Ch 6 - The Game Cube

Nexus took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the information settling within him. "Alright, Lumos, just two more questions, and then I can fully immerse myself in game creation with a clear mind."

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Lumos' voice, ever clear and composed, responded, "Please proceed, Master Nexus."

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Gathering his thoughts, Nexus inquired, "Firstly, this initial 1000 Origin EC I have — is it a daily allocation I can expect each dawn, or is it the residual amount after meeting the realm's requirements? Secondly, will I be expending Origin EC every time I make modifications to the realm?"

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Lumos' voice, steady as ever, began, "Regarding your first query, the 1000 Origin EC you possess, along with any other initial EC you currently have, is a welcome gift from my creator, an initial boost to propel your endeavors. Your realm does generate a required amount of Origin EC each dawn. This is primarily directed toward sustaining the realm itself. Once the realm's needs are satisfied, a surplus of Origin EC remains. This surplus is what you have at your disposal for game creation and other functions. As for the core needs of the realm, they are non-negotiable. Using those Origin EC might lead to the realm's destabilization. My creator established this rule to ensure the realm's stability."

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"As for your second question," Lumos continued, "there are two distinct mechanisms. The first involves utilizing a significant amount of Origin EC to establish a permanent rule or adjustment within your realm. Just like the commands you provided me before this system was introduced; those changes have now become ingrained. The second option requires a smaller amount of Origin EC for temporary adjustments. These are transient and will demand additional Origin EC each time you wish to activate them."

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Nexus, absorbing the details, took a moment to process. "Alright, if I understand correctly," he mused aloud, "the realm's basic needs come first. Any surplus Origin EC is mine to reinvest into game creation or other activities. If that's the case then I'll have to be strategic about whether I opt for temporary or permanent changes."

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"That's correct," Lumos' voice affirmed. "Remember, the realm is dynamic. As you grow, create, and adapt, EC production can fluctuate. External factors, like player interactions and the success of your games, can influence this."

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A glint of determination lit up Nexus's eyes. "It's a challenge, no doubt. But it's a challenge I'm eager to tackle. Let's produce the most immersive games this realm has ever witnessed!"

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Lumos' voice, always supportive, responded, "With your vision and ambition, Master Nexus, our path to success is inevitable. I am here to assist at every juncture."

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Nexus grinned, enthusiasm evident in his voice. "Let's embark on this journey, Lumos. The dawn of a new gaming epoch is upon us!"

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With all questions addressed, Nexus was ablaze with anticipation about crafting games. Yet, one significant hurdle remained: he was uncertain about the process of game creation.

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Turning to Lumos, he voiced his uncertainty, "I'm eager to dive into game creation, but I'm at a loss about where to begin."

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Lumos elucidated, "Master Nexus, in the same way, that there's a distinct dimension within the realm's core for your relaxation and rejuvenation, there's also another specialized dimension specifically designed for game creation which also resides within the realm's core. You can access it similarly to how you enter your resting dimension.

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Nexus responded, a hint of understanding in his tone, "Oh, I see..."

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In the past, when Nexus had expressed the desire to visit his resting dimension, a door-shaped portal had manifested. Now, with his newfound intent to explore the game creation dimension, another door-shaped portal appeared before him. Unlike its predecessor, which glowed with a warm orange hue, this portal shimmered in a cool blue light.

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Eyes gleaming with anticipation, Nexus confidently approached the portal. As he stepped through, he was greeted by a familiar expansive whiteness. He found himself within a boundless white dimension, reminiscent of the past expansive whiteness of his resting space.

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Yet, subtle differences marked this new environment. When he arrived at the game creation dimension, instead of floating as he had before, Nexus stood firmly on a white surface that was both vast and solid, mirroring the endless expanse of the dimension.

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Nexus then surveyed the endless white expanse, finding only a void stretching in all directions. He then queried Lumos, "What's the next step?"

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Lumos explained, "Master, to commence game creation, you'll need to craft a 'Game Cube' using Origin EC. Consider this cube as a vessel holding all the game data you intend to design."

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Nexus pondered momentarily, then asked, "And the cost is 50 Origin EC to create this Game Cube?"

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Lumos responded, "Based on the current realm data, crafting a new Game Cube demands 100 Origin EC."

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A hint of confusion clouded Nexus's features. "Wasn't the figure 50 earlier?"

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Lumos clarified, "Indeed, Master. However, that figure was illustrative, stemming from a lack of precise data at the time."

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Raising an eyebrow, Nexus inquired, "So, you have all the necessary data about the realm right now?"

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Lumos assured, "Affirmative, Master."

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Nexus nodded, "Very well. Initiate the crafting of a Game Cube. As for the other features that were influenced by this EC system, I'll delve deeper into it later."

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Lumos acknowledged, "Understood, Master."

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The next moment a mesmerizing dance of vibrant energies began to swirl and gather before him. Within moments, they manifested into a sleek black cube adorned with intricate blue patterns, giving it the allure of a piece of advanced sci-fi technology.