As Zina continued her journey through the expansive meadow, the soft grass brushing against her feet, she found herself grappling with a question that had been gnawing at her since her transformation. The vibrant world around her, filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong, only heightened the contrast between her outer calm and inner confusion. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, she spoke up, her voice tinged with shyness.
"Hey, system… I've been wondering," Zina hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly, "why did I turn into a female? This… this is ridiculous."
The system's voice, ever calm and informative, responded without missing a beat. "It's because the goddess of creation must be a female."
Zina stopped in her tracks, the words echoing in her mind. "Why? How come? I was just a guy—why can't the god of creation be male?" she questioned, her tone growing more incredulous.
"No," the system replied, "if that were the case, you wouldn't be powerful enough. You must be female to fulfill the role properly."
Zina's mind spun with this new information, struggling to comprehend. "But… what's the purpose of me being female in the first place?" she asked, her voice laced with both curiosity and frustration.
The system explained, "It's because, as the goddess of creation, you must have a successor. You will need to have a daughter who will become the next goddess of creation."
Zina's face turned bright red, her eyes widening in shock. "W-Wait, what? Are you telling me that I'm really, truly female now?" she stammered, her voice rising in pitch as she struggled to process the idea.
"Of course," the system confirmed matter-of-factly. "You are 100% female, and your mind has also adjusted to this reality as part of your reincarnation."
Zina felt her entire face heat up as she blushed furiously, overwhelmed by the absurdity of the situation. "This is stupid!" she muttered under her breath, feeling utterly embarrassed. She clenched her fists and continued, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Why was I even picked to be the goddess of creation in the first place? Why not just bring in a new soul to take over when my term expires? Why do I have to give birth to the next one?" Her voice grew louder with each question, her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to make sense of it all.
The system's response was calm, as always. "Because you are the first-ever goddess of creation. It's your role to ensure the continuation of this divine lineage."
Zina's eyes snapped open, her mind racing. "If I'm the first goddess of creation, then who created this world before I was here?" she demanded, her voice full of confusion and frustration.
There was a brief pause before the system replied, "I don't know."
Zina's jaw dropped, and she threw her hands up in exasperation. "What? That's ridiculous!" she exclaimed, her hands coming to rest on her head as she tried to process the sheer absurdity of it all.
The situation was so bizarre, so utterly unexpected, that she couldn't help but let out a small, exasperated laugh. It was a laugh tinged with the kind of disbelief that comes from being thrust into an impossible situation. "This is all so… so crazy," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. "First, I get turned into a girl, then I'm told I have to give birth to the next goddess, and now I find out I'm the first goddess of creation with no clue who created the world before me? This is just… ugh!" She let out a long, frustrated sigh, her hands still resting on her head as she tried to wrap her mind around it all.
Despite the frustration and confusion, there was a certain lightness to the moment. The sheer ridiculousness of her predicament made it almost funny in a way, even if it was also deeply overwhelming. Zina couldn't help but smile wryly at the absurdity of it all, realizing that she was in for a much stranger journey than she had ever imagined.
As Zina walked through the vast, rolling meadow, her bare feet gently sinking into the soft grass, she couldn't help but let her thoughts wander. The landscape around her was idyllic—wildflowers swayed in the breeze, their vibrant colors painting the scene with life, while the sun bathed everything in a warm, golden light. Despite the beauty surrounding her, Zina's mind was a tumult of confusion and unease.
Sensing her turmoil, the system's voice echoed gently in her mind, "At least in this new life, you could be happier. No more bad life, no more corporate slavery, and no more suffering. After all, you are an absolute god."
Zina paused, letting the words sink in. The idea of leaving behind her past life, with all its hardships and pain, was undeniably appealing. Yet, something about the system's reassurance made her feel uneasy. She resumed walking, her pace slower as she contemplated her next question, the soft rustling of the grass beneath her feet the only sound accompanying her thoughts.
"If I'm an absolute god," Zina began, her voice tinged with concern, "then why do you have access to my power? Or are you more powerful than me?"
The system's response was immediate, but there was a certain warmth in its tone, as if trying to ease her fears. "Negative. You can control me however you wish. I am merely an assistant to you, for now."
Zina exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. The idea that the system, which had been guiding her through this strange new reality, was subservient to her brought some comfort. She looked around at the vast meadow stretching out before her, trying to reconcile her newfound divinity with the uncertainty she still felt inside.
The flowers seemed to lean toward her as she passed, as if drawn to her presence. The sky overhead was a brilliant blue, unmarred by clouds, and the air carried a gentle, soothing fragrance. Despite the serenity of her surroundings, Zina couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing on the edge of something vast and unknown.
"So, you're just here to assist me?" Zina asked, her voice soft as she tried to wrap her head around the situation. The sunlit meadow around her felt like a dream, too perfect to be real.
"Yes," the system confirmed. "My purpose is to support you in your role as the goddess of creation. Nothing more, nothing less."
Zina nodded slowly, her thoughts drifting back to her old life. The exhaustion, the endless work, the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of misery—those memories felt distant now, like a bad dream that was slowly fading away. Here, in this world, she was free. No longer a corporate slave, no longer burdened by suffering. But with that freedom came a new responsibility, one she was still coming to terms with.
As she continued walking, Zina allowed herself to relax a little, taking in the beauty of the meadow. The grass tickled her ankles, the sun warmed her skin, and the gentle breeze played with her hair. She still had so many questions, so many uncertainties, but for now, she decided to let them rest. She was an absolute god, after all—there would be time to figure everything out.
And as she walked, Zina began to realize that maybe, just maybe, this new life held the potential for happiness, something she had long since given up on. With the system by her side and an entire universe to explore, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope amidst the confusion.
As Zina continued her journey through the meadow, the vibrant colors of the wildflowers slowly began to fade into the distance. The grassy expanse that had stretched endlessly around her now gave way to the edge of a forest, where tall trees stood like silent sentinels, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. Just beyond the trees, she noticed a paved road winding through the landscape, its surface smooth and inviting.
"Wow," Zina breathed, her voice filled with awe. "It's a road." The contrast between the natural beauty of the meadow and the man-made road was striking, and it only served to remind her of the power she now possessed. The reality of her situation was beginning to sink in more deeply with each step she took.
As she stood at the edge of the meadow, Zina's thoughts began to race. If I'm the goddess of creation, she thought, *I can create whatever I want or whatever I need.* The idea was both thrilling and daunting, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. What should she create first? How should she use this incredible power?
Determined to test her abilities, Zina closed her eyes and concentrated. She pictured something simple, something she needed—sandals to protect her bare feet from the rough road ahead. She focused hard, willing her thoughts to become reality.
When she opened her eyes and looked down, she gasped in delight. There, on her feet, were a pair of sandals. They were elegant yet sturdy, perfectly fitted to her feet, with straps that shimmered faintly in the sunlight as if woven from the finest materials. The soft leather caressed her skin, and the soles felt just thick enough to offer comfort without losing the sensation of the earth beneath her.
"Wow," Zina whispered, her eyes lighting up with wonder. "It's incredible… truly remarkable." The sandals were more than just shoes—they were a tangible symbol of her newfound power, a reminder that she could manifest her will into the physical world. The realization sent a shiver of excitement down her spine.
She took a tentative step forward, the sandals making a gentle, satisfying sound against the pavement as she moved. With each step, Zina felt a strange mixture of emotions—pride, awe, and a deepening sense of responsibility. The world seemed to come alive around her, the air itself feeling more vibrant, more full of potential than ever before. She could feel the gentle breeze on her skin, the warmth of the sun on her face, and even the subtle vibrations of life all around her.
"Even as a goddess," she murmured to herself, a soft smile forming on her lips, "I can feel the air… how good it is, how healthy." The words carried a note of gratitude, as if she was slowly coming to appreciate not just her power, but the simple, everyday joys of existence.
Zina continued to walk, her pace unhurried as she took in her surroundings. The sound of her sandals against the road was rhythmic and soothing, a reminder of the connection she still had to the world she was now charged with overseeing. Each breath she took felt rich and nourishing, filling her with a sense of vitality and well-being that she hadn't felt in what seemed like a lifetime.
As she walked, Zina realized that despite the overwhelming changes she had undergone, there was something deeply comforting about being in tune with the world around her. The weight of her past life's burdens seemed to lift with every step, replaced by a growing sense of purpose. Yes, she had been transformed into something extraordinary, but she could still find joy in the small things—like the feel of the air, the sound of her sandals, and the thrill of discovering her own powers.
And so, with the road stretching out before her and the possibilities of creation at her fingertips, Zina moved forward, her heart light and her spirit uplifted, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead in this strange, beautiful world.
As Zina continued her walk along the pavement, the serenity of her journey was suddenly shattered by distant, alarming sounds. She froze, her keen senses picking up the distinct noise of chaos—wood splintering, the crackling of flames, and the sharp, metallic clang of swords clashing violently against each other.
Then, the piercing scream of a woman reached her ears, filled with terror and desperation. Zina's heart raced as she hurried to the edge of the road, her sandals barely making a sound as she moved swiftly toward the commotion.
Peeking through the bushes, she saw a scene of utter turmoil. A carriage, engulfed in flames, lay overturned on the road. Nearby, a group of soldiers fought desperately against a swarm of bandits, their swords flashing in the fading light as they tried to protect the woman who was still screaming for help.
Zina's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened in shock, her body trembling as she tried to process the brutality unfolding before her. Without thinking, she ducked down behind the thick brush, her mind racing.
What is that…? she whispered to herself, her heart pounding in her chest, leaving the question hanging in the air, unanswered.