"Humans are still going to become humans even when they’re born in different worlds. But this is just far cruel."
Liam stared at Omir and the terrified boy beneath him, his expression gradually becoming more serious.
"What should I do...? As basically a god, I can’t just let something like this happen."
Liam slowed down time.
The entire world suddenly froze. The crowd remained motionless. Omir’s raised arm became completely still. Liam floated through the frozen scene while thinking for several minutes, trying to figure out how he could interfere without completely disrupting the natural development of the humans.
"Artifact Creation..." Liam muttered as he remembered his newly acquired ability. "Hey, System, how do I somehow bestow an artifact if I create one?"
[After creating an artifact, you may utilize Short-Term Physical Manifestation to physically interact with the world and transfer the artifact to another individual.]
"So I have to reveal myself."
[Correct.]
"Okay. Then how do I use Artifact Creation?"
[Unlike ordinary items, Artifact Creation possesses a fixed capacity.]
[All abilities, regardless of their differences, will ultimately be balanced by the universe. For example, if an ability were capable of destroying the entire universe, the universe would simply eliminate its wielder before such an ability could be utilized.]
[Please input the desired outcome.]
[Artifact Name:]
[Artifact Physical Manifestation: Weapons, Objects, etc.]
[Artifact Abilities:]
"Oh, so it’s basically like filling out a form."
Liam began thinking about what would be useful for the situation. He wanted something powerful enough to make an impression, but not something so absurd that the universe itself would interfere.
"Artifact Name: Dagger of Divinity."
"Artifact Physical Manifestation: Dagger."
"Artifact Abilities: A powerful dagger capable of unleashing devastating destructive attacks from its blade, such as explosive projectiles or concentrated blasts with destructive power comparable to advanced explosives."
[Artifact Created.]
Liam looked at the dagger that had appeared within the system interface.
"Now I just gotta use Short-Term Physical Manifestation to hand it over."
He paused before another concern entered his mind.
"Hey, System, what would I look like to the humans and my other creations?"
[They would perceive you as something fundamentally out of place within their understanding. Your appearance may manifest as a distorted figure, an unnatural shadow, a flickering presence, or even a voice without an identifiable source.]
"So basically something they can’t comprehend."
Liam smiled. "Perfect."
Liam resumed the flow of time and immediately activated Short-Term Physical Manifestation.
His consciousness rapidly condensed into a physical form.
Liam descended from the sky while holding the Dagger of Divinity in both hands. At first, the crowd simply assumed that the clouds had shifted and allowed more sunlight to pass through. However, one of the humans suddenly looked upward and noticed something descending from the sky.
"Why is it so bright?"
"Look, everyone! Something is in the sky!"
The crowd gradually fell silent.
Liam continued descending, his figure becoming clearer as he approached the ground.
"Look at them, all confused..." Liam thought with a grin. "This is mad aura."
He suddenly remembered something.
"Wait, I need to use Weather Manipulation to make my grand entrance even cooler."
Liam raised his hand.
"Weather Manipulation: Snow."
The sky immediately changed.
Snow began falling from above, drifting through the air and covering the settlement in white. The sudden change in weather left everyone frozen in place, staring upward at the mysterious being descending from the heavens.
"Everyone, don’t look directly at that strange object, or you’re going to faint!" someone shouted.
The moment he finished speaking, he collapsed onto the ground.
Omir, who had previously worn a confident and menacing expression, stared upward at Liam with eyes filled with pure terror. His face had become pale, his body trembling as the snow continued falling around him.
"I’m dead... aren’t I?"
Liam finally landed on the ground.
He slowly walked toward the young man, who was just as terrified as everyone else. The boy remained frozen in place, his body trembling as Liam approached him.
Liam held the Dagger of Divinity with both hands before crouching down in front of him. The weapon emitted an unnatural radiance, making the already strange figure appear even more otherworldly.
"Do not be afraid."
Liam’s voice echoed throughout the settlement.
"I have witnessed your courage, and your actions have pleased me."
The moment Liam spoke the next words, his voice seemed to reverberate through the entire settlement, as though the sound itself carried a weight far beyond anything a human throat could produce.
"Continue upon this path, and do not abandon the courage that brought you here."
The crowd trembled.
"Those noises... It feels like my head is going to explode."
"Is this the end of the world the elves were talking about?" another person muttered, struggling to remain conscious.
The boy stared at Liam with wide eyes. His entire body trembled as he hesitated to accept the dagger. Several seconds passed before fear finally overcame his hesitation, and he slowly reached forward and grabbed the Dagger of Divinity with both hands.
Liam watched him carefully.
Then he asked in a calm voice, "What is your name, boy?"
The young man swallowed nervously.
"Retian..." He then tightened his grip around the dagger.
"Retian Drough."
"Retian Drough... What a beautiful name." Liam said.
Retian Drough lowered his head slightly, still trembling as he struggled to find the courage to speak. His grip remained firmly wrapped around the strange dagger, as though letting go of it might somehow offend the mysterious being standing before him.
"I’m pleased..." Retian’s voice barely escaped his throat. "May I know what kind of being you are?"
Liam remained silent for a moment, staring down at him. He wanted to give an answer, but at the same time, there was no simple word that could possibly describe what he had become. He slowly raised his head, allowing his presence to become even more overwhelming before finally speaking.
"I am something. I am someone. I am everything. I am one."
His voice descended slowly, each word carrying an unnatural weight that seemed to resonate throughout the settlement.
"You may call me... The Entity."