Ch.214Role (1)

A cathedral stained with blood.

And in its center, a black figure stands.

It looks around with a chilling smile.

Its face, devoid of eyes, nose, and mouth, was grotesquely distorted.

Like a sneer contained within the pitch-black night.

<Ah… how long it’s been since I’ve smelled the scent of this world.>

The voice was truly horrific.

A resonance befitting the true name of a demon god.

Though merely a soliloquy, it exuded a thick scent of death.

My companions and I couldn’t even move.

Our held breaths contained the tension of the weak.

Regardless, the god maintained a consistently calm demeanor.

<The sky is still clear, and the stars are still bright.>

<How utterly disgusting.>

The shadow clicks its tongue softly.

I clenched my fist.

“……”

This was a first.

Since my possession, I had never encountered such intense power.

Just from the energy I could feel, it was on par with me at full output.

No… it was at least two levels ahead.

I quietly gather darkness at my fingertips.

‘That energy…’

Moreover, the energy rippling around the shadow.

I received a strangely familiar impression from it.

The power called [Liar] that I use.

That power was also being detected from that evil god.

I furrow my brow.

-A fragment of god.

-Based on that, I completed you.

Suddenly.

Why did Gepetto’s words cross my mind?

Perhaps it was the worst-case scenario I had anticipated.

I sharpen my focus on the atmosphere.

<My fragment.>

As I gather darkness, a call follows.

The cathedral’s heightened atmosphere becomes tainted with malice.

A sticky gaze falls upon me.

<At last, I’ve found the half of me that I lost.>

“Half, you say. I don’t recall having such a cute lover.”

<You hide your fear with worthless wit. Your fear is clearly transmitted to me. Your tender heart is like seeing a frightened young deer.>

“Well. If you see me as that cute, I won’t particularly decline.”

<Well… it doesn’t matter either way.>

In the primordial night, both truth and lies are meaningless.

All language will lose meaning and crumble.

The demon god hums as if amused.

<I won’t speak at length. Return to me.>

“Return… I don’t understand what you mean.”

<It means to gather the broken fragments and combine again.>

“Combine, you say. That doesn’t sound particularly positive.”

<To cling to mere meaning. You seem to have been tainted by those disgusting stars.>

“Humans seek meaning. If one disregards meaning, wouldn’t that be no different from a beast?”

<You speak amusing words, Pinocchio. Aren’t you just a doll mimicking humans?>

“That’s precisely why I know. Mimicry requires deep understanding.”

<Wordplay.>

“Contemplation.”

I respond calmly, but I charge power into both hands.

To respond to any surprise attack at any time.

I casually let words slip.

“Besides, what do you intend to do by absorbing my fragment?”

<Isn’t it obvious? I must put this chaotic world in order.>

“Order…?”

<Look around. The world cluttered by the chorus of stars. Isn’t it like looking at a mess of fallen leaves? Trash breathes in the streets, and good and evil seethe without boundaries.>

The air around the shadow distorts like a heat haze.

The air trembles with its calm resonance.

<Humans. Those who reign as masters of the world hate each other, envy, plunder, and kill. Without even knowing the blessing given to them. What value is there in such a world? A world that is irregular, unstable, and full of distrust.>

“……”

<So, I’ll change it all.>

“……”

<I’ll overturn the world. I’ll create a paradise that is regular, stable, and full of trust.>

“Paradise… Based on my experience, those who speak like that are usually con artists.”

<Of course, some sacrifices must be made. At the very least, all life on this star will die. But don’t worry. They will become fertilizer for the new world.>

“You’re saying quite troubling things.”

=What nonsense are you spouting?

A standardized world.

The demon god’s stated purpose exceeded my expectations.

To completely overturn the world and bring forth a new dimension.

Simply because it was displeasing to its eyes.

“You seem to be out of your mind.”

<How could mere insects understand the will of a god? I’m sorry, Pinocchio. I didn’t descend to seek permission. The divine command is no different from a notification.>

“……”

<So, I’ll give you one last chance.>

The shadow smiles.

However, no one took it as a smile.

<Come to me willingly. Let’s share the glory together.>

“I respectfully decline. There are still many precious things in this world.”

<You cling to values that will eventually change.>

“It’s because it changes that the world has meaning.”

<Enough. I’m tired of your trivial arguments.>

The shadow, having lost interest, cuts off the conversation.

Then, the killing intent surrounding the demon god changes.

It was like thousands of hands choking my neck.

Despite having no eyes, its gaze was intensely thick.

The primordial night asks.

<Do you intend to stand against me?>

“If you won’t withdraw your intention, I suppose I must.”

<How foolish. A mere doll and fragment.>

The demon god reaches out toward me.

Then it clenches its fist with a grip.

The cathedral’s air fluctuates with that simple movement.

However, the shadow tilts its head as if something is hindering it.

Something seemed not to be going as planned.

<Hmm?>

The pitch-black fingertips were still pointing this way.

A strange pressure roughly grips my entire body.

But soon it dissipates.

The demon god, confirming this, clicks its tongue.

<Tsk… I tried to seize control of the body.>

A reaction as if annoyed.

Blatant hostility dwells in the darkness.

<You, you’re under the protection of the stars.>

“Protection…?”

<Still, I congratulate you. You’ve bought a little time. If I could have possessed that body, I would have slaughtered the women beside you immediately. I didn’t expect ■■ to take such measures.>

The demon god spouts incomprehensible words.

Then, the clear shadow gradually becomes blurry.

Like the night sky dispersing as dawn breaks.

It was an unreal sight.

<Oh my.>

<Indeed, this is the limit with a hastily created manifestation.>

That being disappears gradually and clearly.

The demon god speaks amidst the crumbling dust.

<But don’t be disappointed, Pinocchio.>

<Ten days later, when a lunar eclipse is promised to the world.>

<On the night when the power of the sun, moon, and stars is at its weakest, I will descend as a complete being.>

<This world will lose its original meaning. And it will be reborn as a perfect world.>

<Hide as far away as you can. With the things you’re about to lose in your hands.>

<And tremble as if you don’t want to lose them.>

<That despair will make your fruit sweeter.>

<So struggle all you want.>

The demon god, now reduced to half.

As it disappeared, it adds as if just remembering.

In contrast to its indifferent tone, it was full of mockery.

It reaches out its hand.

<Lastly, let me give you a parting gift.>

Shiver-

A killing intent that flows intensely down the back of my neck.

The sense of warning makes me react instinctively.

As I deploy my lie, I shout to the side.

It was an uncharacteristically urgent voice.

“Everyone, get down!”

The lie I unfold wraps around my companions, forcibly laying them on the ground.

Immediately after, a flash of a cutting strike approaches right before my eyes.

At a speed that’s impossible to even perceive.

“Kuh…!”

Caring for the others, I couldn’t escape the range.

Fortunately, I had been preparing for a surprise attack for a while.

I deploy a barrier to the front without delay.

I create a curtain by overlaying lies and darkness.

But.

“…!”

Crash-!

The barrier shatters pathetically.

The sound of shattering seemed to mock me.

And the sharp cutting strike marks my body.

A deep impact is inflicted.

Thud-!

The noise was so sharp it was almost dull.

The world slowed down as if watching in slow motion.

In my blurring vision, the flying blood and flesh were clear.

Part of my shoulder falls off.

‘Ah.’

Only then do I realize that I’ve been cut.

The flying blood was mine, and the shattered flesh pieces were also mine.

Something pouring out with a splash.

Legs losing balance and staggering.

Consciousness rapidly fades away.

“M-Master…!?”

“Judas!”

Beyond that consciousness, I see my companions stained with shock.

The cathedral showing signs of collapse from the aftermath of the strike.

And.

<Well then… Pinocchio.>

A sneering face.

The face without eyes, nose, or mouth looks at me.

Even as it turns completely to dust, it whispers.

As if all waiting is meaningless.

<Let’s meet again on a starless night.>

After that, the demon god completely conceals its existence.

I immediately collapse to the ground.

And.

“Judas…!”

With the sight of my companions holding me, I lost consciousness.