Transformed into Cosmic Horror in a Sci-Fi Universe

EP.108 Forces of Greed

“A danger significant enough for me to take action?”

As the Wind Spirit King furrowed his brow, fierce winds began to blow around him.

All the wind spirits present could sense it.

Ah, he’s angry… they thought.

And rightfully so.

A Spirit King is, as the name suggests, the ruler of all spirits.

A symbolic existence.

That’s why, no matter what war breaks out, a Spirit King never takes direct action.

Naturally, such occurrences have been extremely rare, so Spirit Kings simply continue to rule over spirits eternally.

It has become an unwritten rule that they do not step forward.

If there were any other reason for them to act, it would only be in the face of an immense crisis where their territory itself was at risk of annihilation.

“So you’re telling me that some exiled spirit is claiming there’s a crisis on the level of territorial annihilation?”

Anyone would find this absurd.

It would be more credible to say that the Fire Spirit King had started moving directly.

“We, we’re sorry. We also thought it was ridiculous, but the details were so specific…”

A shadow as black as pitch.

Born with top-tier strength from the start.

An extreme terror recognized at first sight.

The testimony about the birth of a top-tier spirit of fear was incredibly detailed.

Detailed enough to make one believe it might actually be true.

“This happened in the Barren Ravine. They’ll handle it themselves. We don’t need to go there yet, do we?”

After the war 20 years ago.

The fire spirits have not started another war since then.

Given that they weren’t at war with other territories either, it was clear they were gathering strength.

Not a single spirit in this world believed that the Fire Spirit King had given up on war.

Anyway, it wasn’t time for war in the Barren Ravine yet.

Even if a threat of the level Dalpo mentioned had appeared, it wasn’t something that particularly resonated with the wind spirits.

It was an issue for the spirits of the Barren Ravine to resolve immediately.

If they couldn’t contain it and it started affecting the wind territory, then it would be time to step in.

“Tell this Dalpo: You’re no longer a spirit associated with us, so live there and figure it out yourself or run away.”

“Yes, understood.”

And so, the Wind Spirit King dismissed the signal sent by Dalpo, a high-ranking wind spirit.

#

“But to create a faction, we need to gather spirits. How do we gather them?”

At my question, the ash spirit Oldi and the twin spirits of wrath, Lupi and Rats, showed troubled expressions.

“Are you really thinking of creating a faction?”

“This could really be serious trouble, boss…”

Well, I guess they would be worried.

Even if I have overwhelming strength compared to them, they probably think I’m definitely not stronger than the top-tier spirits who have established their power and lived here for a long time. ȐΆꞐòBËS̩

Honestly, I don’t know how strong they are either.

I just think they might be similar or slightly superior to me.

But still, aren’t I a newborn spirit that just came into existence?

If I gather more magical power and grow, I’ll surely be able to become much stronger than them.

If things don’t work out, I could use my authority… Ahem! Well, anyway.

“Well, let’s just start and see how it goes.”

As I said that, the ash spirit Oldi, who seemed to be pondering for a moment, asked.

“If I may ask, what do you plan to do once you create a faction?”

“Hm?”

What will I do once I create a faction, he asks.

How will I rule that faction, is that it?

Hmm… honestly, I haven’t thought about it.

I just want to explore and enjoy the spirit realm as much as possible.

I’m only trying to create a faction and dominate this place because it seems fun.

Of course, if I say that, no one would want to follow me.

Honestly, I wouldn’t want to follow someone either if they said they’re risking their life to create a faction just because it’s fun.

“I’ll create a new territory where various spirits can live freely together. And even if it becomes a battlefield for fire and wind, I’ll make sure spirits are no longer caught up in it. We’ll just reap the magical power generated from the war from afar.”

I just paint an idealistic picture.

Well, if I say I’ll create a peaceful land that doesn’t get involved in wars, many spirits will come to this place overflowing with magical power.

The more spirits there are, the more enjoyment I’ll have in exploring.

“……”

But they show expressions as if it’s somewhat unexpected.

“Honestly, it’s unexpected. I thought since you’re a spirit of fear, you’d rule through fear or something like that.”

Ah, right.

Come to think of it, I am a spirit of fear, aren’t I?

Well, of course, that doesn’t mean I have to do everything through fear.

“Anyway, I can make all spirits tremble in fear just by existing. So I don’t care what happens around me. Rather, if it becomes a peaceful land and many spirits come… I’ll have more opportunities to gain emotions of fear.”

I try to make a somewhat plausible excuse.

…Actually, if you just change fear to exploration and research, it’s almost the same idea.

Anyway, Oldi nods as if he finally understands.

His eyes start to sparkle.

“Instilling fear, but at the same time offering freedom, abundance, and peace. It’s such an idealistic picture. What you’re envisioning, boss.”

As he says, it is an idealistic picture.

Numerous spirits and factions.

There’s no guarantee they would all follow my will.

But an ideal is something beautiful that everyone desires, that’s why it’s called an ideal.

“From now on, I’ll follow you, boss. The spirit of fear… the faction of fear!”

“……”

Seeing this, the twin spirits of wrath also hesitate for a moment, but then nod as if they’ve made up their minds.

“Ah, whatever! I’ll follow you too!”

“Argh! We can’t rise above a certain level in the faction of greed anyway. We’d rather be your first subordinates, boss!”

In the end, it seems they’ve decided to join me as well.

These guys, they have bigger dreams and guts than I thought?

But there is a problem.

Even if we create a faction, gathering members is the issue.

“How about subjugating everyone with your fear, boss?”

“If we don’t subjugate them periodically, I think there might be rebellions.”

“How about gathering members slowly at first? There are quite a few who are dissatisfied with the current three factions.”

“That seems like it would take too long, and if we get checked by others, it’ll never end.”

As we were earnestly sharing opinions like this.

Suddenly, I had a thought.

“Why don’t I just join another faction and then consume it from within? That way, we don’t need time to gather members one by one. Since they were already loyal to one person, if we just change the target, we can build loyalty all at once. And we won’t be checked for building a new faction.”

Oh, I think it’s an excellent idea even if I say so myself.

“Oh! That’s great, boss. Build up strength under someone else and then devour them. It’s an excellent strategy.”

“As expected, you’re amazing.”

With that conclusion, I decided to join the faction of greed, which was their original affiliation.

“One thing that concerns me is the imbalance of power. If you’re as strong as you say, comparable to faction leaders, then the faction of greed that you join will become overwhelmingly powerful.”

“Yes, if that happens, there’s a possibility that the other two groups might join forces.”

Hmm, that could happen.

Wait? But isn’t that even better?

“Then when I consume the faction, I can take down two birds with one stone.”

Isn’t that a win-win?

“……”

“……”

When I said that, Oldi, Lupi, and Rats looked at me as if they couldn’t believe what they were hearing.

Why?

Am I not right?

“To think you’re even considering devouring both of their alliances at once.”

“Your ambition is on another level, boss.”

Hmm… Was I too ambitious?

Honestly, I’m confident though.

Whatever happens, for now, it’s decided that I’ll join the faction of greed.

Since I have power equivalent to a top-tier spirit, they’ll surely welcome me, right?

#

“Why would someone of your caliber want to join my faction? Honestly, you have enough power to create your own faction.”

“……”

The Faction of Greed, Sook, the highest-ranking spirit of greed.

He was a spirit with numerous arms, emitting powerful magical energy that shimmered with a golden light.

Do those many arms symbolize the deep greed to grasp everything in one’s hands?

Anyway, he didn’t welcome me.

Rather, he was looking at me with suspicious eyes.

He was questioning why a spirit of my caliber would willingly join his faction.

Hmm… what should I do?

How should I persuade him?

Oldi, Lupi, and Rats, who are next to me under the pretext of bringing me here, are trembling and unable to say anything in the face of Sook’s powerful aura.

Ugh, I don’t know either.

“If I create a faction on my own, the other three factions will try to keep me in check and bring me down. It’s already tough enough with the three factions checking each other, and it would be troublesome if another one appeared.”

“……”

He was quietly listening to my words.

“Rather than wearing myself out and collapsing, I thought it would be better to become the second-in-command of another faction. And for that, I thought you were the most suitable, since you want to make everything your own. I figured you’d want to possess even me, who might potentially threaten your position.”

As I finished speaking, Sook, who had been listening quietly, grinned and said,

“Kukukuk, welcome to the Faction of Greed. Your name?”

“…Athos.”

It was the moment when I, Athos the spirit of fear, became affiliated with the Faction of Greed.

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