"I have officially named it… Emulated Soul."
I let the words hang in the air, sharp and commanding. The trio of Veldora, Milim, and Ramiris turned their attention fully to me, curiosity and awe reflecting in their eyes.
"Veldora's answer was closest. This is an emulation of a soul container. I cannot replicate an actual soul, but this is the next best thing," I explained, my voice calm but carrying undeniable authority.
"Oh? So… how did you make something like this?" Veldora's grin was smug, pleased that his guess had nearly hit the mark.
I allowed myself a slight smirk. There was no need to hold back now; I would reveal the process—but I decided to add a touch of drama.
After all, crafting something like this had required immense effort. A little impact would not be out of place.
"Patience," I said, holding up my hand. "Before I explain, look at this."
From the prepared collection, I drew out a set of black orbs, placing one in each of their hands. Each orb was about the size of a fist. Veldora tilted his head, examining it intently.
"You can pick any monster you wish," I continued, my voice steady and resonant. "Any that exists, from common to the extremely rare."
"Even a goblin? Or a one-horned rabbit? Or a man-eating bear?" Veldora asked.
"Yes," I said sharply. "Pick carefully. Once you decide, there will be no complaints."
Milim's eyes sparkled. "Monsters? Are we… going to use them to face the labyrinth invaders?"
"Exactly," I replied. "These monsters are now guardians of the labyrinth. Anyone who enters is an invader in that sense."
The trio exchanged looks of understanding. Ramiris hesitated, but Veldora explained it in simpler terms for her.
"Then… we can really defeat the invaders with these?" Ramiris asked, doubt in her voice.
"Not yet," I said, tone firm. "What you see is only the beginning. Watch closely. This is how true power is forged."
I focused my attention on the black orbs—the Master Cores. The magic core of Charybdis had been essential in crafting these. Isolated within my 'Stomach,' and analyzed thoroughly by Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, it had become the perfect vessel to contain and project consciousness. Its negative energy had long been consumed, leaving only a stable shell. This made it an ideal medium for the Emulated Soul.
"Now, imagine your monster clearly in your mind," I instructed. "Visualize every detail."
The magicule in the air gradually concentrated within each orb. Slowly, the creatures formed—precisely as each of them had imagined.
I began with my own creation. A floating, transparent spirit—a ghost. It possessed Physical Nullification, meaning it could not be harmed physically, though it lacked the means for physical attacks. Combat would require strategy and magical skill.
Next, Veldora's. A skeleton warrior, simple yet imposing. Limited in magic use, but its potential for growth was vast. Perhaps one day, it could even learn Qi Fighting.
Milim's creation was next: a bright red slime with a gooey, flexible body. No limbs, yet it moved with incredible speed.
"Oi!" Milim shouted, half-laughing. "Why a slime?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You requested a monster you liked. Who am I to judge your choices?"
Her frustration turned into amusement, her eyes gleaming as she shouted, "Slime!" fully
embracing her creation.
Finally, Ramiris. Animated armor—full plate, enormous in size. A reflection of her own insecurities about her small stature, manifesting as sheer scale. Though visually striking, it was limited in capability—perfectly Ramiris.
"All set," I said. My voice rang with authority. "Now, it's time to synchronize."
"Synchronize?" Veldora asked.
"Yes. Sit, focus on your Emulated Soul, and shout 'Possess!' at your creation."
Skepticism shadowed their faces, but they obeyed, seating themselves comfortably. The conference room chairs offered ample support, ensuring focus would not be interrupted.
"POSSESS!" The three shouted simultaneously.
I mirrored them, my command exacting and resonant. The Emulated Souls glowed, infusing the monsters and merging seamlessly with their Master Cores.
The possession was complete.
Instantly, my consciousness shifted. My field of view shrank drastically, the familiar expanse of my Magic Perception reduced to the limited senses of my current vessel. Though I had simulated the five senses perfectly, the other three were unaccustomed to such immersion. I anticipated their struggle and scanned the surroundings carefully.
Through this constrained perspective, I observed: Veldora's skeleton warrior stretching its limbs, Milim's slime darting with abnormal agility, and Ramiris' animated armor clanking into motion—slightly awkward but fully functional.
Each had successfully possessed their respective monsters, and the initial step of this new strategy had begun.
I could feel myself settling into the new form. Surprisingly natural, almost as if I were simply inhabiting another layer of my own body. My abilities were constrained, of course—the ghost's movements weren't as fluid as my own—but once I familiarized myself with its limitations, control came easily. Soon, I moved with complete freedom.
It seemed the same for the others.
"THIS… IS INCREDIBLE!" the trio shouted in unison, their voices full of exhilaration after testing the conditions of their new bodies.
"Indeed," I said, my tone calm but commanding. "How do you like the result of my research?"
"It's amazing, truly amazing, Atem!" Veldora's eyes gleamed.
"Atem, you're incredible! I knew you weren't an ordinary man!" Milim added, voice full of excitement.
"I was right to place my trust in you!" Ramiris exclaimed, her small hands clenching in glee.
They changed their tune with astonishing speed. Yet seeing them so thrilled confirmed that my efforts had been worthwhile.
"Looks like the transfer was successful. Now, what is the next step? I don't need to spell it out, do I?" I said, scanning their faces.
"Kukuku," Veldora chuckled, his grin wide. "What a bold move. You didn't want to leave it to the monsters—you intended for us to fight ourselves. I see now. You really know how to make things interesting, Atem."
"Indeed. I can feel it—the thrill of a true challenge awaits. I am eager to begin this conquest of the labyrinth in these forms…" Milim said, her voice almost trembling with excitement.
"I understand now… this is a game!" Ramiris exclaimed.
"What? Is that really true, Veldora?"
"Mentor! Can we defeat enemies like this? Perhaps even evolve these bodies?" His sharp gaze pinned me.
As expected of him. He saw straight through my intentions. Yes, this was reminiscent of an MMORPG—a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. Though the scale was smaller, the concept remained. A practical, thrilling simulation of strategy, combat, and growth.
"Veldora, you have keen insight," I said, my voice carrying an edge of approval. "You have understood the purpose. But do not mistake this for mere entertainment. There are matters requiring our attention first."
"GAHAHAHA! You mean the challengers? Ah, then these bodies will serve to confront—or perhaps sabotage—the intruders," Veldora said, fully grasping my plan.
Indeed. My true intent was to utilize these monster avatars to strategically counteract the progress of Team Green Rebellion, while simultaneously allowing us to test the labyrinth's defenses and identify weaknesses.
"As I suspected, this will also be enjoyable in a more direct sense," I said, letting a faint smirk cross my face. "We can level these avatars, experiment with combat, and learn to master their limitations. The purpose is dual: fun and preparation."
"Once our preparations are complete, the true trial begins," I continued. "We will confront the labyrinth's invaders directly, but without exposing our full strength. Our monstrous forms will allow for an honest assessment of the labyrinth's defenses."
"I understand," Ramiris said, nodding. "If we engage as our true selves, the authority of the king of the labyrinth would dominate, leaving the experiment void. But in these bodies…" She glanced at her animated armor, pride mixed with curiosity.
"Yes. No longer as Demon Lords or True Dragons, but as monsters capable of freely engaging the invaders," I said, voice carrying a commanding certainty.
"Now, that does sound exciting!" Milim agreed, practically vibrating with anticipation. Her normally unrestrained power made the limitations of a monster body feel refreshing and thrilling.
"Then let us begin." My tone was sharp, leaving no room for hesitation.
"Before we start proper operations," I added, "we must tidy the floor and ensure the battlefield is optimal."
"I'm ready," Veldora said, cracking his knuckles. "I've been itching to test my forty-eight Ultra Instinct kill moves!"
"Even in this body, I can't resist testing my limits," Milim added, bouncing with impatience.
We set off, our determination palpable. Every step was deliberate, our focus absolute. The first objective: neutralize the troublesome Team Green Rebellion and secure the lower floors from further disruption.
And to accomplish that goal… I had devised an even more devious plan.