'What? It's gone.'
A question for the unknown.
Right now, only such thoughts were swirling in the mind of the Archdemon of Infinity.
[Kuaaaaaagh—!]
"Kill them!"
[You rotten corpses! I'll throw you back into Purgatory!]
[I will dedicate this world to the King of Death!]
A great war was currently raging on the vast plain in front of the castle, which he had made his base. It was a fierce battle, with a heated engagement between high-ranking demons and the undead that broke out with strikes that destroyed the surrounding area, making a sweaty sight no matter where you looked.
However, none of it caught the eyes of Infinity, who stood atop the castle wall. There was only one thing that had captivated his gaze at a glance.
[Are you the Archdemon of Infinity?]
A vague statement, spoken from a vantage point high above the heads of the great generals, looking down on the world.
It was an incomprehensible being, looking like the embodiment of a nightmare, wearing a grotesque mask and exuding an abyssal aura from its entire body.
[What? What the hell is that? How can such an impurity as you exist in this world?]
The distance between them was quite far, but the limits of space held no meaning between them. Infinity, facing him, could instinctively realize it. That 'that' had not been born in this world.
'Until Sorrow and Ruin came, I wondered if it was possible. It's real.'
Although he was now out of hell and was bound by various constraints, he had once been an absolute being who observed the world from the highest position. There was no need to take a close look at how alien 'That' was.
'A monster born in a different world, swallowing the karma and divinity of the dead and growing its power.'
That power was enough to remind him of the 'Archdemon of Death,' who once reigned supreme among the great demons of hell. No, perhaps it was closer to an alien invader who had murdered him and stolen his existence...
[Hehehe, you mean me?]
Just then, as if in response to his words, the embodiment of death floating in the sky opened its mouth softly.
[This body's name is Hannibal Strauss. The King of All the Dead and the End of the World—.]
A self-introduction that seemed to be filled with resentment for some reason. But before the emotion contained in the following words could be understood, such minor doubts were completely swept away.
[—And this is the death of you demons.]
[...Arrogant.]
The corner of Infinity's mouth twitched at that arrogant declaration. He knew well that the opponent was not someone to be ignored. However, he was also the one who stood at the peak of this Devore. Isn't that a position that must kneel? Besides, he didn't really like the idea that the other party was suggesting 'death.' Although he might not have known it in the past, right now the strongest person representing a great demon is surely yourself.
[Good. There's no need to talk anymore. I don't know how someone like you came to this world, but it's even better.]
The blood-red tattoos and red pupils engraved on Infinity's jet-black body slowly began to glow. Sparing power in front of such a strong opponent was a luxury. He had to give his all without holding anything back from the start.
Paaah—!
The red light emanating from his body shot up into the sky. In the aftermath, the space shook, and a strong storm swept through the battlefield.
[Hoo?]
Hans didn't stop it. He had already realized that his current body was just a terminal.
'Destroying the terminal is meaningless. I have to hit the main body to deal with it properly.'
And, just as he had expected. From a high crack in the sky, torn by the red light—something huge slowly began to reveal its form, splitting through space. A huge eyeball, looking down at the ground from between the gray clouds. Despite the enormous distance, numerous rings full of tiny eyeballs were rotating chaotically around the eye, so large that they ignored perspective.
'...Was the real body really hidden in the crevices of the world? There is no such thing as cosmic horror.'
As he was expressing such feelings, a voice like a revelation from the sky echoed throughout the battlefield.
[This body is infinity! The eternity itself cannot be ended by death! I will destroy you right now and prove to the world that infinity is above death!]
The bodies of those who were relatively commoners staggered and collapsed under the overwhelming presence. Some, whose resistance was weakened by injuries, were crushed to death under the pressure on the ground. But neither Hans nor Infinity paid any attention to such minor matters.
'As long as I deal with that guy, it will all be over.'
It was a common thought that flashed through both of their minds
—Whoosh!
With a silent impact, the air between the two was completely broken. While it didn't take long to recover thanks to the world's resilience, it was because the space could not overcome the after-effects of the clash of almost infinite energy released from both sides.
'This should not become a simple power struggle.'
He could tell from just a single clash. The power that the Archdemon of Infinity could mobilize was infinite, just like its name. If we continue like this, the world will be destroyed faster than we can subdue him.
'Hmm, I'm pretty confident in my power struggle skills. That's not what's important right now.'
After several more clashes, a black energy gradually began to spread from Hans' body. Dark magic mixed with the power of the abyss. It resonated with the deep death that permeated the entire battlefield... no, the whole world, and slowly began to erode the world.
'...This is the first time I've had such a positive reaction. How many people must have died... it doesn't make sense to lose in these optimal conditions.'
The battlefield was filled with the energy of death, which gave endless power to the dead and eternal rest to others. The destroyed undead were immediately restored to a normal state, and the dead demons got up and turned their swords to the opposite direction, but that phenomenon was only an additional effect of the exercise of power.
[You! This is...?!]
The world's death was concentrated in one point. The lethal essence of death that could affect not only living things but also abstract concepts. The Archdemon of Infinity, who felt a sense of crisis in the mysterious flow that had reached the realm of power, widened its eye as it spun its countless rings even faster.
'He's mastering the death karma that's overflowing in this world.'
Among the powers, the strong one swallows the weak one. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but what if his 'death' surpasses his 'infinity'...
[Ridiculous! That's impossible!]
It wouldn't happen, but he couldn't take that risk. In the end, he quickly took out a secret move he had been saving.
[Infinity is eternity! Be crushed under the endless space-time!]
A strange pattern filled with a huge pupil rotated in an infinite spiral. An absolute sentence that no one could resist because it was closely intertwined with the laws of this world. It was a power that made even the Archdemon of Eternity, which had the deceitful power to stop time, give up on dealing with it. It was a miracle that he was able to survive until the end while the other Archdemon were being killed by the 'Angel of Destruction' who had suddenly rushed into hell.
A pillar of light that started from the heavenly eye poured down on the invaders from another dimension.
"Whoa. Have we finally arrived?"
Mccarthy, covered in blood from head to toe, walked unsteadily. All the while, however, his eyes were fixed on the great door located at the deepest part of the lavishly decorated castle.
"At last..."
The war between the undead and the demons did not only take place on the plains. Because the number of both sides was so large and the demon side preferred face-to-face attacks rather than castle defense, the castle in the center was naturally caught up in the war. The undead did not necessarily point their swords at the humans in the castle first, but they were not gentle enough to endure enemies who attacked them first. For Mccarthy, who was not only human but could also control some undead, infiltrating a castle caught in such chaos was very easy.
'It also got more difficult as I went deeper into the center.'
At first, he was able to get by just by disguising himself as a wounded soldier and wrapping bandages around his left arm and eye, but later he had no choice but to fight directly. And in the process, Mccarthy was able to keenly realize how great his power was.
Thump!
He slowly walked through the broken door. He had not only broken the door himself and made a way for himself, but he was also escorted by undead guards who politely stood guard for him. The place where the group that once lived under the Great Castle Lord had enjoyed pleasure and committed evil deeds was a ruin.
"...Rapua!"
Mccarthy finally entered the room. He gently gnashed his teeth as he found the object of his revenge standing at the very end of the window, looking out. Although his soul-seeing eyes had already told him that he was here, he could not control his boiling emotions as he faced his enemy right in front of him.
"Tsk, what kind of bug has crawled all the way here."
A mob he had never seen before led a crowd of undead and came right in front of him. However, Rapua only glanced at them and lightly clicked his tongue as if it were no big deal.
"They deserve to die for not completing their duties properly. But it is unforgivable for them to turn into an intruder's dog and point their sword at me."
Even though they were moving like his hands and feet according to his orders, his expression as he looked at them felt extremely cold.
"Treason is a shared responsibility. When this situation is over, we must have a feast with their families. Since it's right after a big event, we should prepare grandly by having all their acquaintances participate."
"...Huh, they just became undead. Their body is just a doll, and they don't even have a will left, so you're going to punish them for that?"
"Hmm? What does that have to do with anything?"
In response, Mccarthy inadvertently made an excuse, but Rapua seemed to not care. And right after he tilted his head slightly, his gaze went toward him.
"Isn't it time to mind your own business?"
"Ugh!"
Mccarthy had no choice but to fall flat on his face due to the strong pressure from above. He tried his best to get up, but he could barely lift his upper body. If it weren't for his left eye and arm, he would have been crushed and turned into a handful of blood. Just as the undead who had been protecting him all this time were now scattered in all directions.
"Hoo? It's a peculiar power. Is that the proof of your oath?"
"Ugh...!"
Rapua came in front of Mccarthy, who was barely holding on, and looked at him with interest, with pupils that rotated with a strange pattern. It was an eye that was very similar to the huge eye floating in the sky.
'I thought this was my chance while Infinity was away. To think it was like this even without the demon....'
A demon contractor. It was a being who was granted a part of its power through a contract with a demon. It was also very natural that the person who made a contract with a great demon, the peak of this world... and 'the Archdemon of Infinity,' could not be at a normal level
Mccarthy, who had just acquired this ability, didn't even dare to touch him. It was his mistake to have acted in a hurry out of a thirst for revenge.
"It seems you have a grudge against me."
In fact, there would be few people in this world who did not hold a grudge against him. From the beginning, it was a position that could only be there. The name was the contractor of the great demon.
"Still, I think you're commendable for coming all the way here. And you seem to have a lot to do with this commotion."
His shoe stepped hard on Mccarthy's head, who had barely been able to lift his upper body. Then he slowly rubbed the floor and began to utter mocking words in a calm tone.
"But that's where it ends. Because whatever the identity of the demon you've contracted with, you can never win. Even if it's Death or Eternity from the stories."
A hundred years. It was the time when the Archdemon of Infinity reigned supreme in this world. The karma and fear he had accumulated during that time were literally beyond imagination. Even if they came back now, it would not be easy to close the gap.
"Hehehe, if you grovel on the floor and beg for forgiveness right now, I might spare you as a special favor? Of course, I'll have to pluck out both of your eyes and cut off both of your arms, but then you'll be able to enjoy a luxury you've never experienced before..."
"Tsk! Fuck off, you bald eunuch."
"....."
That was the... reverse scale, something he had to give up in order to... contract with a great demon.
Rapua's expression turned cold.
"...Well, it seems you don't want to die gracefully. Then I'll have to do as you wish."
He slowly raised one hand, and a fierce light flashed in his eyes. He thought he would cut off both of his arms first. So he could see the result of his arrogant words and regret it. And then...
"Hmm?"
"Huh?"
But at that moment. A single question, filled with a question, came out of both of their mouths at the same time.
"What is this!"
Rapua, who was shocked, reached out his hand again, but nothing happened. No, it wasn't just that. The pupil, which had been rotating with a grotesque pattern, became a normal eye, and the power that had been suppressing Mccarthy completely disappeared.
"Wait now! Infinity! This is a breach of contract!"
This power was what Rapua had gained by 'sacrificing' his all to the Great Demon of Infinity. It was his everything, which should never have disappeared so easily. Especially since he had already given up a lot of what he had, including his innate abilities and physical abilities, for the contract fee.
Hiss—
However, the current situation was nothing short of despair for him.
"I don't know what's going on either."
It was a moment someone had been waiting for.
"Do you think the situation has changed?"
Mccarthy slowly got up and walked forward slowly, his obsidian-like left eye gleaming. He extended his left hand, which flickered with black light.
"Stop! I am the Great Castle Lord Rapua, and you dare do such a thing...!"
Rapua's face contorted, and he tried to use his power again, but the situation did not change at all. He just desperately waved his arms, as if he had become a normal village dad.
"I hope you can hold out for a long time."
Mccarthy clenched his fist. The hand that had been given as a reward for his oath of revenge—.
"Because I have no intention of killing you gracefully."
"Woah!"
It struck his old enemy squarely in the face.
***
"It's certainly a dangerous ability."
I tilted my coffee cup, took a sip of the warm beverage, and exhaled lightly. In the corner of my mind, there was a scene of Hans stabbing his palm into the center of the huge eyeball that had just declared his death sentence. He looked so perfectly fine that it was hard to believe he had been filled with infinite time until just a moment ago.
"Well, it doesn't mean much to me."
It was just that one of my more than ten differentiated thoughts went wrong for a moment. Of course, the consumption rate of the "Mind Herb" soared in the process, but since Hans's own status was added to his mental strength, including the "Great Mind," it wasn't a huge burden.
'But I did take a hit, so I have to pay it back for sure.'
The 'death' that was rampant in Devore had one thing in common. The sadness and origin of the sacrificed humans and the causes and effects related to them were all intertwined. In other words, he said it was no different from poison that would work even more fatally on the demons, who were the main culprits who made the world as it was.
Just after one of my tricks failed, I was counterattacked without even a proper defense...
"Ah, is it over? You were lucky. It ended faster than I thought."
The initial overwhelming majesty was a pitiful state where one eye was shrunken and held in Hans' hand.
It was the moment
The Invading King of Immortals
defeated the demon and
—occupied the world.