When the plot-skips players into the game world

...If I fail, should I return to become a Pillar God?

Aiwass had initially wanted to say something, but Si Zhu's words effectively silenced him.

Now that Si Zhu had spoken this far, not choosing [Si Zhu's Horn] would be impolite.

After all, the [Son of Si Zhu] form can also provide necessary resurrection—and compared to [Endless Mercy], which is limited to combat resurrection within three seconds of death, [Son of Si Zhu] offers ritual-type resurrection that can bring back those long departed.

In the past, this was something only the Amber Master could accomplish!

Of course...

What truly drew Aiwass was its other trait.

—The ability to heal amberfication.

Though Aiwass's Fruit of Sin Thorn already had similar capabilities, this ability seemed even more thorough. With its aid, Aiwass could help the Pure White Saintess break free from her amberfication state ahead of time.

At that point, someone else could take on the Holy Crown!

...Although he'd only been Pope for a month, Aiwass already felt he'd had enough.

Initially, it was quite enjoyable—being able to control everything on the Great Tree at will. It felt like playing some sort of simulation management game, enthusiastically tinkering here and there; perhaps lifting up a child who'd fallen or healing someone afflicted by disease...

He was no longer limited by his physical body, no longer hungry, no longer fatigued, no longer drained... nor was his mind clouded by worldly desires. He embodied a more exalted, divine, and omnipotent state—capable of perceiving anything through "soul awareness," though unnoticed by others.

He could freely enter any place, flip through books, admire the scenery, or steal a morsel of offerings.

Gravity no longer bound his soul; he could soar by will. Space and distance no longer consumed his time. Every day, he idly watched the sun rise and fall, aiding whomever he could. He could engage any elf within the Holy Nation in private conversation, regardless of where they were, drawing them to his side for company.

—If there were a god who walked this earth, surely it would be like this.

But as Aiwass gradually settled into this life, he began to feel boredom and emptiness in his idleness.

The most pressing issue, however, was the loneliness.

Though he could chat with countless people and immerse himself in the lively human world... for some reason, he still felt profoundly alone.

This god who walked the earth—was he not but a prisoner bound to it?

No wonder candidates for Eternal Saintess needed to acclimate to days of quiet monotony and repetition.

The position of Eternal Pope might be revered, but it truly wasn't work suited for humans.

The Pope Aiwass, once seduced by "the Void," could accept this hollow existence—in fact, he was gradually spiraling into the void, oblivious to the self-consuming path he'd chosen. But now, having regained his wholeness, he realized he couldn't embrace such a tranquil life.

Aiwass could never remain idle.

Much like his school days, he would always busy himself with tasks. That feeling gave him a sense of fulfillment.

Thus, Aiwass opted for [Transcendent Snake] and [Si Zhu's Horn].

Unlike the "job transfer animation" during Fourth Level transitions.

Perhaps it was due to the lack of traditional career promotion—or maybe Si Zhu's gentleness—but this time, Aiwass experienced far less pain during his ascension.

The two light points transformed into purple and red orbs, encircling Aiwass before plunging into his body one after another.

He basked in an overwhelming warmth, reminiscent of lying on a beach beneath the sun's rays.

Then suddenly, Aiwass felt a scorching intensity.

Like sunbathing to the point of sunburn—

Severe tingling and pain made him instinctively rub his skin.

As he did, his fair skin turned black, withered, and peeled away, revealing deep layers of dark purple serpent scales beneath.

Soon, his entire skin became translucent and yellowed. Like sheets of paper being stripped away, scales covering his entire body were exposed.

It was then that Aiwass unconsciously touched his forehead.

He found two warm horns there.

Small, barely two or three centimeters, but their texture was soothing—like jade, or the comforting warmth of a hand warmer on a winter's day.

Confirming his antlers, Aiwass returned to reality.

He opened his eyes to the sight of the ceiling, his right hand still feeling the antlers on his forehead.

"...They've actually grown," he murmured with mixed emotions.

How should I hide them...? For now, while they're smaller than my pinky finger, a hat might suffice. But if they grow further... maybe a headband? Perhaps I can pretend it's just part of a deer-antler hat?

Someday, he mused, I might actually "pound you to death with my head"—after all, antlers are an important self-defense tool for stags.

Then, the warm strength cascaded from the depths of his soul, reshaping his body.

A harmonious blend of intense Power of Devotion and Power of Transcendence surged forth.

Feeling the restoration of lost strength and the absence of any obstruction, Aiwass finally understood everything...

...No wonder Si Zhu wanted them to fuse earlier.

Their ascension was simply too rapid.

If they ascended independently, they'd create two diametrically opposed forces: one would be a true Pope, embodying saintly dedication yet harboring an irredeemably empty soul, willing to sacrifice their life for any commoner; the other, a fanatic consumed by insatiable desire, branded by Marks of Sin deep within their soul, willing to sacrifice anyone to achieve their goals.

"...The gap between Path Power in Fourth Level and Fifth Level is truly immense."

Aiwass gazed down at his hands.

Though they appeared to emit light, he felt it—the muscles and bones within were being continuously refined into a stronger form. Mortal weapons could no longer harm Aiwass; even standing amidst an inferno, flames wouldn't burn him but instead heal his wounds—without relying on Rite of Fire Skills.

Bullets were incapable of injuring him; his reflexes were so heightened that he could catch them mid-flight. Third-Level Transcendents... even if Aiwass didn't defend himself, they wouldn't be able to breach his defenses in any way.

In ancient times, he might have been revered as a deity by the masses.

He now felt that, facing his self from only a day prior, he could defeat three of him without exerting much effort.

Aiwass even believed—purely relying on physical strength, he could easily win a hand-to-hand fight against a Fourth-Level Demon!

"So this... this is the power of Fifth Level?"

He had finally joined the ranks of the "Big Brother" tier of elites, truly standing at the same level as those supreme beings.

The current Aiwass wasn't just a strong competitor by exploiting information gaps or intelligence; he had become one of this world's foremost warriors, undeniably powerful.

Aiwass's ascension had been so rapid that he hadn't had the time to master many skills.

In less than half a year, he rose from a mortal to Fifth Level.

Shortly after, a new system panel appeared before Aiwass:

Great Sin Scholar LV40: [Great Sin Ceremony-9th Level (0%)], [Phantom Contract-14th Level (50%)], [Curse-4th Level (60%)], [Shepherding (Essence)-3rd Level (0%)], [Demonology Knowledge-3rd Level (44%)]

Illuminator LV40: [Basic Prayer-8th Level (90%)], [Rite of Fire-8th Level (89%)], [Illumination·Radiance-8th Level (0%)], [Shepherding (Flesh)-8th Level (50%)], [Dawnfire-2nd Level (60%)], [Blessing·Illumination-6th Level (0%)]

Mana Pool: 284/284 (None), 0/42 (Wind)

Path Characteristics——

[Transcendent Snake (Gold): When you confront enemies of higher levels and fail the confrontation roll, your next roll gains +2 priority (Divinity)]

[Si Zhu's Horn (Gold): You can now sacrifice two-thirds of your current health to transform into the mythical form of Sin Beast, sustaining the transformation by consuming Light/Fire attribute mana. When mana is depleted, you revert to your original form]

[In "Sin Beast" form, you can only utilize abilities related to the Path of Devotion; you are considered a same-level Superior Phantom of the Path of Devotion; you possess divinity; you can freely control Sin Thorn without expending mana, akin to a dragon's breath ability, and can consume Sin Thorn to restore mana; you receive perpetual regeneration, as though you were constantly under the effects of Illumination Art or Rite of Fire Skill; upon death in this state, you will reincarnate in the Material Realm as Phantom Demon Egg; you can be banished to the Dream Realm by banishment-type abilities; if in the Dream Realm, maintaining Sin Beast form doesn't require mana consumption]

[The more mana used in this state, the higher the transformation rate becomes; at a 70% transformation rate, you cannot revert to human form; at 80%, you cannot enter the Material Realm]

[Current Transformation Rate: 5%—Your mere presence on the battlefield confers all allies 300% increased healing, your "Light" and "Fire" attribute damage ignores 33% resistance; you gain privileges similar to Si Zhu's Angel Envoy, such as blessing, purification, restoration, healing, resurrection, and wishing.]

Examining these stats, Aiwass remained silent for a long time and exhaled gently.

He immediately contacted the Pure White Saintess.

"Come to me," Aiwass said, "I've found a way to resolve your amberfication issue."