A/n: ASK AND YEE SHALL RECEIVE!
you all asked for more Momonga so I give more Momonga!
And before anyone gets upset about a shorter chapter know this is the only way I was gonna get it out this fast.
P.s. I know someone's gonna try to yell at me in the reviews for this so I'm gonna stop it here.
In the light novel, it is stated level one hundred players could have around thirty super-tier spells. So y'all better not complain I home-brewed a spell to fit the story.
Chapter 7
A Fate Sealed in Blood.
Dragon, the word itself means little when you hear it spoken aloud. All you think of would be the things out of story books and movies, a giant lizard that flies and breathes fire onto castles.
But here the word takes on a new meaning.
Here that word, that name.
Means death.
"RUN!"
All together a group of figures took off in every direction scattering themselves among a small patch of forest.
"WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU ATTACK A DRAGON!"
Clementine ran as fast as her martial arts could carry her.
The fact that any of her group had kept up was an issue for later, right now the bigger issue was behind, for now.
The plan she and Khajiit had come up with could easily be called her their dumbest idea yet.
Deciding to test whether the onyx black dragon was really the dragon of disaster or not she and her necromancer companion had collectively agreed to attack it.
Certain that if it was a dragon on par with the gods of six hundred years ago any attack would simply bounce off the thing and it would never notice.
In hindsight it was stupid.
No, it was damn suicidal.
BUT! They did have a plan!
Unexpected to all those present the fired arrow not only damaged the massive beast of legend but from the brief look she got before running for her life, it was bleeding!
No more than one would from a splinter but still!
That meant that even if the thing was stronger, faster, and all around better they could still fight!
Well not them per se, but rather one of Khajiit's summons would fight.
All she had to do was drag her companions away from the death-loving bag of bones so he could keep up his façade as a magic-loving merchant.
And so she could have some fun of her own.
Ducking under a series of branches she narrowly avoided a slow death as dragon food.
'Why the hell is that old bastard taking so long!'
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS EARLIER.
The chirping of birds, the gentle breeze swaying tree branches, and a cacophony of leaves dancing on the forest floor.
Like music, the noise of the forest joined together forming a concert that could bring someone to tears.
The forest was truly alive at that moment.
So when all at once it stopped so too did those traveling halt what they did.
In the far distance, a figure moved, tall and grotesque even as no one look could identify the strange and disturbing thing it's very silhouette brought fear to all that saw it.
Crouched low and hiding among the underbrush of the forest another figure watched this horrid thing from afar, not daring to even breathe for fear of attracting the beast.
With a nod of satisfaction, they turned from the beast and dashed towards their allies in waiting.
Making short work of the distance meant little if one errant branch could alert a horde of beasts to them, beasts that from the warning they'd been given, could level a town by themselves.
"Anything?"
A hushed whisper spoke from above them.
"Yeah, another of those big ones.
Should I start or are we still waiting for the mages?"
"No we got word, go ahead and start."
The rustling of leaves told them the one they'd spoken to had left.
Flipping off the hood of their cloak revealed long violet hair a set of pointed ears and bright green eyes that could kill with a glance.
Feeling the bow strapped to her back a sense of calming relief washed over her, despite the danger of the job the routine they'd developed eased her worried nerves.
Her having the most dangerous part all to herself did piss her off but of the members of their little hunt, only she could do this job.
The plan so far was as follows, a ranger would go into the forest and find either a large amount of weak undead or one strong one, then they'd lure said undead out of the forest. From there teams of fighters would rush the undead while the mages among them supported from the rear alongside any ranged fighters.
Her job was that of the ranger, she would go in find undead, and bring them into the kill box they'd built outside the forest.
This was the fifteenth time she'd done so.
With a notched arrow, she held her breath and scanned the forest for her prey. Quickly finding the mountain of hatred she released, sending an arrow right into its eye.
As expected the unenchanted wood snapped the moment it struck doing little more than aggravating the thing.
Not wanting to see how this thing fought up close she turned and ran from the forest her skills guiding her every step.
Ducking under branches and leaping over fallen logs she made short work of the forest but behind she knew the undead wasn't far behind.
THUD THUD.
BOOM.
The undead had just burst through a log she'd passed it wouldn't be long before it caught up and turned her into a pile of splinters as well.
The light of day would have blinded her if it didn't mean an end to her pursuer.
"NOW!"
Sliding along freshly dewed grass a stream of magic and arrows sailed overhead colliding with the undead who let out a deafening roar.
UAAAAGGGG!
The second she saw Imina sliding she released the magic she'd held.
From her outstretched hand came a torrent of flame in the form of a {Fire Ball} that clashed with the undead setting the thing alight.
Ninya inhaled sharply, a calm mind would mean the difference between life and death, not just for her, but for everyone present.
Magic flowed from her body, building in her hand as magic circles formed around her wrist and a small ember turned into yet another ball of pure fire.
"{Fire Ball}!"
The magic passed above her comrade's heads above those dancing with swords and their lives and cleanly into the undead's awaiting head.
The force of the attack rocked its head back distracting it from the swords that aimed to strike it.
Aiming for the legs two of the fighters whose names she hadn't learned cut deep past flesh and steel turning the once imposing undead into the image of a beggar.
On its one remaining knee, the rest of the fight was simple although slow, as the undead could still cleave their best fighters in half.
They had all seen what the first undead had done to the tall blonde fighter when he rushed ahead but none wanted to think about it, even if he was an asshole no one deserved to die so slowly.
As the last strike was made and the monster began to disintegrate a roar of cheers was had, at last, the day was over and they could rest.
"Good job everyone!
Get some food and rest tomorrow we find the thing behind all this!"
A call from one of the team leaders signaled that indeed the day was over and the moment it came Ninya collapsed onto the cold grass.
"Oh thank the gods it's done!"
"Still got enough energy to eat I hope!"
Behind the young girl came the voice of her fellow mage, Arche.
From what she'd learned the girl was only a few years older than her as well as a former member of the most elite mages school in the empire.
Arche sat beside her holding out a steaming bowl of stew.
"Come on now it'll get cold if you wait too long."
The stew was amazing, it could have been the fact Ninya hadn't eaten in hours but she knew that in reality, it was the care the cook had used in making it.
Even with minimal spices, it amazed her how with just some vegetables Dale had made possibly the best thing she'd ever eaten.
"Your friend is a really good cook."
"Yeah, he said he'd learned a bunch of recipes from his mother and wanted to try them out."
"Well, that's sweet."
Dusk was setting over the fields as the two continued to eat small talk was aplenty but before long they bid farewell and made for their respective tents.
Despite all they had done the night was still peaceful and with the sounds of the forest returning in the distance, she went to sleep with a smile.
Her dreams however were far from peaceful, memories of her sister that stung like knives, the reminder that while she was here a belly full and among friends her sister was gods knew where.
Reaching out her sister desperately tried to hold her hand one last time but the slam of a carriage door jolted her awake.
"So we move at first light understood?"
That was Clementine's voice?
But who could she have been talking to so late at night all the team leaders held their meeting at dawn?
"Are you sure about this?
If we fail not only will that dragon try to kill us so too will the scriptures.
Don't forget why we are fleeing E Rantel either, that masked man could very well be awaiting something like this."
Was that Dale? What were they talking about, dragons, masked men, scriptures?
"What are you two talking about?"
As her head poked out from her tent she was met with two stunned faces.
"Nothing dear, please forgive us and get some rest tomorrow will be very busy for all of us."
She knew Dale was placating her but if they had secrets it was their business, not hers, retreating her head back she was stopped.
"Hold on kha-Dale she could help us.
Hey kid you wanna help kill a dragon?"
"What!?"
The two quickly hushed her before her surprise would wake up the camp.
"What are you sure about this?
Ninya dear understand what we are going to do is very dangerous, I'd recommend you sit this one out."
"No, I want to help!
I have to get stronger and if killing a dragon doesn't help nothing will!"
Dale rolled his eyes at her before looking to Clementine who only nodded in the positive.
"Ughh very well then, for now, return to sleep we will inform you of the plan tomorrow."
Ninya nodded and closed her tent, sleep came quickly and so did the dreams.
"What in the name of the gods are you thinking!"
Now far from camp and certain the two wouldn't be heard their conversation resumed.
Clementine formed a smile, one Khajiit knew all too well.
"You don't get it, I've been stuck with these people just like you have, a girl has needs you know?
I haven't killed anyone in weeks!
I'm getting desperate to hear some actual screams not just the moaning of the undead!"
Khajiit smirked.
"So you plan on acting like the dragon killed them all and having the real fun yourself.
I see you've not changed at all.
And here I thought you were getting soft, so what's our plan now that the girl is involved?"
Clementine's smile deepened.
"Just be ready to summon those two pets of yours, I'll handle the rest."
Baharuth Empire.
An army is only as strong as its weakest soldier.
'Was that how the phrase went?'
Jircniv thought to himself.
It didn't matter the final preparations had begun and in a few short weeks all his years of work would be paying off.
Even a certain thorn in his side wouldn't deter him now, not since he'd sent the order to mobilize the legions would he be able to rescind that order.
Sixty thousand men each one on par with a gold-level adventurer, aside from them there was the aerial division which was comprised of skilled mages atop griffons.
As the leaders of the combat his personal guards, the four imperial knights, would act as an elite among the elite taking entire swaths of men to be their opponents.
To top everything off he'd finally convinced Fluder Paradyne to join in as well.
No matter what that sham of a queen sent he would meet it three times as hard.
He even had a plan for that mysterious mage running about.
Connections had been made and the sudden appearance of undead could only be attributed to one man. The masked mage.
To deal with that issue he'd decided to kill two birds with one stone, sending out workers who only propagated crime and chaos was easy, throwing those obvious spies from the kingdom was another.
Although their strength was shocking it didn't matter even if they were adamantite level as they would be dealt with by the mage and his grudge against the kingdom. And like that the mage would be his ally should he decide to intervene in the war.
Oh to be the master of so many puppets, he'd have to be cautious lest he pops of his own inflated ego.
Even he knew the hubris of thinking you were at the top, his father was a clear reminder of that.
Less than a kilometer from Nazarick.
'Cover all our options Huh?'
Ninya was nervous, or was she excited?
No probably afraid.
Ah, screw it she was all three at once.
She couldn't deny that right now more emotion flowed through her than when her sister he'd been stolen away.
As her grip tightened the plan went through her head again and again.
Clementine would anger it and take it to Dale, Dale would fight it for as long as possible while Ninya snuck around and attacked from behind.
While they held it off Clementine would go get the others before returning to fight it herself.
All she had to do now was wait for Dale's signal to sneak up on the distracted dragon.
Any minute now.
Running ahead of the purple-haired elf was easy, too easy.
'It's not fun if they don't fight back.'
Clementine stopped running much to the elf's surprise.
"What is wrong with you?
Why the fuck did you steal my bow!"
Clementine smiled and tossed back the elegant piece of wood.
"So we could have some fun!"
The elf's expression changed from anger and surprise to one of fear and confusion.
She took several steps back as her hand reached for an arrow.
"I knew you were fucked in the head the moment I saw you!"
Loosing an arrow aimed at her neck caused Clementine to smile.
'Girls got good instincts.
Oh well.'
Martial arts weren't needed as she grabbed the arrow mid-flight and snapped it between her fingers.
"My turn!"
Crouched low she moved faster than any arrow could reaching the scared girl with her stiletto drawn in less than a second.
The first strike was always the best that's why she would always aim for non-vital areas, it would ruin the fun if she killed them too quickly.
"AGHHH!"
Blood drenched the ground as the elven girl gripped her shoulder in pain.
"Oh like music to the ears!"
"You crazy bitch!
The others heard that for sure!
It's only a matter of time before they get here and stop you!"
"Hahahaha!
Let them, more toys for me!"
Clementine crouched low again ready to pounce like a cat would a mouse.
Seeing it the girl drew a dagger with her free hand.
It wouldn't matter as Clementine shot forward driving her stiletto deep into the girl's leg and leaping back before she could even react.
"Imina!
Where are you!"
Came a shout from nearby.
The girl's eyes shot open in surprise as she took off toward the voice.
"I'm over here!
Help me!
That woman from before attacked me!"
Clementine quietly watched as the girl left to reunite with her teammate.
She learned the two were lovers the first night when her heightened senses picked up what the two did when they thought themselves alone.
That's why when the blonde man came just into view of the elf she ran.
In one strike Clementine would get a scream that set her going like no other.
It was long, deep, and drawn out in between choked sobs.
It was perfect.
The elf was crying in a way that only a woman who'd seen her lover die could.
But like always her latest toy had to ruin all the fun.
"I'll FUCKING KILL YOU!"
One strike to the already wounded girl was all she needed to end her.
It was a waste but she knew that when they got like that all the screams went away in favor of determined yelling.
The bloodbath was starting to bore her so without a second glance she dashed toward the next prey.
Shallow pained breaths were all Arche could manage as she pushed her legs to their limits.
Tears streaked down her eyes only making the run through the forest harder than it needed to be but she wouldn't stop, not after seeing her friends die one after the other.
Cut down with such ease it was akin to a farmer putting down diseased livestock. She knew there wasn't a chance in the world that a pathetic mage like her could put up a fight against someone so strong.
So without looking back she ran.
Despite wayward branches slicing her face, she ran.
Ignoring the screams around her, she ran.
Pretending the pain was fake, she ran.
Forgetting her sisters.
She ran.
"No!"
The thought of abandoning them to whatever fate would befall her parents sent a shiver down her spine.
No matter what happened, she would save them.
Finally reacting to the world around her a bright glare high above nearly blinded her.
Somehow among her confused dash, she'd left the forest.
"ARCHE!
Over here quickly!"
A girl called out to her.
A girl that belonged to a certain party.
Standing among the open plains was Ninya, her gaze a morbid mirror of its normal cheer.
Arche didn't waste a second in raising her staff ready to cast volley after volley of magic, anything to flee from the fate that befell her friends.
"STAY BACK!"
The sudden yelling startled the young girl who took several steps back.
"I won't let you all kill anyone else!
I'm leaving and if you so much as move I won't hesitate to kill you!"
Arche's words only seemed to confuse Ninya but she didn't care, hiding abilities wasn't hard and she had no idea just how dangerous this girl really was.
She could see right through her deception, no normal girl could have magic on par with Fluder Paradyne's personal students.
"What are you talking about?
If someone's hurt we need t. . ."
Her words were cut short as behind the young mage a column of dark magic rose from the ground.
Its force and pressure almost toppled the two as they barely held against the immense power.
In the distance, two large figures could be seen high above the sky.
Arche stared in fear and awe at the power before her, only for her stupor to be broken by Ninya grabbing her hand and running.
"What was that!"
"Dale's signal! Now hurry!"
Pulling against the girl's grip proved useless as somehow despite obvious magic power her strength still outmatched Arche's own.
If breaking free proved useless her last resort would be magic, channeling her mana Arche readied to cast her only close-range spell but stopped when the grip on her wrist vanished.
Looking at Ninya she saw as magic circles formed over the girl's hands. And yet not one was aimed at her, instead, they pointed out toward the fields of grass.
Now closer she saw just what was high above them.
Fighting in a duel no mortal could ever hope to see twice, two dragons fought.
One was a polished black so dark it seemed to suck the very light away, and yet it was so smooth it was almost as though it glowed. As if in defiance of the sun daring to shine upon it.
The other was far from majestic a picture of pure evil and destruction like no other for this one was made of bone. An amalgam of whatever had died near it from dogs to wyverns the thing was a piece-mail monstrosity.
The two clashed and danced as though the very sky were a theatre and all there was but an audience to behold them.
Slashes with claws longer than she was tall, blasts of arcane might that could rival the strongest humanity could offer, and throughout it, all neither seem so much as phased by the conflict.
"Quit staring and help!"
Ninya's cry broke her from the sight, and she turned to gaze at just what the young girl could have meant by helping.
And to her horror, the magic she thought meant to end her life was instead pointed high above.
Right at the two titans of nature.
"ARE YOU MAD!"
"No!
This was the plan from the start!
Get rid of whatever was behind the undead attacks!
And from what I was told that big black one is the dragon lord of disaster!"
Emotions of every kind surged through Arche, what had occurred in less than a day was a story she could tell for years. And yet among them all, two stood out atop all the others, grief, and confusion.
"Why did Clementine kill my friends!"
Ninya stopped still her gaze slowly turning to face Arche's.
"What are you talking about?"
"I watched her!
I SAW HER WITH MY OWN EYES, KILL, MY CLOSEST FRIENDS!"
Ninya's expression turned fearful and confused as the words left Arche's mouth.
"B-but why would she?
No, she may be odd but she wouldn't-"
"BUT SHE DID!"
Ninya went silent turning back to the fight above them her magic still flowing to her palms.
"Help us, please."
"What?"
"I don't know if you're right, no, I don't want you to be right but at this moment a duty has fallen before us that few others could accomplish.
Those here aren't the strongest not even close but together we could save thousands maybe more.
I'll believe you, but please.
Help us."
"Fine."
A tear rolled down Arche's face as she turned to the dragons high above them and uttered two words.
"{Fire Ball}!"
The supreme beings' orders were absolute.
Destroy all who posed threat to the master's domain.
And so leaving his brother behind he flew to meet those who dared sully the lands of their master.
Meeting those below with its poison and magic all would crumble before their masters might.
Those who did so however were far too weak, like ants to a mountain.
Until one not unlike himself appeared.
A skeletal dragon though far weaker could easily be considered a relative of this lowly servant but they still dared to oppose the supreme being.
And so like all others the black dragon released its horrid breath.
However unbeknownst to the dragon, its opponent though much weaker held a simple resistance to magic.
But that was all, with no other defenses to speak of the skeletal dragon could have been struck down with but a single swipe of its claws.
So without knowing the black beast roared its deadly magic unknowing that the effect did little more than hold it in place.
Its own effects deemed the biggest nuisance to players since PVP was allowed, now more akin to a warm breeze.
'Why does this one feel pain?'
Re Estize, The Capital.
"We'll resume this at a later date."
A thin line was all that connected him to his many summons.
As of the last few weeks, the number of these lines had exploded in quantity, as a result, a sort of numbness had clouded his notice of them.
Of course, he could still single out individuals and even focus on specific groups or locations if he wanted to, it was just the difference between being tied down with rope versus stepping into a cobweb.
Over time he'd become used to this sensation pushing its presence to the back of his mind.
The breaking of these strings however was much different, like steel cables snapping under thousands of tones of pressure. The noise alone alarmed Momonga to extremes he'd not felt since arriving, but what was far worse was the pain.
Not real pain mind you, it was a sort of phantom there but not there sensation, like he'd watched something awful happen to a close friend.
This was what really caused his panic.
Because the only string missing was one of the black dragons guarding Nazarick's front door.
"{Time Stop}!"
The world went grey as the tenth-tier spell took effect.
Mild relief calmed his frying nerves, no one nearby had time immunities meaning the worst-case scenario had yet to pass.
A quick inspection of Nazarick's front lawn revealed two very bad things.
The first was confirmation that one of the black dragons had disappeared. The second was a small pool of blood right where the summon was standing.
A blood splatter that small should have been a good sign, proof that whatever trampled upon his home was quickly turned to paste by twin level eighty-five dragons.
But it wasn't, because he knew that even near death his summons would always follow orders. And unless he'd misspoken his orders were to return once any intruders were dealt with.
Not far from the coagulating blood was a second smaller pool.
And another even further away.
And another.
And another.
It was a trail stretching far into the distance, meaning whatever attacked the dragon had lured it away from his home.
Following the trail lead him through the vast green plains surrounding Nazarick and just as his spell came to an end so too did the trail.
The trail ending wasn't a problem though as now he had something much better to follow.
Voices.
Two in fact.
One was deep and serious that of an older man's although the exact age was impossible to tell.
The other was much younger, and far more cheerful, almost like that of a child's but something told him it wasn't.
Staining himself despite no ranger levels he could just make out the pair's conversation.
He'd have to get closer.
'{Silent-Perfect Unknowable}'
Stepping closer to the two their conversation slowly became understandable.
"I swear I heard them talking about a dragon!
C'mon, you've gotta believe me!"
"Lukrut, my friend you know I would never question your hearing but-"
"But you're going to anyway?"
"I am simply saying that even with the undead around, the presence of a dragon. One of the most legendary beasts to ever live.
Would never go unnoticed for this long."
"Well, I heard what I heard!
C'mon man don't act like you aren't worried about them!"
Momonga had heard all he needed to know these two were involved. If not directly they clearly spoke of someone who was.
Glancing at the two men's equipment assured him that even if they fought back, nothing would happen.
Deactivating the stealth spell instantly alerted the two to his presence.
"Who's there?"
The one named Lukrut called out.
Numerous fears and concerns rushed through his head as he stepped from behind a tree. Mainly that somehow despite them not having a single piece of magical gear they may instead have abilities that enchanted their weapons as they were used.
Taking a deep breath despite not needing to Momonga spoke.
"Calm yourselves I mean no harm.
I was simply curious as to the dragon to which you spoke of."
Both men were clearly on edge as both kept their hands close to their weapons.
The one named Lukrut carried a bow, while of simple make its appearance was an expertly carved piece of wood.
The other whose name he'd not learned had a small mace strapped to his belt.
"May I ask good sirs, is there really a dragon in this area?"
Lukrut looked to his companion before responding.
"We're not sure at the moment, neither of us can tell if it was just a rumor or not.
Why you some kind of dragon hunter or something?"
"Oh goodness no, you see I am a simple hermit and I'd hate for my home to be attacked by something so fearsome.
I was simply asking for my own peace of mind."
"Uh huh, you said you lived nearby?"
Lukrut said as his hand slowly moved closer to his bow.
It was clear the two were suspicious of Momonga but he had to press them for anything they might know.
He'd yet to test mind control magic and there was no telling if either of them had any resistances so he didn't want to risk losing any info.
"Yes, only a short few hours travel from here."
"Hey, Dyne why don't you go ask around camp, see if anyone's heard anything?
I'm sure the others wouldn't mind helping him continue his quiet life."
With only a nod of the head, Dyne turned around and began to jog away.
'So that's how things are going to be.
{Silent-Teleport}.'
In an instant, Momonga reappeared in front of the man stopping him where he stood.
"I'm afraid I. . ."
An arrow splintering against his defenses distracted him for a moment.
"RUN, TELL THE OTHERS WE FOUND HIM!"
Momonga looked down to where the pudgy older man should have been only to see numerous vines sprouting from the ground and wrapping around his legs.
"Ah, in that case {Freedom}.
I suppose our civil little chat has ended."
"{Acid Arrow}!"
"{Fire Ball}!"
Magic sailed from the two casters crashing violently against the solid mass of power that was their opponent.
The black dragon almost seemed unfazed as its flesh burned and melted away but a slight waver in its flight told them the attacks were indeed working.
Two hours, that's how long they'd been fighting this dragon, two hours they'd spent hurling spell after spell desperate to kill the beast before it finished off its skeletal foe.
"Why won't this thing die already!"
Ninya shouted her voice hoarse, worn out from the extended fight.
"It doesn't matter just keep attacking!
{Magic Arrow}!"
Arche was panting as she spoke.
If they expended all their mana before the black dragon was killed they would end up defenseless to its attacks.
There was a small ray of hope in the skeletal dragon as it seemed to be a fixation for the stronger black dragon.
Strangely despite being obviously stronger the black dragon's attacks seemed to be doing next to nothing to its skeletal counterpart.
Whether it was angry because of this and wanted it dead or it didn't care and would just keep attacking regardless. Either way, it was still a beacon of hope for the two mages as not once had the black beast so much as turned to face them.
Even as its ribs became exposed from acid, one of its wings was naught but charcoal, and its neck dripped blood still it never so much as twitched toward them.
In fact, it had started to unnerve the two as fears that the moment it finished the skeletal dragon it would instantly heal itself before killing them.
A roar came from the skeletal dragon as it charged the mountain of onyx black scales. And the moment the distance was closed it swiped its massive boney claws.
To everyone watching's surprise, the swipe dug into already exposed flesh and muscle tearing it from the bone with a sickening crunch.
Like crushing a bug beneath one's foot.
In one move the skeletal dragon tore a chunk of flesh from its neck.
And in that one move.
The black dragon's head went limp.
"Hmm.
So {Dominate} still works as it used to.
That is good to know.
Ughh.
It's a shame neither had anything useful to say."
Behind Momonga as he walked away, two corpses lie their bodies carbonized and still smoldering.
"It's safe to assume the average person won't be able to tank a {Vermillion Nova} but that was somewhat expected.
Oh, I suppose I'll have to thank Renner later for telling me about that."
Following what little directions the two men could give him he arrived at a small clearing, a somewhat expansive encampment not far from the tree line.
A quick glance showed that whoever used to reside here had either left in panic or was forcibly removed.
Momonga suspected the latter as he passed a tent torn open coated in fresh blood.
"Was there an attack those two didn't know about?
Or was it the black dragon?"
Either way, it only further proved that his earlier paranoia was less than helpful.
To truly understand those in this new world he would need to test its strongest residents. And if what he heard from queen Renner was true, then just like Yggdrasil his best option would be dragons.
Dragons in Yggdrasil were always something like an obsession for the developers, with all the strongest bosses being either draconic in nature or dragons themselves.
Even the final boss of the game, the world devourer, was an enormous dragon, it was also considered the toughest enemy in the game.
If even a fraction of that love for dragons had carried over to this world as so many other things had, he would likely be in for a challenge unlike anything else.
As the large camp became more and more desolate as he searched it a clearer picture began to unfold.
Among all of the items, one would expect to see at such a large camp were things far too out of place, even when one considered that this camp was solely occupied by adventurers.
Of course, there were the obvious things like food and other supplies for day-to-day life, even the less obvious things like weapons and the items to maintain them were expected.
What wasn't expected was the absurd amount of holy and fire-related items, everything from torches to holy water and magic wands. Even considering the nature of its occupants to have so many weaknesses for the undead just lying around could only mean they'd intended to use them.
"They could have just been precautions against the death knights hiding in the forest?
Anyone still living would definitely consider those to be an extreme threat to one's continued survival.
Hmm."
With some effort, he tried to focus on his connection to the many death knights that were stationed in the forest.
"WHAT?!"
Straining even further he tried to count those that were stationed inside the forest. And only counted five of his original twenty.
"I see."
Emotional suppression washed over him just before rage would have clouded his mind.
This couldn't be a coincidence not with so much stacked against him. This group whoever they were, was clearly targeting him and his summons.
"No, they aren't.
They aren't targeting me, they're targeting Nazarick.
They dared to harm what little still remains!
They DARED TO ATTACK US!
THEY DARED TO HARM MY FRIENDS!"
Momonga's emotional suppressor was working overtime countering his rage.
It activated, but he was still angry.
It tried again, but nothing.
It tried again. . .
And all he saw was red.
Euphoria.
There wasn't a better way to describe what Khajiit felt right now.
Of course, he'd considered what Clementine suggested to be quite possibly the dumbest thing he'd ever heard.
But the rewards if it worked would be unimaginable.
And oh how vast they were.
No longer hidden from view his orb of death glowed a magnificent deep purple glow, unlike he'd ever seen it.
Summoning a legendary dragon had threatened to consume ten whole years worth of negative energy.
Killing what he could only call a dragon lord gave back a thousand times that pittance of darkness.
Now he was unstoppable, now he could reach his dreams, now, now he could see his moth. . .
There was a flash of white.
In Yggdrasil, there existed a boss that stood above all else, a being of such strength it would have taken fifty max-level players all equipped with the best gear possible to even fight it.
Let alone win.
And yet not only had Ainz Ooal Gown fought this monster among monsters, but they'd also done it with only forty-one people.
Even less believable, they'd won.
They killed it, the last boss, the world devourer itself.
And for all the trouble they'd gone through to do this seemingly impossible task they were given a fitting reward.
A single super-tier spell.
Anyone would think that gifting such a spell when one could normally obtain seventy on their own was some kind of cruel joke.
But if you'd read what the members of Ainz Ooal Gown had, you would have danced out of pure joy.
Of course, this spell still had its costs, costs that as a result of its extreme nature were far worse than even some world items.
The cost of using this spell?
A complete, although temporary, removal of all one's experience and levels.
A fate any MMO player would consider to be worse than death.
This effect would only last for two hours, a time frame so short compared to others it would be laughed at if not for the spell's effect.
So you must be wondering why anyone would ever use something so dangerous.
Because this spell would kill.
But that was too simple, it wouldn't just kill the target.
If it was a random mob, every single one in the entirety of the game would die.
If it was a boss, not only would it die so to would the entirety of its dungeon die.
If it was a world boss, it would still kill with a single strike.
But if it was a player, not only would they die, but so to would their pets, their summons, and their NPCs.
Oh, and every single guild mate of theirs as well.
The only protection from this would be instant revival items or one of only two hundred world items.
To say it was broken was an understatement, the first and last time it was used nearly resulted in Momonga's entire guild being permanently banned.
Their only saving grace being the same developer who gifted the spell showing up at the last second.
Momonga watched as sand flowed between his long boney fingers before turning to faint motes of light.
His gaze lingered on the figures surrounding the now-deceased black dragon.
The closest was a short-haired girl no older than sixteen her bright blonde hair bouncing as she practically danced on his friend's legacy.
She was cheering, celebrating her victory, far louder than the others.
She would do.
"{VENGANCE OF THE GREAT DEVOURER}!"
And the world went white.
Elsewhere.
Emperor Jirniv looked out towards his marching army.
He was never one for honor and all that when it came time to get serious, so despite a few advisors claiming his sneak attack would be seen as cowardly to his enemies, he pushed on.
'Hmph cowardice my ass, the records will be written by the victors and I intend to be the one to sign the book.'
The army's march would take around a week to reach the first villages of the kingdom but if reports still held out then most would be long since deserted.
Satisfied with the progress he returned to his less notable duties, namely the mass of paperwork that now threatened to crush him should it fall.
"If only id kept a few minor nobles to act as secretaries."
His pen stopped as a bright light behind him obscured the papers.
Not wasting a moment he threw down his pen rushing to the balcony window.
And to his horror, a strange white light was covering the entire city.
Lakyus raised her head from a book her masters had provided.
Learning the language of the players made her feel ill but if it meant getting stronger no suffering would be too harsh.
As the page drew on and her understanding of it began to dwindle a sensation washed over her.
Something that dropped her to the floor in fear as a torrent of memories and pain washed over her.
"Stand, you must learn to overcome this power if you wish to so much as stand against him."
The dragon lord's voice was like a rock breaking the waves of the ocean against it.
Her head cleared some as she tried to stand.
"Wh-what was that sir?"
"Magic of the highest order, something only players possess, it is their greatest strength and its vast reaching powers can change the very world.
That is what we face."
"How many did he just kill?"
"I'm not certain, but I somewhat feel those whose souls have left the world.
I would say approximately eight million."
Tears began to roll down Lakyus' cheeks, how many more would this monster kill before he was satisfied?
Renner looked up from her desk.
Outside her window, she could see several noble homes with tall pillars of light stretching high above them.
"So he's already decided to help out.
I will truly owe that man everything once he is done."
Clementine looked behind her as she ran.
The towers of light meant he was at work again.
"Ha! Haha! Hahahahahaha!
Perfect!
I may even have to thank him next time for covering my tracks!
After, I repay him for my hand."
Without slowing down for even a second she dashed away, not the faintest care for her friends.
Pain?
Was this pain?
Like thousands of knives piercing his every limb.
It was like his skin was being flayed from his very bones.
But he didn't have flesh?
Momonga fell two his knees as wave after wave of pain shot through him.
"AGHH!
Is, is this the cost of the spe. . .
AGHHH!!"
It was agonizing as it went on.
Slowly his thoughts faded away as all his mind could do was protect itself the only way it knew how.
"Momonga, Momonga."
"Hold on I'll do it.
Hey, Satoru if you don't get up I'm gonna show everyone your NPC."
Like a rocket, Momonga shot up from the ground. Perfectly head-butting Peroronchino.
"Hahahaha!
Hey, Momonga you don't look too good you should get outta here."
What? Why would he leave? They hadn't even beaten the first boss yet.
"No seriously, Momonga,
RUN!"
The pain was gone.
And so were the memories of that day.
Emotional suppression stopped him before he could get any more depressed.
Momonga looked around the plains as he stood taking note of how many burnt circles he could see.
Each one was an indicator his spell had worked.
"Two.
There's only two."
He distinctly remembered three people standing beside the fallen dragon.
The old man like a corpse, the young blonde mage, and that little. . .
"Girl."
Right where she stood there should have been a meter-wide circle of charred grass. But there wasn't, no burns, no ash, not even any blood safe for the dragons.
Since she'd escaped his spell there were only two possibilities.
Either she possessed a world-class item, which he doubted, or she wasn't a part of the same group, a far more likely outcome.
"{Summon Lesser Demon}
. . .
Eh?"
As what should have been a low-level spell was cast, nothing happened.
"Shit!
The cost!"
All at once, every instinct he'd gained over the last twelve years began to scream at him.
Every shadow was an assassin, every tree a Druid, and the very sky above screamed danger.
Reaching into his inventory he pulled out a small roll of paper.
Tossing it into the air it caught fire bathing him in blue light.
"{Teleport}!"
This was gonna be a long two hours.
