While flipping through the various historical records of Derry Town, Orsaga noticed a disturbing pattern.
Every twenty-seven years, there would be a noticeable spike in both disappearances and deaths.
The numbers increased by more than tenfold during those periods.
Cross-referencing this with intel from the International Exorcist Association, he understood what was likely behind it:
The one responsible was the Child Devourer—Pennywise.
A supernatural entity with certain abilities—such as altering people's memories—allowing it to go unnoticed by the locals.
However, Orsaga wasn't sure if this being was related to the life-and-death crisis he had sensed earlier.
After all, something that had spent two hundred years skulking in a small town didn't exactly scream "threat."
Could such a creature really kill him?
It didn't seem likely.
'This town must be hiding something else…'
Driven by that thought, Orsaga continued sifting through the town's archives, hoping to uncover more clues.
Predictably, he found nothing.
If the truth were so easily discovered, Orsaga would've doubted the situation even more.
Still, thanks to the documents, he'd gained a clearer understanding of Derry's layout and history.
So the trip hadn't been completely wasted.
Especially when he mapped out the times and locations of Pennywise's past attacks.
He discovered a likely hiding place—one with a high probability of being the monster's lair.
And based on the current timeline, it was right around the time Pennywise would begin hunting again.
In just a few days, Derry would likely be plagued by a fresh wave of disappearances and gruesome murders.
The regularity of these attacks reminded Orsaga of the first wild creature he had encountered in this world—one that slept for twenty-three years, then feasted for twenty-three days.
As for Pennywise, all he knew was that it slumbered for twenty-seven years before becoming active again.
"Maybe they're of the same kind? Well… I'll pay Pennywise a visit and see for myself."
With that decision made, Orsaga left the library.
But the moment he stepped outside, he was met with something entirely unexpected.
A figure dressed in a clown costume stood not far away, holding a bundle of blood-red balloons.
The clown had his back to Orsaga and was speaking to a young boy.
"Come, come… little one, this is for you…"
Hearing those words, Orsaga couldn't see the clown's face, but he detected a tone of mockery in his voice—as if he was deliberately toying with the child.
And the boy seemed to sense something wasn't right either.
He hesitated, unsure whether the clown was playing a trick on him.
But when the balloon was offered, the child stared at it for a long moment.
Finally, he gave in and took it.
The instant the balloon touched his hand, the boy's face lit up with a smile.
The clown reached out and patted his head, rasping in a hoarse voice, "Very good, very good…"
"Tha—"
Before the boy could finish thanking him, the clown's mouth split wide—so wide it reached his ears—revealing rows of insect-like, razor-sharp teeth.
In the next moment, as terror contorted the child's face, the clown shoved the boy's head into his maw and bit down with brutal force.
It was animalistic—primal.
Chunks of flesh and splashes of crimson scattered under the bright sun, soaking into the once-pristine green grass.
And yet, the people passing by remained completely oblivious.
Life continued as normal.
Just a few meters away, a group of children were playing badminton, chatting and laughing—completely unaware of the horrific scene unfolding right beside them.
After devouring his victim, the clown casually tossed aside the remains.
Then, his blood-smeared face twisted toward Orsaga.
"Looks like you've started to feel something," he said.
Pennywise grinned wide. The blood streaked across his face looked almost like stage makeup. He inhaled slowly, then added with a sinister smile,
"You know… I quite like outsiders like you. How should I put it… You're like a mystery box, waiting to be opened. Does that make sense to you?"
Staring at Pennywise, Orsaga chuckled. "I get it. I've felt the same way myself, from time to time."
In that instant—when he saw the clown—Orsaga realized something important.
All the assumptions he had made from the archive records were wrong.
Or rather, he had severely underestimated Pennywise.
The moment they locked eyes, Orsaga understood: Pennywise, like this clone of himself, was merely a medium or extension of something far greater.
The aura emanating from Pennywise—so ancient, vast, powerful, cruel, and malevolent—made it clear:
His true form must be a being of evil far beyond Orsaga's level.
In fact, this might be the most powerful creature Orsaga had ever encountered.
Only the Demon Lord of the Lava Wastelands—Ignarok could compare.
Though even that comparison felt inadequate. Both of them existed far beyond his perception.
To an ordinary man, comparing the Pacific to the Arctic Ocean was meaningless. They'd both seem equally vast and unreachable.
The true gap between them? Impossible to measure.
And now, standing before such an overwhelmingly powerful entity, Orsaga felt no fear or confusion.
Not because he was ignorant.
But because he was genuinely curious about beings of this caliber.
As for life or death?
In this situation, that wasn't up to him. So why worry?
Sensing that calm, detached curiosity, Pennywise laughed heartily, clutching his belly.
"I like you a lot! Not just because of that deep-rooted evil and madness inside you—but because you carry something else. A quality—the mark of a true predator. You're no empty powerhouse. You're a genuine, born fighter.
I think you've got great potential to become someone truly remarkable!"
Then his golden eyes shifted slyly, and he added with a wicked smirk,
"That is… if you survive."
When Orsaga showed no emotional reaction, Pennywise pulled a sour face and muttered, "How boring. Let's play a little game, shall we?"
Orsaga casually asked, "What kind of game?"
Pressing his palms together like an excited child, Pennywise grinned.
"Hmm… You know, a lot of things in this world are about balance. Where there's evil, there's also good. And unfortunately for me, I've got some rather troublesome do-gooder enemies.
So here's the game: I toss you into the middle of one of them. If you survive, you win! How's that? Live or die—you've got a solid 50% chance!"
Beaming with pride, he pointed to himself and said,
"Isn't that a brilliant idea?"
Then, before Orsaga could reply, Pennywise reached down into his pants, rummaged around, and pulled out a glowing white orb the size of a fist.
He wiped it off and began munching on it like an apple.
Halfway through his snack, he turned to Orsaga and asked, "Want a bite?"
Staring at the glowing orb, Orsaga saw what lay within: microscopic figures struggling desperately inside the sphere.
He recognized them.
Purgators.
And the energy radiating from the orb was hauntingly familiar.
There was no doubt—this was the Matrix Purgatory, or at least a core piece of its true body.
Originally, Orsaga had planned to target the Matrix Purgatory after becoming a Archdemon.
He hadn't expected that Pennywise would get to it first.
Seeing that Orsaga didn't take the orb from him, Pennywise shrugged and put it away, continuing to chew on its shards.
Then, in a surprisingly diplomatic tone, he asked again,
"Judging by your scent, you must be an Abyssal Demon from the Bottomless Abyss. I've eaten quite a few of your kind before. They all come to this realm looking for trouble… And you're no exception. But you feel… different. Which is why I've decided to give you a chance. So what do you say? About that little game I mentioned—
Are you in?
If you say yes, we can start right now.
If not…
Well, then I guess I'll just eat you."
_____
T/N:
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