'What is that?'
Confusion about an unknown being. That was the only thought filling the Infinite Great Demon's mind.
"[Kwwoooo—!]"
"Kill them!"
"[You rotten corpses! I'll send you back to the abyss!]"
"[We offer this world to the King of Death!]"
A great war was raging on the plains in front of the castle he used as his base. High-ranking demons and undead were clashing, obliterating the surrounding area with each strike. It was a fierce battle, breathtaking to watch.
But such things didn't catch Infinite's eye as he stood on the castle walls. There was only one being that captivated his attention.
"[Are you the Infinite Great Demon?]"
Something floating loftily above the army, looking down at the world haughtily. An incomprehensible being, wearing a bizarre mask and exuding an abyssal aura, as if a nightmare had taken form.
"[What? What are you? How can an impurity like you exist in this world?]"
Although they were far apart, such spatial limitations were meaningless between them. Infinite instinctively knew. That this being wasn't born in this world.
'I had a hunch when Despair and Ruin fell, but… to think it was true.'
Although he was now bound by various restrictions outside of hell, he was once an absolute being who observed the world from a lofty position. He didn't need to analyze it to know how alien 'that' was.
'A monster born in another world, growing stronger by devouring the karma of death and divinity.'
Its aura was reminiscent of the 'Great Demon of Death,' who once reigned supreme among the Great Demons of hell. No, perhaps it was closer to that otherworldly invader who killed him and stole his existence…
"[Kehehe, are you talking about me?]"
Then, as if answering his question, the avatar of death floating in the sky spoke softly.
"[My name is Hannibal Strauss. The King of all the Dead, the End of the World, and—]"
A self-introduction filled with an unknown resentment. But before he could grasp the emotions within it, the following words erased all such trivial questions.
"[—the death of you demons.]"
"[…Insolent.]"
Infinite's lips twisted at the arrogant declaration. He understood that his opponent was a formidable being. But he was also the one standing at the apex of Deboir. He wouldn't be intimidated. Moreover, he didn't like the fact that his opponent was using 'death.' It might have been different in the past, but the strongest among the Great Demons was now undoubtedly him.
"[Heh, good. There's no need for more words. I don't know how something like you crossed over to this world, but it's convenient.]"
The blood-red tattoos and red eyes covering Infinite's black body began to glow. Conserving power before such a powerful opponent was a luxury. He had to use his full power from the start.
Flash—!
A red light erupted from his body and shot high into the sky. The resulting shockwave shook the space, and a violent storm swept across the battlefield.
"[Oh?]"
Hans didn't try to stop it. He already knew that this body was just a terminal.
'There's no point in destroying the terminal. I have to hit the main body to finish him off.'
And as he expected…
…from the crack in the sky torn open by the red light—a massive something began to slowly reveal itself, tearing through space. A gigantic eyeball, looking down at the earth from beyond the gray clouds. Despite the immense distance, the enormous eye ignored perspective, and countless rings, studded with smaller eyeballs, rotated around it.
'…I see, he was hiding his main body in the gap between worlds. A true cosmic horror.'
As he made that observation, a voice like a revelation from heaven echoed across the battlefield.
"[I am Infinite! Eternal and immortal, unable to be ended by mere death! I will erase you and prove to the world that Infinite stands above death!]"
Those of lower rank staggered and collapsed under the overwhelming presence. Some, weakened by injuries, were crushed and killed instantly. But neither Hans nor Infinite paid any attention to such trivial matters.
'Once I deal with him, everything will be over.'
The moment that shared thought crossed their minds…
————!
The space between them shattered with a silent impact. Although it quickly recovered thanks to the world's restorative power, it was because the space couldn't withstand the collision of their near-infinite energies.
'I can't win a simple power struggle.'
He knew it with a single exchange. The power the Infinite Great Demon could wield was, as his name suggested, infinite. If this continued, the world would be destroyed before he could subdue him.
'Well, I'm quite confident in a power struggle, but that's not what's important right now.'
As their clashes continued, a black aura began to emanate from Hans. Dark magic mixed with the power of the abyss. It resonated with the dense death energy permeating the battlefield… no, the entire world… and gradually began to consume it.
'…This is the first time I've received such a strong response. Just how many people have died… I can't lose in such optimal conditions.'
The aura of death, granting endless power to the dead and eternal rest to the living, enveloped the battlefield. Destroyed undead were instantly restored, and dead demons rose again, turning their weapons against their former allies, but those phenomena were merely side effects of his power.
"[You! This is…?!]"
The world's death was converging on a single point. A deadly essence of death that could affect even abstract concepts, not just living beings. Sensing the danger from the flow of mystery that had touched the realm of power, the Infinite Great Demon widened his eyes, the countless rings rotating faster.
'He's controlling the death karma overflowing in this world.'
Between powers, the stronger one devours the weaker one. If, by any chance, his 'death' surpassed his 'infinite'…
"[Don't make me laugh! It's useless!]"
It was unlikely, but he couldn't take the risk. In the end, he quickly unveiled his trump card.
"[Infinite is eternal! Perish, crushed by endless spacetime!]"
Strange symbols filled his gigantic pupils, rotating in an infinite spiral. An absolute judgment that no one could resist, as it was closely intertwined with the laws of this world. It was the power that had even forced the Eternal Great Demon, who possessed the incredible ability to stop time, to give up on fighting him. The miracle that allowed him to survive while other Great Demons perished against the 'Angel of World Destruction' who suddenly appeared in hell.
A pillar of light erupted from the eye floating in the sky and poured down on the otherworldly invader.
"Phew, phew. I'm finally here."
McCarthy, covered in blood, staggered forward. But his gaze remained fixed on the large, ornately decorated door at the heart of the castle.
"Finally…"
The war between the undead and the demons wasn't limited to the plains. Since both sides had massive numbers, and the demons preferred attacking rather than defending, the castle at the center naturally became a battlefield. Although the undead didn't actively attack the humans inside the castle, they weren't lenient enough to spare those who attacked them first. It was easy for McCarthy, who controlled some of the undead as well as the humans, to infiltrate the chaotic castle.
'It did get harder the closer I got to the center.'
At first, he could pass through by disguising himself as a wounded soldier with bandages on his left arm and eye, but later, he had no choice but to fight. And in the process, McCarthy realized how powerful he truly was.
Boom!
He slowly stepped through the broken door. Escorted by undead guards, having personally broken down the door. It was the end for the gang who had once indulged in pleasure and committed evil deeds under the Grand Lord.
"…Lapua!"
McCarthy, finally entering the room, gritted his teeth as he saw his target for revenge standing by the window, looking outside. He already knew he was here, thanks to his ability to see souls, but seeing his enemy right in front of him, he couldn't control his emotions.
"Tsk, what kind of vermin crawled in here?"
Lapua merely clicked his tongue dismissively, glancing at the intruder who had barged in with a group of undead.
"You deserve to die for failing your mission. But I can't forgive you for becoming a dog of the invaders and pointing your swords at me."
Although they had once been his loyal subordinates, his gaze was cold.
"Treason is a collective responsibility. After this is over, I'll have to hold a festival with their families. Since it's right after a major incident, I'll have to gather all their acquaintances and prepare a grand celebration."
"…Heh, they're undead. Their bodies are mere puppets, devoid of will, and you're going to punish them?"
"Hmm? What does that matter?"
McCarthy couldn't help but make excuses for them, but Lapua didn't seem to care. Then, tilting his head slightly, his gaze shifted towards him.
"Shouldn't you be worried about yourself right now?"
"Ugh!"
McCarthy's face was slammed into the ground by the immense pressure. He tried to get up but could only barely raise his upper body. If it weren't for his left eye and arm, he would have been crushed into a puddle of blood. Like the undead who had been escorting him, now nowhere to be seen.
"Oh? What an interesting power. Is that the mark of your pact?"
"Groan…!"
Lapua, approaching the struggling McCarthy, looked at him with a strange glint in his eyes, the pupils rotating with bizarre symbols. They were remarkably similar to the gigantic eye floating in the sky.
'I thought this was my chance with Infinite gone. But to think he's this powerful even without the demon…'
A demon contractor was a being granted a portion of a demon's power through a contract. And naturally, someone who had made a contract with a Great Demon—the 'Infinite Great Demon' at that—wouldn't be ordinary. He was far beyond the reach of McCarthy, who had only just obtained his supernatural abilities. It was his mistake to act rashly, blinded by revenge.
"It seems you have some grudge against me."
In fact, there would be fewer people in this world without a grudge against him. He was in a position that naturally attracted resentment. The title of Great Demon contractor.
"Still, I'll commend you for coming this far. Besides, you seem to be involved in this recent incident."
His shoe stomped hard on McCarthy's head as he struggled to raise his upper body. Then, slowly grinding his foot into the ground, he began to taunt him in a calm voice.
"But this is it. No matter who you made a contract with, you can't defeat Infinite. Not even that legendary Death or Eternal Great Demon."
For a hundred years, the Infinite Great Demon had reigned supreme in this world. The karma and fear he had accumulated during that time was beyond imagination. It would be difficult for them to close the gap even if they returned now.
"Hehehe, I might spare your life if you beg for forgiveness now. Of course, I'll have to gouge out your eyes and cut off your arms, but then you'll be able to enjoy luxuries you've never experienced before…"
"Ptoo! Screw you, baldy impotent bastard."
"…"
Lapua's expression hardened at the words that touched a nerve he had to suppress for his contract with the Great Demon.
"…So, you don't want to die peacefully. Then I'll grant your wish."
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he slowly raised a hand. He was going to cut off his arms first. So he could regret his insolent words. And then…
"Hmm?"
"Huh?"
But at that moment…
Both of them let out a confused sound.
"What the…!"
Lapua reached out again in shock, but nothing happened. Not only that, but his pupils, which had been rotating with bizarre symbols, returned to normal, and the power suppressing McCarthy disappeared without a trace.
"W-Wait! Infinite! This is a breach of contract!"
This power was obtained by Lapua offering 'everything' to the Infinite Great Demon. It was everything to him, something that shouldn't disappear so easily. Especially since he had given up so much as a down payment, including his existing abilities and physical prowess.
Whoosh—
However, this situation, which was nothing short of despair for him…
"…I don't know exactly what happened, but…"
…was the moment someone had been desperately waiting for.
"…it seems the situation has changed."
McCarthy, slowly rising, took a step forward, his obsidian-like left eye gleaming. Clenching and unclenching his left hand, which flickered with a black light.
"Ugh, stop! I am Grand Lord Lapua, you can't…!"
Lapua's face contorted as he desperately tried to use his power again, but nothing changed. He could only flail his arms pathetically, as if he had become an ordinary peasant.
"I hope you last long."
McCarthy clenched his fist tightly.
The hand granted as a reward for pledging loyalty for revenge—.
"Because I'm not going to let you die easily."
"Cough!"
—struck his longtime enemy square in the face.
"It's certainly a dangerous ability."
I took a sip of warm coffee and exhaled softly. In a corner of my mind, I could see Hans driving his hand into the center of the giant eyeball, delivering a death sentence. It was perfectly intact, as if it hadn't been frozen in time just moments ago.
"Well, it doesn't really mean much to me."
Just a temporary disruption in one of his more than ten separate thought processes. Of course, Hans's status was added to Hans's mental skills, including 「Great Spirit,」 so it wasn't too much of a burden.
'Still, he got me, so I should return the favor.'
There was one thing in common about the 'death' that was rampant in Deboir. It was intertwined with the resentment and wishes of the sacrificed humans, and the karma associated with them. In other words, it was no different from poison that acted more lethally against the demons, the main culprits behind the world's ruin. He had attempted to use such a thing as his trump card, and right after its failure, he was hit by a counterattack without any proper defense…
"Ah, it's over. He was lucky. It ended sooner than I thought."
A single eyeball, shrunken pathetically, was held in Hans' hand, its initial overwhelming presence gone. The moment the invading Undying King defeated the demon and took control of the world.