"Reincarnation…" Aurri was tempted upon hearing the last option. After which, he asked, "Wait, entirely different multiverse?"

Although he just heard that there are infinite universes within infinite multiverses, he doesn't know the difference.

"The difference between each universe is the divergence of timelines while the multiverse has different properties."

Aurri was not dumb, but since these were entirely new concepts, he couldn't be sure if he understood them correctly.

"Think of each multiverse as a tree and the universe within its branches. Each multiverse started with different seeds, meaning different laws of physics and metaphysics. With the flow of time, timelines naturally diverge, creating multitudes of universes."

With that explanation, Aurri finally grasps the concept. But to fully make him understand it, the figure gave an example.

As if the multiverses around them were just holograms, they zoomed in when the figure made a gesture similar to when people zoomed in on the screen of their phones.

"All things are within the same space, only that the distance between them is astronomical even for us. The nearer a universe to another, the more similar they are. The same could be said for multiverses. However, not all multiverse have the Goldilocks laws for life to emerge."

As the figure said that, Aurri witnessed a scene that he could only describe as 'true chaos.'

"In a multiverse where the laws of physics are disproportionate, not even time and matter could survive, let alone fragile living beings. Only quantum fluctuations occur, and when they create an imbalance in space, space itself cracks only to be repaired again as it is its nature."

Aurri gulped. He didn't understand what the figure was saying; he only knew that he was utterly terrified by what he saw. Who wouldn't be? If hell exists, it would be nothing more than a child's playground compared to this.

However, for some reason, Aurri did not break into insanity even with revelations such as these. He could only guess that the figure with him was protecting him.

Is this… God?

"Maybe, depends on your definition of the word," the figure laughed before swiping its finger in front of it. Following its finger, the scenery flashed, and now, a grand, magnificent spiraling celestial appeared before them.

"After the neighboring lifeless voids, this is the closest to your origin where the laws of physics are slightly different yet still proportionate, making life emerge," the figure zoomed in again, and the two closed into a planet.

However, this planet is very different from Earth. It is as if it has gravity and not at the same time. In comparison, it is a planet similar to Earth, with large continents orbiting its surface. The higher the layer of the continents, the smaller it is.

After everything Aurri had seen, this was the most confounding. The reason being he was familiar with Earth the most. Instead of seeing something for the first time, he now sees something familiar yet different.

"This is the world of Eimterra. It is a world where Souls can be manifested, unlike Earth. The people here have used this manifestation to strengthen themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. However, like Earth, the laws of nature here are the same- the strong eat the weak."

Aurri's eyes flashed with interest.

"If you choose the third option, this will be the world you will reincarnate in, and there's a reason for that. The Demon responsible for your death is most active here."

"Wait," Aurri frowned, "I thought you have restrained the Demon?"

"I told you, it's more complicated than that. We are currently restraining it, but only its power. However, some of the Demon's power is still roaming, searching for its victim. Because of Eimterra's nature of Soul Manifestation, this is the Demon's favorite spot; therefore, you're more likely to encounter it."

"I see…" after thinking about it, Aurri picked up something, "wait, so, you want me to find the Demon here?"

Although the figure doesn't have a face, Aurri has a strange feeling that it smiles at him.

"That depends on you. Always remember, a Demon is powerful. Even we are troubled to suppress them. Although the Demon here is not its true form, it still has the fragment of its original power. Currently, that Demon may be the strongest being in Eimterra. Each fragment of the Demon you defeat, the easier it is for us to restain its original body."

Aurri didn't reply but only thought of something he couldn't voice. However, it was already too late. The moment he had thought of it, the figure already knew.

"We are different from a Demon. Unlike them, we cannot split our souls into fragments and have them wander within worlds that have life. We could only communicate and interact with another soul, such as you. If I enter the third dimension with my current form, the laws of nature will become unstable. That's our biggest disadvantage the Demons are exploiting. The more body it possesses, the stronger it is. Imagine if they got a hold of an infinite body after killing its soul."

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Just as the figure had said that, it let out a tone of dismay. After a short while, it continued.

"Now, I should tell you the ups and downs of the third option before I let you choose. You will have the opportunity to help defeat the Demon but never forget that it will be near impossible because of the Demon's strength. Don't worry. I will give you all my help while still interacting with you, and you will retain all the memories of your original life. As for the biggest downside…" the figure paused, after which its tone deepened, "... reincarnating means that you will live a new life."

The figure's last words may not sound like it's a downside at all. However, Aurri fully understands the severity of it. At the same time, he felt gratitude.

The figure said it is a downside because it is Aurri. If other people were falling victim to the Demon instead of him, reincarnation into another world might have been a blessing to them but not Aurri, for he treasures the life he just lost.

He just lived his life for seventeen years, yet it has become very precious to him. If he lived another life, no matter how much he avoids forgetting his friends, the unstopping flow of time forces him to.

What if he lived for a hundred years in his second life? By then, what worth is the seventeen years of life he had previously lived?

As a soul, Aurri didn't have anything to remember about his friends except for the memory themselves. If he forgets them, then what's even the point of trying to return?

"That's everything I can say. The decision is yours." the figure then gave Aurri some time to think. However, Aurri has already made a decision.

The answer was so obvious that Aurri was confident that no matter how many universes there were, he would have the same answer.

"I choose the reincarnation."

Aurri answered with one hundred percent certainty.

Hearing this, the figure nodded with a satisfied smile, "The first option should be the most lucrative since you will not suffer at all. You just need to sleep and leave everything to us. Meanwhile, with the second option, you need to wait for a year, and we will be certain you'll have your body back. So, tell me, why choose the third option?" it asked with interest.

"Hah, it's simple," Aurri confidently said, "If I'm given a chance to beat the Demon that dares to mess with my friends and me, I'll take it!"

"Hahaha, I see." the figure laughed out loud.

"Also, you already know that would be my answer, right? After all," Aurri pointed at his head, "You already know everything in here."

"Hmm, I wonder," the figure neither denied nor confirmed Aurri's thoughts, "Well, now that you're already set on the third option, I'll have to give you the powers to help you on your journey. Once you enter Eimterra, we will only meet again once you either succeed or fail, so this will be our only chance."

Hearing the word 'powers,' Aurri's face perked up.

"The first power lets you sense the soul fragment of the Demon when you meet one. Let's call it Soul Sense, and since it can sense a Demon Soul, naturally, it can also sense other souls, but I'll leave it to you to explore Soul Sense."

Although Aurri doesn't know how things in Eimterra work, he feels this Soul Sense will benefit him.

"The second power is only possible because you've been a victim of a Demon. This power is almost the same as the Demon's power in reaching other multiverses, but we've tweaked it, so it will not be as destructive as its original. If we didn't, it would be the same as nurturing another Demon," the figure laughed, but Aurri just blankly stared with no reaction, "ah… you're no fun." the figure shook its head.

"Anyway, the reason behind this power is that because the Demon successfully removed your soul from your infinite body across your multiverse, each body will become soulless. You can visit each of those bodies once you have mastered this power. As for the benefits of this power, I will let you figure it out for your own good, but a word of advice, nature is just chaos that reaches balance. Everything should be equal."

Question marks popped out of Aurri's head, but the figure didn't explain further.

"As for the third and last power, I cannot actually call it power, but let's not be nitpicky. As I said, everything should be equal. Currently, what happened to you is the most unfortunate thing to happen to any being, and because of that, your luck should be tremendous. However, the Demons strive for imbalance, making them destructive, disregarding the law of equality-…" the figure abruptly stopped seeing its explanation was confusing Aurri, "In short, we were able to salvage a fraction of your lost luck. But this luck is not natural because of the circumstance. It is not passive like what luck should be. Once you receive it, it's your choice when you'll activate this luck. It depends on how much you want to activate it, but I advise you to save it and only use it when you need it the most."

After that, the figure waved its hand, and even though they were floating out in space, a breeze blew Aurri like a colorful wind. It surrounded him and smoothly integrated with his soul.

Earlier, Aurri wanted to ask how he'll be able to use these powers, but when he received them, he immediately developed the intuition on how to activate them. Although he was in no way of mastering these powers, it is the same as receiving a compass in an unknown dark forest. He doesn't know the entirety of the dark forest unless he explores it himself. He still knows the general directions.

With these powers, Aurri's confidence significantly rose.

Demon, wait for me there. I'll show you the consequences of messing with me!

"Since you have received the powers, staying out here in the fourth dimension will break your soul. Your soul is still far from being mature."

At the same time, Aurri felt like his sense is fading out.

"Wait!"

"Regretting your decision now?" the figure tilted its head.

"No, I've been hearing 'we' and 'us' from you since the beginning! If I don't know the names of those who help me, how can I thank you all!?"

"Befriend?" even the figure was surprised at this. At the same time, it chuckled, "Since you want to thank us, then I'll tell you. We were once humans like you. Only that, we've surpassed immortality and achieved true maturity. We are the Ascended." the figure said with power and pride which it had never done before, "We bear no single name after we ascended. As for the name when I was still human, I haven't forgotten about it. It was—"

…but before Aurri could hear the figure's name, all his senses blacked out.

When he opened his eyes, what welcomed him was the blue sky. Aurri's eyelids flinched when he accidentally stared at the sun and immediately looked away. That's when he touched his head and only noticed blood covering it.

"What?"