Chapter 38: Decorating Volcan
Volcano’s gaze wandered across the treasures silently revolving before him.
Unlike the Froststeel he had buried earlier, these resources weren’t meant to remain together. Each possessed its own nature, each belonged somewhere different, and if he simply threw everything into one place it would surely be a waste.
The Glacial Heartstone slowly rotated before him, its crimson and azure currents flowing together in perfect equilibrium.
"I’ll have to find a suitable place for it... it has the ability to change the geographical balance of Volcan after all."
Volcano’s consciousness gradually merged with Volcan once more, allowing the entire planet to unfold beneath his divine senses. Rivers of magma pulsed beneath the crust like glowing veins, towering volcanoes breathed pillars of smoke into the sky, while countless primitive creatures wandered across the harsh landscape, struggling to survive beneath the world’s unforgiving environment.
His perception eventually settled upon the dormant mountain range where the first Froststeel vein now rested. The mountains stood quietly among countless volcanic peaks, appearing no different from any other range scattered across the continent.
"No matter how much I look at it... I really can’t find a better place than this. The Silicari live on another continent while my Magnaris are here. Not to mention, any one of the three civilizations could eventually discover this place if they work hard enough."
He continued observing the mountains in silence. The first Froststeel vein had already been buried beneath the tallest peak overlooking Gre Ka Go’s settlement. He could certainly use the same mountain as the foundation for the Glacial Heartstone as well, yet the longer he stared at it, the more something about the idea felt wrong. If he kept placing every valuable resource beneath the same mountain, the place would eventually become absurd.
It was meant to be a land of opportunity, not a treasure chest overflowing with every rare resource his world possessed. Shaking his head at the thought, Volcano reluctantly shifted his attention elsewhere and allowed his divine senses to continue sweeping across Volcan.
His awareness crossed endless plains of cooled basalt before eventually reaching the world’s vast volcanic seas. Rivers of molten rock flowed like fiery currents between countless black islands born from ancient eruptions, most of which were nothing more than barren masses of volcanic stone. It was only after several moments of searching that his eyes suddenly stopped upon a solitary island resting several kilometers away from the mainland.
It wasn’t particularly large, nor was it completely isolated from civilization. Anyone determined enough could eventually reach it by crossing the volcanic sea, yet it remained distant enough that no tribe would ever stumble upon it by mere coincidence. The island itself was dominated by a towering dormant volcano whose summit overlooked the surrounding ocean of lava, making Volcano’s eyes gradually brighten.
"...There."
"I think this island will do. It’s close enough to matter, yet distant enough to become an expedition."
If one day a civilization became capable of building vessels strong enough to cross Volcan’s molten seas, and if one day explorers gathered enough courage to leave the safety of the mainland, then this lonely island would become the reward awaiting them.
Without another word, Volcano gently extended his hand.
The Glacial Heartstone drifted forward before dissolving into countless crimson and azure motes of light. Guided by his divine authority, they streaked across the endless sky like a brilliant comet before disappearing into the deepest chamber of the dormant volcano.
The very moment the final trace of light vanished, the island trembled.
A deep rumble echoed from beneath the crust as rivers of magma hidden within the mountain surged violently before gradually calming once more.
For a brief instant, the entire volcano seemed to reject the foreign power that had entered its heart, but the resistance slowly faded as the two opposing forces began settling into a fragile balance. The magma surrounding the island continued flowing as fiercely as before, yet high above the volcano’s summit, tiny white flakes slowly drifted through the scorching air without immediately melting.
Volcano stared quietly at the unbelievable sight, a smile gradually appearing on his face as a quiet sense of accomplishment filled his heart. For the very first time since Volcan had come into existence, snow had fallen upon his volcanic world.
Far beneath the mountain, the Glacial Heartstone silently radiated its influence. It neither extinguished the volcano’s fire nor allowed the frost to dominate it. Instead, both elements gradually accepted one another, forming a delicate equilibrium that slowly began changing the island itself.
Steam escaped continuously from countless cracks along the mountainside, wrapping the entire volcano in a thin white veil, while the highest cliffs became cool enough for pale frost to cling to their surfaces before disappearing beneath the warmth of the rising sun.
[Ding!]
[Epic World Resource Successfully Integrated.]
[Glacial Heartstone has synchronized with the environmental laws of Volcan.]
[Regional Phenomenon Created.]
• Frostfire Ridge (Epic Landmark)
A land where eternal frost and volcanic flames coexist in perfect balance.
The region possesses unique ecological and geological properties unavailable anywhere else within Volcan.
Volcano quietly admired the notification before lifting his gaze toward the island once more. Right now, it was nothing more than a dormant volcano surrounded by an endless sea of magma, with only the faintest traces of frost beginning to challenge the overwhelming heat, yet he could already imagine what it might become after centuries of natural evolution.
Perhaps one day glaciers would crown its summit while lava continued flowing beneath them. Perhaps strange forests capable of surviving both scorching heat and freezing cold would spread across its slopes.
Perhaps entirely new species would evolve there, adapting to an environment that should never have existed in the first place. Or perhaps explorers from the mainland would one day stand upon its shores, believing they had discovered the greatest mystery in all of Volcan.
"...I’ll leave the rest to time."
With a satisfied smile, Volcano withdrew his gaze from the slowly changing island before turning his attention toward the remaining treasures still quietly revolving within the endless Void.
The magnificent Aurora Crystal slowly drifted closer, ribbons of violet, blue, and silver light flowing beneath its crystal-clear surface as gentle waves of mana quietly rippled into the surrounding darkness. Unlike the Glacial Heartstone, this crystal wasn’t meant to reshape mountains or alter the geography of Volcan. Its true value lay in its astonishing ability to conduct mana and gradually increase the mana density of its surroundings, making Volcano hesitate as he gently picked it up.
"Now... where should I place you?"
Being completely unfamiliar with how magic truly functioned within Godcraft Genesis, he found himself in a dilemma. His civilizations had yet to discover mana, let alone learn how to manipulate it, so burying such a valuable resource near them would accomplish little in the present era. Even so, one thing remained obvious. If a civilization ever learned to wield mana, this crystal would undoubtedly become one of the greatest treasures within Volcan.
Rather than searching for another volcanic region, Volcano once again spread his consciousness throughout the world, this time looking for somewhere untouched. Somewhere peaceful. Somewhere that could quietly nurture mana for centuries without being disturbed by the rise and fall of civilizations.
His perception wandered across countless forests, mountain ranges and valleys until it finally settled upon a lonely mountain standing far beyond every known settlement. There was nothing particularly remarkable about the place. It wasn’t the tallest mountain on the continent, nor did it possess abundant natural resources. Dense forests blanketed its lower slopes while jagged cliffs surrounded its summit, leaving the mountain isolated from almost everything around it.
"...You’ll do."
With a gentle flick of his finger, the Aurora Crystal dissolved into countless threads of violet, blue, and silver light before drifting silently across the heavens. The brilliant streams eventually disappeared beneath the mountain’s summit, and almost immediately the surrounding landscape responded.
Tiny specks of light slowly rose from the forests surrounding the mountain.
They resembled countless fireflies dancing among the ancient trees, yet rather than fading away, they continued gathering higher and higher until a faint aurora gradually stretched across the night sky above the mountain. The colorful lights gently swayed overhead, bathing the lonely peak in a soft radiance that made the entire region appear almost dreamlike.
At the same time, subtle waves of mana quietly spread through the surrounding land. They were far too weak for any living creature to notice, yet they continued accumulating little by little, enriching the environment with every passing moment.
[Ding!]
[Aurora Crystal Successfully Integrated.]
[Environmental Influence Detected.]
[Mana Density within the surrounding region will gradually increase.]
[Mana-rich Zone: Developing.]
Volcano nodded with satisfaction as he admired the beautiful sight unfolding before him.
"It’s wonderful..."
"It’ll probably become important much later."
His attention soon shifted toward the twenty kilograms of Froststeel Ore quietly floating nearby.
"I think I’ll place these closer to the Magnari I rescued rather than the Silicari. They’re already predatory enough, and I’ve also buried some for Gre Ka Go’s tribe. It’s only fair that another tribe receives a chance as well."
Without wasting another moment, the Froststeel Ore instantly shattered into countless shimmering fragments before diving beneath the earth surrounding the Magnari settlement Volcano himself had rescued.
Rather than concentrating everything into a single deposit, he carefully scattered the fragments beneath several rocky hills overlooking the village. Some veins rested close enough to the surface that they could be discovered within only a few generations, while others sank much deeper into the crust, patiently waiting for a civilization advanced enough to seek them.
"...That should keep them mining for quite a while..."
"...Provided they actually learn how."
Only two resources remained before Volcano.
Twenty Eternal Ice Crystals.
And three Spirit Ice Essences.
He quietly stared at them for a surprisingly long time.
Unlike everything else he had obtained, these didn’t feel like resources that should simply be buried beneath the earth. The Eternal Ice Crystals continuously released a pleasant chill despite floating within the warmth of his divine aura, while the three Spirit Ice Essences quietly revolved around them like tiny moons formed entirely from condensed blue mana.
"Hmm..."
"They’re consumable resources..."
"If I bury them now... they’ll simply disappear into the world before anyone even realizes they’re there."
He slowly rubbed his chin as countless possibilities crossed his mind.
Perhaps one day Gre Ka Go would discover alchemy.
Perhaps another civilization would master enchanting.
Or perhaps a future trade with another god would require exactly these resources.
There were simply too many unknowns.
Unlike the Glacial Heartstone or the Aurora Crystal, whose value came from permanently enriching the world itself, these resources were treasures that would reveal their true worth only after civilizations had advanced far enough to make proper use of them.
After thinking for another moment, Volcano slowly nodded to himself.
"I’ll save these for later."
With a gentle wave of his hand, both the Eternal Ice Crystals and the Spirit Ice Essences dissolved into streams of pale-blue light before quietly disappearing into his Divine Inventory.
The endless Void gradually fell silent once more.
Far below, however, Volcan was anything but unchanged.
Frostfire Ridge had already begun its slow transformation, becoming a land where fire and frost would coexist for countless generations. A lonely mountain quietly nurtured the world’s very first mana-rich region beneath an ever-present aurora, while two separate Froststeel deposits now slumbered beneath the planet’s crust, patiently awaiting the civilizations destined to uncover them.
Volcano folded his arms behind his head as he quietly admired the slowly rotating world beneath him. A satisfied smile gradually spread across his face as a strange warmth filled his heart.
"Hehe..."
"It feels like every decision I make today is creating a story someone else will live hundreds... maybe even thousands of years from now."
For the first time since entering Godcraft Genesis, he truly felt like a god. He wasn’t merely watching civilizations grow anymore. Little by little, he was shaping the stage upon which their future stories would unfold.
"And decorating my planet....was far more fun than I ever imagined."
He slowly closed his eyes before clasping his hands together in silent gratitude.
"Thank You, God..."
"I’m truly grateful You allowed me to exist in this era."
The prayer had barely left his lips when a familiar notification quietly appeared before his eyes.
[Ding! You have received a message from Goddess Nova.]
Volcano blinked before opening the chat with a curious smile.
"...I wonder what she wants this time."