Chapter 14: Ch 14 : The Divine Descent

Sunny's theory, the brilliant realization that had struck him moments ago, was remarkably simple in its core. He knew, from his own experience, that he could perform numerous miracles without any conventional "magic." Enhancing genes, evaporating vast bodies of water, even altering weather patterns – these divine interventions had not required mana. Many other Gods possessed similar talents, like the one who could conjure boulders from thin air. The common denominator for all these acts was Faith points; they were the true currency of divine power. He was now convinced his God of Manifestations title, which allowed him to use "manifestation magic" (as per the System's explanation), simply opened a new pathway for Faith point expenditure, effectively using Faith instead of mana as the magical source. Still within the boundless expanse of his God Space, Sunny put his theory to the test. He envisioned a simple spear, its shaft made of sturdy wood, its head a sharpened stone. But this time, he didn't merely rely on imagination. As he focused, he simultaneously channeled his Faith points into the manifestation. Immediately, the object coalesced with a solidity far beyond his previous spectral creations. This time, the manifested spear was strikingly real, tangible, and not ethereal like his earlier experiments. With a surge of anticipation, Sunny initiated his descent onto Veridia. As he transitioned from the ethereal realm of the Gods to the physical plane of his world, he noticed his Faith points diminishing faster than usual. He acknowledged the drain, a cost he would analyze later, but for now, his focus was entirely on the immediate task. He looked at the spear still firmly in his hand. It retained its form, solid and real, even outside the confines of his God Space. "Success!" Sunny exclaimed, a rare grin spreading across his face. The successful use of Faith points instead of mana opened up a veritable cascade of possibilities for his future experiments and the advancement of Veridia. He could now envision scenarios like imbuing specific humans with a fraction of his Faith, allowing them to perform "miracles" that, in turn, would generate even more Faith for him. It was a self-sustaining cycle of divine influence. He shifted his gaze to the primitive humans. They were currently seeking shelter in crude stone caves, their forms huddled together, instinctively hiding from the dangers of their developing world. They possessed no true weapons, only rough stones which they occasionally hurled at smaller animals for a meager hunt. There was no complex communication between them yet, only grunts and rudimentary gestures. It had been only two Godly hours since their initial evolution, but in planetary time, a staggering three years had already passed. But Due to the accelerated 10x evolution rate, their bodies had already matured, now resembling young adults of around 30 years, filled with nascent strength and youthful vigor. Sunny knew, with absolute certainty, that his appearance for this first encounter had to be nothing short of divine, an indelible impression etched into their primitive minds. For this pivotal moment, he had crafted a mask that transcended mere disguise, becoming instead a potent symbol of awe and undeniable authority. The mask Sunny chose was deceptively simple in its base form, yet imbued with an undeniable otherworldly presence. It was crafted from a smooth, matte white material, almost like polished bone or a substance untouched by earthly grime. Its contours flowed organically, hugging the shape of his face with an unsettling stillness. The eyeholes were large and perfectly black, devoid of any hint of iris or pupil, creating an impression of infinite depth. Adorning the stark white surface were symmetrical markings of a deep, vibrant violet, almost like solidified cosmic energy tracing ancient pathways. These markings began as stylized curves above the black eyeholes, flowing downwards in elegant, tapering lines that ended in three distinct teardrop shapes beneath each eye. These violet markings seemed to subtly shift and shimmer in the faintest light, hinting at a power contained within. From the base of the mask, where it would meet his neck, hung strands of a pale, fibrous material, reminiscent of dried reeds or bleached hair. These strands were numerous and moved with an almost imperceptible life of their own, whispering secrets on unseen breezes. But the true power of the mask lay within the void of its eyeholes. When a primitive human gazed into them, they wouldn't see mere blackness. Instead, they would perceive the infinite expanse of the cosmos. Nebulae swirled in vibrant hues of purple, crimson, and emerald, distant galaxies glittered like scattered diamond dust, and the very fabric of spacetime seemed to warp and bend within those impossible depths. The sheer scale and ancient majesty held within those eyes would overwhelm their nascent minds, triggering an instinctive, involuntary response of complete submission and reverence. Their bodies would bow, their heads would lower, not out of conscious thought, but as a primal reaction to witnessing the infinite power and unknowable grandeur of the universe embodied within the gaze of their God. "Too costly! But its features are also awesome," Sunny remarked to himself, a hint of satisfaction in his voice, as he felt the 40 Faith points drain from his reserves for the creation of this truly divine artifact. With a final adjustment, he put on the mask, its strange, otherworldly weight settling upon his face. His first direct interaction with his creations was about to begin.