I gasped for air after gulping down a full waterskin's worth of water, sweat dripping down my almost bronze glazed body. My muscles that I'd been building up since coming to this world were finally starting to show, almost chiseled but still softened by the water I'd been maintaining in my body. Contrary to popular belief, most of those 'Chiseled Adonis' you see in body building competitions only look as such because they forgo proper nutritional and hydration maintenance. If you've ever seen a proper lifting competition you'd know what I was talking about. God bless my Greek part of the family bloodline for at least making me look good with it.

Enough jerking myself off, I drop the waterskin haphazardly on the table and I admire the handiwork Kika and I have been up to.

"Spears, shields, armor… I'm grateful to have some work, but damn. At least the elders don't care about us using the iron for our side projects"

Kika made a nod at that. "Small blessings, as much as I enjoy this newfound craft, I would appreciate it if not all of my work was focused on arming our warriors"

Speaking of, I made a glance at the blister steel project currently baking in a furnace. After melting down the iron into some proper bars we'd managed to get that set up in a furnace full of charcoal. With the assistance of lizardmen maintaining and providing oxygen to the flame, we should have our first batch of the stuff soon. Provided that goes well, we may be able to start making proper work tools and anvils instead of the stone and bone we've been using. Honestly, I think the only reasons the elders haven't pushed for it to be used in production is because of both the rarity and the lack of proven strength for it. Which won't last forever, but at least we'll have it.

I pull the headwrap off of my head, and sit down, wiping away at the sheen of sweat with a spare rag on the side. My bandaged hands barely felt an ounce of heat during the full forging process, even if I was wearing leather treated gloves to assist in production. I guess my hands were a little more nerve damaged than I thought, but at least I can still manipulate things finely when needed.

As I sit down to take a breather, I nod to Kika, who was very much deciding to do the same. We sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the breaths we were taking away from the forge, before Kika decided to spark the conversation back up.

"So, Nolan… why do you know so much?" She asked, staring at the working lizardmen while she spoke.

"That's… a good question…" I admit. "Well, I read a lot of books as a kid, I'd sift through every bit of knowledge I could scrape up really"

"Not how, why?" She reiterated.

I couldn't help but sigh as it led into my… pain. This wasn't an easy thing to talk about, but… maybe that lizardman from the expedition was right? Maybe it wouldn't hurt to talk. Kika's scary, but she's got passion and heart. Also isn't a kid like Todone or Crusch, she'd have a bit more understanding of how much of a pain in the ass the world can be. Would be a good place to start I suppose. I took a deep breath, ready to… talk.

"Control," I stated simply. "For the majority of my life… I had no control. My family, my neighborhood bullies, so called friends, everyone took matters out of my hands. Some were nicer about it than others, but ultimately I was never allowed a say in the matter or else I'd be punished for it. Whether it was being beaten down for whatever I had or being forced to do something for someone because it was a family obligation, choice was something I couldn't take into my hands unless I was alone. And when I was alone… I'd often just read.

At first it was simple stories and works of fiction, tales of knights off to save a princess from dragons and all that jazz, but eventually I stumbled upon some primitive history books in the library. Sheer chance, I saw them left out on a table, but that was all it took to hook me. These were the histories of peoples who were just discovering things beyond fire and stone, learning what the world around them was truly made of. In a way, I was hooked on science I guess, but I was more fascinated by how people took to science. What drove them to pick things apart? What made them discover how to do this, or that? Which of our ancestors first discovered that bleeding animal corpses prevents a build up of blood in the meat, making it more tasteful? Things like that.

So, I wanted to know things. I'll admit, my fascination with certain old world histories is spotty, it's not like I can memorize every single book I come across, but I at least tried to commit to my mind that which I saw as more important…"

It was only a matter of time. I'd learned about everything in my area that was edible, Pops already taught me a few things about fishing and trapping, I studied local geology to figure out what rocks had what uses… Soon…

Soon I'd be able to run away out east, away from it all. Appalachia, where you're still bound to find people so cut off from the rest of the world despite everything becoming so modern these days. My chance to cast off the shackles of living with these disgusting things that call themselves 'civilized'.

"... Because I used to be a misanthrope," I admitted.

"A… misanthrope?" Kika asked with a confused look, likely never having heard the term.

"Misanthropy is hatred for one's own species, or even hatred for all intelligent species including one's own. A general distrust, born of pain and undirected anger, when someone just feels so… fed up with how people act. I still hate most people, but I'll admit that I've realized that hating everyone isn't smart. I try to hold out, be wary and careful for certain, but ultimately I've found that time and time again I'm often proven wrong when I at least get a chance. I just got dealt the wrong hand growing up was all.

I studied how to live this way and that, how things worked, because I wanted to be so self-sufficient and capable of providing for myself so that I could do so in the wild and live comfortably, without needing to deal with anyone else. I actually pulled it off for a couple months and lived pretty happily, but then my uncle pulled me kicking and screaming into a hot shower after he found out what happened to me. Same uncle that could forge actually, I never saw him much growing up and I kind of found out why when it happened.

He was like me. Turns out our mom's side of the family ran deep with a lot of suffering, but he took to it a little differently than I did I guess. He cleaned me up, gave me some work at his forge for a bit making decorative bits and baubles out of copper and brass to sell until I could find my own footing. I was depressed as all hell at the time, but eventually when I started to clean myself up, I found some philosophy books. Not just the philosophy of life, but love, war, faith… and it… kinda helped me.

I started to develop my own little miniature philosophy. If everyone's out to get me, if the world's gonna choke me, if everything isn't even gonna matter when I kick the bucket sixty years down the line, then why the fuck should I care what people think? Fuck them, I'm gonna do what I want, and what I want is to-"

I swallowed my dried mouth, realizing I'd been ranting. I took a moment to breath steady, easing my heart. God, how long have I let myself get riled up for this long? I was okay with talking a little bit about myself, not this. I place my hand on my chest, continuing the mantra of deep breaths and counting, before the sensation of my heart pounding in my chest fades. Then, almost fearfully, I open my lips.

"I am… so sorry. That was way off topic from your initial question, there's no reason for me to just-"

I jumped at the sensation of her claw on my shoulder. I fought the urge to keep looking away, and instead stare at her. She was looking back at me with hard eyes, firm and… understanding?

"You carry a lot of weight upon your shoulders. There is no shame in relieving it from yourself to feel the release of those burdens. If you had truly gone through so much suffering that it would inspire you to grow rather than writhe in bitterness, then that says much about your character"

"Pssh, please," I mutter, rubbing the mist out of my eyes with a closed bandaged fist. "I'm no different than anyone else. Dealt a bad hand maybe, but no less selfish"

I finish with a scoff, rubbing my hands and hoping to push this conversation away. Feelings bad, gotta stomp that back down for now. Can't let it all out at once, can't afford to. Too much work on my hands, the moment I break down is the moment everything falls apart, especially with all this whispering of tribal wars and internal fighting.

"Hmph, so you say," She uttered. "Maybe you will prove me wrong in the future, but until then it's time to dust ourselves off. I doubt you want to sit and mope all day".

Heh, it's like she read my damn mind. She stands up and extends her claw, to which I grasp. Not like I couldn't get up myself, but there was symbolism behind it, almost like I was accepting that I needed help.

Who knew it took hanging out with a bunch of lizards in a swamp to figure that out?

I groaned in my bed, sore from the efforts I've been going through this week. I've yet to see another level up, but it's not like it matters much. I can barely even figure out where to put this one yet. Not that I don't have a clue, but rather there's too many choices to make with it. Do I continue down the road of the Translucer, do I mark any of my more combat oriented roles, or do I pick something new up entirely to experiment with before handing that newfound knowledge off to the lizardmen?

Planning ahead, I do have at least twenty-one spare levels I can play with, provided there isn't a further evolution to my other classes after I've maxed them out, future paladin build and druid circle included. Of course, that may not go as planned and provide me with another class that would go even further into making me an ideal fighter that could hold his own against the worst of it, but only if I can manage to reach level one hundred. Not ideal, considering the likely level curve and sheer difference that would grow between myself and the rest of the world.

"Tsk, damn," I heard Todone mutter, who was currently playing a game of Checkers against a lizardman he'd invited home for a game. How I wish I could relax with them at the moment. Unfortunately, I need to chase my trains of thought while they're fresh in my mind to pick apart.

Hmmm… what other classes could I pick into that would give me the means to build things up? Construction? I already know a couple tricks about that, enough to build a basic house. Smithing? They're already taking to that swimmingly. I already taught them a few additional things like cooking and paper making, there isn't much else that comes to mind. Magic, perhaps?

I sigh. There's only so much I can do for them that would also benefit myself other than hunting monsters, but that's out the window at the moment due to my recovering hands. I tentatively sit up in my bedroll, getting up to drink from my bedside water jar. Definitely fresher tasting than a waterskin, only downside being the weight making for a less than mobile choice.

"Something the matter, Nolan?" Todone asked me, looking up from his checkerboard.

Maybe he could help me figure something out? Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea to ask him, even if he won't fully know the motive behind it. I could use something to make me choose what to put the level into.

"In a fight, Todone… how would I fare against the various species of the forest and swamp? Alone, I mean" I asked.

The toadman mulls my question over, moving a checker piece before answering. "If I had to say… about as well as your average demihuman native here. Which you should consider as a compliment, mind you. From what I understand based on the things I've heard said, you are certainly stronger than the average human. One of your main weaknesses, if I had to say, is the fact that you're spread somewhat evenly across the board. Which isn't a bad thing mind you, as you've said yourself, 'There's nothing wrong with knowing a thing or two about a thing or two'. While it proves to be a boon in situations where flexibility is key, you wouldn't last long against the more physically powerful trolls and ogres of the forest, or the more magically gifted and cunning naga. In other words, the extremes of both sides of the coin"

I chewed my cheek. That does make sense. Not that I couldn't beat the shit out of other things I've faced, but that was always with others to work with. I wouldn't last that long on my own against things like that.

"I see… is there anything I could do that would… help me increase my odds of survival in those circumstances?"

The toadman rubbed his chin, eyes narrowed in thought. With a mindful hum, he then moved another piece and answered.

"Don't be alone. Something I've learned with you, Nolan, is that being alone means you'll never survive long. It's in our brothers and sisters that we can lean upon one another, those we call comrades"

The toadman chuckled, waving a hand at the lizardman sitting across from him. "Of course, with the things you've done for the lizardmen, and the things you'll no doubt do for the toadmen when the time comes, I doubt you'll ever be alone in your ventures"

That was… not quite the answer I was looking for, but heartwarming all the same. I nod, laying back down.

"Fair enough, I suppose," I reply. "Thanks for the insight, that's something I've been curious about for a minute. Especially considering what you said about autumn around the corner"

"Anytime," The toadman nods, before squinting at the board. "... damn it"

Alright, so I guess this narrows the choices down a little bit to either continuing my druid path or choosing another class. Maybe a support class that plays off of that? I'm already planning on a paladin role, so that wouldn't be too far removed from the scheme of things. Hmm, what kind of support options do I even have available?

{Would you like to see class listing options? Notice: Some classes unavailable until quests or certain level thresholds are met}

… Once again, grateful that my patron deigned to bless me with the means to at least more accurately adjust and plan for things. Probably wouldn't ever be able to pull off my mission anyways. Then again, with players like Ainz, it'd probably take a 'player' to survive in this world in the first place.

I mentally scroll through the listings, weighing my options. Cleric… more or less does the same thing as druid, but more heavily focused on actual support rather than giving me options to go more on the offensive. Alchemist… eh, more reliant on potion making and the like. Which is good, but resources are a major limiter on that. And who knows how often I'll have regular resources at my fingertips that would more match higher levels in this world.

There's another one however, that catches my attention purely because of how… out there it is.

{Politician: Some may call you a two-faced rat, others would call you a prodigy of leadership. Capable of both convincing others with your words and soothing tensions, as well as providing a much needed morale boost and strengthening bravado, you provide for those around you that elected you into your position, relying just as much on their choice in you as you provide for them}

That's… a pretty weird class. Like, most of these were cool, even the blood mage one for all its sick and evil sounding status. But a politician? Why on God's green earth would that even be a class? And why does it make me sound almost as bad as brawler did? Are there any other options? I mean look, here's another one, 'Commander'!

{Commander: Master tactician of the battlefield, you invoke loyalty into your soldiery. With wisdom and understanding, you can direct warriors through the battlefield with ease and direction, as well as anticipate enemy movements. In times of duress, you may even summon strength within them that they never knew existed}

See, that one sounds great! What are the requirements?

{Class requirements are as follows: Maxed out one warrior class, special quest (Dine in Hell), minimum level of thirty}

Ah… that's… kind of okay? A little far off but something to plan for maybe. What's the quest?

(Dine in Hell: Through wit and grit, you forced yourself and your fellow man through insurmountable odds, facing off against impossible numbers and pulled your fellows out on top through the flames of Tartarus)

… Politician's requirements?

(Class Requirements are as follows: Special quest (By the People, for the People), minimum level of fifteen)

Alright, at least it's a little easier. What's 'By the People, for the People'?

(By the People, for the People: A person whose character is defined by their deeds, you have done everything you can to show people that the world is in need of strong leadership that cares for their own)

Fuck it. Whichever one comes first, I'll put a level into. Here's hoping it isn't the former, because as much as I want that one, it doesn't sound fun.

(Notice: Requirements 'Dine in Hell' met)

Okay, where did I even meet those… wait…

I can't help but chuckle as I realize. The slime cave. Of course I've already pushed us through some special tomfuckery and came out on top. Alright, I guess that leads us into another choice for now, my warrior class.

{Level Spent. Brawler raised to 6! You now have one available spell point!}

Alright, now that one is an easy choice. I don't have to worry about {Vine Whip}, as I'll just need to spend time with that guy for a while longer to learn that. No, I should focus on the stuff that I won't be able to learn around these lizards. Maybe the toadmen have a couple secrets, but I'll have to take my dive with what I see right now. In particular, something of the third tier to dish it out.

{Lightning Arrow: You cast forth a long bolt of electricity, not only delivering a painful shock to your target but to anyone within ten feet of themselves as well}

Bingo.

{You now have learned: Lightning Arrow (Tier 3)! Zero spell points remaining}

I relax in my bed and adjust the covers, turning over on my roll. This week was an interesting week, but next week I'll have to start double timing it. It's only a matter of time before winter rolls around, and I want to be at my A game when meeting the toadmen. I have to be strong enough to help Todone prove to them that things don't have to be this way, after all.

Nolan Potts, Human (Karma: 70 [Neutral]) [20/24 Spell slots used]

Classes: Brawler (6), Ranger (3), Druid (5), Clothier (3), Translucer (1). Total Level (18).

Spells (Druid): Frostbite, Entangle, Create or Destroy Water, Guidance, Jump, Cure Wounds, Dust Devil, Protect from Poison, Hold Person, Spike Growth, Lesser Restoration, Water Breathing, Darkvision, Sleetstorm, Ice Knife, Lightning Arrow

Spells (Ranger): Animal Friendship, Speak to Animals, Ensnaring Strike, Conjure Animals

Items of Note: {Humble Beginnings}

Party Members are as follows…

Member One: Todone, Son of Kodrotti, Toadman (Karma: -10 [Neutral])

Classes: Toadman Warrior (9), Brawler (9), Martial Artist (1), Total Level (19).

Member Two: Yulg (Karma: 50 [Neutral])

Classes: Goblin Marauder (1), Brawler (8), Warrior (4), Cleric (1), Total Level (13)

Member Three: Crusch Lulu of the Red Eyes (Karma: 50 [Neutral])

Classes: Awakened Elder Blood Lizardman (1), Druid (6), Spirit Shaman (3), Summoner (1), Scientist (2), Total Level (13)

AN: Nothing to be said, we can just get straight to the reviews this time.

Apostle-Of-Darkness: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Aicka: Holy shit, I didn't even know that was a thing. I'll have to find a way to worm that into the story. Already got a couple ideas, but it won't be immediate.

7sky: It'll certainly be interesting to see Nolan's reaction to the religious stuff.

Fan Mexicano: Hmm, he will need something big to pull things off... but that's for me to know and you to wonder.