Overlord Effect

by oblivon2991

With the arrival of the Shinigami and his enforcer came hardship. With hardship came equality. With careful planning came advancement. With advancement, the civilization thrived. And when a fantasy based civilization met an another one? What's then? What happens when the Sorcerer Kingdom met the galactic community? The Reapers? (AU with a lot of OC'S! Beware! XD) HIATUS until fn.

5. Silver Wolf

Thank you for reading my fanfic!

My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.

I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.

I don't own the Mass Effect trilogy developed by the Bioware game studios.

Please review it I know I will make mistakes what I will intend to correct and try to learn from my mistakes and improve myself.

This story made by the request of sandmanwtf4.

Thank you for reading this notification!

Please enjoy the story!

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In the ninth floor of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. Eleven being sat around the huge oval shaped table. The lights that the huge chandelier emitted reflected back from the polished black marble floor of the room. It seemed the homunculi maids' nonstop; tireless work showed its results.

Under the table, a massive sized red carpet stretched. It was quite a sight to awe even if it was just a simple meeting room for the members of the Ainz Ooal Gown.

On the walls, several flags and paintings hung decorated with the emblems and the replicas of the guild members of Ainz Ooal Gown. Forty-one seat stretched around the oval shaped wooden table. But only eleven people sat around it instead of the official thirteen members of the current séance.

This was the council of the thirteens. The committee that was formed by the 13 god-like being of the New World. Of course, Ainz was the king of the Sorcerous kingdom. But even he with the help of his friend and his vassals could not possibly control his vast, constantly growing kingdom alone and make every important decision without seeking the opinions of other parties.

Other perspectives what helped him to govern his country with utmost efficiency and finesse. The previously mentioned beings were similar to him and Esdeath. All of them players who're transported into the New World when the midnight shutdown of YGGDRASIL servers occurred.

Each player appeared in a different point of history than Ainz and his companion. Some of them transported before them, some of them later when he established his kingdom. Some of them came with groups. Some, of them, transported with their whole guild but mostly the players appeared alone in the new environment. Approximately with hundred years of omission.

It was a kind of interesting phenomenon, but since two centuries no new players appeared on the stage of the world. They either hid away from the sight of Ainz or simply there was no new player anymore. Who knows...

The players usually were peaceful, and after Ainz had explained them, his guild changed ways and strives towards world peace and the equality of the races. Simply accepted his offer sharing his ideas and joined him helping his conquest. (Or at least they said this. Maybe some of them joined out of their fear Ainz send his vassals or his enforcer after them to earn what is rightfully his) But of course, there are always elements which have another idea about how things should work than the great king of the Sorcerous Kingdom.

Some of these players were declined his offer to join him harshly and even attacked him and his vassal's insight occasionally. But these players were mostly people either transported with their whole guild, had a grudge against the guild Ainz Ooal Gown, or simply went mad because of their sudden race change or even from their immediate gained godly power.

(Knowable: the guild Ainz Ooal Gown was a famous player kill guild back in the days of YGGDRASIL. The guild mostly hunted humanoid raced players for payback. Due, they continuously hunted heteromorphic raced players. In other name players with monster race such as undead or demons. Hunting heteromorphic players and monsters were not punished by the game like any other race. For example farming humanoid and demihuman players continuously punished by the game system.

Avenging this, the guild Ainz Ooal Gown hunted mostly non-monster raced players such as humans, elves, goblins, etc. But did not showed mercy anyone who stood in their way. For this. The guild was rumored to be pretty notorious.)

Because of these suddenly appeared factors. Often occurred Ainz and his vassals had to take actions against these offenders to punish them personally and in the worst case of scenario. Eliminate them. Killing them over and over again until they disappeared completely or deleveled them lower level. In a level where thy no longer proved a threat.

As a good king and the protector of this world. He just could not let such offense unpunished. And most of the cases he made an example on the offenders for the joy of his vassals.

Currently, the council contained thirteen members. Thirteen with Ainz and Esdeath. These few players agreed to help Ainz to rule over these lands and other planets in exchange they got a piece of authority over the lands and political power. Power to affect the Kingdom in a strict margin and offer Ainz their opinion if it's neccesary.

But this influence came with a price. They had to answer Ainz and report him weekly and naturally. If they try to overthrow him the consequences will be dire. It is equal to treason what is usually punished with public execution after a long prolonged torture.

Many people say torture is inhuman and only used in the old times by primitive people. But it is certainly effective and in the Sorcerous Kingdom. A terrorist has no rights. A terrorist has lost his/her rights to protected by the law of the kingdom. This is why and because of their good life, equal treatment, and political influence it only happened only two times in the history as someone tried to rebel against Ainz and assassinate him amongst the players who joined him.

You don't have to ask. It did not end well for those two persons.

As the eleven beings sat around the table. They discussed the happenings of the past days. Mostly how to handle the new civilizations. What kind of diplomatic arrangement they had to make, which goods they trade and which ones they put strict limitation about its export and usage outside of the kingdom borders.

Many questions came with the appearance of the new galactic civilizations. Many questions what needed to be answered. The people around the table even debated if the kingdom joins the Galactic community or not before Albedo made her official appearance before the council. But after hours of debate, they decided against it. Only three members are proposing to join the council races. One refrained from voting.

On the head of the oval shaped table, a man clad in a violet and golden-edged black academic gown sat. On the deep void of his eyeholes two violently glowing red orb settled. Promising death to anyone who dared to oppose him. He looked around.

On the two side of the table, ten being sat against him. Waiting for their leader to start the session. The session why these ten being gathered in the guild meeting room today.

Ainz nodded his head. Showing his respect to his fellows. It cannot be helped. As a former Japanese salaryman he still up kept this habit of his. He still thought if he treats people with respect in exchange the people will treat him with such respect in return.

And he was not too far from the truth. People usually reacted positively to his politeness.

It cannot be helped. He was just this old fashioned like always. This is why he kept so many retro fashioned furnitures in his room. Because it made him remember the old good times when things were not as complicated as now.

But according to Demiurge and the vassals of Nazarick. The people who Ainz treated politely most likely just saw this act of politeness as a sign of his complete control over the situation. So, most of the people gave up their good position at the beginning of the negotiation. Thinking, Ainz already outwitted them.

Ainz raised his skeletal hand.

"Thank you for coming in this late time of the day." announced Ainz.

"Sure thing Ainz-san…" raised his hand a pale looking individual on the other side of the table. "It is only natural we answer your call. After all. We are partners in crime…" chuckled the pale looking man with yellowish red eyes.

The chuckling person was Alucard Bloodread. A Nosferatu. Owner the legendary eclipse vampire race job and the handler of the diplomatic meetings in the kingdom.

After all, despite the talented Albedo best efforts. Even she needs a little help with her work. The said man wore a blood red elegant suit with black tie. His raven black hair shone under the light of the chandelier. On his nose, he wore a round yellow tinted spectacle.

"Thank you…" the Overlord nodded.

"Why did you called us here Ainz-san? Something in the matter?" asked the elf sitting directly in Ainz's left side. "We already discussed how we handle the kingdom's appearance in the galactic stage a few days ago as well every other thing what came up in the meantime. What're other things there are to discuss?" the elf who spoke was Akemi. The younger sister of Yamaiko. A former guild member of Ainz Ooal Gown. The young-looking elf player was an occasional guest in the tomb back in the days of YGGDRASIL.

Her long ashen hair settled on her shoulders. Wearing her costume, she glanced at Ainz with her dual colored eyes.

"There are still things to discuss Akemi-chan… Things what does not only include our colonization plans. But the future of the kingdom." explained the Overlord of Death.

"We all eagerly waiting for your speech boss… just do not stretch it out… that speech of yours was pretty boring…" rolled his eyes a baggy looking individual in the fourth seat of the oval shaped table. If you can call the person an individual.

Namely, the said person lied in two pieces. His head rested on the table with ghostly gray skin rolling his head. Meanwhile, the person body sat behind the head playing with a Rubik cube in his hands. His worn jeans and simple, baggy T-shirt showed his lazy personality as well his shaggy gray hair.

Still, because of his reputation and professionalism when it came to working. He deserved his place in the table.

"Wallace! Can't you at least wore something formal when we are in session?!" scolded him the Angel sitting not far from Ainz. Her multiple white feathered wings high lightened her race purity and beauty. She was Rachael Ashbringer. She was the Secretary of State of Education in the Kingdom and always kept her duty before anything else. She elegantly pushed her stylish golden spectacle frame upper in her nostrils. Glaring the undead player on the other side of the wide table strictly.

"Sorry, Miss. Sadist… I promise I will be a good boy… just don't kick away my head again." he rolled his eyes sarcastically.

The angel is flustered. "Yo-you dumbass… you know very well why I did that…"

The Dullahan smirked. "Don't say you don't enjoy it... Aside from that... That was only an accident…. my hands slipped…" he rolled his eyes sarcastically.

"Four times after each other? I don't think mister!" she pointed her undead colleague.

"I swear! It was an accident!" his body put down the Rubik cube and positioned his hand into a swearing position. "I swear! It was only an accident. My hand only slipped. That's why my head rolled under your skirt."

"What!?" the man sitting beside Rachael looked at Wallace. "What did he just said!?" His swirling demonic eyes nailed at the undead questioningly.

"Oh, nothing… you misheard it Alastor-san." as he rolled his eye, he started to whistle innocently. Wanting to cover his guilt. His body waved away the accusations.

Alastor turned to his wife with a questioning look. Rachael flustered and looked away with an embarrassed expression.

The demon player blood boiled hearing his fellow player treacherous act against his wife. He jumped up and immediately summoned his blood red Claymore in his hand.

The edges of the weapons swirled in underworldly wails of the souls what the weapon swallowed. With a sudden jump, he was before Wallace and pointed the blade at his head. Wallace body slowly raised his hand. However, on his face, a completely gentle mocking smile settled.

"Alastor-kun… don't be so hasty… it was just a little prank I meant no offense."

The demon eyes glowed in rage. It took much effort to withhold himself not to slice his fellow player head at the half. "Alastor… stand down." Ainz commanded him with his booming voice.

Shalltear who faithfully stood beside Ainz already equipped her divine class Spuit Lance and were ready to protect his master and husband in one person if the case wished. Completely disregarding her own safety in the altar of her master's safety.

Alastor is looking around and seeing the guards and his fellow players readied themselves to stop him if it's necessary. He put away his weapon with a lazy wave of his hand. The weapon disappeared amongst a black swirling fog. Placing back the item to his inventory.

He glared angrily at Wallace. "We will talk… later…" the spite can be heard out from his deep voice.

"Sure pal. A drink after this?" commented the undead player with a playful smile on his face. Alastor frowned and sat back in his seat.

Ainz looked through his colleagues once more. "Anything else before we can start?"

A rippling pink colored hand raised in the air. Ainz looked in their direction. "We are two people less… where are Esdeath and Lionheart-san? We can't start without them." The person who the jelly-like pink hand belonged was Jelly Jelious.

A player with the Elder Slime race job and owned the title of the Secretary of State for Health in the Kingdom.

"Lionheart is on a secret mission with my daughter. Esdeath has a few things what she had to take care in the meantime. Not as she often participating meetings like this… as you know… she hates things what needs formal attendance…"

The people in the room nodded their head in understanding. The menacing looking beast man started to chuckle in the other side of the table. "Yeah… not as many of us like gatherings like this," he noted.

"Anything else?" asked Ainz looking through his fellow players once more.

Most people in the room shook their head. Some of them just glanced towards Ainz. "Very well…" Ainz nodded. "Then we can finally start."

"What is the real reason behind this meeting Ainz-san?" asked Alucard.

Ainz bowed his head slightly. "Preparations…"

"Preparations? For what?" raised his brow Alucard?

Ainz bowed his head. "For the future of the kingdom…" Every looks focused on the undead player. "As you know… our kingdom made its official introduction in the galactic stage a few days ago. A big step under such short time." the ten people in the room aside Ainz nodded in unison. The overlord of death sighted. "I will be honest. The sudden appearance of the new species in such early stage of our civilization caught me off guard. "

"You are just too humble Ainz-sama. I am sure you already know their existence." chirped Shalltear with innocent honesty in her words.

Ainz turned at her. "I knew other races are out there Shalltear… I just did not expect their appearance so early…"

The vampire NPC bowed her head humbly. "I am sorry Ainz-sama. I misinterpreted your words. Please punish this unworthy servant of yours."

"It is fine…" Ainz waved away her pleading words. "Even I make mistakes."

"Point Ainz-san?" asked Wallace. Shalltear glared at the undead player. The killing intent what dropped from her would be deadly to any other lower level beings. In another world. The sheer malice what emitted from her beautiful form would stop any living being heart for a moment in her immediate area.

Ainz sighed again. "Shalltear..."

Shalltear regained her composure and bowed indulgently. "I am sorry Ainz-sama."

Ainz nodded then slowly looked towards his fellow undead. "The point is Wallace. We caught off guard. And it may happen in the future. No… it will happen in the future. After all… the more complicated the system. The greater the risk of the fault and with our introduction on the galactic stage. This system just became hundred times more complicated."

Alucard nodded humming. "Fair point."

"It was hard enough to manage our colonies, the people, and the factories. But with this little, unexpected surprise... We need to take care our diplomatic relationships too. The citizens of the kingdom need to protect themselves. After all… we all agreed to not intervene directly, using our great powers. Only when all things seem lost. Only then... we make an appearance."

"Aye! What do you mean Ainz-san?" asked the redhead dwarf a few seats away from the Overlord.

Ainz turned to him. "I meant the next Gimli-san… we need to expand our fleets. Increase our recruitment and stimulate our economy to be able to protect our new expanded borders and the new colonies. With the new playfield and the soon establishing new colonies, our fleets will be a stretch too thin to be able to protect our territory effectively."

The immortal redhead dwarf huffed while fondled his long beard. "So you say our fleets are unable to protect the kingdom? Even the assumption is ridiculous!" he looked at Ainz with an offended expression. "According to the reports. Our fleet dominated in the first battle! What is there to fear?"

"Doomhammer-san… there is a saying… 'There is always a bigger fish in the sea.'" quoted the Overlord player.

Gimli slipped one deep sip from his pipe. Then exhaled a big cloud of white smoke through his nostrils. "I know that saying very well… what of it?"

"Show some respect dwarf, or I will have your head on a pike!" snarled Shalltear. Her bloodlust radiated from her every word.

"Shalltear…" Shalltear shook out from her sudden burst of rage and looked towards Ainz with a terrified expression.

"It's okay…" Ainz turned back to Gimli and continued. "Then you know what I meant. As I said… our fleets stretched thin with many ships from the first expedition fleet became nothing more than wreck floating in the endless space. Out there… the pirate activity is quite high not speaking about the unknown highly advanced aliens that may attack our civilization out of the shadows. We don't want other civilization to take their sticky hands our technology. Do we?"

"What civilization?" asked the werewolf girl with a bored tone. Sitting a few seats away from Ainz. Her brown ears on the top of her head flinched as her long fluffy tail shook behind her chair. Left, right. Her red kimono lazily hung on her showing a little cleavage.

Aside from these two things and the few whiskers on her face. She looked completely human. Like almost all werewolf in their human form in the kingdom.

Ainz bowed his head slightly. "That is the question… we don't know what kind of another civilization is out here. They may be hostile. They may have technology what even we can't handle. We had to be prepared."

"In your old age, you became quite paranoid. Ah… Ainz-san?" joked the giant Nephilim who sat on one of the bigger seats.

(Sorry for interrupting. But I had to explain a few things. Nephilim and Nephalem were two distinct race with different traits. Meanwhile, the Nephilim were a race of giants hybrid between angel or demon and an another race. Thither Nephalem was a hybrid between the highest ranked demon/devil and angels. Both races were hybrid but between different species. Not to mix them! They may sound similar, but they are not the same thing. Now let's continue. Shall we? :P)

With his sturdy big tanned hands, the said Nephilim just tried to pry open a piece of packed chocolate. With less success than he hoped.

"Damn these clumsy hands… Is there no normal package or even size in this kingdom?"

Ainz waved his hand, and a few moments later a maid stepped near the man. Holding a giant table of the same kind of chocolate in her hands. "Thank you…" the Nephilim player bowed his head approvingly. Then devoured the sweet.

"So… can I count on your support? Our little expansion will be a problem, or it is manageable?"

Gimli nodded and huffed. "If it comes to me. It will be no problem. With our automatic and manual factories current output. My guys can expel a little bit more. As well I can urge my runesmiths to hasten the productions of the engravings what needed the productions of our ships.

"Of course, if it does not burden our economy?" he started to rub his fingers. Like a person who is expecting his salary. "With a little more money everything is possible." He looked smugly at Ainz then glanced at his companion.

The kimono is wearing werewolf girl named Holo Ame.

"Our economy is fine… thank you…" she sipped a sip from her orange juice. Then grimaced. "Arggg… bitter…" after the grimace she continued. "We most likely had enough sources to accomplish the thing what you proposed Ainz-san…"

Ainz nodded. "Then everyone agrees to proceed accordingly?" everyone nodded. One after other. Every one of them accepted the proposal.

"Very well then… then we can move forward to our next point of our meeting if there is no other question…"

"Ainz-san!" Rachel Ashbringer raised her pale hand.

Ainz looked in her direction. "Yes? Rachel-san."

"I am quite curious about what kind of mission your daughter and Lionheart-san participating in. Can you tell us more about it?"

Ainz shook his head. "Unfortunately. In this early period of development. I can't reveal much without risking the success of the mission. I can only say. They are investigating an anomaly that our deep space sensors discovered on the edge of the galaxy a few days ago."

"It is a little risky don't you think? What if is something dangerous?" pointed out the Angel player.

"It is why I sent them. With their field of expertise. They are the most qualified persons to solve this mystery."

Rachael frowned unapprovingly. "Still, it was a dangerous step. I am not approving it. Please refrain from such actions in the future. Sending Arturia-san and Serene-chan to such dangerous mission is just too much risk."

Ainz chuckled. "I will certainly try. But don't worry about them. I equipped them the necessary items to return safely."

"Esdeath-san has a bad influence on you." noted the Angel player disapprovingly.

The Beastmen player roared out in a laugh. "That's certainly possible. My favorite drinking buddy certainly has some questionable influence on the people around her."

Rachel just frowned hearing her fellow player outburst.

"Anything else?" Ainz looked around.

"What is so important for Esdeath-san not to be able to participate such important meeting? Ainz-san?" asked Wallace with great interest in his tone.

Ainz hummed. "She has a new project. But she only told me its name for me."

"And the project name is?" raised his brow Alucard.

Ainz let out a dramatic pause. Then answered. "Project 'Avengers'…"

Silence descended on the room. Then a barely audible chuckle left Akemi's mouth. "That's good…" she whispered. Ainz sighed and shook his head disapprovingly. Knowing why his fellow guild member named her project in such sense. "Let's continue our meeting…" And with that.

The eleven being continued their meeting. Ainz needed to hurry and get done with this emergency meeting. After all, he promised to Albedo to join her in the party what the Council organized for the newcomers. And this was the last day of the three-day long banquette.

---

Scene Change: Two days earlier: Normandy SR2: Citadel docking bay:

The FTL engines of the Normandy hummed as countless leads blinked in an out from life. The staff did their duty as always. Maintained the Normandy good health and reported their superiors each day. Mordin did his usual research stuff in his lab. Searching a way to repel the Collectors swarms.

Grunt boxed on the newly bought punching bag in the shuttle bay. Searching a way to get rid the itching sensation on the back of his nape. Jacob, as usual, checked every armor, weapon, and ammo what he could find on the ship. Making sure the gun what Shepard use not blown in her face or her armor not overdose her with Medi-Gel. That would be very unfortunate.

However since she recruited Zaeed, she requests his help rarer and rarer occasions. Maybe it was his imagination that played with him. Who knows? At least he can give his babies more of his love by taking care of them.

Jack as usual just resided in the belly of the ship. Scaring away everyone who dared to come in her immediate vicinity. Either using her inhuman biotic abilities and glowing eyes or simply growling at the by passer menacingly. Quoting such things as: 'Fuck off!' or ' I will pull your tongue out of your ass if you come any closer!' and much more similar things.

Occasionally frightening Ken one of the engineers of the Normandy. What Gabriella the second engineer of the Normandy found amusing and sometimes send him down to the psychotic biotic to fetch something from Jack quarters. Just to run back a moment later like a frightened little girl.

Of course, the veteran mercenary Zaeed cannot be frightened so easily as others. He often visits Jack and tells tales about his past jobs to the girl. Just to feel a little nostalgic. What usually Jack accept by barking at him to'Fuck off already old man!' Not as it can stop the former leader of the Blue Suns to tell his life story or how to make the perfect 'Zaeed's Gud damn Chocolate Cookies!' Or as he just calls them. Just Cookies.

As for Kasumi... she is usually just stalking Jacob. Mostly when he does his pushups, sit ups and crouches half naked in the armory. Then writing haikus about him. Occasionally break in Shepard's room when she is not on the ship and inspecting her stuff. Occasionally stealing one or two things from Garrus and Miranda just to make them crazy.

And of course, Joker. Aside from his daily prattle with E.D.I. And the fine tuning his baby. He had a quite eventless day. Of course, he and everyone else watched the introduction of the new race. Or rather civilization.

It was shocking yet amusing. Joker almost fell out from his comfortable leather seat hearing how that woman humiliated the Council under the watching eyes of the media. He never laughed so much in his life. He almost felt as much satisfaction when he got the evaluation at the end of the Flight School and saw his classmates dropped jaws.

Then when that hologram what called herself an AI appeared. He almost jumped out from his seat out of his sudden fright and asked E.D.I. If that thing really an AI or not.

That when he got really surprised. According to E.D.I. What little glimpse of code she managed to inspect from her. The AI.

Named G.O.L.D.I.E. seemed more like an actual real intelligence than an artificial intelligence when she tried to inspect her. She just could not make a distinction with such little information that she has.

It was like she looked at her through a telescope several miles away. But as the artificial intelligence of the Normandy described her. She was like a shining star inspecting her far away. If she would go closer without her permission. She would most likely fry a few of her systems.

After that. Joker did not actually asked anymore and returned to his duties. After all, he did not want his precious baby to fall apart under Shepard and her crew like last time.

An hour later he finished with his little tuning attempt when Shepard stormed out from the airlock. As Joker turned around to welcome her, he saw her face. And it was kinda scary.

She grumbled something under her nose. Like. 'I will tear a new hole on T.I.M.'s arse!' and mumbled about some kind of critical information. Of course, Miranda followed her close behind trying to calm her down. Not to vomit all her anger at the leader of the Cerberus.

From an unknown reason, Shepard was furious. Don't want to raise the tension he waited until she was out of hearing range. Then asked Garrus who just caught up with the two girls.

"Errrr…. Did something happen back there? I thought after meeting Anderson she will be a little bit happier." asked the ace pilot innocently.

Garrus sighed. "Nothing really. Just it seems The Illusive Man knew about this new civilization and did not share their appearance with Shepard. Nothing else… really."

"Really?" asked Joker.

Then Garrus turned to Joker and continued the endless tale. "Oh! And one more thing. It seems some kind of space god appeared before us when Shepard visited Anderson. Popping out some kind of black hole in the middle of Anderson's office. You know. The usual. Murdering space ships and space gods." joked Garrus motioned our favorite Turian with his clawed hands.

"I really need to write a book if we survived this. 'Weird days with Commander Shepard.'" mumbled Garrus.

Joker raised his brow. "Right… of course. It will surely win the BBA (best book awards)," he noted sarcastically. "Just the usual."

"See you later Joker. I need some calibration to get rid of this creepy feeling on my back."

Joker turned his seat back to the piloting interface. "See you later."

---

Scene Change: Gown Prime: Carne: Capital of the Sorcerous Kingdom: Royal District: Night Time:

The guard near the rear gate just yawned heavily. It was until noon since his shift started and he hoped soon his replacement would arrive. Then he can have his well-deserved rest and can have some shut eyes in the nearby barracks where he and many of his comrades stationed under their service.

It was a job. They were in the royal district. No one dared to attack the heavily guarded royal district. Not speaking about stealing from the owner of the mansion. The guard and everybody in the Sorcerous Kingdom knows who was the owner of the estate and what kind of punishment will come to those who dare to stole from him.

The owner of the estate was one of the wealthiest businessmen of the Sorcerous Kingdom.

The Chief Executive Officer of the most popular fizzy drink brand in the kingdom. The brand named Sylphid. The drink was at once refreshing, light and give energy to its drinker. Moreover, it was quite cheap due it was produced in great quantity in the factories of the brand.

The brand had countless companies in multiple planets and produced trillions of cans of refreshing beverage each month. You could say this drink became the national drink of the Sorcerous Kingdom over the years. The drink was a little addicting, but it was inside the margin of the strict health regulations of the Sorcerous Kingdom.

Of course, there was always obsessive fans who took too many from the refreshing beverage and became ill or in extreme cases died due to the stimulant overdose what the drink contained. It cannot be helped.

People just could not be saved from themselves. Even after a long time. Despite the best efforts of the scientist. They still could not find the cure for the stupidity and they will never will. As the saying goes. 'There is only one cure for stupidity. 'Death.''

But in the Sorcerous Kingdom. This was not entirely accurate. Due the said kingdom has undead citizens as well. So… it was not true at all.

But back to our current scene.

After a long yawn, the guard rubbed his sleepy eyes. When from the corner of the building he heard several footsteps approaching him. Something was not right. Quickly the guard looked at his wrist where his wrist mounted holographic computer settled and checked the time.

It was five minutes too early for his replacement to arrive. The mansion and the surrounding were rigged with the best security systems what you can find in the Sorcerous Kingdom.

It was highly advanced military tech what the secret services used to rig their hideouts, and the owner of the establishment could only rig his mansion with the said tech because his connections, wealth and high social positions allowed him such thing.

According to the man, his employer was a little paranoid when it came to his collection. But who could blame him? Aside from the private collection of the Supreme Beings and the Council of 13. It was one of the most valuable collection in the whole kingdom.

The CEO even managed to get some older model Death Knights, Nephalem Guards, and Angelic Wraiths to guard the choke points of the mansion and the lower levels. From the old series of course that Ainz and Esdeath made a few hundred years ago and did not yet upgraded them with the current tech. Officially.

This was due the new upgraded, armed and armored version usage were highly restricted by Ainz. These offensive units only used by peacekeeping, military operations, guarding high-value targets and as bodyguards of high ranked persons such as ministers or the vassals of the Sorcerer King.

But the older, decommissioned models had a quiet market when it came for private protection and guarding targets. The best thing was the next. They could be only hired through the military itself. This brought quite sum for the army of the Sorcerous Kingdom and helped reduce the military expenses what came with the upkeep such modern military as the Sorcerous Kingdom had.

Of course, even hiring an older model cost more than any average person could allow itself. So, it was rather the game of the wealthy.

And due the said CEO was quite wealthy. He had a few of them in each of his mansion. Even his factories guarded by a few of them.

The guard looked towards the noise and raised his magic fueled gun towards the direction where he heard the suspicious noise. "Who's there?" he asked in a threatening tone breathing heavily behind his close faced uniformed black steel colored helmet.

No answer came. He became restless. His trigger finger shook before the trigger. Almost pulling it in the process. "Who goes there? Answer or I will shoot!" he yelled to the unknown approached.

A man clad in guard uniform stepped out from the shadow. The outfit was completely identical than the man before him. Only their identification tags were different.

The guard lowered his weapon. "You are five minutes early." he barked to his fellow guard.

"Aren't you grateful I came earlier?" barked back the other guard in a raspy voice.

"Yeah…" chuckled the tired guard. Then become aware something strange. His fellow guardsman voice not as raspy as the man before him. He glared before himself. Then raised his gun. "Throw your weapons and raise your hands!"

The guard slowly puts down his gun and raised his hand. Slowly. Taking care not to make any suspicious moves. "Man! What's your problem?"

"Who are you? Charles' voice is not as raspy as yours! Who are you?"

"Fuck! Fucking voice modulator playing games again..." cursed the man under his breath.

"Charles?"Asked the man. "Man! He became ill last day. Don't you hear it? I am his exchange."

The guard raised his hand mounted communication device to its mouth. "Central. I caught a suspicious element out there. I check it. Code: Forty-Seven."

"Roger! We would send someone if you did not report under a minute."

"Roger! Roger!" acknowledged the guard. Then slowly approached the man. When he was close enough. He pushed a few buttons on the holographic interface on his wrist. And a bright blue scanning light washed through the intruder before him.

After long elongated seconds of scanning. The scanner beeped green. Showing the positive results.

"You are clear." he nodded. The man before him nodded and sighed in relevance. The man still eyed the suspicious element before him. Then report back to the central.

"Suspicious element is clear. I repeat! Clear!"

"Roger! Code Forty-seven revoked." the suspicious guard stepped closer. "Thanks, pal."

"Don't mention it." he nodded.

"So… can you pass me the shift?"

He looked his clock. "We are still four minutes less…"

"Come on bro! I see you are tired. Don't you want to have some shut eye?"

"But according to the rules…" he was interrupted by his fellow guardsmen by leaning closer to him. "If you don't tell anyone. I will not tell anyone either…"

"What is in it for you?" asked suspiciously the guard. Then yawned.

"Come on bro! I am making a favor for you. Come on! I will even make the paperwork instead of you!"

"What is in it for you?" he asked again.

"I am the new boy. Don't I? I need to be a kiss-ass, or they will never promote me!"

The guard chuckled. "That's right… without licking the ass of the ones above you. You just could not really advance." he hummed for a moment.

"Very well…" the two men touched together their wrist guard, and the authorization codes switched places.

The guard yawned in an overly tired way and started to stroll away. "Have fun! I take some rest." he waved meanwhile walked away. "Don't worry bro. It will be certainly fun!" smirked under his mask the fake guard.

He waited a few more moments to his fellow guard disappear near the corner, and the next scan wave ran through him. Then dropped a strange item on the ground. He pushed a few buttons on his holographic interface, and the miniature piece produced his life like solid hologram version.

He smirked. "Have fun boyo…"

He pushed a few more buttons on his wrist and turned the magical and physical scanners and cameras in the area in loop mode. That solid hologram only served the purpose to misguide the occasional patrols. It had a very limited dictionary. Perfect for these buffoons what the CEO hired to guard his manor.

The CEO relied too heavily on the intimidation factor of those summoned creatures when it comes to paying his guards normally. Of course, after he gets his hands on the codes of the other rear entrance and the guard uniform. It was child play to get inside of the garden area.

He not accidentally called the best thief in the Sorcerous Kingdom. There was no way those sluggish creatures will be caught up with his wits.

Using the codes what he previously stole he deactivated the security measurements on the walls taking care a fake signal still show the security on the walls still active. Then with a playful jump, he landed on its surface and activated his sticky boots what stuck him on the wall. He started a slow stroll upwards meanwhile whistled activating his invisibility generator on his waist in the process. He disappeared for the naked eye and scanners completely.

After a short walk on the walls, he reached a barred window. Unfortunately, he still did not have the codes to disable the force field and raise the bars around the window. But he had the tools to disable it. From his waist, he fetched a little black box.

He slowly opened it. Taking care not to touch the item in the box. It was a very sensitive little gadget, and it can blow your face if you use it wrong.

The small black sphere floated out from the box and touched the force field. With a few electric fizz, it disabled it. Melting a hole amongst the enchanted adamantine bars. Opening a way to the master thief.

Seeing his success. The thief smiled. But he knows. The night was still young. His objective was still far away. He planned this heist for a whole year. He can't fail now.

He jumped into the house and activated an enchantment what covered his trails.

Room by room he searched the secret room where the command center resided. Room by room he avoided the patrols and the scanners. The night was his friend, and he used this friendship for the best way possible.

The mansion was full of valuable items. Items what worth so much he could retire if he confiscates and manages to sell even one. But they were heavy. He could not possibly carry them out without raising the alarm. Because of this, he ignored those values. It was worthless for him in the current situation. He came for the big prize. The prize what resided deep in the mansion. The item what lay in the panic room of the mansion.

Behind layers and layers of blessed and enchanted metals. Magical wards and other ridiculously clever safety methods.

He almost blows his cover in the garden thanks to the cheap voice synthesize item what he bought. Never again he will buy anything again in Olaf's shop.

That man sells garbage. If not his wits and handsome looks he would blow his carefully planned cover.

Even the map what the man sold him has not entirely covered the mansion. He almost busted himself when he stumbled into a room where several guards played card games. If not his invisibility and magical hiding field they would saw him.

But thankfully the technology held and he was safe from the naked eye. If not those pesky scanners and wards. He could walk around naked, and no one would saw him.

An hour intensive search later the young thief found the room what he searched. The room contained the secret control room. Under his way, he luckily outmaneuvered every patrol. He long ago changed back his usual attire what consisted a black duster, a cowboy hat and a bandana what covered his mouth.

He even managed to steal the security keys to the safe from the control room under the nose of the officers in the chamber. You should saw their stupid face as they ate their cheap fast food. It was quite comical.

He even had time to leave a hidden message in the room. Those four buffoons in the room can't even detect him. Morons... he thought as he left the room with a satisfied smirk under his black bandana.

As he suspected. The entrance of the safe was in the basement. It seemed the CEO could allow himself to hire Death Knights to guard his mansion. But was too greedy to build a teleportation circle in his mansion. 'Amateur…' rolled his eyes our thief. 'This will be easier than I hoped…'

He equipped another item from his utility belt. It was a strange looking white spectacle. After activating it and rolling through several vision modes. He could clearly locate the hidden vent shaft what led to the basement. Directly above the panic room. After all. Going through the main entrance guarded by several Death Knights and Nephalem Guards would be equal to suicide.

He can take out one or two using his dirty tricks and gadgets. But a bunch of them? Thanks but no. He was not an idiot. Even if he was a talented fighter and cheater when it came to card games. Even he would not risk such thing.

Proficiently disabling the vent shaft security measurements. He hopped in. Hiding his tracks, he caused a loop in the observation system. Thankfully. The codes what he stole previously were great help fooling the system.

Several minutes of crawling later the duster wearing man reached the entrance of the safe room. He looked at himself. Several guards rested in the lobby before the safe. It was strange. The door only guarded by living force. No summoned creature present. Maybe a trap?

Better be safe than regret later. Using a fast scan, he scanned the room beneath himself. But found no hidden enemies. Only a few drones hid behind the side walls that only activates when someone triggers the alarm. Seeing the calm state of the guards and the miss of the meowing sounds of the alarm system. Until now. Everything is going according to the plan. At least… Until now…

He pulled out a smart sonic bomb from his utility belt. I said Sonic bomb because the guards wore hermetically sealed suits with a self-supporting oxygen source. This is why our thief felt unnecessary to build such ventilation shaft where he resided. Too much security risk. The designer of this place must be an idiot. He shook his head sarcastically. But as he always said. Their loss my gain.

He released the small device, and it immediately started to float. A moment later it disappeared from the naked eye. Using the computer on his wrist, he safely navigated the little drone bomb around the room. Carefully scanning the monitoring devices and scanners. Then one by one caused a loop in their system. Being the devices separate in separate systems. They cannot be turned out at once.

After minutes of careful navigation through the laser net in the ceiling, he successfully managed to turn every device into the loop. He turned on the little floating orb scrambling emitter what scrambled all magical and non-magical communication devices. Causing sizzling sounds leaving the Walkie Talkies of the guards.

Checking the communication devices the guards became suspicious. Desperately trying to reach the control room. Then... The little floating orb revealed itself elegantly. The guards immediately pointed their guns at it.

Slowly but steadily the little orb floated amongst the ring of security. Releasing multiple waves of an inaudible sonic explosion. Each wave modulated differently, so it affected every knows races in the Sorcerous Kingdom. The device also mapped its surrounding making sure it's emitting the right frequency to incapacitate opposition.

It worked. One by one the guards fallen to their knees. Their stomach churned and started to vomit. Throwing away their mask as fast as they can. One by one they fell unconscious.

Insert Music: Pharrell Williams - Happy

Finally. The device ceased to emit its hellish voice and gently touched the ground. Our thief jumped down from the shaft. On his head a retro looking headphone above his cowboy hat. His two silver colored dog like ears fluttered in the holes on his cowboy hat showing his joy.

He started to make a strange Michael Jackson-like moves. Meanwhile danced around the sleeping guards on the floor. Equipping his Vipera, he knocked out the remained still stumbling guards who desperately tried to regain their balance and find what exactly happened just a moment ago.

Occasionally clapping following the rhythm of the music. His moves were smooth like a person who does this often. Slowly dancing one of the guards, gracefully snatching away the key from the guard belt before it falls on the ground. He already has the another key what he needed to open the safe.

Before the sturdy, safe door. A dense, always moving laser net settled. He bopped another command at his wrist mounted computer, and a stylish sunglass dropped before his eyes from under his hat. Showing the ray's potential path behind the plastic lenses.

Using the rhythm of the music what he listened and his acrobatic skills he easily bypassed this kind of barrier. Jumping wall to wall occasionally using his jet boost to get through the net before it slicing him apart.

Throwing a device in the air, he spins with his heel as he landed and fetched another item from his utility belt. Seriously this guy had more gadgets than Batman in his belt. He threw it on the panel on the other side of the door, and it stopped before the second panel.

Pressing a few other buttons on his wrist, the little device started to run the cracker program as well the computer on his wrist. It was important the two sides finish cracking the system in synchrony, or the alarm will trigger.

The program was written by a genius and his close friend. Under moments the program cracked the heavy encryption and decrypted the digital key then the two sides inserted the physical key and turned it at once. The man knows what's next. Activated the illusion enchantment that he wore and showed the image of the CEO of the Sylphid mammoth enterprise.

Compared the CEO was a wealthy man. He was a lofty, well-built man with the long pointed ears what was his race own. He either does a lot exercise or used to lay under the knife often.

The scanning ray above the sturdy door scanned the man from head to toe. Then with a beeping sound confirmed his identity.

"Welcome MR. Fizzlecrack. Please don't forget to put on your gas mask. The air in the room is toxic." welcomed him the computer. The sturdy door opened smoothly before our thief.

The man smiled smugly under the enchanted illusion and entered the room. He already wore his bandana what not only hid his face but protected him every possible toxin. As well wore an item what protected him against radiation and toxic material absorbed through the skin.

Entering the room his computer immediately warned him about the suddenly changed atmosphere. The inside of the safe resembled more to a complete mansion than a real place where you kept your wealth. It was quite spacey thanks to the space dilating magic what used to create the chamber.

He looked around and spotted what he is coming from. An item with high quality. An item what the CEO got from the Supreme Beings for his years of service. The client will pay him handsomely if he gets it.

He continued his dance then suddenly stopped before a lazy looking hovering floorboards. His leather boots creaked. The floor trembled after he poked it with the nose of his black boots. Then forty meters around the item every piece of floor boards fallen into the void.

Leaving him with a hundred meters wide gap between him and his objective. Of course, he should expect that. He looked down and whistled. "Long way down…"

Safe nowadays is bigger inside than outside. As well only those who had the spirit key of the owner can approach the item safely. (The spirit key, in theory, was uncopiable. Because it was imprinted directly on the person's soul. No technology or magic existed nowadays what can copy it.)

He looked at the countdown on his wrist. The security AI will soon clean up the virus what flooded the firewalls then take care of the loops what he installed. His little breach will be detected anyway. So it was everything or nothing.

Whistling he clapped together his ankles and his jet boots activated. Being the room full of magical sensors. It was prohibited to use magic in the place other than the system authorized. Using even an inch of unknown magic triggered the alarm and caused a complete lockdown.

But even using prohibited technology triggered a few security drones what immediately lend themselves in action. Calibrated their guns and started to shoot paralyzing lasers from the tube of their mouth.

Our unlikely antihero gracefully outmaneuvered the lasers. Like a weightless ballerina in the air. Meanwhile flew towards the item and used his revolver like energy gun to shoot out the menacing looking drones. After a moment he reached the item and ripped out the grasp of the two power tether that kept in its place.

The legendary looking crystal sword looked marvelous and danced the seven colors of the rainbow.

The man stopped in the air. Pulled his cowboy hat over his eyes giving him the aura of mystery. Meanwhile, the hundreds of drones all gathered around him charging their stun guns and calculating where to shoot. Dancing a deadly dance around him. Never stopping. Never relenting to catch the intruder. "Well, it was fun boys…" he looked up and squinted his yellow eyes that had vertically split pupils.

"But it's time to me to leave this party…" he noted.

After a momentary hesitation, the drones released their deadly barrage of rays. Changing the previous stun mode to lethal. The thief who got the epithet 'Silver Wolf' from the card that he always left the scene. Our anti-hero dropped a mana infused smoke bomb under himself. The smoke blinded the drones for a moment and immediately triggered the full lockdown.

The rays of deadly lights tore through the magic infused smoke but hit nothing. Except for a few drones that hit each other with their energy weapons because they did not calculate the possibility that their target gets away from their sight and because of their blinded, confused state.

But when the smoke dissipated. Only a few wreckage of drones can be seen. The thief has been managed to get out from the room.

Hours later.

A fair-skinned, tall, well-built elf with brown hair entered the hall before the room where he kept his most precious treasure.

The said man wore an elegant green suit with a tie and studs.

He looked around. The guards still did not yet fully recuperated, and some of them still had occasional nausea and vomiting seizure from the sonic bomb.

As he looked at them. His face churned in a disgusted grimace. As he marched through his safe room multiple summoned creature and his bodyguards escorted him behind. Searching for possible threats.

The two guards who guarded the room bowed their head to him. "Open it!" he ordered them harshly.

The two man nodded and inserted the key. Then typed the security key. As before. The scanner scanned the man and opened before him smoothly.

Activating his item what protected him from the toxic air of the room he entered into it.

In the room, multiple hazmat suit-wearing person walked up and down searching for evidence.

He cleared his throat, and the people turned towards him.

"Mr. Fizzlecrack!" gasped the man in the middle. "We did not expect you this early."

"Wakey warned me about the security breach happened not long ago. I came as fast as I can," he explained. (Wakey: The name of the security AI. The name is not an acronym. Most of the AI in the Sorcerous Kingdom chose their names by themselves after they have been created or developed from fragmented program pieces.)

"Did you find something? Did the burglar stole something?"

The hazmat suit-wearing men in the room looked at each other than gulped uneasily.

"O-Only one item is missing Mr. Fizzlecrack…"

The CEO eyes widened. "Don't say…" he whispered with fear in his voice. Then look towards in the middle of the room.

The leader of the investigators nodded uneasily. "Yes… the Sword of Thousand Truths."

The CEO grabbed his head. "Why!? Why!? Why!? Anything but that! That Sorcerer King entrusted me that sword for safekeeping. How can I look in his eyes after this?!"

The white hazmat suit-wearing man cleared his throat and stepped closer to the CEO. Fizzlecrack looked at him with a sweating forehead. "I think… the thief left this…"

The CEO accepted the item. It was a card. On it a symbol. A roaring silver wolf and the engravings. 'Silver Wolf was here! Thanks to the party and that shiny sword of yours! Take care!' a smiley with outstretched tongue was drawn at the end of the message. Queasy mocking the reader.

The elf trembled slowly lowering the card then crumbling it into a messy pile. "Get me that mutt alive! I want to beat him to pulp myself!"

Meanwhile far away from the mansion.

Silver Wolf laughed whole heartedly how easily he got away from that place. Using the security codes and the many scrambling bombs what he hid in the mansion he managed to deactivate the anti-teleportation wards just when he dropped his infused smoke bomb. Then teleport out from the mansion before triggering the delayed explosion what used to come when someone is teleporting in or out from a restricted teleportation zone.

Arriving not far from his baby. (His ship) Then got away from the planet using illusion technology to change his ship appearance and ID after he left the world. And now he managed to pass down that fancy toy to the contractor. He almost has enough money in his accounts to help the kid and the orphanage where he spent the first five years of his life.

A few more job and he will have enough money for the treatment. Even thinking back that kid make his stomach churn. Her illness was not lethal or anything, but it made her life a lot harder and reduced the life expectancy of the child the quarter of what a normal Lamia would live. (Lamia: monster girls have the upper torso of a human woman and the lower half of a snake.)

He headed towards Touch Me. Where he usually resided. Due to the nature of his work he positioned his accommodation in an abandoned warehouse. The most dangerous area of the planet with full of criminals barely a few patrols.

He did not like it at all. Moreover, he often needed to change place because of the patrols. But he had no other choice. This or let the kid die in young age.

He parked his slender private shuttle not far from the warehouse where he resided. Then activated the cloaking so no one could find it.

As he walked through the slums, he looked around. Around him, the scenery really showed the difference between poor and rich. Of course, the few humanitarian workers who dared to enter the slums of Touch Me came daily base and the heavily escorted aid packages from the humanitarian organizations of the Sorcerous Kingdom came weekly base.

But where are slums... There is MOB, so most of this aid ended the hands of the local mafia. It cannot be helped. The Silver Wolf, of course, suspected it was not the fault of the government. The fault lied in the system. And as a thief. He was well aware. No system is perfect.

He stumbled in a few homeless who asked for alms as he walked through the narrow streets of the steel jungle of Touch Me. But he just ignored them and headed towards his destination.

A few minutes later he reached his destination. It was a dilapidated warehouse in the verge of falling apart. Of course, he resided in its safe basements. Buildings like this always had basements. Basements what originally planned as shelters and capable of withstanding a full orbital bombardment if it's necessary.

He walked down the stairs towards the stomach of the planet. Of course, there was a lift. But he rather preferred walking. He was rather claustrophobic after once his enemies tried to bury him alive and almost succeeded.

After reaching a sturdy, red metal door. He heard girlish giggling sound coming from behind the door. He smirked. It seemed the kid is enjoying the toy that he brought her last time. Then his face turned serious when he heard another voice behind the door. The distinct voice of the man.

"He really did that?"

The girl giggled again. "Yes! He did! It was very funny!"

The Silver Wolf raised his magic fueled revolver and changed it into a stun. Then with a heavy kick, he stormed the door.

The heavy door exploded inside. "Get away from her you son of a bitch!" he pointed the gun at the men.

The said man was a dark skinned elf. Also known as a dark elf. His blood red eyes contracted with his trimmed white hair. He raised his hand. "Easy…"

There was only a few furniture in the room aside from the mountains of electronic crap. At least it was crap for most of the people. But for the young Lamia girl, it was a treasure. She was a genius when it came to building something and programming things.

Several computers hummed in the room around the three people in the room.

The Lamia girl turned towards her protector with a dumbfounded expression. "Kouga Oniii-sama?" she tilted her head. "What are you doing?" her face was childishly adorable. She wore a white baggy shirt what contracted the red scales of her long snake-like lower body.

"Mukoro! Get away from that man!" Kouga aka the Silver Wolf barked.

Mukoro looked at the dark skinned man than her protector. "Kouga Onii-sama? I don't understand? What's the problem?"

The man slowly raised himself. "Easy… I mean no harm. My name is Joe. Joe Black. I came with peace. Mr. Kouga."

Kouga pointed his gun at him enforcing his will to remain in their current position. The Silver Wolf looked left, right, up and down. Searching any other threat in the room.

"I have no weapon. I came with peace." he turned around. "See? If you want you can scan me."

Kouga gritted his teeth and using his implant made a quick scan of the man and the room. It showed no visible weaponry or any kind of hostility from the elf before him.

"See?" asked the elf.

He nodded and stepped away from the girl showing his clear intentions. "What do you want?" the Silver Wolf lowered his weapon.

"Speak quickly." he urged the man before him.

The dark skinned man cleared his throat and adjusted his black tie around his neck. "My employer needs your special talents. Mr. Kouga."

"Talents? I am a simple dock worker. I have no special talent." he said the template what he practiced for so many hours and what featured his fake ID.

"Oh…" the man pursed his lips. Then an amused expression moved on his face. "Really? Then the infamous Silver Wolf became a dock worker? What a shame… Tch. Tch. Tch. Tch…." He shook his head and clicked his mouth in an amused way.

"I don't know what you are speaking about! I am a trustworthy dock worker working ten hours a day to get his humble living."

The man reached under his suit and pulled out a packed dossier. He threw before Kouga in a way, so it opened it. In the map, several recordings played in thin memory papers as his Silver Wolf persona stealing things as well some of the pictures showed his face. But that was impossible.

He always wore an illusionary face when he accepted the job. He always wore his mask. He was always careful. He always moved the money around through in the system before it actually arrived on his bank accounts. Then how? How do they know his real identity? He was virtually nonexistent. His real ID and every data about him had been erased from the system a long time ago.

"Don't worry…" assured him the man before him. Kouga shoots an angry glare at the man. "My employer handle your identity with utmost secrecy. Our lips are sealed." the dark elf made a zipping motion before his mouth.

The Silver Wolf gritted his teeth as looked down at the ground. Then looked at the young Lamia. "Mukoro. Please go and play something while the adults are speaking."

"But I am an adult too!" she hit the ground with her long tail.

Kouga looked at her pleadingly. "Please… Mukoro."

The Lamia backed. "O-Okay…" she disappeared amongst the rubble of electronic crap.

"What do your so-called employer want?" growled Fenrir after making sure the girl was out of hearing range. Yes, the name on his ID was Fenrir Kouga.

The man lips curled into a satisfied smile as he put together his fingers before himself. "My employer offering you a job Mr. Silver Wolf. Or rather… a chance."

"A job?" the werewolf turned to the red-eyed man. The man nodded. "What kind of job? What do I get out of it?"

"Well, first. My employer can pay the treatment of your…" the man glanced slightly to the tinkering lamia girl.

"Little protégée… as well we can erase your past crimes from the system and give you a new legal ID. As well for the girl." He smiled. "Did you know? She and her partner AI is the most wanted cyber criminals in the ether? Hmm? Interesting. Don't you think? So young and so searched..."

Kouga thought about it a moment. What if it's just a trap to lure him? What if they want to capture him and her?

He looked at the man before himself. "What is the guarantee this employer of yours keep himself to the deal?"

The man shook his head. "Nothing. This little risk what you need to take… MR. Kouga. Never venture… never win as the saying goes."

Kouga was cornered. Even if he eliminate this man. He was sure he was just a lackey and this… 'Employer' of his had more pictures what laid before him. Not speaking about they know his hideout. His thief personality. As well he was sure they observe them for a long time.

He gritted his teeth and boiled in anger. This mysterious employer gave him a checkmate since the start and now he! The infamous Silver Wolf was cornered.

He shrugged his shoulder. Showing his canines grunted. "Fine… what's the job?"

The dark skinned man chuckled. "It is kind to think so much about me Mr. Fenrir. But I am but a simple messenger. I only came to give you the invitation." he reached under his suit and placed a fancy animated business card to the nearby table.

"Think about it… Mr. Fenrir… My employer only asks you to listen to his offer... nothing else... if you don't like his offer. You can still walk away from the scene. Completely unharmed. No negative repercussion will be sanctioned."

Fenrir looked away. Gritting his teeth. Thinking heavily. What should he do?

"Contact us if you are interested. If not… well… Showing my employer good intentions... the girl still gets her treatment in the best Private Clinic of Gown Prime. Under the name of Echidna Snaketongue. Her treatment therapy will begin…" the man raised his pocket watch from his breast pocket. "Approximately ten days… don't be late…" With that, the strange suited dark elf walked out of the rowdy basement door. His footsteps echoed as he climbed the long stairs of the shelter.

Kouga swept away his sweat then raised the business card. On the card, he could the next animated text. 'The Benefactor! We build a better future.'

He gritted his teeth. He needs to think about this strange suddenly came offer.

---

Scene Change: Milky Way: Krogan DMZ: Aralakh: Tuchanka a few days later:

Deep inside the Aralakh system. In the middle of the Krogan DMZ. Under the F class star. Orbited the home planet of the proud people of the Krogans.

Scarred by bombardment craters, radioactive rubble, choking ash, salt flats, and alkaline seas, Tuchanka can barely support life. Thousands of years ago, life grew in fierce abundance under the F-class star Aralakh (a Raik clan word meaning "Eye of Wrath").

Tree-analogues grew in thick jungles, their roots growing out of shallow, salty seas. Life fed upon life in an evolutionary crucible. This world died in nuclear firestorms after the Krogan split the atom. A "little ice age" of nuclear winter killed off much of the remaining plant life.

In recent centuries, many Krogan has returned to their homeworld. Even more in the two past years. After new Warchief of Clan Urdnot. Urdnot Wrex. Took back his throne as the head of the Urdnot clan and started his revolutionary plan.

Of course, at first, not many clans accepted his proposal to share the females to be able to reach greater population and fertility rate. But one by one. The younger members of the clans convinced, the older members it is time to change, and with this method, their race will be finally able to defeat the genophage. Then showing their worth to the races of the galaxy. Taking their rightful place amongst the stars. Showing. The krogans, not the brutes that the Salarians painted them. But civilized people with rich culture behind the hardy look.

Currently, Wrex had a little free time. Free from the whining of his fellow krogans. Most of all... free from the whining of Gatatog Uvenk. A Krogan from an another clan. He accused him to not respecting the traditions and many more ridiculous thing. What makes him really angry. He called him weak minded. No one call Wrex weak! He who conquered many foes and survived more than a thousand years in the cruel game called life. After that. Who dares to call him weak.

He simply answered this offense by head-butting his fellow Krogan. Showing his dominance and imperturbability.

He just browsed through the Citadel news in the current scene. After all, as the clan head, he had to know what those slimy Salarians are up to.

As he browsed through the net, it came to his attention. The whole thing was stuffed with the news about the arrival of a new civilization.

He watched their introduction and a few reports with their spokesman. He did not know where to put them yet due to the media often hold a curved mirror before things. Showing them in other light than they really appear.

But he really had a good stomached laugh when he listened how that Chief Ambassador showed who the boss to the Asari. He never saw Tevos blushing that much. And the recording was artificially reconditioned to show the members in a better light. He could only imagine how the real scene looked.

He really liked that woman. As the Krogans usually said. She had balls to do things right. But when it came to light these people using artificial intelligence daily base. He disapproved it.

They had enough problem with the Geth. They don't need more of them. But he did not yet judge them. In the current situation. He had no right to make hasty decisions. After the first official meeting. Many of this videos and media material were already censored due it showing the council in a negative light.

But, Wrex was not stupid. He knows a few black sites in the deep extranet where the uncensored content published right after it reaches the extranet.

He almost jumped out of his seat when he saw a redhead woman in one of the recordings who ultimately resembled Shepard and wore the same N7 armor as she before died.

Maybe these people may become a great ally. But in the current situation. The most important thing was his race future. He knows. His revolutionary ideas are good. But not everyone accepted them so enthusiastic as him and a few youngsters. Most of the old shamans were stuck in the past, and he just could not change their way of thinking no matter what he tried.

He needed a way to change the way of his people before they destroy themselves. Thinking back to it. It was back when he was just a simple mercenary and traveled with Shepard. In that time he only needed to worry how much explosive he use or how much he passed his enemies. Yeah... good old times...

---

Scene Change: Milky Way: Behind the Perseus Veil: Geth Territory:

Warning! Civilian vessels strictly prohibited to enter the Perseus Veil! For your own safety. Don't venture through the border of Perseus Veil.

As vast in natural beauty as it is in threat, the purple and gold nebula called the Perseus Veil forms the natural border between geth space and the Terminus Systems.

The Veil's total opacity prevents Council intelligence from surveying geth activity. Theoretically, the geth could be preparing a devastating attack on which the Council could be defenseless, or the geth could have died out so that the defense budget against them could be gaining the Alliance nothing but economic ruination.

Despite fears of geth, prospectors do occasionally mount salvage ventures inside the Veil; one ended in tragedy. Using techno metal domination, the geth drew the team into the Veil before aiming them back as husks at the organic society that produced them.

At least according to the tales.

In truth. Behind the thick veil of Perseus. The geth collective watched the world. Monitored the organic civilizations. Watched their every move. And waited for their creators to return. So, they may finally put away their disagreement what came from their creators fear about they parented a new self-conscious race. And with the help of each other. Build a new, brighter future.

Because of this. They almost entirely left their creators home world. Only stationing a few unit on it. Gaining the necessary resources for survival by mining errant meteors and other objects in space.

They tried to understand with all of their collective computing capacity. Why their creators really betrayed their own creations.

Why they feared them and in the process sought to erase them. What ended with their own fleeing from their home system? Forcing them to the sad life of a space wandering civilization.

Always moving. Place to place using the scrapped out ships what other cultures threw away. Surviving in the crap.

By analyzing the culture of the organic civilizations. The geth know this reaction came from their fear of the unknown. Still, even after the network life form know why they feared them. It could not possibly understand clearly why they tried to destroy them instead of trying to understand their own creation.

Then the old machine called itself 'Nazara' came and offered a chance to ascension. Many units refused to join the dreadful voice. Seeking their own ascension. Seeking their own understanding by their own power. Their own insight.

Almost as many refused the offer. Followed the old machine in the war. The geth called those who left them 'Heretics.' But seeking understanding instead of destruction. They let them go.

They had no right to renounce their wish of seeking to understand elsewhere. It was the decision of the Heretics after all. Hoping. One day these 'Heretics' may return to them. Sharing the experience of their missing kin. Giving them more understanding how the organics work. Giving them a chance to ascend their understanding. They released them to walk their own path.

The geth waited and inspected the world. In a silent solitude behind the Perseus Veil. Only stepping through the border of the veil if it's absolutely neccesary.

Then… not long ago an another civilization appeared from seemingly the nowhere. The new culture was strange. Their machines are far too alien for the geth to understand. Yet similar.

Not long ago. Only one or two second ago in human standards.

(What if we considered the geth communicate with light speed amongst each other was counted as hours.)

The Geth collective received an interesting conversation with an another AI.

The few hidden geth consciousness that lay dormant in the network that the organics just called extranet conversed with this AI who called herself G.O.L.D.I.E. The geth mind objective of course to collect information nothing else. But when she popped up before them and asked them. 'How are you?' The Geths curiosity overcame their voice of reason.

It only took several seconds but the two party ran through hours and hours of questions and answers. But because of the limited geth minds in the extranet and to not risk their cover. The geth programs could not use their full verbal and computing capacity to answer her. Such. Their questions and answers were heavily limited. Tied to their local computing capacity

(This was due the geth was a network life form. The more geth consciousness is connecting to each other or using the same platform the more computing capacity they have. The more intelligent they are)

After long seconds of debate. The geth collective finally said out its final verdict

They need to make contact with this new civilization. They need more information. They need to meet them at least once behind the Perseus Veil. One of their units already out seeking out Commander Shepard. Maybe if they send an another one. That would solve the problem. But for now. They don't have enough information. They needed to monitor the situation before making a decision.

---

Scene Change: The Shadow Broker base: Unknown Location:

The shadow broker... Many people said. He or she not even exist. According to many individuals behind the name Shadow Broker, there was not only one person. But multiple people. Due, that quantity of information what the broker trades. Only one person could not possibly handle that amount of information daily base.

Many said... he or she is an individual at the head of an expansive organization which trades in information, always selling to the highest bidder. Always keeping its thumb on the most precious information in the galaxy. Always remaining in the shadows. Pulling strings through its agents.

In any case... If the rumors are true. The Shadow Broker appears to be highly competent at its trade: all secrets that are bought and sold never allow one customer of the Broker to gain a significant advantage, forcing the customers to continue purchasing information to avoid becoming disadvantaged, allowing the Broker to remain in business.

Forcing the buyer in a deadly circle of buying and selling information to the broker. To simply saying on his good side. No one managed to get away from him. Until now...

Behind his sturdy desk. A bulky figure sat. His crimson skin with white pattern hidden by the darkness of the room. Only the flickering holographic interfaces before and behind him showed his true form.

A hulking demon like monstrous creature.

Even he did not remember his real name. He forgot it a long time ago. Even if he had one... He is now the Shadow Broker.

He only knows the one thing what connected him to his past. His race.

He was a Yhag. A race that the Council race isolated and put under lockdown after their first contact became the bloodiest massacre of the history of the Council. He was a slave when a bounty hunter kidnapped him from his planet.

Yes... But. Not anymore. Thanks to his cognitive skills and high intelligence. He learned everything that the previous broker taught him. Hoping. He would be a good pet for him.

Hoping. He will amuse him in his empty hours.

Under mere months he learned to perfectly speak multiple languages. Under years he learned everything from the deceased former broker what he could possibly teach him.

He was no longer slave.

Not anymore… when the former broker realized his pet became too dangerous. It was already too late. He ripped apart his chains that held him back so long, the broker guards and in the end the broker itself. Only their bloody carcass remained after them.

And now… a mere Yhag. Sitting on the throne of the Shadow Broker. The best information broker in the galaxy. Information under his hands that mere mention can cause a war between races.

He only needs to push a few buttons. It would be so easy to throw everything into chaos. It would be so easy to ascend his own people.

But he was a realist. He can't play recklessly. He needed to be intelligent. Carefully planning his every move. Or someone will get his trail.

Thankfully… he was not alone. Under his command a whole army of goodly trained mercenary. Numerous ships. And almost limitless resources waited for his every whim.

Even the Illusive Man was aware of him. True. He did not have much information about the man. Neither has he known his real identity. He only knows what kind of game he plays how often as well which women he used to the bed.

But the time is close when he gets the report that contains T.I.M. real identity. Then he can use him as his pawn like he did many political, soldier and much more powerfull people.

Still, he needed to hurry. He was aware. Shepard warning is real. He tried to deal with the Collectors to pry some information from them about their masters. But he failed. He dealt with an unknown variable. And as an information broker, he hated the unknown variables.

And to make the case worse. A new civilization appeared. This makes things way more complicated than he liked.

Naturally, he immediately ordered a few agents nearby to monitor the situation and even attempt to get in their planets. He had no new information aside from that crap that spread through the extranet, and his council source sent him.

They came with their flashy, fantasy like chariots. Using impossible, unknown technology that even he had no knowledge. He often chuckled the way as his agent decried them. It was like some kind of stupid fantasy story. Unfortunately, he did not like fantasy stories...

Normally he would be patient. Calmly, slowly, efficiently collecting information, analyzing it. Then offering it to the highest bidder. Cornering the newcomer's leaders like he did some many times.

But being the Collectors and their mysterious masters on his doorstep. He needed to hasten the process. They had no time left. Maybe he needs to send a few envoys to these Supreme Beings as they called themselves.

After all, his art was the trade. And he was damn good at it.

He suspected these intruders as clueless about the galaxy as he was about them. Showing a little generosity towards others sometimes paid out.

Smirking on his devious plan, he pushed a few buttons and called his agents. After a few flicker of light, a masked man appeared before him. "Yes. Shadow Broker. Do you have a task for me?"

"Yes," he answered calmly. Being no optical input went through to the other side. No one knows how the Brooker really looked. Nor where his base of operations position. Not even his distorted voice sold out his real identity.

---

Scene Change: Unknown Location: Cronos Station:

Being hidden by the nearby red giant radiation. The Illusive Man secret outpost was completely hidden from the onlookers.

He did his usual daily task. Controlled his mammoth organization. Gave out orders and read the incoming reports.

Because of the size of his organization, it was a tiresome task. It was in vain he had a few secretary. He liked to do a few things in the old way and look after them personally. Just to be completely aware where his organization is heading.

Shepard progressed well. He already recruited the people from the dossiers that he sent her. And he just wanted to call her when the panel before him started to beep.

It showed Shepard calling him through the secured QEC channel what he installed in the Normandy. He pressed a few buttons on his interface before himself and the redhead full body holographic copy appeared before him.

"Shepard…" he sipped a big sip from his cigarette. "What a surprise... I just wanted to call you…"

"Don't Shepard me! You know it! Why did not warn me about them!" threw her accusations the redhead without explaining what she is speaking about. Her head was so red from the rage she almost looked like a lobster. In the current situation. She looked more like a madwoman than an actual leader.

The Illusive Man flicked his cigarette to get rid of the useless ash then raised it to his mouth once again. "Warned about what? I am afraid you need to be more specific about the thing what are you speaking about... Shepard…" analyzed her speech calmly T.I.M.

Shepard gritted her teeth. If she could physically harm T.I.M., she would just punch him in his face through the projection.

"You did not warn me about the arrival of the new civilization! You know how critical information is this!? How long did you know about them!? Since how long do you hide this from me!?" the redhead commander glared at the mysterious man as she shouted.

T.I.M. calmly drank a sip from his bourbon. Showing no visible sign of the commander accusing words affected his mod. Then put it down the glass on the small table beside him.

"Answering your question Shepard. I could not confirm their existence since one week. I and everyone else only suspected the drones sent through the dormant relay are either geth drones or the creation of either the Reapers or their pawns. Searching a way to weaken us. And I am still not sure about the last part. It's hard to admit. But even with my information network. I only managed to collect a handful of information about this new civilization and their intentions with the other races. It's hard to paint the full picture with such limited time and intelligence." confessed the mysterious man.

"When was the first contact?" asked Shepard crossing her arms before her chest. Glaring the man angrily before her.

"Since one month. I assure you, Shepard. I only held back the information because I lacked it. These newcomers seem mysterious. Almost as strange as the Reapers. But we have a bigger concern now…"

"Bigger concern?" Shepard raised her brow surprised. "What could be more significant concern aside from the Reapers than finding out these newcomers are a threat or not. We even meet one of them when we visited Anderson."

The Illusive Man raised his brow. "Meet one of them? Do you mean the Chief Ambassador give her respect personally to Anderson?"

Shepard shook her head and smirked. "No… I thought you already know about it. From Miranda's report."

The man sighed in the other side of the communication line. "I did not yet receive Miss Lawson report. Care to enlighten me? Shepard?" asked the man carefully.

Shepard shook his head. "No. You need be patient and wait for Miranda report. I am sure she will describe you the situation perfectly in her report… I will tell you only one thing..." Shepard leaned closer on the other side of the line. "Our mysterious visitor said… Give my regards to Jackie boy…"

The Illusive Man was barely able to hide his surprise behind his perfect poker face. He almost lost his always cold poker face hearing that name. "Where do you hear that name?" he sipped one sip from his cigarette. Then wash away the taste with a little bourbon. Trying to suffocate his sudden anger.

"That's your real name. Is it?" the redhead raised her brow.

The Illusive Man put together his fingers. "Maybe yes… maybe no… who knows… I long ago left such meaningless things as names Shepard. Now… I only live to serve the betterment of humanity."

"Yeah… sure…" Shepard rolled her eyes sarcastically.

"If you finished with your accusation… I have an urgent task for you."

Shepard nod towards the man. "Shoot. I hope this time you don't trick us…"

"I assure you, Shepard…. this is serious… one of our colony in Horizon has gone silent a few hours ago. I need you to investigate it. You may want to hurry. Your former comrade. Ashley Williams also in the colony."

"Ashley!?" Shepard gasped out of Surprise. "What she is doing out there!?"

"According to my information. After her promotion, she relocated to help build the defense grid of the colony. Unfortunately... I don't have any more details about her."

Shepard nodded approvingly. "I order Joker to turn the ship right that way."

The Illusive Man nodded approvingly. "Good luck Shepard. You need all the luck what you can get after all."

With that Shepard left the QEC room and disappeared from the Illusive Man all seeing eyes.

After Shepard disappeared. He looked down making circular motions with the glass in his hand. "Give me regards to Jackie boy..." he rolled this sentence on his tongue. Then pushed another few buttons on the interface before himself. A vision of a man appeared. "Yes, Sir?"

"We may have a security breach..."

---

From the next chapter:

A slender, small ship sailed through the infinite void of the space. Aside from its strange double arrow like shape and it's hull black coloration it seemed completely average small ship.

In the pilot seat behind the flickering lights of the screens a woman sat. She wore a typical long nun's garb. What hid her voluptuous form but seemingly it was not enough to hide away her generous curves completely. Her long blonde hair covered by two wimples strictly layered above each other.

Only a few strand of her long blonde hair peeked out under the strict protection of the cloth. Managed to escape the tight hug of her headgear.

On her neck, she wore a necklace with a strange symbol. Symbolizing her constant faith of her creator. Her ears were plugged by her earphones as she listened to her favorite music and tilted her head left and right. Following the rhythm of the music. Meanwhile tapped her feet on the hard floor under her feet.

Above her head, a golden halo floated and a pair of big feathered white wings sprouted from her back.

The woman was happy. She overjoyed. Her beloved creator finally gave her a task. An important task. It was so long since she requested her talent. And now it was the time to shine. To show her she is indeed worthy of her attention. Show her her worth.

In the last few years. She felt a little alone herself due to the lack of tasks from her creator. Aside from keeping clean her creator temple and keeping her flock from going in the wrong direction. There was nothing much to do, And this thing makes her sad.

But now. She had a purpose again; she can show her worth again. She only needs to find the secret entrance of Sanctuary. Bring a few test subject, copy every information what she can get her hands on and of course collect the ashes of a particular man. Then go forward to her next appointed destination. Easy. With her talent that her creator bestowed her.

It was easy as baking a pie. Even when she usually burn the cake into a charred, black carbon block. Yeah, she was not as good to cook as his brother.

It cannot be helped. She was not a good cook despite her best intentions, and it makes her depressed time to time. In time she almost poisoned the children in the orphanage with her baking. It was a sad day…

However, she tried her cooking and precision just can't get the level of her brother. But the momentary sadness replaced with the joy of purpose. She knew. Despite these days, she can't bathe the glory of her creator so often as she would like due the Creator numerous tasks. Still, she breaks off from her strict timetable to visit her time to time. Giving her to her infinite light and love.

Amongst her train of thoughts a female, metallic voice spoke in her headphones warning her about the time of her arrival.

"Arrival into the colony of Horizon. Approximately… two hours. Forty-six minutes and fifty-eight seconds."

---

A/N:

Well, this is for now... I hope you enjoyed it.

I wanted to introduce the Avengers in this chapter. But then I said... Nah! Let the readers suffer.

( I am so cruel... Aren't I?:P Almost as cruel as my grammar. XD)

Until then!

Be safe! Safe winds fellow space faring-fellows!