"Do you really think you have the skill to kill me? You humans never hesitate to slaughter each other for mere gain. You're no different — you killed your own kind without hesitation just to escape my skill. That's why I'll kill every last human on this planet!" Cthulhu's voice roared with fury."You control your own kin, your own friends, and harm them—and now you dare call me the villain? Have you gone insane from overusing that useless skill of yours?" John mocked Cthulhu's twisted logic."Silence!" Cthulhu bellowed, launching his tendrils toward John once again."It seems your end has come. And if you were hoping to control the humans outside the city, give up—because they're already safe with me." John's cold tone made it clear he had seen through Cthulhu's plan.During the battle, when Cthulhu realized he couldn't dominate John's mind, he had shifted his mental control toward Oscar's group and Nika, planning to use them as puppets—to restrain John, force him to surrender, or even have them kill him.However, when the Mind Control Skill struck the group, John's other clone was there. Although that clone didn't possess the same level of mental fortitude as the original, it was still impossible to control.Sensing the traces of mental interference in the group, the clone had instantly activated the Heaven and Earth Seal, shielding them from its effects."How… how did you know?!" Cthulhu's face went pale in disbelief."Because I was there too." John's voice cut through the air as he swung the Sun Blade, cleaving Cthulhu's head cleanly in two."N-nooooooooooo…!" Cthulhu's scream faded into nothingness."Ding! The secret skill of the Sun Blade has reached its maximum level!""Permanent increase of 100 points to all stats!""Permanent increase of 100 points to all stats!""Permanent increase of 100 points to all stats!""Permanent increase of 100 points to all stats!""It seems killing amplifies its effects," John thought to himself, analyzing the weapon's growth.Instead of letting Cthulhu's corpse sink back into the ocean, John used Wind Magic to lift it and move it to a desolate area.Although the battle was over, there was still one more thing left to do."Memory Search Skill," John muttered. He wanted to uncover the identity of the demon who had granted Cthulhu the Mind Control Skill—he couldn't just let the corpse vanish."Ding! Memory Search Skill activated!"A sense of relief washed over John when he saw the system window. He'd feared Cthulhu's memories might have been lost when he'd crushed his brain in anger.The world around John shifted—the landscape rippled.He was now inside Cthulhu's memories.
The scene opened beneath the ocean, beside a golden city filled with towering, futuristic buildings shimmering under the water."From this day forth, you shall be the Commander of the Ancient Guardians," declared the King of Atlantis, appointing Cthulhu to the position.This was the day Cthulhu had become the leader of the royal guards."I swear, my king, I shall never betray Atlantis. I will never let harm befall it while I still draw breath," Cthulhu vowed, his eyes filled with pride and loyalty.
The memory shifted again.He was in the same place—but the water was murkier now, tainted with streaks of black.That blackness came from pollution, from the endless garbage humans had dumped into the sea."Father… cough cough... why do humans throw their trash into our home?" asked a small pink octopus with big, innocent eyes—Cthulhu's son, Atlas."They don't know we exist… so they believe their actions harm no one," Cthulhu hesitated before replying."Is this… really Cthulhu?" John thought, stunned. The creature before him looked kind, with a soft, gentle aura—nothing like the monster who sought to destroy humanity."What could have turned him into that?" John wondered, unable to comprehend the transformation."Even if they don't know about us, don't they know about the other sea creatures? Don't they realize they're hurting them too?" Atlas's expression grew sad."Perhaps… they have problems of their own on land," Cthulhu murmured weakly, hiding the truth."I don't want to tell him how cruel humans are," he thought. "Killing sea life, killing even their own kind… what good would it do to make him lose hope?""The king should talk to them!" Atlas said with a spark of childlike determination."That's a great idea, but the king is busy now. I'll tell him the next time I see him, alright?" Cthulhu smiled."Alright!" Atlas beamed back happily.
The memory changed again—to a grand, golden palace filled with treasures."Your Majesty, we must do something. Humans pollute our waters more with each passing day," Cthulhu pleaded."I'll consider a solution. Perhaps we can lessen the pollution for now while we work on a lasting answer," said King Edward, a tall merman with golden hair and eyes, his presence noble and wise."…As you wish, my king." But disappointment lingered in Cthulhu's heart.
Another shift.Inside an underwater cave—Cthulhu's home.There lay the same small octopus—Atlas—now pale and frail."Cough cough... Father... did the king... talk to the humans yet?*" the boy asked, struggling to breathe."Yes, my son. The king will speak to them soon. You must get better so you can see the humans yourself," Cthulhu said softly."Really...? I've always wanted... to see a human... I heard they're... smart and kind... Mother told me... before she died..." Atlas's voice was fading."Yes... that's why you have to rest and recover, alright?" Cthulhu's voice trembled."O-okay... I'm... sleepy... wake me up... when the humans... come..." Atlas's breathing stopped."..." Cthulhu fell silent—yet his silence screamed louder than any roar.His only son, who had loved humans so dearly, had died… because of humans."I will slaughter every last human on this planet!" Cthulhu's eyes turned crimson, his body gray with rage.
The scene shifted again—to the royal palace."My king, we must kill the humans. That's the only way to end the pollution!" Cthulhu's voice was deep, trembling with grief."What?! Have you lost your mind? We swore never to harm humans since ancient times! Do you want to defy the covenant of our ancestors?!" King Edward shouted."My king, times have changed. Humans no longer remember the covenant. They don't even know Atlantis exists anymore!" Cthulhu tried to reason."No means no! Do not speak of this again. That is an order!" the king thundered."…As you command, my king." Cthulhu left, sorrow and anger brewing within him.
Then—another memory."You know, your kind will never understand you," a voice echoed. A figure appeared before Cthulhu—a man in a black cloak, hood drawn low over his face."Who are you? Are you human?!" Cthulhu lashed out instantly, sending his tendrils toward him.But the man didn't even flinch. He caught the strike effortlessly with his bare hand.The force of the water knocked back his hood—revealing his face."Is that enough proof for you?" The man was young—perhaps in his twenties—tall, slim, pale-skinned, with white hair, silver eyes, and red tattoos running across his entire body."Who… are you?" Cthulhu asked, startled yet cautious."Who I am doesn't matter. But if you need a name… call me the Demon." A sinister grin spread across his face as a demonic aura filled the water.The pressure froze Cthulhu where he stood."If you wish to destroy humanity… I can help you," the Demon whispered."How could you possibly help me?" Cthulhu asked, hesitant."What if I give you the Mind Control Skill—at the maximum level?" the Demon offered, his grin widening."...I'll need time to think about it," Cthulhu replied warily. Nothing in the world came without a price."Don't worry. I won't ask for anything in return," the Demon said casually, as if reading his thoughts. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you decide."Cthulhu stiffened. The Demon's words only confirmed he could read minds.
The scene changed again.Cthulhu stood with the royal guards."Have you seen any intruders lately?" he asked."Intruders? In Atlantis? None that I know of," answered White, frowning."You have the sharpest detection ability, Cthulhu. Did you sense someone?" asked Tank."I found someone—not human, but human-like. He called himself the Demon. But he didn't seem hostile," Cthulhu explained."This Demon resisted your full attack? By the gods… what is he?" Mon said, shocked."Skills like Mind Control… since when are such powers just handed out?" White muttered."Whatever he offers, refuse him, Cthulhu. The king will never allow a war with humanity," White warned."...I know," Cthulhu answered quietly.
Another memory flickered.Cthulhu faced the Demon once more."So… can you truly give me the Mind Control Skill?" he asked."Of course," the Demon smiled wickedly. "So, have you finally made your decision?""Yes," Cthulhu replied, eyes filled with grim resolve.
The scene blurred again."I know this memory…" John thought. He had seen it before—inside White's memories, when he had possessed him and the others.Another shift—another memory he recognized.This was the moment the King banished Cthulhu, and Cthulhu declared war on humanity.
Then—the memories dissolved, and John was back in reality."Who the hell is that Demon?" John muttered, his expression dark and unsettled.