The Twelve Trials Starting from Zero

"Evaluating the perfection of the trial participant's ending..."

……

The evaluation process was similar to the last one. Soon, all the evaluations were tallied and calculated to arrive at the overall rating for this level. As he expected, the panel finally displayed a "B".

There are only one or two chapters left to finish the second volume. I feel that this volume is not very well written. There are many mistakes and flaws. There are many reasons for this, but one very important reason is... I'm sorry, I'm a terrible writer.

As a writer who is clumsy and slow, it takes me about eight or nine hours to write six thousand words a day. This results in insufficient time to think about the plot and insufficient time to polish the writing, inevitably leading to a chaotic rhythm and numerous mistakes.

This really can't go on. I personally believe that quality is more important than quantity, so please forgive me, dear readers. Starting tomorrow, the basic daily updates will be two chapters of about 4,000 words each. If I can save up some chapters, I will occasionally have a big update.

Let's leave it like this for a while and see how things go. We'll discuss any changes later...

Chapter Fifty-Two: Damaging My Image as a Gentleman (Part Two)

"As expected, it's B again. This damn system is really strict."

Although Su Qi complained, he couldn't completely misunderstand.

The first world, "Inuyasha," was during the beginner phase. Despite numerous rollbacks, it didn't affect the rating, which is why he only received a "B" grade. The second world was a normal playthrough. Although the number of rollbacks didn't exceed ten, the rating neither decreased nor increased. Therefore, the two playthroughs can be compared on the same level.

In comparison, is the ending of the trials in the Shaman King world better than that in the Inuyasha world? No, it might even be worse. Aside from defeating the final boss, in the Inuyasha world, he saved the Hina and Ruri families and helped Kikyo end her tragic relationship, successfully freeing herself. In the Shaman King world, however, he only saved Dowager's family and also defeated Hao Asakura, the main boss who could have been redeemed.

But the Ye Wang of that world is different from the original; he's determined to cause trouble, so what can he do? He's desperate too. After all, even the original protagonist's persuasive words couldn't sway him, and he doesn't have any brainwashing skills.

However, this is just a rough comparison that ignores various factors. In fact, when Su Qi killed Ye Wang, he also saved all of humanity.

"According to the system's standards, to raise the rating further, it would probably have to achieve a happy ending where all the positive characters get a happy ending."

Thinking of this, he shook his head, put the matter aside, and began the process of converting proprietary items and settling the lottery.

First, there's the conversion of exclusive items as basic rewards for clearing the game. Excluding miscellaneous items like clothes and shoes, and then excluding all the knowledge already memorized within his soul, only two things are worth Su Qi's attention.

"Ability: Eye of Truth (Beginner) - It evolved from the pseudo-Heavenly Eye after being empowered by merging with the great soul of the Shaman King world. In addition to inheriting and strengthening all the abilities of the pseudo-Heavenly Eye, it has added the ability to directly 'read' surface information from the existence of things. It is a self-generated supernatural power of the soul and does not require conversion."

"The explanation is too brief, and there's nothing in this pure white space. We can't read any information from the ground or the base either. We'll have to go into the trial world to test the specific abilities."

His gaze lingered briefly on the section about "reading surface information from the existence of things," before moving down to the one he had already decided was the most worthy of being transformed into a proprietary item.

"Earth Spirit: A fragment of a great soul from the Shaman King world, one of the most powerful possessor spirits, capable of transforming into a guardian deity completely subordinate to the trial participant, i.e., a god. It comes with the skills 'Spirit Body', 'Super Spirit Body', 'Spirit Devouring', 'Law Adaptability', 'Earth Spirit', and 'Gravity Manipulation'."

"Spirit Form: Passive Skill. This being usually exists in a spirit form. Mortals with weak spiritual power cannot directly observe it. It can penetrate ordinary matter and can attach itself to trial participants or items without occupying basic space."

"Super Spirit Body: Active Skill. Using a medium as its vessel and filled with spiritual power (magical power) as its flesh and blood, a god can transform into a Super Spirit Body state. The current maximum capacity is 500,000 spiritual power (magical power) points in the psychic world. If the Super Spirit Body state is broken, a portion of the spiritual power (magical power) that constitutes the Super Spirit Body will be consumed."

"Soul Devourer: Active skill. This skill allows the user to devour other souls to grow stronger, enhancing their own attributes and skill power."

"Law Adaptability: Passive skill. All spells from the Shaman King world are applicable to this follower, and their effects are not weakened by conflicts in the laws of different worlds."

"Spirit of the Earth: A skill that combines active and passive abilities. Consuming corresponding spiritual power, it can manipulate most earth-attribute substances to a certain extent, while greatly enhancing the trial participant's affinity for most earth-attribute Taoist arts, magic, martial arts, runes, and related things, as well as immunity to most attacks of this attribute."

"Gravity Manipulation: Active skill, consumes corresponding spiritual power, can manipulate the range and intensity of gravity to a certain extent."

Without a doubt, the divine abilities of the Earth Spirit after its transformation are outstanding.

"It's a pity that a great soul is not my property and cannot be transformed, otherwise I would be like a heifer standing on its head, incredibly awesome."

While rambling on about his dream, Su Qi made the decision without hesitation to transform the "Spirit of the Earth" into his own guardian deity.

"The deity about to transform this spirit into a trial participant, shall we change its name and appearance?"

Change appearance?

Looking at the prompts on the panel, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he suddenly realized... he could almost perfectly cosplay as a Stand user.

Compared to Stands, Gods also exist as spirits and can interfere with reality in their super-spirit state. They also have the special abilities to manipulate gravity and control earth-attribute matter. They are attached to their masters and can be freely manipulated by them. Furthermore, they can control the size of their super-spirit state to a certain extent by compressing or expanding spiritual power. In addition, they can now freely design their appearance... Besides the fact that even ordinary people can see this in their super-spirit state, it would be very easy for him to cosplay as a Stand user.

"It's decided! In order to cosplay a Stand user, I'll change my appearance from that of a god to that of a muscular brute!"

Su Qi clapped his hands happily, just about to respond to the system, when another flash of inspiration struck him.

Wait a minute! If we can design a god's appearance as a muscular hunk, why not change it to an adorable cute girl? And if we study it carefully, we might even be able to give the super spirit a touch and structure indistinguishable from a human body. That way, not only would it be pleasing to the eye, but it could also be loving and affectionate, and even solve the problem of finding a wife!

Immediately, his face lit up with excitement, his eyes shining brightly, as if he had opened the door to a new world.

Belldandy, Kanna, Yae Sakura, Theresa, Remilia, Flandre, Komeiji Satoru, Tamamo-no-Mae, Tennouu Athena… At this moment, the images of all my wives floated into my mind, and a bright future seemed to be beckoning me, but…

"No, I can't, it's too lewd. Doing this is too immoral and would damage my image as a virtuous gentleman..." Su Qi said with a conflicted expression. "Moreover, more importantly, suddenly summoning a cute and cuddly girl in the middle of an intense and serious battle could easily turn my character into a comedic figure. At the same time, controlling a cute girl to punch the enemy's chest with her little fists is too ridiculous and won't give the enemy a strong sense of psychological deterrence."

Ultimately, after much deliberation and a painful decision, he made a very difficult choice—to transform his divine appearance into that of a muscular hunk.

"Sigh, you can't have both salted fish and RMB. I'll just have to live a miserable life instead of being salted fish... Although I want to be pleasing to the eye, it's still more important to show off."

Su Qi sighed with regret, and then, with the passion to "create the strongest man", he began to design the image of the god.

First, there's his physique: a towering 2.25 meters tall, with bulging, shiny muscles, broad shoulders, and a body as strong as an ox—he could easily compete in a world bodybuilding competition and win a championship. Second, there's his attire: deep, cold black leather pants, restraints, a collar, wrist guards, leather boots, and shoulder armor, inlaid with steel spikes, nails, and plates that evoke fear and pain. Then there's his emotionless, yet cold and aloof face, exuding the aura of a dark king. Next, there's his crisp, straight, and unyielding short black hair. Finally, there's the soul-stirring presence: seven scars arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper on his chest… In short, he's an enhanced combination of Billy King, Kenshiro, and the Dark Fairy.

His physique is an enhanced version of a muscular man, his clothing is a modified version of the Dark Fairy, his face is a fusion of Billy King and Kenjiro, and the scar on his chest is, of course, Kenjiro's signature.

"Finally finished..." Looking at the projection in front of him, the strongest man exuding violent aesthetics such as steel, strength, muscularity, straightforwardness, coldness, hardness, and coolness from head to toe, Su Qi nodded in satisfaction, "With such an invincible man protecting me, there is nothing to be afraid of anymore."

"Next is naming..."

He looked at the dark, muscular man in front of him, pondered for a moment, and quickly made a decision, "Hmm, let's call him Dark Archmage... no, Dark Sage! It fits his image and temperament, and won't reveal any unnecessary information."

This muscular man doesn't look like a sage at all!

If anyone else were here, they would probably complain like this. But Su Qi named it "The Great Sage" because its image is the embodiment of "philosophy," and philosophy is wisdom, so the embodiment of wisdom can certainly be called the Great Sage.

"So……"

The image design was complete, and he was about to have the system transform it when suddenly, another thought flashed through his mind. Wait a minute, although such an image would certainly be intimidating enough in front of men, ... in front of women, it would actually be a minus, damaging my gentle and refined image.

"Oh no, I'm going to have decision paralysis."

To be a macho man, you can't act tough in front of girls; to act tough in front of girls, you can't be too macho. Su Qi was once again caught in a dilemma.

"There's no other way..."

Ultimately, he made a very difficult decision—to take a middle ground that wouldn't offend either side and continue with the original mechanical style. However, the image of the Earth Spirit designed by Takei Hiroyuki was too trendy, and he couldn't appreciate it, so he still had to change it.

"Mechanical Engineering, huh..."

Gundam, Skyhawk Warriors, Digimon, Mazinger Z, Super Robot Wars, Dragon Warriors, Light Warriors... Anime series he had watched before flashed through his mind, and various mecha appeared in his mind. Soon, Su Qi locked onto his target.

"It's you I choose, Super Lightbringer!"

Super Lightbringer, from the anime "Lightbringer," also known as "Magic King," shares the same Earth attribute as the Earth Spirit. Its cool design and nostalgia factor add to its appeal. When he was watching the anime, he often fantasized about piloting the Lightbringer in place of the protagonist to fight the villains; now he can finally fulfill his childhood dream.

With a thought, his muscular physique quickly transformed into a handsome robot the same size as a real person.

The humanoid body features a red, white, and gold paint scheme, cool lines, and a hard, smooth texture. Sharp white wings drape down its back, and the decorations on its shoulder armor, arm armor, and crown are just right, exuding a flamboyant and majestic aura, basically conforming to Su Qi's aesthetics.

So he made only minor modifications and adjustments, adding a half-body-sized, incomplete ring symbolizing an imperfect god to the back of the machine, and then the transformation was finalized.

With this, the issue of converting exclusive items was finally resolved.

After the system completed its task instantly, as always, Su Qi started the lottery, and the results were as follows:

"The never-ending source of Coca-Cola's happiness: A 2L bottle of Coca-Cola, but the cola inside will never spoil and can never be finished."

"Magical Girl Transformation Wand - Heart of the Rising Sun: A one-time magical girl transformation item. After use, you will transform into a magical girl who makes friends with cannons for ten minutes. All basic attributes will be increased by 1.5 times, and you will also have practical skills such as a protective shield, wide-area search, flight wings, and divine cleavage. The specific power of the skills depends on the user's attributes."

"Personal storage space: 3 x 3 x 3, a total of 27 cubic meters of personal storage space. It requires three seconds of concentration to store or retrieve items and cannot be used in combat. Items stored cannot exceed their volume. Once stored, the storage time is frozen and they will never deteriorate."

The "fat otaku's happy water" was obtained from a D-rank lottery; although it didn't seem very "practical," he could accept it. The storage space was obtained from a B-rank lottery; needless to say, it's a protagonist's standard must-have item, and he was very satisfied. As for the magical girl transformation wand he obtained after using up a C-rank lottery chance…

"Even if I, Su Qi, am beaten to death, die outside, or am reverted to a state of collapse, I will never use such a damn thing!"

As a staunchly straight man, Su Qi couldn't even accept cross-dressing, let alone transforming. Therefore, he decided to seal the magical girl's wand forever in the deepest part of his storage space, never to use it again. Hmm, if there were a situation where he needed to lend it to someone else, he might consider it.

Thus, the second clearance settlement was completed. Almost simultaneously, as if sensing Su Qi's intentions, the white ground beneath their feet trembled once more, and the third black stone base rose up.

What world will be the next trial?

With questions in mind, he immediately went up, expertly took out the panel, and looked down at it.

"The Third Trial World: Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- - Fragment"

Difficulty: Medium to High

Status: Pending

"Completion conditions: Cooperate with the protagonist to defeat Elsa the Bowel Hunter, Meli the Beastmaster, Volgam the Beast, White Whale the Beast, Petitchius Romani-Conti the Archbishop of Sloth, Ray Badenkathos the Archbishop of Gluttony, and Regulus Kornias the Archbishop of Greed."

"Additional evaluation criteria: Assisting the male protagonist Natsuki Subaru in achieving the clear conditions will grant a significant score bonus, while failing to do so will result in a score deduction. The fewer times Natsuki Subaru dies and the greater his contribution, the more score bonus he will receive."

After reading the contents of the panel, Su Qi frowned slightly. "They've increased the stakes for me again."

Clearly, the extra evaluation item added by the system was designed to limit Su Qi, preventing him from easily crushing everything in his path. And perhaps because of the fragmented world, the system even directly provided the conditions for completion this time.

They always manage to cause me some kind of trouble. Other people's systems are so much better...

Su Qi wasn't surprised that the system always added extra challenges for him, since the system's purpose was to send him to trials, not to let him travel through worlds and show off. But while he understood, he still felt a little annoyed.

"Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-..."

After quickly calming down, Su Qi recalled the relevant information he knew and immediately sensed that a lot of trouble would be coming his way.

Regarding "Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-", he had only watched the anime and hadn't read the novel, but it left a very deep impression on him. What he remembered most clearly was the protagonist's tragic death, his weak strength, his overly realistic otaku behavior, the intricately linked plot, and the relatively rich inner world of the characters.

For Su Qi at this moment, the bosses appearing in the animation weren't particularly strong, but he didn't think he could do whatever he wanted in that world. The Witch of Envy, who could rewind time, and Rao Tian, ​​whose blessing stats were said to be several pages long, were enough to easily crush him. Moreover, the powers of the Archbishops of Sin were not easy to deal with when there was insufficient information, and he was completely unaware of the information about the Archbishops of Gluttony and Greed.

In addition to enemies, there are also many characters with superb observation skills, as well as overly interconnected storylines, all of which can cause him trouble.

"There's no other way. Since it's the system's decision, even if it's troublesome, we can only bite the bullet and go for it."

He sighed softly, annoyed but not afraid. At most, he would die a few more times and have his rating drop too low. He didn't think that if even 486 could overcome it, he couldn't clear the game.

Next came another period of practice and improvement. After a long rest and when everything was ready, Su Qi stood in front of the black stone base again and pressed the "Start Trial" button.

……

The two forms of the Super Lightbringer...

Chapter 1 You've also time-traveled?

In the Kingdom of Lugnica, on a busy avenue in the capital, two strange men appeared at a fruit stand.

The one on the left looks to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a black tracksuit and sneakers, carrying a white plastic bag from a convenience store in his left hand. His short black hair is slightly messy, and his slanted triangular eyes look somewhat fierce. He is of average height and appearance, and has some muscles. He is the kind of ordinary person who would be impossible to spot in a crowd, but in the streets of the capital city of this other world, he is a strikingly strange and unusual figure.

The other person standing to his right was equally striking. He wore loose blue and white checkered pajamas and black slippers, with the same short, choppy black hair. He had regular features and deep, clear black eyes, and was far more handsome than the person next to him. He could barely be called handsome, but he couldn't hide the sense of alienation brought by his foreign attire, as evidenced by the increasing number of stares from passersby.