As a writer, I allowed myself to indulge in my sadistic tendencies. As a person, I was fond of satiating my many curiosities.

Now, as a mortal living within my own written world…

I wanted to be both.

I could be both.

Yet, as I held [Athelei’s Crude Demon Lord’s Insignia], I couldn’t help but sigh. Anger and frustration boiled with me, bubbling with a feral hostility. I hated its effects. I took the dice roll and it landed upon the worst results possible.

“This fucking world…” I cursed under my breath.

It would always find ways to make us suffer.

[Effect 2: Vow of Anonymity]

[Description: A manifestation of the origins of the insignia itself. The owner of this insignia will be bound by an identity that is not theirs with every use.]

“Yeah, sure.” I couldn’t help but massage my temples.

I was inches away from simply using this insignia as a bomb instead. Blowing up the planet and summoning the Demon Race from some obscure pockets in the universe.

Although the description said, ‘with every use,’ I unfortunately had to make use of it regularly. In fact, the moment I read the first effect, I was quite ecstatic. I made plans to use it to generate a special energy I could absorb, thus shortening my path to power.

The moment I read the required Vow, however, irritation became apparent on my face. I was shaking, and the veins on my head had begun swelling.

“Damn it!” I roared, despising the fact that I had to become another person, hiding my true self once more. I thought that I was finally free to show the world how much I adored their suffering… Yet this insignia stepped on all of my joys as if it was mush.

I had no one to blame but myself.

This was the world I created. If something was left to chance, it would do everything to bring you hardship.

Especially when you need it the most.

***

Annoyed, I returned to the bustling medieval city. Then to the familiar street with my favorite teashop near the Red Elephant Dojo. Then to my room in the nearby inn.

Placing the insignia onto the desk, I sat down and contemplated.

Was it really worth it? To hide my true self behind a veil once more?

Or should I take the risk for the sake of the highest peak?

The hours went by. I went out to eat dinner in the midst of this, and when I returned, I continued to think. Various plans coursed through my mind. I had other options, to be completely honest.

But this was the best. The fastest. The strongest. The most mathematical. The setting I had given the demons of my world still amused me. Despite their chaotic nature, the core of their being was a great deal of mathematics. Everything related to them had an equation, just like this little creation of mine.

If I wanted to lord over even the gods, then I needed to use this insignia. An insignia that had been built from order, yet brought about chaos.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Shit, man…”

I sighed…

And placed my hand on the golden gemstone.

If it was for power and immortality, then it would all be worth it. I invoked the first effect of my insignia. I had enough of my own indecision.

[Concept Crafting].

—Whoooom!

The hum of mana in the air was a mysterious phenomenon. It was a low buzz, barely audible… yet palpably powerful.

It thickened the air simply because of its congregation.

Mana. The essence of all things.

This was my first time coming into contact with its magical abilities. I couldn’t help but feel excitement. The frustration I had felt earlier was swiftly draining away.

Looking at the bright side, all I had to do was be a different person until I had no need for the insignia. When the time came, I could indeed simply throw it away. There were many other special treasures like these that only I knew how to make.

Right.

I could just do that.

Thus, with no more childish hesitation, I fully invoked the effect of the insignia. Although I had no mana to offer it, it didn’t need me to do so.

The insignia would use whatever was nearby.

So, I began writing stuff down on a notebook I had been using as a journal. After tearing out all of the more personal entries, I had enough space to jot down something special. Luckily, my memory still served me well.

I could remember the most vital points in my story. The rest, well, my book had become a world, and with the way I built it, a perfect memory would not amount to much.

I just knew that my mere existence had changed the world in a way I would be unable to imagine…

Shaking my head, I went back to work. In the future, I would have to verify all the things I knew before acting upon said knowledge.

***

There were three Universal Classes that many races of the universe abided by.

Dictators, who could make their desires palpable, tangible, and capable of influencing reality simply through the sheer force of their [Will].

Artists, who would manipulate [Mana] to form mystic patterns, magic circles, or runes to cast spells and influence nature.

Finally, Evolvers, whose bodies could be honed beyond the imagination of any mortal being through [Energy] and endless hard work.

These were the three paths to power, each bearing 7 Ranks that no one could contest. Of course, in the vastness of the universe, there were many other paths to power. However, none of these could reach the 7th Rank as reliably as these three.

After all, these three Classes represented invaluable pillars of the universe. Every other Class was basically a variation of one, two, or all three of these Classes.

Athelei wanted to see where he could place himself within that grand scheme.

***

What I wrote down could be summarized by the words,

[Discreet], [Sudden], and [Aware].

Although it wasn’t perfect because I couldn’t remember everything that I had once written, I was capable of bullshitting my way through most, if not all, the explanations and concepts.

This was enough.

The insignia reacted upon sensing the finality of my intention.

In a flash of light, my notebook disappeared. In its place, floating in the air with the hum of mana, was a small, transparent bead.

“Hm,”

It seemed like it was a success. Soon, I would be able to walk a clear path to power. With this formula, life would be easy. Surely.

A screen appeared before me.

[Concept Crafting Complete!]

[Trait: Unrelated Accumulator]

[Description: Your actions no longer make sense. If you want better handwriting, you need to practice slapping your cheek. If you want to learn the sword, then better start blinking at the birds! Learn how to skilfully navigate conversations? Then better start blowing bubbles in a fish bowl. This is the only way you can accumulate life’s experiences — the art of quantum entanglement, a waltz of mismatched relationships and equivalence.]

“What… the…”

This wasn’t like anything I had imagined it to be. What kind of unparalleled talent was this? It was indeed unparalleled!

In the worst way possible!

“SHIT!”