Max woke up dazed, lying on something cold and metallic. The chill seeped straight through his spine. For a moment he couldn't tell if he was breathing, dreaming, or dead.
His vision swam as he forced himself upright. The air around him felt… wrong. Not hot. Not cold. Just empty, like temperature itself hadn't loaded in yet.
The room was pitch-black except for a faint spotlight illuminating a lone figure seated in a chair across from him. Everything outside that light didn't just look dark — it looked unfinished. Like the universe had been paused mid-render.
The silhouette looked vaguely human, but its edges flickered like glitching pixels. Every few seconds it blurred, stretched, or duplicated for a frame before snapping back into place.
"Alright, let's do this," the figure said enthusiastically, cracking its knuckles. The sound echoed louder than it should have, like the room had infinite walls. "I'm tossing you into the Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss universe. You've already got a cool character design rolling around in your head — Demon of Hell, nice choice — so let's crank that up a bit."
The figure started typing in mid-air. Each keystroke produced glowing symbols that dissolved into sparks.
"Powers of Ainz? Perfect fit. Ooo~ Seven Deadly Sins abilities? Yeah, we're stacking that. Let's merge it with the Tensei skill system too. Oh, this is gonna look ridiculous on paper."
Max blinked slowly, his brain lagging behind reality. "Wait… what's happening?"
"Hush, hush. I'll explain in a second. I'm guessing you want a harem, right? I can wire that in. Bee, Loona, Charlie — basically every girl you're interested in. Compatibility boosted, relationship flags stabilized, emotional bonding protections enabled—"
"That's… nice, I guess?" Max cut in, his voice cracking. "But what is happening? Is this a reincarnation thing?"
The figure froze mid-typing and sighed like an overworked office employee.
"Yes. Reincarnation. You're dead. Welcome to processing."
Max stared at his own hands. They flickered slightly, like bad reception.
"You get three wishes," the figure continued casually. "So far I've already granted two. Now I just need help deciding the third."
"But you never asked me anything!" Max snapped. "And you're giving me way more power than that universe could handle!"
"You're right." The figure snapped its fingers.
A burst of light exploded overhead.
"Okay. Angelic skill package added. Every spell system from Overlord included. Cross-universal compatibility confirmed."
"WHY?" Max yelled. "Normally the reincarnated person gets a say in their wishes!"
The figure leaned back in the chair and rubbed its temples.
"You know how genies twist wishes to punish people? Our system is the opposite. Cosmic labor law. We are legally required to grant wishes exactly as intended — or better. No loopholes. No ironic punishments. Everything must benefit the reincarnated soul."
He jabbed a finger at himself.
"I used to be a reincarnated guy like you. One of my wishes was to gain the powers of the being handling my reincarnation."
Max's eyes widened.
"Congratulations," the figure muttered. "That made me the new Reincarnation God. Eternal paperwork. Infinite souls. No vacation days. And now I'm trying to get fired."
"…Why don't you just trick someone else into taking your place?" Max asked slowly. "Seems easier."
"I may be trying to quit," the figure said sharply, "but I'm not a scumbag. There's a difference."
He waved a hand dismissively and the darkness rippled like liquid.
"Anyway. Want your powers mostly hidden? Because right now your aura would vaporize half the Pride Ring just by existing."
Max nodded instantly. "Yes. Please."
"Done. Suppression filters active. Passive abilities scaled for environmental stability."
The figure grinned.
"Over-the-top wishes help my termination record. Everyone wins. Now give me your final wish. Don't hold back. If it's not big enough, I'll upgrade it."
Max thought hard. "I've got power. A harem. You're tying me into the world's history… hm. God's brother?"
The figure raised an eyebrow.
"Already done. Demon of Hell. The one you invented while drunk and rambling about 'cosmic balance.'"
"…Wait. That Demon of Hell?" Max groaned and covered his face. "Can I hold off on the final wish?"
"I don't see why not."
The figure gestured, and a colossal holographic screen materialized in front of Max. It stretched infinitely upward, filled with glowing text.
"Proofread your profile."
Max squinted at the document.
REINCARNATION PROFILE
Name: Max
Race: Primordial Demon
Domains: Darkness & Fear
Age: Undefined
Authority: All powers deriving from Fear, Soul Contracts, Sin, and Magic
Backstory:
Brother to God, granted existence within Creation through a direct pact. In exchange for his place in the cosmic hierarchy, Max accepted the mantle of Hell's original sovereign force — its shadow, its law, and the embodiment of its primal will, predating the modern infernal order.
Abilities:
– Harem Contract (Divine-Class)
– Magic: Overlord System (Complete)
– Fear Embodiment & Manipulation
– Conceptual Immortality
– Authority of Sin (All Seven)
– Primordial Darkness (Infinite)
– Soul Contract Mastery
– Dimensional Travel (Restricted)
– ??? (Locked — pending final wish)
Max read it twice.
"…That's absurd," he whispered.
"Yes," the figure said proudly.
"So I'll have a normal identity unless I reveal myself?"
"Of course. You're a new hire at I.M.P., and you've got a room at the Hazbin Hotel. Opposite ends of the Pride Ring, but teleportation solves that. Oh — and I removed that dumb limitation where you trapped yourself in Hell forever. You can visit Earth or Heaven for up to forty-eight hours at a time."
Max let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"I'd say you've got a deal."
He extended a hand.
The figure shook it. Its grip felt like static electricity and gravity at the same time.
"Good luck," the figure said quietly. "And wish me luck too. I'm this close to getting fired."
Max smiled weakly. "Never thought I'd say that to a cosmic being… but good luck."
His body dissolved into shadows. Not pain. Not fear. Just a gentle unraveling, like falling asleep in reverse.
He vanished into his new existence.
A second later, a red notification flashed across the figure's desk.
TERMINATION PROGRESS: 98%
The figure shot out of its chair and pumped a fist.
"Hell yes. Two more to go!"
With manic energy, it turned to the next soul waiting in line.
"Alright! Who wants overpowered trauma and a cosmic destiny?!"