Elijah, known in YGGDRASIL as The Lone Reaper, was once a broken man in real life, finding purpose only in the digital world. On the eve of YGGDRASIL’s shutdown, he chooses to die in-game rather than return to a meaningless existence. But instead of dying, Elijah wakes in the New World—his body real, his powers intact, and his sentient cloak Mimic, a self-made World Item, alive beside him.

As Elijah steps into this new reality, he becomes an enigmatic force—an assassin, a necromancer, a phantom whose justice is swift and terrifying. His first actions are brutal and righteous, saving Carne Village and wiping out Slane Theocracy forces without mercy. His power catches the attention of Ainz Ooal Gown, ruler of Nazarick and once a fellow guildmate of Elijah’s mentor, Touch Me.

Invited into Nazarick, Elijah is both welcomed and watched. The guardians—Albedo, Shalltear, Cocytus, and others—test him, study him, and in some cases, admire him. But Elijah is not like them. Where they are loyal creations of the Supreme Beings, Elijah is a player—a man with a soul, memories, and doubts. He respects Ainz and sees echoes of his old guild, but he is haunted by the question: Would Touch Me approve of what Nazarick has become?

Through battles, philosophical conversations, and quiet moments—especially with CZ2128 Delta, the emotionless battle automaton with whom he forms a subtle, tender bond—Elijah begins to carve his own place in this world. He trains Nazarick’s warriors in restraint, teaches the value of mercy, and speaks with Sebas Tian, Touch Me’s creation, who reaffirms that their creator would have stayed not because he agreed, but because someone had to guide.

But all the while, Elijah watches. Observes. Waits. He sees Ainz’s descent—not into evil, but into burden. Elijah’s promise, silently made, is this: If Ainz forgets why he began all this… Elijah will remember for him. And act if necessary.

The training yard beneath Nazarick's central dome was alive with motion—controlled, purposeful violence clashing against cold stone.


Cocytus stood at its center, his four arms moving with deadly precision as he sparred against multiple opponents. They were fast, graceful—Pleiades maids, outfitted for combat drills.


Each exchange was elegant. Brutal. Beautiful.


He didn't interrupt—not at first. He simply observed, arms crossed, Mimic draped loosely over his shoulders like a shadow that breathed.


When the session paused, Cocytus dismissed the onlookers with a gesture, but one of the maids lingered. Solution. She eyed Elijah with vague curiosity, bloodlust ever simmering behind her golden irises.


"You fight well," he said, nodding at her. "But you kill too quickly."


"Is that… a flaw?" Solution asked, her voice syrupy-sweet and smug.


"Sometimes death isn't the objective. Sometimes it's control."


Cocytus tilted his head. "Demonstrate."


Elijah motioned to one of the younger battle maids—Lupusregina. She approached, curious but unthreatened.


He moved slowly, deliberately. "Most combatants go for fatal strikes," he said. "But sometimes… you need answers. Or leverage. Or you're fighting someone who doesn't deserve to die."


In a flash, he stepped past her guard, caught her arm, and twisted her into a controlled takedown—gentle enough not to injure, but firm enough to pin.


"Non-lethal holds. Submissions. Locks." He let her go and stepped back. "Tools that buy time instead of blood."


Then he stepped forward and drew his lower blades.


The next hour passed in sweat and footwork.


Elijah walked them through scenarios—arm locks, nerve strikes, redirecting force without overwhelming it. He wasn't just teaching defense.


When they finished, Cocytus approached him directly.


"Restraint… as a form of dominance," he said, as if tasting the concept.


"Mercy isn't weakness," Elijah replied. "Sometimes it's harder."


Then, with the faintest flicker of approval in his eyes, Cocytus turned away.


But the next day, more of Nazarick's warriors arrived in the yard.


Chapter 10 - Chapter 9: The Art of Restraint