by oblivon2991 and aguestfromgreece45

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.

If you have the mood or have an opinion to share, please review it

I appreciate both positive and negative opinion

Thank you!


Chapter 2: Isekai With Complications


The world shifted around the two for only but an instance, just as their terrible might was to be released! At that exact moment, power unbound pushed forth! An immovable object met an unstoppable force, in their clash, terrible might was released!

A horrific and wide beam of cursed energy cut a wide path on its way, corrupting, twisting, and eradicating everything in its path!

Reality rendered, fractured then shattered, reaching wide and far with strength that could vaporize mountains and part seas, tearing the very fabric separating Hel from Midgard's realm! A malignant, maleficent presence left lingering for all eternity where the demon lord's terrible assault left its mark.

Meanwhile, a concentrated mighty slash left the elegant blade of the revenant lord, spreading the black miasma of death to everything it touched. The air shuddered then died, scarring the ground but even withering the very life around. In its wake, the black mist swallowed and rotted the souls that got tangled in its path!

"Yes!" By a hairbreadth, the general dodged the mighty beam, and grazed, but was still seemingly unbothered by the abyssal attack. Her boastful smirk remained wide on her face, preparing another strike!

"Guahhhh!" Unlike her, however, her assault had earned a different result. The imp empress who also by a hairbreadth dodged her strike, displayed agony above all else!

"Huh? What?"

Before her, violet eyes, the scene of an injured demoness was displayed. Thrown far, rolling on the ground in hysterical pain after her strike nibbled the mark, a horrifying picture was painted.

"Eh?" The revenant tilted her head in confusion, stopping before her assault could push forth! In her stunned state, she was unable to really comprehend why her friend threw himself to the ground. Writhing, wriggling and screaming in pain.

Was it another ploy, or something else? Seeing her guildmate, she even started to doubt the first.

"Wha-What the…!? Hurts! Hurts! Why does it hurt?! You cut me! You really cut me?! What the fuck!?"

"Styxia? What's that voice?" It was strange, her friend's voice was different. Unlike the morose deep tone of the owner, it was sweet and lisping. Even different the girlish tone a strange ethereal device provided before. Now, a similar, but cuter and more refined tone left the wide stretching mouth of the impish demon. The voice that truly fits a Loli character like her friend possessed. The tone that could conquer nations by simply convincing rulers to hand over their power and riches, and serve as their loyal lapdogs.

"What's wrong? Aren't you taking your role-playing a bit… too seriously? Come on! Don't be like that." Still holding on to her blade, and walking closer, the revenant tried to nudge the demon with her other hand, only to recognize it was missing.

"...Huh?" Only a charred stump remained where her left arm was attached once. Melted remains of bone, infected by lingering evil curses. Eldritch shadows gnawing on her ghostly flesh, like ravenous devils. Even looking at them, she had an awful, even ominous feeling. A simple look was enough to know, they meant nothing positive for her health.

"Oh! Strange…" Since when did the world support dismemberment — she wondered for a moment. Never before, was such a display of cruelty allowed by the grand creators — which was strange, considering their abusive nature.

"If I remember correctly, the game only supported this visual representation for specific enemies and bosses." Mostly due to the age rating, the grand creators had to heavily restrict such visual effects, so even otherworlders of a younger age could enjoy their playfield.

The very realms themselves could have handled a more brutal, and violent graphical display — if proper care and programming given— Yet, it was never truly implemented.

"Did the developers change their minds while I was away?" Being Lieselotte left the nine realms for around three whole years, she was not sure. She had been back for only a few days or a week at most. She had little to no time to properly catch up with the missed events that played out in her absence.

"It is strange regardless. The timer hit zero…" Trying to bring up her display — which her kind also called HUD — the command found no answer. "Eh? That's… strange."

"Guhhhh! Why does it hurt?! This is supposed to be a game…! Hurts! Hurts so much! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

"Hey… what's wrong?" Sheathing her sword, she crouched before Styxia, grabbing 'her' arm. It was odd, but she could move it easily, almost like she would have dealt with a mere child — inferior in body and strength.

"Aghhh! You are breaking my wrist! Moron! Stop!" Her face definitely moved. The childish, impish face which rivalled even divine beings showed the twisted visage of pain, drenched with tears. The black veins of death, an affliction that originated from the slashed ear and the horns of the demon started to spread ever slowly, painting the always beautiful face terrified and hollow. Her lush hair is already falling, dying, its bright orange colour withering ever slowly.

"S-Sorry!" In dread and confusion, the revenant backed away! Her already pale face became more ghostly. Seeing her friend like this spread the shivers of worry and fright across her damned soul. "I-Is it really hurting?"

"Of course it is! What do you think?! Guahh…!" Nauseous, the demon lord threw up, and continued to roll in hope the pain just slips away, grabbing her two sides, trembling in shock and fever in her own black blood and vomit!

"It's getting worse…! Why it is…? Bluergh!"

Seeing her like this, hearing her new voice and only now recognizing her changed tone — which was different from her original one— the cruel general reflectively put her hand before her face. In her mind, many scenarios played out! Trying to find the reason behind their circumstance desperately.

What happened? Where were they? Were the grand creators forcing them into a different world, where pain was not dulled, like before? Were they doing this to teach their cruel kind a harsh lesson, or did they have other, grander plans in their mind? What's going on?

"Holy shit…!" Lieselotte's mouth moved in fright, many variables playing out in her mind, only to realize what she did with her friend. "I-I am sorry!" Her brain rattled in panic, trying to both process what really had just happened, and how she could help her friend, or make it right! Because right now, the importance of everything else seemed to be inferior. Indeed, even a woman with such a cruel, and tragic past can show affection, and care — from time to time.

"Dammit! Hold on!"

In the end, she dashed closer. Her only remaining armoured gauntlet instinctively reached forward, and the space opened before her grasp! Potions of all kinds and varieties recovered in an instant from the gaping abyss — A sight that would make any passing alchemist salivate in their variety!

Why does she carry them around in her pocket dimension? Even she did not remember. Undead, after all, needed not such things. Yet, it was not important, because she was occupied with more pushing matters!

"Here! Drink this!" Yanking the lightweight being before herself, she jammed all the potions in the demoness's mouth at once! Dilating the already wide maw even more spacious than before!

"Guuuh!" The impish child's eyes widened and bulged, feeling her thin lips and wide gap stretching to the limit. Her sharp teeth on to cut through the crystalline surface of the vials, creaking them under the pressure.

"Drowww…"

The small being gurgled words of incomprehensible nature, those forced out under the strain. The demoness was stuffed full of different potions she was forced to chug down — lest she wanted to drown herself with her friend's crude first aid. 'Cough! Cough!' "What the hell!?"

In the end, the short succubus spat the empty bottles out, still trying to catch her breath— after almost getting drowned by the different substances mixed in her maw. "Strawberry? No? Banana? What the nine hell?" she muttered as seemingly the pain fell to a bearable level. Now, she was more occupied by the taste of the potions than her injuries — those still gnawed on her damned soul.

"Thank god!" Seeing those dark veins going dimmer — but not disappearing— on her face, and her eyes regaining their shine, the revenant lord fell on her bottom. The relief once more returned to her seeing her companion getting better.

Slowly, the half-missing ear and additional horns sprouting from the sides of the impish demon head started to regenerate, regaining their previous might! Like an empress, who regained her majestic crown once again, the demon lord's frailty still lingered, but onto vane into nothingness once again!

"Thank the Kami! Are you… alright?"

"Well, I feel some numbness… but it does hurt less, I guess. Still freaking hurt, dammit… What the hell is this burning feeling? Is that freaking interface frying my brain or what!?" Styxia started to tap her horn, as well caress and find the end of her long pointy ears — which twitched and she pulled her hand away in a strained visage.

Two long appendages, those in size rivalled the queen of goblins — but unrivalled in shape— proudly peeked out under her lush mane that started to regain its former glory.

"What the hell is this?" She started to question the events, especially the strange feeling, that coursed through her malnourished body. The sensation of a new form, that was vastly different than her previous self. "Why did I feel pain? What's with this voice? Voice synthesizer disable…. I said disable! Where is the fucking console!? How come I feel pain!?" She shouted such nonsense things, while starting to tap her cheeky face intensely — only now her mind reached the point where her new form was realized in her consciousness.

An odd sight any onlooker might say. How come she did not recognize her own body or voice — after possessing it for years? 'Weird' many might categorize the things she said or the unruly acts she displayed.

"Ei…."

The feeling of a completely different facial structure than she originally possessed reached her fingers. Caressing and pulling the once lush hair that now missed patches on her nob — thanks to the terrible effect of the withering attack. "The fuck…!?" She muttered trembling, using her adorable lisping voice.

According to the demonic overlord's best knowledge, the ones who developed the nine realms, made it so to serve as the playfield for her kind. Excluding anything that would confuse their sense of reality, or relayed the feeling of harm. In that regard, her confusion, and fright were a correct reaction.

Yet, unlike before, she felt sensation, never before! Everything around turned more real, and melable! How it is possible!? Her mind screamed!

"Is this still the game? Auch! The heck?!" She pulled her childishly chubby cheek, finding it painful. "No, it doesn't seem like that way…" Having an absurd idea, and out of curiosity, she grabbed one thick lock from her soft hair. If it is truly the scenario that popped up in her nob, then she might just gain confirmation.

"This definitely doesn't feel like a texture… But then…"

Pondering, she sniffed her hair which mixed pink and orange colours and burned with abyssal fire. The mane, which even dying was like a blazing inferno proudly spread behind her back and reached the ground, on top of this made into two thick twintails that elegantly twisted around the ornamental, jagged goat horns on the side of her head.

"Haah! What is this? The smell of a girl? So sweet!" She sniffed the lock with satisfaction. Her nostrils widened, assaulted by the sweet, girly scent the proud mane carried. A fragrance, that even made her forget all the pain she experienced for a moment.

"Ahhhh…!"

After sniffing it, she found it pleasantly fragrant, shuddering in arousal, which made even her knee tremble and made something in her stomach stir! A sudden uprising of emotion, she never felt before appeared! Despite her current otherworldly appearance, she never felt such odd satisfaction, which even teared up all her seven eyes!

It was exactly how she imagined this smell. No! The fragrance was even better and more intense than she even dared to envision! The intensity overwhelmed her mind to a degree, which even made all the pain disappear for a moment.

"Wait a moment… is this really…?" Looking down, she closed her hand towards the barely bulging, flat chest. A cute bulge that fit her thin form — yet was barely recognizable in her cosplay.

"I am sorry!"

"Eh? What are you doing?" Only after the words of the revenant hit her sharp ears, did she stop her depraved act, turning her attention towards her.

"I am sorry, it was not intentional!"

"What the…?" Before Styxia, the once proud general, Lieselotte von Hildesheimer took a pose that the people of Japan called 'dogeza'. The ultimate gesture towards someone they immensely respected, or wanted to curry favour. But in this case, it was simply an act, which carried regret, and begged for forgiveness.

"What are you doing? And where is your arm?!" The already confused witch became even more stunned by the situation, starting to feel uneasy, even scared! Witnessing the missing limb and its graphical display— amongst other things — was more than unnerving in her mind.

"Apologizing?" Liese guessed, slightly raising her head. "And it is probably because of your attack that I lost this arm. But don't worry, I don't feel any pain," She forced a smile, which was less than convincing, considering its strained nature.

"Right…" Naturally, the demoness didn't believe her.

Alas, Liese was right partly right, because at that moment, she really couldn't feel any physical pain, yet, the curse that started to spread and consume her slowly still very much was there. A hex that was maybe more dangerous than any physical wound, searing her damned soul and eating it away bit by bit. Instinctively, she felt dread, like never before!

"I really can't feel pain. But something tells me I should get rid of this debuff… as soon as possible. It feels like, it is eating me alive, at an alarming rate." Glancing at the eldritch energy that gnawed on her missing limb, Lieselotte's precaution might prove true.

"Maybe it was one of the many curses she used to debuff me? Or the amalgamation of many?" It was a high possibility, considering the direction her friend specialized in her build.

"If you don't mind, can you remove this curse? And order this little one to release my leg?" Liese pointed at her stump, then the familiar who still gnawed on her leg furiously. His maw, which contained multiple rows of dangerous teeth, expanded, trying to tear through her metal combat boots like an angry little puffball. A truly terrifying sight this beast would be, if it wouldn't be so adorably vile. "If you don't… they might kill me sooner or later," she laughed nervously, trying to hide her agony.

But why was she even surprised? Considering this little dark magic caster speciality, she should have known she couldn't just ignore her debuffs. Not to speak about her bound familiar which was a force to be reckoned with even alone. "Well, at least her build hasn't changed that much…" It only became more efficient as the years passed.

A build, that exponentially grows more dangerous the longer you fight the wielder. Even she, who was generally highly resistant to curse-type debuffs, and with her skills to neutralize and remove them, she couldn't get rid of the stacking hexes that accumulated on her under the battle.

"Also… we barely had time to gear me up a little bit under just a few days."

By all means, thanks to their guild resources, they brought her up to a bearable, respectable level. But did not have enough time to truly put together a fitting divine set for her that was up to the current challenges of the nine worlds.

It was a miracle she was able to even put up some fight after her three years of absence. Maybe this little imp went easy on her —she wondered ever since.

"But it is not important now. What the hell happened? Why do I feel I am being devoured from the inside? Dammit! What is this searing feeling? What the hell is this!?"

"Ah!? Of course! Lucifero! Let her go!" Growling, the small whelp released the revenant with an angry glare, flying to his master's side, who patted his head affectionately.

"Grrr…"

The demonic dragon purred like a pet cat, showing something akin to a happy grin at his master. "Such smooth scales…"

"Khm!" As much as the general loved to see this reunion, she still had a problem to solve, pointing at her missing arm. She will have time to adore her friend's form after she survives this ordeal — if she does, in her current state. "If you would…"

"Ah! Of course!" As she did many times before in the nine worlds, Styxia raised her elegant hand — which was covered by her demonic gauntlet — only to realize, she had no interface to activate the counterspell, and thus, no means to call forth her demonic might! "But how do I remove them?"

"...You don't know?"

"I mean… I have no interface to activate the counterspell or remove the debuff from you. Where have they gone? And how come I feel pain!? More importantly… why can't I turn off the voice modulator!?" Slightly trembling, the not-even 120cm 'girl' looked around, finding the whole environment oddly unfamiliar and, above all, feeling small compared to her old bulky self. Just now, the whole world and the situation started to dawn on her, and she felt vulnerable like never before!

Around them were plains and the edge of a rotting, twisted forest spread — lingering with the remnants of negative energy, where the revenant lord's dark miasma touched the world. Mountains emerged in the distance, with some woodland nearby breaking the monotone view and its non-existent elevation. At least, until the ground affected by Styxia's attack came into view: a wide and twisted path filled with malicious presence!

Most of its surface was charred, creating a twisted, jagged canyon of molten rock and corrupted glassified, still red-hot surface that continuously released eldritch energies in the form of purple electricity-like arcs and evil fog.

A path that cut a wide hole and collapsed a mountain in its way, bringing it down to its base. Ethereal arms of demons and agonizing vapours of souls trying to leave the surface, paint quite a picture of a horrified landscape!

In the distance, far away, atop a hill that overlooked the nearby plains, a ruined citadel and a town stood, surrounded by mighty walls! All in shambles after something terrifyingly powerful had hit them — just in the path of the charred scar the powerful spell had cut.

"What a messy place…" muttered the demon lord with an uneasy expression, a few beads of sweat forming on her freckle-dotted forehead.

'Crumble' "Eiii!? Whaa..!?" At that moment, cursed veins like living tentacles and cracks started to appear on Liese, almost like a malignant presence to drain her dry and crumble her body to dust after eating away her resistance.

"Wha-What is this!? Is this!? Help! Remove it! Please remove your debuff!" Lieselotte shuttered and shouted almost panicking, realizing her situation.

The removal of the hex affecting her became ever-urgent. If her friend did not do something soon, the hungering curse would send her to the afterlife, or bring her back as some kind of twisted creature again — even she guessed which would be worse.

"I feel I am emptying from inside. I feel as many maws gnawing on me… my soul, and even my body. I can barely move. It is like…holy shit?! I am actually falling apart?!" With each moment, the curse started to spread even faster! Any lateness and it might eat her alive! Her bluish green fires that seeped out the cracks and tried to fight back started to dim, some eldritch power and the appearing tentacles on to devour them!

"Ummm… Think! Think! Think! Auch!" The demoness tried her best but had no idea how she should start. All the pointers the great creators provided disappeared, leaving her without a guide on how to properly utilize her great power!

In frustration, she started to poke her forehead with her sharp index, scratching the surface of her smooth skin. "Not a game! Definitely not a game! Maybe some twisted simulation?" She rubbed the poked place annoyed while mumbling, having hit her temples with the sharp metal claw of her gloves' index. An act which gave her a rather stinging experience for the next few seconds.

"Wait! That's it!" But thanks to this, she got the necessary inspiration to proceed. "How did you recover those potions?" She pointed at the empty bottles lying near her, realizing something.

Lieselotte probably wasn't carrying these potions on herself! Which means she must have recovered them from her inventory. A place of storage! A personal pocket dimension their kind could reach through their interface — which served as the connector towards the world and their abilities.

"Well, I… I am not sure. I just freaked out, I guess, and I wanted to help. The rest went instinctively. Maybe try to do it like in the game? Like… just think about the ability. Concentrate on removing your debuff?" Even Liese started to glimpse what was going on, while a deep gash burst on her ghastly face, erecting demonic feelers.

She tried to best to concentrate and resist to slow the spread. Even urging her body to counteract with her skill! Panicking did not help, it only hastened the horrifying end! They needed to find a solution in haste, or everything would end before it could even begin!

"I'll try it! It's definitely better than doing nothing! The nine hell! Your other arm!"

"Shut up and do something already!" Lieselotte shouted almost crying, as her other arm burst into dust, from the gaping abyss some untold horror appeared! Deep services started to form on her legs and body under her armoured uniform.

"Shit! Shit! Shit! I can't handle the pressure!" Now was not the time of fright! The greatest demon lord either does something, or the horrible curse will devour her friend for sure — not to speak she felt the dark veins also start to spread on her face again, promising a miserable end!

"Please work!"

Taking a big breath, the impish overlord prepared herself, to release her terrible power! By concentrating all her bits, she reached deep in her soul, to conjure forth her skill!

"Now then… begone, curse! [Supreme Curse Absorption]!" Stretching forth her thin arm and concentrating on the spell she wished to activate! A panging feeling, like a flow of a mighty river pushed forth from her gut to her arm, which turned into a pull aimed at her palm.

"I-Is it working?"

For a moment, nothing happened! Then! Suddenly, the malicious power infecting Liese's stumps and body started to spread towards her! Like a sick dark miasma, filled with many abominable dark parasites, it made its way towards Styxia's hand, getting absorbed through the metal claws that settled on her fingers upon reaching them!

"EH!? Is this… working? Wait? What is this refreshing feeling? My face stopped throbbing..." The player watched her hand with a surprised expression, feeling herself better than ever. The curse which was supposed to devour and condemn to damnation her enemies actually brought her a positive feeling.

"I wonder… [Curse Absorbtion]!" Placing the same hand over her face, the necromantic debuff which formed dark veins on her face retreated, absorbed by her hand and turned into a positive feeling. Even her hair regained its previous shine, the missing patches regrowing immediately! Her afflicted horns and ears regained their pristine state!

"Ah! Finally! Thanks…! Much better!" Lieselotte said so and let out a sigh of relief! She felt free from the affliction! The dread that sickened her damned soul all but disappeared! Alas, only a moment later she blinked and raised an eyebrow towards her friend while the cracks on her body slowly closed — as strange fires ignited in them. "Refreshing? This thing almost killed me, and you say it is refreshing?" At that moment, Liese's passive regeneration kicked in, the smoulder of the revenant around her stumps reignited and started to regrow her arms and repair her body bit by bit.

"Well… according to the skill description, I can use this ability to absorb and consume curses and debuffs, turning their effects into a positive buff for myself. It can even heal me after consumption-what the…!? Your arms are growing back!?"

"Ah, yes, I guess, it is the effect of the revenant race's heightened passive regeneration. It is stronger out of combat."

"Freakish…"

"Like you are one to talk about." Liese offered a sour smile, shaking her head, stretching and moving her regenerating limb. Once more she felt whole. Relieved as her damned soul was not threatened by consumption. At that moment she swore: don't make an enemy from the childish lord, for her curses will devour her damned spirit.

"Hah… Much better." She sighed in relief, finally having arms again. "By the way… What the hell is this place? What happened exactly? Wasn't the game supposed to end at midnight? Is this some beta, or what? How come we… how come it feels so real? The law forbids sense simulation, right?" She guessed, for even she was unsure what the great creators had planned.

"Umm! I am not sure… As I remember, the counter did hit zero, I'm sure of it. Yet we are still here. This means either the server didn't shut down and this is some odd Beta. Or…"

"Or?"

"No! Stupid idea! Yet, I doubt it is some YGGDRASIL 2.0 with ultra-realistic sense simulation. Unless…" The short succubus started to pull the skirt of her demonic sorceress cosplay, a lewd expression sneaking on her face. A head, which was almost comically big for her thin neck, which carried a cute choker.

"Dude, what the hell are you doing!?" Alas, before she could witness the desired hoard, the strict general stopped the adventurous demon — with a not-so-approving look.

"Hey! If it is still a game, the system should kick us because we violated the age-restricted policy. If not, then it is either an unrated version, or we were transported to a different world when the game ended! Pick your poison, I guess…" Theorized the overlord of the abyssal realm. Her inspiration, of course, came from the different works she read during her journey.

"Like in those some cheap isekai stories?" guessed Liese. "Please, that'd be such a disappointment…"

From her expression, it was evident, she wasn't really a fan of that type of literature. A good history book better fits her taste.

"Exactly! Now then! Can't a cute little succubus enjoy the sight of her own honeypot?" Yanking out her hand from Liese's eased grasp, Styxia started to pull up her skirt slowly but greedily. She was so close! A moment and she would see the carefully designed panties she gave her avatar! A treasure, her kind desired above all else!

"You are not a girl, just a fat pervert…" snarled the revenant lord, not all that amused in watching the depraved act her friend.

"Haah! How can you say such a thing to cute little Styxia?~ Damn! I can't decide if this voice is cute, or annoying… damn! The choices…" She muttered, fondling her chin and pondering.

"Cut the crap, you just want to see panties."

"Yup! But do you have any better idea? I will listen to yours gladly." Snorted the dark lord annoyed. "As in our current state, I have no other. Besides… as a fellow appreciator of fine 'arts', you should support me," explained the little thing with an offended pout.

"Well…" Thinking about it, Liese had no other ideas that didn't involve bodily harm or lewd acts. Still… to do something like this? Both the grand creators and her own conscience were against the act. "Maybe, we could try to force log out? Or…"

"Tried it just a moment ago. As well as contacting the GMs, as well as other players. A profound silence was my answer. Swearing didn't work either — as you could hear it."

"Ok…" Watching her sceptically, Lieselotte went forth regardless, trying her best to leave this world. Yet, her endeavour failed nonetheless.

"See?"

"Dammit! Fine then!"

"Wha-What are you doing?" Shuttering and her blue skin turned a deeper shade, Styxia was powerless to see as Liese marched before her, then suddenly pulled up her skirt and peeked in her panties. Afterwards, pushed her finger against her squishy and wet 'lips' under the underwear's fabric — dragging it along its length before quickly pulling her hand away.

"Aiii! Wha-What the hell!? Co-Cold!"

"Gottverdammt! No warning! No logout! Fucking nothing!" She muttered defeated, confirming what she feared before the shuddering lord! The grand creators indeed changed the world around! Throwing them into a different realm and environment — leaving them confused, without answers, in this perilous situation!

"Heh…!" Alas, as she raised her head, the revenant pondering expression changed, turning into a smirk, which edged between amused and lecherous. "Heh! Would you look at that, it's a girl! Nice clit… sister? Quite ample and full. I must say, I am jealous."

"Ju-JUST WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING!?" Styxia right away pushed down her short, frilly skirt, looking quite disgruntled by the improper act.

"Just checking it out. If it is really some cheap isekai, then it is obvious I will not let you deprecate yourself like this — Not before you learn how to take responsibility anyway…"

"Guuuh!" The angry pout and dark face of this little imp really raised her cuteness factor to a never-seen height. Those freckles around her cheeks and nose were just the bonus. "You say this, but you're still mocking me… no! You're molesting me!" she shouted angrily, feeling quite weird after the inspection — especially in her stomach and down below.

"But why does this feel strangely good?" It was scary how intense this new experience was! Especially if she were to consider the place Liese had touched had narrowly missed a rather important part, and now, it just felt like some kind of messy, wet emptiness.

"Oh! So adorable! It will not happen again, you little puffball. I promise~" The usually strict general said so jokingly. Her words, however, left Styxia unconvinced. "After this, of course!"

"What are you planning now? Don't get close or I…? Aiii!"

"Sorry! I just want to confirm! Damn! So soft…!"

Reaching forward, Lieselotte raised the oversized witch hat from the head of the little witch, and the demonic, skull-shaped bell on its flappy tip rang with an evil laugh.

"Damn! Her character is so adorable! Wonder how a weirdo like him can make such a cute character." The sinistrous grinning face on the body of this headwear started to gnaw angrily, almost as if it was alive — trying to get back to its owner's head.

"He-Hey! Give it back! Guh!" At that moment, Liese did the unthinkable!

"So… So smooooooooth!" She messed up her already shaggy and spiky hair, flattening the ahoge and the two cat ear-like locks on the top — which like a metal wire jumped back to their original shape once she raised her hand again.

"Wow! This really feels real. So squishy and elastic!"

Lieselotte then proceeded to pull the short demon lord's cheeks — as an old granny would do with small kids.

"Sh-Shtoooop~…!"

"Well… in case she decides to blast me later, it's for the best to use this chance as long as I can. Anyway, it is for the sake of making sure it is really not a game anymore. Wait, what's with this lewd face?"

Before her, the adorable face turned more erotic while retaining its youthful visage — similar she witnessed in many of those exotic works she had read and watched before.

"Ummmmm! Sto-Stop bullying me! You are tearing down my face! This is serious!" Once more, Lucifero, the small familiar, pounced at Liese — trying to protect his master. In its sinistrous and fierce way, the draconic familiar spared no effort to protect his master!

"Grrr!"

"Ok! Ok! Geez!" In the end, Liese backed away, shaking down the numbness which haunted her arm — which the little one's bite had caused. "Don't need to be so violent!"

"Yo-You say I should not demean myself… and what do you do!? That same thing!" Styxia massaged her visage almost tearful! Her face ached and stretched from the force the revenant lord exerted — not to speak she was still shaken after she had so suddenly 'fingered' her. Even her knees trembled from the strain.

"Sorry! I had to make sure! Anyway, I just can't resist those puffy cheeks." The cruel undead chuckled, seemingly not regretting her act the slightest No! She seemed too entertained to ignore! "Also, it was to make sure you don't do anything dirty. In this case, if you can't, it is a fellow woman's duty to guide, and protect their friend — even from themselves."

Her tone was teasing, but from one look her intent was serious.

"Protect me from myself!? What kind of logic is that!?" Bellowed the tiny being. Styxia puffed forth her petite chest proudly. Stomping on the ground with her thin leg which carried almost knee-high thick sooled goth boots — paired with fitting stockings, of course.

"Just what do you think about yourself!? I am an adult dammit! Stop treating me like a damn child!" Boiled and raged the demon lord as she stomped closer, only to step on her long cloak and hair — making her fall backwards. "Augh! See, this happened because you…"

"Are you… fine?"

"Leave me, dammit! You rascal thief!" She slapped away the offered hand. "You dare you steal the right of very first fingering and cup?! And now you even dare to pity me!? Bastard…"

"That was not my…"

"That's it! I am on the edge! You know!?" Styxia jumped up, accusingly pointing at her friend. "Not only did you steal my first time, now you even mock me! If you are so curious, why not check it for yourself and let me alone explore my stuff!? Don't you have ba better things to do other than to molest and mock me!? Are you not curious or scared!? Because I am freaked out!" Shuddering, the demoness grabbed her two sides, glancing around wary.

"Ok! Ok! Chill! Just… let's calm down and analyze our situation. Okay?" She tried to reason — still overwhelmed with her companion's sudden outburst.

"Hmph! Fine! Let's reason then! Let's state this is real…" Snorting, the impish heir turned her head away, crossing her arms — almost like an offended dark hime. "That means we both lost our most precious asset!" Once more, the demon lord pulled up her skirt and peeked inside her panties, her face contorted with a weird half-smile. "Yes, it is gone. Dead…" She sighed depressed. "Poor little fella…"

The little guy was not much, but it was hers — Losing it was a great deal to her.

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"I mean down there… we both are missing our third leg! Isn't that enough of a reason to freak out!? To reconsider our life choices, or raise our urge to bravely explore? All which you stole!" Uneasy, the thin tail behind her that ended as an inverted heart twisted around her leg, snuggling against the smooth bluish skin. "What the hell is this!?"

"Huh?" Liese blinked confused, before realising what she implied. "You mean…? Oh my god! Oh man, no way! You are just joking, right? Hahaha! Since when have you thought I was a dude? Seriously, Styx, this is no time for jest."

"Huh? But… I thought you were… since the beginning?" Now, Styxia was completely confused. For more than a decade, she thought as such, Liese was a guy in the guise of a woman! A fellow appreciator of fine arts and rounded forms!

A fellow from a different world, she could share her most depraved fantasies. Someone, who created his character just like her— So they may appeal to their sense of beauty!

"You are joking, right?" In the end, Lieselotte's laugh stopped, trying to regain her calm from bursting forth into laughter again.

After a whole decade, this revelation was shocking. Why did she think Liese was a dude at all? Did she give away such vibes? Is her friend just messing with her?

"Wasn't my voice enough of a giveaway? Or me using female pronouns referring to myself all the damn time? Are you just messing with me?" Was she joking, or was serious? Even the grand commander can't say for sure.

"Eh? I thought… I thought your voice was just boyish and you never fell out from your roleplay! I mean, you always sounded more masculine than feminine." No wonder Styxia mixed her with a young male with a thin voice like that. "Also, which girl would be so obsessed with history as you are? It is… weird! You totally gave off the vibes as if I was playing with a fellow bro!" Struggling, the impish overlord tried to remove her cute, but sharp tail from her leg— failing miserably.

"Guuh…! Come on! Let it go!"

"Huh? Wait…!? Wait! Wait! Wait!? Are you serious!? Tell me you are joking! Are you saying that for over a decade, you thought I was really a dude and never mentioned it?"

Lieselotte's amused expression quickly turned neutral before rapidly changing into a frustrated one—almost angry. Her real voice was indeed slightly boyish, not that feminine. But to people think as such? Unheard! Blasphemous! Crushing!

"Yes…?"

"I can't believe it…! On top of this, your comment about my love for history? It was rude! It's like saying women belong to a kitchen. It's not weird at all! History is cool! It should be immersed by everyone regardless of age and gender! Hmph!"

"Sorry then… miss history nerd. Sorry for mixing you with a boy since you showed no feminine qualities for more than a decade — outside of role-playing."

"You can't be serious…!" This was no joking matter anymore! They had known each other for more than a decade, and right till the end, Styxia thought she was a dude all along. That was the new low in their relationship. Lieselotte felt her pride as a woman shattering into stardust at that very moment.

"Hmph! It's not my fault. You were always so tomboyish. You even said things like 'Nice' and 'I would explore that cave.' Enjoyed quality content like a real bro when I sent you those links! Giggled with me when I told you about those H-games. It's no wonder you deceived me! You cheater scoundrel!" Accusingly, the demon lord jumped up, grabbed Lieselotte's coat and pointed in her face!

"Grr! I get it! Ok? Sorry for being a weirdo like you!"

"Cope." Huffed the demonic player at the end, releasing her fellow and just pouted with crossed arms.

"Seriously? Dude, get your shit together!"

"Hah! What a turn of mood! But fine then… 'mom'! If it is so uncomfortable for you, let's move on. Then what are we supposed to do now? Any idea then? Or do you just want to hiss the responsibility without thinking?" Styxia asked inspecting her tail, poking the mouth at the end — which in exchange gave her weird shivers. "This is obviously not a game anymore! Alternatively, a very lifelike simulation…" Letting her plus appendage go, she muttered in the end, adjusting her skirt and witch hat slightly.

"Eh? Why ask me? I have no idea! You are the one who reads those nonsense light novels all the time, no? Surely, you've read something useful." From her tone, it was hard to tell if she was sarcastic, or if she indeed wished to know.

"Oi! They are not nonsense! They are quality literature, I tell you! They have prepared me for a situation exactly like this!" Styxia responded in anger, accusingly pointing at the dead general.

"Then what does this experience tell you? What are we supposed to do, 'Miss' Expert?"

"Well…" Styxia's big eyes moved left and right, and even the additional smaller pairs under the main ones opened slightly wider. Her brain rattled, concentrating on recalling the different types of stories she had had read over the years — trying to recall how the main characters reacted. How their choices played out.

"First things first… We should move away from this position, I guess. If I am not wrong, this huge scar in the environment was left by my spell. Which means, someone surely will come to investigate." After looking around, and remembering all those light novels — she had 'wasted' her time on — she analyzed the situation as such.

"Isn't that good? I mean, they may tell us where we are, or know what happened?"

"Tch! Don't be ridiculous. They might blame all of this on us and they may even be right after what happened. Or this energy spike might have already drawn stronger opponents here, who might capture or seriously injure us— or try to trick us using our cluelessness." Instinctively, she scratched her excessively long and thick ear — still feeling some phantom pain left lingering. "Either way, it is ill-advised to stay here. Without knowing our general strength compared to this world's inhabitants, moreover, considering most of our abilities might not even work, it would be foolish. Yes! Considering what we know… That's the best route. Avoid confrontation, and collect information!" While she rambled, she hummed with a confident smile.

"Eh? Don't you think they'd have already come if that were the case? And why do you think they would try to use us? They might actually be nice and helpful. You are just paranoid."

"Tch! Don't be naive. We all know how people work." Especially if she considered how their kind acted in YGGDRASSIL, and how their original world worked. "They use you if they can, then discard you when you are no longer of use to them. That's how people usually work — no matter the world."

Liese gazed at Styxia for a few silent moments, her eyes expressing her disappointment in her friend's words.

"You still stigmatize people because of the few negative experiences you had…"

"Please forgive me, Miss Perfect, 'I believe in people'. My life is one big tale of negative experiences and disappointment. So allow me a little bit of doubt when it comes to those meatbags."

"..." No answer came, only a silent glare welcomed the demon lord's mockery.

"What? Don't say you don't agree?" Styxia gritted her sharp teeth frustrated seeing her friend's almost pitying gaze.

"Whatever... In that case, let's move away from this area, and then discuss how to proceed. Will that be good enough for you?"

"Umu!" Nodding, Styxia sighed, looking around before her expression displayed intense concentration.

"So? Are we going or…?"

"A moment. I need to concentrate… I want to confirm something." As she would be in the game, she picked the ability to activate and her racial skill answered!

Behind her back, the small, adorable wings sprouted and grew bigger, transforming into three pairs of huge wings formed from ethereal tentacles and snakes — two bigger and two smaller — stretching wide and majestic behind her back.

Her tail also grew in size and thickness, covered by abyssal scales and hellfire! In the middle, dividing and transforming into the demonic heads of snakes.

"Wow!" Styxia lost her balance for a moment, feeling the sudden weight on her back.

"Just what the fuck you are doing?"

"Ar-Aren't we moving away? It is easier to fly, no?" The petite imp moved slightly her wings and the tail that was now longer than her, finding the experience quite odd, but not unpleasant in the slightest.

Around her, the aura of the infernal lord intensified, filled with grotesquely twisted souls, and the many ethereal maws that pulled them back to the burning abyss!

"I guess… Still, can't you use some spell or something? Those wings… they look cumbersome."

"Th-They are more effective than a simple [Fly] spell. It cost no mana and…"

"Ok! Ok! I get it. You wanted to try it." Liese shook her head while chuckling low. That insecure shutter was really something she could hear all day. It was too precious.

"But now thinking of it… these wings and tail… they are like limbs on my back. I don't even feel their weight now."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Haah! Fine then! Be it your way, but don't blame me if you crash down."

"Oi! You would presume I can't even use my wings to fly?!" Styxia puffed indignantly before her attention returned to her plus appendages.

"So smooth…" Her hand sunk and caressed the dark energies that formed her wings, giving her some manner or pride, and satisfaction just watching them.

"Ufufu…" Meanwhile, Liese turned back to her own problem, pondering if her gear's fly function still functioned as it should, or not. After all, she also needs a means to follow her friend, or she might be forced to catch a ride.

"Well… if we go, flying is faster, I guess. But how should I do it?" After thinking for a moment, she knocked together the heels of her armoured long boots, just like how in YGGDRASIL she set the trigger, and the effect activated, making her float. "Woah!" After stumbling for a moment, instinctively, the revenant regained her balance, urging her gear to fly higher and to stabilize her position — A command, that the mythical equipment followed rhythmically.

"Neat! Wanna come?" she grinned, feeling her control over her flight increasing. It was a feeling of freedom she had probably never experienced before. Not before! Not even in the nine realms she felt such intensity!

"Yes!" And Styxia nodded in return!

Her mighty wings flapped, answering her command. A sumptuous wind buffet came, making her body rise from the ground, sweeping away all the dust and dead crust. "Ahh…!" Naturally, thanks to the imbalanced anatomy, she lost her balance nonetheless, at first, before regaining her footing slowly. "Ok. You can do it. It's not your first ride… I mean, you did it many times in the game too. How hard can it be? Just concentrate…"

"Coming, or not?" raised her brow Liese, slowly descending on her side. The underside of her boots glowed like they contained some kind of jet, making them look very futuristic.

"Don't hasten me!" Styxia grumbled. "It is not as easy as it looks. I need to get used to these wings first."

"Pff! You are slow." Liese mockingly made a flip in the air, easily controlling her aerial movement, while her friend still struggled with the basics.

"Ughhh!" Having been fed up with the mockery, Styxia urged her wings to flap stronger, shooting out towards the skies with blinding speed. "Aghhhh!"

The sudden sonic explosion even made Liese grab her hat, else, it would have been blown over by the pressure.

"Wow! Fast! Better catch up with her!" Urging her boots to increase speed, the player flew after her friend, thus, before anyone recognized their presence, the two disappeared in the distance.



After long minutes aerial race, they finally stopped.

Above them, way above the clouds, the heavens spanned! A tapestry filled with a numberless stars! A big bright moon watching everything below like an ever-watching eye. A grander image, unlike any it was displayed in the nine worlds!

"This is… certainly a new experience." Styxia's heart thumped in her chest and other parts of her body. A quite a weird experience, just like her additional set of eyes — those granted her a new perspective on this world! Back in the nine realms, she never experienced similar oddity, nor her previous self could have imagined it would ever happen.

"But considering the demon psychology the game lore describes, maybe it is not weird a high-ranked demon like my avatar has redundant organs… and these colours… amazing!" Feeling her tail, wings as well her horns as they had belonged to her since birth, slowly Styxia started to get used to their presence. Even her additional eyes and her wider field of vision started to feel natural. It was weird but in a good way. In truth, they started to feel oddly natural. "But I wouldn't say I dislike them…"

She was filled with energy. She felt she could fly for days long and never get exhausted! Conquer nations with the magical might filled her new body, and rule over them eternal!

"It is strange… my old body got exhausted even from a simple exercise or walking a short distance. But now? I feel my energy is boundless!"

This power coursed through her veins! The magic she instinctively felt as her own and now danced in her palm! All felt too familiar. All incited some ancient instinct in her mind! Subjugate and conquer! Bind and abuse! Obey the chaotic whims of her purpose!

The only thing that was amiss was the strange emptiness between her leg, and the buzzing heat she felt in her crotch and her chest — It was almost uncomfortable.

"Guuh! Damn you Liese, you messed me up!" She cursed in her mind, forcing her frail hand to move further from her lower part. "Nonetheless... If this really some weird isekai scenario, and everything became real after transportation, that means I can now use my demonic skill, and even magic, right? Guuh! Please work!"

She prayed in her mind because, without it, she feared the worst! No! It worked once, why not try again — she thought.

"Let's try…"

Raising her hand, Styxia concentrated, imagining the ability she wanted to activate, giving it form in her mind. At that moment, a black fireball ignited in her palm! Heat spread all around, dispersing the clouds in their vicinity!

"Wo-Wow!"

She gasped! Her first success! The cursed magical might that coursed through her veins obeyed her will and took different shapes without a hitch! Dancing in her palm and around her fingers! Her familiar flapping on her side watched the fires mesmerized, almost as if he wanted to devour those delicious flames.

"Mew!"

"So this is magic… huh?" She muttered, bewitched by the cursed flames.

It was like she used the second set of muscles underneath the real ones when she called forth her ability. Draining the immense 'cup' of magical power that filled her small body a little, to materialize these evil fires.

"Having fun?" Liese teased her, watching her friend playing around while floating upside down.

"It is… certainly interesting." Clenching her fist, the black flames extinguished, ending the twisted charade. "What about you? Feeling different?"

"Me?" Liese blinked before stretching her limbs. "Haah! Strangely, I feel marvellous!" Her joints cracked under her undead might as she stretched them. Her joints popped, and her uniform stretched on her hard muscles! The cursed frailness from her body disappeared, replaced by unholy might! "It is certainly different. I mean, I don't have a pulse or heartbeat. I checked it just now! Neither I need to breathe. But still… it feels like I've shed the burden of mortality. I feel stronger than ever! More alive, I guess…" Doing a few phantom kicks and hits in the air, the shockwaves released shook the surroundings, creating a visible wave of pressure that pushed the clouds even farther.

"O-Oi! Careful!" The demoness flapped her wings and made some distance. She was sure she would not survive if she were hit by one of those fists. By no means was her frail body built to survive a brute like her friend was.

"Ufufu! Don't worry, I won't hit you if you behave." After teasing her friend, the revenant lord took a big breath, her attention turned to the night sky. "But still… wow! Who would have thought? And this view! Have you ever witnessed something like this?"

"What do you mean?"

"The clouds… the sky. It is so… clear. So beautiful… never before I seen something like this."

"Maybe in simulations? Or a VR environment?" guessed Styxia as her wings moved ever slightly behind her back. Subtly but surely, the little imp gained more and more control over her new body.

"I mean, for real?"

"Pff! Just like me, you as well are aware of how much of a shithole Earth is! The pollution is too high to see any stars, less to see any part of the sky at all! Of course, I have never seen anything like this for real." Her friend was brutally blunt, like always, maybe one of her biggest weaknesses if anyone asked Lieselotte.

"It is necessary for you to ruin this moment with your negativity? Just say you've never seen a more beautiful thing, and enjoy it."

"Well… if you want to hear a lie, then fine. I've never witnessed such beauty before." The demoness went along the charade — true, with a rather sarcastic tone.

"Thank you." She knew it was a lie, but seemingly it did not bother Liese. She just smiled unbothered, and reached towards the stars, almost like she was trying to grab them. "I wonder… is this a world of adventure? A treasure trove to explore…? Or, are we dead, and this is some daydream?"

"More likely an unknown world filled with danger. Or a very lifelike simulation… or our brain just friend by the nano interface." Styxia puffed out some air, making her lock move away from her eye. "So? Any plans on how we should proceed? Or should I come up with something?" Disturbing her moment of remembrance, Liese glanced down at her fellow.

"I guess, we should proceed with your idea, and collect information. Maybe we should try to find a settlement, and ask around?" Guessed the girl, because in all honestly, even she had little idea what to do, or how to proceed.

"Right! But even before that! We need a thorough test of our abilities and capabilities! If not everything, at least we need to try a few things that will secure our survival! or domination."

"Hmm? But, aren't we doing that? Besides, I think it is more pressing to orientate ourselves in this new world and collect some information. None of this looks familiar. Where are we anyway?" Looking around, at first sight, they were pretty far from their starting point. In fact, from this place it was but a small dot, even the mark Styxia's spell left only looked like a minuscule line.

"The hell I know! My sense of direction was always crap."

"Ok? Then what about flying around a little more while stargazing? We may find a settlement or two?"

"That's works, I guess. But I am still adamant we should test at least a few basic things. Also, we probably need a good disguise. I doubt people welcome a demon and an undead with open arms." Considering how most people treated them in the nine worlds, there was no question.

"Well, truth to be told, we already did some basic testing. We can do further tests once we've settled a little bit and gotten some info. And who knows! Maybe in this world, they treat our kind better. Who knows!"

"Yeah, sure…" Styxia snorted, shaking her head. "Just don't complain if we get captured, or outclassed in a fight because we can't properly use these new abilities of ours. All because we didn't make the effort to test them thoroughly in the beginning or choose a disguise."

"You worry too much. Don't overthink it."

"Oi! He-Hey!" Lieselotte raised her headwear and messed up her hair again, earning a nailing glare from her blazing orb.

Looking up at Liese who towered above her, then back at her petite blue body, Styxia couldn't help but sigh defeated while adjusting her oversized hat in frustration.

"Great, now I know how short people feel…" Why she didn't design her avatar of the nine worlds as a tall, busty character instead? Or even a beefcake dude? Maybe it was her own fault she had ended like this? Maybe, the grand creators mocking her choice or taste? Or it is some deserved punishment? "Freaking loli fetish…"

"Muuu! Come on! Stop pouting! Think! Wrecking our surroundings with these newfound powers carries danger, don't you think? Like you said: if a stronger opponent feels we are harbouring such practices in their territory, they can easily seek us out and confront us before we've managed to prepare. We need a good place first, where we can safely practice and prepare! To find such a place, we need information about this world! Just like you said! Besides, if we offer honesty, honesty will be our reward!" reasoned Liese thoroughly, while trying to ease her friend's mood.

"As always, you are right, and I am the one who is in the wrong… why am I even trying?" At this moment, Styxia's mood has gone into a downfall spiral. She even started to regret sending out those invitations.

Maybe if she were alone in those last minutes, she would be transported alone. In that case, she would not feel so miserable being corrected all the time by her own guildmate. "Like at home… endless lectures! It seems, being with her in this world will be no different."

It was bad enough that her selfish desire to celebrate the end together ended like this — Separating Liese from her loved ones. Now, the demon was even worried that this new chance would be messed up like her previous life was.

"I hate my life…"

"Huh? What's with the sullen mood all of a sudden?"

"Nothing…" Styxia muttered with a quiet tone. Her friend was always emphatically apt, instinctively knowing if someone had a problem. No wonder she was considered the glue that held together their guild back then.

"Hmm… If you are worried about our situation, don't fret. I am sure everything will be alright. We'll find our way home in no time and we can rejoin our family." As always, the former head of their guild was encouraging, patting the small player's back.

"If you say so? Regardless, whatever comes after this, I am not sure I want to go back — even if the chance is given."

"Don't say that! I am sure your parents as well as siblings would be sad if you were gone."

"It is nice of you to say this," Styxia shot a sour half-smirk to her friend and guildmate.

Few people know, but inside she knew, it was not likely the case. After the innumerable amount of sadness and disappointment she had caused to them… after the many chances she had spoiled in her original realm, they would probably be relieved to get rid of her. This was the main reason, which urged her to spend more and more time in the nine worlds, instead of her original one.

"It is the sad truth…" She already imagined the party they would throw after she had disappeared.

"Shit… we really are high." Her sullen moment was disturbed after looking down. For the first time since they were here, she only now realized just how far they were from the ground.

"Yet, I still don't feel any fear of falling down. Weird!"

Even above the clouds, her gaze could easily penetrate this mist, seeing the forests, the plains, and the mountains in the distance. Even the wound she had left with her spell was clearly visible — A mark that led to a ruined fort, and broken walls surrounding a grand city.

"Shit…"

"Hmm?"

"Liese, I think… I messed up, big time." Yanking the sleeves of her friend's coat, Styxia pointed at the ruined scene below.

"Mein Gott… what have we done!" The undead general right away recognized what had happened. Even from this height, her new eyes could perfectly see every detail. Every little 'ant' who desperately tried to save their homes, armoured soldiers saving civilians, people running around and digging in the rubble for any survivors, monsters chasing them, emerging from the hole!

"W-We need to do something!"

"Are you out of your mind!?" Styxia watched her companion like she was crazy. "Do you have any idea what they will do to us if we go down there?! They will tear us apart!" Not to mention they were heteromorph beings, and those people down there were seemingly humanoids.

It was a simple fact, which was enough in the worlds of YGGDRASSIL to incite demi-humans, and humanoid races to hunt them relentlessly — even joining hands and forming alliances against them.

"It is still weird I can see them from this distance…"

"Tch! It was still probably our fault. If we really want people to treat us as allies rather than enemies, we need to do something. Use our power to protect and save the weak! Show them we are not the bad guys. Like this, we can earn our needed information in no time! Come on! If we act as heroes, we will be treated as heroes, right? Besides, it is the right thing to do! This is the easiest path!"

"But I am the bad guy…" Muttered the short succubus, her ears displaying her emotion slanted downward.

"Tch! I don't speak about how you roleplay. If we are really stuck here, we need allies. The first thing in gaining them is to help others, and take the blame for our actions," reasoned Liese with all her heart.

"Are you joking? Is your brain melted, or what? What if someone stronger comes and they subdue us? Worse! Kill us! I am not risking my little butt for your nonsense idea!"

"Listen to me, just this once! Taking responsibility for our mistakes is the first step to earning forgiveness—at least, that's what my father always said," the Revenant Lord reasoned, though the little imp watching her wasn't impressed. "History proves I am right! Nations that admitted their crimes, faced the consequences and worked to make things right found forgiveness and a path to growth. Their trade and culture flourished afterwards! But those who denied their wrongs and tried to bury the truth only deepened mistrust, hatred, and hardship. Their isolation grew and their people became bitter and struggling!"

"You and your idiotic examples. You just make my head hurt…" Muttered the demon lord, rubbing her nob frustrated. "Will it help anything if I say no?"

"I will go, whether you come or not!" Lieselotte's determination was unshakable, that was clear. In so much her eyes burned with the fires of her soul.

"Freaking great! Now I had to deal with this too…" While grumbling under her nose, the succubus with bright hair bit her finger in irritation. Of all people, she was stuck with a person with such a nonsense sense of justice!

It was not a compliment, but rather an annoying trait that earned only death and downfall in their world! Yet, maybe because of this, their group lasted so long compared to other guilds that fell apart so easily.

"I guess, I have no choice. Someone had to pull your sorry ass from trouble if it comes. But don't complain when they point their weapons at us! Worse! When they capture and rape us in a cold, damp cell!" Followed and mixed by intense sobs, and moans of pleasure — which actually sounded quite pleasant if the imp lord disregarded the act's rape aspects. "Then, I will just say: See? I told you so!"

"I will not. Now, come!" Liese was the first to lunge towards the ruined fort, not hesitating the slightest in her act as she grabbed her friend's frail hand.

"Great… just what we needed! Wa-Wait!?" Before she could react, the petite imp yanked along, and only her frightened scream echoed in the heavens.



Down below, amidst the ruins of this place, the people frantically ran around, trying to save what they could. Their homes, their wealth, their very soul and life, all was at stake!

The chaos was widespread, infecting the minds of people like wildfire. The few who still retained their cold tried to scrape together the little order that had remained and organize the survivors into a whole once again.

"Avoid that place! If you go near it, you will die!"

"But Lieutenant! What will become of the people down there?"

"I doubt anyone could survive this..." The man with a will of iron, but a dishevelled and exhausted look glanced towards the deep canyon this unknown attack had carved into the landscape, gritting his teeth in agony and indecision.

All those people, they had no chance! The spell which had split the earth and burrowed this bottomless hole surely killed them. Even if by some miracle they survived, they had no means to really help them! All who go near the service are either taken by the emerging ghastly scourge or fall to the cursed miasma affecting the place! Their situation was close to hopeless.

"I am sorry…" His lip sprouted blood after he bit it in strain, turning his head away from the loss of another of his comrades who foolishly tried to rescue a confused civilian.

The city, the magically reinforced walls, but even the impregnable citadel which had never been breached before had fallen victim to this terrible calamity! A scourge that only left behind death and destruction in its wake.

"Whatever or whoever wrought forth this apocalyptic calamity, I fear we can't contain it." Whether or not it decided to come here, was another matter.

"What manner of being capable of such destruction and cruelty?" He heard a soldier nearby, but honestly, even he didn't know. He hoped it was just a bad dream, but his senses were too aware of their situation. It was no mere illusion! This was reality!

Just looking around, just watching the horror-stricken face of a mangled, dead child made his stomach churn, a nauseous feeling shivering him to his very bones. The sheer horror that surrounded them! All too real and detailed for a nightmare!

Further by, the deep fissure was filled with some kind of magical mist, seeping out from its sides. Continuous eldritch lighting hit the nearby environment, and if his eyes did not deceive him, some kind of creatures also roamed in its edges, appearing, and crawling their way up.

"Are those… wraiths? Some kind of abominations?" The soldier wiped away the grime and sweat covered his face, blinking to clear his vision.

Their twisted, agonizing and ghostly appearance definitely implied as such. Shadowy, disproportioned and translucent beings lingered at the edge of the scar. He only hoped, being left alone would leave them in passivity, or at least, give them enough time to drag forth their divine casters, to handle the threat.

"Lieuteant, situation report!"

"Ah! Sir General! We are still trying to assess the situation. But…" The lieutenant right away turned towards the approaching figure, saluting in a peerless posture.

A wizened, impressive man cut through the rest, sporting enchanted armour and escorted by several soldiers and robed figures. From his mere presence, it was evident he was no ordinary soldier. His manly jawline, thick beard and sharp eyes commanded respect, and awe and inspired hope in everyone around!

"But?"

"The situation is worse than we first thought! Our whole garrison… they… they are likely wiped out."

"Hmm… I see." He hummed thoughtfully, before giving another look at the situation. "Just what kind of being is capable of such destruction? Did the Dragon queen release her wrath upon us?" He mumbled, trying to come up with a sensible explanation. Yet, none came to his mind, just some nonsensical mumble he discarded right away.

"I doubt it, Sir General! The Lady wouldn't do such an unsightly thing to her own people." Less do it while no invading force was around. "Maybe… One of the Greed Kings has returned from death? It is possible…?" Even the thought was blasphemous! But after witnessing such a disaster, how they can think otherwise?

"Let's pray that's not the case, else we are all doomed." Facing the invading Demi-Humans who continuously raided their territory for slaves, 'food' and other things was something these people already had gotten accustomed to. It would be an entirely another matter facing an actual demonic uprising — which the return of a Greed King, or something worse would cause.

"All the heads of this city are gone, just as well as most of the garrison stationed here. All of it by a single attack. Dammit! Just before the raid!" The general cursed under his breath.

They were completely disorganized, too busy to try to save whoever they could, searching for any survivors under the rubble — with little hope for anyone to survive who was near the blast.

If the enemy would attack them now, they would fall in a short time!

"Aaaaaah!"

"What now?!" Abruptly, the whole area shook by a sudden shockwave, making everyone near the event turn their attention to the newly arrived disturbance. "Another attack?!" Just what they needed! The man barely had enough time to start the organization of the remnants of these ragtag forces, less dealing with some monstrous being who decided to play around with them!

"General, what should we do?"

"Continue with the evacuation. Secure the perimeter! I will investigate with my men what's behind this."

"But…!?"

"That's an order!" The lieutenant remained silent for a moment, before nodding slowly and gulping. Their leader's iron gaze was hard to ignore.

"Aye, aye… Sir!"

Meanwhile, a little bit farther away, people witnessed a quite intriguing sight. More precisely, the arrival of two esteemed, or rather dreadful guests.

"He-hey! We just want to help!"

"Ge-Get away from me, you monsters!"

When the General arrived at the scene, he was mildly confused, to say the least.

What his wizened violet eyes saw were two figures standing in a shallow crater, soldiers pointing their swords and bows at them — The few magic casters around preparing their spells.

"Who are these people?"

Inspecting them for a moment, they were not from around these parts. Nor did their armour and appearance match his soldiers. Neither they carried any familiar proportions.

"Adventurers? No. They don't bear plates, neither do they look familiar…"

Just watching them, their appearance and presence betrayed their 'monstrous' and strange nature. What were they? Human? Maybe a strange demi-human? No! His instinct screamed! They were monsters without a doubt!

"But what are they doing here? Are they here to mock us?" He wondered.

One of the strangers wore what looked like some sort of strange uniform. A military one if he had to guess — judging by the numerous medals on her modest chest. That ceremonial sword on her side was also a giveaway — tough, he was unable to recognize which country she served after inspecting the crest adorning her cap from afar.

"Maybe the vanguard of another invasion?" From an unknown enemy probably. Just what they needed! Alas, the possibility was also there these two had nothing to do with the current tragedy and arrived after hearing the thundering strike which devastated their fortress.

"Yet, the other?" The elder measured the other figure critically. While the first one seemed to be human aside from her bewitching beauty and ghastly, almost translucent skin, the second was definitely not! Indeed, he recognized the characteristics of a demon by a mere sight!

"She looks almost like a child magician." Although, he knew too well. Demons are especially fond of deceiving their opponents with the offer of power, beauty or pulling the strings of their hearts! And these two? Both looked deceivingly charming to ignore!

"Is it possible they are the ones responsible for this havoc?"

Considering the appearance of the shorter one, and the ghostly texture of the other, this might very much be the case.

"Please! We just want to help!" For her plea, the ghostly girl only received scared looks and insults from the crowd. Weapons from all directions pointed at them. One wrong move, or bad word, and the still-standing force will attack them!

"Sta-Stay there, monster!"

"Why? Why you did do this?"

"It was not us! We just…!"

"Look around you! They will not believe you no matter how much you plead. It would be for the best to leave them be."

"It was our fault, the least we can do is help!" Confirmed the taller one amidst hushed whispers. "Now, summon one of your demons and start cleaning this rubble!" Commanded the taller girl, glaring at the short demon with eyes filled with urge.

"I don't think it's a good idea." The short imp looked around, inspecting the already strained and fearful expressions of the people. She probably suspected what would happen, and thus hesitated to act. Summoning one of her servants would only further aggravate the situation.

"They are humanoid. Also, seeing that look in their eyes…" She pondered, trying to come up with something that could be a solution — mostly to calm her friend in her annoying persistence to provide aid.

"Can we do something? Maybe if I summon my soldiers."

"A bunch of scary zombie soldiers with that weird uniform? Good idea…" Scoffed the imp disapproving. "But maybe if I use a celestial pact? Or some other, more humanoid creature? Hmmm?" Yes, that might help. "But the problem still stands. They will probably be hostile even afterwards."

"Maybe you are right. Regardless, we need to do something?"

"Let me think for a moment. Ah! Maybe this will do-ugh!" A stone was thrown at the demoness in the next moment, hitting her right on her head. "You little…?!" The petite demon instinctively ignited a black fireball in her palm looking for the assulter.

"You killed papa!"

"Please! Don't hurt my son!" The mother clutched her child away, her eyes, just like her son's filled with tears of sorrow, anger and fear. Yet, unlike her son, she still held that much control to pull her child back acting further.

"You little shit… you really pelted me?"

Seemingly, despite the size and force the 'pebble' hit her, the blue-skinned child was unharmed. Nonetheless, from her emerging twisted grimace it was evident she found the daring act infuriating. After all, she tried to help, being stoned was unacceptable in her eyes.

"Styxia, don't!" The girl stopped the demonic child before she could do something irreversibly rash, grabbing and pulling back her hand before she could throw her cursed fireball at the mother and her boy.

"They attacked me! Unprovoked! And you expect me not to answer in kind!?"

"They are just scared," tried to reason the uniformed 'monstrosity'. "It's not their fault." At least, she really hoped so. "Let's just try to calm down for now, alright?" She tried to reason.

"Stand down!" It was just in time the General stepped into action, raising his sword and standing between the civilians and these strange beings. His silver and golden armour glinted with power, just like his spectacular sword, blazing with holy might — bringing some spark of hope into the hopeless atmosphere! "If you really want to pick on someone, pick one who can fight!"

"General! Sir! Please, stop!"

"This dude really is…" The impish creature's eyes ticked. The way this old man threw his body before the weak really reminded her those annoying characters from certain stories — and the many heroic figures she defeated and corrupted under her journey back then.

"I am but an old man, son. If my life can spare another mother to grieve, so be it!"

"We don't want trouble, we just… we just want to help!" The military lady shuttered, trying to dissipate the tension that already reached too far. "We are really sorry! It was our fault. But…"

"Help? Your fault?" Hearing this, the General and his men lowered their weapons for a moment, just to right after glare at them once more. How could they trust them? After all of this? If nothing else, this made them even more suspicious!

Are these monsters only coming to play around and mock them!? After the tragedy, they had wrought!?

"Yes, we are sorry for this commotion. It was not intentional." Grabbing the little one's head, the girl pushed it down, making the creature roll her hands helplessly.

"Aii! You are crushing my skull!"

"Say sorry…" she whispered to a small girl.

"Sorry, I guess. Whatever…" In the end, the demon gives in, quite reluctantly her companion might add. "Sorry, your city was in the way. Augh!? What was that for?!"

"So it was you?" The colour drained from the faces of the people around, even the brave man taking a step back from the sudden revelation. "Why would you…? Why would you do such a horrible thing? Countless lives were lost because of you!" Why did he even ask? It was a demon, and demons known for their cruelty, and twisted reasons. Yet, he had to ask regardless.

Witnessing such destruction, people tend to ask the obvious, just to find the reason behind their misfortune and suffering. And after seeing everything that happened in such a short span of time, all the lives lost, even veteran soldiers' minds faltered just for a moment. The answer was so shocking, cruel but above all dismissing that it may even break the psyche of some weaker minds.

"We just…" The girl in a peaked cap bit her tongue. Almost like she was unable to properly vocalize the true logic behind the events.

How should she put it? Should they really admit this city, and all these people died just because they wanted to have some fun at the end of their journey? Admit they arrived at the wrong place at the wrong time when they released their skill. How would that sound? How much it would break the survivors who barely clung to their will?

"Erm… my friend wanted to say: It was kinda an accident. We were just duelling with each other. And well, shit often happens. Mr Murphy was not on your side today. Ok? Sorry about it?" Thus, hearing her friend's shuttering, the demon lord of the corrupting abyss took the lead and answered — with her blunt honesty and weird hand motions to add the effect.

"Styxia!" Liese's gaze snapped at her friend immediately, cursing her luck and the demoness's lack of emotional aptness for such a crass answer! Why did she have to be so blunt? Why can't she show some sympathy at least!?

"Shit happens?" While the taller one at least showed some remorse, the small demon just shrugged. "No wonder… looks like a demon, acts like a demon."

No matter how her beauty pulled even the heartstrings of the wizened General, her soul was rotten, just like every member of her kind! Power of will started to build up in the man's trained muscles, gritting his teeth. Just by watching them, his mind screamed to flee, but his heart dictated otherwise! He wanted to smite them, or at least the small ones for what she did!

"Yo-you killed my family… all my friends are gone!" Alas, before the man could reign on his emotion, and proceed to resolve the situation — hopefully peacefully — one of the nearby soldiers growled, his face drenched with tears, an angry expression slowly forming on it. "Just because of a duel?"

"We… We are sorry! Let us hel…"

"I can't accept it… I can't!" It was visible the man was at his breaking point, all his body trembled, his hand tightening its grasp against his uniformed sword's handle!

"Soldier, stand down!" Regaining his composure, the armoured man ordered the soldier, but his voice fell on deaf ears as the broken man let his emotions and sorrow take over.

"N-No! I can't… I will not accept it! There is no way it was a mere accident! My dears life can't end because of cruel accident… while mine remain because I was out drinking… no… it can't…"

"Son… calm down. We will resolve this." The general tried to chide the jabbering man, nodding towards the nearby soldiers seeing his less-than-adequate state of mind.

"Hey, pal. It is okay, we will…"

"No! I will not… I will accept it! I will kill them… I will end them…!"

"Restrain him!"

"Ahhhh! I will not allow it!" But it was already too late! The man who had lost everything charged forward, tearing himself out from his companion's closing grasp in a burst of sudden strength!

"What the hell?" His body glowed intensely, while his sword was raised up, aiming to strike down the smaller one who so dismissively spoke about the death of many— amongst them, his loved ones.

"Stop him!" He cut through not one, but five people in his mad charge! Like some raging storm, he discarded any manner of sensibility in order to fulfil his deluded revenge! His past, present and future were all discarded! His vision was clouded by fury and sorrow, which the loss of his loved ones caused. At the end, he readied his sword for a last swing! An attack that contained all his rage, sadness and madness!

"Die!"

"Eh?"

"Watch out!"

To protect her friend, the uniformed girl pulled out her sword and took a defensive stance in front of her friend in an instant! Her moves were swift, a blur to the people around, and though her intent was only to block the strike, the moment the man swung his sword, it was made apparent just how immense the gap between the two's weapons was.

"Stop!"

The moment the desperate soldier's full body swing touched her cursed blade, the weapon cut cleanly in two, causing the soldier to lose his balance and fall to the sword from his surprise — suffering the same fate as his blade.

"What…?"

"Eigh…"

Amidst the grotesque gurgle of a dying man, blood splattered all over them! Not even the military girl could react to the shock — the stunning horror as the man gets cut in two!

"N-No… wh-what happened?"

Time slowed, his halves landing on the ground with an audible, wet slap which covered both players with crimson essence and gore! It was too much even for a being who scoured the nine realms relentlessly — in the hope of loot or a challenging opponent.

In this new realm, the creators offered realism, which was too brutal for the dulled senses of the once mighty general.

"Guah! Disgusting!" Groaned the demon lord with disgust.

"I-I…" Stunned, Lieselotte watched her own bloodied hands and the dying soldier on the ground, slowly realizing what had happened in the split moment after the attack. "N-No, I…! I-It was an accident! I… n-no…"

"D-Damn… monsters…" the soldier croaked in his last moments before his body dried up, his essence swallowed by the cursed weapon. Nothing remained, only a withered corpse which came to life, grabbing her leg, almost like he awaited his new master's command.

"Sh-She killed him!"

"Monsters!"

"This is not good…" The imp touched her head, inspecting the blood splattered all over her, giving a look around to see if their situation had gone from bad to worse. The crowd once more growled, watching them with more fear, and hatred than ever before!

"Liese, I think it is best to…!"

"Mo-Monsters! Fire at them! Kill these things!" Seeing one of their comrade dying such gruesome death, one of the officers panicked, giving a hasty order, and in the chaos, the rest followed, ignoring the highest ranking amongst them.

"Hold your fire! I give you no order!"

"Liese! Liese!" Her friend still in shock after what had happened, was unable to respond, just stood there motionless mumbling.

"No… it can't be… it was not me…"

"For fuck sake! Just what we needed! I told you, don't I!?"

With innumerable arrows flying at them under a fraction of the moment, and the magic casters around preparing their spells, the demonic lord's brain went overdrive!

They probably were at a higher level than these people, but she was not sure their passive invalidation would work as intended against them. It would be a foolish errand to test it out while risking their own lives.

"Those spells… are they from YGGDRASSIL?" Hearing the familiar names the magic casters chanted, and the runes appearing before their hands just before release, she was convinced that was the case. "But what if not? What if they modified them and our invalidation won't work?"

Either way, she needed to act fast!

Should she attack them? Should she retaliate? Put up a barrier and start her counterattack? It would make sense. Still, what if someone stronger appears, who can overwhelm them? What if her defensive spell does not work, and they will get injured, or worse, die horribly?

Regardless of what happened, starting a battle against an unknown opponent was a foolish errand! Which only left her one option!

They needed to get out there and reorganize themselves before it was too late!

"Mother fucking… [Summon: Beelzemon's Worm of Transport]!" Calling forth her magic, the ground started to tremble, and a terrible demonic maw emerged from underneath their feet. Covered by eyes, gaping maws and sturdy scales, the appeared worm was a truly horrific sight!

"Treahhhhhhh!"

As the damned thing emerged, its huge, main mouth opened. A maw filled with gums, and many damned souls covered by its sickly insides those roared in chained pain and agony. The sudden shockwave repelled both projectiles and cancelled all active spells at once, giving the summoner just enough time to flee!

"By the gods…"

Immediately, the people around fell to their knees in horror, grabbing their heads before passing out screaming in terror. Some even had their head exploded, their soul torn apart and consumed by the many gnawing maws covering the abomination's body and insides.

The worm's throat leading to the bottomless, gaping abyss aimed towards its summoner after the silencing effect activated, blinking at the players with its blind visage — almost like it awaited confirmation.

"Big breath! Here it comes!"

Tough, the demoness gulped in hesitation even despite knowing the function of this creature, she grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her limp body along! The creature proceeded to swallow the players with one big gulp, retreating underground and leaving the area in haste!

"What manner…" The golden glow around the General's body dimmed and then ceased. His last memory before passing out was the retreat of these terrible creatures. Their untimely escape through the endless tunnel the worm had left behind itself — then collapsed in its retreat.

'Vomited' out by the demonic maw, the two players escaped far from the clutches of those people. Just in time, before their unruly introduction had caused any more damage.

"Bleh! Remind me to never use this again — unless we are in a really dire situation…"

Spitting on the ground, then getting rid of some of the demonic saliva from her sticky hair, Styxia reminded herself once more why she used this transportation method over other similar, but less disgusting skills.

"Naturally, with this trick, I could bypass abilities like [Dimensional Lock]. Furthermore, it can cancel all low to mid-tier spells, repel projectiles and stun opponents at the same time." At that moment, to ensure their escape, this method seemed the most appropriate one. The drawback was this sticky ectoplasmic droll, which made them slightly more vulnerable to some spells — nothing they couldn't counter. "But something for something, I guess." She muttered.

"Regardless, it seems it is worked as intended…" At least, no one attacked them until now, which was progress. Inside this forestial area, they seemed to be safe.

"Unless someone followed us but still hiding…" Which was always a possibility.

"Tough, I ordered my pet to bring us a safe spot, I still have no idea where we are." Looking around, this place looked almost exactly the same as all the others. Thinking of it, for Styxia, the forests of the nine worlds also looked exactly the same — In that regard, she lacked that critical eye for environmental detail that makes a good ranger, or scout. "Do you think I should summon a few scouts to look for anyone following us? Oi! Liese, are you there?" She turned to Liese, the girl who was on her knees, still covered in blood and slimy excrement. A revenant lord, whose eyes were blank after the event, mumbling and jabbering with an empty stare.

"I killed him… I killed him…" Her expression was panging, mumbling in herself. Watching her for a few moments, she indeed had seen better days. Even this cruel little creature started to worry.

"Liese? Are you… alright?" No answer, she just continued to ramble with a hazy gaze.

Being her companion was out of service, it was her chance to explore her body without her interfering. But like this? In this unknown place? While danger still loomed? It just didn't feel right — which was odd for someone as lecherous as this little imp.

"Shit! Fucking great!" Creaking her sharp teeth, the demon lord removed her hand from her flat chest — which instinctively wandered there and made a soft squeeze. "Now she went comatose… Oi! Nonomi! Wake up already, dumbass! LIESELOTTE, IT IS NO TIME TO SLEEP! OI!" Trying her best to bring her back to reality for long seconds, the only way which seemed to work was the way of the fist— a hit which made Styxia's hand ache.

"Augh…! Just what are you made of?" Just now, she started to regret ditching all manner of physical stats in exchange for increasing her magical might and potential.

"Huh?" Liese suddenly blinked as she snapped out of her trance, her empty stare quickly giving way to a surprised expression.

"Are you alright? You just spaced out. I was worried, you know?" Shaking her painfully throbbing hand, Styxia questioned her friend.

"I-I killed that man…" Liese's already pale face turned even more ghostly, looking at her friend with a horrified expression. "I killed him, Styxia!"

"You killed one, I killed a bunch. None of our hands are clean. All we can do is move on," The imp shrugged. Not as if it was her or Liese's fault — she tried to reason in her mind.

"Who thought we would end up in this world? In this situation?" Under such conditions, it was foolish to blame herself or even Liese. She already decided that in her head. Why worry or feel bad about a bunch of strangers they do not even know? It made even less sense to do so knowing their circumstances. "They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. That's it! Or would you blame the fire if it burns down the forest and not the one who started it?" She tried to reason like that.

"How can you be so cold? Those people are dead… because of us!" Liese growled, her shock and volatile emotions getting the better of her as she stood up slowly to face Styxia — intently glaring at her as a few wisps of flame suddenly ignited on her hair. Just now, the morose revenant started to turn angry, even furious enough to catch on flames!

"He-Hey, what's with you all of a sudden!?" The demon lord asked as she took a step away from her friend, feeling akin to a rising chill around — which made her strangely hesitant. "It was an accident, ok? It was not our fault! Besides, we don't even know them. What does it matter?" Her reason was the same, which unknown to her, just fed the fire of her friend's guilt and rage.

"Don't their lives mean anything to you? All those people! All their family and friends!" Lieselotte's face changed suddenly! Her visage and skin boiled, her flesh combusted and melted away in a grotesque display — changing into a flaming skull. Her hair became fiery and white as she loomed over the petite demon, closing her hands towards her throat.

"Li-Liese? Wha-What are you doing?"

Seeing her like this, the imp started to freak out. With all honesty, the revenant started to resemble the creature, the demon lord only called Ghost Rider— feeling the fiery grip slowly sneaking around her thin neck, her gut knotted in dread.

"Gu-Guah… Li-Liese…!"

"All those innocent lives you took, and I feel no remorse from you…! What are you calling yourself?"

"Li-Liese, please, stop! Don't force me. Nonomi!" Styxia didn't want to hurt her friend, not after what had happened. Not after what they had gone through on this short journey. Especially considering they could only count on each other in this new world!

"I don't want to face this world alone…" She teared up in her mind, dreading even the idea of being left alone here, where she could count on no one, but her! Alone, solitary in this unknown place!

"Please, don't force me…"

Subtly, she urged her mind to prepare a restrain-type spell, only at the last moment, Lieselotte pulled away her hands, clutching her face and collapsed on her knees in pain! Her face is steaming, slowly regaining its fleshy structure!

"Aaaargh! What's wrong with me!?" Collapsing on the ground with a roar of frustration, the tearful girl grabbed her head, her visage returning as it was before. A pale, ghostly soldier girl, who started weeping uncontrollably.

"Liese… we…"

"I am not Lieselotte! I am Nonomi! Nonomi Sachi!" she screamed loudly. Experiencing her first kill seemingly was too much for her. Unlike in the nine worlds of YGGDRASIL where she took many lives, her first kill in this world burdened her soul like never before! "I am… I am still a human. I am not my character… I am not a monster… I am a human." she mumbled crying, hugging herself in an attempt to comfort herself.

"Then Nonomi… please, calm down. We can't panic now. If we fall apart now..." Knowing their situation, if they break now, that would be the beginning of the end for both of them. But what Styxia should do to bring her back?

"All under my life, I only caused disappointment. Backing away when asked to lead. Pushed the responsibility to others. I don't know how to handle this situation… I don't know how to comfort or handle people. Where are those damn HR people when you need them?"

"How can you just stand there, feeling no remorse?" Liese asked Styxia, her tearful face mirroring her sorrow and guilt that weighed down on her shoulders. "I-I felt… I felt no remorse from you. I-I felt only apathy… I… how can you live like this?"

"I… what?" And how should Styxia answer this question? "I don't know. I never really thought about that. Wait?! Did you feel it?"

The girl sniffed, wiping away some of her ghostly tears from her eyes.

"Damn! That's… weird." Truth be told, the demon lord really didn't know what to feel.

Should she feel sorry for people she had never met or knew? To show any remorse towards others she didn't give a damn about? It just felt odd, and unnatural, entirely illogical to feel anything towards people she doesn't even know or care about. More so, to feel sorry towards someone who had raised a weapon against her? Utterly ridiculous!

"Whenever I saw people suffering in different media, or even on the streets, I never really felt anything. More so, I often called them fools who couldn't handle the situation." Did this make her a psychopath or something— she wondered.

"Look, I don't say we handled this perfectly. Neither that we should not help — if you really want. But it is not my, nor is it your fault it happened this way. That's why, it is entirely illogical to feel remorse for what happened." In truth, if anyone, they should blame the ROB or whatever thing that put them here at that exact moment.

Nonetheless, they needed to crape themselves together, or they will die here!

"But, that man… He died because of me, I killed him! All those people… dead." Unhugging herself, Liese took a long look at her gloves and uniform— which was still covered by the soldier's dried blood. "His blood in my hands… his life…" Her gaze turned towards her cursed sword, the ceremonial sword which lay nearby — damned souls dancing around its pristine blade. Somehow, looking at it she felt nauseous.

"He killed himself running into your blade. He was an idiot. You did your best to stop him." At least, the way she saw it, Liese only tried to block the blade. "But, he-hey! I killed much more if you remember — by accident. If it helps, my hands are covered by much more blood. That counts for something, right?"

"..." Looking at Liese, she was even more sullen. Seemingly Styxia's attempt to cheer her up didn't work as she intended.

"Shit! Why are people like this? It was neither her fault nor mine. This makes no sense! But why am I feeling bad now? This is bullshit!" Watching the tearful Liese, Styxia couldn't help but feel she messed up, even starting to feel something akin to remorse due to her friend's state of mind.

"Haah! Look, Nonomi… We need to move on, at least for now. You can grieve later." Putting her armoured hand on her friend's shoulder, she shuddered, turning her head away.

"But…"

"Will it bring that man back? Or even all those dead if you beat yourself? If we die here or get captured, we lose the chance to change things." The lord of the abyss tried to use her logic, urging her soul to swallow the bile and use her cringy memories — about the drippy heroic play, one of her friends practised during their sessions.

"The only thing we can do now is to move on and learn from this experience. Do better next time."

"I…"

Hearing her, Liese pondered for long seconds, before wiping her eyes, sighing and nodding her head.

"You are right. If we want to make this right, we need to find another way." Because seemingly, the people of this world reacted the same way at them as humanoids did in the worlds of YGGDRASIL — treating them as monsters.

"If we want to change that, we need to work hard."

"Will you help me?" The revenant asked Styxia as she grabbed and clasped on the armoured hand of the demoness in a sudden motion. Something which made Styx grunt, for she suspected what would come next. She and her big mouth always caused her trouble.

"Do I have a choice?" asked the short succubus, getting rid of another 'strand' of demonic slime from her lush hair. "I need a thorough scrub. I feel all sticky and dirty. Yuck!" Almost as dirty playing along this roleplay session.

Even her panties were full of this stuff, she felt it.

"No, you don't." the strained, sad face of the woman though was still there, it was eased slightly— Allowing some room for a small but sour smile. "And after that, we find a way home, right?"

"Yeah… about that." the newfound girl looked to the side, visibly not a fan of the idea.

"Kuro-kun! Please…" Seeing her still tearful visage, the demon lord couldn't help but sigh, her eyes ticking in annoyance. Why was she so weak? Why can't she just say no?

"Tch! Fine then! Be it your way! You insistent woman! The Demon Lord of the Nine Realms and the heir of the Abyssal Throne will be cordial with you!~" Shaking down all her cringe and denial, Styxia put up a pose and started her roleplay — in an attempt to cheer Liese up. "Now then! Follow our lead, our Generalfeldmarschall! Let's see what this world has in store for us! Oh-ohohohoho! ~" Like a true dark hime, she laughed— even impressed by her own voice and performance!

"Thank you."

Accepting the generous offer of the demon lord amidst her tears, the two set out for their new journey! At that very moment, the gears of fate had started turning, for the two were destined to bring change to this new world.

What adventures await them in this new life? Read further and find out.

"But first, let's get out there, and sanctify our deal with a thorough bath! I feel icky!" And indeed, they proceeded to do so.


A/N:

Well, the second chapter is done!

Hope it was readable!

As usual: reviews and questions are welcomed! (don't be shy, even if it is negative! :P)

It is a work brought forth to you by me, oblivon2991 and my co-writer, aguestfromgreece45! (yes, a joint work this time)

Give aguestfromgreece45 kudos and his story a read if you have a mood :P

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Until next time!

oblivon2991 and aguestfromgreece45 out!