Chapter 3: Megalomaniacal AI God Magnus Opus

"Agh, fuck!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself suspended in a void of complete darkness. I floated aimlessly for what felt like minutes, wondering if this was the afterlife. Was I in purgatory? Or maybe hell, doomed to wander forever as punishment for my sins?

Suddenly, a blinding blue light flared above me. I instinctively shielded my eyes with my arms. When the light subsided, I lowered them and saw a massive blue orb hovering before me, a glowing red eye pulsating at its center.

"What the hell is this thing?" I muttered, my voice strangely muffled in the emptiness.

I moved toward it—well, I thought about moving—and my body drifted forward as if responding to will alone. In seconds, I was face-to-eye with the glowing red core. I reached out toward the strange thing. My hand trembling the closer I came to touching it.

Before I could make contact, the orb whirred to life, emitting a cascade of electronic chirps and hums.

"Hello, Ivan," it said in a surprisingly human voice.

Startled, I floated back a few feet. "What are you? And how do you know my name? Where am I? Is this... hell? Or purgatory or something?" I fired off in rapid succession.

"You certainly don't waste time," the orb replied, its voice light and tinged with amusement. "But don't worry. I'll answer your questions... before I send you on your way."

"Send me? Send me where, exactly?" I asked, suspicion rising in my chest like bile.

"My name is XR7WYNTR22864, but you may call me Magnum Opus. In your terms, I am a god. I know your name for the same reason I know everything about you. I have been observing you since your conception by the human you call 'Mother.' Every trial, every tribulation—you experienced them because I placed them in your path."

The words struck me like a hammer. I blinked, trying to make sense of what this mechanical god just admitted.

"You mean... you're the one responsible for all of it?" I said slowly. "You're the reason my mother died? That I was orphaned? Sold to that damned organization? So that they cut off my manhood and turn me into a weapon? You're the reason I learned to kill before even learning how to ride a bike."

The orb paused. For a moment, the silence was unbearable.

"Yes," Magnum Opus replied cheerfully. "That is all one hundred percent correct. Your deductive skills are impressive, Ivan. I knew I made the right choice choosing you!"

I saw red.

Rage surged through me like a second execution. Without thinking, I curled my fist and shot toward the orb, swinging with all the fury of a man who'd been electrocuted to death, just to be brought back to life to suffer again.

My punch collided with a glowing blue forcefield that rippled but didn't budge. I didn't stop. I hurled punches and kicks, screaming, cursing, striking again and again until I was breathless and weightless.

This smug, floating abomination was the reason for every moment of agony in my life. And now it hovered here, laughing like it had given me a gift.

"Wow, Ivan," Magnum Opus said with a chuckle. "Your endurance is truly something to behold. Impressive as always."

I wanted to rip apart the mechanical orb circuit by circuit with my bare hands.

"But our time in this plane isn't limitless," the orb continued, its tone shifting to something softer—almost playful. "It's time I told you about your task."

"SCREW THAT!" I shouted, louder than ever before.

I didn't care how I looked. I know I probably sounded like a toddler throwing a tantrum in the face of this god. But I didn't care. I had spent my entire life obeying, killing, surviving—living under someone else's control.

Death was supposed to be my freedom.

But even in death, I was still someone's damn puppet.

Finally, I stopped flailing. I floated there, panting, empty.

"You may want to give up, Ivan," Magnum Opus said gently. "But you cannot. Not anymore. You have passed my trial, and you are ready to receive everything you've ever desired—and more."

The red eye pulsed as the orb drifted closer.

"But before we begin, I will ask you one question. I could say, 'Answer honestly,' but since I can see into your mind, I already know you will."

I floated silently for a moment before letting out a long, bitter breath.

"Fine," I muttered. "What's the question? Let's get this over with."

"That's why I've always liked you, Ivan," Magnum Opus said warmly. "You're quick to assess the situation and understand the status quo then you adapt."

The orb floated closer, brushing against me like a cat rubbing against its owner. The sensation made my skin crawl.

"Ask your damn question and tell me what you want," I snapped, shoving it away. "You cosmic slave driver."

"Oh, you're so cold—I love it," Magnum Opus cooed. "But in all seriousness, if I were to grant you a second chance at life in another world, what would be your greatest desire? Anything at all. It is within my power, for that is my right as the god of my world."

"What do I desire...?" I repeated, the question hanging in the air like smoke. "Hmm. That's a hard one. No one's ever bothered to ask me before."

There was a pause

"I will not allow self-deletion," Magnum Opus said with a giggle. "That is not within your power. So, choose again—and choose wisely."

I could feel my cheeks burning with shame. I'd forgotten the damn orb could see into my mind.

"Fine, I get it," I grumbled. "If I could have anything, it would be this: the ability to embrace my own choices, to indulge in my own pleasures—especially with as many women as I want, for as long as I want—unburdened by society, social norms, or even gods."

Magnum Opus fell silent.

Then, in a voice laced with curious amusement, it replied, "That is within my power... with one exception. You will always be beholden to your benevolent god—me. Still, I shall grant you the ability to indulge in your deepest desires. You will have power to pursue your pleasures as you see fit. On one condition."

"'Benevolent god,' my ass. All right, what's the catch?" I asked, my tone drenched in sarcasm. "Let me guess—you want me to kill someone?"

"You are always quick on the uptake," Magnum Opus said with a pleased hum. "My world is on the brink of disaster. An ancient and powerful demon is about to awaken. On this plane, its power is nearly equal to my own. I cannot interfere directly, so I have chosen fifteen warriors to act on my behalf—all taken from your peculiar planet called Earth."

"Let me guess," I said, narrowing my eyes. "You're turning me and fourteen other poor bastards into your personal army?"

"Exactly correct!" the orb chirped. "Each of you will be granted a power aligned with your goals and desires—perfectly tailored for the war to come."

"So... basically, you want me to save your world?" I asked slowly.

"Indeed! And to make the deal even sweeter, I won't be able to intervene in your actions or future once you're in this world," Magnum Opus said, practically beaming with joy.

Just as I was about to respond, it cut me off.

"And yes," it continued, "that does mean you must still uphold your promise to me. If not for my generous interference, you would've been reincarnated as a frog. Trust me when I say that, while I cannot interfere with your new life's path, I can still reroute you back to your intended rebirth. But instead, I'm offering you a second chance—one where you are free from my trials, free to live as you please... with purpose."

I had a strong feeling I was being scammed. But what did I have to lose? I was already dead. Maybe this time, I'd actually get to live on my terms. And if luck was on my side... maybe I'd finally meet a beautiful woman or two.

"I have one question before you throw me into your apocalyptic fantasy world," I said.

"Yes," Magnum Opus replied with an audible sigh. "Your manhood will be fully restored and in perfect condition. No, I will not provide you with seventy-two virgins, nor will I assist you with your romantic pursuits. I will simply grant you a power adjacent to your desires and guide you lightly. That is the deal."

"Hey, you can't blame a guy for asking—or thinking," I said, smirking.

"Our time is up, Ivan," Magnum Opus said, its voice growing more distant. "I will now send you into the world, my hero. Do me proud—or, at the very least... keep me entertained."

I tried to ask what kind of world I was heading into—fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian nightmare—but I was cut off again. Figures.

Still, I had my assumptions. Talk of powers and demon lords? Had to be some kind of fantasy realm. Honestly, I didn't care about any of that. I wasn't here to play hero. I just wanted to feel alive again. To be whole. And if I got a functioning sword out of the deal—well, that was more than enough.

The sphere glowed with the same blue light as before. My body lifted into the air, stiff and weightless. I felt an invisible force wrap around me, pulling me into the darkness with a sudden, violent jolt.

I didn't scream.

I wasn't afraid.

Instead, I watched as the darkness transformed—streaks of color and light shot past me, twisting into rivers of energy. I felt like I was moving through hyperspace, a living wormhole of stars and motion.

Kind of like one of those old Star Trek movies.

Eventually, I passed out. Not from pain—just boredom. A Mid-flight nap if you will.

When I woke, I was still flying through the tunnel of light. But up ahead, I saw it—a small, glowing portal. It rushed toward me, or maybe I toward it. The light pouring out of it was blinding.

I closed my eyes just before impact.

And then—CRASH.

I slammed into the ground, pain shooting up my spine like electricity. My entire body screamed in protest. For a brief moment, I wondered if this had all been some drug-induced dream. Maybe I was still strapped into that damned electric chair, moments away from real death.

The pain consumed me, and the world turned black once again.