Sora found himself alone as he checked the updated details on his [Prestige] skill.

[Skill Option 4: Alter Ego]

Description: Using 1,000 [Soul Pearls], create an alternate life form with an independent identity that can grow separately. The [Alter Ego] and the user can merge at any time, combining their power, experiences, memories, and skill proficiencies.

Reading the description, Sora’s eyes widened. Isn’t this like playing with two accounts at once? he thought, excitement brewing. But the amount of [Soul Pearls] needed made him pause. He had painstakingly farmed these pearls to boost his [Soul Palace], and he hadn’t anticipated a skill that would require such a heavy investment.

Can’t gain without spending, he mused, shrugging to himself. Might as well go for it. It’s not like I spent a lifetime collecting these things…

Worried the amount might change if he hesitated, he quickly selected the fourth effect. Almost immediately, a character creation panel appeared before him.

[Please select your [Alter Ego]'s facial features ]

It was exactly like the one he’d seen when creating his “Ralph Eden” persona. Realizing that this new identity would likely be around for some time, Sora took his time crafting a face that reflected a hint of his original look. When he was done, the Alter Ego resembled a distant cousin of his Japanese original appearance—seemingly connected, yet different.

Once he confirmed, another prompt appeared:

[Please choose a name for your Alter Ego]

After a moment’s hesitation, he typed in Alius.

[The process of creating an Alter Ego is accompanied by excruciating soul and body pain. Are you willing to proceed?]

Sora let out a steadying breath and braced himself. He clicked [Yes], and instantly, a thousand [Soul Pearls] materialized from his inventory, forming a halo around him as they began to merge with his essence.

Nearby in the garden, Kara and Hiyoko looked up, both drawn to the intense surge of an unknown energy. Kara turned to Hiyoko, her eyes wide with realization. “Is he trying out a new skill? It looks incredible…”

Hiyoko fluffed up her feathers nervously, her eyes reflecting both fascination and worry. She chirped, glancing at Kara. “Chirp chirp!”

Kara chuckled, patting Hiyoko gently. “Yes, I think he’ll be fine. But I admit, I’ve never seen anything quite like this either.”

Back in his own experience, Sora felt each [Soul Pearl] as it began to merge with his essence, one by one. An incredible rush of [Soul Power] surged through him, flowing into his [Soul Palace] like a flood of raw energy.

He could feel his body and mana trembling in anticipation as the power seeped into every fiber of his being, his cells taking the potent energy in. He marveled at the leap in his [Soul Level], feeling as though he'd transformed from an ant to an elephant in a matter of seconds.

But just as he allowed himself to relax, everything changed. An indescribable agony surged through him, ripping his soul apart. The pain was so overwhelming that he would have gladly passed out—but his body was no longer under his control. He could only endure the painful torment, as though a burning-hot knife was slicing through his soul and mind with merciless precision.

Wherever this phantom blade struck, it left damage in its wake. His body’s natural regeneration was powerless against such type of damage, and his mana, usually so responsive, seemed to cower, utterly useless.

The process lasted only ten seconds, but to Sora, it stretched on endlessly. He was left wishing he’d never activated such a wretched skill.

'Who needs a damned alter ego?' he fumed inwardly, feeling betrayed by the very skill he’d once been so eager to unlock. 'I’ll train on my own; I don’t need this to grow anymore! Whoever's behind this, please, just stop it!'

The silent cries of frustration echoed in his mind as he gritted his teeth, bracing himself against the torment. Then, slowly, he felt the [Soul Power] enveloping him, its energy mending the torn parts of his soul. As the pain faded, he breathed, relieved but scared of his own Innate Skill.

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As half of his soul drifted out of his body, Sora watched as the ethereal essence began to take shape before him.

It floated, translucent and formless at first. Slowly, the soul piece began to take shape, its edges becoming clearer and moving with purpose.

As the body took shape, it pulled in a huge amount of mana from the area, almost draining the [Time Space]. The energy came together, joining with the piece of Sora’s soul that had split off, bringing it to life.

Before him stood a figure of equal height, around 1.80 meters tall, with features distinctly East Asian. With long jet-black hair, and a face that bore resemblance to Sora’s own original face, the figure had dark brown eyes. It opened them slowly, blinking as they adjusted to the light, taking in the surroundings with a calm, assessing gaze.

The new being breathed for the first time, savoring the sensation of air filling his lungs. He turned, meeting Sora’s eyes, an expression of quiet curiosity flickering across his face. There was a deep intelligence in his gaze, a look of awareness that spoke of the shared memories and experiences imprinted in both their souls.

In that moment, Sora realized he wasn’t looking at a mere clone—he was meeting an entirely new person, a person who knew him in a way no one else ever could.

“Hey, buddy…” Sora greeted, his voice carrying a warmth at the sight of his alter ego.

The new "Sora" breathed heavily, casting a contemplative look at his hands. “So… I was Sora a minute ago, but now I’m someone different. This feeling isn’t exactly amazing. I feel… like a copy.” He paused, letting the weight of the words sink in. “Alius… That’s my name now. It is less fitting now that I'm the one bearing it. Nevermind that… Why do I feel this strange urge to give up on life and merge back into you? Do you have the same feeling?”

Sora watched his Alter Ego, observing the thoughtful expression on the other’s face, and felt a strange tug on his own soul. Although his soul was now immensely stronger after absorbing so many [Soul Pearls], something was missing, a palpable absence that made his very core feel hollow. It was as if a part of him was calling out, longing to reunite with the part standing before him.

“I feel torn,” Sora replied, admitting the aching void within him. “It feels like I’m constantly itching to get reunited with the missing piece… It is similar to your urge to merge.”

Alius snapped out of his thoughts, glancing back with a hint of a smile. “It’s… just strange seeing…me… from this perspective. It’ll take time for me to adjust.”

Alius, aware of the residual power flowing through him, felt he was still quite powerful. But he wanted to know more about his current state—what kind of entity he was now. 'Am I still a player?' he wondered. Concentrating, he attempted to call up his status, eager to understand what he had become.

A moment later, a screen appeared before him:

[Status Update]

Profile: Alius

Status: Alive (Prestige 1800)

Class: None (Level 100)

Talent Level: 1048576

Growth Factor: 1 Power Level: Omega 19

Body Level: Omega 19

Energy Level: Omega 19

Soul Level: 500 Innate Skill:

• [Prestige] (Click to see effects)

Supreme Skills:

• None

Skills: (...Show more...)

Depressed at the sight of his status, Alius shared the screen with Sora. “It looks like I’m considered a player too. I’ve still got the same talent level and even our Innate Skill... but I lost both Supreme Skills. I feel like trash.”

Sora studied the screen, thoughtful. “Maybe our Supreme Skills are tied to me because they can't be copied. If Innate Skills don’t affect them, that would explain why you don’t have them, even with the same talent level and [Prestige] skill.”

Alius sighed, feeling the weight of the loss. “Losing both Supreme Skills dropped my power from Omega 22 to Omega 19. It’s a huge difference. I can't even beat your [Blood Clones] now.”

Sora nodded, observing the differences. “It seems we share the same soul level, with each of us having half the Soul Pearls’ value. Looks like we’ll have to work together to keep growing."

Sora who wanted to rely on Alius to raise skill proficiency and polish his skills changed his mind, sad to see his [Alter Ego] deprived of his main sources of power. He asked "So… what’s your plan now?”

As Alius scrolled through the list of inherited skills, he felt his frustration rising. He hadn’t lost the abilities he’d known as Sora, but they felt… average. Each skill was there, but without [Mana Evolution] or [Eternal Body Craft], their potential was severely limited. They held potential, but without his mana control or regeneration, they weren’t enough to give him a chance against Sora.

This setback wasn’t enough to ruin his fighting spirit. “I’ll find a different approach. Supreme Skills or not, I’ll find a way.” He looked at Sora with a glint of confidence in his eyes. “And when the time comes, I'll give you a beating.”

Sora grinned, crossing his arms with a hint of amusement. “Wow, you’re five minutes old, and you’re already threatening me? Looks like someone’s asking for a beating.”

Alius smirked back, unphased. “Oh, bring it on, old man. Not now though... I had things planned for today”