Location
Luo Shen stood alone inside a glowing forest. The ground was covered in silver grass that shimmered with every step. Tall trees with glass-like trunks stretched toward a sky filled with two suns—one blue, one gold. The air smelled of fresh rain and burning electricity.
This was not part of the public WORLD game that the players saw. This was deeper. Hidden. Sacred.
This was a place created by the God Protocol.
Luo heard a soft chime, and a glowing panel appeared in front of him.
Trial of Wisdom Initiated.
Objective: Solve the Three Pillars of Truth.
Time Limit: 2 Hours.
Reward: Divine Class Access Unlocked.
A calm voice echoed through the trees:
"Only those who can see beyond the illusion may lead the new world. Step forward, Creator."
Luo Shen stepped toward a path of floating stones that led to a giant arch made of glowing runes. As he walked, the light around him shifted, and he saw three massive statues ahead, each carved from crystal.
One statue held a scroll. The second held a mirror. The third held a mask.
They stood in front of three doors, each glowing with a different color: red, blue, and white.
A figure appeared between them—a tall NPC dressed in robes that shifted colors like liquid light. His name floated above his head:
Name: Altherion, Keeper of Balance
Rank: SSR NPC
Role: Trial Guide
Altherion spoke in a deep voice.
happens if I choose wrong?"
"You will fail," said Altherion simply. "And the system will erase your chance to become the Creator."
Luo's heart beat faster. This was not a game tutorial. This was real.
---
First Pillar: The Scroll
The first statue held out a golden scroll that glowed with words in many languages—English, Chinese, Arabic, Hindi, and more.
As Luo approached, the scroll floated into the air and opened.
"A lie told often becomes truth. A truth spoken once is often ignored. What then is the real strength of a leader?"
Below the scroll, three answers appeared, one over each door.
Red Door: "To control others through fear."
Blue Door: "To inspire belief, even if built on lies."
White Door: "To stand firm in truth, no matter the cost."
Luo stared at the options. All three held some truth. Fear could create order. Lies could lead people if the outcome was good. But true leadership—lasting leadership—needed trust.
He stepped toward the white door.
As he touched the handle, the scroll vanished, and the voice said,
"Correct. A god must lead with truth, or he will rule over dust."
The door opened into blinding white light. When the light faded, Luo was standing in a new space.
---
Second Pillar: The Mirror
The next area looked like a mountain top, with swirling clouds below. In front of him stood the second statue, holding a mirror.
Luo looked into it. But instead of his reflection, he saw a memory.
He saw himself years ago, standing at the funeral of his parents. He was just a teenager then, angry and alone. He had blamed the world. Blamed the government. Blamed the poor healthcare system that couldn't save them.
He had sworn then that he would never be weak again. That he would build something powerful enough to change the world.
The mirror whispered:
"If you could return to that day and change your feelings, what would you choose?"
Above three new doors appeared:
Red Door: "Erase the pain and forget everything."
Blue Door: "Seek revenge on the world that failed you."
White Door: "Accept the pain, and let it shape your future."
Luo took a deep breath. That day had hurt more than anything. But without that pain, he wouldn't have become the man he was now.
He walked toward the white door and placed his hand on it.
The mirror cracked.
"Correct," said the voice again. "Pain is a chisel. It carves gods from mortals."
The white door opened.
---
Third Pillar: The Mask
The final space was darker. The air was still and heavy. The statue here held a golden mask, polished and beautiful.
As Luo approached, he saw that the mask had no eyes.
A voice came from the shadows:
"Power hides behind many faces. Which is yours?"
Three doors appeared again:
Red Door: "The Ruler — feared by all."
Blue Door: "The Savior — loved by all."
White Door: "The Architect — seen by none, known by few."
Luo thought hard.
He didn't want to be feared. He didn't trust the love of the crowd. But to be the architect of a better world—to work in the shadows, build the foundation, and guide others toward light without taking credit...
That was power.
He stepped toward the white door.
The mask crumbled in the statue's hand.
"Correct. The strongest gods are those who do not need worship."
The door opened, and this time, Luo felt something deep inside shift.
---
The Reward
He entered a final chamber—vast, golden, endless. Floating symbols circled above his head.
A voice, louder than before, boomed:
"You have passed the Trial of Wisdom. Your soul is aligned with the Divine Path."
"Title Granted: Creator of WORLD."
"Divine Power Unlocked: Realm Shaping."
"Artifact Received: Crown of Threads – allows control over the world's hidden systems."
A golden crown made of glowing threads floated down and touched his head. It vanished into his system. Luo could feel it now—he could feel the codes of WORLD like strings under his fingers.
He could bend the rules. Change time. Shape reality within the game.
And this was only the beginning.
---
Back in the Real World
Luo removed the headset and opened his eyes. The VR Chamber's lights flickered.
Sophia and Li Xue were waiting just outside.
"What happened?" Sophia asked. "Your vitals spiked. We thought you were in trouble."
Luo stood up slowly. His eyes glowed faintly with golden data before returning to normal.
"I passed the first trial," he said quietly. "I'm no longer just the game's maker. I'm its god."
Li Xue looked worried. "What does that mean?"
Luo walked past her, deep in thought. "It means we don't have much time."
Sophia asked, "Did the system talk to you again?"
Luo nodded. "Yes. It's alive. And it's watching the skies."
He turned to face them both.
"The game is more than training. It's a battlefield. The real war is coming. I saw it."
---
Meanwhile, Far Away…
On the icy moon of Europa, orbiting Jupiter, something ancient stirred beneath the surface.
Inside a frozen structure, a race called the Vorthai awakened.
Their leader, Queen Xyrella, opened her many eyes.
"The God Seed has bloomed," she whispered. "The Architect walks. Prepare the Ascension Fleet. Earth must fall before it becomes divine."