Mich’s vision was enshrouded in darkness. Not even a speck of white could be seen in any direction. He couldn't feel anything, but he was somehow feeling lighter than ever. He was a soul, separated from his physical body.

“Arise, my avatar.” As Mich was contemplating his choice of whether selling his soul was a good thing after he finally found the happiness he was looking for, the same heavy distorted voice could be heard. It was the demon that he met the other day.

“Open your eyes,” said the voice again.

Mich gradually awoke, and his senses slowly returned. He heard the flames roaring around him, as well as the sound of stones crashing against each other. The aroma of burning wood, smoke, and ashes filled his nose. His feet were pressed against something sharp and solid that felt like an old stone floor. When he fully opened his eyes, he could see the same demon he met on earth now in front of him, sitting on a throne made out of bones.

“I welcome you to my realm,” the demon said with a sinister smile. Mich could only look around him, knowing that he was in fact, in another place other than earth.

“I believe an introduction is necessary. I am Qornaroth, Ruler of The Inferno Vales,” It said, with a prideful tone. “You are now my avatar, and you will serve me well.”

“I remembered you told me you’ll give me a purpose in this life. What will be my purpose then?” Mich asked.

Qornaroth got up from his throne and then moved closer to Mich. “You will bring chaos to this world.” Mich wanted to open his mouth but Qornaroth continued. “I can see you have a lot of questions on your mind. I’ll explain first. Truth be told, this world has been ‘peaceful’ for countless years. But, for the last several years, the balance between our kind and the others has tipped in their favor. Humans, elves, dwarves, and others have hunted us demons relentlessly. Especially humans," he said while clenching his fists in anger.

Qornaroth's hands moved quickly as he created a shimmering mirror from the flames that seemed to come from nowhere. The image on the mirror shifted around, and scenes of demons being chased, harassed, and killed by other races in the overworld were shown. Some were being burned alive, while others were being stabbed to death.

“That’s where you come in”-Qornaroth pointed to Mich-“you serve as my trump card, my avatar that brings chaos upon those who have hunted our kind, to sow discord and strife among the races.”

Although Mich understood what he had to do, he was in a state of conflict with himself. If he brought chaos upon this world, that would mean he’d have to kill humans too. He bit his lips as he was thinking about this.

"But I can't just kill humans, even if I am your avatar.”

Qornaroth extinguished the flame mirror. “Did you not suffer in your previous life? Were you not belittled, working as a slave for those who cared little to none for you?"

Mich paused for a moment. "Well, yes, but I never really cared about all of that."

Qornaroth turned his back on Mich. "I see. The thought of killing a human is too much for you." He sat back on his throne and leaned back. “In this world, there are no law enforcement agencies, no police, no judges. You won't be judged for your actions."

Mich was still unsure, his internal struggle evident in his eyes. Qornaroth, as if reading his thoughts, continued.

“How about I tell you a secret then.” Qornaroth leaned forward. “You are not the only one nor the first being transported here from another world. Others like you, from parallel universes, occasionally find themselves in this realm. Although they serve the gods and goddesses."

Mich's eyes widened in surprise. "Others like me?" he asked in disbelief.

“Yes, but I chose you for a reason. Your world had the most potential, and this was my first time choosing an avatar. I usually create beings to rival the servants of the gods and goddesses,” he spoke as he conjured a goblin from fire. “But this time, it's out of my hands." A piercing shriek filled the room as Qornaroth set the goblin ablaze, leaving nothing behind, not even a single trace of soot.

Mich's confusion deepened, and he couldn't fathom why Qornaroth was revealing all this. "Why are you telling me this?"

Qornaroth smirked, his voice taking on a more gentle timber. "Because I know what happened the night before you died. You slept with… what was her name again? Angelica, correct? If you hadn't been brought here, you could have had a joyous life together."

Mich's eyes widened in shock as he realized the Demon King knew about his intimate time with Angelica. Mich couldn't help but remember her determined eyes and her warm aura as she confessed to him.

“It's possible, my avatar. If you create enough chaos, if you fulfill your mission, the gods and goddesses may take into account bringing her to this world. After all, you two come from the same realm - the most powerful domain for transmigrants. I can't guarantee that will happen, but there is always a possibility, my avatar. There is a chance.”

Mich's heart pounded with conflict as his moral compass spun wildly. Every instinct begged him to turn away, yet a glimmer of hope tied to the possibility of seeing Angelica again pulled at him with an irresistible force. He knew at that moment that he would give up everything for the chance to be reunited with her - no matter the cost - for she was the only thing he had ever truly cared about in his entire life.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Fine, I’ll be your avatar.” Mich came to terms with being Qornaroth’s avatar in the hopes that this endeavor would reunite him with Angelica.

Qornaroth was clearly delighted to hear this and roared out in laughter. “Then, I shall grant you all the authority of my power as my avatar,” he declared. Qornaroth stepped towards Mich, laying a hand on his head. A red light glowed around Mich's body as Qornaroth blessed him with magical power. A seal materialized around Mich’s neck and torso that symbolized his new role as the demon’s avatar. “The other demons of this realm will recognize the mark on your body. They will know who you are."

“And if they don’t?” Mich inquired, preparing for the worst.

“Then teach them to behave. You are my avatar, a representation of me in the overworld, and I will not have my own kind belittle me,” Qornaroth spoke with an angry tone.

"I'll keep that in mind."

“I won’t reveal the powers I have granted you; that would take away all the fun. Instead, I will inform you with regard to the demon race. They exist in a social order. The strong lead the weak. And since you are my avatar, I assume you are aware of your standing within this hierarchy.” His voice became softer as he spoke.

Mich got what he was saying; being Qornaroths' avatar meant being at the top of the hierarchy.

"Very well. You are allowed to do as you please within the overworld. We Gods, Goddesses, and even I agreed to not interfere directly as our presence in the world will destroy it in mere seconds. But keep in mind, your main mission is to create chaos in their world. You may only injure demons when necessary - like when they disobey and don't abide by your commands."

Mich nodded.

"Good. I shall keep in touch with you and will reward you as you progress.”

Qornaroth waved their arm and the air began to ripple. In a split second, Mich experienced a surge of energy and he suddenly found himself in a strange structure.

It was a temple. Dim candlelight flickered which cast dancing specks of yellow across the walls and floor. As he walked further in, he noticed a giant statue of Qornaroth at the center carved out of stone. Moonlight illuminated the statue through holes in the domed ceiling above. As he looked at the sculpture, he remembered Angelica’s face in the moonlight as she lay atop him.

“I’ll bring her here too,” Mich thought to himself. “I haven't seen my reflection since I arrived. Maybe I could make one like Qornaroth did?” He glanced around, but there were no mirrors in sight.

He attempted to mimic Qornaroth’s gestures, swiping his hands through the air while envisioning a mirror. Flames materialized out of thin air as he did so, forming an identical mirror to the one created by Qornaroth, but this one was somewhat different - it worked like any regular mirror, unlike the see-through one conjured by Qornaroth.

He approached the mirror, his gaze transfixed on the reflection staring back at him. His once unremarkable hair had taken on a life of its own, cascading down to his chest in vibrant crimson waves that shimmered like flames in the light. Two horns protruded from his hairline, adding to his already otherworldly appearance. Yet despite these changes, his body remained that of a human's - but one that was now jacked and chiseled with muscles. As he turned, the sigil etched onto his neck and his torso glowed with an eerie violet light that pulsed in time with his heartbeat. He wore pants made from shimmering silk, the fabric catching the light with every movement. With his shining red eyes, he admired himself for a few moments before a noise broke the silence around him.

Mich's gaze wandered around the temple until he saw a broken plate with food scattered all over it. Mich slowly walked towards the temple entrance. There was a woman with multiple tails. She stood at the entrance, silhouetted against the dim light, as she gazed back at him with glittering eyes.

It turns out she was a girl with vulpine-like features. Her tall ears twitched and her three tails swished. Her yukata-style robe was bedraggled, with patches of mud encrusted on her delicate frame as if she had been walking for miles.

The fox girl was taken aback at the sight of Mich's body, her gaze fixed on the seal.

“U-uh, are you the champion of Qornaroth?” she asked nervously.

“That I am,” replied Mich in an impassive tone.

Tears welled up in the foxian girl's eyes. "Our prayers have been answered after who knows how long," she said, her voice quivering with emotion. "Finally…" She started to cry.

Mich, uncertain of what to do, placed his hand on her head and ran his fingers through her hair in a soothing gesture. She was taken aback by the gesture, which caused her to burst into even louder sobs before she hugged him tightly. A few moments later, her crying subsided.

“I-I’m sorry for my behavior, I was too happy that my emotions got the best of me,” she said as she wiped her tears.

They settled down on the steps of the temple and talked. The foxian girl explained to Mich how her kind had been oppressed by humans and others, and that they had been praying for help from Qornaroth every day. Although she could never have predicted that the embodiment of Qornaroth himself would be the one to help them. Mich listened intently to what she said.

“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you my name. It’s Mae.”

"Nice to meet you, Mae. My name is-" Mich paused briefly. “Aren't you going to ask for it?”

Mae shrugged her shoulders as she put a finger on her lips while tilting her head. “I thought the champion would assume the title of The Great Qornaroth too.”

“So that’s how it is…” Mich thought quietly. “No, if I am his avatar, it would be improper for me to use Qornaroth's name. I too am one of his people, just like you Mae.” He looked at Mae and then up to the moon above. “Moonlight...Nighttime...Noctis...Nox...”

Mae was baffled by him, muttering those words.

Mich rose up with a grin on his face. He threw out an idea to Mae. “From now on, I'm going by Noctipharus, though you can simply call me Nox for short,” he declared. He had decided it was time for a change from Mich, his old name from Earth. This new world deserved a new identity.

Mae offered a pleasant smile with the same enthusiasm as Angelica's before she rose and bowed down to him. “Then, Your Lordship, Nox, I hope you can assist us in these trying times.”

Just then, Mae’s ears perked up. She was receiving a telepathic message that only she could understand; Nox couldn't make out what was being said but he noticed the sudden shift in her expression. “Mae, where are you!?” The voice cried out.