A/N: Hi all. This is my first fic here. Treat this like an OVA. OC is inspired by a build I made for the Overlord CYOA made by /tg/.


Grisnir shared as much information as he could, most of relating to the game they played together, opting to keep details about his real-life to a minimum. They continued to converse, Grisnir finding Ains to be amiable and Ains finding the same in him. Topics ranged from the state of Yggdrasil prior to its shutdown to the current affairs of the New World. Gripes about patches, shared admiration at special events and loot, and funny stories relating to the game. Grisnir noted something that kept Ains from clicking with him completely. Whenever they would laugh at something, Ains would always stop before he did and when something annoyed or angered, the two Ains always kept an even temper. Grisnir couldn't help but think that this lich was appraising him like a valuable artifact, discerning his motives and demeanor as they spoke. He shrugged the feeling off though, though, as Ains spoke of his accomplishments in the new world.

"Wait, so let me get this straight. You've somehow created the strongest kingdom in the known world in a few months with in-game content?" Grisnir tilted his head in disbelief, arms crossed as he sat cross-legged against the wall. "Though Sorcerer Kingdom is oddly generic." An hour had passed between them, Grinsir's guard lowering with each passing minute.

"Something along those lines." Ains lowered his guard as he conversed with Grisnir, relieved to find another person like himself.

"I was the leader of Steel Curtain. We played on the same server. It's why I was familiar with the names you mentioned earlier."

"That name does sound familiar. I don't remember seeing it though in the guild leader boards. "

"We weren't a big guild. Normal PVP and guild wars weren't something we were interested in. We were more immersed in the dueling circuit. We mostly took part in tournaments. Sometimes we would run our own." Grisnir said.

"I know a bit about the dueling community. A few of my friends took part in some tournaments. You might know them: Warrior Takemikazuchi and Touch Me."

"Oh, those two?" Grisnir straightened his posture. "Tough bastards. Those two were always trouble for me. Touch Me especially. I wish I evened the score with him before he left."

"Indeed. You are lucky we found you. Grave robbers could have made off with your gear, or even worse, your body."

"Yeah, I guess I can be thankful your minion didn't jump me. I haven't logged on in a while and not even an hour later, I get thrown into the real-world version of Yggdrasil." Grisnir shook his head.

"That would not be ideal. A fight between two max level entities would lead to disastrous consequences."

"What do you mean?"

"There's a lot more to show than I can explain." Ains turned around, facing away from Grisnir. "Come, it would be best if you followed me to my guild base. "

Eased by their long conversation, Grisnir stood up, nodding as he patted the dirt off his legs. "Sure, might as well. I'm sure your dark and spooky crypt is a lot better than this… dark and spooky crypt."

"Be aware of something before we enter. The world views me in a different light compared to how you do. I have to play the part of a ruler. This is no longer a video game. NPCs are just like me and you." Ains snapped his fingers as the red portal returned.

"Oh!" Grisnir's demeanor brightened. "No problem. So it's just kayfabe, got it." He said, more to himself than Ains.

"Kayfabe?" Ains turned back to face Grisnir.

"Oh, never mind. It's nothing serious."

"I see." Ains nodded.

Grisnir shrugged. "Long story short, I can play any part I need to."

"That is good to hear." Ains faced the portal. "Let's go."

"Be right there. Give me a sec." Grisnir hopped in place, stretching his limbs and cracking his neck and knuckles. His breathing deepened and straightened out at a consistent pace. Eyes closing for a moment beneath his helmet, muttering under his breath a few lines as he limbered up for an entrance. There was a spring in each hop and step, tightening further and jumping higher with each movement. His heart pounded, slamming against his ribcage, the feeling reminding him of days long ago. It was the first time in many years he would make an entrance like this.


There, gathered in the arena of the sixth floor of Nazarick, the guardians of the tomb and important denizens of note stood in waiting for their leader to return. The people in the crowd varied both in their appearance and in their demeanor. Their expressions ranged from furrowed eyebrows, stone-like faces, and a few that were smiling. Before them, a swirling red portal droned.

"Albedo, do you know the reason Lord Ains asked us to meet here?" Demiurge, the red-suited demon, pressed a finger against his glasses.

"I have some idea regarding it, but it is not in my place to answer." Albedo said, smiling towards the portal.

"I see. We have been making much progress with his plans. I am sure it is something good."

"Whatever it is, our duty is to remain vigilant and take to heart every word our lord will utter." Cocytus said, a mist of frost shooting out from his mandibles.

Sebastian conversed with Tuare off to the side. He had both eyes on her. Aura, Mare, Shalltear, and the Pleiades, minus their leader, were all in attendance. Pandora's Actor smirked as he leaned against a pillar away from the others.

"Lord Ains is finally here!" Shalltear pointed at the portal in excitement.

Everyone straightened in attention as they faced the swirling vortex, watching as Ains stepped in. Upon seeing him enter the arena, they all knelt, bowing their heads.

"Lord Ains." Albedo knelt as her cheeks reddened, her arm crossed her chest as she joined the rest, stealing a moment to look up at her lord.

"Rise." Ains raised a hand, the rest of them following. "Now, I know many of you are wondering why I have summoned you here."

The denizens of the tomb continued to wait in silence, opting to not speak until Ains's announcement concluded.

"First, I would like to thank Albedo and Pandora's Actor for their efforts. It is imperative that Nazarick gather as much information and manpower as possible to prepare for any threat that may assail us."

Murmurs among the crowd broke the silence. Demiurge looked at Albedo, who replied with a knowing smile. Aura and Mare turned to one other in a mixture of wonderment and confusion. It sparked a similar question in everyone's mind.

"Lord Ains, why did you bring us all here? Surely it is something important as we have halted our duties momentarily for your summons." Demiurge was the first to break the crowd's silence. His head tilted, raising an eyebrow beneath his spectacles.

"Yes, about that." Ains turned away, sneaking out a cough. "Long story short, we have discovered a potential ally. One who could prove most useful to our cause."

Murmurs seeped from those in attendance, gazes shifted from side to side, eyeing their peers. Sebas's stony demeanor cracked for a moment as his eyebrows furrowed, turning to Tuare, who pressed her lips flat as she concentrated on Ains's words.

"Now, everyone, I would like you to meet Grisnir Heidrun. Like us, abandoned in this unknown world." Ains's voice boomed, concluding his announcement.


Grisnir suffered a modest tug as the swirling whirlpool swallowed his vision, the crypt twisting and distorting before melting away. It felt as if the ground beneath his feet bolted across time and space, causing his limbs to weaken during the transversal. The sight before him caused pause as he appeared at the intended destination.

He saw a midnight-drenched sky soaring over a vast colosseum. But the locale paled compared to the mob placed before him. Distinct and outlandish, Grisnir noted a menagerie of maidens, monsters, and everything in between. Most greeted him with deafening silence and scrutinizing eyes. No pop, no heat, only a frosty welcoming party. Some looked at him with mild interest. However, piercing glares stuck at him with frigid eyes that honed into a frown, the most prominent being from the red-suited devil and the woman in white.

A thousand thoughts rushed and tumbled as the seconds of silence over them became glaring. He looked for something to play on, but his searching made him look like a wide-eyed hare, swiveling his head from side to side.

Actions were a worthy substitute for words. Coils of electricity bounced and hopped from his outstretched arms, intensifying with each spark. The more impressionable people reacted with exclamation. However, unimpressed stares still made up a majority of the crowd. To them, words meant more than a trivial light show. Grisnir assumed these were the notable members of the group.

"Call me Grisnir." He nodded. It wasn't the grandest greeting, but it would suffice. "I'm not part of Nazarick, but… we're in the same boat, so to speak. And I'm looking forward to cooperating with you in… whatever it is you all are doing."

"Lord Ains, how could one such as him contribute to your ever-growing influence?" The black-feathered woman stared at Ains, overlooking his introduction.

"I would like to know that as well." The devil in red looked up from his kneeling position, his face flat and expressionless.

While the lack of supportive reactions stung, the complete lack of it iced Grisnir. He kept appearances, not wishing to show the crowd any suggestions of dissatisfaction.

"Albedo, Demiurge, you have every right to distrust someone that hails from outside of Nazarick. However, I believe Grisnir here is a powerful fighter. Having him with us would prove to be better than having him against us." Ains said, hiding the uncertainty in his words as best as he could.

"Apologies for my suspicion, but those we have met so far have fallen short against even the smallest wag of your finger." Demiurge stood patting dirt from his slacks. "As I understand it, Nazarick has no use for him."

A brief silence filled the air, the crowd's eyes all looking at Demiurge and his bold claim. Before the silence could grow to be uncomfortable, Ains broke it with a hearty laugh, causing Demiurge to lower his head.

"It is alright for you to be skeptical. You all have only been involved with the outside world only recently." His light tone drifted to a more serious one. "However, I will not use words to persuade you otherwise. Instead, we will have our visitor prepare a demonstration showcasing his worth."

"Demonstration? I never agreed to…"

"Cocytus!" Ains raised his voice.

"Yes, Lord Ains?" The frost-clad insectoid grunted, rising to look at Ains.

"I apologize for denying your request to spar with me," Ains said. "I would like to offer our guest to make up for that. Would that suffice?"

Frigid steam erupted from the imposing warrior, eyes examining Grisnir with a warrior's scrutiny before bowing to Ains.

"I humbly accept." Cocytus grasped his halberd, stepping in silence towards the center of the arena.

The others from the crowd began inhabiting the seats of the arena, many watching from the stands with Ains and the other floor guardians watching from the balcony.

Grisnir stood there, noiseless, as he saw Cocytus move. Posture rectifying as his hands clenched by his side. The crowd melted from his mind, his attention paid to the behemoth of a beetle. He made his way to the center with calculated steps with no hesitancy.

Once at a fair distance away from each other, Cocytus pointed his halberd at his opponent.

"Do not disappoint me." Raising his voice, he spun his weapon around before stabbing the rear into the ground, causing sheets of frost to encompass the surrounding surface.

"Oh, I don't intend to." Grisnir shrunk into his stance, crouching and at the ready. Lightning arced around him as his eyes brightened with excitement. It was time to test the capabilities of his new body.