"Destinatus? What the hell is going on?"

Odathlaxz didn't report John right away.

"I need a favor."

"Favor? What is it?"

"I need a spot in the fourth trial. My access has been revoked."

"I don't know..."

John had a waypoint set up in limbo already that he had placed while working on the third trial. But his existence would be frozen without that special key.

He needed someone to provide an identity for him.

"I don't need you to do much. Just transport me into the limbo of the winners for the third trial."

Odathlaxz hesitated a bit.

"Destinatus. I can't help you. They are changing security after seeing you somehow survive in our space. They don't want another you to happen."

John began to think... did he really need to do the trial in person? What if he used somebody else as a puppet to do the trials?

An idea began to form in his mind.

"I don't need you to give me a spot in limbo. Just let me have access to one person wearing my mask."

"What are you planning?"

"Nothing much, can you set it up or not?"

"It's no problem. But I warn you. They are checking every person in limbo. So even if you sneak in, you'll be found out as an anomaly. They will erase you."

"Don't worry about it. Contact me when the person is ready."

"Got it."

John connected to his concept and used his A.I Chip to search through future technology. He made sure to search for technology that could communicate regardless of distance.

Thanks to being on his terraformed planet. His perception was boosted many more times by all of his servers on the planet.

This let him use his concept to search up information without his brain exploding.

Using his preexisting tools. As well as advanced artificial intelligence. John successfully created a quantum entanglement functions to a newly designed chip.

This could allow instant communication across any distance.

John then began to design a artificial intelligence for his future plan.

Here's the plan:

1.) Find a fake Destinatus.

2.) Give them a custom A.I Chip.

3.) Fill them up with nanites.

4.) Use the chip to communicate with them.

5.) When their existence is unfrozen. Use the ability to monitor soul gained by becoming a rank 1 existence.

6.) Use their experiences to progress my own existence.

Soon a portal was opened up for John leading to limbo.

He didn't go through this portal. He created a chain of nanites that went into this space.

He found someone wearing his mask and injected them with nanites. He then made them a A.I Chip in their brain.

He then had to wait 40 years for the fourth trial to begin. He wasn't idle during this time.

----------------------------------------

Invulnis's POV:

My arm is broken, but I managed to beat the boss!

I walk up to its corpse. I use aura to cut out its orb.

I crush the orb.

My body begins to transform. I also see another brand put on my soul.

I relish in the feeling of power.

I can now fly even without using aura!

"Congratulations on reaching rank 2! Due to security reasons. You will be inspected by the Head."

"Head?"

The world began to blur as I found myself standing in front of a being so large that I can not see where it ends.

It is a mesh of flesh and tentacles.

"You haven't gone insane, despite seeing my true form? You are also the first person to beat the third trial. It seems to have made it this far, you are a bit abnormal!"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"I've always been prepared for a trial for humanity."

"Tell me, that disguise you're wearing. Where did you get it?"

"Oh this? I am copying Destinatus."

"You know of him?"

"Yes, he predicted the apocalypse!"

"I see... so you aren't him?"

"Haha... I wish."

The creature couldn't find anything abnormal about this human.

"Well, I hope to see you become a god and join us soon. You have passed the inspection."

"Step through this portal. It leads to limbo. The fourth trial starts soon."

Invulnis bowed and walked through the portal.

As he was in limbo completely frozen.

A chain of nanites ran into him and scanned his body. It infiltrated his brain and began construction of an A.I Chip.

His soul was however frozen.

So he remained unaware.

When he regained consciousness.

40 years had passed since John had installed the chip into his brain.

John had studied DNA during this time. He had also made advancements in studying the body. He had various methods to make sure the A.I Chip was a permanent part of Invulnis.

The respawn mechanism had been refined by his concept. So he could respawn with the A.I Chip with the correct settings.

40 years had passed for John. But for Invulnis, it was an instant.

He found he was alone in a tower.

"Welcome to the fourth trial! There are a hundred floors to ascend."

"Each floor offers a unique challenge."

For some reason... he felt dizzy. He then dropped to the ground.

[System]: Connecting...

[System]: Downloading Artificial Intelligence...

[System]: Synchronization in progress (0/100)%

[System]: Nanites connected.

While unconscious. It was like he had entered a grand castle. He was in a throne room.

He looked around and found that he wasn't wearing his disguise.

Sitting on the throne was Destinatus!

"Is it really you? Or is this just a dream?"

Destinatus spoke:

"I have a mission for you!"

"What is it? If it is within my power..."

"This task is not so simple. I need you to become a god!"

Invulnis was shaking. He had been a fan of Destinatus during the apocalypse and had even copied his costume.

Before he could answer him. He saw something in front of his vision. He also heard a voice in his head.

[System]: Synchronization in progress (50/100)%

"Synchronization? What is happening?"

"Think of it as my blessing."

"A blessing?"

"Indeed. You haven't seen nothing yet."

[System]: Synchronization completed.

"I see you are already rank 2. How would you like to be a descendent of Destinatus?"

"What does that mean?"

"The brand on your soul is pulling energy from a supreme being. If you use my brand. You won't have any shackles!"

"There are shackles with the current brand?"

"Indeed. The highest level you can reach with those brands is rank 6."

"There is a massive difference between rank 6 and rank 7. The people in the trial wish for you believe you can become a god by passing it. They are correct as the winner is likely to get paid in divinity. So if you become rank 6. You could theoretically become a god upon comprehending laws."

"But think about it this way. Those brands could have backdoors making you the slave of the originator of the brand. You may become a god. But you will have no freedom."

"I see... so how do I get rid of the brands I already have?"

"Right now, you are in a simulated environment. None of what you see in front of you is actually real. Even I am but an illusion. I have a way to purify your soul and disguise it. I'll need you to trust me."

"Will that be a problem?"

"You were able to pull me into this space... If you had bad intentions, I wouldn't know where to cry."

"I will give you a mantra. Never speak it while in reality."

"Origin of Calamity. The cursed! Emflowcreagen. I pray for a connection..."

"When you wake up. Repeat that phrase in your mind."

"I look forward to your progress!"

Everything turned into fog as Invulnis woke up.

He then spoke the mantra in his mind:

"Origin of Calamity. The cursed! Emflowcreagen. I pray for a connection..."

[System]: Connection with concept triggered...

[System]: Existence reset...

I feel the power in my body fade away...

"I've become normal?"

[System]: Existence has reached rank 1

[System]: Existence has reached rank 2

[System]: Rank 3 brand is processing...

My vision goes blurry as I see myself surrounded by space. I see a giant blue sun in front of me.

"You are to be my first real follower. I will immortalize your will. If you agree to work for me for eternity. I will allow your will to become eternal."

"What does that mean?"

"Isn't it the power you have craved? It means you won't be able to die. Even if your soul is shattered. Even if your body is vaporized. You will be able to respawn!"

"I can acquire such a power?"

"Yes! You just need to agree. By agreeing, your name will forever change."

"Think of this as a blessing and a curse. Do you agree?"

"I agree!"

[System]: Name has updated...

[System]: {

Name: "Invulnis Destinatus",

Age: 19,

Rank: 2,

Strength: 5,

Dexterity: 3,

Constitution: 2,

Perception: 1000,

Energy: 100

}

[System]: Skill unlocked 'Eternal Disguise'

[System]: Skill unlocked 'Respawn'

[System]: Skill unlocked 'Soul Cloak'

[System]: Skill unlocked 'Infinite Storage Space'

[System]: Skill unlocked 'Timeless Existence'

[System]: Skill unlocked 'Soul Respawn'

[System]: Skill unlocked 'Waypoints'

[System]: Skill unlocked 'Self Detonation'

Invulnis felt as if his thinking had been sped up a thousand times.

He also noticed that he could change various settings.

His broken arm seemed to have been fixed as well.

[System]: Nanites have repaired damage...

[System]: Connection with concept closed...

"What is a concept?"

He could hear a voice in his head...

"Good! You won't regret your decision. Now, let's charge through this tower!"