Disclaimer: I own Nothing!
Volume One: The Pecking Order
Chapter One
Vijar Rajandala was looking forward to the coming battle. He was finally going to prove to the rest of the demihumans of the Abelion Hills that he was the successor to the Demon Claw after all. He had inherited the title from his late father, but he felt that he had yet to prove himself worthy of it.
That, however, was about to change.
Vijar, along with his aide Muar Praxua, stood at the head of his tribe, the Zoastia. His tribe's warriors were arrayed along the hillside, silently gazing at their leader's form ahead of them.
At that moment Vijar looked every part of the proud warrior he was meant to be. His grey fur swayed in the light breeze and did very little to hid his powerful muscles, his two red eyes gleamed, his large white fangs glistened, and his massive battle axe twinkled with eerie light, as if promising death to anyone who dared challenge it's wielder.
Just then, atop the hill ahead, a group of demihumans made their way to the top. They were a species known as Stone Eaters, recognizable by their simian traits. The Zoastia, by contrast, were reminiscent of bipedal saber toothed tigers.
"Hahahaha!" Vijar bellowed with mirth. "It appears that the ape has taken up my challenge!"
Muar only grunted in acknowledgement.
Not long ago, Vijar, seeking ways to become worthy of the title of 'Demon Claw', challenged Halisha Ankara, the leader of the Stone Eaters and bearer of the title of 'White Elder', to a duel.
"Finally, I will prove worthy of my title!" Vijar's voice was brimming with excitement as he spoke.
His fellow Zoastia roared their support while Muar just grunted yet again.
Vijar then walked forward with Muar to the valley between the two hills, he could also see the Stone Eaters following suit. The two leaders stopped 20 paces away form each other, with their aides 5 paces away from their respective leaders.
Vijar began observing his opponent. Halisha had the usual simian features Stone Eaters possessed. He also had long white hair and several sharp teeth that looked perfect for tearing out flesh. His body was covered in golden armor that appeared to be enchanted.
The two continued to observe each other until the king of the Stone Eaters spoke, "Hehehe...so you really do plan on challenging me. I hope you'll be able to at least entertain me with your screams of agony."
"Enough meaningless chatter Halisha. Do you accept my challenge or not?" Vijar didn't wish to draw this out. After all, the sooner he proved himself worthy of his title the better, right?
"Hehehe, you're no fun. By the old ways I presume." Halisha faked a pout, one which Vijar couldn't perceive due to the differences in their physiology.
"Indeed." Vijar agreed.
In response to their leaders agreement, the aides of the two leaders stepped back another ten paces. They were all poised to strike, however, they would only do so if the enemy did first. This is in concurrence with the 'old ways'.
The 'old ways' were a set of unwritten agreements for duels. They were put forward due to the number of duels that raged throughout the hills. This is due to culture of the demihuman tribes of the Abelion hills; a culture in which strength is everything.
Demihumans follow the strong. This is how it has always been and always will be. The strong do what they will while the weak suffer what they must. That is the only true rule of the hills.
Vijar went over what he knew about Halisha in his head. "The Stone Eaters are known for their ability to take certain properties from the minerals they eat for a short time. Normally they can only take three at a time but it's rumored that Halisha can take many more. I'll need to look out for that. I've also heard rumors that he's trained as a monk, so he should be quite proficient with his fists. I think the best course of action would be to keep him on the defensive before he can consume any minerals. I got this! I will prove myself worthy of the title of 'Demon Claw'!""I am Vijar, son of Vaju, the 'Demon Claw', and I challenge you, Halisha Ankara of the Stone Eaters, to a duel! Do you accept, or will you run like a weakling?!" Vijar bellowed out his challenge loud enough for all the observers to hear.
"I accept your challenge, now I shall beat you to the ground like the petulant child you are!" Halisha yelled out his acceptance in an voice as arrogant as it was loud as he got himself in a ready position.
The valley was quiet for a few seconds before Vijar exploded toward his opponent while activating his martial arts.
Normally demihumans didn't learn martial arts or warrior skills, instead relying on their natural abilities. However, the truly dangerous demihumans are the ones who have learned martial arts and warrior skills, and Vijar happened to be one of those few.
"[Ability Boost], [Greater Ability Boost], [Heavy Blow]!"
The first two martial arts were as read, ability boosters. The third, however, is a martial art that Raises the weapon's crushing capability. It also inflicts battering damage to opponents with armor, such as Halisha.
However, Vijar isn't the only demihuman who learned martial arts.
"[Evasion], [Greater Evasion]!"
Using the two martial arts Halisha leaped back out of the way of Vijar's massive axe.
"Heeheehee, where in the world are you aiming boy?" Taunted Halisha with a twisted grin on his face.
Vijar made no comment, focusing only on the moves of his opponent.
Then, without warning, Halisha sped forward, looking to catch Vijar off guard.
"[Iron Fist]!" Halisha yelled out the name of his strike.
Vijar didn't have time to dodge. "I might not be able to dodge, but I can still defend."
"[Reinforce Hide]!"
Halisha's strike connected, but Vijar was only pushed back ahalf a foot. Now Halisha was open to a counter attack.
"Now our battle ends! [Fatal Edge]!" Vijar's axe came down like the scythe of reaper himself as he aimed for a killing blow. However, Halisha wasn't done just yet.
"[Gale Acceleration]." Halisha spoke out his martial art and increased his speed in order to evade Vijar's killing blow. He did not, however, come out unscathed. Vijar's axe cut a deep gash on Halisha's left arm, cutting strait through the enchanted armor there.
"How dare you cut me brat! I'll kill you!" It was easy for Vijar to notice how ticked off Halisha was in that moment. However, he was enjoying their duel to much to care about it.
"Hahaha! First blood is mine! Come White Elder, let us implant the image of our great duel in the hearts and minds of our brethren!" Speaking of which, the tribesmen of both Vijar and Halisha watched their duel with an almost revenant awe. Soaking in every moment of this clash between their two greatest warriors and leaders.
"Hnghh!" Malice and killing intent practically oozed off Halisha at this point. This brat actually managed to wound him! He is Halisha the White Elder,leader of the Stone Eaters. He will not tolerate this brats insolence any longer.
Halisha dropped any sense of reason as he prepared to charge Vijar head on. Vijar, sensing this, got into a ready position. Preparing to meet Halisha's charge with a counter. However, before Halisha charged, the surrounding temperature dropped. Both combatants felt something they hadn't felt in a long time, fear. It was as if they were both small children once more, and the source of their fear was 30 paces away, watching their duel. They both turned their heads to the side to look at their fear's source.
They were beholden to a form that one could only call death incarnate. A massive skeleton wearing an elegant dark robe that seemed to suck all the light out of the surroundings. The robe was decorated with priceless jewels that functioned as buttons. The buttons around the chest area were opened up, revealing a pearly white rib cage, with a glowing malevolent red orb inside. The being's head was covered with a hood except for it's exposed face. The face was that of a skeleton's, it was perfectly clean and gave an almost divine feeling, also the jaw of the being protruded slightly, but it only served to add to the regal atmosphere surrounding the being. It's eyes were two dancing red flames that gave the impression of being able to see right through your soul and have all your secrets and fears be laid bare. Finally, surrounding the being, there was a halo of obsidian black radiance, striking both fear and awe into those near by.
The being was not alone, however. It sat on a magnificent throne that looked to be carved out of a single crystal and appeared to split the heavens. The throne would strike awe in any who would witness it, many would be consumed with greed and attempt to formulate plots to get it for themselves, before realizing that such a throne was not meant for mere mortals like them. In addition to the mighty throne, the being held a staff. The staff appeared to be seven coiling snakes with gems in the mouths of each. The staff itself was golden and gave off an aura that no other weapon could match. It promised power to those whom could wield it, absolute power. Every so often the staff would release an aura that appeared like damned souls screaming in agony.
Truly, every facet of the avatar of death and his items screamed strength, power, and majesty.
Vijar didn't know what to think. Had death come for him? Did he come to watch their duel? He didn't have an answer, so he stood there in silence for a few seconds contemplating what to do. In the end he decided that since he obviously couldn't hope to match this being in strength there was a chance if he acted submissively that death might let him live.
So, Vijar did the only sensible thing he could think of, he kneeled before death. So, image his shock when Halisha began to insult this being in front of them.
Momonga had a million different thoughts flying through his head all at once. But the most pressing one was, what is going on? One minute he was sitting on the [Throne of Kings] in the throne room in Nazarick, holding the [Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown], awaiting the end of his beloved guild and all his friends and his creations, the next he's still sitting on the throne but outside, in between two hills, in an area that definitely was not in the world of Hel in YGGDRASIL, and finally, there's a bunch of demihumans in front of him that look like they're in the middle of a duel. "Aggghhh...just thinking about it makes my head hurt. Alright focus, remember Punitto Moe's teachings, don't loose your cool, you can do this. Okay. These demihumans could be players or NPCs, can't be sure yet, if they're players there is a chance we can negotiate but they might just attack because of my character's heteromorphic race."
In YGGDRASIL there was a lot of discrimination towards heteromorphic characters, to the point where it could almost be described as cyber bullying. Thus, Momonga had every right to be worried about an attack for no reason, after all, it was common place in almost all the PVP zones in YGGDRASIL. It was also one of the main reasons the guild Nines Own Goal was founded, the same guild that later became Momonga's own beloved Ainz Ooal Gown.
"However, if they're NPCs there is no chance at all that I'm avoiding a fight here."
In YGGDRASIL, much like the players, there were very few NPCs that were friendly toward Heteromorphic characters, so the chances of this ending without bloodshed were slim. "Speaking of blood, I can smell that ape like demihuman's wound from here. Wait. Smell, there was no feature like that in Yggdrasil."
This realization hit Momonga like a bullet. "Could it be that I'm not in the game anymore? I can smell now, also I can't see my HUD anymore. Am I really in a new world, or maybe I'm in a dream? What is going on here?"
"Where did you come from you disgusting undead?" The sound of the ape like demihuman brought Momonga out of his musings. His 'eyes' then took in what was happening before him. The tiger like demihuman was knelling on the ground. Huh? Also the ape like demihuman was looking at him with what had to be a glare.
Another thing Momonga noticed was that the ape like demihuman's mouth actually moved as he talked! "YGGDRASIL didn't have the technology necessary for complex facial movements! That confirms it. I'm in a new world, either that or I'm in YGGDRASIL 2 or something but the devs would've sent out something advertising the new game if that's the case also, I'm missing my HUD, so there's that."
"Didn't you hear me you stupid undead? I said what are you doing here?!" The ape like demihuman looked to be practical fuming now. "What did I ever do to him? Oh wait! Did I trespass on his territory or something? For all I know he could be super powerful! I have to be really careful with how I handle this. Salaryman skills don't fail me now!"
"My apologies, I seem to have gotten lost, I'd like to humbly ask for directions to the nearest town. If its not an inconvenience of course?" Momonga said in the polite tone that he often used when dealing with clients. However, Momonga also internally cheered. "Yes! That should have hopefully diffused the situation and I might be able to get some information about the surroundings here."
"Do you think I'm stupid undead? Huh? State your real reason for interrupting our duel. Otherwise you'll face the wrath of Halisha Ankara, holder of the title 'White Elder' and leader of the Stone Eaters!" Boasted Halisha in an arrogant tone.
"I'm not really lying and he's being really rude. Wait. He could be really strong, I have to be cautious." After he completed his internal musing, Momonga then began his preparations. [Silent Magic: Body of Effulgent Beryl, [Silent Mag-
"You insolent undead! [Grand Power Strike]!" Halisha yelled this out as he charged Momonga, and Momonga, due not to the surprise of the attack itself, but rather how slow it was, let it hit him.
"Impossible! Lowly skeletal undead like you should be vulnerable to bludgeoning damage! Everyone knows that!" Halisha practically yelped in surprise after he leaped back and it was revealed to him that his attack had no effect. But, to his credit, everyone, including Momonga was frozen with shock.
"He's really weak? No, don't come to conclusions yet, he might just be hiding his power or something. Yeah, that must be it. Still, it's good to now the my [High Tier Physical Nullification]still works. Also, what was that skill he used? Some sort of warrior skill? I'll need to wary of any stronger ones." Momonga was broken from his musings due to the ape demihuman's words yet again.
"No matter, I'll still kill you!" Halisha was practically foaming at the mouth as he charged toward Momonga. However, this time Momonga wouldn't like him strike.
"[Grasp Heart]."
Grasp Heart is a ninth tier necromancy spell that causes instant death for weaker opponents. However, stronger opponents can easily resist that affect of the spell, but they cannot resist the second effect so easily. The second affect of the spell is a stun effect that temporarily disrupts the opponents movements. It was this effect that Momonga was looking for, as it would give him time to get some distance between him and his opponent so you could start his barrage of ranged magic. So imagine his surprise when after an astral projection of a heart appears in his hand and after he squeezes it, his opponent falls forward dead.
"Wh-what, is he really dead? Was he truly that weak? Also, why am I not freaking out about killing someone, the old me would have vomited my guts out five times by now. Is it because I'm undead? I'll need to come back to that thought later. Ahhhhh...what should I do now? Focus Momonga! There are still other demihumans here! They could be stronger than that Hali guy, that was his name right? Ahhhhh! Focus!" After internally slapping his cheeks, Momonga took a look at his surroundings again. The tiger like demihuman was continuing to kneel on the ground before him, now with an almost reverential awe, the same could be said for the other tiger like demihuman's near Momonga and on one of the hill tops. The other demihumans, those who resembled apes, looked at him with eyes that could easily be observed to be filled with fear, however, they still kneeled before him.
"Wh-what are they doing? Are they knelling to me? Why? I'm just a salaryman for crying out loud! Also, didn't I just kill one of they're own? If someone killed one of my comrades I would certainly not bow down their killer." As he discussed things internally Momonga accidentally activated one of his skills, [Aura of Despair], due to his dark thoughts, unknowingly sending waves of fear through the gathered demihumans.
"M-m-my l-lord, I s-swear the a-allegiance of my t-tribe and m-myself to your g-greatness." The skill deactivated after Momonga was brought back from his dark thoughts, just in time to hear the words of the tiger like demihuman.
"What?"
"M-my lord! P-please forgive o-our former l-leader's transgressions. We th-the Stone Eaters wish to p-pledge our allegiance as well!"
"What just happened?"
