I Have a God Simulator

Just as Luh Yao was preparing to advance into the Abyss, a notification popped up on the game interface.

—A Believer has developed Wisdom. Would you like to transform him into a Prophet?

Luh Yao clicked the notification bar, and the screen jumped to Yan City, where a small child was shimmering with a faint light.

His name was Shi Bao, and he was 11 years old.

As the saying goes, heroes often emerge from the young. As long as he had genuine talent, his age wasn't an issue.

Luh Yao converted him.

In the character portrait, miniature cities built of stone dotted the ground. A young boy was squatting, using his hands to lay out roads connecting each city.

Below the image was a line of text.

—The most important thing about a city is its planning.

...

[Prophet Lv1] Shi Bao

Attack 0 Defense 0 Knowledge 2 Mana 0 Luck 1 Morale 1

[Abilities]

Wisdom Lv1: Wisdom is the key for an Apostle to listen to the Divine Will. The higher the level of Wisdom, the easier it is to improve and comprehend various abilities.

Inventor Lv1: Skilled at inventing. Increased probability of inventing new things.

Stone Worker LV1: Skilled at quarrying and processing stone materials.

Spirit Communication LV1: Can see and interact with Ghosts and speak with the Dead.

...

[History]

At age 8, he was struck in the head by a stone, causing deafness in his left ear and granting him [Spirit Communication].

Became a Prophet at age 11.

...

Judging by his name, Shi Bao was born into a family of Stonemasons.

The [Spirit Communication] ability was something the pixel people had never possessed before.

What was most rare was his young age and his innate Inventor attribute. The last Inventor was Prophet Yaoshao, who was now in Yao City.

Fortunately, Doron Nunu was in the Divine Hall in Yan City. He was experienced enough that mentoring a newcomer would be no problem for him.

After the Little Prophet Shi Bao entered the Divine Hall, Doron Nunu indeed gave him a warm welcome.

"Excellent! Yan City needs young people, and it needs the vitality and hope you bring! The Lord God is truly far-sighted."

"Do you have a charcoal pencil and paper? You know how to write, right? You'd best write down what I'm about to say."

Doron Nunu began to explain the daily duties of a Prophet to Shi Bao.

"...Aside from praying and listening to the God's will, you also need to pay attention to the Believers, that is, the voices of the citizens."

"This is what a Prophet does. We ease the Lord God's worries and petition on behalf of the people."

"But in truth, the Lord God is extremely busy. Whether it's Lord Yao God or the White God, Their eyes are on the countless living beings of the entire world. Sometimes, They even have to leave temporarily to deal with other worlds..."

"So, as Prophets, we need to handle as many problems as we can ourselves. Otherwise, what's the point of having us Prophets?"

The old Prophet spoke very quickly, "In short, most of the time you'll stay in the Divine Hall, pray diligently, read some books, and then go into the city to see how everyone is living, to see if there are any particularly serious difficulties."

"If it's a problem that can be resolved through discussion, find Mayor Tonghai. In any case, if you don't look for him, he'll come looking for you."

"If you encounter threats or trouble from Extraordinary Creatures, find Commander Salt Geller. If even he can't handle it, then go to the castle and find the Blood Knight..."

"Being a Prophet is not an easy job. But you get to help a lot of people, and it will make you feel full of strength and confidence, because our God is with us."

"And one more crucial point: Yan City can lose to anyone but Yao City. This is of the utmost importance."

"Did you write all of that down?"

The Little Prophet Shi Bao, who had been recording furiously with his charcoal pencil, finally said, "I have."

"Very good."

"Then I wish you good luck. Yan City's future rests on your shoulders now."

A question mark appeared above the Little Prophet's head. "You're leaving Yan City?"

"That's right."

Doron Nunu said, "I'm already 87 years old. At this age, I'm too old; it's hard to keep up with the pace of this city. Besides, my eyes are failing, and my memory is all jumbled."

"But I had to stay here until a new Prophet arrived in Yan City. Now that you're here, I can retire. The White God has already approved my request."

"Good luck, successor."

And just like that, Doron Nunu entrusted the Divine Hall and the duties of the Prophet to Shi Bao.

He took off his magnificent Feather Robe and changed into a common linen robe. He removed the glittering rings from his fingers, set down his golden staff, mounted a horse, and rode dashingly away from Yan City.

Luh Yao saw that a clear Ghost symbol had indeed appeared above Doron Nunu's head. His life was truly nearing its end.

The old Prophet traveled all the way to Saniluo in the south.

There, he spent the final moments of his life in a small seaside cottage.

Doron Nunu spent his days taking walks, fishing, chatting and drinking with the Fish People and Dwarves, and tending to a small garden of vegetables and flowers, just like any ordinary old man. One afternoon, he fell asleep, and his aged body finally gave out.

Ghost Doron Nunu, however, had just begun a new chapter.

...

Luh Yao switched his perspective back to Yan City.

Shi Bao was only 11 years old. Although children in the Pixel World matured early, it was still a question mark whether someone his age could be a proper Prophet for an entire city.

At first, Shi Bao spent all his time reading. The Divine Hall contained books from three cities, and these volumes recorded the long history and accumulated knowledge of the pixel humans.

At age 13, Shi Bao left the Divine Hall and went out into the world.

He wore a black Scholar's robe and did not stand out on the street.

Shi Bao walked with a halting pace, barely interacting with anyone. He often stood in corners, muttering to himself.

"You can't do that. You'll scare people."

"Is it difficult for you? I'm so sorry..."

"You were separated from your family? Let me help you look for them. Don't worry."

...

From Luh Yao's divine perspective, everything was perfectly clear.

Shi Bao was speaking with one Wandering Soul after another.

Wherever he went, the Ghosts that had been hiding underground and within the walls floated out.

It was only then that Luh Yao realized so many Wandering Souls had remained in the city, unwilling to leave their hometown.

Shi Bao's [Spirit Communication] ability had unearthed the lingering Dead of Yan City.

Through these Wandering Souls, he also obtained a great deal of secret information.

"Prophet, my body is hidden beneath the southern city wall! I was murdered by a Blacksmith named Tiegu, and he stole my money. Please, help me bring this murderer to justice!"

"Rest assured. I will go and tell the mayor at once, so we can apprehend the villain."

"About fifty paces to the right of the lighthouse at the western port, there's a buried treasure chest. A Slave Trader hid it there many years ago. It's filled with gems."

"Thank you! I will turn the chest over to Yan City to help feed more of the poor."

"In the forest west of the city, there are a few Cannibal Crabs. They come out at night to poach livestock, and if anyone discovers them, they kill and eat them. Please, you must eliminate them."

"I understand."

The Wandering Souls all spoke at once, telling him all sorts of secrets about the city, and Shi Bao recorded each one on paper with his charcoal pencil.

After compiling all this information, he went to the Citizen Council to find Mayor Tonghai.

Upon hearing this series of important intelligence reports, Tonghai immediately mobilized the City Guard Army and began rounding up the criminals. Shi Bao then visited Salt Geller, asking him to lead a team to drive out and annihilate the lurking Cannibal Crabs and other Extraordinary Creatures.

After a swift and decisive crackdown on crime, Yan City arrested a number of hidden criminals. Some were imprisoned, some were exiled, and some were executed.

Shi Bao proposed an idea.

"Mr. Mayor, I think Yan City might need a special kind of building."

"This building will be for all the Dead, giving them a place to reside in Yan City. They, in turn, will become the city's most reliable source of information."

"Moreover, this building will be a bridge connecting us to Saniluo."

"That way, not all of the Dead will go to Saniluo; Ghosts from Saniluo might come to Yan City as well. Many Ghosts possess a wealth of experience and knowledge, which would be very helpful for Yan City's future."

Tonghai questioned Shi Bao about the details and immediately decided to make this idea a reality.

With his full support, the Citizen Council quickly approved the project.

Soon after, a towering, pillar-shaped tower was built across from the Divine Hall. It resembled the lighthouse at the port in shape, but was stouter and more solemn, with its main gate shut tight.

Immediately after, Shi Bao rushed to Saniluo. The advantage of his [Spirit Communication] ability was instantly apparent.

After negotiations and cooperation with Mayor Chapman, Saniluo also constructed an identical pillar-shaped tower.

At this moment, a notification popped up in the simulator.

[Yan City has constructed a special lighthouse.]

[Prototype for a usable Wonder discovered: Ghost Lighthouse.]

Luh Yao found this interesting.

His Faith Reserve was now full, so he converted the Wonder directly.

...

[Ghost Lighthouse]: A special Wonder established in Yan City. It is a residence for Ghosts and can resist the pull of the Sea of Mourning.

Those with [Spirit Communication] or related abilities can converse with the Dead inside any Ghost Lighthouse.

In a city where a Ghost Lighthouse is located, humans have a certain probability of comprehending the [Spirit Communication] ability.

...

'Damn,' Luh Yao thought.

'The Little Prophet meditated for two years like some kind of sage, and the moment he came out of seclusion, he pulled off something huge.'

'He basically built a ghost radio station.'

'No wonder Shi Bao said this building would connect to Saniluo.'

'Each new generation is more and more impressive.'

Luh Yao cast a [Scorching Sun] over Shi Bao, shining a spotlight on him as a sign of encouragement.