Nyarlathotep has countless avatars, each with a different personality, even some kind ones. But to be honest, Duanmu Huai can't imagine such an existence... It feels no different from schizophrenia. He once read a book about multiple personalities, and Nyarlathotep probably has thousands of them.

Well, it's no wonder it's an Outer God.

It's just a pity that Duanmu Huai never cares about such trivialities.

For a Judge, heretics are meant to be exterminated, aliens are meant to be destroyed, demons are meant to be purified.

What you've done? That has nothing to do with me.

If I had to say, your very existence is the biggest problem.

"Bang!!"

Duanmu Huai's Iron Fist struck again, hitting Nyarlathotep, who staggered back, glaring angrily at Duanmu Huai. It opened its mouth and let out a deafening roar, like a child trying to force a response with an extreme scream.

However, Duanmu Huai was unconcerned; he simply tightened his fist and took a stance. Just like an adult with headphones ignoring a child's scream, he charged at the enemy once more.

Until now, Nyarlathotep hadn't revealed its true form. It only summoned other Followers to fight Duanmu Huai, continually changing its shape and hiding behind them. In keeping with its usual sly, low-grade, and vulgar tactics. Some might call it wisdom, but to Duanmu Huai — it's just cowardice.

If you have guts, come face my fists head-on!

What's it like to hide behind others?

"Since you refuse to answer my questions, then... I'll have to reveal some surprises."

Hearing this, Duanmu Huai's actions stopped, he squinted his eyes at Nyarlathotep in front — who had now turned into a bald, muscular black man, perhaps playing a game of "who's stronger" with him.

"I know everything about you, your feelings, your personality, your thoughts, your experiences... You've been destroying and devouring those Ancient Dominators and turning them into your strength. You've been doing this ever since you arrived in this world, and you think I won't know? No, I've always known, because I've been watching you... But it seems you had no idea..."

As Nyarlathotep spoke, it reached out and covered its face with its hand, revealing beneath — the face of a girl with long, dark hair.

"Brother, can you talk to me properly now?"

"..."

Duanmu Huai stood there, staring at Nyarlathotep.

"So, are you Shajuye?"

"That's right, I am Shajuye... Shajuye is me, I've always been helping you, haven't I? Just like you've been using your strength to change this world, I can also use my power to change it. We've always had a good relationship before, haven't we? But even so, you've never revealed a hint of your secrets to your cute sister, which surprises me. I originally hoped, as a sister, to have a closer relationship with you... Maybe that way, I could understand you better..."

However, before Nyarlathotep could finish speaking, a figure appeared ghost-like behind it. Mianmu Zuoniao gripped the hilt of his sword tightly with his right hand, drawing the White Wood Sword from his waist. The sharp blade gleamed as it pierced into Nyarlathotep's body!

At this moment, Nyarlathotep still wore a composed smile as if the attack was entirely within its expectations. But the next moment, its twisted smile was replaced by astonishment — the tentacles that emerged from the shadows tightly bound Nyarlathotep's body, completely confining its movement.

With its head raised, Nyarlathotep glanced forward and saw Duanmu Huai advancing with his right hand raised, while his tightly clenched fist burned with scorching flames!

Not only that, but Nyarlathotep's expression changed instantly, as it could feel that the aura in those flames...

But it was too late.

Mianmu Zuoniao's White Wood Sword mercilessly pierced through Nyarlathotep's chest from behind, causing its human shape to shudder reflexively. Immediately after, Duanmu Huai's flame-wreathed fist smashed into the face of Shajuye, whom Nyarlathotep had transformed into.

The immense force shattered the girl's skull, and the scorching flames erupted, causing Mianmu Zuoniao to quickly withdraw and tumble away — just moments before the flames from Duanmu Huai's hand completely engulfed Nyarlathotep... or rather Shajuye's body.

"Why..."

Duanmu Huai could sense the shock in Nyarlathotep's eyes when he struck it; clearly, it hadn't anticipated things would unfold this way.

But Duanmu Huai actually wanted to say... he had already guessed it.

Of course, this doesn't mean Duanmu Huai is especially clever, detecting issues from Shajuye's daily actions or clues. Rather... this is Nyarlathotep's usual trick.

It loves to spread despair and madness, and in this context, the most despairing is betrayal from those around you. In fact, once Duanmu Huai learned Nyarlathotep was causing trouble from behind, he naturally began to suspect everyone. Because, according to Nyarlathotep's nature, its favorite action is disguising as someone close to you, watching, playing with you, then mocking and finally destroying you.

It's like a movie; you don't need to be particularly smart, you just need to see the genre and you can pretty much guess the plot.

Especially since Nyarlathotep is hardly a talented director.

Not only Xie Sita or Inaba Tsukuyo, even Shajuye and Meijia were on Duanmu Huai's list of suspicions.

Because as a Judge, the lesson learned is never to trust anyone completely.

Anyone.

Including those closest to you.

Even within the Tribunal, Duanmu Huai never shared his secrets with anyone, not even with Ann and Mary, who were closest to him. The reason is simple: yes, Soul Cards can ensure others aren't corrupted, but it doesn't guarantee they won't betray you. The Evil God uses numerous methods to entice others into downfall, from malicious language and curses to small lies and inducements, often far more effective than Subspace corruption.

So naturally, Duanmu Huai never fully exposed himself to others either.

It's the same with Shajuye; Duanmu Huai never let her see the process of battling the Ancient Dominators, partly to protect her, and partly as a precaution.

For a Judge, there's no such thing as complete trust; the only one he can always rely on is himself. Others can only earn a certain level of trust, but that's as far as it goes.

If Duanmu Huai had to choose someone he trusts the most among this group, ironically, it wouldn't be Shajuye, but Mianmu Zuoniao, because an irrational madman won't hide their thoughts and intentions. Hence, when Duanmu Huai learned in the last cycle that Mianmu Zuoniao killed Shajuye, he immediately suspected "isn't this person Nyarlathotep" of Shajuye.

Although Shajuye called soon after, Duanmu Huai never saw her in person. Plus, if Nyarlathotep wanted to, changing to a new body and reviving is no difficulty — Mianmu Zuoniao is just a human, unlikely to truly kill an Outer God.

If she had that ability, it would be extraordinary.

But this isn't the end.

"Boom!!!"

The devouring flames exploded instantly, flaring up, and soon a monstrous beast emerged. Its head was like a high-reaching tentacle, with three legs and two claws, its body pitch black, an enormous mouth on its neck now roaring furiously.

"You finally show your true form."

Seeing this, Duanmu Huai sneered, then the flames roared and transformed into a towering Titanic Beast.

"Now is the time for the merging of six gods to thrash the little monster! Feel the fear of pain and destruction, Nyarlathotep!"

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