Gray stared at his hands, finally realizing he was back in human form.
He gazed upward, eyes clouded with confusion and questions.
"A‑are you… him? God? Am I going to hell?" His trembling voice cracked.
The immense existence seated upon the vast throne stirred, smiling sinisterly.
"God? No. I am far greater. I am the Demon Constellation."
The words sent shivers down Gray's spine. He muttered bitterly, "Perfect. I leave a life of hell on earth only to end up in actual hell after a miserable death."
Kurakan tilted its head. Galaxies shifted, star fields realigned, and the void trembled at the gesture. Its voice rolled across eternity, all‑encompassing.
"Did you not understand what I told you? I am giving you a second chance at life—not here to make your pathetic existence even more miserable."
Gray froze, meeting the entrancing crimson gaze of the Constellation. His fear melted, replaced with a darker will.
"You… you can bring me back? You can give me another chance at revenge?" Malicious joy filled him, his eyes betraying a mad hunger for vengeance.
"What do I have to do? Can I be resurrected in my body? I want my face to be the one they see when they suffer and beg for death!" His voice rose with crazed fervor.
The Demon Constellation observed the dense malice oozing from Gray's figure. Its lips stretched impossibly wide, rows of jagged celestial teeth on display.
"Indeed, you are a capable candidate. Such malice, such lust for blood… even previous Demon Kings were not this crazed."
It leaned forward, indomitable pressure bearing down on Gray. He felt himself shrinking as the being grew more immense, the void cracking and shuddering at its movement.
"I am not sending you back to that piddling mortal plane of yours. I will send you somewhere greater—somewhere you might even ascend to godhood. A world of myriad races where darkness and light are locked in eternal battle."
Its words reverberated like an imperial edict that could not be reversed.
But despite the intimidation, Gray's brows furrowed. His face warped in displeasure. He strained his head, resisting the crushing pressure, and gazed coldly into the Constellation's boundless eyes.
"I'd rather not. If you can't give me a chance to get what I want… scram."
Everything froze. The world itself seemed to halt. Silence reigned as Gray's crazed gaze remained fixed on Kurakan.
Then the Constellation erupted in laughter. Waves of sound so intense they collapsed galaxies, snuffed out black holes, and swept away even the shockwaves of destruction.
"Hahahahah! Befitting of the one I, Kurakan, chose!"
Gray had just rejected a god‑level being that could erase his existence without effort—an offer most would beg for and Kurakan loved it.
The laughter finally died down, though the smile remained impossibly wide.
"Are you sure you don't want to change your mind? The ones you lust after…"
It waved its hand, reality warping to its will.
Gray's confusion deepened as the space before him twisted into a vision.
He saw humans in golden robes, busying themselves around an intricate circle. Chained creatures were dragged forward—demons, their skin grey as ash, eyes black as night, pupils glowing blood‑red.
Gray frowned. What are these things? Why am I being shown this? He kept silent, watching.
The demons were forced to kneel around the circle. Blades flashed. Heads rolled demons wailed and weeped.
Their corpses thudding to the ground as thick black blood pumped into the circle, absorbed with relish. The circle glowed, chants rising in unison.
A burst of brilliant light blazed, forcing even Gray—an observer—to shield his eyes. When the light died down, he opened them and froze. His heart shuddered.
"WE WELCOME THE GREAT HEROES!!!" the crowd roared.
Gray's voice trembled. "T‑this can't be… How are they…" His finger shook as he pointed at the newly arrived figures.
His heart dripping with pain, fury, and dread..
Aaron. Layla. Kim. Jack. Jake. His betrayers.
The Constellation watched his reaction with amusement, waving once more as the vision vanished.
"As I told you, your vengeance will be met. Your thirst for blood will be sated—with theirs, and more."
Gray's eyes gleamed with newfound interest. "By any chance… is this the world you want to send me to?"
Kurakan replied affirmatively. "Yes. Precisely this world."
Its voice grew sharper, spiteful.
"Make no mistake. While your enemies go as heroes, you go as destruction. You go as the supreme existence—the Demon King. For generations, Demon Kings have suffered defeat. My kind has been smothered, enslaved, treated as tools. None have ever tasted victory."
Its fists clenched, frustration painted across its face.
"But no longer. If humans can summon your kind as heroes, then demons can summon too. This time, vengeance wears your face."
Kurakan's voice softened, almost humble.
"So tell me, vengeful one… will you accept the honor of becoming Demon King?"
Gray's lips stretched into a mad grin. His voice dripped with venom.
"Do you even need to ask?"