I Have a God Simulator

Chui Wujing had always believed that in this world, no one understood Refining and Forging better than a Dwarf.

After millennia of honing their craft, no other Race could compare to the Fireplace Race in terms of skill or experience in these two fields.

When he left High Furnace World, Chui Wujing hoped to find an opportunity to advance the art of Dwarven craftsmanship.

Arriving in the new world created by Yao God, Chui Wujing was delighted to discover that it was rich in materials. The various combinations gave him more inspiration and room to experiment.

But here, he discovered that Philos, an Apostle, possessed an astonishing talent for Forging. This talent wasn't about proficiency or consistent craftsmanship; it was more like a flowing bolt of lightning, ready to spark with new, creative ideas at any moment.

Chui Wujing didn't understand.

'Why would a noble Apostle like him engage in the hard labor of a craftsman?'

Being a straightforward person, he asked Philos quite frankly.

That lord with the menacing white bone face said, "This is my old trade. I can't let my traditional skills get rusty."

"You might not believe this, but I originally became an Apostle because I was a decent craftsman. The only difference is that, unlike you, I specialize in using bone as a material."

Philos, known as the King of White Bones, was famous for his gentle nature, despite his terrifying skeletal shell.

However, when designing and creating Artifacts or equipment, Philos would become extremely aggressive, often coming up with unexpected and brilliant ideas. His passion for creating tools was so intense that his personality would turn irascible.

If a collaborating Dwarf dawdled even slightly, Philos would inevitably chew them out.

One time, Chui Wujing couldn't help but talk back to Philos in public.

The reason was that Philos believed prosthetics could be expanded into a full-body prosthesis, where all limbs could be replaced, offering immense convenience and specialization.

Chui Wujing flatly said it was impossible.

Prosthetics needed to be driven by flesh and bone. If the entire body was a prosthesis, it would just be an empty shell inside—nothing more than a dead object.

Philos was so infuriated by the rebuttal that he seemed ready to grind his teeth to dust. His whole body rattled as he stormed off.

Afterward, all the Dwarves came to comfort Chui Wujing. They came to say their goodbyes with sorrowful faces, certain that he was a dead man, and even began planning his funeral arrangements.

One Dwarf even suggested that Chui Wujing pack his things and flee that very night. If he escaped all the way to the Dragon Nest in the north and sought refuge with the Dragon King, he might have a slim chance of survival.

No matter how gentle the King of White Bones was, an Apostle was still an Apostle—the closest Attendant to a God, a being who stood above all other mortals and could not be offended.

Only then did Chui Wujing feel the delayed Fear. His mind was filled with regret—immense regret.

'That's just how craftsmen are,' he thought. 'When it comes to our profession, we just can't hold back.'

That night, Philos found Chui Wujing.

The three Dwarves from the High Furnace Wonders desperately tried to persuade him from the side.

"Lord Philos, Chui Wujing didn't mean to offend you! He's just a Dwarf who knows nothing but hammering iron. What bad intentions could he possibly have? If you must punish him, destroy his mouth and throat. We'll help you poison him mute so he can't spout any more nonsense. He'll definitely learn his lesson!"

"Please be merciful! Everyone in the Fireplace Race knows Chui Wujing is the purest of Dwarves. He only knows Refining and Forging; otherwise, he's just an idiot. Please don't stoop to an idiot's level."

"Calm down, my lord. This is our newest batch of Honey Wine. Have a drink, it's delicious."

The King of White Bones twisted his skull. "Step aside! Chui Wujing, you're coming with me."

"We beg you."

"Please, spare him..."

All the Dwarves ran out to plead for him.

"All of you, shut up!"

Philos roared, "Come with me, and no more nonsense!"

He grabbed Chui Wujing and dragged him outside.

With a tragically heroic expression, Chui Wujing waved goodbye to everyone, only to turn around and find himself dragged into a private room within the fortress.

Philos pointed to a suit of armor inside. "Didn't you say it was impossible? I've already built it."

Chui Wujing's heart skipped a beat.

In that instant, his craftsman's curiosity and professionalism suppressed his Fear.

He carefully examined the Brass Full Body Armor and couldn't help but shake his head. "This isn't a prosthesis. It's just an empty shell that needs to be controlled. There's a fundamental difference between the two."

Philos admitted readily, "That's right. For now, my ability is only enough to make an empty shell. In the future, I'll try to create a heart, blood, muscles, and even a head. You should join me."

Chui Wujing was stunned.

The two of them immediately began discussing how to perfect the various details of the Armor.

This was the prototype for what would later become the world-renowned [Ghost Armor].

Their discussion and modifications continued for several days and nights.

Chui Wujing finally came to his senses. "...Um, Lord Apostle, how were you planning to punish me?"

"Punish you? You mean for our argument earlier?"

Philos's white skull let out a sinister laugh. "It's hard to come up with good ideas without discussion and conflict."

"I was annoyed at the time, but I couldn't find a reason to refute you."

"When you're building things, you have to be pragmatic and let the facts speak for themselves. You were right."

From then on, Chui Wujing also reined himself in, never contradicting Philos in public again. In private, however, arguments between the two became a regular occurrence.

On the other hand, these repeated arguments gave birth to a large number of fine prosthetics, special equipment, and various tools.

The birth of the [Fire Steam Furnace] made all previous creations from the fortress pale in comparison.

The first time Chui Wujing saw the powerful steam jetting from the Fire Steam Furnace and the handle and hammerhead it drove, his first thought was Fear.

He had forged sharp swords that could slice through iron and break armor, and had created many wondrous and practical Artifacts. A plentiful supply of All-Purpose Stone from Uda City had steadily increased the fortress's output, and many pieces of Fine Equipment had gone out into the world from this place.

But none of that could compare to this seemingly simple, steam-belching Copper Furnace.

This was a monstrous heart, the likes of which had never been seen before.

The Fire Steam Furnace would drive all sorts of devices. It could make water flow back and forth, turn flames into the breath of a behemoth, and make steam an invisible giant hand, pushing all kinds of tools into continuous operation.

After the empty shell, a heart had also been created.

Chui Wujing suppressed his excitement, gazing at the Copper Furnace that spewed out great clouds of white steam. It was as if he could see an incredible world: massive beasts, each as large as a Dwarf Fortress, striding forward, propelled by the surging power of Copper Furnace hearts...

Beside him, Philos suddenly knelt and began whispering something.

Chui Wujing knew that the Lord God must have bestowed a blessing.

He believed that the omniscient Yao God certainly understood, better than he did, what the Fire Steam Furnace would bring to the entire world.

...

Luh Yao watched the entire aftermath of the Fire Steam Furnace's creation.

Just as he had predicted, the device's birth quickly attracted the full attention of craftsmen and Scholars. Fire Steam Furnaces were sent to the Twin Cities one after another.

The Fire Steam Furnace became an indispensable assistant for the Divinity School, the Medical College, and the School of Engineering. A single Fire Steam Furnace could do the work of dozens of people. Once equipped with axles and other parts, they could run continuously and steadily.

This creative invention's arrival on the scene quickly triggered a chain reaction, leading to breakthroughs in numerous fields.

[Yao City has learned Fire Steam Printing and Dyeing.]

[The printed and dyed clothing of Yao City has sparked a cultural trend, continuously attracting merchants and buyers from all regions.]

[Yao City has invented the Fire Steam Loom.]

[Yao City's textile technology has greatly developed, and textile production has increased significantly.]

[Yao City has invented the Printing Technique.]

[Yao City's book production has increased significantly. The knowledge of its citizens has slightly increased, and its city prestige has increased.]

...

[Yan City has invented the Land Boat Route.]

[The appearance of the Land Boat Route has greatly improved Yan City's land transport efficiency.]

[Yan City has invented the Steamship.]

[The appearance of the Steamship has slightly shortened Yan City's maritime Trade cycle.]

[Yan City has invented the Large Bathhouse.]

[Yan City's public order has slightly improved, its city income has slightly increased, and its city prestige has increased.]

[Discoverable Wonder Prototype found: Large Bathhouse.]

...

The endless stream of notifications was a bit overwhelming for Luh Yao to follow.

[A common voice echoes through the cities. The people believe they have touched a new era under Your grace.]

—You shall name it the ___ Era.

Luh Yao typed two words.

Subtitles slowly materialized on the screen.

[The hum of the Fire Steam Furnace is incessant. Scalding steam enshrouds the cities in mist. The darling of the new era has let out its first cry.]

[From the clumsy Fighting Shovel Armor to the dangerous Clay Corpse Demon, from the silent Yunzhong Temple to the war-scarred Ghost Realm, Your fame is known to all.]

[The proud Extraordinary Beings once pushed all of civilization forward in fields like architecture, mining, Magic Potions, and farming. They created Immortal Epics and left behind numerous Legends and tales. But now, they must accept new cultures and ideas to avoid being left behind in the coming era.]

[The Yao Race has entered the Fire Steam Era.]