I Became An Eldritch Horror-Chapter 20: Mystery, Magic And Mayhem (1)

The weather was cold that particular summer when it all ended. It was meant to be just another world we would explore, yet it ended up as our last.

The heavy downpour that flooded the streets was testament to the end of an era...

The era of "Flawless."

—

The memory of that rain was still fresh when the sound of rattling chains brought me back to the present—to the cell in Atticus

Clang! Clang!

Sounds of rattling chains echoed through the cell I had been imprisoned in. Each time they came, there was also the sound of a skull smashing and splattering into chunks of meat.

After less than five seconds, the entire prison went still. I stared at the mess in the room—the headless bodies, the blood staining the floor, and the fear-stricken faces of the heads that rolled on the ground. Instead of showing a hint of compassion, a small grin formed on my face.

"It has been long." I let out a long breath and stared at the ceiling.

Two thousand years being sealed, and I was finally free. Honestly, it wasn’t up to two thousand years, but I had to over-exaggerate a bit. Still, it had been truly long.

"Should I check up on that new manhwa that came out?" By now it was meant to be done, since two thousand years had passed already.

I let out yet another sigh before slumping down on the floor. For once, I wished my hands were cold so I could at least act like those movie scenes when they finish a badass fight. But this was my life now.

I no longer felt fear, pain, anger, or sadness. Though I still felt pleasure. Yes, the pleasure of seeing other people experience those emotions I cannot, the pleasure I would soon feel when each and every member of Flawless was dead.

"Ah." The sound of the chains in my grip shattering into dust brought me back to reality.

’I still can’t believe ten thousand years ago I wanted to live in peace and let go of my immortality.’

Perhaps that could have been the best option, just letting go of it. Maybe then I wouldn’t have become what I am now.

...A monster.

Killing half the gods, killing every single Eldritch Horror, causing chaos in half the universe, killing all the pillars. Honestly, I caused more harm than good in the world. And did I feel regret? No, I didn’t. Even if I were given a chance to correct my wrongs, my path would still be the same. That was what I promised myself, after all.

Noticing the smell of blood growing stronger and the mana and qi fluctuations in the atmosphere, I stood to my feet.

It wasn’t my fault that I became this way, a being who loved chaos, a being designated to be the end of the world. Neither was it my fault that Fate died or that my companion stabbed me in the back.

I was just too strong. Too strong for any of them to control. Yes, I was proud, unprincipled, and crazy, but that was who I am. Was it so wrong to be a demon? Everyone goes on about how good and righteous they are, most of whom, if given an option that lets go of that said righteousness, would do it in an instant. So wasn’t I the loyal one for sticking to my path?

Over the years, I had thought about it over and over again. Maybe I was just looking for a way to excuse my evil, but I do not care. In the end, only results matter. Morality, kindness, good, justice, all of those are just illusions people created to strengthen their belief.

So now my path was clear.

As I stepped through the door of this cell, the moment I would gaze upon the sky of yet another world after over a thousand years, I would start my new path.

Not that of a righteous hero who will save the land. Not that of a repenter who will atone for his sins. Neither would my path be that of an antihero who just sits on the fence with no direction forward.

From today, I will walk on the path of supremacy, see the earth, laugh at the world, indulge in all pleasures of life, sharpen my soul, defy heaven, defy Fate, defy the ones who put shackles on me. At the end of it all, I shall lay waste to the world. Not because of any grand reason or tragic backstory, but because this is the path I have chosen, that of a demon.

I took a deep breath as the large door of the cell opened. It was red and reminded me of the door I had once found in my soul. Till now, I never actually learned how it ended up there. Maybe it was a curse or a blessing, but there was no reason to curse what couldn’t change.

The sky was blue and no white cloud was in sight. The weather was just as cold as that day, and the silhouette of the moon hung in the sky.

The grass was green, the greenest I had seen it. Behind me wasn’t a building or a castle, simply a door in an empty space.

"So someone’s order?" I smiled, then shut the door.

For me to complete my goal, I needed one thing.

"The Mirror of Truth." One of the few artifacts that existed from the start of time. It could even be said to be the first thing to exist in the world. And in the hands of the End, it was the thing that could destroy it.

"System, use the Mysterious World to hide my presence from the outer beings."

[Yes, Master]

I took in another fresh breath. It was good to be back. Truly, I was happy.

I could feel my eyes glow and my skin prickle from the mana coating it.

Even if it took two thousand years, I was back, and now I would finish what I started.