My Reincarnation as a Chicken

“My name is Makrov. The great Arch Devil of the Sea! Bow before me, mere Ancient Devil.”

The moment I entered the Dungeon Master room, I was met by a massive shadowy figure. Its arms were spread apart in a majestic gesture and I was guessing he was referring to me when he was talking about the Ancient Devil.

I noticed that there was an orb behind him. Looked like the dungeon core. All I needed to do was simply shatter that and I could leave. Even better, I could become its new owner. The only issue was actually sitting down to take care of it. I already had one on the surface.

‘Huuh. Not interested. Imma just leave.’

I put my hand on the orb and the devil started flailing his arms wildly.

“Wait, wait, wait! Let me tell you something.”

‘You clearly have nothing to tell me that I’m interested in.’

“I possess a treasure trove of information and from over the years pertaining to the other realms and gods. There is so much I could tell you.”

‘Treasure trove, huh? Know how to track down a god that doesn’t want to be found out?’

He put his hand to his chin.

“In the first place, if a god doesn’t want to be found out they would need permission from one of the primordial gods to go into hiding. That would mean you can’t find them without the help of a primordial. There is the rare exception of those that don’t bother hiding their locations, but would kill any who peep on them. In the first place, only a mad man would search for a god.”

The primordial gods gave permission to find the gods? But that made no sense. If one could hide from the primordial gods themselves, what would the issue be then? It’s not like they can keep track of every single being in the world at all times.

“I see you are interesting the gods. Would you like to hear some secrets about them? Like for instance, what if I told you that the sea goddess never created the original fishmen? Would you listen to me?”

‘What?’

‘What?’

‘What?’

‘What?’

We were all simultaneously by that statement. The devil shrunk in size and came to my shoulder, rubbing his palms together.

‘The Atlantean religion is all built on a sham?’

“See? A treasure trove of information. You want to know more, right?”

‘Eh? Feels like if I get that information, I’ll have some serious problems down the line.’

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. The goddess can’t eavesdrop on our conversation here. That’s why I didn’t talk to you out of this place. Trust me as your older brother. I mean, we devils live by a code of honour, don’t we?”

I wasn’t sure what this code of honour meant.

‘Agent?’

<<No such code exists. Devils are cruel, cold, heartless spiritual beings that will always try to satisfy their fundamental urges. When they live, they are limited by the rules set by the King of Hell and Devil King. These rules have no effect on their personality or trustworthiness.>>

That was a nice explanation from the agent. How I missed the agent’s usual lecture. Not like I ever did, but at least I was a hundred percent certain that this devil was a liar.

‘So, you were trying to talk to me? Then why’d you make me go through all of that?’

“To test your mettle of course. Anyone who could be broken so easily by merely the first five floors wouldn’t be of much use to me.”

I would have an easier time believing him if he said he couldn’t do that because he was technically not alive anymore.

‘How can I be of use to you?’

“It’s easy actually. Before I was defeated, I made some preparations to be resurrected around this time. Through technicalities, I am not actually dead but in more of a comatose state. I’d need you to find my true name and mention it so I can awaken from my slumber.”

‘Your true name?’

He became my size and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

“My very core. Our true self or what-not. So long as we devils have this, we can keep coming back indefinitely. Well, as long as our cores or spiritual bodies in hell aren’t destroyed as well. It’s the same as invoking a spirit or summoning one.”

<<That is true>>

‘Hmm, why would I do this though?’

“Pardon?”

I moved from him and shrugged.

‘I get no benefit from doing this. Before you mention information about the gods, I have no interest learning more about some fake origin story for a race.’

“And here I was thinking you wanted me to help you save Minerva from Fafnir.”

‘How d-’

‘-o I know their names? Easy enough. I’ve been in your head all day long. You think I wouldn’t see some of your memories?’

I grabbed him by the neck and slammed him against the wall, enraged by the evasion of privacy.

“Easy there, fresh blood. You don’t want to annoy the only guy who knows how to help you.”

He struggled under my choke, grasping at my hands for me to let go of him. After a bit of contemplation, I did so and created some space between us.

“Sheesh, where’d you learn that choke.”

‘Fine, then tell me your true name. I’ll revive you then you help me.’

“There’s one problem with that.”

He timidly laughed.

‘Huh?’

“No devil knows their true name.”

‘Then how does one even go about finding a devil’s true name?’

“The King of Hell and Devil King made a register where they put all our true names for their convenience only. Then there’s the exception of a few strong devils that fought for their names and left their mark on this world that have traces of their true names here.”

‘What? So, I’m supposed to go ask the kings of hell kindly for your name and hope they give it to me?’

“Ugh, you pathetic half-devils and not knowing anything. Like I said, there’s a few devils that are the exception. I, of course, am part of this exception but I forgot my name.”

‘Now you want me to go around searching for traces you left of your true name?’

“I’d say yes, but that takes way too long. Rather, there is a quicker method.”

‘Just start with that then.’

“Very well then. I need you to expose your true name to me.”

‘What? Why?’

<<When a devil exposes their true name to another devil, that devil’s true name will be forcefully exposed. It is a very dangerous thing to try as a devil can cause a corruption>>

“That way, my name will be forcibly shown to you.”

‘Ah. No way. I can’t trust you with my true name.’

“Oh, come on, trust this gentle soul.”

‘You don’t have a soul.’

Makrov shrugged then offered his hand to me.

“Fine then. Why don’t we ensure that no matter what, I will not be able to steal your true name.”

‘How will I be able to trust you?’

“That’s easy enough. We just need to forge a contract between each other.”

His hand shook, drawing my attention to it as a notification popped up before me.

DING!

[The Arch Devil Makrov is offering you a contract]

[Would you like to see the details of this contract?]

I decided to look more into it.

[A contract forged in blood, in the name of the Devil King Ozvon and King of Hell Ozvaloth, the Arch Devil Makrov and Ancient Devil Hyakkiyago thereby swear to:

1. Abstain from stealing each other’s true names

2. Invoke the name of Makrov

3. Provide the necessary required information as promised by Makrov

Should any of these rules be broke by either party, their fates will be judged by the Devil King Ozvon and King of Hell Ozvaloth or any of their chosen Adjudicators]

It was a simple looking contract, but I found one issue with it.

‘Oi. Change that bit from steal to “Steal or harm in any way”.’

“Ou, a careful one. You youngsters really do have that fire in you.”

He amended the contract as I requested. But it felt like there was something I wasn’t seeing.

‘Agent. Are there any issues with this contract?’

<<I have two suggestions>>

‘Let em loose.’

<<One: Each participant is to forget the other’s true names after you invoke his name. Two: In the case of an unforeseeable interruption that results in an abrupt termination of the contract, the Devil King Ozvon, King of Hell Ozvaloth and their chosen adjudicators cannot and must not pass judgement.>>

‘That’s it? Alright.’

I included that in the contract, so he changed it. Makrov was delighted about the last bit though. Looked like he was planning to betray me at the end there. Ah well, not like it could work when I had the agent with me.

The moment I agreed to the contract, Makrov’s true name appeared in my head. I didn’t know why, but it felt dark and ominous. It had a vague shape, but was heavy as hell. I felt like I was holding something very important and delicate. Something very delicious. Also, something foul and distasteful about it. Something that angered my very being and made me want to rip it to shreds.

At the same time, it felt like I’d given my inner being to someone else. This was the very definition of opening up if anything. There was a weird sensation of fear and distrust while my name was with him.

“Oh, oh. What’s this? Your true name is -’

‘******.’

I invoked his name before he could finish that. That was a very scary thought telling me that if I ever allowed someone to say that name, I would never be the same again.

From the very moment I spoke it, I completely forgot about it like I never knew it in the first place. Makrov on the other hand was cackling. There was an eruption of black energy from where he stood with a few souls crying out in pain.

Once it subsided, I saw a fat tubby cat with a hat on its head and a monocle smiling devilishly at me. It had grey fur with white stripes all over its back. A barbed tail and a spikey spine. He stretched his back and popped his claws.

“Oh, dear hell. How I have missed this insufferable plane’s magic density.”

‘Kitty.’

“Yes. I am cute, aren’t I?”

‘N-no. Let’s be done with this.’

“About that.”

DING!

[The Arch Devil Makrov has passed on his blessing to you]

[You have been blessed by the King of Hell Ozvaloth]

[The Arch Devil Makrov has passed on his title to you]

[You have received the title [Hell’s Damned Monarch]]

‘What? Argh, my soul?’

I clutched my chest, trying to squeeze my soul and do something about the pain. That did nothing though and I could only crumple up.

“You see, I, Makrov am one of the 9 Monarchs that attempted to overthrow Ozvaloth and Ozvon. Of course, I lost and was punished by those bastards. They call it a blessing although its more like a curse. On a technicality, I have not harmed your soul, but I did bless you. Rejoice. Now, no one in Hell is allowed to touch you! However, if you ever do step foot in hell, Ozvaloth and Ozvon will tear you to shreds thinking you’re me.”

‘W-why?’

“Why? I am one of the 9 Great Monarchs of Hell. I pioneered the current Hell society. I was so powerful they dubbed me The Dark Lord Makrov, Hell’s King. When some upstarts come and tear down everything I spent my life building then all of a sudden, I am no longer worthy to be their ruler? Betrayed by my own group.”

His form was gradually becoming more demonic as his rage grew.

“I try to reclaim my property and I’m called a criminal. Punished to be hated by my subordinates and banished from my kingdom. What can I do now? Of course, I will start over again. Now that I no longer bare that curse, I can summon an army of devils to do my bidding. I will take over Exsuole and use their souls to increase my power, then take back my kingdom. This time, I will be the sole king instead of ruling with possible traitors. The age of Makrov begins again!”

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