The silence of the Origin Universe was deceptive. From afar, it seemed like a tranquil cosmos — galaxies pulsing gently, stars weaving luminous rivers, the newly-formed dimensions anchoring reality. But beneath that serene surface, everything was alive. Civilizations were already adapting to the influx of new laws, and the Origins Kai had birthed were stretching their powers, shaping entire domains.
Kai drifted above the vast horizon of his inner cosmos, hands clasped behind his back. His gaze swept across planets, stars, and expanding civilizations as though he were admiring seedlings sprouting in an endless garden.
"Ten thousand years here is one day out there," he murmured. "A perfect playground."
Ema shimmered into being beside him, her form sculpted from light and code. "Playground? That's one way to call a universe that you literally are, Master."
Kai grinned. "What else would I call myself? I finally have time to relax… experiment… maybe mess around a bit."
His perception brushed lightly across entire star clusters. On one planet, scholars were already debating the sudden increase of mana density. Their libraries overflowed as they recorded new theories of "cosmic breath," their term for the abundant energy now saturating their world.
On another, warriors tested their bodies in the thickened essence of laws, striking with blows that could bend stone mountains like twigs. Their cheers echoed into the void.
Farther still, an empire of sorcerers knelt in prayer, building temples that reached cloud tops. The murals were crude but recognizable — his golden eyes, his towering form. Their chants carried reverence, fear, and awe in equal measure.
Kai chuckled. "They learn fast. They don't even know I'm peeking in."
"Of course they do," Ema said. "You've accelerated their environments a thousandfold. Even the most primitive species will bloom like flowers in a storm."
---
Experimenting with Laws and Daos
Kai extended a hand, summoning threads of light. "Let's see what happens when I push things."
He called upon Time and Chaos, weaving the two together. At first, it was elegant — golden streams of time wound around black, twisting tendrils of entropy. The harmony lasted only a second before the strands rebelled. Space warped violently; entire galaxies near the experiment stuttered, some looping in fragments of seconds, others decaying centuries in an instant.
Ema raised an eyebrow. "Master, you nearly collapsed three clusters."
"Oops," Kai said, scratching his head. "Guess I'll need a gentler touch."
He dissolved the unstable weave, restoring balance with a flick of intent. The stars hummed, grateful for the reprieve.
Next, he tried Space and Devouring. A black fissure opened like a mouth, sucking in light, energy, even gravitational pull. To test its range, Kai dropped a star into it. The fissure swallowed the celestial body whole, compressing it into a bead of infinite density before folding into itself.
Kai whistled. "That's… terrifying. Effective, but terrifying."
"That's because you created a black-hole concept without stabilizers," Ema chided. "Try combining with something restorative next time, not just destructive."
But Kai only smirked. "I'll call that one… Star-Snack."
---
He wasn't done. There was still the paradox state gnawing at the edges of his curiosity.
"I exist and don't exist at the same time," he muttered. "Let's test how far I can push that."
He closed his eyes, letting his consciousness ripple outward. Instead of focusing on one body, one presence, he attempted to fragment and project across layers of the Origin Universe.
The results were immediate.
On one planet, his colossal form appeared in the sky, eyes blazing like suns. On another, he manifested as a whispering wind that stirred oceans. In yet another dimension, he appeared as pure flame, dancing across eternal night.
He was everywhere. He was everything. And yet, paradoxically, he was still here, floating with Ema.
Kai opened his eyes and laughed. "So this is what omnipresence tastes like. A bit overwhelming, but not bad."
Ema's voice was sharp. "Don't lose yourself. If your sense of self shatters, even your paradox state won't protect you."
"Relax," he said, his grin wide. "I'm still me."
-
Just as he stabilized his paradox experiment, his attention was pulled to a planet where thousands of mortals prayed in synchrony. Their temples blazed with incense and chants, begging for blessings.
Kai leaned in, curious — and accidentally let his presence slip.
A colossal projection of his body suddenly appeared in their temple, galaxies swirling in his hair, eyes like nebulae burning with eternity.
The priests froze. Worshippers dropped to the floor, weeping and screaming praises.
"Creator! The Creator has descended!"
Kai blinked, then groaned. "Ah… crap. That wasn't on purpose."
Ema snorted with laughter. "Congratulations, Master. You've just performed your first divine appearance."
The people prostrated harder, pounding their heads into the temple floor. Offerings of gold, fruit, and mana stones piled up at the altar.
Kai scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Uhm… carry on?"
The temple erupted into frenzied devotion, priests fainting in ecstasy.
Kai yanked his projection back instantly, face red. "Okay, that was embarrassing."
Ema was still laughing. "You just made their religion a thousand times stronger. Expect more prayers from now on."
Kai sighed. "Great. I'm going to be the universe's most awkward god."
Ema materialized again, her tone shifting from playful to serious. "Master, there's one more matter."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Oh?
"The Project System Protagonist is ready to begin." Her words rang like a bell in the void.
Kai straightened, his interest piqued. "Already? I thought that was still in the works."
"It is complete. The preparations have been finalized. The only missing piece…" Ema paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Is your decision."
"My decision?"
"Yes. The soul of the selected human has already been retrieved from Earth. It rests now in stasis, waiting."
Kai's eyes widened slightly. "So it's true. The Dead Human…"
Ema nodded. "The one with latent potential. He has been chosen as the first transmigrator. All that remains is for you to choose the system that will guide him. Or…" She leaned forward, her voice almost conspiratorial. "You could create one from scratch."
Kai sat back, stroking his chin. "So I'm supposed to play god not just for civilizations, but for individuals too."
"You are the universe now," Ema replied simply. "It is only natural that you craft stories within yourself."
For the first time in a long while, Kai felt a spark of excitement he couldn't hide. Systems. Transmigration. The opportunity to shape a legend from the ground up.
"Interesting," he murmured, golden eyes gleaming. "Very interesting."
-
He rose from his throne, looking out into the endless tapestry of stars and dimensions. Civilizations thrived. Origins stirred. His paradox state hummed at the edge of comprehension.
And now, there was a soul from Earth waiting to be thrust into destiny.
Kai's smile widened.
It's time to spice things up