Chapter 17: Let’s Start Right Away.

Transformed into Cosmic Horror in a Sci-Fi Universe – 17

EP.17 Let's Start Right Away.

[You interfered with me, so you have a responsibility to help.]

What kind of absurd logic is that?

Just because I destroyed one giant monster that wasn't even an adversary, I'm responsible?

If he's consuming the nutrients of life forms, why not just use a universe as a farm, grow and absorb, grow and absorb?

From what I see, in the universe that named him Ubbo-Sathla, they seem to worship him as a creator god.

[Why not just find a universe that will willingly offer you sacrifices? Why dominate and destroy a perfectly fine universe?]

Curious, I asked.

[Farmed and wild are completely different in taste. I'm a gourmet.]

[...]

Ah, I see…

So, he doesn't like creating life forms to consume endlessly or farming them.

He wants to taste life forms that naturally arise in the universe.

[If you don't want to help, then give me your knowledge. How to create a life form that starts weak but has the potential to become a ruler.]

…Well, I don't have any specific knowledge to give.

As he just mentioned, it's about creating a life form with potential.

Like how I created Eugene, who has immense mana and talent for magic but hasn't learned to harness it yet… something like that.

Doesn't it just come naturally to create such a being?

Despite being someone who enjoys consuming the nutrients of life forms, he doesn't seem to have researched much about creating them.

He's interested in the taste of life forms but not in studying them.

It seems Outer Gods are born with their inclinations, and they don't bother with fields they're not interested in.

He has the information but no intention of utilizing or applying it.

If he shared his interest in life forms with Nyarlathotep, he wouldn't need my help.

One is overly curious and dissects races, while the other is obsessed with the taste of wild life forms.

Aren't they a perfect match?

They could go into business together.

If they created a being with the potential to become a ruler without interference from the universe's will, Nyarlathotep could take some for research, and Ubbo-Sathla could enjoy the rest.

…But no, that would mean Eugene's sci-fi space opera would end prematurely, and we can't have that.

As I was thinking this, I sensed a familiar presence approaching.

Speak of the devil.

It was Nyarlathotep.

[You filthy unicellular creature. Who do you think you're threatening?]

[Isn't it the worm who's busy researching delicious snacks?]

The moment they met, it was clear why they didn't work together.

[Get lost before I dismantle all your precious creations.]

[You get lost. Why are you here?]

It seemed they had a very bad relationship.

Hmm, they're snarling at each other like they want to kill.

I wish both would just leave.

I need to get back to my drama.

[That newcomer is mine. Threatening my research subject is the same as attacking me.]

[Don't be ridiculous. That one will help me pursue the ultimate taste. Don't touch him.]

You crazy fools.

I belong to no one!!

I really wish they would both just leave.

#

In the end, after arguing for a long time, they couldn't reach a conclusion and started a full-blown fight.

I got a bit curious and decided to watch, and it was truly a spectacle.

It was like a clash of concepts.

Or just incredibly grotesque…

Ubbo-Sathla's wriggling unicellular body extended something out.

Nyarlathotep's tentacles stretched out to meet it.

Smack! Thud!

Boom!

Every time their bodies collided, something flickered into existence and then vanished in the empty space between them.

It was… an enormous cosmic space.

As expected from Outer Gods, every clash of their attacks resulted in a Big Bang.

A universe was born, and with each subsequent collision, that universe was destroyed again.

Big Bangs and universe annihilations occurred hundreds, thousands of times simultaneously.

Even the conceptless void began to twist and change.

A massive black hole, the size of a universe, formed as the twisted void tore apart and swallowed the surrounding universes.

The black hole was so large that even beings the size of planets, like Nyarlathotep, Ubbo-Sathla, and myself, appeared as tiny particles.

Of course, we weren't particularly affected.

But the universes floating in the void were a different story.

The black hole started sucking in the multiverses floating around like bubbles.

Oh no, you crazy fools!

At this rate, my sci-fi universe will get sucked in and annihilated too!

I hurriedly closed the black hole.

Since it was caused by the twisting of the void, I restored the twist to its original state, and the black hole quickly disappeared.

It seemed ridiculously large, and I wondered if it would work, but it was easier to handle than I thought.

Well, top-tier Outer Gods like me maintain this size for convenience.

Considering our abilities, it makes sense that we could match the scale of a universe.

If we wanted, we could probably become that large.

But… it would be inconvenient and a hassle to maintain, so we don't.

Anyway, if those two keep fighting, these troublesome situations will continue to occur.

Even if they fight to the death, neither can annihilate the other.

[Stop fighting. Don't cause any more trouble.]

In the end, I stepped in to settle the situation.

[I'll help you, but leave the universes I choose alone. Don't touch what's mine.]

I told Ubbo-Sathla that I'd help him later, but he must leave the sci-fi universe where Eugene resides and any other universes I take an interest in alone.

Honestly, as long as I'm entertained, I don't need to worry about other universes.

This compromise should be sufficient.

And to be honest, creating a cosmic demon god… sounds kind of interesting.

It could be fun, right?

Anyway, that settled things with Ubbo-Sathla.

As for Nyarlathotep…

[I am not yours. I'm not a research subject. I'll entertain your curiosity, but only as an equal.]

How dare she try to claim me.

I'm not her research subject.

[…I apologize. It was not something I should have said to an equal.]

[Well, there are plenty of other universes. I don't mind cooperating if it's on equal terms.]

Nyarlathotep apologized for her attitude.

And it seemed Ubbo-Sathla accepted my proposal as well.

Phew… Seriously, these primordial beings, supposedly the origins of everything, fighting like elementary school kids over such trivial matters.

Even though they can easily destroy multiple universes if they fight for real, they throw tantrums like children. It's incredibly annoying.

Anyway, the situation calmed down. I agreed to cooperate with Ubbo-Sathla later and sent him away.

Nyarlathotep also left after confirming that Ubbo-Sathla was gone.

It seems she came because Ubbo-Sathla was threatening me, which sshe didn't like.

…Sigh, finally sorted out.

Living as an Outer God isn't as easy and convenient as it seems.

However, my encounter with Ubbo-Sathla sparked some interest in me.

Specifically, in the creation of life and civilizations.

Not to create a cosmic demon god to dominate the universe like him.

But the story about the Lubaran race intrigued me.

Seeing the species he created build civilizations and eventually grow into a powerful race that forms a Galactic Union encompassing the entire universe.

It's like a civilization-building strategy simulation game!

It's like a cosmic version of that old game, Civilization.

Expanding planets and colonies with the species I nurture, ultimately achieving a scientific victory by unifying galaxies and the universe.

That sounds incredibly fun!

While Eugene's sci-fi space opera is great, a civilization-building game also sounds fascinating.

…What if the species I nurture achieve such advanced civilization that they surpass the Lubaran race and become the leaders of the Galactic Union?

That would be incredibly entertaining.

And it would be a two-birds-one-stone goal to mess with Ubbo-Sathla, who annoyed me.

Isn't that right?

Of course, even though his species and civilization ended up being a nuisance because they didn't follow his orders, he did put a lot of effort into creating them to dominate the universe.

What if my newly created species eventually push them out?

Honestly, that would feel incredibly satisfying.

Perfect. I've decided on my second source of enjoyment.

Anyway, Eugene facing off against the Galactic Union is a decade away… In the meantime, there shouldn't be any issues with me designing a species.

Even if something happens, I'll keep part of my consciousness monitoring the situation.

…But what if creating this species causes the future to get all messed up?

Not that it really matters.

There's a chance Eugene and my created species could influence each other.

…Oh, a drama and a game sharing the same universe.

And they even influence each other?

Haha, what a ridiculous idea.

Let's start right away.