Authors' note: Ok so i have a few things to talk about so please bear with me. First off support for my story is growing and whilst I'm not the most popular I am very much satisfied with how well things are progressing. I appreciate ever single one of my readers as being able to write and publish my own work has been a bit of a dream of mine for a few years.

That being said it's not as easy as i thought so i must now change the way i write to make some much needed improvements. First off I will write longer chapters and make sure to proof read them before releasing. That will mean less chapters a week as it may take me two or three days but I'm sure you all understand how important quality is.

Next is the characters. I would like to address a growing concern, Simphiwe. I will be honest and say he was not an original part of my story, but as I started writing i felt someone like him was important. I needed the readers to see the world through the eyes of someone who may not value the things any 'good' MC would. I needed a normal perspective. and i think I've done a good job of that. I get why he may not be so likable but just understand that his character was not well thought out I'll be honest.

I needed to expose more of the world before introducing Thabo into the mix so just made Simphiwe up. And since i need him to build up the open world i can't get ride of him but I'll focus on him less if the poll results indicate that. Also i made him more naturally talented than Thabo to make Thabo's progress more impressive, don't think to much about it.

Now, once again thanks for your time and here's todays chapter.

[Simphiwe POV]

Simphiwe was not a good fighter, this was by far an understatement. Unlike his elder brother, Thabo, Simphiwe was skinny, and had not done boxing nor any other kind of combat-orientated sport; in fact, he had done almost no sports at all. He loved games; he loved them to an obsessive level, his obsessive nature was the only thing he had in common with his ‘stellar’ older brother, well his brother was obsessed with studying but Simphiwe saw it as an obsession no less.

Point is Simphiwe could not fight and he was not good at sports, but he was amazing at games. Now these two things had become one, and this for Simphiwe was a problem. Would he be good at it cause it’s a game? Or bad because it’s a real life sport now? None of that mattered. This was a new world and a new life, and he would enjoy them as such. Unlike his real body, Simphiwe did not feel constricted by this virtual one. All throughout the challenge he had been able to run, and keep up with the overly athletic Mark. It was not easy but it was as simple as gritting through the pain and moving forward, his real body would not respond as well and Simphiwe was sure of that.

Now though he had a problem. Unlike running and jumping which were simple tests of endurance; he had to fight something, something big and scary. He had no experience fighting yet here he was trying to figure out how to beat this huge, hairy beast. Fortunately, whilst Mark was fighting it, Simphiwe had found some weapons; nothing much just some wooden sticks lined up on the side of the room. But now Simphiwe had to use those very weapons and could not figure out how…

-Let’s just try swinging the stick for now. I’m a Hero here so there’s no way I can give up! – Simphiwe thought.

Simphiwe stood ready to intercept the beast. He held his weapon with both hands tightly as he raised them into the air. And just was he felt the beast was in range.

*Woosh*

The sound of the weapon gliding horizontally through air. Simphiwe, whilst still on the rebound of his swing which he aimed high, horizontally and went towards his right left his left side completely open. The beast dived straight in and with a single blown.

*BAM*

Knocked Simphiwe out.

25 minutes later…

“…w…wa…wake up! Wake up, are you alright!? Hey Hacker are you alright!?”

Sim/Hacker: “W, what happened, where am I?”

Congratulations! You have passed the first round of the test!

Thanks to the performance by your teammate, Mark, who not only fought of the were beast alone but also got you both checked in at the sign-in point and single-handedly carried you down the mountain. This is not against the rules so you have been passed.

As Simphiwe’s vision started to clear-up he could now tell what had happened and was slightly embarrassed. He could not believe that he could pass out in a game, which had only further proved its amazing realism. Thankfully he had not failed the mission or else this day would be a complete waste.

A few medical personnel were doing some final checks on Simphiwe when he saw a familiar face coming out of the crowd.

Simphiwe: “Ah, Mark, I was just about to go out and look for you.”

Mark: “Hey take it easy, you were hurt bad, have you even recovered yet?”

Simphiwe: “Don’t worry my race has some good regeneration stats. Anyway thanks for helping me out you’re a real life-saver!” He said with a huge innocent smile on his face.

Mark: “No problem.”

Simphiwe: “No, for real, your pretty good, the only person I’ve ever personally seen with that much skill in a fight was my brother! Though he only fought in the ring, but you fought an animal bare-handed!”

Mark: “Listen Sim- no, TheHacker, I think this game is pretty intense, maybe a little too intense, if you get what I’m saying.”

Simphiwe: “Yeah! That challenge was crazy, when I saw that monster I thought I was going to die!”

Mark: “Yeah it seems a bit much for you to handle.”

Simphiwe: “I know, I know, need to start level grinding soon! Haha that way I won’t die from a slim attack!”

Mark: “…I don’t think you understand what I’m trying to say.”

Simphiwe: “Oh! Damn! Sorry, Mark what’s the second challenge? That was only the first right? What’s the second one?”

Mark: “You’re still going on! Hey don’t you think- “

Sargent: “Alright all you semi-useless bait!! Listen up! I’m sure you understand now how tough it is to be a soldier!! This is not a game! If you can’t take it just leave now! This will be your second and last challenge! We’ll keep it simple, you can use magic and martial arts, just fight one of the older soldiers for 5 minutes without dying then you pass!”

Small round floors were set up throughout the field, there were about 5000 who passed the test. And only 2 300 would pass this second one. One by one they mostly fell to the brutal veterans. The fights were tough even Mark barely got by with his [hardened body], [power hit] and [simple energy bolt]. The fight lasted 7 minutes as the soldier blatantly ignored the rules constantly pushing Mark into a corner before finally conceding and passing him. Then it was Simphiwe’s turn.

Soldier: “Hahahahaha hey guys it’s the princess carry guy! The one who passed out but still got through!” Laughter erupted around as soldiers and test takers alike gathered to see what was happening.

Simphiwe simply smiled meekly.

Soldier: “Hey my man, I’m not cruel, just give up and I’ll let you go. I’ll even help you find the admin sign-up office. The field just isn’t for you.”

Simphiwe: “…No, I’m ok, thanks for the offer though.”

The Soldier’s smile turned grin.

Soldier: “Alright, your funeral, keep the medics close.”

The following fight lasted only 5 seconds. The soldier charged out at Simphiwe. His speed and fury like a charging bull, but then.

*BOOM*

The soldier was sent flying into the crowd, and Simphiwe was left in the ring with his right hand extended and a red and blue light glowing within it.

-I didn’t get a chance to test it but the professor was right, these new spells are way more effective than fireball, ok I only got 40 energy units left, now I need to switch to an energy saver tactic right. So now activate [advanced body argumentation]. – Simphiwe thought as energy began covering him.

You have won!

The entire crowd stood in shock, and Simphiwe simply stared back with a confused look on his face.

[Thabo POV]

My power truly has improved but now I can’t seem to pass 64%. Oh well I guess it’s good enough, I’ll try getting through it another time. I’ve gotten decently good at filtering my energy. I think it’s about time to move to the last soul point, the [public point], located in the genitals, now please let’s be mature about this, after all that meditation, training and enlightenment I’m sure I can direct my focus towards my lower region without thinking unnecessary thoughts. Yes, I am a mature male who is developing his nether region for a good reason. YES, you can just casually train your genitals’ soul power, there is nothing wrong with that, in fact, there are many uses for such a thing.

According to the book I got the [public point] is used for forming connections with other souls… *nodding* yes, of course I understand what that means. I am mature, I know that you can have all kinds of connections with people, right? I will not think they’re making me train in this chamber for many years just to be a high performance porn star. Even Hell is not that cruel. Now then let’s just focus my energy towards the previously mentioned location and begin.

Hahahaha well this is awkward, seems my [public region] is, like the name suggests, quite public. From my studies I know it takes tiny samples of your soul and injects it (for males) into a person if you perform certain acts. The female side obviously accepts. Point is this process is permanent, and can be used to test how manly or innocent you are *Wink*. Now being a male there is nothing injected into me, but… I clearly see some connections… huh I did some crazy stuff. Fortunately, now I can maybe locate my vic- partners and make amends. Well it’s actually easier for the women to find me since they’re the ones with pieces of me injected into them, but hopefully I can resonate with those pieces and see what happens.

Now moving away from the uncomfortable talk. I lied, that was not the last soul point, but I am ignoring one of them. Honestly it is way too dangerous and I’m not that power hungry. Well not like I know what it does. Nothing much was written on it. The [heart of knowledge] is what it’s called, but that name isn’t its real name. It’s actually the [forbidden fruit of knowledge] or better known as the [Devils’ fruit].

I don’t know what it does nor how to open it, it won’t react to anything, but a week ago it began… waking up… not sure how to say it but yeah I was surprised, shocked, no honestly scared. Feels like there’s a snake just casually sleeping in my soul and now it just started waking up. I’ll limit energy circulation to it and hope for the best.

Now then I’ve done all my soul points shouldn’t I get a-

Well done! You have passed through Hells’ pilgrimage and unlocked the [soul scripts] now your strength will grow limitlessly and talent will mean nothing to you. You also receive Gold citizen class status.

Yes! Yes! I think I’m leaving now I feel a body being made for me! Yes!! Attach, attach, ATTACH!!

*PeeeP*

Somewhere in a tall buildings’ corner office sat a man who looked to be in his mid-twenties. He had brown hair and brown eyes. He wore formal clothing; a black suit, white top with no blazer and rolled up sleazes. He had that was well managed and brushed back. His name was Zain. Admin Zain Belatoriny, but this was nothing the new slaves needed to know. None would reach a level high enough to even touch him. Though some might gain enough freedom to know of him. He sat in his lavish office going over details of some of his properties when.

*Peeep*

That same sound disturbed him. The sound all at his level were taught to recognize but never got a chance to actually hear, until today…

Zain: “Nonsense, it must be a mistake.”

Zain quickly stood up and rushed to an elevator installed in his office. In a blur he poured power into it and shot down into the lower levels. The beam a light arrived at its location and Zain got off and flew to one of the golden containers. He was arrogant and didn’t believe what was happening but knew that if he had not responded to the signal, should it be true, he would be gravely punished. In Hell power was everything, and creating new powerhouses was a major focus point for the Admins, even though barely any results ever seemed worth the effort. Zain arrived in front of the Golden container, well, where the Golden container was supposed to be, just in time to witness what was about to take place.

The Golden container began to cave in on the light in its center. The Gold began melting and flowing into the light. Filling it, enveloping it, giving it shape. As the liquid Gold touched Thabo’s soul it began to glow. Waves of light happily spread throughout the entire sea of glistening liquid. As this happened noticed a strange thing happening. There were 6 external soul points, the three gates were still sealed but the three soul vessels were not, and one of them was reacting to the Gold. Thabo felt no malice so he opened his soul to the liquid, which flowed into him like a violent avalanche. However, as the material flowed in endlessly, his greedy soul vessel drank the liquid like nothing. Soon almost all was gone, except for the parts forging Thabo’s body.

The liquid metal took shape. It began more and more detailed as time passed. A head, an arm, legs, ears; as if it was a master sculptor each part of Thabo was recreated from scratch with the utmost care and precision. The liquid had formed a better looing version than the original. Rock solid muscles and smooth blemish less skin toned out the Gold. Darkening greatly without losing its shine as the figure still retained its shine and sun-like aura.

Now a man could clearly be seen floating in midair. Had you not have had energy senses you would be tricked into believing this was some kind off brilliant statue, until it started moving, stretching and slowly falling to the ground. It gracefully landed on its feet before blankly staring at Zain with eyes void of all emotion.

Zain could tell how outrageous the change on Thabo was more than anyone. In front of him now stood a 180 cm tall statue like figure. Its muscles were, in a word, perfect, not to big nor small though so defined you could probably grind granite on them. His skin was floorless, a light brown color that would make models jealous. His face was just as impressive. Though you could tell it was still the same person, he had changed enough to make looking him in the eyes, whose pupils had remained colored Golden for some marvelous reason, without showing lust difficult. Zain was confident that if it were a woman who came to greet him after his completion. This visit would not end so professionally.

Thabo: “You, I remember you.”

Zain: “Yes, my name is Admin Zain Belatoriny. I am here to greet you and assist you in moving to the upper layers. As well as unseal your magic.”

Thabo: “Good. Let’s go then, and I need some clothes.”

Zain: “…y, Yes sir.” He said reluctantly