Title: Divergence
Alt Title: An old foe
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So, anyone who does the math on the job classes will notice I made an oopsies! The jobs add up to 55, not 60.
Storm hunter is supposed to be 10, not 15. And there's supposed to be another job called Storm Chasseur.
Oops.
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Bit of a shorter chapter than usual. But I've been procrastinating this long enough. The last chapters bonus took a lot out of me.
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Guest: I'm sorry. Zamaina is from an eastern European country that borders Russia. It was supposed to be a reference to how every country uses propaganda in their history books to some extent. Whether it be exaggerating things, or leaving things out. It was not to make light of the horrible conflict. I should've conveyed that better or at least clarified that in the A/N at the end. And that is my bad.
Guest: Each chapter has roughly five thousand words of story. The last chapter was seven thousand. Five thousand for the story. Two thousand for the stats that another reviewer requested. If you believe it to be a waste of time. Don't read it.
And I spent a lot of time researching Celtic and Scandinavian lore for those stats! Heck, the reason 'The Cloth of The Morrigan' has 3 stat boosts, each at 30%, is because it's a reference to the Ulster cycle. In it, she tricked Cu Cuhlainn to eat the flesh of dogs to weaken him as revenge for turning her down. And to do so she disguised herself as 3 crones.
Eigo: You'll soon see! And your question will be answered at the end.
DancingLeaf: You're welcome!
And that's fine. I've read the novels! Basically, it's not the Divine that give powers. Merely a strong belief in the divine. In season 3 when Ainz took on the workers and used them for experiments, their was a cleric named Roberdyke. Ainz used memory magic to test if changing his belief of the god he worships, to another, would effect his powers.
It didn't. The only thing that changed his powers, was removing his belief, which removed his powers. After which he killed and fed to the various monsters of Nazarick.
In the web novel, Arche was forced to watch him be eaten! Fun!
And YES! Partially. Both Kitsu and Zamaina have depression. It's just that Kitsu uses her hyperactivity to distract herself from her depression, while Zamaina, being raised by a Corpo family, didn't have any healthy coping mechanisms. It was all, you need to be this, and as such, he lost his will to try. He had his hope got beaten out of him by society, similar to how Momonga had his self esteem beaten out of him.
Zamaina, is a Kitsu who never had the support of a friend early on, and had their freedom stripped from day one.
Kaykaykaykayan: Yes, I said it was a lot. And that's not even all of them! Just his most frequently used gear from the game!
YeTianshi: It's about to pick up, don't worry.
CritKhagan: They're not a main focus, Zamaina is.
Aren Gisly: I'm still working it out.
Casanova5424: I spent, a literal DAY, typing and researching that stuff.
Moose333: Fair enough, to each their own. The main reason Zamaina didn't make himself any waifu's, is because he was afraid of anyone in the guild finding out if he did.
And thank you! I enjoy the constructive critiques.
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Yes I am still using dots to separate because I still can't figure out how to use spaces. FFN likes squishing my paragraphs together when it's empty.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Overlord or any other characters in this work, other than my OC. All other characters belong to their respective properties.
-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Spells/Telepathy]
(Text)
*Sounds/Actions*
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-Next Day, Road to Carne Village-
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Ninya POV
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I walk up to Sir Momon. This whole morning he's just been staring at the bonfire that was put out. Nabe's been by his side the whole the whole time. Inazama explained to us that Nabe is the child of one of their lost friends.
Which explains why she's so arrogant. If I grew up surrounded by people like Sir Momon and Sir Inazama. I'd think everyone else was weak too.
"Sir Momon. I'm, sorry for what I said last night." I say with a bow. "It was inconsiderate of me, and I hope you can forgive me."
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"It's fine. You didn't know." He says curtly. "I should also be apologizing; it was unbecoming of me to snap at you like that. When all you did was try and cheer me up."
'Oh thank goodness!' I think with a bit of relief. 'Though, his tone implies there's still some tension. I hope that doesn't last.'
I come back up from my bow. And thank him for his understanding.
We set of in the cart. With all of us piling in. Momon, Nabe, and Inazama on one side, in that order. Dyne, Lukrut, me, and Peter on the other. Nfirea guiding the wagon.
It's actually rather comical. How we're all sitting. Sir Momon and Lady Nabe are both sitting properly, backs straight, hands on their knees. And Inazama is splayed against the corner at the front of the cart. With his head leaned back and his eyes closed.
I look over to him and his peaceful stance. So relaxed and carefree. Though when you have his level of skill and his hyperawareness. I guess you can afford to be relaxed.
"Damn man, you're awfully chill for a guy who's supposed to aware of everything around him." Lukrut opens his big mouth.
"Yep." He says easily.
"You don't think you should be on guard?" He presses.
"Nope." He once again replies.
"Inazama, he has a point. You shouldn't ever let your guard down." Sir Momon says.
"That's right!" I add. "There's tales of a powerful nature dragon around here. It could swoop in at any moment."
"Good, been looking for some materials. Make myself some boots." He says with a thumbs up.
"Come on, you guys are strong, but you can't honestly expect us to believe you've taken on a dragon." Peter says.
"If nothing else, I'm sure you could just feed it Lukrut." He says. "Then it might die of food poisoning before it got to the rest of us. Assuming it didn't throw him up and run away in shame."
"And what is that suppose to mean!" Lukrut demands as we all laugh at his expense.
This is fun! Nabe keeps Lukrut's attention. And actually keeps him from saying his dirtier jokes. Momon seems to be a well of knowledge and strength. And Inazama? Well, he's, fun to be around. And super reliable, just like the rest.
"Eh I see what you're thinking." Lukrut whispers as he nudges me.
"Huh?!" I shout in surprise.
"You good?" Inazam asks as he peeks up.
"Yeah we're cool!" Lukrut says with a wave. "Just having a joke with my pal Ninya."
He shrugs and lays his head back down.
"Guess this explains why you never cared for my jokes." He says.
"I have no clue what you're on about." I say as I look away to avoid him seeing my face burning.
It's not my fault he's hot! He's got this dark and mysterious air about him that just, just, I don't know!
"Lay off it Lukrut." Peter says.
Thank you!
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-2 hours later, Carne village-
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-30 minutes later-
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Zamaina "Inazama" POV
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Standing over the hill. Watching the villagers do their things. Practicing archery, rebuilding houses, fortifying the walls.
It's almost inspiring. They learned, and adapted. If only they had more potential than the pathetic forms life gave them.
How did humans get as far as they did in this world? I mean, I know their were human players that showed up and helped them out, but that was six hundred years ago. How have they not died?
"Mr. Inazama!" I hear from behind me.
Turning to face the sound. I see our client Nfirea running towards us.
"Is something the matter?" Momonga asks.
He runs up to us before he stops to catch his breath. Hands on his knees as he pants.
'Dude.' I think to myself. 'This is a medieval world where ninety percent of people can't afford to be out of shape. How does a jog up leave you this out of shape.'
"No, no." He pants. "I just, ha."
"Dude, breathe." I say. "And not just right now. You look like you held your breath while running."
No joke, he's sweating like crazy and panting like he's about to hack up a lung.
He takes a second, before standing back up.
"Mr. Inazama! Are you Lord Zamaina?!" He asks.
Nabe immediately goes to ger sword.
[Dude! You lasted like, four days! What the hell!?] Momonga transmits.
[Can it boner man! I have a plan!] I transmit back before cutting the line.
"Well now, how'd you figure that out?" I ask as I drop my easy going façade. "I have two ideas. But I'd like to hear the reality of things."
My shift in tone and word choice immediately catches him off guard.
"Well, it was the god blood." He says nervously. "Enri told me about how Lord Zamaina gave her a red vial that healed her, and Miss Britta came in with a vial of gods blood. Such a rare, mythical item? And you both use bows! So, it just seemed like too much coincidence."
[Um, gods blood?] Momonga asks.
[READ THE FUCKING REPORT! I'LL HIGHLIGHT IT FOR YOU!] I cut the line again.
As a business negotiator for the Petrosky's, something you get good at, is reading and memorizing reports.
Seriously, those negotiations can get heated. And if you're dealing with higher powers who have more resources and leverage, you could get thinly veiled death threats days before your pet dies due to a mysterious knife in its head.
Mr. Squiggles, you will forever be missed.
"Hrmm, yeah that's what I thought." I say. "Well, you figured it out. Now what?"
"Um, could you, I was wondering if you'd teach me how to make it?" He says awkwardly.
'Look at the little guy~' I think to myself. 'He's all nervous!'
"No can do." I say. "You won't be able to make it."
"What!?" He exclaims as he takes a step forward. "Why!?"
[Watch as I turn a fuck up into an advantage] I message to Momonga.
"The materials to make God's Blood, well, you can't find them here." I say seriously. "The reason it's called God's Blood, isn't because it's the blood of a god. It's because it's red, and the materials needed to make it, can only be found in the realm of the gods."
I might have bullshitted a bit there.
"So, so, but then why would you just give it away!?" He asks.
"I said you couldn't make it." I say and allow my eyes to glow blue. "I never said anything about not being able to get more."
"B-b-but that would mean." He starts to trail off.
"Everything happens for a reason." I say with a smirk. "What are the odds of everything that's brought us to now, happening exactly as it has?"
"You, you, but." He sputters.
"I said you can't make it, because the ingredients needed can't be found in this world." I continue as I walk towards him. "But, that's merely because no one's discovered a method to making it without those ingredients. Perhaps there's a method, and people have simply stopped trying to find it. That's the problem with myths and legends. Give it enough time, and people disregard the possibility that they exist. Only when people start having doubts, will a fact, become a legend, and when people stop believing it? It becomes a myth. But all myths and legends, have some truth to them."
I can see his world view expanding. And he's struggling to cope.
[Dude, you're getting a bit monologuey here. Kinda cringe] Momonga messages.
[Fuck off! Let me have this!] I say before I cut the line.
"But, that's for another time." I say with a wave of my hand as my eyes stop glowing.
I turn from Nfirea and walk back to the edge of the hill and watch the people work.
Ever see an ant farm? It's like that! It's neat to just sit and watch them for a while.
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-Next Day, midday-
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Ever since our talk, Nfirea has been oddly quiet. And everyone's noticed.
"Hrm." I mumble as I take in the smells.
This is one of the reasons I hate my human form. In my regular form, I can smell so much more, and I can separate them easier. Now? I still have the strength. But not the accuracy. Like, if I smell blood in my werewolf form, I could be handed a fucking map, and tell you where the blood is. Now? It's more like a compass. That way!
It, sucks.
But, I can still smell the herbs.
"I gotta say Inazama." Dyne says appreciatively. "You have quite the talent for navigating these woods. You're sure you've never been here?"
"Positive." I say as I start collecting herbs. "My class, survivalist, is all about, well, surviving in the wilds. Utility and speed are my strength."
"Oh please, that is such bull." Lukrut says. "Speed is a rogue, thief, or an assassin's thing. And utility is a ranger's deal. You don't see me pulling any of the crap you do."
"Let me put it this way." I say as I stand up. "I'm a jack of all trades. But I've dedicated myself to it so much, that I can imitate a master. But a true master? Say, a master archer? Will be better at the bow than me."
It's true. So long as I'm not using gauntlets or bearded axes, I'm intermediate by every measure. It's why I have these basic steel axes. I'm posing them as my back up. When in reality, they're my trump card to buy me time.
That being said, intermediate by Yggdrasil's standards, in downright mythical by this world's standards.
"We should head back." Nfirea says. "We're encroaching on the wise king's territory. And I'd rather not risk that."
[Um?] Momonga messages.
[Don't worry, that wasn't in the report.] I message back.
"Wise king?" Momonga says questioningly.
"He's a terrifying beast." Peter answers. "He rules over this area of the Great Forest of Tob. Alongside the Giant of the West, and the Demon Snake of the East."
"Ooh, fancy names." I say sarcastically. "I'm down. Could use some exercise."
"If you exercise anymore, we'll run out of food." Lukrut says.
That gets a round of chuckles from the group.
"Actually, if you didn't mind." Momonga says.
We'll skip for now. The rest goes as you'd expect.
I will say Hamsuke? Their reputation? I see it.
Yes, they look like a giant hamster with a snake tail. But you know how some people think hippo's are cute? When in actuality they're some of the most vicious and roided out animals to ever exist? Embodying the fact that morality is a human concept. Yeah, she's fluffy. But that's all muscle underneath. And anyone with real experience can see it.
Hence the groups awe. And Momonga's cringe.
Momonga can't see it. Because he just doesn't have a sense of what's strong.
I only see it because my instincts tell me this creature's real strength. Low to mid thirties. Not impressive really. But. This thing could wipe the Swords of Darkness.
And now? Momonga is riding it.
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-Several days later, E-Rantel-
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Making it back to the gates. Much to the surprise of the guards at seeing the giant hamster, some of which had actually pissed themselves. We part ways from the group as the Swords of Darkness escort Nfirea home with the herbs, and we take the hamster to registered. As well as turning in the quest.
The whole time since we parted ways. I keep getting this nagging feeling. Like I'm forgetting something. And it just keeps getting worse.
But I can't place my finger on it. I think it might just be the rising full moon.
We step out of the guild to a crowd of people surrounding us at the entrance. All staring at Hamsuke or Momonga. Probably both, seeing as he's on top of Hamsuke.
"Cheer up man." I say. "Look at it this way, the kids will totally love you now."
"I appreciate your optimism Inazama." Momonga says.
[Screw you! I look like a total dweeb!] He messages.
"Always here to help." I say with devious smirk as I-
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Blood.
My instincts are screaming at me. There's a hunt! Prey! And I'm missing out!
"Inazama?" Momonga says. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, just." I say distractedly. "Just, an odd feeling."
There's always the coppery smell of blood here. Nose bleeds, stubbed toes, torn hang nails. It's a big, ish, city. Someone's always hurt.
"Well now." I hear the raspy voice of an older woman. "What's this?"
But this isn't the smell of someone hurt.
Turning around, I see an elderly woman, slouched over with one arm behind her back, the other holding her chin inquisitively.
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Blood!
My blood is pumping faster as the scent gets stronger.
It's the smell of someone dead and dying.
I zone out as I'm focused on keeping all my, urges, in check. The full moon is rising! And the smell of blood is so tempting.
I need to run! I need to chase something! Oh god it's like I'm entering a caffeine high!
[DUDE!] Momonga's voice snaps me out of it.
"What?" I ask as I look around.
Some people are staring at me in confusion. Most notably the old lady.
"I was just asking if you wouldn't mind escorting a fair maiden back to her home." The lady says.
Now I remember!
"We gotta go!" I say.
"What?" Momonga says.
[You okay man? What is it?]
[Blood, lots of it.] I message back.
[Um, okay? Why do we care?] He asks.
[Because it's coming from where the Swords of Darkness went!] I message back.
[Oh, oh that's not good.] Momonga says.
"My apologies Mrs. Bareare." Momonga says. "But Inazama's talent gives him exceptional awareness of his surroundings. And with that, comes a sense of danger. And it seems there is danger. Inazama! Lead the way!"
I take off as Naberal hops onto Hamsuke. With Momonga steering, I guide the way as I run.
'I am not losing my new pets damnit!' I think to myself. 'I haven't even had them a week!
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-15 minutes later-
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Fucking, piece of shit human nose! This is what I was talking about! If I was in my regular form, I'd have been here in a less than a minute! Instead, I had to play a god damned game of hot and cold as I ran around the area looking for this place!
All the while the scent of blood got stronger!
"This is it!" I say as we stop in front of Lizzie's Apothecary.
I feel my jaw ache and my back tingle as I smell it. The thick savory scent.
I charge in without a second thought. Barreling through, finding the zombified forms of Peter, Lukrut, and Dyne. I punt Peter's head off, rip Lukrut's neck from his body, and put my fist through Dyne's chest. Tearing his heart out as he collapses.
'Eugh.' I think to myself as I wince at the heart in my hand. 'Spoiled rotten.'
I drop the heart and walk away from the rotting food. Making my way to a fresher source. At the end of the hall I find her.
The freshly murdered corpse of Ninya. Very fresh.
Standing in front of her. I see her vacant eyes and slightly open mouth. Feeling her head, she's still warm.
'Fucking hell!' I think angrily. 'I had her a week goddamnit! Didn't even get enough time to try and set her up with Nfirea.'
I know who did this. And I'm either A, going to kill them, B, make them replace Ninya as my pet, or C, use them as an experiment.
Honestly? Probably a combination of the three.
"Rather efficient method of disposal." Momonga says as he walks in. "Seems we're just a moment too late."
I turn to him to say something, and everything goes gray and foggy.
"Hrmm." I here a deep voice say from behind Momonga. "So this is all that's left of the mighty Norse pantheon?"
Stepping from behind him. A slightly shorter man, walking with a crook. Though his steps say he doesn't need it.
He turns to me. Long grey beard, both eyes bandaged. And two ravens coming to rest on his shoulders.
My heart stops as I recognize the man. I fought him for hours due to a single mistake I made in scouting.
Odin The Allfather.
"Pathetic." He says with a sneer.
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A/N
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Ask about Zamaina's build!
His Gear!
His Abilities!
Eigo asks: You said that Fluder won't be able to survive a bite, but like, does Zamaina's bite kill instantly against low-levels? because if there's a moment of even a few seconds before death claims a victim, it could be possible to heal them with Lupusregina's skills or a constant healing spell until they do transform, maybe?
Newb: it's possible. The main issue here is that surviving the initial bite is hard enough. But lycanthropy is a curse that kills. Only when you survive the curse is when you become a werewolf. So yes, the instant effects of Zamaina's bite would kill anyone without significant defense and constitution. The lycanthropic curse inflicts damage based on the user's Physical Attack stat. And any healing Lupusregina would do would likely strip the curse from the person.
HOWEVER! If given items and using spells to boost one's defenses, they could more easily survive.
That's the downside of picking the Dire Wolf over the Pack Leader. Dire Wolf made his Lycanthropic curse more lethal. Where Pack Leader would've made it more likely to change an individual.
In game mechanics, Pack Leader would've given his bite a higher chance to turn mobs into temporary summons/mercenary type NPC's.
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ETC.!
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Leave a comment and tell me what you think!
Praise and constructive criticism only. I especially like when you guys comment on what you like. As I tend to add more of it and I'm open to suggestions.