Chapter 39: Nova’s secret.
[Ding! You have received a message from Goddess Nova.]
Volcano immediately opened the chat, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face.
Nova: Finished decorating your world?
Volcano blinked in slight surprise before slowly tracing across the virtual keyboard.
Volcano: How did you know?
Nova: It wasn’t difficult to guess. If I had just received several high-grade world resources, I would’ve done exactly the same.
Volcano couldn’t help laughing.
Volcano: Hehe... I guess you’re right. I got a little too pumped up over everything. And honestly... your resources are ridiculously effective on a volcanic world.
Nova: I’m glad you liked them. I picked those while keeping your world’s environment in mind.
After sending the message, she paused briefly before continuing.
Nova: Anyway... what I really wanted to ask is... have you already used your Time Acceleration Tickets?
Volcano scratched the back of his head.
He wasn’t entirely sure where this conversation was heading, but strangely enough, he found himself enjoying these casual chats with Nova. Ever since entering Godcraft Genesis, she was the only person he could comfortably speak to without constantly worrying about keeping his appearance.
Volcano: Well... I was planning to use them sooner or later, but for a certain reason I’ve decided to hold onto them for now.
Nova: Baahh! Why?
Volcano smiled helplessly.
Volcano: I have my own reasons... haha.
Nova didn’t press the matter. Everyone possessed secrets within Godcraft Genesis, and asking too deeply into another god’s plans was considered rather impolite.
Nova: Fair enough. But if it isn’t something too important, then I really think you should consider using them.
Volcano raised an eyebrow.
Volcano: Really?
Nova: Remember when you asked how I managed to obtain so many rare resources?
Volcano immediately remembered the question he had asked during their negotiations.
Volcano: Yeah.
Nova: The answer is actually simple. The older your world becomes, the more opportunities it has to naturally produce high-grade resources. Five hundred additional years doesn’t only advance your civilization. Forests continue growing, minerals continue forming beneath the earth, creatures continue evolving, and entirely new ecosystems begin taking shape. I was fortunate enough to obtain several Time Acceleration Tickets early on and used them without hesitation.
A small smile appeared on her lips as she finished typing.
Nova: You can probably guess the rest.
Volcano quietly reread her messages.
"...So that’s why..."
Everything suddenly became much clearer.
Icefrost hadn’t been born superior to Volcan.
It had simply lived longer.
Five hundred uninterrupted years meant ancient forests spreading farther than before, underground mineral veins growing richer, creatures adapting through countless generations and civilizations gradually unlocking knowledge that simply required time to accumulate.
His gaze slowly drifted downward toward the volcanic world peacefully rotating beneath him.
"So if I use them...Volcan itself will continue growing?"
The temptation Slowly stirred within his heart.
Until now, he had been thinking only about Gre Ka Go and the Magnari. He wanted to witness every step of their growth, every discovery, every hardship they overcame together. The thought of skipping centuries had always felt like abandoning those precious moments.
Before he could continue thinking, another message quietly arrived.
Nova: Since we’re partners now, I’ve been thinking about something.
Volcano immediately looked back at the chat.
Nova: Imagine enriching your world first, then activating the Time Acceleration Tickets afterward. Every new plant, every new creature and every new resource you introduce today will continue reproducing for centuries. By the time the acceleration ends, your returns could be many times greater than if you used the tickets immediately.
Volcano stared silently at the screen.
"..."
The more he thought about it...The more reasonable it sounded.
The forests would continue expanding.
The new resources would naturally integrate into the world’s environment.
The creatures would establish entire populations.
Even the Frostfire Ridge he had just created would continue developing on its own.
Five hundred years wasn’t merely time.
It was compound growth.
Every small investment made today could become something enormous by the end of those centuries.
Volcano slowly lowered his head.
"...That’s actually genius."
Yet another concern quietly surfaced within his heart.
He clenched the shimmering golden tickets floating inside his Divine Inventory.
"I still want to watch Gre Ka Go..."
The thought escaped his lips almost unconsciously.
"I want to see how he expands the settlement... how he leads the Magnari... how he changes this world."
Without thinking much of it Volcano ruffled his hair in frustration.
"Urgh...Fuck!..Can’t I freaking do both at the same time?"
Almost as though Nova had read his thoughts, another notification appeared.
Nova: If you’re worried about someone important inside your world...
Volcano’s eyes immediately focused on the message.
Nova: Then don’t be.
Nova: During Time Acceleration, you can merge your Divine Consciousness with your world. Time still passes rapidly, but you’ll continue observing whatever you choose. Everything simply moves much faster.
She paused before adding one final sentence.
Nova: You’ll probably end up watching them work ten times harder than usual.
Volcano’s eyes widened.
Volcano: F-Fuck... Really?!
Nova couldn’t help smiling behind her screen.
Nova: Why would I lie to my partner?
Nova: Try it.
For several long seconds, Volcano simply stared at those two words.
"Try it"
The hesitation that had accompanied him ever since receiving Cosmos’ reward quietly crumbled away.
His greatest concern had never been the Time Acceleration Tickets themselves.
It had been the fear of missing the story unfolding within his own world.
Now...That fear no longer existed.
A broad grin slowly spread across his face as excitement once again filled his heart.
Volcano: Alright... you’ve convinced me.
Volcano: I’ll talk to you later. Thanks for the advice... Partner.
Nova: Anytime.
Nova: Good luck watching your world grow.
The private chat gradually faded away, leaving Volcano alone once more within the endless Void.
"...Time Acceleration..."
He softly repeated the words beneath his breath while looking toward the slowly rotating planet beneath him.
This time...
There wasn’t even the slightest trace of hesitation left in his eyes.
Before using something capable of advancing an entire civilization by centuries, however, there was one thing he wanted to check first.
With a casual wave of his hand, he quietly muttered,
"...Status."