Chapter 27: Preparation
Alicia floated silently above her planet, letting her awareness sweep over every river, forest, and mountain.
Five hundred years.
The number echoed in her mind like a constant metronome.
She had thought she had time. Plenty of time.
She was wrong.
The Stars and the Void Eaters weren't some distant threats now. They were deadlines. They were rules she couldn't ignore. And if she failed… well, her planet would be gone, and she would cease to exist.
"…Great. Just great." Alicia muttered to herself, though no one could hear her. "…500 years to survive. No pressure at all."
She paused and let a hint of humor creep into her thoughts.
"…Well… at least I don't have to deal with annoying classmates. That's a plus."
The fox, as if reading her mind, hopped onto a nearby hill, tilted its head, and stared at her. Alicia narrowed her focus.
"…Yes, yes, I know you're judging me silently. Very helpful, thank you."
She took a deep "mental breath" and turned her attention to the most important question: how to survive the next 500 years.
Step 1: Growth Speed
Alicia opened her planetary interface. Her Life Energy and Soul Power levels were decent but not incredible.
If she wanted to reach Level 20 in 500 years, every day, every action, and every skill use would matter. There was no room for laziness.
She activated Sleeping Life immediately. The low-tier energy conversion method now ran automatically in hibernation. Each conversion slightly increased the speed at which her planet absorbed space energy and transformed it into life energy.
Then she checked Soul Power Creation, also set to automatic. Soul Power circulated throughout the planet, strengthening the potential of every human, beast, and plant on her world.
Alicia smirked faintly. "…At least I've got automation on my side. I'm basically a planetary CEO now."
Step 2: Race Development
Humans and beasts were her most immediate concern.
She observed the humans first. They were still scattered in small tribes, slowly learning to adapt to the Soul Power around them. Their growth rate was steady, but she needed them to become strong enough to support the planet's survival.
Next, she checked the beasts. The fox was… well, being suspicious as always. But the other creatures were forming their territories, hunting patterns, and social hierarchies.
"…You guys are cute and all," Alicia thought aloud, "…but I need you to stop being adorable and start being useful."
She considered unlocking Species Growth Bias, but decided it was too dangerous for now. Influencing them directly could destabilize natural balance. Instead, she focused on letting Soul Power do its job: enhancing potential without forcing immediate change.
"…Patience," she reminded herself. "…Even a fox can't evolve into a kung fu master overnight."
The fox blinked. Alicia ignored it.
Step 3: Planetary Defense
Next, she checked the planetary systems. Primitive Planet functions gave her new tools, but she had to plan carefully.
Barriers: She considered reinforcing her planetary core defenses. Simple energy barriers wouldn't stop a Void Eater entirely, but they would delay and weaken attacks.
Expansion: Diameter growth had to continue at a careful pace. A bigger planet meant more life potential but also more exposure. She had to balance strength with sustainability.
Resource Management: Life Energy and Space Energy were finite. Using too much at once could leave her vulnerable.
"…Okay," Alicia said, floating a little higher, "…I need to treat this like a real-time strategy game. Only instead of losing a base, the entire planet explodes. That's… motivating."
Step 4: Information Gathering
Alicia decided she needed more knowledge about Void Eaters and the Stars.
She opened the Unknown Planetary Information interface again, careful this time to claim in small doses. Pain would still come if she overloaded herself, but careful, gradual absorption could give her strategic insights without nearly dying.
"…I guess learning is basically the first survival skill," she muttered. "…And probably the most painful one."
Step 5: Long-term Planning
Alicia hovered, thinking. Five hundred years sounded like a lot. But in planetary time, that was a blink.
She had to create ecosystems capable of cultivating Life Energy, train races to reach their potential, expand her territory, and prepare defenses—all while slowly leveling toward Level 20.
It was… a lot.
She paused and smirked. "…Good thing I don't have to do laundry anymore. Small wins, people."
Then she grew serious.
"…Alright. Step one: automate as much as I can. Step two: let Soul Power do the heavy lifting. Step three: monitor, adjust, and intervene only when necessary. Step four… survive."
Her fox sat beside her now, completely still. Alicia stared at it and muttered:
"…You'd better start being useful eventually."
The fox tilted its head. Alicia rolled her non-existent eyes.
Far below, the planet began its slow, steady hum. Rivers flowed, forests breathed, and Soul Power circulated through every living thing.
The 500-year countdown was ticking. And Alicia knew one thing clearly: she would not waste a single day.
But even as she planned, she felt a strange tension in the void.
Something was watching. Something patient. Something… hungry.
Alicia narrowed her awareness and whispered:
"…I see you. And I will be ready."
The winds moved across her growing world. Life continued. But deep in the void, beyond the stars, something stirred.
A shadow that had been waiting for centuries now shifted toward her direction.
Alicia's hands—if she had hands—tensed slightly.
The game was about to get real.
Author Note
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