The Gentleman at the End

No communication or textual explanation was needed. When William saw the golden faceless figure shaped like a dynamic DNA strand, an answer emerged in his heart.

It was the origin of all plagues, the base template for all life forms in the Old World, and the final step in acquiring the "Original Gene" was to come into contact with it.

However, William still felt a bit worried inside,

Since his [Appreciation] had fully absorbed Art, including Art's cancerous body that had already obtained the Original Gene and activated the "Infinite Attribute."

The current William was using this infinity to fill the Complete Shaper Body, effectively grafting Art's Original Gene, making him possess a portion of the Original Gene.

He wondered if the 'Sick Focus' in front of him would grant him more of the Original Gene. If nothing more was given, only the physical body would be fully developed.

While contemplating this, William instinctively conceived an extremely malevolent thought.

That was to educate the 'Sick Focus' in front of him,

If successful, all the Original Genes would become his, and he could even become the core of the Old World, becoming the Sick Focus itself.

But rationality quickly took the upper hand,

If this thought was detected by the Sick Focus, William would become the enemy of the entire Old World, and in a short time, all the Plague Masters would likely be summoned here to eliminate him.

However, although rationality overpowered the evil thought, it wasn't entirely erased.

Although he couldn't seize power now, it might be possible in the future. When he accessed the Main Material Plane and encountered true evil, returning to the Old World to plunder wouldn't be impossible.

With an actor's demeanor, William approached the golden pool with a smile and respectful expression, as the golden faceless figure hovering above opened its eyes,

In that moment, William felt completely seen through, cold sweat trickling down his cheeks.

He felt so lucky to have concealed his evil thought with perfect acting, as the golden faceless figure representing the world didn't need to call the Plague Masters back for assistance; it inherently had the authority to erase all plagues.

After being observed for ten minutes, the single eye on the faceless figure's face was replaced by a mouth,

As the mouth moved, the voice echoed from the surrounding cavity.

"You suffer from a multitude of illnesses, complex in type, and have achieved 'complete development' in tumors. I will list multiple plague options for you.

Choose an illness corresponding to the 'Original Gene' as your Ultimate Ascension gift."

The illnesses on William's body were listed, including Epilepsy, Death Plague, Moon Transformation Disease, Neurological Chain, and others. Unfortunately, William did not see the option for 'Abyss,' indirectly suggesting that the Abyss Disease was not within the Old World's intent.

There wasn't much choice,

The complex illness system on William could be organized together and coordinated based on the management of the Madness Brain, with the illness itself named [Epilepsy Syndrome].

"I choose Epilepsy."

"Please hold on, detecting if you possess the qualification to become the master of epilepsy type illnesses.

Within the Old World, 10,721 patients affected and dominated by your Mad Shell Virus have been detected, and you also have amicable relations with multiple Source Epidemic Areas.

Moreover, your essence is that of a human from the infected world, with human forces supporting you.

Upon detection, you indeed possess the qualification to become a Plague Master and can establish your own Source Epidemic Area."

William replied with a smile,

"Hello, Sick Focus! Initially, I indeed wanted to establish a Source Epidemic Area, to become a world leader, and to create a safe zone akin to a school for my students, also providing humans with a sanctuary.

However, now I see a wider world. I want to explore outside as a Plague Master, to smooth relationships with the external world, and investigate the real dangers that have proliferated across various planes.

I wonder if the Source Epidemic Area can be exchanged for another equivalent item."

William was just inquiring tentatively. If it couldn't be done, then that was fine.

The Sick Focus in front of him seemed to fall into deep thought, waiting a moment before responding:

"What sort of equivalent item do you desire?"

"For example, a mobile caravan like a dukedom, or a tent like a circus... though the latter has nothing to do with you.

However, a circus tent can settle or relocate internally within subspace for long periods. If I had something like this, I could take some talented students to the outside world to assist in missions, and provide a sanctuary in times of crisis."

"A Mobile Source Epidemic Area, is this what you need?"

"Exactly, a mobile Source Epidemic Area that can be sealed would be ideal, even if the space is small. If possible, I would like my [Theater] to be modified."

The Sick Focus didn't provide a verbal response but opened its right hand.

Buzz!

A document resembling a letter of authorization emerged from the golden pool beneath, delivering itself to William.

"What's this?"

"A World Permission Book; as long as this item is placed on the land you've cultivated or the city-state you've established, the rules and permissions of that area will be under your complete control.

It's equivalent to a [Source Epidemic Area].

However, I've slightly modified this Permission Book. It applies only to your theater scale, but it upgrades the building materials to gold, allowing you to seal or open it according to your personal will, and it can cooperate with the spatial means you already possess for transfer.

This should meet your requirements."

"Thank you, Sick Focus!"

"Your choice is concluded; prepare to receive. Bring the Madness Brain as close to me as possible, and I will complete the missing origin genes for [Epilepsy]."

"Alright!"

William had already opened his skull during the Ultimate Ascension,

The galaxy-like Madness Brain had already become exceedingly unstable, swelling to five times the regular size, feeling like it could explode at any moment.

As the golden faceless figure reached out to touch the surface of the Madness Brain, a segment of golden gene fragments, akin to a key, was injected into it.

In that instant,

William's thoughts were fully amplified, yet seemed to contract into a microscopic world,

He saw primitive purine or pyrimidine bases, saw their perfect grafting with deoxyribose, forming an incredibly diverse ecological world through changes simply involving [1~4].

Simultaneously, a large number of 'keys' appeared before William,

The so-called [Key] referred to the different arrangements of DNA bases,

When a DNA sequence met the requirements of key arrangements, that sequence could transcribe and translate into unique proteins beyond the life itself, unlocking life's true potential.

However, this potential varied in strength, and expression methods differed, making it difficult to control. Although humans possessed brains capable of exploring the unknown, their physical bodies were still too fragile.

Many people, after expressing it carelessly,

found their bodies becoming weak, decaying, or even dying because they couldn't understand, express correctly, or endure. Over time, humans called these physical discomfort symptoms [illnesses], trying every means to avoid such situations from occurring.

Only life born under the Sick Focus of the Old World knew how to use keys to gain life's true potential.

Furthermore, there was an incredibly complex and supreme key sequence within.

This key required the individual to meet numerous prerequisites to be arranged and compiled. Once formed, the entire DNA exhibited a golden hue, expressing all potential relevant attributes.

Without needing any external forces or Pope's Divinity, it allowed weak organic life to stand equal to a god with blood and flesh.

This was the mystery of plagues and the entire Old World,

Crackling~

As the golden key related to the Madness Brain was implanted, the already unstable Madness Brain began expanding crazily, filling the core space of the Sick Focus.

The Madness Brain, upon reaching its limit, did not explode like a balloon but started collapsing!

Strange things happened; even the non-managed abdominal abyss seemed to rotate, assisting the process.

Subsequently, all the illnesses began assisting, ensuring the collapse process wouldn't cease mid-way.

Until the entire Madness Brain disappeared, turning into a 'Black Hole' within William's cranial cavity,

This was the ultimate pursuit of all Madmen.

[Brain Hole]