My Alter Ego's Path to Greatness

< Skirmish (1) >

A deserted, mountainous region.

Crackle—

A ripping sound echoed through the air.

A long fissure appeared in empty space, rapidly expanding with a continuous crackling noise—

Crackle—!

—and finally burst open, creating a large hole. A pair of hands emerged from the abyss-like opening, grasping the edges of the torn space and pulling them apart, widening the gap.

"…Finally."

As the fissure reached a certain size, a calm voice echoed from beyond.

A strange, androgynous voice, impossible to discern any information from other than its masculine tone.

"Took longer than expected."

The owner of the voice slowly emerged from the spatial tear. A man of indeterminate age, appearing both like an ordinary young man and an extraordinary old man.

The Heavenly Wealth Society Master, who had struggled for a long time to escape the abyss, finally set foot on solid ground.

'So, this is the Auterica dimension.'

He looked around and slowly nodded, recalling the information he had gathered beforehand.

A standard fantasy-type otherworld, with a magic system based on mana, a useful energy source for manifesting phenomena. It was an intervention-type dimension, where the world's administrator, God, not only bestowed divine power but also occasionally performed miracles directly.

'Non-intervention type is more convenient… But the more troublesome it is, the more there is to gain.'

He had already gained something shortly after arriving, hadn't he? Although it wasn't as much as he'd hoped, since the one he'd made a deal with was a fallen, imprisoned god, it was still a deity of this dimension, powerful enough to negate many of the restrictions imposed on him.

Without it, he would probably still be trapped in the abyss.

'I'm grateful for that much. I also learned how to operate efficiently in this world. I don't like dealing with a so-called god, but there's no need to antagonize him if he's useful.'

He was willing to do anything to achieve his goal. He had already compromised so much; it would be ridiculous to be picky about methods now.

"Now then… Hmm…"

He took a large step forward, thinking about the next stage, then suddenly stumbled. He frowned, clutched his head, and closed his eyes.

Woooong—

-I will become the great…

Woong—

-No matter how many times… I will…

Ziiiing—

-Only I can… this world…

A ringing in his ears, accompanied by a disorienting vibration. A shockwave that threatened to shatter his sense of self repeatedly assaulted his mind, but he endured it, focusing on his mission, his eyes closed.

After an unknown amount of time…

…the violent torrent subsided, and the turmoil within him began to calm. He slowly regained his composure.

"Haa…"

He sighed, removed his hand from his head, and frowned at the cold sweat covering his palm. It was a familiar yet unpleasant sensation.

'…How much did I lose this time?'

He calmly assessed his condition. His personality and sense of self were fading as he gained divinity, but he couldn't afford to crumble yet. He still had much to do.

'Still within a safe range. Nothing to worry about. I can still absorb more.'

This was a natural consequence of acquiring divinity. It would be greedy to expect to maintain his human consciousness while seeking complete godhood.

'No problem.'

He had dedicated his life to this goal, and he would continue on his path, regardless of what others said.

He steeled his resolve—

—and was about to take another step when he suddenly stopped.

"…"

His gaze shifted.

His sense of time had been distorted, but he knew he had been unconscious for a while. It couldn't have been more than an hour, though.

'They reacted this quickly? They couldn't have prepared in advance.'

He sensed a group approaching, surrounding him. Their hostility indicated that they weren't here by chance. But there was one thing that bothered him. The energy he sensed from them was…

"…What? Why are you here?"

Before he could fully grasp the situation…

…a familiar figure appeared at the forefront of the group.

[Heh heh, I found you first.]

"…Hahoe Mask. What are you doing here?"

Hahoe Mask.

The being he had clashed with recently and had left on Earth to prepare for his reappearance. Unlike their previous encounter, where he wore an intact mask, he now only had fragments of it, revealing a gruesome skull beneath. But it was undoubtedly him.

The Society Master's expression twisted in surprise and confusion. He hadn't expected to encounter this opponent here.

[Well? Take a guess.]

"…I see, so you can also cross dimensions? Have you been operating between here and Earth?"

[Heh heh— Is that what you think?]

"I didn't know there was anyone else who could do that. This is quite unexpected."

[Oh? Still arrogant, I see. It's good that you've finally realized the world is vast. A cause for celebration.]

"Then are those vermin the forces you've gathered in this world?"

While they exchanged words, Hans and the undead executives he had brought moved in unison.

Death Knight Lord Karam, leading the elite Death Knights and forming a battle formation.

Dread Phantom Pagos, floating in the air with his spectral undead.

Archlich Kelipha, constructing a massive magic circle in the rear with high-ranking liches.

Salma, a Peak-level Awakened, and numerous Abyss Revenants.

Ghoul Lord Fiona, Doom Knight Drexler, General Spartoi Trev, Death Wizard Malcolm, and others exuded a fierce aura.

Their dark energy, resonating with 'death,' rapidly spread, contaminating the surrounding space.

[Kuoooooo—!]

[Kyaaaaa—!]

And above them, circling in the sky, the Bone Dragons, Entracio and Heratos.

He had only brought a few hundred of the Immortal Army's elite forces, but their combined power, amplified by the death energy Hans had bestowed upon them, was formidable.

'…I felt a sense of déjà vu when I was stuck in the abyss. It's the exact same power Hahoe Mask used.'

The Society Master frowned, sensing the familiar energy within their battle intent. He hadn't paid much attention to it back then, dismissing it as similar energies attracting each other.

"Hahoe Mask. I'm honestly surprised. To think you were hiding here after escaping Earth. But since you've appeared before me instead of staying hidden… you must be confident this time?"

A heavy pressure emanated from him as he finished his mocking words.

Goooo—

A presence befitting his notoriety. The connection between the surrounding executives faltered, and they stepped back.

[Heh heh, you talk too much. You'll find out soon enough.]

A dark energy, mixed with the death of the abyss, emanated from Hans, enveloping the space and clashing with the Society Master's presence. It seeped into the undead executives, reigniting their faltering battle intent.

'The synergy between the death of the abyss and the undead is undeniable. I don't know how useful the executives I brought for support will be, but any help is welcome.'

Hans focused his mind and prepared for battle. He had fought the Society Master before and knew his abilities. He wasn't confident he could win a one-on-one fight, even now.

'But the situation is different from Earth.'

Back then, without 『Dimensional Barrier Weakening』, the abyss couldn't exert its full power. But not here. And not only the highest-ranking executives of the Immortal Army, but also the Abyss Revenants created from Earth's Awakened, could benefit from its effects.

Conversely, the Society Master couldn't fully utilize his divine power in Auterica, another dimension. It wouldn't have been a problem on Earth, where he could draw power independently, but he couldn't freely use the power of a foreign god in a world with its own Main God!

'This place… Auterica is my domain.'

Crack—

A cracking sound came from his bony knuckles, but it was quickly drowned out by the surrounding noise.

'…Do you think I'll let you take it from me again?'

A blue light emanated from the Immortal King Hans's eyes as he faced the invaders. Honestly, he didn't care about the home theater or anything else right now. He just wanted to crush his enemies with all his might.

'It doesn't matter if I can't defeat him here. I can't let him roam free in this world.'

He suppressed the urge to use 「Individual Convergence」. He needed to have the other factions connected to him prepare for any contingency. His goal was to buy time until the other avatars completed their tasks.

'Good thing I've been vigilant.'

The reason he was able to find the Society Master first was simple. This was the northern mountain range, north of the Zepia Republic, in the northeastern part of the Ion continent. It was not only a place where he could acquire information faster than any other organization, but also a high-tech surveillance zone with hundreds of undead on constant watch. Banshee Queen Olivia, the head of the Immortal Army's intelligence, had been working tirelessly, but as someone who didn't need sleep, it wasn't a problem.

"…I need to take care of you first."

The Society Master, after observing his surroundings, spoke in a heavy tone, as if making a declaration.

Flap—

Brilliant, sunset-colored light erupted from him, enveloping the area. Despite its weakened output, it was still a powerful divine power, surpassing even Saint Heinrich's. The surrounding death energy began to melt away, creating holes in the dark shroud.

"It might be better this way, since I can take care of things on Earth. Now, try to resist."

[Kehhaha! Very well. Let's see what you've got!]

And in this remote, deserted mountain range…

Kaboom—!

…the second round between the otherworldly angel and the local demon king began.

"Briki."

"Ah— Heinz, it's been a while… Hmm?"

Briki, turning around with her usual carefree expression at the familiar voice, suddenly froze.

Gulp—

A small gulp echoed.

But her hesitation was brief. She quickly regained her composure, lowered her gaze, and spoke again.

"Um… H… High Lord, you're here? It seems you've been away… Did you have something… nutritious? Your face is glowing…"

"Prepare for battle."

But Heinz, with no time for pleasantries, cut her off and issued a command, contacting the high-ranking pureblood combat personnel through vampire telepathy.

"Yes, High Lord!"

"And…"

He continued after Briki's instinctive response.

"This first."

A ruby-like 「Refined Blood Crystal」 of True Blood materialized on Heinz II's fingertip.

Gulp—

She stared at the fragrant liquid, mesmerized, and gulped again.