The world is a breeding ground for gods and demons. After being sacrificed, the protagonist discovers that he is the lowest form of fodder. In order not to be digested, he chose to actively transform into poison.
World view setting
Surface World: Cthulhu-like Industrial Age. Steam and spells coexist, and the Church rules.
The inner truth: Humans are spores spread by the ancient god "The Breeder". Civilization is the petri dish, emotions are the ferment, and the soul is the mature fruit.
Harvesting Mechanism: A "Great Grinding" every thousand years. War, plague, and madness are all deliberately stirred up by gods and demons to ripen the soul.
