Hailan didn't know how to code—and Jiang Qiao didn't either.
Fortunately, Hailan didn't need complex programming to alter the rules of the world. She had her own means to implement the core systems of the game.
"The best thing about a game world is that it's way simpler than the real one…"
As a seasoned gamer, Jiang Qiao began teaching Hailan how to reconstruct this overly "realistic" world into something better.
Hailan stepped forward, tiptoed slightly, and gently pressed her fingertip against Jiang Qiao's forehead.
"Human communication is too primitive and inefficient. I will now release my power and enter Creator Mode."
Golden, intricate patterns lit up on her pale cheeks. Her pupils began to glow.
"In Creator Mode, all your thoughts will materialize. This world will become exactly as you imagine it—creatures, cities, characters—everything from your fantasies. I'll arrange and generate them in optimal combinations to create a brand-new world."
"Is this your second personality or something?"
Jiang Qiao noticed her hair turning completely golden, and her voice growing less and less human.
"Yes. Now close your eyes and experience what it's like to be a creator."
As soon as she finished speaking, she tapped Jiang Qiao's forehead again. A strange force burst open in his mind.
It felt like his IQ had multiplied a thousandfold. The flood of thoughts was overwhelming, and in that storm of consciousness, Jiang Qiao completely lost his sense of self.
Hailan began rapidly scanning Jiang Qiao's thoughts—retrieving creatures and ideas that only existed in his imagination—and started a high-dimensional computation.
"Reading… 377,000 fantasy creature combinations detected.Power calibration using Jiang Qiao as base model…Manifestation requires 177,232,000 units of energy.Energy insufficient… Beginning low-tier creature generation."
"Wait, wait, wait! We're making game mobs here, not rebuilding a full ecosystem! And why are you placing slimes at the bottom of the food chain?!"
Jiang Qiao's voice suddenly broke through her cold, emotionless narration. Her expression flickered in surprise.
She hadn't expected a human to withstand a god's thought domain.
"There's no need for reproduction or reincarnation systems. Mobs don't need to eat. Their behaviors are irrelevant. Just treat them like responsive machines.Never mind—I'll handle it!"
"Constructing world structures…Detected 73,800 types of architectural and terrain fantasies.Building logic optimized.Constructing: Lionheart City, Fallen Gorge, Blackgold Crypt, Skywatcher Beast, Tower of Eternity…Linking NPCs, questlines…Main quests: initializing… Side quests: initializing…World boundary reached. Expansion halted. Further manifestation blocked."
Two hours later, Hailan's muttering slowed. Her golden hair faded back to a vivid blue. She pulled her finger away from Jiang Qiao's forehead as if shocked.
"W-Where am I…?" Hailan looked around, dazed. Moments ago, they'd been on an empty grassland—now they stood in a city filled with diverse architectural styles.
"Didn't you just build this?" Jiang Qiao rubbed his head, still dizzy from the two-hour surge of omniscient power.
To be honest, it wasn't a good feeling. If he hadn't had a strange way of thinking, he'd probably be brain-dead right now.
"I only read your consciousness! And… and I can't retain memories from Creator Mode," Hailan admitted, biting her lip. "You'd better hope this world transformation worked—I don't have enough energy left for another large-scale overhaul!"
"So that's how it is. Relax—this game world turned out great."
Jiang Qiao looked at his HUD—a semi-transparent game UI had appeared. In the upper right corner were indicators for HP, MP, and Level.
A glaring LV1 tag stood out. Nothing else showed yet.
He raised his finger and swiped through the air. A transparent menu appeared, listing tabs like Character Stats, Inventory, Skills, and more.
Opening Character Stats, a screen full of numbers appeared:
Name: Jiang QiaoClass: Stat Template for Game World CreaturesLevel: LV1Constitution: 10Strength: 10Agility: 10Wisdom: 10Spirit: 10Luck: 10
Character Description:To prevent you from forgetting, here's a note: All in-game creature stats are based on your real-life combat power.For example, a monster with 20 Strength = "Two Jiang Qiaos" in combat power.More details await your discovery.PS: I left a Class Change Manual and a Rename Token in your inventory. Explore the game freely!—Creator Jiang Qiao
"Why do I kind of hate my Creator self…" Jiang Qiao muttered as he opened his inventory.
"I hate it too!" Hailan chimed in immediately.
"…"
Jiang Qiao ignored her and pulled out one of the only two items in his inventory—a Class Change Manual.
After all, he couldn't seriously walk around calling himself a "Stat Template."
The manual was as heavy as a dictionary. As he opened it, streams of text floated into the air as holograms:
"Warrior, Mage, Assassin, Cleric, Gunner, Knight, Priest…"
"You actually pulled it off." Jiang Qiao was amazed. The job system he'd only dreamed of while gaming had become reality.
What made it unique was the Job Evolution Tree.
At Level 25, 50, 80, and 100, a player would go through four milestones: Class Change, Awakening, Advanced Class, and Ultimate Awakening.
For instance, a Warrior could become a Magic Knight or Heavyblade. But if he used a hammer instead of a sword, he might instead evolve into a Breaker or Hammer Champion, with stats focused on Strength and Armor Penetration rather than Agility.
This was just one example. But Creator-mode Jiang Qiao had truly implemented a complex branching class and skill system.
Just from the systems alone, Jiang Qiao knew this world had surpassed being "just a game."
"Turns out I'm pretty competent."
He didn't rush to pick a class. As he closed the manual, a translucent message popped up in front of him:
"Current max level: 50.Game world area: 240 square kilometers(approx. 3 times the size of GTA V's map).80% of Hailan's energy was consumed during creation.⚠️ Urgent: Expand game world and replenish energy as soon as possible!"
Jiang Qiao read the message aloud and looked at Hailan.
Her face basically screamed: "So what if it's small?! Not my fault!"
"Alright. Let's talk about how to expand the map… and figure out how to restore your energy supply."
(End of Chapter)