Chapter 56: Blocking Variables

Transformed into Cosmic Horror in a Sci-Fi Universe – 56



Codename ‘Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg.’ Also known as the God of Plague, this Outer God is classified as a mid-level Outer God. It has the grotesque and horrifying appearance of a creature that seems to be a fusion of a centipede and a scorpion, with a long centipede-like body, a sharp stinger on its tail, and massive pincers on its head.

This monstrous entity, with its terrifying form, spans several hundred kilometers in size. It constantly emits a deadly poison that rots any living being in its vicinity. As an Outer God, its powers transcend the universe, causing eyes and noses to decay just by looking at it. Those who encounter its otherworldly poison suffer agonizing deaths.

In addition, it can summon billions of absurdly gigantic poisonous insects, each spanning several kilometers, to swarm around it. Those who attempt to escape it often end up as food for these insects.

Such is the cruel and horrifying nature of Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg. Currently, it resides in the deep, dark ‘Void,’ a place where no stars or galaxies are visible. In this universe, where direction and flow are indiscernible, the only guiding lights and gravitational forces are absent, making it the loneliest and most empty space.

The Void spans a diameter of 3 billion light-years, and the stars’ light is so distant that even if one tries to navigate by them, they end up lost and returning to the Void. In simple terms, it is a cosmic castaway.

Initially, Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg tried to use its power to tear through the space and return. However, as a mid-level Outer God, it had already expended a significant amount of energy 30 years ago to rip through the space and enter this universe. It would likely take another 100 years to gather enough strength to open a rift and escape.

[I want to kill. I want to kill life.]

More than anything, it did not want to remain in this state.

Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg, known as the God of Plague, harbored an extreme hatred for living beings, taking immense pleasure in killing and causing them pain. The sight of creatures writhing in agony as their bodies burned from his poison fueled him with negative energy, which he used as his power source. Whether to return to the rift or simply for his own satisfaction, he desperately wanted to kill living beings.

Driven by this singular desire, Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg wandered the Void for 30 years. Finally, he succeeded in escaping the Void.

[I will kill. Anything I see, I will kill.]

Outside the Void lay the territory beyond what was commonly referred to in this universe as the ‘Galactic Union.’ It was a space several times larger than the 20 billion light-year diameter managed by the Galactic Union. This vast expanse was teeming with life forms—creatures that would fuel Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg’s energy.

[I see them. I feel them. Beings that will writhe in pain.]

Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg smiled with joy and began to move to claim his prey. But just then—

[It seems wise to reduce variables even in the original.]

[…?]

Suddenly, a voice from somewhere beyond reached him. Who? As he pondered this question, the space above him began to tear open massively.

[?!]

Caught off guard by the sudden event, Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg saw a gigantic, tentacle-like hand extend from the rift and grab him. The hand was absurdly large, capable of gripping his 500-kilometer-long body with ease.

If the hand alone was that immense, the scale of the entity it belonged to was unfathomable.

[Gulp?!]

An overwhelming force. Irresistible. Despite being a mid-level Outer God, it was inconceivable that he would be unable to overcome such a simple physical phenomenon. Yet, he could not escape. It was as if a much greater power was suppressing his divine abilities.

With a swift motion, Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg was dragged through the rift by that hand. Like pulling an object out of a pocket, he was sucked in without any chance to resist.

[What is this! What in the world is this?!]

He shouted in confusion, but no answer came back. The torn space closed silently.

And just like that, the gigantic hand and Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg vanished from the universe as if they had never existed.

#

“……”

“Yujin, what’s the matter?”

Yujin was staring blankly outside the Galactic Union base when Jupiter, puzzled, inquired.

Yujin then smiled wryly, as if it was nothing of concern, and replied.

“No, it’s nothing. I just had a feeling that my original body was up to something.”



“What?! Isn’t that a serious matter!”

“Should we gather the elders?”

At Yujin’s words, Lowie Hendrick and Jupiter were taken aback, but Yujin shook his head.

“No, it won’t harm us. It’s something my original body is doing.”

Yujin knew the personality of his original body well, a personality similar to his own. Of course, he was unaware that his original body was gradually becoming accustomed to the senses of an Outer God. Nevertheless, this time, as Yujin said, it was something that would greatly benefit the Union rather than harm it.

To prevent significant variables from causing major deviations in the timeline between the replica universe and the original universe, the process of eliminating the biggest variable factors—Outer Gods within the universe—was undertaken. Dalos had also gone outside and was merely observing the Metallian, and several other mid-to-low-level Outer Gods had been eradicated. A protective barrier had even been placed around the cosmic bubble to prevent Outer Gods from approaching recklessly. Thus, this universe was virtually free from threats due to external interference.

From Yujin’s perspective, who wanted to solidify the Union’s internal stability, this was the best possible assistance.

“The Radline tribe has switched from the opposition to our side.” S~eaʀᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“That’s good. Zone C is almost finished.”

“Yes, but there is still considerable opposition.”

Since the regime change, the Galactic Union had been in a state of internal turmoil. The Lubaran race, which held the highest position, had stepped down, and the Meias tribe, backed by Yujin, had taken their place. Many races expressed dissatisfaction with this.

While the Lubaran elders deserved condemnation for their inhumane actions, there was confusion about why the Meias tribe should take the highest position.

“Ten positions should be distributed fairly among different races.”

“That’s why we took only five and released the remaining five for races with merit or influence.”

“Why does the Meias tribe get to hold ten positions like the Lubaran race? There’s no guarantee they won’t seize power and conduct inhumane experiments like the Lubaran elders!”

For about three years, such disputes continued. However, thanks to the efforts of Yujin and his colleagues, the opposition had been largely subdued. Through persuasion, threats, deals, and proposals…

In the end, even extermination was employed. Although it was not much different from what the Lubaran race had done, the fundamental policy of the Galactic Union was that those with power seized greater authority, so there was little room for complaint.

‘They couldn’t say anything when the Lubaran race did it, so they know it would be hypocritical to nitpick now.’

Yujin was well aware of this and skillfully utilized it. He publicized and condemned the atrocities committed by the Lubaran elders, and wielded the implicit agreement of other races’ silence regarding the Lubaran race’s actions without hesitation. This allowed him to resolve many internal issues within three years.

Now, the races of the Galactic Union did not fear the Meias tribe. They feared Yujin and his colleagues, who stood behind the Meias tribe and acted decisively. Those who complied were promised prosperity beyond what they had before, but those who resisted were inevitably confronted.

If persuasion, threats, or deals failed, they were utterly crushed. Who wouldn’t fear them?

“Still, if you conform to the Union, you’re promised a prosperous life.”

“Unlike the Lubaran race, they share a lot of technology.”

“Thanks to that, food and resource issues have been resolved.”

While some harbored fear, most had positive opinions. Thus, Yujin naturally established himself as the de facto ruler of the Galactic Union.

#

[Don’t ever come back.]

[I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.]

[I will never come near again.]

Phew, thankfully, a bit of a beating made them listen.



There were some Outer Gods pulled from the SF universe who were doing well but got angry about being dragged out. After dealing with a few as examples, they quickly learned their manners. Especially that centipede-scorpion creature with the codename Baoht Z’uqqa-Mogg, who, despite being a mid-level Outer God, threw all sorts of tantrums. I cut its centipede segments into 32 pieces.

Even then, it resisted fiercely, so I remembered torturing the insect-like Kapteri race before and applied extreme cold torture. Unlike the Kapteri race, this one was an Outer God, so I didn’t have to worry about it perishing. I tortured it with the lowest possible temperature I could muster.

It seemed to be in considerable pain, trembling and becoming a well-behaved friend.

[I will never speak out of turn again. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.]

Yes, yes. How nice it is to see you so polite.