"Here! The city is saved" - I reported. - "All the inhabitants are alive in some sort; I've improved them a bit. Now they are immortal and look like proper citizens of Lang. They won't embarrass us in front of other demons. All historically significant buildings are preserved, and new high-tech skyscrapers have been erected where Leviathan's attack caused destruction, ready to house at least a couple of million new residents. In short, the mission is accomplished, though I couldn't save Earth."

"Excellent! This is a perfect work!" - Shub-Niggurath admired my efforts.

"And here are the main milestones of the mission and all significant game events" - I handed the demon a crystal containing a 'video recording' of my adventures. Of course, all the data was carefully selected to present me in the best light.

"What's this?" - The demon read the information and naturally stumbled upon the scene where Noelle, crying bloody tears, recounted how Gopnasurnakh ordered her to sabotage and destroy all the city's residents so Shub-Niggurath would lose the last game. This scene was genuine, though the confession was made under a mind-control spell. But since the demoness's soul was devoured by me, there was no way to dispute the authenticity of this recording. Although, theoretically, it was possible, I doubted the demons would bother himself with such nonsense. The culprit was clear enough.

"Gopnasurnakh!" - My 'boss' shouted, and a demon of immense stature, whose energy I recognized as Jack Slash, appeared beside him. We met again. - "You dared to go against me?"

"What? My lord, I would never even think of such a thing" - he worriedly said, casting a hateful glance at me. - "This nameless game figure destroyed Earth."

"Silence!!!" - Shub-Niggurath furiously roared. - "He completed my task perfectly, despite your attempts to hinder him. You defied my will. Also, you allowed the destruction of the planet and all the shards around it. For this, I revoke you of your rights as Lord of Life."

"What? No, master! Allow me to prove my loyalty."

At that moment, the power protecting Gopnasurnakh 'shut off,' turning him into a regular demon.

"However, I will give you a chance" - Shub-Niggurath nodded, smiling mockingly. - "Try to defeat him in a fair fight. Cheater, I order you to devour the soul of this traitor."

"No problem" - I smiled, stepping forward.

Although the suppression seal still held back my powers, I wasn't planning to engage in a 'fair fight.' Well, it was fair in the sense that I used all available weapons. From the ceiling, two dozen automatic turrets emerged, firing at the demon simultaneously, not giving him a chance to attack me. As a result, his mutilated, charred body fell to the floor, but before he could die, I sunk my tentacles into his soul and devoured it completely.

"Good, good. I see I can rely on you" - Shub-Niggurath appreciated my efforts. "Now let's go back to Lang. Azathoth is already waiting for you. You've been granted a rare opportunity to meet one of his supreme projections, just one step away from his true self."

Reality 'blinked,' and I found myself in a vast hall filled with demons. Strangely, I was in my Vritras body, which was taken from me when I was sent on the mission. I thought I had embedded a self-destruct program in the crystal for such cases.

But there was no time for distractions, as a portal to Chaos opened before me, and the formless bulk of Azathoth, sitting on a colossal throne, emerged. The 'Lord of the Universe' looked like a mass of tentacles and mouths. The energy emanating from him struck my consciousness with a sense of pure Chaos and endless power. If this was just a projection, how powerful the Azathoth himself be? I suppose my mind couldn't even grasp it. Indeed, a true being whose full greatness I couldn't comprehend.

"Cheater, I was amused by how you completed Shub-Niggurath's task. Such a result can be proudly shown even in Lang. 'Saving' all the city's inhabitants by turning them into mindless undead while precisely meeting the Game's requirements. Ha-ha! Yog-Sothoth was furious when I showed him the 'proof' that demons can save lives too."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

A shiver ran through my Vritras body at these words. Save us from the lord's wrath and love. I sensed that some big trouble was brewing. Meanwhile, Azathoth continued his speech.

"For your bravery, I have decided to grant you an answer to any one question. I am one of the two Lords of the Universe. There is nothing in this world that I cannot know. So, what question will you ask me?"

At that moment, I felt all the demons around me freeze in predatory anticipation. Yeah, what a puzzle they gave me. Ask something trivial, and they will accuse me of neglecting a unique opportunity. Ask something important, and they will accuse me of seeking the secrets of the universe. Not asking a question was also not an option since that response wasn't allowed.

Well, if Azathoth truly has plans for me, I can ask a truly important question. A question that all these smug faces around me are afraid to ask.

"I want to know for what you and Yog-Sothoth spending all the collected Bahion" - I said with a cheeky smile.

The demons around me immediately tensed, and some even shrank in fear, watching Azathoth and trying to gauge his reaction.

"Ho! You indeed know how to ask uncomfortable questions. Want to know the answer to the universe's biggest secret? Well, I'll tell you" - the demons around us fell into unexpected confusion. If they learn something they are not worthy of knowing... - "But only you. I will seal this knowledge in your consciousness. You are forbidden to tell anyone else about the answer."

"Of course" - I agreed. No reason for idiots to meddle in matters of such a level. This knowledge is only for the chosen ones like me.

A powerful barrier surrounded me and Azathoth, hiding us from the 'audience.'

"Listen to the great truth" - Azathoth proclaimed pompously. - "All the Bahion that Yog-Sothoth and I collect from across the universe, we don't use but simply dispose, because it is excess."

"What?!!"

The barrier around us collapsed, along with my 'worldview.' My 'perception template' was torn to shreds, and it took me a few seconds to process this revelation and draw the correct conclusions.

"I see" - I said in a detached voice, still processing what I had heard.

"And what do you understand?" - Azathoth asked. - "Tell us."

The demons smiled again, sensing some sort of trap. Well, when the king jokes, the subjects must laugh. It's always been that way.

"Nothing can be changed" - I declared my verdict. - "Even if someone manages to take your place, they won't be able to change how things are in the Universe. Therefore, there's no point in even dreaming about it. It won't bring the victor the slightest benefit."

"Oh, I see you truly understand everything" - Azathoth approvingly wiggled his tentacles. - "Yes, anyone who even thinks about taking my place will only experience eternal suffering and endless disappointment when I punish them."

At that moment, a wave of 'bloodlust' emanated from Azathoth, causing all the demons to stand at attention, showing with their whole demeanor that they never even had such a thought. Well, since the boss is satisfied, I guess I passed the test.

"You never cease to amaze me, Cheater. In a good way" - noted Azathoth. - "Since you completed Shub-Niggurath's task and passed the Test of Truth, it's now time for the Test of Power. Fight my champion! If you win, I will grant your wish and protect you from the Being."

Yes, I knew there would be some catch. And who do I have to defeat? By the way, is anyone planning to lift the suppression seal on me? What jerks!

A portal opened before me, and stepped out... Guts. Yes, the very same Berserk, who was supposedly devoured by Azathoth. However, the 'meal' hadn't gone unnoticed, and now Guts was a demon. He had a demonic body, his soul was filled with demonic energies, and most importantly, it looked as if it had been partially chewed. I knew firsthand how painful that state was and how much it made you want to punish everyone and everything.

"You!!!" - Guts recognized me. - "It's all your guild!" - he shouted, drawing his sword but not daring to charge at me without permission. Azathoth trained him well.

"Not true!" - I defended myself. - "I can't be the cause of all causes and be guilty of everything in general. Only Azathoth or Yog-Sothoth can claim that role if they wish."

"Because of you, Casca died. Because of you, I became Azathoth's slave."

"That was your fate" - I cut him off. - "Stop complaining. You've been whining all along that Griffiths was guilty for everything. So what? Now it turns out I'm guilty? Or maybe it's your stupidity is guilty?"

"I will destroy you!!!" - the berserk roared, and waves of rage began pouring out of him into the surrounding space. It seems I just fueled his power.

"Begin" - Azathoth graciously nodded, and Guts charged at me with the speed of sound.