Chapter 176: Ancient Gods

"Wait! Can you explain to me in a way that I can actually understand? I mean, right now, it just seems like you are just messing with me. Are you a Game Master? Like one of the devs?" Ryu couldn't tell if he was being teased or not or what! Right now, all he could see Ishtar as was some GM who thought it would be funny to play a prank on him.

"The original gods, those forgotten by time. Those were the real true gods before there were kingdoms. Before, there were any rulers or even when you humans were nothing more than cavemen barely surviving. We gods were watching it all from high above. We assisted here and there and showed you many things in order for you to progress, all for you to make it to this point.

"Now I ask, do you wish to follow the path of the old gods?" 

[Forced Quest]

[Unique God Level Quest: Path Of The Old Gods]

[Embark on the path of the old gods.]

[Quest Completion: ????]

[Reward: ???]

"This…." Ryu did not even get to do anything, and the quest was already accepted.

"It's good that you wish to embark on such a journey. I hope you will be successful in your quest." Ishtar said with a smile before she disappeared.

Ryu once again saw the whole area change on him again and found himself sitting in front of the computer inside the village, still completely confused as to what had just happened. "I won't wake up with a dick, right!?" Was the first thing Ryu was worried about.

In a secret area of the game where no one but the developers can access, Ishtar appeared and sat down in a seat designated for her. "Ishtar, you went too far messing with Ryu. You also made a slip of the tongue."

"Sorry I got into character. It was the first time I was able to go in game like that and play around. Mimi, didn't you also handle Ryu when he first started?" Ishtar asked.

"Hehe, I got him to go back and forth naked. It was a delicious sight." Mimi licked her lips before sticking her tongue out at Ishtar. "But really though, I mean, you told the poor boy you were going to give him a dick in real life!"

"I couldn't resist that dumb founded look on his face. It was just too much. So I teased him a bit."  Ishtar looked over at the screen that had a picture of Ryu dealing with a few things on the computer in front of him. "Although, I kinda wouldn't mind if I got to play with him a little bit. For a character he is, how do I say it, every girl's dream? That face is just…. I might have to turn gay in the real world and make a visit to her house. But my husband and kids might not like that."

"That doesn't mean I can't... But from what the higher ups found out, is that she is not someone we should mess with. The royal family is only investing in Soul Fusion Online because of her. One thing I have to say is that she is very different. Even those around her are starting to change in how they interact with the NPCs. I think she has figured it out or at least has a theory about our A.I. I mean the complexity in which the A.I. acts is not something that can be thrown together in a mere few years of development…." 

"Mimi, don't say more. You know we are not to speak about our A.I. systems." Ishtar stopped the conversation there. Mimi pursed her lips and stayed quiet. If someone was listening in on them now, they would have gained quite a bit of information that would not be easy to get.

---

"I am glad you all could make it!" Ryu was standing in the middle of Serenity City on top of the water fountain as he spoke to the NPCs. "As of today, Flim Village will now become Serenity City. And as the name states, it will become an actual city. This means we will be rebuilding everything from the ground up. But this does not mean you will be kicked out of the city. No, in fact, I wish for all of you to stay in rent free homes that will be a hundred times better than what you have now. 

"My people are already farming all of the resources needed for this venture. I will also be recruiting blacksmiths and other trade skills for a high salary. For those running shops, when the time comes, you will need to close down for a few days and, in the end, will receive a storefront of your own, whether it be small items or food stalls. You will each get your own section in the new shopping district I will be building.

"Your homes will also be upgraded to more advanced style homes once they are built. We will be building in blocks. So only those homes that are to be worked on during that time will need to be moved. All your items will also be perfectly safe as well as we will move them out for you and place them in storage or put them in your new home.

"For those who do not wish to move from your homes, please let me know so we can try to work something out. But before anyone makes a decision we will be building the first apartment complex on a clear piece of land. This will allow you all to check the homes yourself to see if they are to your liking." Ryu did not wish to make anyone homeless during this time and was willing to work with the people as they began building the new buildings. For those who wished to keep their homes and land she would need to work it out so they can stay in these homes. Luckily this was a world of magic where anything was possible.