I Have a God Simulator

The company finally started its round of layoffs.

Two veteran employees didn’t show up at their desks. Their workstations had been cleared out, completely empty. Departures always began without warning and ended without a trace.

There were no heartfelt goodbyes, farewell parties, or well wishes like you see on TV.

Just people silently disappearing.

Luh Yao had actually been mentally prepared for this.

Boss Huang’s earlier implementation of work-from-home was a form of stealth layoff, using pay cuts to force out those who were just coasting.

As Luh Yao was leaving the building, Sister Peng caught up to him in her Mazda.

She rolled down her window and said, "Need a ride?"

Luh Yao quickly shook his head.

"I have something serious to talk to you about."

Sister Peng’s smile vanished. "A classmate and I started a small renovation company. She supervises the sites and handles hiring, while I do the designs and budgeting. We’ve been at it for two years now. It’s doing pretty well."

"If you’re interested, you could come work with us."

Luh Yao finally understood.

No wonder Boss Huang was worried about Sister Peng leaving. It turned out she had this side business all along.

"If you’re thinking of quitting and haven’t found another good job yet, you can give our place a try. The pay might be a pleasant surprise."

Luh Yao was a little confused.

’I haven’t said anything about quitting.’

"You’ve been so distracted lately, always spacing out and lost in thought... Did you and your girlfriend break up?"

"..."

"Guess not."

Sister Peng said, "The only things that consistently trouble a man are women and his career. The way you’ve been acting, doesn’t that mean you’re unhappy with work? Old Huang even asked me about it."

Luh Yao thought, ’This is a complete misunderstanding.’

It was all because of the simulator; he couldn’t help but constantly think about the Pixel World. The change of Eras and the new version of the Fragment World had him constantly mulling over his next moves.

"So you’re really not quitting?"

Luh Yao shook his head.

"Alright, I believe you. I’ll tell Old Huang that later."

Sister Peng started the car. "He’s actually the one who asked me to sound you out. But I figured, if you really were going to leave, you might as well come to my place. See ya."

Luh Yao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’I never thought my unintentional actions would leave such an impression on others.’

The economic climate was poor. From the boss to the employees, everyone was tense and on edge. The workers were afraid the boss would take the money and run, and the boss was afraid his staff would just delete their accounts and disappear the next day.

Luh Yao couldn’t help but think.

’During the 30 years that I, their God, was gone, many of the little pixel people must have suspected they’d been forgotten and abandoned by me.’

...

Luh Yao sat at his computer, eating the dumplings Xiaohuo had prepared while moving the mouse.

He had been too busy yesterday, so after he’d managed to create the two wonders and name them, he went straight to sleep without even checking their Attributes.

Now, he began to click on them one by one to check.

...

[Yao Clan People’s Monument]: An ancient Monument built by the Garlic Tribe. An edifice that predates the city, it records the names and deeds of the pioneers.

In the city where the Yao Clan People’s Monument is located, all individuals gain +1 Morale, and the chance of negative city events is reduced.

...

’The chance of negative city events is reduced?’

That was a new buff too.

Luh Yao figured it probably referred to things like pirate attacks, widespread diseases, or civil unrest like what happened in Yan City... events that had a direct negative impact on a city-wide level.

The Monument would contribute to the city’s stability, which was a long-term benefit.

He turned his attention to the next one.

...

[Puji Divinity College]: The first Divinity School and academy established in Yao City. After the change of Eras, it evolved into a wonder, teaching Theology and other knowledge to all.

All who complete their studies at the Puji Divinity College gain +1 Knowledge and have a certain chance to comprehend the [Theology] ability.

...

The Divinity School’s function was more straightforward.

Students of the college would increase their knowledge, and once they comprehended [Theology], they would effectively step onto the Extraordinary Side, able to raise their own Tier by observing Divine Miracles.

Examples of those who evolved through [Theology] include the Legendary Prophet Hemira and the Grand Elder of the Ascetic Order, Yan Jiu.

The only problem was that the phrase "a certain chance" usually meant it was like buying a lottery ticket.

Luh Yao didn’t mind.

As long as enough people studied at the Divinity School for a long enough time, a few lucky ones were bound to appear. At least now there was a pathway to becoming an Extraordinary Being, giving the little pixel people more opportunities.

The names he had given these two wonders also represented his personal wishes.

The Yao Clan People’s Monument.

He hoped the Garlic Tribe would remember that it was all the people who created the tribe’s History, and that the Heroes on the Monument were merely representatives of everyone.

The Puji Divinity College.

The name implied that the Divinity School was meant to aid the most common majority of the little pixel people.

The establishment of the two wonders brought Luh Yao two Apostle Marks and further solidified the leading position of the already dominant Yao City.

Luh Yao began to check the census.

Population: 61,420

Yao City: 29,508

Yan City: 14,113

Saniluo: 15,090

Other: 2,709

The "Other" population referred to those people or Extraordinary Life forms who had not settled in the three cities but still held Faith in Luh Yao.

At the beginning of this Era, the populations of Yan City and Yao City had been nearly equal. Now, Yao City’s population was growing rapidly, while Yan City’s was in a continuous, sharp decline.

Luh Yao carefully observed the little people inside Yao City.

The city now had many immigrants, dressed in all sorts of clothes and adornments. A considerable number of them were escaped slaves.

Many people had fled from the Salt Pool and flowed into Yao City.

The long-term spreading of Faith had made Yao City more attractive to islanders, mountain folk, and Wild People. Possessing three wonders made Yao City exceptionally dazzling, its reputation far-reaching.

As one grew, the other waned, and the size difference between the two cities was suddenly stretched wide.

Despite the continuous influx of a large immigrant population, the Order in Yao City was not affected in the slightest.

This level of urban governance was thanks to the stability of the Divine Hall Council.

Luh Yao switched his perspective to the city’s leader, Prophet Yaoshao.

At the entrance to a side hall on the outskirts of the Divine Hall, the 53-year-old Prophet Yaoshao was addressing the members of the Divine Hall Council.

"Soon, the Divinity School will need to add a [Medical College]. Scholars must learn pharmacology and how to treat the sick."

"The Scholars of the Divine Hall Council must not only go to Yan City and the various islands of the sea, but they also need to further exchange knowledge with the Fish People of Saniluo. We still know very little of this world; we must remain humble and diligent."

"Starting this year, every new Scholar who joins the Divine Hall Council must complete at least one pilgrimage. The sites of Divine Miracles contain countless points of knowledge and inspiration; they are a natural treasury gifted to us by our God."

A Scholar spoke up, "Prophet, that group of Believers in the north has been hoping to gain Yao City’s recognition. They call themselves the [Northern Divine Hall Army] and have sent messages by carrier pigeon, hoping for our support..."

"Yao City has a policy of not interfering in Yan City’s internal affairs."

Prophet Yaoshao’s stance was firm. "Reply to them that if they can completely eliminate the slave trade in Yan City, we would be very grateful. If they free the slaves, Yao City will continue to properly accommodate them."

...

Next, Luh Yao turned his attention to Yan City.

Inside Yan City’s council hall, the Citizen Council was still bickering.

Someone proposed, "We must form an army. Gather the slaves and organize them into a complete and powerful force. Only then can we resist the pirates’ constant harassment. Then, we can venture out to sea and destroy the pirates’ lair."

"A fine idea. But how should we account for the gathered slaves? Slaves are property. I could sell my slaves to all of you here at a low price to support the city’s defense."

"Absurd! You’re still thinking about the slave business at a time like this!"

"Then are you willing to donate your own slaves for free?"

"You!"

"How about we let one person take control of all the slaves and have them fight together?"

"No! What if we lose control? How do you know that this person, having gained control of all the slaves, won’t be even more dangerous than the pirates?"

"In my opinion, it’s just a matter of not enough money. Let’s keep negotiating with the pirates. Whatever they ask for, we’ll give them..."

"How can we do that! That’s no way to do business!"

"Quiet, everyone."

A Slave Trader said, "In my view, we should ask Yao City for help. Let Yao City’s Divine Hall Council drive out the pirates. Since the Extraordinary Warriors led by Mr. Salt Geller cannot join the battle, our only hope is assistance from the Divine Hall Council."

"No!"

"The Divine Hall Council wants to abolish the slave trade! That’s absolutely out of the question!"

The proposal was rejected by everyone.

Luh Yao glanced outside the city.

Yan City’s old port was still in ruins. A new pier was under construction to the west, but it was still in the early stages. There were still signs of destruction and Burning in the surrounding area, indicating a previous attack from the sea.

Luh Yao could see it all clearly from his overhead perspective.

Further out at sea, three galleys of the Northern Divine Hall Army, packed with little people, were aggressively approaching.

Another great battle was about to begin.

For the current Yan City, just successfully rebuilding the port would be a victory in itself.