Early next morning.

  In the heart of an ancient forest, towering trees intertwine to create a dense canopy. Sunlight can't penetrate through the thick layers of leaves to illuminate the forest floor below. Instead, at the base of the largest tree, a shimmering portal pulses vibrant light that dances across the massive roots, gnarled tree trunks, and moss-covered boulders scattered throughout the underbrush.

  Nestled behind one of these boulders is Arunus, clad in well-worn leather armour, its surface marked by scratches and stains that tell tales from many battles. His left hand clings to the inner strap of the Golden Scarab Shield, intricately engraved with ancient symbols and black diamonds in the shape of the number 8. His Centurion Sword lies impaled into the soil at his side with his hand resting on its pommel. The white and gold Oni Mask is attached to his belt.

  With his eyes closed, Arunus seems to be in a moment of contemplation, drawing strength from the serenity of the forest. Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind sweeps through the canopy above, rustling the leaves and parting them just enough to allow a brilliant shaft of dawn light to pierce through, illuminating his figure.

  As the warm light brushes his face, Arunus opens his eyes, and a gentle smile spreads across his lips. A Hercules Beetle had crawled onto his golden shield several hours ago, staring at Arunus the entire time.

  "In the end... even though Genesis summoned me to dedicate myself to him and the God of Melee, Kartan. As long as I can resurrect the 8th Legion, I have no complaints since that will honour my promise by carrying on the legacy the Legion was created for."

  Arunus spoke to the bug as if it were a Human.

  The beetle, of regular size with a faded black shell, lifted its bulky carapace, and with a series of rhythmic buzzes from its wings, it communicated a response. The Golden Shield translated the wing vibrations into thoughts enveloping Arunus's mind like a whisper.

  "Honour above all else!"

  The voice sounded old since it was nearing the end of its life cycle.

  Last night, it had been sitting on top of the boulder, waiting for its end, when Arunus came into view and chose to rest against the boulder it was on. He didn't notice the beetle above, but it crawled down to inspect the shield out of curiosity.

  "Hey, little guy! Wanna take a closer look at it?" Arunus asked, not expecting it to understand his words but hoping it understood his intention.

  "Buz!" It flapped its wings to generate a sound.

  "Yes!" The Golden Scarab Shield whispered to Arunus, which shocked him enough to bulge out his eyes and drop open his mouth.

  Somehow, Arunus could communicate with the simple mind of the Hercules Beetle through the Golden Scarab Shield, which translated his words into images, smells, tastes, and memories for the beetle. After a few hours, the exchange of information became complex enough that it felt as if he were talking to a human instead of an insect. However, this process required frequent breaks, allowing the beetle to gradually absorb all the information, build its vocabulary, and understand grammar to form questions.

  When Arunus asked the beetle if it knew why the Golden Scarab Shield could communicate, it explained that it had been blessed by the Divine Beetle long ago. Arunus wondered why no one had ever mentioned this unique ability. He eventually concluded that it might have been forgotten over time or was always regarded as a relic meant to support a Legion, preventing anyone from discovering or rediscovering its true power.

  "Thank you for giving me company the whole night, I needed to share my grief with someone," He conveyed in a tone of gratitude and sorrow. "But you should leave before a Summoned One pops out of the portal behind me. It would look odd if they saw me talking to a bug. No offence!"

  The Hercules Beetle, however, remained steadfast in its position, its wings buzzing in a rapid, probing rhythm.

  "How do you know it will be another four hours?" Arunus asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

  "Buzzz!"

  "They have an arrival schedule? Then I should have gone hunting for food."

  "Buzzz"

  "Argh! There's truly no need for apologies. Genesis gave me a big loaf of bread last night, but it wasn't enough since I hadn't eaten anything for an entire week in my old world."

  "Buzz?" it asked in confusion, which the shield translated to, "Why didn't you eat more food?"

  "I have to pretend that I am from the Earth that Genesis came from, since there are no other connections to the other Earths like mine. The best way to do that is to join the new batch of Summoned Ones when they cross over so they can vouch for me as one of them."

  "Buzz?"

  "What do I want to eat? Well, I saw some boars, deer, and ducks on the way here. I suppressed the desire to hunt them since I didn't want to leave this spot and miss the newcomers."

  "Buzzz!" came the beetle's reply with a rhythmic cadence that seemed almost reassuring.

  "You'll find them for me? That is kind of you. I will reward you with some of their meat."

  "Buz...Buzz."

  "Only over-ripe fruits? Really?" Arunus gasped, scrunching up his nose in disbelief. "In my world, the beetles were fierce carnivores. Legends whispered of how humans were offered as sacrifices to the Golden Scarab, seeking its protection against the terrifying beasts that roamed the surface. In return, those great creatures sheltered our ancestors in their vast underworld realm."

  "Buzzz," the beetle dully expressed disapproval of the comparison.

  "You won't even give it a try?"

  "Buzz... Buz"

  "Your body can digest meat once it evolves into a Magical Beast? Meaning you can use magic?"

  "Buzz?"

  "No, I don't know about Soul Cores and Mana Cores."

  At that moment, the Hercules Beetle froze mid-air, dropping to the lush grass below in shock before flipping over and buzzing furiously in apparent indignation.

  "Genesis said it might raise more suspicion about this world than those who arrive through the portal. But he underestimates my acting skills. Go ahead and teach me!"

  The Hercules Beetle then buzzed continuously for a minute. It might sound like a message transmitted through Morse code to anyone eavesdropping.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  "A Soul Core provides Soul Essence when consumed by an animal, elevating its Soul Rank. Animals grow larger and stronger as their Soul Rank increases. They evolve into an Ancient Beast at Soul Rank 10. When they devour Mana Cores, they gain an affinity for a specific type of Mana. Which allows them to absorb and wield Mana, manifesting it into Elemental Spells that can be used in battle." Arunus repeated out loud to confirm what was translated by the golden shield.

  The beetle buzzed in approval, clearly satisfied with the clarity of its explanation.

  "That's amazing! Is all this knowledge from instinct?" Arunus asked in confusion.

  The beetle buzzed in a reply that sounded guilty.

  "So you learned by watching the other animals turn into Magical Beasts over the past three years?" Arunus extracted.

  The beetle buzzed in acknowledgement.

  "You should know," Arunus began, "that magic does not exist in my world. Genesis educated me about it since I had to pretend to be a Summoned One. He said he played fantasy games with friends to distract himself from traumatic memories he absorbed from other timelines. Pokémon was his favourite game, where he collected monsters to use in battle. Oh, are you willing to be my battle partner?"

  "Buzz?"

  "Let me rephrase the question. Will you travel and fight by my side if I help you become a Magical Beast?"

  The Hercules Beetle buzzed boisterously in response, practically quivering with anticipation.

  "Great! Then you need a name. I'm tempted to call you Herc, short for Hercules—a Demigod renowned for his strength. What do you think?"

  Herc buzzed again, flitting around Arunus with joy as it repeatedly hailed its new name, a clear mark of pride.

  Arunus had learned about the deities through the soul link with Genesis. It was similar to a mental Google search where he could ask for details and explanations or view memories like a video. As long as the knowledge came from the world Genesis came from. Arunus used it now to identify the beetle species and learn what 'Hercules' meant instantly.

  "Seems you like it!" Arunus laughed. "Now, go on and find some animals for me to hunt and eat."

  "Seems you like it!" Arunus laughed. "Now, go on and find some animals for me to hunt and eat."

  Herc shot off to tackle his mission, leaving Arunus behind to reflect on the revelations he'd received from Genesis the night before.

  The first shock hit him when he was told that he could never set foot in his old world again to fulfil his oath to his fallen brothers in arms. A searing wave of anger and desperation coursed through his veins as he drew his sword, the blade gleaming ominously in the dim light. He brandished it at Genesis, his voice a low snarl, demanding a way back home. But as the fury roared within him, an unseen force froze him in place, turning his body into a living statue.

  In that agonising moment, he was completely at Genesis's mercy. With a calmness that felt mocking, Genesis seized the Centurion sword from Arunus's grip. The way he wielded it was almost comical, each awkward swing a cruel reminder of Arunus's helplessness. The humiliation cut deeper than any blade as he watched Genesis twirl the sword ineptly, every clumsy motion echoing his loss of control.

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Arunus regained command of his body. He let out a shaky breath of relief, but it was short-lived. Genesis's voice was cool and collected as he revealed the unsettling truth. During the summoning, a Soul-Link had been forged between them—a bond that twisted in punishment whenever Arunus entertained the thought of harming Genesis. Trapped between anger and fear, Arunus wrestled with a chilling new reality.

  "Do not worry. The Soul-Link cannot force you to do anything else. You can also refuse the purpose for which I summoned you here and build a new life according to your desire. But the moment I die, your soul will die too. But if you die, I will inherit all the skills you learned in this world. It doesn't sound fair, but a Summoner is the King in chess. The moment he falls, the game is over. So I recommend you don't desert me until another clone agrees to be my shield or sword."

  "Clone? Really? Just take a look at us. Your hazel eyes stare into the world, while mine are a striking grey. You've got that deep black hair, and here I am with my snow-white locks. Your skin radiates warmth, while mine reflects the coolness of fair tones. And despite not eating for a week, I still pack more muscle than you do! So tell me, what makes you certain I’m your perfect duplicate?"

  "The truth is, the differences in our appearances trace back to your ancestors who thrived in an underground realm, far removed from sunlight. In this world, incredible tools can change our looks, not to mention gadgets that can shift my voice to match any tone. As for my muscle tone? A few months of rigorous training would have me matching your physique in no time. To anyone who sees us then, we’ll be twins – sharing looks but contrasting personalities. With masks that conceal our faces and voice modulation systems to alter our speech, the world won’t know that we share the same face."

  With purposeful strides, Genesis approached the nearest stone bench, his eyes sparkling excitedly. The rough surface held two striking demonic masks that seemed to beckon him closer. One mask gleamed in a pristine white, its golden horns curving gracefully like the celestial rays of a rising sun. Next to it, the other mask loomed in a deep, obsidian black, its fierce red horns radiating a menacing allure that sent shivers down the spine.

  "Behold, the Oni Masks," Genesis declared, lifting the black masterpiece into the sunlight. "I commissioned a Summoned One from Japan, selecting the Artisan Class to craft these ten unique items using the coins I earned over the past week. When you wear one, it fuses with your very being, transforming your voice and appearance. Once it’s on, the mask becomes part of you. Removing it requires your determination, free from the touch of another."

  With a glint of determination in his eyes, Genesis brought the black Oni Mask, with its vivid red horns, closer to his face. The instant it made contact with his skin, a torrent of energy surged through him, and the mask melded flawlessly with his being. His eyes ignited into a striking blood-red, while his hair morphed into a wild, dark mane that framed his visage in a shadowy aura. Red horns erupted from his forehead, and his skin became a deep, pitch-black hue, crafting a fearsome and captivating figure.

  Arunus observed this wild metamorphosis unfold before him, a mix of curiosity and disdain flashing in his eyes. "Interesting! But don’t think I’ll be protecting someone who made me break my oath," he sneered defiantly. In one swift motion, he snatched the white Oni Mask and brought it up to his face. His eyes sparkled with brilliant gold as they connected, while his hair and horns radiated an otherworldly shine. His skin turned pure white, bestowing upon him an ethereal, almost angelic presence that contrasted sharply with Genesis’s dark transformation.

  Just as Arunus was about to cross the threshold of the Pantheon of Gods. Suddenly, the ethereal projection of the Kartan, the God of Melee, detached from its stone form, moving with a menacing grace toward Arunus, his presence both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The towering, brutish figure clad in imposing heavy knight armour loomed before him, its six powerful arms, each wielding axes, swords, maces, and spears that glistened ominously in the fading light.

  "Do you understand the fate that awaited you in your former world?" he asked, his voice resonating with an echo of knowledge.

  "Wait, what? No, I don’t. But I assure you, I would have upheld my promise to my brothers," he replied, confusion mingling with determination.

  "After you prayed to the Golden Scarab idol, its descendants launched a fierce attack as you attempted to flee the cave. They seized your shield and allowed you to escape with your life. Yet, the Emperor you served dealt harshly with your actions, demoting you to a slave for abandoning your Legion and losing the Legion Standard. You were condemned to toil in a perilous coal mine, where a lurking creature in the depths hunted you down and consumed you. This devastating fate robbed you of the opportunity to fulfil your promise." Kartan delivered this account with unwavering confidence, making it utterly believable.

  "How do you know that?" Arunus asked in confusion.

  "Genesis has a gift that allows him to explore many versions of himself across different timelines, known as the multiverse. He absorbed their experiences while he slept, helping him gain wisdom that made him succeed in all aspects of life in his world. However, this ability comes at the cost of absorbing their pains, regrets, and emotional scars.

  Over 18 years, he collected memories from 6,574 lives, which nearly broke his mind. Fortunately, I and the other Gods of this Pantheon were able to recognise his potential and provided him with a portal to the Testing Grounds that you now stand on. Here, we have reshaped his power to summon alternate versions aligned with our specialities. In exchange for this service, we have erased all his traumatic memories from his mind that weren't born from his own words and actions. We then transferred all the knowledge of his alternate selves into a library for the Gods of our Pantheon.

  I was elected to be the first to choose a candidate to summon, and found you worthy because of the Golden Scarab Shield you carried at 18. However, I also sense the hidden potential you have never realised due to bad luck. Thanks to Genesis, you were summoned just before you lost the shield in the cave.

  Now, you have a second chance! If you commit to protecting Genesis with that shield and serve as my champion, I can reward you with followers who worship me. Together, you can revive the 8th Legion to defend humanity against the monstrous forces summoned by the cultists of a corrupted ancient god."