Another Elf Village
Visitor? "What? Another elf village?" Mu-wan jumped in shock, his eyes widening as he demanded confirmation from the returning scouts.
The scouts nodded and continued. "Yes, Mu-wan-nim. We spotted other elves during reconnaissance, and they explained they were from another elf village."
"The language barrier meant we had to use gestures, so it's not entirely accurate..."
"That's why Yeon-hu and Ji-gang headed to their village to check properly."
"...!!"
Hearing that the scouts named Yeon-hu and Ji-gang had gone off to a village of complete strangers, Mu-wan scowled deeply. "Those idiots! What if something happens there?"
Oh, so Mu-wan's the cautious type. Guess even among elves, there are guys like him. Makes sense—other races have all sorts of personalities and tendencies, so why not elves?
"...? They're fellow elves. What danger could there be?"
"The vibe was friendly."
Of course, most of the elves seemed to brush it off like it was no big deal. Their strong tribal bonds as a species made them absolutely convinced no other elves would harm them.
Well, in this case, the other elves are probably right over the overly wary Mu-wan. Sounds like they're being welcomed warmly since they're from another village. Still, Mu-wan's not wrong. That kind of vigilance and caution is essential for a leader protecting the village. What if those guys turn out to be the rotten sort of elves who even kill their own kin?
Yeah, he's one of the smarter elves I've got my eye on. His thinking's just fundamentally different from the others who blindly follow racial instincts.
"For now, raise the alert level. We don't know what might happen."
"...Ah, got it."
If Rasl was the friendly leader type who cooperated as equals, Mu-wan was more like a competent superior issuing firm orders. That's why even his seemingly baffling commands were followed—the elves figured there must be a good reason.
Hmm, every leadership style has its pros and cons. If Rasl had given that alert order, they'd probably ask why or say it wasn't necessary, souring the mood.
Unlike Mu-wan's village, which had this tense atmosphere, things were cheerful over there.
"Oh ho! Other elves, huh?"
"From the gestures, their village seems pretty big—similar to ours or even larger."
Unlike Mu-wan, they seemed thrilled about outsiders. Not that they particularly loved other elves, but their whole vibe was laid-back and fun-loving.
Living in a higher upstream area meant fewer external threats, even if food was a bit scarce. Fewer crises led to a more relaxed elf demeanor. And with that spare time, they'd started laying the foundations for something faster than other villages: agriculture.
They'd bring fruit seeds or plant roots from around the village land and plant them haphazardly.
The higher altitude and food shortage probably accelerated this development. Of course, it was still just the bare basics—seeds barely sprouted before withering.
It was too early to call it proper farming. But if this sparked exchanges with Mu-wan's village downstream, where the soil was richer and softer?
Mu-wan's sharp mind would quickly grasp planting seeds and growing crops. The fertile soil would nurture them well, and who knows—maybe this hemisphere's first agricultural era would dawn.
Kya... Feels like watching a human development documentary in a simulation game. This is seriously fun.
"Hmm? What's this?"
Oh! Scout Yeon-hu had spotted an elf planting seeds. Despite the language barrier, he gestured wildly to ask what they were doing.
"Ahh, babies are starting to be born now, but food's running low. Thought if we grow our own, it'd be better."
They mixed in body language, showing fruits from trees or edible plants.
"...Oh ho."
Yeon-hu and Ji-gang instantly got it. Once they report this to Mu-wan...
Hmm? I was deep into this elf civilization docu when I sensed something approaching.
A personal spaceship? Not just any—it's that famous space adventurer who interviewed Yujin, Con Arche's.
He won the mage tournament, did a victory interview, and now he's here to write his book as planned.
I'd clocked his intentions back when I was focused on Yujin. Didn't know he'd cut off other info to dive into the elf sim this soon, but I figured he'd show eventually.
Whatever—no way he'll spot us. The supernova's massive, radiant nebula blasts insane energy and radiation; most lifeforms can't even approach.
Con Arche'll just gawk from afar. No way he'd imagine a star system forming inside, with new races building civilizations.
...Still, just in case, maybe shoo him away. If he dives in risking his life, spots the finished system, and reports to the Galactic Union...
But hey, famous adventurer Con Arche. Kinda curious. A Terra who's injected Rubaran body-enhancement serums, learned Meias magic, crammed in tech from adventures... a total super soldier.
Worst case, if he spots and reports me, just wipe the memory or the info. Might as well check him out up close.
I know his face and traits, but it's like knowing about a tiger yet still visiting the zoo.
The elf planet'll be fine without me briefly. Supernova energy and radiation defenses are solid, and aside from that cult, it's rolling fine without my meddling.
Swish—
# Moving toward Con Arche as he nears to inspect the supernova remnants.
I'd toned down the sanity-warping distortions a lot, so no instant brain-melt even up close.
"...Whoa, a fresh supernova? That nebula's insanely bright. Any closer and gamma rays'll fry me."
Con Arche casually jotted notes while eyeing the massive nebula. I watched from the side, cloaked by blending into surrounding energy and visible light—hard to spot even at Jupiter size.
"Ugh... my head..."
Maybe I got too close; he started clutching his head in pain. I'd minimized distortions, but couldn't eliminate them entirely. Even at this distance, it affected him.
Duh... 30,000 km is practically touching in space. And I'm planet-sized, so wide-reaching influence.
But the distortion-induced headache must've tweaked his optic nerves or something—suddenly, his eyes locked onto me.
"...Huh?"
Ah.
Damn, he saw me. Thought I'd blended all light wavelengths perfectly.
Some anomaly in his optic nerves from the distortion let him spot me beyond light—our eyes met dead-on.
Didn't see this coming. No future info on self-induced changes, so real-time observation it is.
Even perfect light-blending camouflage fails up close to lifeforms, huh. Who'd guess proximity alone warps nerves to reveal me via non-light means?
Never tested that close before. But I'd prepped anti-madness measures like that Cthuga guy, so no instant brain-explode from eye contact.
"Gasp, huff... huuuh...!!"
Uh oh, weird. He's hyperventilating—might pass out.
Damn, just plain terror? Objective achieved—seen his face. Time to bail!
Swish—
I retreated deep into the supernova.
Sheesh... Am I still lacking that outer god awareness? Nearly killing a guy with curiosity via hyperventilation?
Or is a true outer god supposed to indulge whims regardless? No, no! I'm aiming to be a good outer god.
One who enjoys cosmic romps via avatars, stealthily watching elf life in empty spots.
Yeah, yeah. Smart move retreating. Let's check if Con Arche's okay.
If he's thinking of reporting an outer god near G-zone supernova to the Union, gotta wipe that memory.
"Huff... gasp..."
He seemed better once I vanished, still gripping his throbbing head while catching his breath.
"W-what was that? Giant monster...? Or... that rumored 'outer god'...?"
Good, he didn't fully grasp it. Now that he knows it's dangerous, just back off quietly.
"Th-this... perfect for the book...!"
...??
'The moment our eyes met on its colossal gaze, an unbearable headache struck. Just that glance exceeded my brain's info limits.'
No way, this guy's nuts. Super soldier nearly dies hyperventilating, and his first thought is book material? And that phrasing—Cthulhu mythos intro?
Unbelievable, seriously...