One consensus is that The Worm was born from the carcass of the Charioteer.
That is to say... at least while the Charioteer still existed, The Worm did not exist in this world.
Back then, there were neither Paths of Degradation, nor demons, nor The Worm.
All the current formidable enemies of this world did not exist yet.
And among these great enemies, the fallen fear demons, and demons fear The Worm.
An evildoer grinds another evildoer—it follows this food chain that "The Worm" should be considered the ultimate enemy of this world.
For The Worm is a creature of change.
The Charioteer moved upon "the paths of ascendance and change", and The Worm, at the very least, possessed half of the Charioteer's powers. If one thinks from this perspective, it makes sense that Vladimir feared Annan, though it still feels like something is missing.
——I keep feeling like I've overlooked something important.
Annan furrowed his brows deeply, pondering.