While the increase was amazing in itself, a window which I more or less expected to pop up, appeared by the end of the 40th revolution. By now, the mana concentration in the air was already at 1691 parts per million and both Mia and Eternity were looking curiously for the decision I would make.

The decision was obviously regarding the route my civilization would take: will it be peaceful and focus on technological advancement or if it will be a military type of world focusing on strengthening soldiers while refining the souls of the general population as well.

At least, according to E, those were the only options I had available to pick between. However...

Mana concentration has reached the amount required to create another core.

Would you like to spend 1690ppm to create a dungeon? YES NO

"Why not both?"

[Well I do not know Michael... maybe because focusing on both does not give you an advantage on either. I saw it happen before... the ones that took this path were unable to do either properly, therefore succumbed to monsters eventually.](E)

"Don't worry E! If this confirms my theory, then I could do both on a level high enough to both protect my civilization and have it advance fast through technological breakthroughs. Given that Midgard already has mana to start with, will help greatly."

Confirmation received!

Converting 1690ppm worth of mana concentration into a dungeon core... Conversion confirmed!

Where would you like to place the dungeon?

[Oh... right... you could do THAT!](E)

"Instead of an army filled with soldiers, how about a civilization filled with adventurers that will help me collect my interest from those dungeons? HAHAHAHAHA!"

I laughed like a maniac at the stupidly good idea I just got. I mean, if the adventurer system was already in place due to mana existing on Midgard, why not fully use it? I could do the same things that I saw in the games I played and split the populace into combat adventurers that could gather materials and kill monsters or clear dungeons, life-style occupations that could take up jobs like farmers, carpenters, alchemists, tailors, blacksmiths and so on. Not only that but I can even have researchers focus on specific fields due to my Influence meaning that I can lead the civilization in the direction that I want to, while also having them become accustomed with monsters and use them as fodder for leveling up and as materials.

[Wow... Not only do you sound like a loan shark, but you also laugh like a third-rate villain... it scares me when thinking that I still owe you one for the World Seed.](E)

[Master looks amazing!](Mia)

"Do I Mia? Hehe! Thank you!"

I ignored E's all too accurate snide remark and patted the little AI on the head, while trying to find a way through which my idea could work... After taking every possible scenario in consideration (at least the ones I could think of), I realized that given the nature of my 'divinity' things will certainly become chaotic. So being prepared for anything would be the correct thing to do.

Speaking of which, if I plan to have a civilization that has at its base adventurers, I can't really have them try to fight at LvL 0 against the creatures in a dungeon with 100 layers... That means that I should try to have different dungeon difficulties and slowly train them starting with the upper levels.

"Mia, put this one on the smaller continent on the North side of the forest."

[Yes master!](Mia)

[Be careful Michael! Once a dungeon reaches 100 levels it creates a phenomenon called overflow. That implies that each year onward from that point, it will send out of it and entire floor's worth of monsters, starting with the first level and going downward. Those monsters are created from pure mana, so while each one killed improves the concentration of the outside world a little bit, they are much stronger than what a regular level 0 human can handle. If you are not careful, they will overrun your civilization with ease.](E)

"Well geez E, thank you for telling me that BEFORE I actually put one next to my civilization..."

[In the forest? Humans can't exactly live there...](E)

"I told you in the beginning, didn't I? I do not intend to make humans part of my world. Here, take a look!"

Achievement store Human race [LvL 0]: Cost 0 AP ( This race can be upgraded and provide a new type of sub-race each 10 levels. Cost per upgrade: 50.000 SP for LvL 1 ) Faeries race[LvL 0]: Cost 1000 AP ( This race can be upgraded and provide a new type of sub-race each 5 levels. Cost per upgrade: 5M SP for LvL 1 )

[Now I get it. It is not a bad idea since the secondary race is always more powerful than the humans and from what I remember the Faeries are stronger the closer they are to nature. In addition, nature is kind of abundant in your world. If there would be a downside, is that they are crazily expensive.](E)

"Meaning?"

[No clue! That is what I remember hearing the other Gods talking about and I played only with humans, so I cannot help much in that regard. However, you can see for yourself the difference in upgrading one race and the other. The Faeries are 100 times more expensive... Plus that you must pay 1000AP to purchase them...](E)

Even in that case, I already decided on it and I will not falter! A world full with beautiful elves! Such an amazing dream to have...

Plus that they won't be in any immediate danger since only another 40 years will pass after 'planting' the dungeon in the East side of the forest. That means only 40 extra levels, which give me another 60 years to prepare before the first dungeon 'regurgitation'... that, if the game starts once the fauna stabilizes.

After patiently waiting another 20 years to pass on Midgard, another notification appeared. It once again asked me to spend 1430ppm for another dungeon core to be created, to which I immediately said ‘yes’ to. This one I placed at the northern end of the forest and with it, I noticed a small change in the mana growth.

Mana Current: 1ppm Growth: 73ppm/year Goal: 100.000ppm

So far, each ten years the growth went up by one point, however after the last twenty revolutions of Midgard, it suddenly increased to two points. How?

Therefore, in order to find out and confirm it, I patiently waited another ten years and indeed, it jumped to 75ppm...

"Mia, any idea why the growth of mana was suddenly boosted?"

[I do master! The World Tree has successfully imbued with mana almost all fauna on Midgard. I believe that that be the reason in proportion of 99%.](Mia)

[Well, it was at 29% 40 years ago, so it's safe to assume that it reached full percentage and through it the mana concentration grew.](E)

Only 10 years left and the answer regarding my theory would be revealed... I watched the spinning planet complete a rotation and realization dawned on me. It was more of a question though...

"Mia, in... no, if you were to compare, how many seconds is a year on Midgard to us in here?"

[Calculating... if time wasn't stopped, it will be 240 seconds master.](Mia)

[That speed can be adjusted...](E)

"Really? So it can be slower as well?"

[Of course. The slowest speed is the speed of your world. Why do you think Gods live so long?](E)

Before I could complain about my shattered dreams and hopes, a powerful red light covered Eternity from head to beautiful toes, making her blink in and out of existence.

[It seems that the game will start soon and the administrator wants me back to my own divine domain. Got to go...](E)

"Well then, I guess I'll see you later?"

[Sure. We can visit each other's divine area after 100 years pass and friend requests become available...](E)

"I... literally have no idea how to even complain about that. Thank you for visiting E and I hope you won't forget our little deal."

[I wouldn't call an alliance with you a 'little deal', but sure. I will not!](E)

"Good luck in the game E! Give it your best and make it fun!"

[You know what? I will! Now that I don't know what the future holds I can properly enj...](E)

[OH! Master, the intruder is finally gone!](Mia)

"Pfft! Hahahaha!!!"

It surprised me to hear Mia say that while throwing side-glances to the now empty spot Eternity was teleported from. No wonder she didn't like E at all. She considered her an intruder on my divine domain through illegal means, therefore the hostility.

World Tree growth!

Your World Tree is now 13 meters tall and fully controls and regulates the flora and fauna on Midgard!

Due to biomass being above requirement and the planet being fully stabilized in accordance to mana, the World Tree focuses on mana conversion.

Mana concentration growth has been improved by an additional 100%!

Mana concentration has reached the amount required to create another core.

Would you like to spend 1380ppm to create a dungeon? YES NO Your planet stabilizes!

You can now purchase sentient residents for your world in the world management interface.

Temperature, oxygen, pressure, water and biomass are compiled into the new entry Statistics.

You can find a new entry in the World Management interface!

Population has been unlocked in the World Management interface!

After selecting yes for the dungeon and verifying the changes that were mentioned in the notifications, I had Mia set up the 3rd dungeon South of the forest. I decided to leave the West side free for now, since I will have to expand towards the bigger continent eventually and having a dungeon in the way might inconvenience future plans.

The mana concentration received a huge boost as well with the World Tree upgrade, reaching 150ppm/year now. But the most important thing of all, which even Mia was curious about, was the Population tab that was added just now.

Population

Your world can finally support sentient life forms that marks the start of your civilization!

Available races: Humans;

Available for purchase: Faeries (In the Achievement Store)

Available population for purchase:

1 Human - 50.000 SP

"Isn't that expensive? That's a LvL 0 human..."

I gulped loudly and brought up the Achievement Store through which I instantly purchased the Faeries race. Once that happened, an introduction to the race popped-up.

Faeries

Also known as nature's darlings, the Faeries race hold a symbiotic relationship with the environment from which they draw their power.

The healthier your world is in terms of nature and vegetation, the stronger the race members will become and the faster will they develop in terms of culture and technology.

The Faeries race is adept of magic usage and they are fierce and nimble warriors.

Due to their racial traits they automatically begin as LvL 1 in soul refinement, therefore their starting basic attributes are above those or other races.

"I have a bad premonition about this since E said they are expensive..."

Looking back to the Population tab, which was updated, I had my fears confirmed.

Available population for purchase: 1 Human - 50.000 SP 1 Elf - 500.000 SP

[Wow...](Mia)

"...I know Mia... Even if the starting ones are the Elves, the cost is a bit... I should start with the hu..."

[Master should chose the Elves!](Mia)

Well that was unexpected. Does Mia wanting the elves has anything to do with the scanning I went through when she was created? Did I infect this pure child with my desires for beauty?

"Mia, why dru... why do you say that?" - I fumbled a bit

[Because of the Elves description master!](Mia)

She brought up a different window, which explained the Elves sub-race.

Elves

Members of the Faeries race praised as Guardians of the Forests.

They excel at magic and technological research, while because of their legacy cultural advancement will also be increased.

Being part of the Faeries race, their lifespans can reach up to thousands of years without taking in consideration their evolution to a higher tier through rank up.

World Tree presence detected in your world!

Due to synergy effect, the Elven people will automatically be converted to your Faith, because of your identity as Divine Guardian (because you planted the World Tree, your identity is automatically recognized as the God of the world, without the need for a Divine Revelation)

The synergy effect of the World Tree provides a blessing to the Fairies race as follows:

- an increase of 50% in basic attributes;

- an increase of 100% in experience gained (general and not limited to assimilation)

As your World Tree grows to the next level, more blessings will be unlocked!

Yup... That is equal to at least three blessings that I have seen in the demo. In addition, if they are stackable with the ones I'll get in the future by actually paying for them... then I'll have a truly broken civilization.

"Mia, is this why you suggested going with the Elves?"

[Yes master. While only 200 can be purchased, it will be easier to develop a civilization based on a populace that's higher tier compared to the humans. Not to mention that it will be easier to have them adapt and fight against the dungeons, without taking into consideration the moment the World Tree evolves to LvL 1.](Mia)

"While I can understand the description and the synergy effects are indeed pure madness, what do you mean by the tree going to LvL 1? Is it in the description?"

[No master! I have made a simulation and the calculations point to the fact that, by the time the tree grows to reach 15 meters, it will reach LvL 1 with a probability of 87%.](Mia)

"Is that so... Still, they are expensive nevertheless and I will not be able to get the initial investment in them anytime soon. However, I have said that I won't go with humans for my world so I should stick with that..."

[Since master has invested so much in the dungeons, I would advise picking quality over quantity.](Mia)

"Fair point... What I am even more curious about is how this whole shenanigan is going to work. Will the souls have any knowledge whatsoever? Will they have knowledge limited up to a certain point in time back on Earth's eras? Like knowledge of metallurgy, or farming, or housing... There are way too many variables and unknowns..."