closed beta part 2

By the time karaoke wrapped up around eleven, the party was winding down. As Ethan and Mia prepared to leave, several girls—cheeks flushed with drink and mischief—snuck behind Mia's back and slipped Ethan scraps of paper, each with a WeChat nickname scribbled on it.

Apparently, they really did plan to steal her man.

He chuckled inwardly.

Such loyal friends.

Unfazed, Ethan calmly tossed the notes into the trash can nearby. He had no use for them. Mia, however, was swaying gently from the weight of alcohol, utterly plastered, and he had no choice but to drive her home on her electric scooter.

As they glided through the empty streets, cool night air rushing past, he spoke softly.

"Satisfied now?"

The smug sparkle in her eyes had long given away the answer. She'd achieved her goal: to show him off in front of her classmates like a shiny prize.

"Hehe… yup. It was awesome," Mia murmured, her body pressing warmly against Ethan's back.

Her small hands, smooth and soft, crept from his waist to his abs. In a sleepy mumble, she whispered: "Hey… what kind of cheat did you use? Your abs are too good. My friends were right—they feel amazing. Honestly, it's a blessing to have a boyfriend who's so gentle and handsome… even if he's terminally ill."

Ethan sighed, tension creeping into his shoulders.

"Do you have to keep bringing that up?" he muttered. "Also, stop groping me. You're playing with fire. I'm not responsible for what happens if you keep that up."

Mia blinked, flushed red, and quickly withdrew her hand. She tilted her head upward with that same mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I'll keep saying it whether you like it or not," she declared proudly. "If you weren't dying, you wouldn't have quit your job. Your girlfriend wouldn't have dumped you. And you wouldn't be my boyfriend. I know I'm not good enough for you, okay?"

"You're drunk."

"I'm not drunk! I'm… mildly enchanted. My childhood dream just came true. I finally got to bring you to meet everyone as my boyfriend."

She began ticking items off on her fingers.

"I'm not that pretty. Not that smart. My face used to be chubby. I've been trying to slim down since middle school. I finally look decent now, but I still can't compare to your ex-girlfriend. She looked like a movie star. Especially her—"

She paused, then whimpered.

"No matter how much I've massaged them over the years… they just won't grow..."

Ethan stared, caught between shock and amusement.

Now that he had full control over his genetic structure, beauty no longer seemed so significant. Looks were never the sum of a person. And besides, Mia—with her rounded cheeks and expressive eyes—was already more than pretty enough.

"You're still young," he said solemnly. "Keep massaging. I'm sure they'll grow."

"Really?" she blinked.

"Of course."

He lied without hesitation. A second puberty wasn't likely, but she would probably remain a charmingly petite type. Not that it mattered.

"That's great," Mia grinned, then hiccupped softly. "But it's a shame... sob... you won't be around to see it."

"..."

Can we stop bringing up the part where I'm dying? Ethan thought grimly.

I'm devoting the power of an entire world to curing myself. There will be a cure. Cancer can be beaten.

He muttered this mantra in his mind as he gently navigated the scooter through the quiet roads. When they reached Mrs. Li's home, the old woman opened the door and gasped at the sight of her drunken daughter.

"I can't believe you made poor Ethan babysit you all day! Go shower, and get to bed, now!"

Then, turning to Ethan, she bowed in apology.

"It's alright," he said with a light laugh. "I've watched this girl grow up."

After a bit more small talk at the gate, he turned and strolled back to the courtyard.

There was a quiet magic to this simple countryside life. No conspiracies. No office wars. Just neighbors, fresh food, and warm sunlight.

---

The next morning, the sun rose brilliantly.

Golden light spilled across hills, rivers, forests, and oceans—illuminating every corner of the miniature world nestled within the courtyard. The Babylonian tribe basked in the divine warmth of dawn, its people stirring under the promise of a new day.

By eight o'clock, Ethan had finished breakfast and sat outside, munching an apple as he observed the sandbox world.

Inside, a familiar chaos played out.

"Let's keep spying on the giant!"

"Are you crazy?! What if he steps on us? I value my life, thanks!"

A motley group of players continued their bizarre antics, unaware of Ethan's quiet amusement.

"Time to push the next phase," he muttered to himself.

He pulled out his laptop and began typing an announcement. After checking it for typos, he posted it to the game's forum.

---

[Spore Evolution Closed Beta – Update v0.2 Now Live]

Thank you for your ongoing support of Spore Evolution. As many of you have requested access to the second beta phase, we are pleased to announce the following:

1. We are adding 50 new beta tester slots, increasing the player cap to 150.

2. To apply, please email the moderators with a biology-themed essay. Explain your understanding of evolution in the game, which species you plan to create, and why it's viable.

3. Due to technical limitations, the player cap will remain limited. As such, we will introduce a survival system—after each testing phase, the bottom 20 players will be eliminated, and their slots reassigned.

4. An Achievement System is now live. Players who evolve uniquely powerful or creative species will be recorded in the game's Hall of Evolution and receive exclusive rewards.

5. The system is fair. You are free to create and evolve whatever you desire.

We look forward to seeing what you become.

---

The forum exploded.

Everyone had expected the game to remain exclusive and slow-paced—but this level of competitiveness? It was intense. And they loved it.

After all, Spore Evolution wasn't just a game anymore.

It was a race.

A proving ground.

A glimpse into a new world shaped by willpower, imagination, and ruthless natural law.

And Ethan—quietly watching from his sunny courtyard—was more than just the game's creator.

He was its hidden god.