"You need to become stronger. Your enemy's power far exceeds your imagination, Kariya… I ask you, are you prepared to forsake everything, twist your body, and sell your soul to a demon for power?"
In Matou Kariya's temporary hideout, two figures faced each other.
Or rather… Kariya and Nyarlathotep!
"…"
Visions flooded Kariya's mind: Tohsaka Tokiomi marrying Aoi, Sakura and Rin playing with Aoi, a "future" where Sakura was consumed by worms, Tokiomi's mysterious death, Aoi strangled by his own hands. From start to finish, he was a clown, deludedly wielding mere "ID cards" against a stacked deck of aces.
He needed power—power to save everything. A coward, he'd fled the Matou family, lacked the courage to storm Tokiomi and Aoi's wedding, and ran far away.
Such a man had no bravery to bargain with demons, but… his desire to protect gave him resolve!
"Come! Even if my body twists into a monster, even if my soul is devoured by a demon, as long as I can protect everything, it doesn't matter!"
No hesitation, no doubt—Kariya shone with human brilliance!
"Exactly… that's it. Only like this are you a pawn worth my price to play!"
Beyond the world, outside the solar system, a vast shadow grinned with delight.
"Come! Do you hear? It calls you. It will grant you power!"
With Nyarlathotep's words, a call echoed in Kariya's mind.
As he answered, his consciousness transcended his body, soaring. He saw Fuyuki, Japan, Earth, the solar system, and finally…
A colossal, indescribable entity loomed beyond the solar system. Kariya, within it, seemed close yet light-years apart.
An invisible barrier separated them, allowing Kariya only to gaze upon the entity.
He should be grateful for that barrier—without it, even Nyarlathotep's "goodwill" would drown him in madness and forbidden knowledge.
Yes… its mere appearance was toxic knowledge.
Nyarlathotep could enter but saw no need—crossing would stir unnecessary trouble, like counterattacks from this world's planetary consciousnesses.
"Come! Become my apostle, walk the earth, and I… shall grant you power."
A chaotic, eerie voice pierced from beyond, incomprehensible yet instantly understood.
Twisted tendrils sprouted from Kariya's consciousness, pain searing through him, as if bones pierced his skin.
The cost of communion—Kariya understood instantly.
"And the price?"
Dialogue demanded a cost; a contract demanded more.
"Your body, your soul, your everything…"
No choice. Kariya wasn't a fool. Countless tales warned that deals with demons or Outer Gods were folly—your arrogance in thinking you'd gain was their trap.
Kariya knew signing would make him a puppet.
But demons… never lied!
They delivered all they promised, though the cost far outweighed the gain.
Value… in ancient times, trade exchanged the useless for the needed. Value was in the heart—no benchmark. If you needed it, you profited!
Kariya knew agreeing meant everything would be reclaimed in time.
But… if he gained power now to protect and achieve his desires, what did it matter if he burned to ash later? He didn't need power in the future—he needed it now.
Thus… he profited.
"Come, great unknown entity. I'll sign your contract. Grant me power."
His words rang with resolve. Kariya's heart made him fearless. Even if he fell into the abyss, he'd have no regrets!
For he needed it now!
"Invoke my name, accept my gift, and stage a play… worthy of my ticket!"
The name of the indescribable deity surfaced in Kariya's heart!
"Crawling Chaos!"
Kariya could only grasp what the deity allowed—a fragment of its name. The rest didn't matter!
His consciousness grew heavy, plummeting toward the planet like a meteor.
Chaos and distortion took root in his soul, spreading like a tree.
In Japan, Kariya's body exploded, flesh scattering, blood mist rising.
Eyes sprouted on the remnants, floating in the mist, darting like steel marbles.
Thousands of eyes crowded the small space, a nightmare for anyone with trypophobia.
Nyarlathotep smiled at the warped space.
It twisted, compressing into a humanoid form, exuding ominous, maddening mana, whispering insanity.
A new Matou Kariya emerged—an apostle blessed by an Outer God, a monstrosity walking the earth.
In the lens of humanity's imagined Cthulhu Mythos, he was akin to an Old One.
No longer a magus, he was a true aberration, a monster!
A terrifying being rivaling ancient demons, his essence a fractured space.
"ARRRRHHH!"
Immense mana surged, boosting Berserker's attributes. Already top-tier, they soared further, his mana surpassing normal Servants, approaching his living self's power.
This wildly distorted mana ravaged his sanity, driving him deeper into madness.
***
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