onto the crystal seats. They were the chosen ones—the lucky hundred. And as their numbers grew, so too did the wonder in their gazes. Their appearances were as diverse as imagination itself, some wrapped in elegant robes woven from threads of moonlight, others armored in obsidian and flame. Such forms would be impossible in the real world. But this… this was no reality.
This was something beyond—a realm where the impossible could be shaped at will.
A murmur spread among them.
"I wonder when it will start?" one player mused, leaning forward with anticipation.
Another grinned. "I can't wait for the Q&A session. I have so many questions to ask!"
Then—darkness.
The sky faded, the islands vanished into the void. Only the circular platform remained, bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. And then… birds appeared. Creatures of pure moonlight, their feathers shimmering with soft silver radiance. They soared in elegant arcs, their melodies filling the air—a song not of words, but of emotions, of serenity and mystery.
And then, at the very heart of the light, Nexus emerged.
The glow brightened, but only slightly, enough to cast his figure in a gentle silhouette. His presence was neither oppressive nor overwhelming—it simply was, as if he had always been there, waiting.
His voice rang clear, smooth as flowing water yet carrying an undeniable weight.
"Welcome to the first-ever Q&A session of Prime Games," he announced, his words weaving through the silence like a spell. "It is I, the one and only Elyxian."
The players held their breath. The moment had begun.
Then, the hall erupted into chaos.
Voices clashed, questions fired in every direction, the once-still gathering breaking into an excited frenzy.
Nexus sighed. Then, with a simple snap of his fingers—
Silence.
Not a whisper remained. Not a rustle. Not even the sound of shifting breaths.
The players blinked, looking at each other in alarm, their mouths moving but no words coming forth.
"Relax," Nexus said, his voice light yet steady. "Just a little trick to keep things orderly. We'll go one by one—starting with Player No. 1."
A figure at the front shifted, standing up as the silence hung thick in the air. Their voice cut clean through the void.
"Who are you? And what's your purpose?"
Nexus smiled. "Good question. My name is Elyxian. As you've likely guessed, I am not from this world. I am the creator behind the Prime Games. One of which you played. But more than that, my purpose is simple—I help civilizations grow, evolve into something greater. In exchange, I ask for energy. A simple trade—you play, you earn rewards, gain knowledge, and I gather the energy you naturally release. It's a process that benefits both sides. Nothing harmful. Nothing forced."
His eyes gleamed, the faintest trace of amusement in them. "Next question."
Player No. 2 stood. "How do we know you're telling the truth?"
Nexus tilted his head slightly, considering the words. "Fair question. But tell me this—if I had come here with the intent to conquer, to take what I wanted by force… do you think we'd be having this conversation right now? I could have drained this world dry the moment I arrived, or I could have conquered the whole planet, which I believe you understand thanks to the watch and its function. But I didn't do any of that. I don't take what isn't given. That should be proof enough."
A ripple of unease passed through the crowd, followed by quiet contemplation. More questions followed—some about the game itself, others about its mechanics. One player, eyes sharp with curiosity, raised a hand.
"What about the technology? How does all of this even work?"
Nexus chuckled softly. "Ah. That. Well, your first login should have given you a taste of how it functions. But creating something like this? Possible—but not for your world. Not yet. Your civilization lacks the means to develop such technology. However…" His gaze swept across them, letting the weight of his next words settle.
"I can provide what you need. Materials. Knowledge. The tools to advance your civilization beyond what you thought possible—perhaps even to space itself."
The air shifted.
Space.
That single word carried weight here, more than any of them wanted to admit.
For centuries, their people had reached toward the stars, only to be denied at every turn. The Great Storm had left behind more than ruins—it had woven an unseen cage around their planet, an energy field that disrupted any attempt at true progress. No spacecraft could breach it. No technology could overcome it. It was as if the universe itself had sealed them in, cutting them off from what lay beyond.
And yet, in a few simple words, Nexus had torn down that invisible wall.
A possibility bloomed. A future they had never dared to believe in.
The hundred players sat in stunned silence.
For the first time in generations… freedom felt within reach.
Nexus watched them, a faint, knowing smile on his lips. He had them now.
This game wasn't just about earning rewards. It wasn't just about entertainment or trade.
It was a doorway.
And he was the key.
The Q&A continued, question after question flowing like a river. At first, some clung to their doubts, but as the conversation unfolded, their skepticism unraveled, thread by thread.
One thing became clear.
They weren't just players in a game.
They were part of something far greater.
And this was only the beginning.
As the final question faded into silence, Nexus took a step forward, his presence commanding the space. The luminous birds that had circled above now perched along the edges of the crystalline seats, their soft glow casting a gentle radiance over the gathered players.
"Now that we're done with questions," Nexus announced, his voice rich with anticipation, "I have something important to share."
The air tensed.
"A special announcement," he continued, his smile teasing yet composed. "The first official game—and the benefits that come with it. In fact…" He paused, letting curiosity build before delivering the final blow.
"You might even say… I'm offering you jobs. Jobs with extra benefits."
Murmurs erupted among the players. Some exchanged glances, intrigued. Others leaned forward, eager to hear more.
Nexus raised a hand, and the scattered whispers faded.
"First," he began, his tone smooth and deliberate, "I am giving you all the opportunity to become official content creators for my games. You'll gain access to exclusive content—leaks, experimental features, behind-the-scenes developments. You'll provide feedback, shape the future of the game itself. And, in return, you'll earn Energy Coins—EC, a unique game currency alongside Credits."
A projection formed in the air above him, displaying two distinct icons: a radiant golden coin marked with the letters EC and a sleeker, digital-looking symbol representing Credits.
"Unlike Credits, which can be earned through standard gameplay, EC will be given only to content creators and tournament champions—tournaments that will come in the near future."
The room stirred with excitement.
Then, a voice cut through the hum of discussion. "What if we don't take it?"
Nexus turned toward the speaker, his expression calm, as if expecting the question. "Nice question," he said, nodding approvingly. "Nothing happens. No penalties. No restrictions. You simply won't receive the additional benefits." He let the words sink in before adding, "But, as a thank-you for participating in the first test game, all of you will still receive 10 EC—whether you choose to be a content creator or not."
A few players exhaled, reassured. Others still whispered among themselves, contemplating the offer.
Nexus gave them only a moment before pressing forward.
"Additional details will be provided to you via your watches," he stated. As if on cue, the players' personal interface devices pulsed briefly, signaling an incoming message. "For now, let's move on to what you've all been waiting for."
The atmosphere shifted.
The light on the platform dimmed further. The birds took flight, scattering like stars into the void.
Nexus spread his arms slightly, and with a slow, deliberate motion, he spoke.
"The first game will be…"
The words hung in the air, stretching time itself.
Then, with a gleam in his eye, he revealed—
"Craftopia. A 4D universe of magic and science!"
The announcement rang through the space like a bell, sending ripples of anticipation through the crowd. The floating island trembled slightly, as if the world itself responded to his words.
And so, the first step of the journey had begun.
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A/N: *Phew* It was a long chapter. 1938 words to be exact, I had to rewrite it. Btw, I will not be able to give you guys any promises on release schedule. I have exams every 2 days until my final exam, which is in June. It will end on the 31st July. Sorry. If I have extra time, then I will upload.