There was potential. Jake nodded at the system’s answer as he asked to clarify: “What kind of limitations may apply? And what do we need to do to make it happen?”

The system entity answered as monotone as ever: “Limitations include absolute separation from the material realm and interacting with other entities, limiting the transferred simulacrum to the Truesoul. All expression must be made through an inanimate Soulbound object. Requirements to facilitate this process include a vessel able to house the transferred simulacrum as well as expenditure of all other material Path of Myriad Choices event rewards.”

“That is the name of the event?” sim-Jake asked. “A bit on the nose.”

“Oh, it totally is,” Jake agreed as he regarded the system entity again. “Do I have a vessel able to house the simulacrum?”

“Negative.”

“Not even this?” Jake asked as he pulled out Eternal Hunger. That had to be good enough, right?

“Negative.”

“Okay, then this!” Jake tried as he spat out the Root of Eternal Resentment from his internal storage using Palate of the Malefic Viper, getting a weird look. He had confidence this item could be used, it had housed a curse and was meant to house energy, so surely-

“Negative. An incompatible vessel will result in destruction, alteration, or complete erasure of the simulacrum as well as the vessel. A unique vessel created to facilitate the process is required,” the system answered.

“Do I possess enough Tutorial Points to create such a vessel?” sim-Jake asked. “Also, is it possible to elaborate on these limitations? What does it mean that I will be limited to the Truesoul?”

“All rewards given by Tutorial Points within the simulation are limited to the simulation, and no reward given can be transferred or persist within the true world. Limitations result in absolute non-interactability with the world, with the simulacrum permanently confined to the Soulspace. The simulacrum’s existence shall remain permanently tied to the simulation to ensure continued autonomous existence. As such, the simulacrum will continue to exist as a simulacrum only viewable and detectable by Origin.”

Sim-Jake looked in thought a bit. “Okay, I am just confused now.”

“Wait,” the real Jake said. “Will it mean he more or less is just what I am now, but in the real world? As in, he will be a silent and undetectable observer to everyone that isn’t me? Like, we turn the situation one-eighty?”

“Interpretation acceptable. Limited manifestation outside of Soulspace potentially possible but will remain detectable only to the Origin and remain non-interactive with the world,” the system answered.

“Huh,” sim-Jake said with a frown. “So I will just be… what? Unable to do anything?”

“Simulacrum will have free movement and interactability within the Soulspace,” the system answered.

“Guess it is about time I ask… what is this Soulspace?” sim-Jake asked, clearly not happy to admit he didn’t know.

“Like, a world inside the soul? I am not entirely sure how it works, but I can meditate and enter there and have trapped energies within, including an ancient curse that could probably destroy the planet. Definitely could destroy the planet,” Jake explained nonchalantly.

“Sounds like you have had quite the fun so far, huh?” sim-Jake smiled. “But I guess any option is better than just dying. Because the alternative is dying. I can’t see myself living within a virtual world I know only exists because I do… it would make it all feel so utterly pointless knowing nothing I do is real. No, rather have a small impact on reality than dominate a fantasy.”

Jake just nodded in understanding. While experiencing a simulation temporarily would be fine, knowing that nothing you ever did would carry over had to be hell. It was a perfect case of “ignorance is bliss,” and once the veil had been lifted, there was no going back.

“Besides,” sim-Jake added. “We are the same person. So me helping you is helping myself in every sense of the word, isn’t it? Also... if I do get transferred into an item of some sort, it won’t be permanent, will it?”

The last part was addressed to the system, which confirmed his question. “Resonance and equilibrium may eventually be reached, making the simulacrum and Origin one.”

“Hear that?” sim-Jake smiled. “Who knows, I may even be able to take over your mind and become the real version?”

“Isn’t it more like we will eventually just be so similar in every way a natural fusion kind of just happens?” Jake asked, looking at the system.

“Correct.”

nodded in sync. Neither truly understood but were still guessing. All Jake knew was that sim-Jake was looking for some sort of Path to survive, and Jake wanted to help himself – his other self - and potentially

vessel is required to store

innate ties to specific virtual universe. The vessel must meet parameters, including, but not limited to, durability, storage ability, non-attuned, energy signature resonance, Record-compatibility, and Origin-compatibility,”

I be able to transform any of my items into a compatible one?” Jake just asked with

“Negative.”

and sim-Jake threw each other a look as his simulacrum groaned. “So we just had this entire shitty conversation to say that I am

a bit more

two purchases left, right?”

“Yeah?”

the Path of Myriad Choices end

developments within the simulation, the final scene is currently

leave here, will I ever be able to go back so-to-say? As in, could I go

“Improbably.”

with me to the original universe, what will happen to

shall persist as long as simulacrum

“Huh,” Jake considered again.

you fishing for?”

semi-breaking or at least bending the rules of the system a bit, and I guess it rubbed off. Guide,

The system confirmed.

these

“Potentially,” it just answered.

considering this is the final scene, are the

given and calculated only at the conclusion of the

Jake just smiled.

you buy that your performance will award me a compatible vessel?” he

he shook his head and

consumption of Path of Myriad Choices

for a moment as

be for the Records of the simulacrum to temporarily be safely stored within my Soulspace to then be transferred to the vessel upon exit? Without

of Myriad Choices event reward

I have enough Tutorial Points for these two?” sim-Jake asked

can be adjusted to minimum requirements, allowing

It feels like we are

to how you performed during the simulation. Your actions led to this possible outcome. If you hadn’t dominated the tutorial and hadn’t become aware of me and done as you did now, it wouldn’t have happened. Remember, we are still in the simulation right now, and even this conversation is part of the event. So… in some ways, isn’t it pretty normal to reward a simulacrum, becoming aware it is in a simulation, with a way to somehow find a way to break out of the simulation? For

guess that makes sense… would also explain why the hell nothing has happened despite the time for this Tutorial Store thing having

but he also vehemently believed in what he had said. The system clearly facilitated these sorts of things to

item and deposited into your – our – Truesoul, suspended in time to not disperse and forcefully remerge with the Truesoul and stay me. Then this event will end, you will be rewarded an item I can merge into, and you will do that

think that about sums it up,” Jake

to be clear, you have never done anything like this before, right? Has

answered. “Prior divergent simulacriums have appeared and through contact with their Origin

so only semi-uncharted territory. You confident?” sim-Jake

I am. I

get this show on the road. If I don’t make it… never mind.

Jake smiled. “Let’s go.”

“For my fourth purchase…

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