Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Nyarlathotep, even Fang Zheng knew its name. In the Cthulhu World, Nyarlathotep, together with Yog-Sothoth and Sabrinicolas, were known as the three major Outer Gods second only to Azathoth. It possessed countless forms and could change its appearance at will, acting as the messenger and spokesperson of the Outer Gods.

Moreover, unlike other Outer Gods, Nyarlathotep had a deep interest in humans—one could even say that in this world, Nyarlathotep was the Outer God that best fit the description of a ”devil”, tempting and deceiving humans, driving them to despair and destruction, which was its favorite scene to revel in.

If the relationship between beings like Cthulhu and The Ancient One as Elder Ones with humans was more about territory, then Nyarlathotep clearly toyed with humanity.

Before Fang Zheng, Nyarlathotep appeared in its most well-known form, resembling a giant skyscraper standing in the desert, with sturdy, writhing tentacles below the knees. Its arms were thin and elongated, and where a head should be, a long tentacle resembling an elephant’s trunk reached skyward. A pitch-black, tooth-filled maw extended from the head to the neck, with twisted and narrow darkness within, whispering faintly.

Fang Zheng did not revert to his Black Dragon form as he had when dealing with Cthulhu. Though Cthulhu was an Elder One, it was merely an extraterrestrial intelligent being with special ability. However, Nyarlathotep far surpassed Cthulhu. As one of the Three Pillar Gods of the Cthulhu Universe, it was clear that even a Tsar Bomba couldn’t send it home.

Seeing so many tentacles also made Fang Zheng anxious. If he turned back into a Giant Dragon and got entangled, it would be even more troublesome... After all, in this world he couldn’t use magic, and physical attacks had limited effect on Nyarlathotep. Once reverted to his original form, he’d become a target for Nyarlathotep.

But...

”It’s not just a storm that can topple a great tree!”

Fang Zheng flipped over, and immediately flames erupted around him. Quickly, the silver White Undead Squad armor appeared on him, and he gripped a Pitch Black Greatsword and Silver Short Sword, charging towards the monster in front of him.

As if joking, back in the Black Soul World, he hadn’t backed down against the much larger Giant Yum, so why show fear before this Tentacle Monster?

”Come, let me fix your leg—Sealing!”

Soon, the scorching desert and King’s City covered the original world once again, and the battle between Fang Zheng and Nyarlathotep began.

”———————!!!”

An earsplitting scream mixed with indistinct noise rose, and soon, monsters emerged from the void. There were massive burrowing worms, flying monsters with Pterosaur bodies and horse heads, and most numerous were the jellyfish-like creatures emerging from beneath the desert, capable of flying in the air, resembling hydras with soft, nerve-racking cilia, their mouths ceaselessly moving, emitting nauseating, flute-like screams.

However...

”You think only you can call minions?!”

Fang Zheng snorted coldly, extending his hand, and a chubby Erha emerged from his shadow. The round, rolling Erha tumbled on the ground, stood up, shook its body, and opened its mouth—at that moment, unnamed black mist spurted from Erha’s mouth, quickly enveloping its pig-like plump body, expanding and growing.

Soon, the black mist dissipated, and the great Lord of Tindalos reappeared.

”Awooo—————!!!”

Musesha howled, the wolf’s cry transcending time; soon, mist appeared abruptly around the sharp corners, and under the command of the Lord, the Hounds of Tindalos appeared one by one, viciously glaring at their prey, rushing toward it under Musesha’s lead.

This was a war spanning star systems, dimensions, and time. Hounds from the Island of Time battled against the magical birds inhabiting the Dreamlands and extraterrestrial worms.

Time, dreams, and interstellar realms, initially independent, collided and sparked new flames at this moment.

Fang Zheng, meanwhile, was not idle. While summoning Musesha, he leaped onto Nyarlathotep’s foot. Each tentacle under Nyarlathotep’s original form was as thick as a towering giant tree, providing a footing for Fang Zheng.

However...

”Absolutely disgusting.”

Observing the scene, Fang Zheng’s expression shifted. It wasn’t clear from afar, but atop Nyarlathotep’s tentacle, Fang Zheng had a close ”inspection” of this Evil God’s body. The tentacle surface was soft and viscous like sludge, covered with writhing, hair-like filaments. At the tips of these filaments, mouths continuously opened and closed, extending tongues like hungry ghosts, licking everywhere.

”Time for a grand BBQ!”

Shouting, Fang Zheng reverse-thrust the Pitch Black Greatsword into the ground underfoot, and soon, flames spurted out, spreading in all directions.

However, Nyarlathotep is not so easily provoked. As the flames erupted and engulfed, Fang Zheng felt the tentacles beneath him suddenly wriggle violently. Then, what were originally tentacle-like limbs suddenly transformed into a mass of sludge, as if attempting to completely envelop Fang Zheng from all directions and swallow him whole.

At the same time, the flames burning beside Fang Zheng quickly extinguished.

Was it really not that easy?

Fang Zheng could clearly sense that Nyarlathotep did not extinguish his Primordial Fire. On the contrary, it used some method to connect its body’s interior with another dimensional space, causing Fang Zheng’s Primordial Fire to be directly channeled to another spatial plane, which is why it disappeared.

Really troublesome, if I could use magic, I could solve this problem with just one Space-Time Anchor!

Upon realizing this, Fang Zheng became increasingly cautious. In the past, it wasn’t that no one could do this, but as a mage, placing a Space-Time Anchor before every battle was a basic move for Fang Zheng, leaving no opportunity for others to time travel or manipulate space.

However, in this world, due to the information deviation, Fang Zheng’s magical means have been rendered ineffective, making him feel overwhelmed when facing Outer Gods like Nyarlathotep.

But that’s fine, consider it a rehearsal.

Though somewhat tense inside, Fang Zheng was not very worried. Despite being one of the Three Pillar Gods, Nyarlathotep was mainly known for its versatility. It was Yog-Sothoth that truly controlled time and space. Without the ability to use a Space-Time Anchor now, Fang Zheng realized that facing Yog-Sothoth head-on would surely be even more troublesome than dealing with Nyarlathotep.

So might as well have a bout with this Tentacle Monster first to gauge its capacity!

Moreover.........

Even if I can’t just burn you away with one big fire, it’s not my first time fighting a creature of your level!

Fang Zheng leapt up, dodging the writhing sludge. However, the sludge didn’t stop there. After missing its target, it immediately condensed into a mass, then ”split” into several tentacles reaching out to entwine Fang Zheng. At the same time, Nyarlathotep raised its right hand to smack down at Fang Zheng in mid-air.

Thank goodness I didn’t turn back into a Giant Dragon.

Seeing this scene, Fang Zheng was startled internally. He had heard of Nyarlathotep’s notorious name and its ”shape-shifting” abilities, but beyond that, Fang Zheng didn’t know much. Now, it seemed that this guy was indeed tough to deal with. If he had turned back into a Giant Dragon, and given that the opponent had the capability to counter his Primordial Fire, he might have just been body-slammed—and he’d be done for.

Fang Zheng had never been good at close combat in his Dragon form, much less enjoyed using his mouth to bite. It’s better like this!

Not like I can’t fight!

With this thought, Fang Zheng slashed out with his sword, cutting the approaching tentacles clean off. Facing Nyarlathotep’s descending massive hand, his eyes lit up. Then, Fang Zheng raised his hands, and the Pitch Black Greatsword and Silver Short Sword disappeared instantly. Instead, two scimitars appeared out of thin air, spinning into the air and stabbing into Nyarlathotep’s arm. Then Fang Zheng gave a tug, propelling his entire body upwards towards Nyarlathotep’s descending palm, and with a swing, he flung the chains aside, gripping the Pitch Black Greatsword with a fierce upward thrust!

”Boom!!”

The flame-engulfed Pitch Black Greatsword pierced through Nyarlathotep’s arm like a sharp spike, and the intense pain made the gigantic monster howl in fury, its body staggering backward. Fang Zheng’s merciless strike had pierced right through the center of Nyarlathotep’s palm, tearing it into two halves, with the blazing flame burning momentarily within before gradually dissipating.

”Whew.........”

At the same time, Fang Zheng once again grabbed the dangling chain, his body drifting in midair and landing on the other arm.

”Who would have thought, Kratos’ two blades are actually quite useful.”

But...... as expected, still troublesome.

Watching Nyarlathotep’s now-healed right hand, Fang Zheng frowned. The pure Primordial Fire attack wasn’t powerful enough, and physical attacks were ineffective, and he couldn’t use magic......

No choice then.

With this in mind, Fang Zheng opened his inventory and quickly scanned it.

”We’re all civilized people, let’s solve this with technology, shall we.”