Take it all
Chapter 1
'Run! I have to save her!' That was the thoughts of a young woman as she carried a smaller body in her arms. She went as fast as her legs would allow, through the trees and bushes of the forest her village nearby occupied.
Shouts could be heard behind her. It was muffled enough that this woman couldn't make out what exactly what they were saying but she feared that they could have spotted her...
"Enri?" The smaller figure got her attention, causing her to stumble to a stop.
Another shout, this time from behind. "Found you!"
The soldier, one of many who came by and started murdering her friends, neighbors, their own parents right before their eyes, brandished his own cold steel sword to their direction. Enri's blood ran cold. She was going to die right here with her sister in her arms.
Several more of the men came by. One was lightly panting. "Good thing you found them. Last thing we needed would be to report why or how any of them managed to escape."
The one with his sword drawn kept silent. Walking forward he lifted the blade high. Two swings or one good plunge and that would be it. Enri held her sister tight and shut her eyes. 'Oh if there is a higher power, please, someone, save us...'
Everything was silent for a long while.
A very long while. Behind she heard gasps and heavy breathing.
There was a deep throaty growl.
Then an oddly young voice. "Oh look at this. I guess we arrived at the right time!"
Enri braved a peek, then instantly recoiled in shock. Not even a few feet away was some massive mountain wolf- no something more monstrous than a wolf! It's gaze was a poisonous yellow, huge and murderous. It also seemed to be glaring right past her to the only threat in the vicinity.
"So are you dead or just in shock? Ah whatever."
Enri's eyes shot up just a head higher, and saw a mildly amused yet distracted elf child. Well it looked like a child at least. Only the barest of rumors and some good guesses claimed elfs were born with an adult mind if nothing else. That made this… thing… dangerous if for no other reason then being a stones throw away from being a trickster or a Goodfellow (a kind of hobgoblin that spirits away children into the fairy realms).
He, as she guessed, wore what looked like a very sharp white robe of an odd cut, separate to form trousers and covering red scaled armor. A large golden acorn like medallion on a thick gold chain hung around his neck.
The beast he rode slowly circled around. Her eyes tried to follow but a dark black kept them still.
Her breath caught in her lungs.
Towering above, with an evil red gleam in its hallow eye sockets, was the absolute epitome of death. It's black and purple shroud flapped gently but she felt no breeze. In its hand a golden staff that twisted and warped matching its wielder. It called out to her, in a sense that it alone could rob her soul if it wished. The snakes at the top, mouths filled with a jewel, glared at her with such intensity.
Perhaps it was her imagination. Perhaps all of this was just… not happening… and she was already dead?
The figure reached out. It was slow, methodical.
Before she knew what happened it said two words in a voice that shook her to her core, strong and commanding.
"Grasp heart!" And the woman known as Enri blacked out.
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In the year 2138 AD there was a term: DMMO-RPG.
That word was an acronym for "Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game."
With some special equipment, and for some surgery, it was possible to upload your consciousness into computers and their programs to experience new worlds and impossible things.
However this was a "relatively new" technology that did have some issues. Those that tended to be extremely brave or craving new experiences on a new level used it.
Or those desperate enough.
Money, livelihood, or if you just reached a dead end somewhere else. Those who tried were compensated well. The technology was around for a very long time, but only just gotten into the public markets 30 years ago and for many there were still great concerns.
Some people as reports went would occasionally end up braindead. Others with changed personalities. Some after using it for years just… disappeared altogether without a trace.
Granted it was borderline rumors. Any real accident barely happened and there were plenty of safeguards backed by the immense threat of legal retaliation if anyone came to harm while plugged in, barred whatever would happen in the real world while it happened.
But then again, the benefits of being able to "physically" roam a digital playground among other things were staggering.
One such game was YGGDRASIL.
This game had been painstakingly developed and released twelve years ago, in 2126. Much like older MMO's, you could level up, join clans, take on an entire fantasy world and it's campaigns. Unlike any of those other games however, you had the power to make or reshape the world as you saw fit. Granted if you had the "data crystals" to do it. Something of an in game currency that also affected real world research and applications, if you had enough and it didn't break anything (after a certain point items had to be cleared by mods for example). It boasted a massive world, numerous classes, and freely customizable appearances.
These features ignited the creative spirits of its Japanese players, and sparked what would later be known as a stylistic revolution.
However it didn't mean it was restricted to one nation.
Even more so, in spite of its massive success, everything will have to end sometime.
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In a pearl white room of marble, decorated with gold trimmings and a massive onyx table sat around forty one chairs. Each plush and plump as if made for royalty or important delegates. And of these, only four were occupied.
These four were winding down from an involved discussion, laughter slowly dying as they sat enjoying the moment.
The first of which was a blob like creature of living tar, who called himself Herohero, finishing making a joke about how he was starting to feel like his character looked. "That is how life is though." He said slowly and picking his words carefully in English as he wasn't a native speaker. This was mostly directed to the only odd one of the group in this regard. "I'm glad that I took the day off to escape it."
A large skeletal figure chuckled, his large frame and wide robe fining comfort in the seat that should by all appearances be a bit too small for him. Beyond the fabric and its ever glowing eyes, a soft outline of a dark halo outlined its head. A large golden collar strapped across its chest. At a glance you knew this was an Overlord. A spell-casting wraith of sorts of the strongest variety.
And it lifted its hand and waved it off with a grin."Hey I'm glad you did, as well as the rest of you. It's practically a holiday for us anyways. Or a reunion at least. Also I do have the auto translate on if you want to go with that."
A text-box appeared overhead allowing all parties to see his words transcribed in real time.
Herohero leaned back, globs of tar slowly shaking free as he relaxed. "I know," he started, text-box appearing over himself as he switched back to his native language. "It just helps to get the practice in for my job. But yeah I wouldn't have missed today for the world. Especially if you knew how bad it was over here…."
The overlord suppressed a shudder. He knew all right. It was bad everywhere. It was a reason games like this existed. The real world out there was becoming a hellscape, air too dirty to breathe and people were dying in the streets from it and starvation; at least in the larger cities like where he lived himself. Apparently in Japan it was a hundred times worse. Solutions were coming, but it seemed so slowly that when it finally comes around it would probably be too late if it wasn't already.
Herohero continued. "…But let's not talk about that anymore Momonga. I'm going to have to leave soon so I want to end this on a high note." The slime sat back up. "We might actually have a chance to meet. I'll be flying out in a weeks time and my business meeting will be taking place just downtown where you're at. We should meet and have a few drinks at a bar. Find us a good one will you?"
The overlord, Momonga (he didn't originally choose the name but went with it after it becoming something they called him for a while), nearly gasped. "Of course, that would be fantastic. You have my email so send me a message when you arrive and I'll show you some American hospitality."
The slime sent out a smile emoji above its head next to the text box. Of all the wonders the game held, moving facial features seemed to be beyond it. At least for things that lacked a moving face. "Well I'll see you then Momonga. Bukubukuchagama. Peroroncino. Sorry I couldn't stay until the servers end but I'm glad we all could catch up." And with that Herohero logged out.
"Well that was fun." What looked like another slime, but made of odd pink flesh, spoke out with her own text box. Bukubukuchagama sighed as she continued, her usual high pitched voice that went to voice acting gone for the moment as the mood sobered up with their member leaving. "I honestly can't believe this is it."
Peroroncino, a monster that looked like a cross between an angel, gladiator, and bird wearing a Mardi Gras mask crossed his arms and leaned back and grunted himself in agreement. "Honestly this sucks. We spent so much time here and -for some-" he coughed towards the mass of flesh, "dumped so much money into this, it seems like such a waste now…."
"HEY!" The mass swerved around directing a glare at was the avatar of her brother, "in case you forgot I SHARED half that crap with you mister yen pincher!" An odd phrase but they did hang around the only foreigner who liked to throw idioms around.
Peroroncino quickly raised his hands in surrender knowing it wouldn't do to backtalk his older sister before he froze. It took a whole second before he jumped off his seat surprising the other two members of their clan "Ainz Ooal Gown" with his sudden action. "SHIT! I think I just spilled beer on my terminal. Hey Momonga I need to go, we'll catch up!" A breath later his avatar vanished.
Both remaining members let go of a sigh, or in Bukubuku's case a groan. "I think" she said turning back to Momonga, "I need to make sure he's ok and not burning the apartment down. He's just next door after all."
"Oh yeah, I understand." The skeleton said. 'Ok, I'm not going to lie, I was hoping that a few of us would at least time out this place together….' He let out a small huff. 'I know it's a bit selfish but these guys became a family to me. Is it really so wrong to want to spend a bit more time with them before the possibility of never seeing them again happens? It's not like I can just walk down the street and meet them, they live halfway around the world!'
"Umm… before I go." The slime shifted around a little snapping Momonga out of his developing thoughts. "I just want you to know you were a great clan leader and friend. I wish I could go with Herohero to meet you but you know my job doesn't allow much free time. Getting today off as is was nothing short of a miracle. And the fact you keep all this going more or less by yourself… it's amazing. You made for a great guild master. Honestly… I always wanted to know you more but I know that sort of relationship doesn't work out."
Her voice returned to its usual higher pitch self and giving what looked like a little cutesy pose; "So if you ever find yourself around good old Tokyo be sure to give me a call! And maybe… well who knows? …DAMN IT YOU PERVERT, CAN YOU NOT BURN DOWN THE BUILDING WE LIVE IN!?" Before he could even react she logged off leaving the room the reverb of her shout.
"W-what…?" Momonga just stared at her chair for what felt like an eternity? "…was that about?" The defining silence offered no response, as if the Great Tomb of Nazarick itself was shocked silent to… whatever that was. Not like the building should have been surprised if it could be, given that the clan made its halls their home for at least the last five years of its existence. For being made with timeless empowering authority in mind however, it could have been a week for all it cared.
The large skeleton spun around slowly to get up but paused when he saw the giant staff almost embedded in the wall that symbolized the clan the most. Every bit of it from the gold snakes, jewels, and… the visual effect that looked like the screaming souls of the damned that danced across its length crept joy and fond memories into Momonga's heart. The shock of before melting away he reached out and grabbed it, remembering the staff being a gift from his teammates as the new Guildmaster. Oh the hours they all grind, data collected, items stored, bartered, and sold for new materials on top of materials until they finally had enough to make this.
The collector inside Momonga frowned however. All that time and effort… about to be wiped clean in… half an hours time. Peroroncino was right, it did seem like a waste but the memories… I wouldn't trade them for the world.
Standing up and deciding to take the staff with him, as a last official action as guild master to tout around reminiscing and appreciating the place he called his home (more of one than his actual home if you believed it). The more he walked, the more his emotions good and bad stormed inside him. He encountered a line of people in the hall a ways down from the meeting room. A strong looking man in a suit with silver hair, and six European style maid like characters. That wouldn't be odd for a place like this other than the fact some looked human and they all had armor of some sort. The guild was based on the fact you had to be of a monster type and had to work a job (although more as a guideline than a rule as time went on for some short term members that never lasted. The game was on its death throes.) They weren't actual people, but NPC characters made by the other members of the guild with data crystals and other things.
It was… Sebas I believe, and the Pleiades? It was something based on greek mythology, not that I took the time to look up what. I really feel bad about that now since Touch Me and Yamaiko made them and really put in the effort for backstories.
As if sensing his thoughts halfway through, each of the current members had a small box appear above them containing their name and dialogue. A lot of dialogue.
He looked at the girls one by one. The first was a tall maid with large gauntlets on her arms. It took another moment to put a name to her. Yuri Alpha. Then one with a cute animal hat on her head. Lupusregina Beta. It took a while to get her tongue twister of a name down. Narberal Gamma, probably the plainest looking of the group but don't tell Whitebrim that. The guy loved maids and the like and she was almost treated like his crown jewel of the bunch. CZ2I28 Delta looked like she came out of serving along a war general, with her camo print cloth where white lace and fabrics would otherwise be used and sporting an eyepatch.
Solution Epsilon was more to Momonga's taste as far as design goes. With blonde curls she looks more like a French maid than the rest. Not to mention that low cut skirt… oh yeah, Yamaiko was a perv for them all right. Likewise Momonga cared for the next and final member, Entoma Vasilissa Zeta. She was designed to be a bug girl, so yeah thats a little gross, but something about her seems sad and it just tugged on his heartstrings a little.
His thoughts were cut short when he took a closer look at their description boxes however.
Sweet hell, thats a lot of characters! Way more than I actually have the time to be here to read them. That's just unfortunate. Hrmm… I might not know their history, but I would like their company. What kind of guild master would I be if I didn't at least gather up the family as I come across them?
It took him a minute before thinking of the command "Come" for them to follow, but they did and after a short trek and a few detours ended up before the doors of the great hall. Thankfully for a massive six floor dungeon with some rooms leading anywhere and nowhere for the uninitiated, his destination wasn't that far to take up too much of his time. Just a few quick flights of stairs and behind a pair of massive doors etched with figures and details playing out a scene between a massive battle and ultimate salvation was the final destination. The throne room.
The place, like most of the dungeon, was massive. The walls where high enough to allow a full grown dragon comfortable room for flight should one ever find itself there, and decorated around where flags bearing the crests of all the members. Near the back end of this grand hall was a throne that reached the ceiling, elevated up just a few steps of stairs. Standing next to it was another NPC that he made out as Albedo. Some sort of succubus type character, looking close to human save for black horns from her head and wings from her hips. The small group approached the throne before the guild leader raised his hand.
"Dismissed." It sounded official enough to work, and thankfully it did as the maids and Buttler took a spot along the long carpet that cut straight through the floor to the seat. A few more steps and Momonga plopped down with a sigh of relief. The clock read five minutes to go, he was starting to worry if he took too long getting there until he checked. With a sigh of relief and not much else to do to pass the time, he decided to check Albedo's description. Unfortunately it required using his staff, which gave himself mod privileges, to open the box for editing to translate it.
Momonga briefly cringed as he flipped through the window. Some of the wording looked a little off from the conversion. He tried to control z the space but everything stubbornly stayed as it was. Things didn't get any better when he reached the last line that couldn't be taken any other way.
'She's also a bitch.'
…
Well that's fine and dandy. Momonga fumed a bit reading it. Then he turned a bit sheepish. A dirty thought crossed his mind, since he accidentally appeared to ruin most of the dialogue and none of it was going to exist in… a minute anyways. Then it went to depressed. I'm sorry Tabula… you did wanted to make a character with me before though, this will have to be the best we can do.
The negative feeling left when he started typing, becoming a slight childlike goof in his own mind. It took just a moment to replace that line with 'And she's crazy about Momonga.' You did say I needed a girlfriend before. Ha.
Closing up the menu and heart pounding a little as his mind played some silly 'romantic' thoughts about the implication of that one sentence, Momonga leaned back in his massive seat and stared at the few NPC figures. They look ready to carry out their final duty. "Kneel." He commanded, all characters bending to one knee. This was it, each had closed eyes as if saying 'thank you for all the years you been with us.' Momonga watched them before settling his gaze onto the celling.
Well it's been a blast. What I would give to have it last forever though. At least there are still some things to look forward to…
The clock counted down… He closed his eyes.
Five….
Four….
Three….
Two….
One….
And like that the servers are down. It's a new day. He'll be back in his mostly empty room back to his boring daily grind of a job and back to the small horrors that plagued everyone's life.
One…
Two…
Three….
And when Momonga opened his eyes he frowned. He was still in the game? They must have not turned off the servers. Some companies do that when players linger, stopping new ones from entering and just waiting until everyone leaves. Well that's unfortunate because now he's going to have to force himself to log off rather than take it like something unavoidable. Because he would linger as long as he could for no other reason than 'just because.' Even if it means he'll be dead tomorrow when his shift started at his work. He closed his eyes and tried to leave. When he opened them again… he was still in the throne room….
Something was off. Quickly he reached up to open the command console.
Nothing appeared. Now he started to panic. Running through his mind he tried every form of communication including reaching the mods, another player, world chat, anything. Something started to swell in the pit of his stomach. Despair and fear. Could he… could he possibly be… stuck in the program? Did something go wrong with his connection? Did he lose his connection with his body?! Before anything happened or the emotions became too great, a voice cut into his thoughts.
"Is anything wrong Lord Momonga." This caught him flat footed.
"What? …Who said that?" Momonga nearly surprised himself. That voice he just spoke with was NOT his voice! This was way deeper. But then he remembered the female voice, and slowly turned back to it. Albedo was there. And she had a look of confusion and worry on her face.
"Lord Momonga?"
Momonga, Guildmaster of Ainz Ooal Gown, max level Overlord, pk'er of three thousand players in his own right-
-released a tight high pitched squeak from his throat realizing the computer program.
Was talking.
To him.
Not AT him.
TO HIM.
"I'm fine." He managed to finally push out.
This… this didn't happen. If characters talked, it was in a general sense. No specifics like names, just quests or canned shouting when attacking or defending. Albedo's face drew close to Momonga's as she studied him. A faint fragrance entered his nostrils. The scent seemed to restore Momonga's ability to think if not just a little, and his mind which had been fried slowly returned to normal. As normal as the situation allowed, which was still pretty fogged up with questions at least. "Nothing is… Nothing is wrong. Th…thank you?"
Nice, nothing like having it pushed out like a question since I don't know what the heck is happening!
Even if he was trapped in the game like he first guessed (and it seemed the most likely until he had the moment to think otherwise) everything felt so off. He studied her as she seemed to do with him. She bobbed left to right looking him over. Individual hairs moved around. HER FABRIK EVEN FOLDED WITH HER. This is all just too surreal.
Finally she asked. "…Is something the matter?"
…. "Nothing… seems to be… working."
Albedo nearly jumped back as if he smacked her. "F-forgive me my lord! If something is failing you then it must be corrected at once! Please command me to find the solution to whatever's troubling you." Her voice dropped the curiosity she had into somewhere between urgency and panic. Likewise, this did not improve Momonga's own outlook. This seemed to go feedback into the woman as now she wondered what truly was wrong. Neither of them noticed the slight shifting of the maids and butler just down the stairs in their kneeling position. Likewise if something was wrong it was their job to fix it but whatever else 'this' was going on, it was starting to hang in the air making them anxious as well. Eventually Momonga just waved his hand dismissing her covering his face with the other in thought as the staff he was holding hovered in the air contently next to him. Albedo took a step back, schooling her emotions but face twisting in horror on the inside. Did he not need her? Not think she was able to help whatever ailed him?
Before thinking too far into it, her lord snapped out a command. "Sebas! Maids!"
"Yes!"
Their voices chorused out as one, and then the butler and maids raised their heads.
"Approach the throne."
"Understood."
They all moved with a perfect sync from where they were to the foot of the stairs, back to their bowing position on the floor. This was just too human.
Too life-like. Too… real. His eyes shot to Albedo, who looked like she was about to fall backward from the force of his gaze. That unexpected range of facial expressions. The reason why her mouth could move and why she could speak—
"Im…pos…sible!"
Momonga hurriedly placed a hand on his mandible, and spoke.
His mouth was moving.
A character's mouth would not move with their words. It was too advanced for the amount of customizable options aside from a few basic ranges preprogrammed for general faces. "Albedo… um… would YOU be able to contact the mods? I can't seem to be able…." Seeing that he was asking to be helpful, the woman took a jump on it only to freeze and unsure. Her face fell. "I'm sorry Lord Momonga. I don't recall anyone in Nazarick with the name of Mod. I apologize for my failure before I even begun." Oh shit, I said something wrong.
"No, please Albedo. That alone answers quite a bit." But brings up more questions and WOW I sound much calmer than I actually am. "Sebas, rise."
The butler stood up with an earnest yet calm expression, as if pleased just hearing his own name uttered yet alone to be of use. "Sebas, I have a great feeling something is off. As such I need you to go out of the tomb and take a look around. See if anything changed in the swamplands but don't wander too far from the entrance incase if dangers present themselves. Take two of the Pleiades of your choice to help. Watch each others backs until you return."
"Your will will be done my lord. Narberal, CZ2I28, if you please." As the three made their leave, Momonga was stupefied. He didn't expect that line of command to work. No of course it worked if everything else was behaving so… lifelike. Being able to follow a complicated order (complicated for a computer at least) and make an active decision on it was too much. So what did it mean?
Well either this is my imagination as everything I am is slowly unraveling apart since I'm no longer connected to my own mind, or less likely this all became real. Let's… stick to the other one just for a happy thought. He pinched his arm. He only felt the bone of his avatar. He felt his clothes, and although it was a little muted it seemed fine. "Albedo!" She snapped back to reality.
"Yes Lord Momonga!"
"I need you to slap me! Right on my face!"
"You-you want me to… you want me to…." She did it, Momonga felt it and he convinced himself that yes, his mind shouldn't be unraveling if he could feel pain which helped to snap himself back to earth at that moment. At least he had that much going for him right now. Albedo quickly excused herself where she nearly sprinted to a nearby abandoned (yet still fully cleaned and furnished) room that had a toilet available, and couldn't decide if she wanted to upheave or sob for the next hour.
Momonga had no idea why she needed to leave so quickly, yet commanded the rest of his battle maids (who were in a bit of shock themselves) to go out and round up the floor guardians of Nazarick with a few exceptions to meet at the Amphitheater in the hour and to otherwise spread word that the entire tomb would be on red alert until farther notice. It was about time for him to figure out what was going on. And on that note…
If the NPC's are able to think, and act, all on their own does that mean I need to be able to prove myself to them?
I'm not much of a leader, I don't really know how to act like one. Most of what I did for the clan was keeping finances in check and make sure everyone got a good cut. I'm basically a glorified treasurer! To earn and maintain a loyalty, how would it be possible at all? If they decide to go rogue… many are as strong or can outclass me no problem! Well fuck. I might need to be able to prove myself and… HAVING ALBEDO HIT ME PROBABLY WASN'T THE BEST IDEA.
As soon as that thought came, as well as the sudden urge to either cry or upheave for an hour (not that he was sure that was possible if he really became… an undead) the feeling disappeared. Like clouds parting his mind.
Oh yeah. He thought perfectly and clearly. I'm screwed.
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A/N:
Cleaned up the text a little.
Will try and update monthly.
In case you didn't realize, this will be a bit OOC (out of character) if American Momonga didn't tip that off and some places and events that were major may not even happen, smaller events might reveal themselves to actually have much larger consequences, and so on. In other words it's a fan fiction. If you want read overlord lore, go read the official light novel. You're entering my world now.