Max finally woke up back in his home universe.
Or at least what counted as home now.
The moment he grabbed his phone from beside the bed, it immediately started vibrating nonstop.
"…Oh no."
He unlocked it.
Dozens of messages flooded the screen.
Most were from Millie and Loona asking where he disappeared to and whether he was alright.
The rest—
Extermination notices.
Deals.
Warnings.
Movement reports.
The annual Extermination was only a month away now.
Which meant things were about to get dangerous very quickly.
Especially for people close to him.
Poppi.
Angel.
Charlie.
Vaggie.
All of them were tied too closely to major events now.
Max rubbed his temples.
"…Great."
He got out of bed and headed downstairs toward the hotel lobby.
The moment he entered—
He froze slightly.
Poppi was sitting on the couch helping Angel Dust adjust her appearance.
Or rather—
Her new appearance.
Angel now looked noticeably more feminine overall. Softer facial features, a more curvy body, and an absolutely ridiculous chest size that looked like it kept subtly changing shape every few seconds.
Angel noticed him immediately.
"Heyyy, Maxy~"
She leaned forward teasingly.
"Like what you see~?"
Her chest shifted larger again just to be dramatic.
Max stared for a second.
"…You gained morph magic?"
He sat down slowly.
"Didn't expect that."
Angel grinned proudly.
"Oh yeah!"
She spun dramatically.
"Poppi's been helping me figure everything out."
She shifted forms slightly again while talking.
"Honestly? The transformation magic is gonna be AMAZING for my career."
Poppi snorted from beside her.
"She's been abusing it all morning."
Angel ignored that completely.
"Still," Angel continued, "I should thank you."
She crossed her legs casually.
"Even if it was Poppi who stole the contract from you."
Max sighed.
"…Of course it was."
Poppi grinned proudly.
"Borrowed."
Max rolled his eyes.
"Well, it's a loyalty contract anyway."
He leaned back slightly.
"But I understand your situation with the Vees."
Angel's expression dimmed slightly.
"Yeah…"
"Just be careful," Max continued quietly.
He looked down at the Extermination notices again.
Normally, he wouldn't need to interfere too much.
Plot protection alone kept most major characters alive long enough for events to unfold properly.
And Poppi herself was immune to holy weapons anyway.
But…
Too many things had changed.
Too many timelines had shifted.
And Max had finally come to a conclusion.
Someone else had reincarnated into this world.
Someone powerful.
Likely an angel.
And they were actively supplying Hell with heavenly equipment while targeting important figures and potential future threats.
Which meant the normal storyline was no longer safe.
Max slowly stood up.
"…Yeah."
"Not taking chances."
He raised one hand.
"Entity, ruler of the End…"
The atmosphere in the room shifted slightly.
"Protect those dear to me through your blessing."
Black-and-red magic circles formed beneath Angel and Poppi.
"Grant them a lifeline defended by your wrath."
A glowing wolf symbol appeared over the center of their chests briefly before fading beneath the skin.
"[Protection Critical.]"
The spell settled into place.
Angel blinked.
Then smirked immediately.
"Ooo."
She touched her chest dramatically.
"Branding."
"I like it."
Max sighed deeply.
"It's not branding."
"Just a protection sigil."
He sat back down.
"It'll last about a month."
Poppi tilted her head.
"What exactly does it do?"
"Protects you from holy weapons, angelic attacks, and several forms of instant death effects."
Max crossed his arms.
"And if someone tries anyway…"
His eyes glowed faintly red.
"They'll learn very quickly why touching what's mine is a bad idea."
Angel smiled softly at that despite the teasing tone earlier.
"…Too bad it can't do anything about Valentino."
The room went slightly quieter.
"Overlord contracts are basically impossible to break."
Max's expression darkened slightly.
"Believe me…"
"I've looked for ways."
And he meant it.
He'd searched constantly.
But Valentino's contract was deeply bound into Angel's soul.
Breaking it carelessly could destroy Angel completely.
Before anyone could continue the conversation—
Max's phone buzzed again.
He glanced down.
A text from Charlie.
"Hey Max, can you come see me? Need help with something."
Max smiled slightly.
"…Well."
He stood up.
"Duty calls."
Angel immediately grinned.
"Oooo, princess time?"
Poppi smirked too.
Max pointed at both of them.
"Behave."
Neither of them looked remotely trustworthy.
Which honestly worried him more than the Extermination did.
[A: Signing a Contract With Max/Entity grants power equivalent to an Overlord. So Angel is now an Overlord. Though the more offensive powers aren't shown yet till needed]