Chapter 1: Adventus Magni Daemonis
[Spells]
'Inner monologue'
"Dialogue"
{Message}
The Great Demon of Catastrophe - the World Disaster - Ulbert Alain Odle found himself in a realm where only fire and death held dominion. This dark land was filled with raging storms and tormented souls, and the polluted sky harbored a toxic breath that could fell mortals with a single breath.
'Dammit, when does this stop!' The great Demon mused to himself. He knew he was on the right path as he slowly approached the castle of the Devil, the Ruler of Hell.
The great Demon had considered confronting this powerful boss for years, but time had always eluded him.
'Just these guys left, and then I'm free to fight this dude.' He dispatched the last of the demons and ascended the stairs into the castle's ominous chamber. It resembled more of an arena than a throne room. Upon a massive throne constructed from bones and skulls sat the imposing figure of the Devil himself, his eyes fixed on Ulbert.
As foretold in the ancient tales, the Devil presented an awe-inspiring appearance. Towering in size, adorned with crown-like horns, and possessing fiery crimson skin, he wore an insidious grin that revealed all the world's malevolence, with pride as its pinnacle. His hands bore long, razor-sharp claws that could rend rocks with a mere touch, and two massive, enigmatic wings extended from his back, enveloping the room.
Upon seeing Ulbert's entrance, the Devil rose to his full 8-meter height. The two formidable beings faced each other, unflinching.
The staredown was brief, for the Devil launched an assault, hurling a blaze of fire toward Ulbert.
'Not today!' Ulbert swiftly teleported into the skies, distancing himself safely from the attack.
As a glass cannon, Ulbert had no choice but to rely on his current fighting style. If only his guildmates were present, the battle might have been more manageable, but alas, they were absent.
Regaining his composure, Ulbert unleashed his ultimate spell, a power surpassing even the super tier spells, said to be the pinnacle of Tier Magic.
"[Grand Catastrophe]!"
A blazing light engulfed the entire castle and a 2-kilometer radius, eradicating everything in its path without exception.
Ulbert, protected by a barrier he had sealed, endured the aftermath of his ultimate spell.
Surveying the aftermath, Ulbert locked eyes with the Devil, who appeared remarkably unscathed, although his health bar indicated otherwise, with only 20% remaining.
'So you're not finished after all.' Ulbert saw the Devil moving as if nothing had happened, but his health bar, which had 20% remaining, stated otherwise.
Ulbert's expression darkened. Although he dealt substantial damage, the price was steep, depleting his vast mana pool to a dangerously low level.
Wounded and furious, the Devil leaped into the air, aiming to strike Ulbert down. However, Ulbert anticipated the attack.
"[Triple Maximize Magic: Reality Slash]"
Each strike weakened the Devil's momentum, but the formidable enemy pressed on.
Just as the Devil was about to reach Ulbert, a tremendous blow knocked him back. A massive meteor had plummeted from the heavens, darkening the skies as boulders cascaded onto the ground.
Forced to land, the Devil endured the impact, shouldering the weight of the meteor. Upon recovering, he bared his teeth in defiance towards Ulbert. However, his expression changed when more meteors began to descend in rapid succession.
Struggling to dodge them, the Devil found himself overwhelmed, forced to endure the onslaught with his own body. Bracing himself, he prepared to obliterate each meteor upon contact.
Ulbert monitored the Devil's health bar, which dwindled to 5%.
'My mana might last me for one last 10 Tier spell. Let's do this!'
"[Maximize Magic: Omega Blast]"
Ulbert unleashed his spell, a pure energy force from the stars, striking the Devil with unyielding force until the game registered his elimination.
4%
3%
2%
1%
[You have defeated: The Dawnbringer]
Relief washed over Ulbert as the stress and adrenaline abated. After hours of intense battle, he had achieved the impossible - he had single-handedly vanquished the Devil, the Lightbringer, the Archenemy of All That is Good, the Ruler of Hell, and the Lord of Demons - Lucifer Morningstar.
"I am the greatest Demon ever to live! Behold, Lucifer, and tremble in my wake!" Ulbert taunted the Devil's remains, which gradually disintegrated into particles and vanished, leaving behind a shimmering object suspended in the air.
"What's this?" Curiosity piqued, Ulbert approached the anomaly cautiously. Was it a trap or a rare drop from the Devil, who was known to be an unyielding boss?
"[All Appraisal Magic Item]"
His eyes widened at the sight. What he had found exceeded all expectations - a World Item, a powerful artifact capable of bending the very rules of the game itself. Such treasures were typically the domain of the most skilled and fortunate Players.
"A fucking World Item! No, it can't be! I finally found one!" Ulbert exulted. He knew that his guildmate, Momonga, possessed one, and Nazarick housed several more in its treasury. However, this was his personal achievement, accomplished without the aid of his comrades. Pride swelled within him as he observed the world item in all its glory.
Ring of Lucifer
Classification:[World Item]
Lore: Thus you have fallen from grace, banished to the pits of Hell for thy sins against all that is Holy. How low have you fallen, prince of the Morningstar, the greatest of His angels? God, you wish to be. I forsake you to be the Ruler of Demons, yet still a prisoner. Until the frozen lake thaws, you shall remain in Hell for eternity.
"This is insane! I have to test it out! Last day of Yggdrasil, and I found this! What bad luck. But at least I can have some fun with this! Let's see what it does."
Intrigued, Ulbert equipped the powerful artifact, witnessing changes in his game avatar as he conjured forth a mirror. A fiery aura enveloped him as he assumed a humanoid form with devilish features. His once-yellow eyes now glowed crimson, retaining their goat-like pupils but with a sharper edge.
"Excellent! I look more dreadful than ever! Hahaha…" Ulbert laughed as he observed his reflection. It was a unique experience to have such physical sensations in the game. "Now, let's have some fun, shall we."
With his newfound ring, Ulbert possessed the power to open gates from Hell to any destination he desired, much like an ordinary [Gate] spell.
Stepping through the [Hell Gate], Ulbert found himself in the refreshing air of Midgard. Not the usual spawning area but an undiscovered region known only to a select few players.
Ulbert was cautious not to fall victim to Player Killing just after attaining the title of Ruler of Hell. Losing levels and his World Disaster class was not an option, so he sought refuge in one of Yggdrasil's weakest worlds.
"That forest has some mobs from level 30 to 70, so it is the perfect place to test my new World Item." Ulbert remarked as he activated the abilities he had obtained.
Ulbert grew in size, his features changing into a more muscular state, similar to a second stage of a boss.
With a transformation brought about by the World Item, Ulbert's physical form changed dramatically. He now possessed magnificent pitch-black feathered wings, rendering the [Fly] spell obsolete as he soared through the skies effortlessly.
Before him stood the vast expanse of the [Weeping Woods], a forest teeming with monsters, offering a good hunting ground for gaining experience.
In a matter of moments, Ulbert descended from the skies and landed on a Forest Troll, swiftly ending its life with a single strike.
The commotion stirred the other creatures of the forest, and they surged toward Ulbert with unyielding determination.
Greeting the monsters with an elegant pose, Ulbert effortlessly dispatched them using his enhanced physical prowess, sparing no need for magic to defeat these mid-level foes.
'I don't have much mana left, so this is all it will be. Still, it is fun to be a physical fighter for once.' Ulbert mused, savoring the newfound enjoyment. His guildmates, unfortunately, were no longer around to share in this revelation. 'If I could tell my guildmates what I found, but they aren't here anymore. They all have been so overloaded with work that they stopped playing, even Momonga…' Ulbert's fury grew dark as these thoughts ran through his mind.
Ulbert's killing spree intensified as his fury surged, his speed and skill growing with each passing moment.
23:58:00
'No, it can't end like this! It just can't! There needs to be more to this! It has to be!'
23:59:00
"Damn, you all! Fuck the world, fuck the Devs, fuck my boss! I don't want to live like this any longer!" Killing these Trolls didn't satisfy him anymore. He needed something more.
'Fuck it all! Hell, I'll miss these times…'
Ulbert had had enough of the mindless killing, and with a sense of finality, he soared into the sky, leaving the monsters behind in the forest below.
Ulbert, swirling in the high sky, glanced at the horizon, thinking of it the last time he would gaze upon this world. He closed his eyes, awaiting the view of his ceiling at any moment. His miserable life was ready to embrace and grasp him back into reality, for him to lose hope of ever breaking this hell cycle.
23:59:59
…
00:00:00
…
00:00:01
00:00:02
…
'What?' He knew the time was up but felt nothing change. 'What's going on?' Ulbert asked himself and decided to open his eyes.
No longer above the familiar Midgard forest, he now hovered above an unfamiliar city, its architecture foreign.
Ulbert's [Dark Vision] allowed him to see with clarity despite the darkness.
'Is this a new update? Is this Yggdrasil 2.0? I don't see a hud. Maybe they thought to make it more realistic. But it feels different.' Ulbert noticed sensations he hadn't experienced in the game before. The wind rushed past him, carrying the scent of fresh air into his nose, and his eyes and mouth responded with startling accuracy to his thoughts.
'Smell? Nothing could replicate smell in Yggdrasil. Maybe they hid this technology for this long just to introduce it now? If so, it is time to give the devs one of my best performances as the Ruler of Hell!'
"Hahaha-" He chuckled briefly, but his laughter was cut short when he heard his own voice, deeper, more sinister, and imbued with authority he hadn't imagined. It was a voice perfectly suited for one of his stature.
"A voice changer, how neat! Now then. It is time to let these people know who the Lord of Demons is!" Ulbert activated one of the ring's abilities, enveloping himself in hellish flames that laid waste to everything around him, a power known as [Devil Aura].
With his wings spread wide, he soared through the night sky, feeling like a bird finally freed from its cage. This sensation of freedom surpassed even the experience of using the [Fly] spell. There seemed to be a distinction between having wings and using magic to fly.
Coming to a stop, Ulbert gazed down at the town below him, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he observed the frightened inhabitants.
Ulbert descended by tucking his wings in and diving, reaching a breakneck speed. But before hitting the ground, Ulbert opened his wings wide, hovering above the city as he made his breathtaking entrance.
'NPCs? This must be a starter city. Wow, their expressions are so realistic, seeing a demon like me. It seems karma value is still a thing.' He mused, thoroughly impressed with the lifelike reactions of the virtual townsfolk.
"What is that?"
"A-a demon, here?"
"Don't look, Peter. Don't look!"
'Wow, their dialogue even matches the situation. That mother even tries to protect her kid! What's this AI about? The devs must have gone crazy, hahaha.'
The humans stared in anxiety and fear at the imposing figure engulfed in flames. They were simple folks, farmers, smiths, and peasants. While they might have heard tales of Evil Deities, encountering a demon of this magnitude in their humble town was beyond their wildest imagination. The kind who thought such things would be imprisoned or killed on sight.
'Now time for the show. Since I'm the new head of Hell, Ulbert Alain Odle seems a bit too kind.'
"Hear me, mortals! I am the Great Demon of Catastrophe, the World Disaster, and the Ruler of Hell - Baphomet! Bow before the flames of Hell and embrace your fate!"
"[Inferno]"
The pressure emanating from the demon was overwhelming, and the humans trembled in fear. As the impending doom became apparent, some tried to flee, but others were paralyzed with terror.
In an instant, fire danced around Ulbert's form, unleashing a storm of flames that consumed everything in their path, reducing the city's streets to ashes and dust. The flames met no resistance, indicating the city's absence of protective wards.
'Weak, they're not even level 5 or so. Mmh, what is that?' Ulbert noticed a group of humans approaching him, armed with gear—weapons like swords, spears, bows, and axes. Behind them were mages, identifiable by their distinctive attire.
"Mmh, what is this? I wasn't expecting my prey to come to me." Ulbert dashed at the group, and they only realized the immense threat before them. They attempted to counterattack, but Ulbert effortlessly unleashed flames upon them.
"What happened?"
"I-Impossible!"
"[Fireball]!"
Their expressions shifted dramatically as the demon effortlessly defeated even the best gold-plated adventurers.
The mages attempted to use their spells, but their attacks were futile, as a barrier surrounding the demon deflected them harmlessly. "Attacking a demon with fire, how foolish."
"Wha-" Before one mage could finish his protest, he felt a burning sensation, and within seconds, Ulbert disposed of them, leaving only ashes behind.
As the town's center rang with loud bells, the guards were alerted to the commotion, rushing to investigate.
"What is happening?" A soldier wondered aloud, approaching a fleeing man and grabbing him to demand answers. "Tell me, what happened there?!"
"A-a demon! A demon!" The man screamed in panic, his strength waning as he tried to break free from the guard's grasp before escaping.
"By the gods…" One of the other guards gasped, gazing at the blazing spectacle unfolding where the townspeople were running. The sight of the flames being tossed around as if they were insignificant by the creature in the night sky left them awestruck.
"We need to evacuate the city! This is a threat greater than us!" The commanding guard declared, snapping the others out of their trance.
Meanwhile, Ulbert was relishing the destruction, thoroughly enjoying the mayhem he caused. 'Weird, I didn't know destroying things was SO much fun. But suddenly, I have this feeling. Huh. I guess it makes it more fun now.'
In the midst of his devastation, Ulbert noticed a young girl, her legs injured and unable to walk, crawling on the ground before him. She attempted to flee, but she had no chance of escape. She turned to face the demon with desperation and despair evident in her eyes.
"P-please d-don't kill me! Plea-"
Before she could finish her plea, Ulbert's claws tore through her stomach, ending her life in a swift and gruesome manner. This act of violence sent a chilling realization through the demon.
Ulbert stepped back in shock, recoiling at the gruesome scene he had just caused.
'No, no, no, the law forbids any kind of gore, and that was like that in Yggdrasil. There was no gore. There can't be!' Ulbert thought he would puke, but he felt nothing. 'Strange, I would have vomited at this, but I haven't.' He didn't understand it. He felt a wave of nausea but realized he couldn't physically react to it. 'Maybe this is real? But that would be impossible.'
"[GM Call]"
'Nothing. Huh.' To his dismay, there was no response. Panic began to take hold as Ulbert desperately searched for a way to log out, but all his attempts were in vain. "I can't believe anything anymore."
As he contemplated his situation, another group of adventurers appeared twice the number of the previous one.
At the forefront were ordinary soldiers bravely approaching the demon, their spears ready but fear evident in their eyes. Behind them, adventurers took their positions while rogues crouched and mages prepared to cast spells.
"There it is! Attack!" One of the soldiers commanded, slowly advancing towards Ulbert, pointing their spears at him. The adventurers and mages followed suit.
"[Magic Arrow]"
"[Ice Spear]"
"[Fireball]"
'They are using Yggdrasil spells, no doubt about that.' Ulbert noticed as their spells hit his passive nullification, leaving him entirely unaffected.
"We're not coming through! Our spells seem to do nothing!" A mage cried out, with others confirming the same conclusion, witnessing their attacks being effortlessly nullified.
Ulbert was fascinated by their communication, questioning whether they were AI or not.
"Just support us then!" An adventurer suggested, unaware of the grave mistake they were making. In Yggdrasil, Ulbert's name was well-known, as were his deeds. Anyone facing him would either be in a group or be unaware of who they were facing.
'I guess I'm killing them now. But I don't feel a thing. Interesting.'
"[Flames of Hell]"
In an instant, flames surged toward the casters, engulfing and incinerating them, leaving behind only screams of torment.
'So an 8th Tier Spell can easily kill them. I should go lower to preserve my mana.'
The display of power shook the remaining adventurers and soldiers, and while some tried to flee, others realized it was too late.
As they turned to face the 'Devil', a wall of flames approached them. Dread etched across their faces as the inferno consumed them, reducing them to ashes.
'I should leave now. I need to think things through.' After concluding his massacre, Ulbert spread his wings wide and took off into the night sky, flying until the sun rose, finding himself above a vast forest.
'Was that a smart move? Now that it happened, I can't change it. I guess I'll live with it. But man, this forest is big!'
In every direction he cast his gaze, an endless sea of trees stretched out before him. Finding a suitable spot, he made up his mind to touch down.
"[Life Essence]"
Ulbert scanned the surroundings, yet there seemed to be no significant lifeforms nearby. "Good, now to the next step."
"[Create Fortress]"
In response to his command, a majestic tower, standing thirty meters tall, materialized. True to his penchant for role-playing, he fashioned it to resemble the dark abode of a malevolent demon lord.
Stepping inside the tower, Ulbert felt his body revert to its original form, his wings fading away.
'I could really use something to relax right now.' With this notion in mind, Ulbert teleported directly to the master room, where he found precisely what he sought.
'Perfect, time for a bath.' With a snap of his fingers, his equipment vanished into his inventory, and he eased into the bathtub, which brimmed with water at the ideal temperature for a demon lord.
'I never thought taking a bath was that fun. In-game, it was just to roleplay and for some effects, but now I feel how the high-ups feel every day! Must be nice.'
As minutes turned to tens and then to a full hour, Ulbert pondered the recent turn of events and what lay ahead.
'I'm in a new world. Still have some doubts, but that's my conclusion. And what am I gonna do? Everyone seems weak, so I could easily dominate this new world. Mmh, yes! Thats it! Ruling the world! Never will someone tell me what to do again! Only myself! And maybe someone from Ainz Ooal Gown is in this world as well. It isn't impossible! We can finally spread our influence over the whole world! If I can change the world, I will cleanse it from the filth I had to endure back then.'
Satisfied with his reflections, Ulbert emerged from the bath, cleansing himself with a simple fire spell. As a demon, he possessed natural immunity to fire, and so the flames merely tickled him.
'Huh?!' Ulbert felt something, or someone, knock on his door. He didn't expect any visitors any time soon.
Swiftly, Ulbert teleported to the door, swinging it open, allowing a gust of wind to rush into the tower. Before him stood two ordinary-looking humans, two sisters - one wounded and the other trembling in fear.
"P-Please, help us!" The elder sister pleaded, desperate for a savior. Her appearance betrayed that she was nearing the end of her life. Yet, she couldn't meet his gaze, for his goatlike visage was cleverly concealed by the shadows cast by the trees.
…
"Why?" Ulbert's voice resonated through the eerie silence of the dark woods, a single word that seemed to hang in the air like a haunting melody. The young girl standing before him appeared perplexed but determined to share her harrowing tale.
"There are K-knights in our village. T-They came and… and they killed everyone! Please, mister!" Her desperate pleas echoed, unanswered for a moment, as Ulbert studied her with an inscrutable gaze.
"Enter," He finally said, his voice commanding yet enigmatic.
Realizing his words, the girl hesitated briefly before gathering her courage and leading her little sister into the towering structure. "Go upstairs. There are doors open. Enter there."
As the girls ascended the stairs, they were too preoccupied with their fear to notice the tower's intricate beauty. Ulbert, meanwhile, turned his attention to yet another pair of daring visitors that had just arrived.
"More visitors?" Ulbert questioned openly, observing two knights clad in plated armor standing before him. Though he was calm, the knights' unease was palpable, evident in their cautious gazes as they beheld the enigmatic tower nestled deep within the woods.
"What is that?" One of the knights marveled, astounded by the sight.
"I do not know, but where is the girl?" The other responded, more concerned about finding the girl than the tower's peculiarities.
"Right here." Suddenly, a voice emerged from the shadows, and the tower's doors swiftly closed behind.
"Hey, who are you? What are you doing here?" One of the knights demanded, attempting to discern the newcomer's identity. But the figure remained obscured in the darkness as if shrouded by an inscrutable veil.
"Your doom." With a sudden movement, Ulbert emerged from the shadows, the sunlight revealing his goatlike features and regal bearing. The knights were taken aback, realizing they were facing something beyond their comprehension.
"A-A beastman here?" One of the knights stammered, surprised by Ulbert's appearance. He slowly took some steps back, knowing beastmen could be quite strong. But this one seemed more regal, wearing even something.
"I think we should go back now." The other suggested, feeling an ominous presence emanating from the enigmatic creature before them.
"You can't be serious!? I am far more than a simple beast!" Ulbert exclaimed, his anger fueling the manifestation of fiery flames that surrounded him, intensifying his dreadful appearance.
With deliberate steps, Ulbert advanced toward the knights, his aura growing more menacing as their ignorance provoked his fury.
"No beastman can do that!" One of the knights finally realized his mistake and recognized the true nature of the being they faced.
"That's not a beastman, you idiot! That's a demon!" the other exclaimed, gripping his sword tightly. "For the Gods!" He charged at Ulbert with all his might, praying for divine intervention to aid in defeating this fiend.
However, his attack proved futile as his blade rebounded, unable to reach Ulbert as if blocked by an impenetrable barrier.
"What is this-" Before he could finish his sentence, the demon flung him aside, colliding with a tree and instantly meeting his demise.
"No, it can't be-" The second knight's disbelief was short-lived as Ulbert swiftly dispatched him as well.
'Mmh, what now?' Ulbert contemplated to himself before long, summoning a low-level imp to gather information on the village the girls had come from.
"Go seek the village these girls came from. Don't show yourself, and tell me when you are there." The Imp didn't say a thing and went on his way into the darkness of the forest.
In the meantime, he teleported back to his tower, arriving before the room where the frightened girls were hiding.
"Is everything fine?" He asked.
The girls were startled by his sudden appearance, but their anxieties began to subside upon recognizing their savior. The elder sister, still clutching her sibling tightly, stammered. "Y-Yes. Thank y-you for helping us."
"I can see that you are wounded." Ulbert remarked, approaching them slowly and revealing his face for the first time. "Let me help you."
"W-What?" The older sister stuttered, taken aback by the visage shown by Ulbert. She was unaware their savior wasn't a human, but something frightening. "P-Please don't hurt my s-sister!" She pleaded loud, making Ulbert stop in his tracks.
"I see." Ulbert said in a calm yet mysterious tone, his voice carrying an air of enigmatic power. As he extended his hand into a black void, the girl watched, spellbound by the simple gesture. From within the void, he produced a vial containing a crimson liquid. "Catch." he commanded, and the girl instinctively caught the vial with her trembling hands.
"You have to drink it," he continued, his gaze fixed on her. Uncertainty clouded the girl's mind. Was he here to help or harm her?
"No, don't drink it, big sis!" Her little sister cried out, protective and fearful for her sibling.
"I wouldn't offer you poison if I had come all this way to save you. It's a simple health potion. Drink it." Ulbert explained, his presence emanating an aura of malice that made the two girls tremble in fear.
"O-Okay, I'll drink it! But please don't harm my sister!" Reluctantly, the elder sister decided to trust him and took a slow sip of the red liquid. Surprisingly, the potion had no taste or smell, but it worked wonders, healing her back wound completely.
"Do you feel better now?" Ulbert inquired, his voice resonating with an otherworldly quality.
"Y-Yes, thank you." she replied, gratitude mingling with confusion. Slowly, she realized that Ulbert's intentions were benevolent and not cruel.
"Good. You can leave whenever you want. Just make sure you get out of here tomorrow. The door is open." Ulbert stated, preparing to depart. However, the girl's voice stopped him.
"Please wait! W-We don't know where to go!" she implored, tears welling up in her eyes.
"And why is that?" Ulbert inquired, his gaze focused on them.
"T-These knights came into our village! They killed villagers and destroyed our homes! Please, if we return, they will kill us!" She pleaded, hoping for empathy from the enigmatic goatlike figure before them.
Ulbert raised his hand to his ear in an unknown gesture, as if receiving some form of communication.
{So you found the village, and the knights are still there? Splendid. I will arrive shortly. They could have some intel about this world; if not, they will be used for other purposes.} Ulbert conveyed, his expression unyielding.
"Mmh, [Sleep]."
Before the girls could react, Ulbert cast a spell that put them into a deep slumber. He then teleported above his fortress, his majestic wings spreading as he soared towards the village.
Arrived, he hovered above the village, and Ulbert witnessed the chaos that had unfolded. He sensed the presence of his Imp nearby, guiding him to where the knights had gathered the villagers.
"Well, time to put up another show." He muttered with an air of amusement, diving down and landing on one particular knight with tremendous force, crushing him instantly.
"This is the last one we could find. Now where are the other tw-" Before the knight could finish speaking, an unknown object fell from the skies, flattening him in an instant. The knights were left disoriented, their vision obstructed by the ensuing dust cloud.
"What happene-" The captain's voice was cut short by a resounding bang. As the dust cleared, they beheld a colossal, fur-covered creature with pitch-black wings, clad in an elegant outfit like something out of legends. Fear gripped the knights as they faced this beast, seemingly unstoppable.
"Time to die!" The creature proclaimed, its voice deep and chilling, mirroring its fearsome appearance.
With uncanny swiftness, the creature moved, slicing through the knights with ease. The captain's attempts to rally his troops fell on deaf ears as they were swiftly cut down.
"A-Attack that abomination!" The captain commanded but feared nothing could stop that thing. He sees how it cleaved through his soldiers easily, not even having a wound on itself. But as he was lost in thought, he didn't notice his head rolling away from his body, his vision slowly fading as he entered the afterlife.
In a matter of seconds, all the knights lay lifeless, the creature standing tall and unscathed. Only the villagers and he remained, with fear and uncertainty in their eyes.
"You are free, but I ask a price for your life." The creature declared, its voice now surprisingly calm but commanding. "Do you understand?"
"Good. I seek information, nothing more." The creature continued, catching the village chief off guard. He had expected demands for the sacrifice of innocent newborns, not an interest in knowledge. But he welcomed that fact.
"I need every map and scroll that contains information about your surroundings and this world." The being demanded.
The chief, finding his courage, offered a trembling reply.
"I am the chief of this village. I can lead you to the information you seek. Follow me, if you will." With the being following closely behind, they proceeded to the chief's abode.
On their way, the chief mustered the courage to ask. "May I know how to address you, sir?"
He was met with an icy response.
"You may not. I am here for information and nothing else."
"O-Of course. If you would wait a moment for me to retrieve your p-payment." The chief hurriedly collected scrolls and maps from his home, almost fumbling with fear. It wasn't much, but enough for him to almost lose one or two while carrying them outside.
"These are the maps of our surroundings. The others only have minor pieces of information for us villagers to learn. Like the current king of our kingdom and what nations surround us. If you may?" He offered the scrolls, his hands shaking like a leaf.
Just then, Ulbert grabbed them all and put them into his inventory.
"Well, that was all I desired. Farewell." The goatlike creature announced before vanishing into a blazing inferno, leaving no trace behind. The chief stood there for a moment, trying to comprehend what had happened. It took a while for the realization to sink in, but eventually, he accepted the creature's exit and turned around.
Soon after, another villager rushed to him with urgent news. "Chief! Horses are approaching! Soldiers!" Startled, the chief made his way to the village's border, trying to discern the identity of the approaching riders.
As they arrived, it became evident that these individuals were not the same knights as before. Instead, they halted at a cautious distance from the villagers, who remained resolute in defending their humble settlement for one last stand.
"I am the Warrior Captain of Re-Estize, Gazef Stronoff! Who amongst you is the village chief?" His imposing figure exuded strength even in a state of repose, leaving an assuring impression on the villagers.
"I am the chief. What brings the Warrior Captain to our modest village?" The chief asked respectfully.
"There have been reports of marauding knights laying waste to neighboring villages. May I ask? No. I already know they were here. But how did you survive their onslaught?" Gazef scrutinized the damaged buildings and noticed a lifeless figure tucked away behind a house, confirming his suspicion.
The village chief struggled to find the words to describe the unbelievable events that unfolded. "Yes, the knights were here. But, it's difficult to put into words. A creature descended from the skies, enormous as a house, with grey fur, a goatlike face, and horns sprouting from its head. And it had wings! Unbelievably, it single-handedly dispatched the knights..." The chief's account left Gazef astonished, though he held some suspicions, Gazef could see that the man had witnessed a horror just from looking at his eyes.
"Can you show me what that creature did with the knights?" The chief gestured silently, granting the Warrior Captain entry. Passing through, he arrived at the village plaza where the dreadful massacre had taken place. The knights' lifeless forms were now concealed beneath cloth, veiling the gore they suffered.
Gazef carefully unveiled one of the knights, only to discover a ghastly sight - the man's stomach had been disemboweled, leaving a massive hole in his chest that one could see through. A wound capable of swallowing a human whole. He quickly re-covered the remains, sparing the villagers from witnessing such a gruesome sight.
"Truly, it appears you were right. This creature is a monster indeed. But what happened afterward? And why did it spare you?" Gazef inquired with confusion, a question that begged for answers, considering the monster's ability to penetrate steel and mutilate human bodies. Why would it stop at the knights and not massacre the villagers?
"W-Well, it sounds absurd, but it sought information. We gave it everything we had, from maps to scrolls." The chief replied, seemingly grappling with the unbelievable truth. Despite its strangeness, the fact that the villagers were still alive validated the integrity of the claim.
"Fortunate for you. Nevertheless, I must report this to His Majesty. We must confront such beings before they can inflict harm on others, especially within the borders of our kingdom." Gazef asserted.
The chief nodded in agreement, visibly anxious about any potential encounter with the creature.
"Captain! Troops are surrounding the village! They appear to be from the Slane Theocracy!" One of Gazef's men alerted him. Gazef's face contorted with confusion before realization set in.
"So that's what's happening. I see. The Theocracy really cares that about me." Gazef muttered, revealing an underlying mystery that intrigued the chief, even if he did not fully grasp the implications.
"If you excuse me, I need to face another troop of incoming enemies. Put all your villagers into one house, and if you see them coming, evacuate immediately." Gazef instructed with utmost seriousness.
The village chief committed the orders to memory, determined to protect his people.
"As you say, Warrior Captain." The chief replied as he went to call the villagers to the safety of his house, one of the few still standing.
In contrast, the Warrior Captain adopted a different approach. Mounted on his steed, he rallied his troops around him.
"This is the Slane Theocracy we are talking about. They are a strong and a well-oiled machine, so don't be a hero and retreat when necessary." Gazef advised, and his troops responded with resolute nods and spirited warrior chants. "Then let's show them what we are made of."
Gazef turned to his Vice Captain, issuing his plan. "You will lead the men past, while I confront them directly."
"Are you certain? We stand ready to fight by your side!" The Vice Captain implored, his concern for Stronoff evident. As an esteemed figure, the Warrior Captain could let others sacrifice themselves and return to the capital to report to the king. As a vital figure in the kingdom, his survival was more important.
"I am sure. Someone has to deliver the message to the king. First, that the Theocracy attempts to assassinate me, and second, that a monster is roaming free around Carne Village." Gazef calmly explained, leaving the Vice Captain with no choice but to accept his words. It was an order from their beloved captain, a command they must obey.
"Then let us charge forth!" Gazef roared, leading his troops toward the opposing casters who awaited them from a distance of 200 meters.
Closing in at 100 meters.
Closing in at 50 meters.
"Now!"
Gazef leaped from his horse as his troops rushed past, confronting the casters directly. The Theocracy seemed to pay little attention to the soldiers, focusing solely on Gazef.
"The famous Warrior Captain. Gazef Stronoff. For you, it should be an honor to be killed by the Theocracy. You are deemed as dangerous. But not for long. Angels attack!" Nigun declared, and the angelic beings, armed with energy swords, began their advance toward Stronoff.
They lunged at him, but Gazef parried the first strike, pushing the Archangel Flame away. Unfortunately, the second attack found its mark, piercing him.
But Gazef refused to surrender. He channeled the pain into an unyielding rage, pushing himself beyond his limits!
Swinging his sword, he struck one of the angels, yet the blow merely bounced off, failing to pierce the angel's body. Undeterred, Gazef activated a martial art technique.
"[Body Strengthening]!" He bellowed. A crimson aura engulfed him as his muscles surged with newfound power, enabling him to cleave the angel in two, obliterating it. However, his triumph was short-lived, as another angel appeared as if summoned effortlessly.
Not to his surprise, his men charged at the magic caster from behind, only to be taken down faster than him.
"Impressive, as expected. But that is the best you can do." Nigun taunted with a sinister grin, commanding more angels to assail Gazef.
"I am Gazef Stronoff, Warrior-Captain of Re-Estize! And I won't allow such bastards like you to stain the Kingdom's lands! [Sixfold Slash of Light]!" Gazef proclaimed. As the martial art dictated, six radiant slashes materialized, instantly vanquishing six Archangel Flames, catching Nigun by surprise.
"Now, that was unforeseen. I must say, you are quite strong. But you can't hold on forever. After we are finished with you, we will kill the villagers next. It is the will of the gods, after all." Nigun cackled maniacally.
"Then you have to fight me first!" Gazef declared and assumed his battle stance, ready to confront anything and everything that dared cross his path.
Ulbert stood in his tower's master room, marveling at the powers of his new World Item. The versatility fascinated him every time.
"So the Devil can take many forms, just as in the lore, even divine ones. Meaning…" He mused, concentrating on altering his looks. As he visualized the desired image, he felt his body shifting, an unusual but intriguing sensation.
He transformed into a more humanoid figure, shedding his fur and acquiring human features. His skin turned pale, resembling that of a vampire. His ears, like Demiurge's, sharpened, and his eyes remained red with a black, slit-like pupil.
With his newfound abilities, he reduced his height to a more appropriate 1.80 meters. Long, straight black hair cascaded down his shoulders, adding to his enigmatic aura.
Ulbert admired his new appearance, astonished at how young and charismatic he now looked.
"This form-changing ability is quite impressive." He remarked, savoring his newfound capabilities.
Deciding to blend in entirely, he abandoned his demonic traits, becoming completely human in appearance. He altered his ears, teeth, and eyes, leaving only the crimson hue intact.
Now he looked utterly human, ready to fool everyone.
'I have a ring that hides my presence from every divination attempt, meaning they shouldn't notice that I am a demon.' He was quite pleased with his new appearance. Nothing he would be able to have back on Earth.
'Now, back to the village, my imp reported that there was some activity.'
He used [Perfect Unknownable] to make himself completely invisible, teleporting just above the village. He then looked around, noticing quite the commotion near. "So there's the party." He mused, approaching the battlefield quietly, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation between the magic caster and the Warrior Captain.
"Now, that was unforeseen. I must say, you are quite strong. But you can't hold on forever. After we are finished with you, we will kill villagers next. It is the will of the gods, after all."
Ulbert couldn't believe what he was hearing. What gods would deem it necessary to kill some innocent villagers who had nothing to do but live their life?
"Then you have to fight me first!" The warrior said, facing the Archangel Flames even when wounded. Ulbert was quite surprised he didn't give up. He knew this man would surely die if nothing happened now.
'They use Yggdrasil summons. As weak as they are, they are still from Yggdrasil, mmh.' He noted, intrigued by the enemy's abilities.
When the angels prepared to strike, the warrior unleashed a spell he had never encountered before, sparking his curiosity. To Ulbert, it was something new.
'I never heard of a warrior skill like that? [Mental Enhancement]? Weird.'
But the warrior didn't seem to be able to continue any longer. He collapsed, falling to his knees as his stamina ended.
"Now, embrace the light, Strono-" Nigun's words were interrupted as a mysterious figure appeared behind the warrior captain, as if by teleportation.
A gentle touch on Gazef's shoulder transported him to an unfamiliar house, surrounded by curious villagers. His eyes briefly met the world before succumbing to unconsciousness, narrowly avoiding death's grasp.
"Who are you? How did you get here?" Nigun's anxiety grew as he witnessed the stranger's sudden appearance behind the Warrior Captain and the vanishing of the latter. The newcomer seemed human, clad in intriguing and finely crafted attire unlike anything Nigun had seen before. Most peculiar were the two dark organic hands that moved in harmony with his gestures, revealing an extraordinary talent.
"Believe me. You do not want to know who I am." The stranger warned in a menacing tone, causing some of the magic casters to shudder. "But I am curious to know who taught you to summon these Archangel Flames."
Nigun was taken aback by the stranger's audacious question, given the grand entrance he had just made. "What a foolish inquiry! Angels, attack!"
Two angels moved in to assail the stranger, but to no avail. He stood there, seemingly bored by their futile attempts. Their energy swords rebounded harmlessly off his person, leaving them unable to draw close.
"What?! All Archangel Flames, attack!" Nigun commanded his angels, confident that their combined might would overpower the intruder. However, before they could reach him, the stranger's hand glowed with runes, and with a single gesture, he unleashed a devastating spell.
"[Firestorm]" Ulbert cast, instantly obliterating the surrounding angels. Not even ashes remained. They had vanished as quickly as their health had reached zero.
"Impossible! It can't be! Then, Principality of Observation, attack that caster!" Nigun instructed the Principality, conjuring a mace to deal with the formidable foe. But before the angel could strike, the man spoke another incantation.
"[Hellflame]" A single fire was produced by his finger, floating towards the giant angel. And as it touched it, it was engulfed in an instant, killing the angel just as fast as the Archangels Flames before.
"I-Impossible! With just one spell! Inconceivable!" Nigun was astounded by the stranger's display of power, far beyond his expectations as he expected no man this powerful in this region.
"No way.."
"It can't be!"
The other casters trembled in fear as they witnessed the man's dominance over the high-tier angels. Nigun, now admiring the stranger's prowess, laughed heartily, surprising his colleagues.
"Hahaha, stranger, I do not know who you are, but you are powerful! I do not know how you have hidden yourself from the world for that much. But be grateful! As you will now experience the full power of the Theocracy!" Nigun reached into his robe, retrieving a crystal from his robe. "I would have invited you to the Theocracy if we had met under other circumstances, but now you must die!"
Ulbert recognized the crystal as one used to seal summoned beings, potentially up to the 10th Tier.
"I hope this won't be another Principality." He remarked with a chuckle.
"Oh, no, no! This is the highest Tier of angels! Embrace its light, stranger! As it will clean you!"
If the man spoke the truth, and he was about to summon a Seraphim, Ulbert had to actually try to kill it. But he had a feeling that it wouldn't be the thing he expected.
"Behold! Dominion Authority!" Nigun summoned the angel, its radiant presence enveloping the area. To Ulbert, it meant nothing. And he started chuckling innerly.
"It is only right to tremble before the mightiest of angels! Be sure that it is the greatest honor for such an angel to be summoned for you." Nigun said, awaiting a reaction. But all he received was the stranger's growing laughter.
"Hahaha, what a joke." Ulbert laughed, mocking the notion that the Dominion Authority posed a threat.
"No, it can't be! You can't be stronger!" Nigun's disbelief was evident, not wanting to think this stranger could actually pose a danger to the angel.
"This is all you have? Pathetic." Ulbert taunted.
How dare he call the highest angel that. Nigun needed to destroy this man that was committing such heresy, such blasphemy.
"Use [Holy Smite]!" Nigun commanded the angel to use its [Holy Smite] against Ulbert, believing it would bring the intruder down. In seconds, divine power was cast upon Ulbert, making Nigun grin. But that didn't last for long.
"Pain. Interesting, hahaha…" Ulbert laughed, still affected by the [Holy Smite]. Although the spell inflicted damage, it was so negligible that it hardly bothered him.
Nigun's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't fathom what he was witnessing. It must be some sort of illusion.
"No, not again! How do you do it? Not even the Evil Deities survived that attack! You… You cannot possibly be human." Nigun's voice trembled. He knew he was outmatched, as even Dominion Authority couldn't vanquish this mysterious stranger. "What in the world are you?" Nigun demanded, desperate for the truth, no matter how soul-shattering it might be.
"If you really want to know, I warned you." Ulbert's voice deepened, seeping with malice, now darker than ever. In a startling transformation, his form changed, turning into a beast with gray fur, horns sprouting from his head, and blood-red eyes. Massive pitch-black wings emerged from his back, fully extended.
"Now you see." Ulbert said, a fiery aura enveloping his body as he revealed his goatlike visage, revealing sharp teeth.
"A-A demon god?" Nigun stammered, his eyes watering with fear and dread, and the other magic casters shared his terror, paralyzed by their fright.
"I am more than that. I am a World Disaster!" Ulbert proclaimed, lunging at Dominion Authority, slashing the angel apart. The light vanished, replaced only by darkness.
Nigun's mind reeled. He had to inform the Theocracy about this. If this being unleashed its power upon the world, only the Godkins could stand a chance against it. But it was too late.
Two waves of fire erupted around the demon, striking the magic casters like lightning, immolating them in infernal flames.
Nigun had to save himself somehow. He fell to his knees, praying not to his gods, but to this demon.
"I beg of you! Spare me, and I will give you everything you want! Please!"
In an instant, the World Disaster stood before him, looking down at Nigun like a toy.
"No." Ulbert's voice was resolute, and in a millisecond, he placed his hand on Nigun's head, using [Control Amnesia] to read his memories. It was a challenging spell to master, but he managed it after a few seconds. Though the mana drain was substantial, it was a price he was willing to pay.
Ulbert delved into Nigun's mind, uncovering information about the Theocracy, its teachings, and Nigun's deeds in its name. As his anger surged, his grip tightened, causing blood to ooze from Nigun's face, and the stench of burning flesh filled the air. When he had seen enough, he filled Nigun's body with fire, incinerating him from within until nothing but ashes remained. At that moment, he sensed something else.
'I can feel something spying on me. I don't have any items to block that immediately. So let's do it manually.'
"[Undisturbance]" With a sound like shattering glass, the intrusion vanished. 'They shouldn't have seen much. But this Theocracy, I can't believe they even exist! If I find the time, I will wipe them off this world for good.'
Back in E-Rantel, numerous adventurers volunteered to clean up the city and search for survivors after a powerful demon wreaked havoc, devastating half the city.
Outside the city, Ainzach had set up a temporary tent to oversee the operations. He had dispatched many adventurers to find any possible survivors.
"So, you found no one left? Is that correct?" Ainzach inquired, and the silver adventurers nodded silently. "Hmm, what a pity. Then search for bodies and inform the others." The adventurers complied, leaving the guild master's tent.
Ainzach took out a scroll from his bag and decided to write a personal message to Blue Rose. It was a time when heroes were desperately needed.
To the Adamantite Adventurer Team Blue Rose,
I, Ainzach Pluton, Guild Master of the Adventurers Guild in E-Rantel. I hope this message arrives to you in good health. And for the reason for my writing, we have been attacked by a demon of great power who decided to burn half the city to the ground. From the information we could retrieve, its name is Baphomet, Great Demon of Catastrophe, the World Disaster, Ruler of Hell. We don't know if the titles are accurate, but it's power certainly is. No adventurer in the city could kill or harm him, at least those who faced the demon. From its appearance, it has fur like an animal and a goatlike face, sprouting two horns from its head and two black wings from its back. It is enormous, to our reports about the size of a house. So I write you to plead for your help to defeat this demon, and you will be rewarded plenty, of course.
Guild Master of the Adventurers Guild,
Ainzach Pluton
After finishing the letter, he brought the message to the magician's guild, who in turn transmitted the message to the capital.
Edited by Soul River
Yes, Ulbert is supposed to be that dramatic, don't tell me it's too cringy or something. That is simply Ulbert enjoying his new form too much.
And because Ainz got no emotions as an Overlord, a demon might not be far from that, just with some emotions you would expect of a demon. Ulbert has emotions, but they are either set to nonexistent or pretty high. Like empathy is 0. And boost to rage is like 2x. But, this still isn't the deciding factor for how he will behave; it simply influences him. Rather his personality is important, and well, Ulbert, he is quite the evil maker.
Again if you find any errors feel free to tell me via reviews and tell me if you like this story or not!
World Item Stats and Lore:
World Item: [Ring of the Devil] A world item granted by killing the Devil himself. It gives the user the abilities of the former Ruler of Hell to conjure demons and rule over the demon world. It boosts the owner's personal stats, and if the owner is a demonic being, more perks are available. Such as ascending the [Throne of Hell], summoning hordes of demons as a skill, and fueling one's power the longer they are in the demon world. Once a day, the owner can activate the unique ability of the ring that allows him to gain levels like a world enemy. The duration is unknown. The ring also provides access to the demon world, where all the demons reside and get sent back after death. This allows him to make relations with certain demons from the demon world, binding them to his will.
Given Abilities:
[Devil Aura]: Surrounds oneself in hell flames which harm everything it touches
[Lucifer]: Acknowledges the owner as the rightful ruler of Hell/Demon World
[Fallen Wings]: An active ability that allows the owner to own wings just like a fallen angel that have the durability of divine class weapons
[Shapeshift]: Allows the owner to change his form freely, but it doesn't change his stats
[True Form] Similar to shapeshifting but does enhance the stats and other abilities
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[Hell Gate]: Allows for the owner to open a gate to the demon world/hell
[Bend Demon]: Allows for the owner to dominate demons weaker than level 80 to his will
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