I'm Already Very Gentle

"Interesting."

Kino's voice was very low.

He put down his pen, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the flawed model.

"A very interesting mistake, Yao."

A knowing glint flashed in Yao's eyes, but she didn't press for answers; she simply waited quietly.

She knew that when her Master had that expression, it usually meant he was thinking.

"Leave the homework with me for now."

Kino's voice returned to calm, but beneath that calm, a turbulent undercurrent flowed.

"Your 'mistake' gave me a bit of inspiration."

"Even if it's useless, it could still be a seed."

Kino looked at Yao, a faint smile playing on his lips, a smile far more genuine than when he was grading homework earlier.

"It seems you handed in your assignment... just in time. Perhaps we should go to the bottom floor of the library and rummage through those useless piles of old papers."

What about flawed magic, and some kind of rule they might point to?

Yao stood up, her white robe trailing behind her. A knowing smile appeared on her face.

"Yes, Master."

However, the assignments still need to be graded.

"Yes, but before that, you'll have to come with me to find some warriors."

The figures of the master and apprentice disappeared silently into the warm study filled with books, leaving only the firelight from the fireplace, stubbornly leaping in the shadow of destruction outside the window.

Blink Dimension!

"Chthon."

Kino came here again, and although only a few years had passed, it felt like an eternity.

"Demon King."

Chthon slowly emerged from the darkness, a hint of shock in his eyes.

"You're almost at the multiverse."

Kino sensed Chthon's presence, which was normal; Wanda had absorbed the power of her other self to the level of a single universe, as a possessor of Chaos Magic.

There's no reason why Chthon shouldn't have gotten stronger.

"What do you want with me?"

Chthon asked directly.

"I've come to ask you to join a war."

Kino stared directly into Chthon's chaotic eyes.

"In return, I can help you develop followers, spread your knowledge of dark magic, and make your name and power resound throughout the multiverse."

"It will help you break through your current limitations and become a true multiverse-level being, or even a higher realm."

"All beings at the multiverse level must participate in the war."

Kino's words were firm and decisive, carrying an unquestionable force.

"In my view, only beings at the multiverse level could provide truly effective assistance in that war."

"With each additional multiverse-level entity, we gain a greater chance to shift the tide of war and tear apart the shadows."

Kino's subtext is naked and cold: Chthon, you are not yet qualified to be forcibly conscripted, because you are not multiverse-level.

But you have that potential, and I can be the catalyst for you to ignite that potential.

This war is your ticket to higher power.

Chthon fell silent.

Develop believers!

Spreading black magic!

This is the most fundamental source of His power!

Faith is the anchor, knowledge is the seed, and the ability to sow it across the vast soil of the multiverse means that His power will experience an unprecedented explosive growth!

Breaking free from the constraints of a single universe, stepping into the realm of the multiverse, and even touching the faint possibility beyond that? The price Kino offered precisely struck at His deepest desire.

"Cost..."

Chthon's voice finally rang out again, his ancient languor replaced by a cold and greedy playfulness.

Chaotic energy gathered and twisted around Him, conjuring countless blurry faces screaming and wailing—phantoms of believers, manifestations of dark magic.

"What an alluring poison."

Demon King, do you know what you're promising? Releasing my knowledge is releasing chaos itself.

The madness of believers and the corrupting influence of black magic will all become part of the war, and may even devour some worlds before the shadows outside the window do so.

"I know."

Kino's voice remained unwavering, even carrying an almost cruel rationality.

"But war itself is the greatest chaos and corruption. It is devouring everything, including the very foundations of order and life."

When the entire multiverse faces destruction, localized chaos and corruption are an acceptable price to pay, and even a necessary weapon.

I need your power, Chthon, not as a sealed specimen, but as the sharpest weapon on the battlefield.

As for what happens next...

A cold smile curled at the corner of Kino's lips.

"If we win, we'll naturally have the time and resources to clean up the mess. If we lose, it's all meaningless."

Now tell me your answer.

He responded to Chthon's doubts with the most realistic logic.

When survival is at stake, morality and side effects become secondary.

Power is the only true hard currency.

Chthon's face, composed of chaotic energy, seemed to distort slightly, as if he were laughing.

It was a laugh that expressed both appreciation for Kino's ruthlessness and pragmatism, and extreme excitement for the chaotic feast to come.

"Demon King, you are becoming more and more to my liking."

A war that swept across multiple worlds, an opportunity for me to expand my power, a stage that spread chaos and darkness to an unprecedented breadth.

I have no reason to refuse. Let me be the sharpest weapon, even if I'm destroyed after use, it doesn't matter."

It wasn't self-abandonment, but rather an extreme desire for the pinnacle of power that overcame all reservations.

In order to glimpse that "highest light," He was willing to become the most dangerous weapon, even if it meant ultimately being shattered to pieces.

This pure, inhuman madness is exactly what Kino needs right now.

Kino smiled too.

He likes straightforward people.

"Let's go, leave this place, and come with me to Earth."

With a flick of Kino finger, Kino created a black crack.

As they passed through the passage, the sight before them surprised Chthon.

This is a magnificent temple, its walls covered with ancient runes and patterns, exuding an aura of mystery.

In the center of the temple, countless mages were busily manipulating Magic Circle in their hands, which shimmered with dazzling light.

Chthon spotted several familiar figures.

Nightmare, Satanish, and Vishanti —these once renowned Dimension Demon God —are now bound tightly by golden runic chains, like prisoners.

They emitted a faint light, clearly indicating that their power was being suppressed by the chains.

"Master, there's still one seat here."

Yao's voice rang in Chthon's ears. He turned his head and saw an orange Magic Circle light up in Yao's hand, clearly prepared for him.

Kino then said, "Chthon joined the war voluntarily; there's no need to persuade him."

A snort escaped from Chthon's throat, tinged with amusement.

"So, they don't want to join this war."

The first two thought they could escape this war because they hadn't reached the threshold of the multiverse level. As for the Vishanti ..."

Kino's gaze fell upon the three separated ancient beings.

"The Trinity truly possesses multiverse-level power."

Unfortunately, they chose to separate themselves in an attempt to circumvent mandatory conscription. So, I had no choice but to "invite" them over and give them a good talking-to.

"Persuade?"

Chthon chuckled softly.

"What gentle words, Demon King."

"Efficiency is paramount, Chthon."

Kino's expression remained unchanged.

"And compared to Dormammu, the Eye Demon, Mephisto, I've been very lenient with you."