Chapter 82

With the hope that no evil deity would appear dashed, the space began to waver as it did when No. 2 appeared. It was right next to us.

"I never thought you would betray me. I don't understand human thought processes... Perhaps it's safer to strip them of their will and make them puppets. But I don't like wasting resources..."

"Surprised by the betrayal? Even a self-proclaimed superior being would be taken aback."

Leaving the provocatively combative No. 2 aside, I confirmed the appearance of the evil deity.

The evil deity... was invisible. I could sense its presence, but it was invisible, or rather, I couldn't recognize it. No. 2's words turned out to be aptly described. It was like a mosaic, yet not quite, and also like the static on a CRT TV.

Moreover, upon closer inspection, it cast no shadow. It was opaque without blocking light, incomprehensible.

Its outline and color were both vague. Apart from being human-sized, I couldn't tell anything else. ...Why did I recognize it as human-shaped? I couldn't sense any human elements, yet my brain naturally hallucinated it as human-shaped. It was that incomprehensible.

Should something like this even exist in this world? Overwhelmed by an indescribable unease, I asked Patrick while keeping my gaze on the evil deity.

"Patrick, what do you see? A wobbly human shape?"

"I see something similar. A human-shaped... huh? Why did I think it was human-shaped?"

He seemed to be in the same situation as me, quite confused.

If he was going to summon something this dangerous, I wish he had given me a heads-up. Even if he couldn't say he was rebelling against the evil deity, he could have at least told us to prepare our equipment.

"Hey! We're not prepared, and this is just our backyard. You could have given us a bit more warning, right!?"

"That's why I specified a wide area. I also checked if we had time, you know?"

No. 2 said this calmly.

She seemed to be in a casual mood, as if it wasn't a big deal. Ah, Elenora is also nearby, and Ryu will be back soon.

What should I do? First, I need to buy some time. Although the evil deity is mysterious, it seems to understand language, so I'll try to start a conversation.

"Um, hello. Nice to meet you, Evil Deity-sama."

"Are you referring to me as the 'Evil Deity'?"

"Oh, No. 2 just called you that. May I ask your name?"

"Hehe, it's rare to have a human ask for my name. Listen well, my name is... Jaku. Jaku."

...Huh? What did he say?

The evil deity proclaimed its name grandly, but I couldn't understand it at all. It wasn't because the voice was too soft or the pronunciation was bad. The sounds that should have entered my ears couldn't be recognized by my brain.

"Could you say it again, please?"

"Jaku. Jaku. Ah, can lower beings not even recognize it? To me, the unique existence, a name is worthless. Call me whatever you like."

I focused on the evil deity's voice again, but I still couldn't understand the name. The vowels and consonants were unlike anything human, impossible to pronounce. I heard it clearly twice, but I couldn't even ruminate on it in my mind.

I couldn't tell the quality of the voice either. It seemed to have noise, and the gender was indistinguishable.

Him... Is it okay to call it 'him'? The tone sounds masculine, so I'll call it 'him'.

Since he said to call him whatever I like, I'll think of a nice name. 'Evil Deity' is too bland. I prefer an easy-to-remember name over a needlessly complex one. How about...

"Then... I'll call you Pochi. Pochi's gender is—"

"Pochi!? You're calling me Pochi!? The supreme being who binds countless parallel worlds is Pochi!?"

Pochi didn't like it. He said to call him whatever I like, didn't he?

I thought it was a good, classic name. Well, let's think of another one.

"Then... Tama-chan."

"Tama-chan!?"

"Is that not okay? You're being quite picky..."

My naming repertoire is running out. He said a name is worthless, but he's quite particular.

It's not that bad of a name, right? Maybe the evil deity's sensibilities are unique.

Seeing No. 2's reaction, she was covering her mouth and laughing.

"Hehe, you're the best. Tama-chan, I'll call you Tama-chan from now on."

"You! Are you mocking me, a supreme being!?"

No. 2 is laughing too much.

Was it that bad? I looked at Patrick.

"Ah, I think 'Evil Deity' is fine. It's up to him, though."

"Evil Deity is fine. As long as you understand I'm referring to me, I don't care."

"But it's too bland. Let's think of another name—"

"Shut up, you!"

The evil deity scolded me.

Maybe 'Evil Deity' is fine. Since I can't use names like Pochi or Tama, I need to think of something else. I have a naming drawer that has been sealed for a long time, but it's hard to use.

"Then I'll call you Evil Deity. The only other names I can think of are Schadenfreude or Kugelschreiber."

"...Hmm? That's good. I was thinking I needed a name you could understand. From now on, I'll be known as Evil Deity Kugelschreiber."

Oh, he liked it. And it's a silly one. Kugelschreiber is the German word for ballpoint pen. It was also the name of my ultimate move in middle school.

If he found out his name was a writing tool, he would definitely be angry. I'll keep it a secret.

Evil Deity Ballpoint Pen looked at me straight... or rather, he should be looking at me. I can't tell which way is front.

"So, you."

"Me?"

"Yes, the pinnacle of lower beings. It would be wise to submit to me."

"Are you recruiting me?"

This evil deity wants to make me his subordinate.

He switched to me as soon as he saw No. 2 was a lost cause. No sense of loyalty.

"I'll pass. I don't even know what you'd have me do."

"I've had my eye on you from the beginning. The you in the parallel world... No. 2, was it? I approached her because she was easier to control. I can change my plan to have you kill No. 2."

"Huh? You think I'm easier to control? After all the betrayal, what are you saying!? And there's no way I'd kill her!"

"The reward... hmm—"

Evil Deity Kugelschreiber ignored No. 2's voice. No matter what he proposes, I won't be swayed!

"—If you become my subordinate, I guarantee you can become infinitely strong."

"Huh?"

"First, I'll remove the level 99 cap. Then, endless days of battle will follow. When a new limit is in sight, we'll find a way to break it."

Infinite level-ups, huh? Interesting, but I'm not interested.

However, it might be worth asking for a bit more detail to gather information about the enemy. No other intentions.

"Details."

"Ho, you're interested. If it was this easy, I should have approached you from the start."

"Even if the 99 cap is removed, how do you level up after that?"

"To level up, you need to absorb magic power into your body. The most efficient way is to defeat pseudo-life forms composed entirely of magic power, commonly known as monsters. It's the same as what you've been doing."

The same thing. Get stronger, defeat stronger enemies... Who are these stronger enemies? The evil deity hinted at cooperation, but who is the enemy?

If I ask too much about getting stronger, Patrick's gaze will become painful. I'll ask about the evil deity's enemies.

"Specifically... Who are you fighting, Kugelschreiber? There shouldn't be any enemies for the administrator of all parallel worlds, right?"

"The others from different worlds."

"...You manage all the other worlds, right?"

"Hmm... How to put it... I have all the parallel worlds that branch out like a tree under my control. This world is one branch of that tree. Just as there are multiple branches, there are multiple trees. I am trying to invade another tree."

Another tree, a world with different laws, even from this one. In other words, another world.

He's not satisfied with just this world and is trying to invade another world.

"Is it correct to call it another world?"

"Indeed, another world. That's a concise way to put it. You understand, don't you?"

"Does that other world have an administrator too?"

"Yes, you are the one to oppose them. And my true goal is not just another world."

His ambitions continue. He continued with a passionate tone.

"At one point, I wondered, is this world really a tree?"

"Huh?"

"Maybe I'm just a part of a larger tree. The possibility that this world is a miniature garden created by a larger existence cannot be ruled out. Imagine it, the beings in that world are looking down on this world, enjoying it as entertainment!"

"...Ah!"

I was about to think it was a ridiculous idea, but then I remembered. This is the world of a dating game.

There are definitely people who look down on this world and enjoy it. I was one of them.

I accidentally made a strange sound and was questioned by the evil deity.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, please continue."

"To them, I am a small being playing in a miniature garden. A mere clown!"

If I told him this is the world of a dating game, he might die of frustration.

Also, the world I lived in is in danger. The empowered evil deity will invade Japan. Japan invaded by the dating game world... Hmm? It's not that critical?

I don't have enough sense of crisis. If I said "the god of the digital world," it would sound more urgent, but if I said "the god of the dating game world," it suddenly feels trivial.

Besides, the evil deity is acting so grand, but this is a world of a dating simulation game, right?

So, this is a world of a story. But the people living here are definitely alive and can make their own choices. I think that's enough.

Additionally, the world I used to live in might not be entirely original. It could have been the world of a manga where battles between onmyoji and yokai were taking place, and the world reading that manga... the imagination goes on infinitely.

"Even if you dominate the world that's watching this one, that world might also be a story or a miniature garden, right?"

"Then, until I dominate the world above that."

"Above that... There might be even more above?"

"Even if it continues infinitely, I will keep climbing to the top."

It's endless. Who can guarantee that at the top, at the root of the tree, there is anything?

I can't deal with this. Besides, can he even observe the world where Japan exists?

"Is the world above really there?"

"Theoretically, it exists. I can't observe it, but it definitely exists. Let's show those beings who are enjoying themselves by looking at us a thing or two!"

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested."

It's really not important. It's annoying to think that people are looking down on me, calling me cute or crazy or a gorilla, but I'm already overwhelmed with parallel worlds and other worlds. I'm happy now. That happiness is more than enough in this world.

Ah, I turned down the evil deity's offer. Can we end this without a fight and go home?

I was panicking when a voice came from beside me. It was Patrick.

"Yumera... I believed in you."

Huh? Did he think I would become a subordinate of the ballpoint pen?

The word "believed" proves he had some doubts. There's no way I would conquer other worlds.

That's pretty harsh. I sent him a shocked look, and he continued.

"Ah, no, Yumera loses all sense of judgment when it comes to strength, so I considered the possibility..."

"If I would do anything to get stronger, I would have defeated No. 2 first. Stop calling me a battle junkie."

"I'm sorry."

Patrick sincerely apologized, but I didn't miss his slight tilt of the head.

I'll put this aside for now. I need to focus on the evil deity. He's a great god, so he won't get angry easily... right?

"That's why I don't think I can be of any help."

"Are you misunderstanding? I didn't ask if you would become my subordinate. I ordered you to submit to me."

"...What happens if I disobey the order?"

"I will erase you."

He was really angry.

The evil deity's ambitions are not limited to this world. We might have to fight someday. But not now. This is near my house. Ryu will be back soon.

I'll flatter him and try to get him to leave.

"Ah, Evil Deity Kugelschreiber-sama is so strong, right?"

"Of course."

"Then, I don't know if I, a mere human, can be of any use..."

"No matter how much power I accumulate, my power is finite. I don't want to waste resources on trivial matters. Just being in this world consumes resources. Using power consumes even more. That's why I want strong subordinates. Admit it, you are strong. Use your power to the fullest for me."

No, it's going in that direction.

If he's conserving his power, he shouldn't get angry just because I turned down his offer. ...Should I try this angle?

"Resources are important. So, the best strategy here is to do nothing and leave, right?"

"You're right. You understand well. Then, I order you to eliminate everyone here in my place!"

"Enough already! I said I won't be your subordinate!"