"Welcome, participants. Many of you have questions, but I have called you here to announce the start of the next phase of this Survival Game..."
Rising from his throne and opening his arms, Deus looked at them calmly.
There are ten participants present, while two have died.
[Next phase?]
"Yes, Tenth... I have gathered you here for this reason."
Responding to the question, Deus looked at his assistant, who nodded.
"Allow me to explain the next phase of this Survival Game..."
Raising a hand, a holographic image materialized—a crown.
"First, the rules have changed. As you all know, each of you possesses a 'Future Diary' that will constantly change with every unexpected action you take."
The future has always been a mystery, almost unpredictable. The fact that their Diaries can send messages from the future is impressive. If Yuki were here, he would be amazed at the amount of power required to predict the future.
Moreover, the future is always changing; every action they take is crucial to their fate.
"The first phase involved finding the owners of these Diaries and killing them. Unfortunately, only Second was able to complete this task... Killing First and Third."
After saying these words, Deus narrowed his eyes, looking at Yuno and not just him, but also the other participants.
Whispers of astonishment filled the air. She had already killed two of them. Now they understood why the words [DEAD END] floated over her space.
[This person...]
The Ninth was the most astonished, considering she had fought against the Third and was forced to flee. She knew well how difficult and troublesome that man with his armor and gas mask could be.
Yet here was Second, who killed him. Even though the shadow covered her appearance, she could vaguely see that it was a woman and a very young one at that.
"Second, you have exceeded my expectations. Killing First, my favorite, makes you my next favorite. So, you will have an advantage in this next phase; you will have the 'Key.'"
With the crown rotating, Deus paused slightly, looking at Yuno before continuing.
"This next phase has a set time—72 hours in total. The person holding the 'Key' when the time runs out will be my successor as the God of Time and Space. Of course, with limited time, discovering each other's identities makes no sense."
Snapping his fingers, the darkness covering their bodies disappeared, revealing their faces, which each of them couldn't help but panic at.
This 'cover' was something each of them relied on to maintain. After all, it's not pleasant to watch your back for nine potential assassins aiming for your head.
"To make this game more interesting, my power has been distributed among all of you. So, when you leave this room, you will cease to be normal humans and will have the power to even control time and space. However, every time you use that power, you must pay a price. Remember, your Diary is your best tool."
[Ohhhh!]
With various voices of admiration, the eyes of each of them glittered.
Power...
Since ancient times, humans have always wished to obtain power beyond any living being. Deus, being the God of Time and Space, is a High Destroyer in every sense.
Even if his power was divided into ten parts, they would obtain power similar to a nuclear bomb.
A power capable of driving anyone insane...
This alone made each of them eagerly await the end of this meeting.
Of course, this was not true for everyone, as there were several who were concerned. With this power, human laws no longer applied to them, and the police and human weapons were no longer their concern. They could cause great disaster once outside.
But Deus didn't care; they only had 72 hours. Even if they destroy the city, in the end, one of them will be the next God of this world.
"One more thing, every time you kill a Diary owner, you will gain their power and ability. But if you are the owner of the 'Key,' you won't gain anything..."
As if this rule were made for Yuno, Deus narrowed his eyes. No one knew what he was thinking, but by the look in his eyes, each of them could see it.
If they wanted to get the key, they had to go after the other owners first, gain their power, and then kill Yuno. After all, being the owner of the 'Key' wouldn't grant them power, leaving them defenseless against other Diary owners. However, this had a fatal flaw— the longer they took to gain the power of the others, the more chances Yuno had of winning.
A rule that forced them to kill each other and then, Yuno...
No matter what, no one would risk killing Yuno at the start of the game, only to be sacrificed by the others.
"Second, you're my favorite. The person who kills you will be my next favorite and will get the 'Key.'"
With his eyes fixed on Deus, Yuno frowned. This was getting more dangerous, especially now that she was the target of nine pairs of eyes, but in the end, she smiled...
(Yuki... With you by my side, no one can defeat me.)
Yes, even if these humans gained power, they were still powerless against her. Yuki is a true nuclear power, not depending on Deus.
So, she didn't worry about any of them.
Sure, individually, none of them is her partner, but it would be a different story if they teamed up, or worse, if someone killed others, gaining more power.
"Let the winner be my successor, God of time and space... Kill before you get killed. Ten of you remain. The last one holding the 'Key' will be the winner. Fight to win the God's Throne... This meeting is concluded..."
Opening his arms, Deus disappeared, leaving the participants in a deadly silence, broken by one of them who looked at Yuno without hiding his malice.
[Well, well, this is worth it... Second, I'm coming for you.]
[Second, huh?]
[Goodbye, Second...]
[Wait for me, Second, I just hope you're not dead when I come for you.]
[Goodbye and good luck... Second.]
[Awww, Onee-chan.]
[You look strong.]
[Second, I'll be on your side, don't worry.]
[Hehehe... Second.]
With each one disappearing, Yuno narrowed her eyes. There was no doubt that from this moment on, things were going to get very ugly...
However, she wasn't afraid.This is a small price to pay for becoming a god, especially when she has her beloved by her side. She is not alone.
(Key, huh?)
---
"It's been a long time... Finally, I can rest."
Returning to the Tower of Causality, Deus sat on his crumbling throne.
His power had been divided and distributed among all the diary owners, so his time to die had come.
"Is it okay, Deus? If you die now, the world will be destroyed."
Muru Muru, who was by his side, couldn't help but worry. After all, Deus is the only thing keeping this world alive. Upon his death, the world will eventually be destroyed.
"Don't worry; the true Crown is already in place. The world won't be destroyed."
Closing his eyes slightly, Deus took the crown on his head and broke it into pieces.
"I no longer need to uphold this False Crown for any longer... The Champions are incredible, enduring such a burden."
Sighing in defeat, Deus couldn't help but shake his head. Every day spent with this Crown was a day of suffering. As a result, his body was gradually disappearing into particles of light.
"I almost forgot... The absolute shield will protect us until this Survival Game ends."
Slapping his forehead with one hand, Muru Muru struck a cute pose, not caring that her master was dying.
"It's a shame. I would like to see the end of this game, but I suppose this is the end of my destiny... I leave it to you, Muru Muru."
Closing his eyes, Deus disappeared, leaving his massive throne empty, while Muru Muru nodded in agreement.
"Don't worry, Deus. I'll take care of everything."
Giving a final farewell to her master, Muru Muru rotated her hand.
That day when the world received its most precious child was the day its creator died. It was the day the one who kept the world alive for millions of years finally put an end to his suffering, passing into eternal rest.
---
TN: Rip deus you won't be missed L