Transformed into Cosmic Horror in a Sci-Fi Universe

EP.103 Spirit Realm Universe

Cthugha.

Known as the great spirit god who reigns over all fire spirits and lightning spirits.

An Outer God that constantly burns with hot flames, to the extent of being called the King of Fire.

Though grandly titled, in reality, it’s an arsonist that goes around burning universes, and it even tried to burn my SF universe before.

At that time, for some reason, it got properly scared of me and ran away.

I haven’t seen it since then.

But this time, I’m planning to go meet it.

More precisely, I’ve had the thought of visiting the universe of spirits that Cthugha created.

To be exact, it didn’t create it.

Among the universes Cthugha destroyed as it passed by, there’s a case where the universe itself became Cthugha’s avatar due to its influence.

That universe, which became the reason it gained the name of spirit god, became filled with spirit life forms that separated from Cthugha’s avatar.

It’s no different from the world that became the origin of spirit life forms, literally.

Considering that, should we view spirit life forms as no different from Cthugha’s offspring?

Even Rios’s light spirits?

Well anyway, I’m now going to a universe that’s no different from Cthugha’s avatar.

Of course, I plan to get permission from it first so that Cthugha doesn’t get confused or angry at the sudden situation.

In other words, I’m going to meet Cthugha.

However, Cthugha and Nyarlathotep are on extremely bad terms.

It’s because Cthugha frequently burns down Nyarlathotep’s laboratories, the universes he created, his creations, and so on.

[ …Cthugha? ]

The moment it hears that name, Nyarlathotep’s tentacles stand on end, probably for that reason.

[ I’ve heard that name before. It was certainly a code name for calling ■■■■ ■■. ]

Nyarlathotep remembers it, even mentioning the names used among Outer Gods.

Though the expression of the tentacle mass wasn’t visible, it felt like if it had an expression, it would have been deeply frowning.

[ I’m worried they might have a big fight if they meet. ]

When I expressed my honest concern, Nyarlathotep scoffed.

[ Huh. It’s true that I dislike that guy, but I’m not barbaric or stupid enough to fight recklessly. ]

[ ….. ]

Says the one who tried to fight Ubbo-Sathla the moment they met before.

[ Anyway, that guy doesn’t have any personal grudge against me. It’s just that my laboratories and creations happened to be mixed in with everything else it was burning. ]

In other words, Cthugha has no grudge against Nyarlathotep.

Nyarlathotep also knows that Cthugha has no personal feelings towards him, so he has no intention of fighting the moment they meet.

[ Alright, then will you continue to accompany me? ]

[ Yes. Let’s do that. ]

And so, Nyarlathotep also became a companion.

#

[ Gasp! You, encountering again. ]

When I went to where Cthugha was, I could see Cthugha looking at me in shock.

No, I haven’t done anything, why is it so surprised?

Anyone watching would think I had been bullying it.

Well, it seems like it will be submissive to me, so it should be easy to talk to.

[ About the spirit realm universe you rule…. ]

[ You filthy ball of fire. ]

At that moment, Nyarlathotep suddenly growled and extended his tentacles.

Huh, what! Didn’t you say you weren’t going to fight?!

[ That ball of fire is the root cause of destruction! We must eliminate it immediately! ]

Even Idra started shouting like that and cheering on Nyarlathotep.

[ Wh-what. Tentacle mass. You. Suddenly what! ]

No, Cthugha, you.

Just how much have you harmed them?

[ Now, now, let’s all calm down. ]

I step in to calm things down before a fight breaks out.

A giant tentacled being with red eyes, trying to stop a massive ball of fire monster and a bizarre tentacle monster.

And even a beautiful giant goddess watching the scene and cheering.

It’s truly chaotic chaos.

I wonder if such a scene exists anywhere else in this world?

Anyway, after barely calming them down, I was able to talk with Cthugha.

[ I want to enter and look around the spirit realm universe you rule. ]

[ My universe, look around? Why? ]

[ What do you mean why, you filthy ball of fire. You should know why. ]

Nyarlathotep picked a fight again at Cthugha’s question, but I ignored it and spoke.

[ I want to see and experience the spirits directly. I know that your universe is the origin of spirits. ]

[ Ah, understood. I agree. ]

Fortunately, Cthugha listened to me very well, as expected.

It was so submissive that it really felt like it had become my subordinate, no joke.

I wonder what kind of change of heart it had when it encountered me back then to act like this.

Could it have seen the seed of Azathoth inside me?

Anyway, I got its permission.

This means there’s no chance of Cthugha coming after us, considering it a sudden invasion of the universe.

[ Then shall we go? ]

[ You filthy ball of fire. Next time, surely…. ]

[ ….. ]

I glare at Nyarlathotep, who’s trying to pick a fight again.

I give him a look that reproaches him for not keeping his promise.

At that, Nyarlathotep said nothing more and quietly shut his mouth.

#

We arrived at Cthugha’s avatar and the spirit realm universe.

Well, saying we “arrived” is just a figure of speech, since it’s a gap without the concept of space, so we can move there instantly just by thinking about it.

Anyway, the spirit realm was larger than I expected.

It seemed to be almost 10 times the size of a typical universe bubble.

I wonder if it’s different because it’s a universe that became an avatar that separated from the body of a top-tier outer god?

By the way, to think that an avatar could become a universe.

Seeing it directly, it feels amazing.

In reality, there are several universes created like this in the gap.

The universe of corrupted things that broke off from Tulzscha’s flames.

The universe of bubbling monsters derived from Abhoth’s body.

The universe of metal chunks that separated from Daoloth, and so on.

I knew about it in my head, but seeing a place that had separated from an outer god’s body and become a world of its own, I felt a sense of wonder.

Would I be able to do it too?

Artificially creating a universe from an avatar.

It’s possible.

In fact, there are records of Nyarlathotep having done such experiments.

I could probably do it if I wanted to… but I’m a bit worried.

After all, I’ve now become a being like Azathoth.

I was worried that if I carelessly created a piece of myself, something might go wrong.

Eugene?

Well, Eugene was created before all this, and…

Since he’s now a completely independent entity, there shouldn’t be any problems, right?

Or not?

Maybe Eugene might awaken and become a being like me from Azathoth’s perspective?

Well, he’s just a being trapped in the scale of a single universe at best, so his influence probably won’t grow that much… but if Eugene awakens and becomes an outer god-like being, that could be quite interesting in its own way.

Oh, I’ve been rambling.

Let’s enter this spirit realm universe first.

Of course, I’ll create an avatar so as not to have a big impact on the interior, like before.

Hmm, but if I’m making an avatar, what kind of spirit would be good?

Since it’s the spirit realm, I’ll have to make it a spirit when I enter, no matter what.

[ I’d like to be a water spirit. Water is the source of life, after all. ]

That’s a choice typical of Idra.

If she becomes a water spirit, I imagine she’d look like a very beautiful undine.

[ Well. Anything is fine. If there’s something interesting, it would be a fire spirit. I wonder if I could get ideas on how to annihilate that filthy ball of fire. ]

…Really, where did the person who said they wouldn’t pick fights and wouldn’t fight go?

They’re just a ball of hatred and anger now.

Anyway, a water spirit and a fire spirit, huh.

It feels like they unexpectedly match well.

What should I be?

Lightning? Wind? Earth?

While pondering what would be the most fun, I started to wonder if there was really a need to choose spirits that are commonly found.

Even if it’s a bit niche, as long as you attach the name “spirit” to it, it feels like even conceptual beings are given life.

Isn’t that what a spirit life is?

If so, I’d like to choose something more signature-like.

I am an outer god.

Cosmic horror.

Hmm… how about a spirit of fear?

A spirit of fear.

I like it.

It sounds powerful somehow.

I confirmed with my knowledge that such spirits do exist in the spirit realm, albeit in extremely small numbers.

Since they’re not completely non-existent, it shouldn’t be impossible.

[ Alright, if everyone has decided, let’s create avatars inside the spirit realm. ]

[ Let’s do it. ]

[ Yes, understood. ]

Creating the avatar itself wasn’t difficult.

And transferring my consciousness there as well.

In fact, it was something I was used to doing very often.

It seemed the same for Idra and Nyarlathotep, as they smoothly transferred their consciousness to their avatars.

A water spirit.

A fire spirit.

A spirit of fear.

And so, three new spirits were born inside the spirit realm.