Chapter 7: Ch 7 : The Breath of Veridia and new items

Now that Sunny had successfully identified the specific genetic code required to combat the oxygen depletion, he needed to implement the solution. He had a lead, a divine blueprint for enhanced photosynthesis; now he had to make it reality. Channelling his remaining divine energy, Sunny focused his will on the Veridia ecosystem. He didn't simply inject oxygen; that would be a temporary fix. Instead, he channeled 6 Faith points into actively spreading and reinforcing the identified genetic code within the algae population. This was an Evolutionary Nudge, a subtle but profound manipulation of the genetic destiny of his aquatic life. Sunny's divine power worked as a catalyst, accelerating the rate at which these specific, hyper-efficient algae reproduced and outcompeted their weaker kin. He was prioritizing the "fittest" organisms and ensuring their survival. This would not solve the misfortune immediately; the enhanced algae needed time to propagate and increase their population effectively. But it guaranteed that oxygen production would eventually surge, restoring balance to Veridia's atmosphere. With the process set in motion, Sunny pulled back from direct observation. The biological recovery would take time, even with the accelerated evolution. He needed to wait approximately 5 Godly minutes, which translated to roughly one month in planetary time. He opened the God Chat, seeking distraction and perhaps insights into the wider multiverse. The chat was a chaotic mix of fear and boasts, centered primarily on the newly introduced misfortunes. "Am I that unlucky to face the misfortune this early?" typed one God, echoing a shared sense of anxiety. "I haven't experienced any misfortune yet and my faith points are increasing rapidly. Already have 12 faith points," boasted another God, oblivious to the fact that his luck might be running out. "I am scared, I have only 6 faith points. I don't know what my misfortune will be," typed a third, a visceral fear in his words. "Those who are facing their misfortune, can you explain what type of misfortune did you face?" typed a God trying to get some information. "Who would be stupid enough to share this info?" Sunny sighed, observing the response. He knew that in the long run, conflicts would be inevitable. Yet, he also believed that sharing basic information could prevent unnecessary suffering and potentially lead to stronger alliances. "Peace can be an option, but many Gods will still have conflict," Sunny mused. "Even if the Gods don't fight, the wise lifeforms will surely brew some conflict." As he pondered this, a surprising shift occurred in the chat. About a dozen Gods began openly explaining their misfortunes, some even asking for advice on how to solve their predicaments. Sunny glanced at the descriptions. Most of the misfortunes were typical disasters: tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or sudden droughts. No one had disclosed a misfortune similar to Sunny's subtle, ecological crisis. It was as if they were hiding the information, unwilling to reveal weaknesses beyond the obvious natural disasters. Sunny closed the chat panel and glanced at Veridia. His Faith points were increasing, a good sign, but not as fast as before. He could see that the lifeforms were still dying very quickly. "The problem is not solved yet," Sunny surmised, his understanding of Veridia's situation sharpening. The Faith points were coming from algae that were dying a natural death , not from the misfortune being cleared. He waited, trusting the evolutionary process he had initiated. After 5 Godly minutes of this anxious observation, the long-awaited notification rang in Sunny's mind. [Congratulation God Cosmos for clearing your first misfortune] "Only work and no Gifts," Sunny thought, a pang of frustration stirring within him. He was acutely aware of these types of challenges from reading hundreds of novels— you complete a difficult task and expect a tangible reward, only to receive a standard notification. He had risked his Faith and put in the mental effort; a simple "Congratulations" felt inadequate. As if to reply to his thoughts, another System notification rang, a pleasant chime that immediately captured his attention. [New items have been added to the System Shop] "Now that's something good," Sunny thought, his frustration replaced by anticipation. "Open System Shop." The translucent panel materialized before him. The shop, previously featuring only the Basic Knowledge of Life, now had five new items. System Shop Update [Atmosphere Kit (E-Grade): Provides basic atmospheric elements essential for diverse life beyond simple aquatic forms. Useful for barren or highly specialized planets. Cost: 5 Faith] [Mineral Seed Vein (D-Grade): Introduces concentrated deposits of common minerals into a chosen landmass. Essential for future geological processes, early technology, or specific lifeforms. Cost: 10 Faith] [Climate Stabilizer (C-Grade): Reduces extreme weather fluctuations or moderates planetary temperature swings. Useful for harsh environments. Cost: 20 Faith] [Basic Hydrological Cycle (D-Grade): Establishes or enhances a planet's water cycle, promoting rain, rivers, and diverse water bodies on land. Cost: 20 Faith] [Microbial Diversity Pack (C-Grade): Introduces a range of beneficial microbial life (e.g., nitrogen-fixing bacteria, decomposers) to accelerate early ecosystem development and nutrient cycling. Cost: 20 Faith] Sunny studied the new offerings. The Atmosphere Kit and Mineral Seed Vein were clearly aimed at Gods with barren, Mars-like planets, or those wanting to accelerate technological development. The Climate Stabilizer was useful but less critical for Veridia, which already had a relatively moderate environment. The Basic Hydrological Cycle and Microbial Diversity Pack, however, caught his attention. While Veridia was a water world, the Hydrological Cycle would accelerate the formation of freshwater rivers and lakes on the emerging landmasses, providing new biomes for evolution. The Microbial Diversity Pack was also invaluable; decomposers and nutrient cyclers were essential for creating healthy soil on the land, a necessary step for the developing plants and bushes. "These are valuable additions," Sunny thought. He was still low on Faith after his recent expenditures, but his efforts to address the oxygen depletion were now paying off. His enhanced algae were beginning to thrive, and his Faith points were slowly starting to rise again. He closed the System Shop panel. The crisis was averted, and new tools were available. Sunny knew that the next misfortune was only a day away, but for now, Veridia was breathing again.