The arena shifted one last time.
Gone was the killing ground. Gone was the winner's circle. In their place stood something ancient, something primordial, something that had existed since before the first universe.
[TIER 4 — THE FINAL TRIAL]
Aspect Value
Location The Origin Point
Nature Living embodiment of the Absolute Genius test
Opponent A being that adapts to become your equal
Rules Defeat yourself. Become more.
Kafu stood alone in an endless white void. No enemies. No allies. No distractions.
Just him.
And then, a figure materialized before him—identical in every way, down to the last molecule, the last thought, the last memory.
[OPPONENT: THE PERFECT COPY]
Aspect Value
Cultivation Identical to Kafu
IF 500 MILLION
Techniques All of Kafu's
Equipment All of Kafu's
Mind All of Kafu's thoughts
Soul All of Kafu's essence
Copy Kafu smiled. "Hello, me."
Kafu smiled back. "Hello, me."
They attacked simultaneously.
---
THE BATTLE OF SELVES
[EXCHANGE 1 — GOLDEN SWORD WORLD]
Two billion golden swords filled the void, each one perfectly matched, each one canceling the other.
[EXCHANGE 2 — DREAM DEVOURER]
Two staffs, 39 forms each, clashed in a dance of perfect symmetry.
[EXCHANGE 3 — BLOOD BENDING]
Two blood arts grappled for control, neither gaining an inch.
[EXCHANGE 4 — SPACE-TIME LAW]
Two realities warped, folded, broke—and reformed identically.
[EXCHANGE 5 — GOLDEN MIRROR]
Two mirrors reflected each other's reflections into infinity.
For an hour, they fought—perfect equals, perfect opposites, perfect selves.
---
NEW HOPE WATCHES
Fifty-two thousand held their breath.
"He's fighting himself," Makena whispered. "How do you defeat yourself?"
Nyx shook her head. "I don't know. But he'll find a way."
Tovin nodded slowly. "He always does."
In the streets, children stopped playing. Adults stopped talking. The elderly stopped praying.
All eyes were on the screen.
---
THE BREAKTHROUGH
After an hour of stalemate, Kafu realized the truth.
He couldn't defeat his copy. It was him. It knew his every thought, his every move, his every intention.
But that was the point.
The trial wasn't about defeating himself.
It was about becoming more.
[THE FINAL ILLUSION — CONSCIOUSNESS STAGE 6]
Kafu reached deep within himself—past the power, past the technique, past the self—and touched something fundamental.
The copy was him. But it was also not him.
It was his past. His present. His potential.
He didn't need to defeat it.
He needed to integrate it.
[SELF-MERGER — INITIATED]
Kafu stopped fighting. Opened his arms. Embraced his copy.
The copy hesitated—then did the same.
[INTEGRATION — COMPLETE]
Light exploded outward. The void shattered. The arena dissolved.
When it cleared, Kafu stood alone—not changed, but complete.
[TIER 4 — COMPLETE]
· [Opponent: Self]
· [Method: Integration, not destruction]
· [Time: 1 hour, 3 minutes]
· [Result: Transcendence]
---
THE ABSOLUTE GENIUS
A voice echoed through the void—the voice of the Absolute Genius judges, beings so powerful they had no names.
[ABSOLUTE GENIUS — VERDICT]
Aspect Value
Status CONFIRMED
Rank ABSOLUTE GENIUS
Benefits Dual RVC/SO membership
Benefits Access to all RVC/SO resources
Benefits Personal universe (gift)
Benefits 10,000,000 CP bonus
Benefits Legendary artifact (choice)
Kafu bowed his head. "I am honored."
The voice continued. "You have done what few have done. You have faced yourself and become more. You are now and forever an Absolute Genius of the RVC and SO."
Light enveloped him—warm, affirming, transforming.
[KAFU — POST-TIER 4 STATUS]
Aspect Value
Cultivation Epoch Forging 7 (unchanged)
IF 500 BILLION
Soul IF 1 TRILLION
CP 57,478,000
TP 692,350
Wealth 3.459 QUADRILLION UC
Soul slaves 2,832
---
NEW HOPE ERUPTS
Fifty-two thousand voices rose in a cheer that shook the very foundations of New Hope.
"ABSOLUTE GENIUS! ABSOLUTE GENIUS! ABSOLUTE GENIUS!"
Makena wept openly. Nyx laughed with joy. Tovin pumped his fist in the air.
The children danced. The adults embraced. The elderly rejoiced.
[NEW HOPE'S BET — PAYOUT]
Bet Payout
Kafu wins all 4 tiers 10.62 TRILLION UC
New Hope was now richer than some small civilizations.
---
HOUSE VARNAX'S TRIUMPH
In their private box, Lord Varnax Sr. watched the final moment with something approaching awe.
"He did it," he breathed. "He actually did it."
His son nodded slowly. "And we bet on him."
[HOUSE VARNAX — FINAL PAYOUT]
Bet Payout
Kafu wins tournament 2 QUADRILLION UC
Kafu wins all 4 tiers 15 QUADRILLION UC
TOTAL 17 QUADRILLION UC
Lord Varnax Sr. smiled. "We are now one of the richest house in existence."
His son grinned. "Father, we should send him a gift. A thank you."
"Not a thank you." The patriarch's eyes gleamed. "A courtship."
---
THE ROYAL FAMILIES MEET
In a chamber hidden from the universe, thirteen figures gathered around a circular table. Each represented one of the Royal Families—the powers that had once ruled the slave trade, now diminished but still dangerous.
[THE ROYAL FAMILIES — EMERGENCY COUNCIL]
Family Representative Current Wealth Interest in Kafu
Windsor Lord Reginald 50Q UC Alliance wanna have alliance with mc as one family
Habsburg Lady Isabella 45Q UC Manipulation wanna manipulate mc to work for them
Romanov Tsar Vladimir 40Q UC Fear they fear the rate of kafu development is too strong
Yamato Shogun Kenji 35Q UC Respect. Kafu has earned this family respect.
Ming Emperor Wei 30Q UC Curiosity. He becomes super curious and a fan of kafu.
Ptolemy Pharaoh Kha 25Q UC Knowledge they wanna gain insight and knowledge regarding mc.
Genghis Khan Borjigin 20Q UC Conquest wanna gain him as a prize for conquest
Ashanti King Osei 15Q UC Blood ties realized kafu is of his tribe or clan.
Inca Sapa Inti 12Q UC Sacrifice wanna use kafu as a sacrifice.
Maya Ahau Balam 10Q UC Prophecy feels kafu id the embodiment of a prophescy
Mu High Priestess Lani 8Q UC Mystery. Feels curious and drawn in by mystery and attraction of mc
Solomon King David 5Q UC Binding wants to bind and tie kafu with his family likely make him patriach when he goes to roam in universe secret realms
Ophiuchus Serpent Speaker 1Q UC Cycles needs kafu to fulfil cycle and break the 100 quadrillion years cycle
Lord Reginald of Windsor spoke first. "You've all seen the recordings. This... Kafu... has achieved Absolute Genius status. He's now the most powerful individual not aligned with any major power."
Lady Isabella nodded. "And he's wealthy. Very wealthy. Our estimates place his liquid assets at over 3 quadrillion UC."
Tsar Vladimir frowned. "He's also dangerous. He killed a thousand beings in Tier 2 without breaking a sweat. He made 32 of the most powerful candidates his slaves in Tier 3."
Shogun Kenji leaned forward. "He's also skilled. His technique is flawless. His power is controlled. His mind is sharp."
Emperor Wei stroked his beard. "He's also... hidden. The Chaos Writer protects him. We cannot see his past, his future, or his true nature."
Pharaoh Kha added, "Even our best seers cannot pierce the veil. He is a mystery wrapped in enigma."
Khan Borjigin snorted. "Mystery or not, he's powerful. We should either eliminate him or recruit him."
King Osei raised a hand. "Eliminate? After what he did for the Varnax family? They bet on him and now they're one of the richest house in existence. Elimination would be... unwise."
Sapa Inti nodded. "The gods speak of him. They say he carries the blood of the Primordial Mother. He is... chosen."
Ahau Balam's eyes gleamed. "The prophecy speaks of one who will break the cycle. One who will free the enslaved. One who will end."
High Priestess Lani whispered, "The lost records of Mu mention him. A liberator. A promise-keeper. A king."
King David spoke quietly. "The seals recognize him. He carries four already. If he finds all thirteen..."
Serpent Speaker hissed, "The cycle turns. Ophiuchus stirs. He may be the one."
Lord Reginald raised his hand for silence. "Enough. The question is: what do we do about him?"
Lady Isabella smiled. "We woo him."
---
THE GIFTS
One by one, the Royal Families produced treasures—each one more magnificent than the last.
[ROYAL FAMILY GIFTS — FOR KAFU]
Family Gift Value Effect
Windsor Crown of Kings 100T UC Enhances leadership, grants authority
Habsburg Web of Lies 80T UC Grants perfect deception
Romanov Scepter of Frost 70T UC Absolute ice control
Yamato Blade of Honor 60T UC Unbreakable sword
Ming Jade Seal 50T UC Mandate of heaven
Ptolemy Star Compass 40T UC Find anything
Genghis Bow of Conquest 30T UC Never misses
Ashanti Golden Stool 20T UC Bloodline power
Inca Sun Disc 15T UC Solar mastery
Maya Calendar Wheel 10T UC Time manipulation
Mu Memory Crystal 5T UC Perfect recall
Solomon Seal Ring 1T UC Bind anything
Ophiuchus Serpent Egg 500B UC Cycle rebirth
[TOTAL GIFT VALUE: 481.5 TRILLION UC]
Lord Reginald smiled. "Deliver these to him. With our compliments. And an invitation."
"An invitation to what?" Lady Isabella asked.
"To join us. To become one of us. To rule."
---
THE DELIVERY
A delegation of thirteen beings—one from each Royal Family—approached Kafu after his victory.
[THE DELEGATION]
Family Representative Gift
Windsor Lord Reginald Crown of Kings
Habsburg Lady Isabella Web of Lies
Romanov Tsar Vladimir Scepter of Frost
Yamato Shogun Kenji Blade of Honor
Ming Emperor Wei Jade Seal
Ptolemy Pharaoh Kha Star Compass
Genghis Khan Borjigin Bow of Conquest
Ashanti King Osei Golden Stool
Inca Sapa Inti Sun Disc
Maya Ahau Balam Calendar Wheel
Mu High Priestess Lani Memory Crystal
Solomon King David Seal Ring
Ophiuchus Serpent Speaker Serpent Egg
Lord Reginald bowed deeply. "Absolute Genius Kafu. On behalf of the Thirteen Royal Families, we offer you these gifts—tokens of our admiration, our respect, and our hope for... friendship."
Kafu studied them with gold-red eyes. "Friendship?"
"Alliance, if you will. Partnership. We have watched your rise with great interest. Your power, your skill, your potential—they are unmatched."
Kafu smiled—a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I see. And in exchange for these gifts, you want... what?"
"Nothing immediate. Just your... consideration. When the time comes, when you need allies, when you seek power—remember us."
Kafu looked at the gifts. At the thirteen representatives. At the opportunity before him.
He took the gifts.
"I'll consider it."
---
THE AFTERMATH
As the delegation left, Kafu's clones materialized beside him—one from the Varnax command, one from New Hope.
"They're scared of you," Clone 1 observed.
"They should be," Clone 2 agreed.
Kafu nodded slowly. "They're also useful. Thirteen Royal Families, each with resources, influence, and information."
"And you're going to use them?"
"I'm going to observe them. Learn from them. And when the time is right..."
Clone 1 smiled. "When the time is right?"
Kafu's eyes blazed gold-red. "When the time is right, I'll free every slave they sold