From the moment Zhang Heng learned of his origins, he had already considered the worst-case scenario.
Even being targeted by the gods did not necessarily mean there was no way out. Besides, Zhang Heng was not entirely without support. According to Nyarlathotep, at the very least, the Underground City's master's kin and Fanatics would protect him—not because they were on his side, of course, but merely to ensure the vessel remained intact.
However, Zhang Heng could at least make use of that. The Bartender Lady usually looked lazy and absorbed in slacking off, but Zhang Heng knew she was far from weak. Back in the underground tunnels, when Jörmungandr was about to awaken, she had been the one to seal the giant serpent away again.
Zhang Heng guessed that she was at least evenly matched with Jörmungandr. Beyond that, the pantheon to which the Underground City's master belonged had many other gods as well. Aside from Nyarlathotep, who had fought Zhang Heng before, there was also Nyarlathotep's boss, Azathoth.
But unlike the Norse pantheon, the gods of this New Gods pantheon did not seem particularly united, so Zhang Heng had not expected much help from that direction.
Besides, his greatest danger was not the hostility of those external gods, but what lay within his own body—in the blood flowing through his veins.
Although he had temporarily escaped the nightmares last night, Zhang Heng knew full well that it was not the end. It was more like a beginning. The master of the Underground City had found him, and the connection between them would only grow closer... Nyarlathotep had said that this was an irreversible process with no solution, one that would continue until his soul had been completely devoured.
Thus, Zhang Heng discovered that the time which had always been