Soft artificial light spilled through the minimalist apartment as Medici finished his workout, wiping sweat away with a towel.
This young body was full of vitality, worlds apart from his past life's overtaxed, unhealthy state.
He'd been in this world for some time now and had gradually adjusted to this "Singularity" society where material wealth was abundant but the spirit felt somewhat hollow.
Just then, his personal terminal chimed with a pleasant notification. An authenticated official communication request came through.
"Accept," Medici said casually.
"Hello, is this Mr. Medici?" A sweet, professional female voice came through.
"That's me."
"Mr. Medici, hello! This is the Project Dawn organizing committee.
First, congratulations! Your work Battlefield: Warhammer 40K has successfully made it into the top 100 and advanced to the next round!"
"Thanks." Medici's tone was calm. He wasn't surprised by the result.
Though he hadn't deliberately followed the storm triggered by that livestream, he'd caught glimpses of the intense online debates.
"The next stage will be conducted as an in-person, concentrated creation event," the woman on the line continued in her impeccable sweet voice.
"The venue is at the Central Sports Center in the Asian district. Is there anything you need help with from the organizing committee?
Whether it's round-trip flights or all food, lodging, and travel expenses during the competition, we can fully reimburse everything."
An in-person competition? Medici raised an eyebrow. Now that was interesting. He'd been cooped up in this AI-arranged apartment for a while now.
He actually wanted to get out and see firsthand what this world, managed so meticulously by AI, really looked like.
"I don't have any difficulties on my end," Medici replied. "Just a few questions. When exactly does the competition start? How long will I need to stay there?"
"The competition officially launches in one week. You just need to arrive before it begins.
The entire in-person creation period is expected to last one week.
All contestants will be accommodated in a hotel arranged by the organizing committee and will complete their new works in designated areas."
Starting in a week, lasting one week... plenty of time. Medici quickly calculated in his mind.
What debuted in the audition of Battlefield: Warhammer 40K was just an extremely simplified framework: one map, two human factions (Imperial Guard and Rebels).
The iconic Adeptus Astartes hadn't even made an appearance yet. It was more like a tech demo and core gameplay proof-of-concept.
This week-long in-person creation period was the perfect opportunity! He could flesh out that framework with much more substance.
More map scenarios like hive cities, death worlds, ice planets. More playable factions like Ork hordes, Chaos legions, Aeldari. A richer weapons and vehicle system.
Thinking about it, even Medici, who'd lived two lives, felt a surge of creator's excitement and anticipation.
"Sure, I don't have any other questions," Medici suppressed the stirring in his heart, keeping his tone steady. "I'll arrive on time."
"Excellent! We'll immediately send the travel arrangements and hotel information to your terminal.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Kroc Sports Center. Best of luck with your creation!"
The call ended.
Medici set down the towel and walked to the window, gazing down at the orderly, luminous city below.
Flying vehicles shuttled silently along preset routes, the streets impossibly clean. Everything looked so perfect, so... predictable.
He exhaled softly, a meaningful smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
"In-person competition, huh... perfect." He murmured to himself. "Let's make this 'dawn' hit even harder."
It was time to let this world, drowning in false tranquility, witness true hardcore impact from across the multiverse.