DMMO-RPG (Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) An interactive game where someone can play in a virtual world as if it were the real world.
YGGDRASIL A game launched in 2126 that became legendary. Unlike other games, Yggdrasil offered extraordinary freedom and the chance to explore a vast, open virtual world. This made its popularity soar in Japan.
Twelve years passed, and Yggdrasil was nearing its end. Most players had left, while a few characters remained loyal. Amid the silence, one of the strongest guilds, Ainz Ooal Gown, stayed behind as one of the groups still preserving their legacy.
A large round table made of gleaming obsidian stood at the center of the guild hall, surrounded by forty two luxurious chairs.
Inside the vast, silent chamber of Nazarick's headquarters, the black obsidian table shimmered under the dim light. Its polished surface reflected a cold brilliance, amplifying the loneliness that filled the room. Once, this table had been alive with guild members who fought side by side. Now, only three figures remained seated, their silhouettes stark against the emptiness.
The first wore wide, jet black academic robes trimmed with gold and purple. The ornate collar seemed excessive, yet strangely fitting. Where a human head should have been, there was only a bare skull, hollow sockets glowing with a deep crimson light. Behind it hovered a dark halo, faintly shimmering. His skeletal visage radiated inevitability, an aura of death itself. He was an Overlord, supreme among necromancers a magic caster who had transformed into an undead in pursuit of arcane mastery.
The second figure was no human either. His form was divided: angel on the right, demon on the left. His armor mirrored this duality, brilliant white on one side, pitch black on the other. Three pairs of wings folded tightly across his back, separating the celestial from the infernal. Though his body was forged from heavenly power and pure darkness, his sharp eyes carried a profound loneliness. He was a Grand Nephalem, born of the highest Seraph and Arch-devil bloodlines both races ranked at the pinnacle of angels and demons.
The third figure seated at the table was also not human. Its form resembled a dense, pitch-black liquid. The surface quivered like asphalt, never holding a consistent shape for even a second. This was an Elder Black Ooze, a slime race possessing one of the strongest acidic abilities among its kind. Yet they were not mere monsters, they were player characters.
"Waah! It's been a long time, Momonga, Natan," said Herohero, his voice flat yet warm. Still, there was something missing in his tone, a hollow emptiness he could not conceal.
"To be honest, we didn't expect you to come, Herohero. It's been two years, hasn't it?" Natan replied, his voice deep and calm, like someone long trained to suppress emotions.
"Has it really been that long? With all the overtime, I've lost track of time." Herohero gave a faint laugh, though the exhaustion in his voice was unmistakable. Momonga nodded slowly, his sharp gaze fixed on his old friend, now visibly worn out.
"Isn't that pretty bad?"
As their conversation went on, the room seemed to grow wider, emptier. Only the echoes of their voices lingered, trapped within the silence of Nazarick's headquarters. The high ceiling reflected shadows that made everything feel hollow.
"Sorry for all the complaints. I'll log off now, I feel so sleepy. But I didn't expect the Great Tomb of Nazarick… to still be preserved. You must have kept caring for it."
He lifted his head, gazing at his two friends who had fought alongside him through countless battles. There was a bitter look in his eyes.
"Nazarick is our home, Herohero." Momonga nodded slowly, though his skeletal face betrayed no expression.
"Thank you," Herohero said, his voice filled with deep gratitude, though tinged with faint sorrow.
"See you again, Momonga-san, Natan-san."
With that, Herohero pressed the semi-transparent panel before him and logged out of the game. The room felt even emptier than before.
Herohero has left!
"Yggdrasil… I never thought the game would end like this," Momonga said seriously, his hollow eyes gazing into the vast, silent chamber.
"Yet this is the reality we must accept. We need to face the real world," Natan replied, his voice calm but full of understanding.
Momonga lowered his head. The two of them rose from their seats. Momonga walked toward the magical staff stored along the wall.
Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown – The Guild Weapon
The Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown bore a resemblance to the caduceus of the Greek god Hermes. Nine serpents coiled around it, each serpent's mouth clutching a gem of a different color. Its handle gleamed with a crystalline transparency, radiating a bluish-white light.
This staff, never once used since its creation, was finally wielded by its rightful owner. When Momonga touched it, the staff released a dark crimson aura. At times, human faces twisted in agony appeared upon its surface, only to shatter and fade as if dancing in torment.
The staff's effect was so vivid it felt as though one could hear voices filled with suffering. Momonga's parameters rose drastically, yet at the same time, sorrow weighed upon him.
"How ironic… the guild's symbol, meant for the Guild Master at all times, yet never used. And now, its first use comes only at the very end, when the game is about to shut down. Let's go!"
They left the Round Table Room and walked through majestic white corridors of marble. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow.
The Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick had originally been a dungeon with six floors, but after being conquered by the guild Ainz Ooal Gown, it was completely renovated into ten floors:
Floor One: Grave
Floor Two: Glacier
Floor Three: Jungle
Floor Four: Lava
Floor Five: Floating Island
Floor Six: Ocean
Floor Seven: Wasteland
Floor Eight: Underground Lake
Floor Nine: Royal Suite
Floor Ten: Throne
The sound of Natan and Momonga's footsteps echoed as they walked. Along the way, they passed several NPCs dressed as maids. After a while, they slowly descended the grand staircase, draped in a luxurious red carpet, leading to the tenth floor. At the base of the stairs, several NPCs awaited.
One stood out, a distinguished old butler in traditional attire. His hair and beard were white, yet his posture was straight and unyielding, like a blade of steel. Wrinkles lined his calm, gentle face, but his sharp eyes glared like an eagle locking onto its prey. What contrasted sharply with his butler's uniform was the massive green leaf draped across his back, forming a cloak like that of a ranger. This surprising accessory was the World Class Item 「YGGDRASIL Leaf」, which enhanced defense, automatically adapted to any terrain, and granted different buffs depending on the area.
Behind him stood six maids, clad in armor distinct from the other maid NPCs.
"Hm… Sebas Tian, Guardian of the Ninth Floor, and the Pleiades," Natan murmured, touching his chin with his right thumb.
Sebas and the Pleiades were NPCs tasked with buying time for the members of Ainz Ooal Gown to prepare against enemies. Once, the greatest siege in Yggdrasil's history and indeed in any game had taken place.
That siege was triggered by a guild wielding the World Class Item 「The Conqueror」, which forced the developers to launch the World Event: Legacy of Nazarick. This event compelled all players of humanoid and demi-human races to assault the guild's headquarters. Fortunately, the attackers were eventually repelled, though they managed to breach the tenth floor, forcing the guild members into direct battle.
"Follow us."
Momonga gave the command. Sebas and the Pleiades bowed and obeyed. Together, they passed through the vast dome known as Lemegeton a chamber lined with seventy-two demonic golem statues, famed from the Lesser Key of Solomon. In addition, four glowing crystals stood ready to activate, summoning four high-level elemental beings.
At the far end of the hall stood a pair of colossal doors. They were a grand double set, towering over five meters high, adorned with intricate carvings. The left side depicted a beautiful goddess, while the right side portrayed a cruel demon. The design was so lifelike that even from across the room, one could feel as though the doors themselves might spring to attack.
They approached and touched the massive gates. Instantly, the doors opened on their own.
A tranquil atmosphere filled the space, like that of a cathedral. The vast interior rose with high ceilings, its white walls layered with gold. From above hung forty-two banners, each bearing a different emblem.
They entered the throne room, where a female NPC awaited dressed in a pure white gown, her faint smile radiating the aura of a goddess.
Inside the throne room, they were greeted by Albedo, the Guardian of the Tenth Floor and Overseer of all Floor Guardians. She stood in her glowing white gown, her curved horns and black wings exuding a powerful presence. Yet the subtle smile on her lips hinted at something deeper, something unseen by ordinary eyes. In her hand she held a golden staff crowned with a floating black orb, a symbol of immense power within the world of Yggdrasil.
Her appearance was strikingly divine, yet contrasting. Flowing black hair cascaded down to her waist, framing her golden eyes with vertically slit pupils strange, but undeniably beautiful. She could easily be considered a world-class beauty. Still, the pair of curved horns sprouting from her head marked her as something beyond human.
From her waist unfurled a pair of black feathered wings. Perhaps it was because of her horns, but her heavenly smile seemed like a mask, concealing emotions hidden deep within. Around her neck hung a golden necklace patterned with a spider's motif, stretching across her shoulders and upper chest. Her slender wrists were covered by shimmering silk gloves, and in her hands she held a strange weapon that resembled a staff.
It was about forty-five centimeters long, with a black orb floating lightly at its tip hovering in the air yet fixed in place. This staff was the World Class Item 「Ginnungagap」, capable of unleashing devastating destruction across wide areas.
To the developers, the ultimate boss of the main campaign storyline known as the "World Devourer" was classified as a World Enemy. Moreover, only the victors of tournaments held in each world could claim the title of "World Champion."
Guild Ainz Ooal Gown held the rank of number one not without reason. Of the limited 200 World Class Items in existence, Ainz Ooal Gown possessed 100 of them.
The two gathered in the throne room, standing before the NPCs as the countdown ticked away. Momonga sat upon the majestic throne, carved from a single massive block of obsidian. Its size was colossal, with a backrest so tall it nearly touched the ceiling above. This was no ordinary throne it was the World Class Item 「Throne of Kings」, which boosted the stats of whoever sat upon it and allowed detection of allies' parameters within the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
Momonga then created a duplicate of the 「Throne of Kings」 for Natan. Though the replica lacked any special effects and served only as majestic furniture, it stood proudly beside the original.
"Natan, please sit. I'm grateful we could play until the very end."
Natan sat upon the imitation throne. Together, they recalled the past the countless memories of battles fought when all guild members were still active. Time had slipped away unnoticed. Now, the server shutdown countdown was nearing its final moments.
23:59:56
23:59:57
23:59:58
23:59:59
00:00:00
*
"Fou! Fou… Fou!"
The distorted cry echoed strangely in Natan's ears. In that instant, he felt as though a profound understanding of this new world had been forced into him.
Servant. Summon. Command Spell. Attribute. Alignment. Armament. Parameter. Class. Skill. Passive. Noble Phantasm.
Deep, mysterious, and stirring.
Servants were entities drawn from humanity's heroes, bound within legend. The seven standard classes were divided into the Three Knight Classes Saber, Lancer, Archer and the Four Cavalry Classes Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker. Each class possessed unique abilities, with their Noble Phantasm serving as the pinnacle of their power.
Natan had manifested as a Servant of the Ruler Class, summoned into this world within the body of a young man. Ruler was an Extra Class, separate from the standard Servant classes, tasked with overseeing the Holy Grail War itself.
Suddenly, fleeting memories that were not his own surged into his mind.
"This… these aren't my memories. They must belong to the young man whose body this is. I don't know why this has happened. But… I'm sorry for taking over. I'll carry on your wish to help others as best I can. I will bear your name, Ritsuka Fujimaru."
His eyes slowly opened, and the first thing he saw was an unfamiliar place and a young girl.
"Where…?" Natan asked, unable to hide his confusion as he tried to rise from the ground where he had been lying.
Before him stood a young woman with short, light-purple hair, lavender eyes, fair skin, and a body that was both slender and athletic. She wore square-framed glasses, a gray hoodie over a black shirt layered atop a collared white blouse, a red tie marked with Chaldea's insignia, a black skirt with stockings, and brown shoes.
Name: Mash Kyrielight
Class: Shielder (Unawakened)
Gender: Female
Alignment: Lawful Good
Attribute: Man
Class Skills (Unawakened):
Magic Resistance A: A passive skill that nullifies spells of rank A or lower, regardless of their power. In practice, Servants are untouchable by modern magi.
Riding C: Can perfectly control animals and vehicles if they have received proper training and adjustments. However, cannot ride Phantasmal Species such as Monstrous Beasts.
Personal Skills (Unawakened):
Transient Wall of Snowflakes: Converts the user's willpower into physical defense, granting a defense buff to the entire team.
Obscurant Wall of Chalk: A defensive skill that grants Invincibility to one ally.
Shield of Rousing Resolution (Sealed): Temporarily increases defense and generates Taunt against enemies.
Stats (Unawakened):
Strength: C
Endurance: A
Agility: D
Mana: B
Luck: C
Noble Phantasm: B+++
Noble Phantasm (Anti-Evil, B+++ – Unawakened/Sealed):
Lord Camelot: Now is a Castle of Distant Ideals Summons a fortress of defense, with the shield's power equal to the strength of the user's will.
"So this is the Passive Skill, True Name Discernment EX, from the Ruler Class, able to automatically reveal someone's status?" Natan was astonished as countless details appeared before him regarding Mash.
"Hmm… this girl has immense potential. Very interesting, even though everything is still unawakened." His second thought after observing Mash's latent abilities.
"Fascinating… I can immediately grasp my own skills automatically. Yet I feel little interest in the skill called God's Resolution EX, which grants Absolute Command. It reminds me too much of the cruel world I came from. I think I should seal this skill. Ah… with just my will, I can seal my own abilities."
These were Natan's thoughts as he instinctively delved into his powers as a Ruler-class Servant beginning with his Stats, Personal Skills, Class Skills, and finally his Noble Phantasm.
"This is an observatory built to extend the future of humanity the Human Security Organization, Chaldea," the girl answered calmly.
Suddenly, a voice was heard.
"Ahem… by the way, may I ask, Senpai? You were asleep, but I didn't see any reason why you'd be sleeping in the hallway," the girl asked.
"Asleep?" Natan repeated, confused.
"Yes, fast asleep like a log," Mash replied with a playful tone.
"It seems I was participating in some kind of simulation," Natan tried to recall, piecing together fragments of foreign memories.
"Psycheron Simulation, yes. If you're not used to it, it can put a little stress on the brain," the girl explained.
Then, a small sound came from another direction: "Fou! Kyuuu! Kyao!"
"This squirrel-like creature is Fou. He roams freely around Chaldea. It was Fou who found you sleeping here, Senpai," the girl added.
"Hmm… I can't see the full abilities of this squirrel-like creature. It seems my sealed true power prevents me from perceiving the capabilities of the Beast Class." Natan thought silently, watching the little being.
"Fou does like to wander off to different places. He rarely approaches anyone besides me. But it looks like he's starting to like you, Senpai. Congratulations you're now Fou's second guardian here in Chaldea," Mash said playfully.
A tall, middle-aged man appeared, dressed in vintage formal attire. A high green hat crowned his long, dark-brown hair, while a matching green coat trimmed with black fur draped over him. Beneath the coat, he wore a crisp white shirt and a bright purple tie. His dark striped trousers were neatly tucked into tall black boots. He looked somewhat puzzled as his gaze fell upon the two of them.
"Ah, so here you are, Mash Kyrielight. The deployment of prospective Masters is about to begin. Hurry to the control room. And you… No. 48, Ritsuka Fujimaru from the general recruits?" The man glanced at his advanced watch, then directed his attention toward Natan.
"His name is Flauros… similar to the demon from the Lemegeton in Nazarick. And his alignmen Chaotic Evil… I must be cautious with this one," Natan thought seriously.
"My name is Lev Lainur, one of the technicians here," Lev introduced himself.
"Forgive me if I sound unsympathetic. But don't be discouraged you're needed for this mission. By the way, are you sure you won't head to Orientation immediately? If you're late, the Director will glare at you sharply," Lev explained.
Hearing this, Mash quickly grabbed Natan's hand and pulled him toward Orientation.
Mash's words carried a quiet sincerity, and Lev's reply had the tone of someone who understood Chaldea's peculiar culture. Soon enough, Natan was ushered into the Orientation chamber, where a crowd had already gathered.
The atmosphere was tense yet purposeful. Dozens of recruits, technicians, and staff filled the room, their chatter subdued as the weight of the mission briefing loomed. Screens lined the walls, displaying the Chaldea insignia and streams of data. The countdown toward deployment ticked steadily, reminding everyone of the urgency.
Mash stayed close to Natan, her presence both protective and reassuring. Lev lingered at the edge, his sharp eyes scanning the room with a calculating calm. And somewhere beyond, the Director Olga Marie Animusphere was preparing to address them all.
The silver-haired young woman, her twin braids falling neatly over her shoulders, stood with commanding presence. Her striking black-and-orange jacket, adorned with golden ornaments, contrasted sharply with the crisp white skirt and vivid red stockings. The polished black heels added to her elegance, while the bright red tie marked with Chaldea's insignia declared her authority.
"Welcome to the Human Security Organization, Chaldea. I am the Director of Chaldea, Olga Marie Animusphere."
Her voice carried both pride and urgency, filling the Orientation chamber. Around her, the recruits fell silent, their attention drawn to the Director's words. The banners of Chaldea swayed faintly above, and the hum of machinery underscored the gravity of the moment.
Mash's gentle farewell left Natan with a quiet sense of anticipation. The Orientation had been brisk yet heavy with meaning, and now the recruits were dispersing to their assigned quarters.
Inside his room, the silence contrasted with the bustling control chamber. The walls carried the sterile calm of Chaldea's facilities, but for Natan, it felt like the threshold of something monumental. Mash's words lingered Team A for the first mission. That meant she would be among the vanguard, the ones to step into the unknown.
For Natan, seated now as Ritsuka Fujimaru, the countdown toward Rayshift was more than just a technical procedure. It was the bridge between worlds: from the fading echoes of Yggdrasil and Nazarick, into the crucible of the Holy Grail War.
As Natan opened the door to his room, he was startled to see a man with orange hair tied into a high ponytail. He wore a futuristic white coat accented with turquoise-green, complete with gloves, trousers, and matching white shoes. Around his neck hung a lanyard with an identification card, clearly marking his professional role in science or medicine.
Natan's eyes widened as he stepped into the room, startled by the presence of another figure.
"You…?" he muttered, confusion lacing his voice as he stared at the man within.
Name: Solomon
Class: Grand Caster
Gender: Male
Alignment: Lawful Good
Attribute: Earth
Natan's thoughts churned as he realized the limits of his Ruler-class skill. "Again… I cannot perceive someone's full status. Before, it was Beast and Sub Beast. Now, even Grand Caster eludes me. Knowledge of Beasts, Sub Beasts, and Grand Servants must be restricted something even a Ruler cannot access."
"Solomon… the name of a king famed for wisdom. If memory serves, he was tied to the 72 demons. Yet his alignment is Lawful Good. Still… caution is necessary."
The man blinked in surprise, his tone sharp yet bewildered. "Yes, I'm here. Wait, who are you? This is an empty room I use to skip duties. Who gave you permission to enter?"
Natan's confusion was met with a sudden burst of warmth from the man in the futuristic coat.
"This is your room? Ah, so the last recruit has arrived. My name is Romani Archaman, head of the Medical Department. You can call me Dr. Roman. Fun fact I've got a pretty cool ring. Sounds interesting, doesn't it?" he said with a casual grin, his tone light and disarming.
"Glad to meet you, Dr. Roman," Natan replied politely, easing into the unexpected encounter.
"So, you don't have any assignments at the moment?" Roman asked, tilting his head.
"For now, no," Natan admitted.
"Well then, how about we spend some time together and share stories?" Roman suggested, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and friendliness.
Natan's quiet moment with Dr. Roman was cut short by the sudden announcement echoing through the halls.
"Romani, Rayshift will begin shortly. Could you come stand by? Team A is fine, but Team B is restless. Calm them down, quickly," Lev's voice rang out through the speakers.
Roman sighed, his cheerful demeanor shifting into professional focus. "Lev Lainur, the mage who created the Near-Future Observation Lens, SHEBA. The telescope used to observe the pseudo-planet, Chaldeas. He also built the Summoning/Unsummoning system, the foundation of Rayshift technology. Everyone here, from different backgrounds, works together for this mission."
He turned back to Natan with a gentle smile. "If I've been called, I have to go. Thank you for chatting with me."
The lights in the room suddenly went out, plunging everything into darkness. The calm atmosphere shifted instantly into tension, broken by the blaring of an emergency announcement.
Emergency.
A fire has broken out in the Power Center and Central Command.
Quarantine walls for the central area will activate in 180 seconds.
All staff are required to evacuate immediately.
Quarantine walls will activate in 150 seconds.
To those remaining in the central area, evacuate at once…
The mechanical voice echoed through the halls, each countdown tightening the air like a vice. What had begun as orientation and idle conversation was now spiraling into chaos.
Roman's cheerful demeanor vanished the moment the emergency call reached him. His face hardened, urgency replacing his usual warmth.
"Fujimaru, evacuate immediately before it's too late. I'll head to the command room. The quarantine walls will activate soon," he said, cutting through the tension with firm authority.
He sprinted down the corridor, white coat trailing behind him, but suddenly stopped mid-stride. His eyes darted toward Natan.
"Wait, what are you doing? That's the wrong way! Gate 2 is over there! Don't tell me you're following me? More people might help, but… there's no time to argue! Make sure you get out before it's too late!" Roman shouted, his voice sharp and commanding.
The alarms blared louder, the countdown echoing through the halls. The air smelled faintly of smoke, and the metallic hum of Chaldea's systems faltered under the strain. Natan stood at a crossroads, follow Roman into the chaos of Command, or heed his warning and escape through Gate 2.
They finally arrived at the command center. The sight that greeted them was truly shocking. "No one survived. Only Chaldeas remains intact. This isn't a normal incident, this is sabotage!" Roman said, his voice filled with frustration.
Suddenly, the announcement echoed again, bringing even worse news.
Emergency
Generator operation halted.
Power level critical.
Activating backup generator, Error.
Please activate manually.
Quarantine wall will be activated in 120 seconds.
To those remaining in the central area, evacuate immediately…
Roman quickly suggested, "I'll head to the Underground Power Center. We cannot allow Chaldea to go dark just like that. Hurry, get out of here. You still have time."
Not long after, the announcement shifted into something stranger, more mysterious.
System shifting to final Rayshift phase.
Coordinates: AD 2004, January 30, Fuyuki, Japan.
Laplace Shifting Protection established.
Singularity Additional Factor Slot secured.
Unsummon Program initiated.
Please begin final adjustments.
A faint, fragile voice could be heard from behind the collapsed giant pillar. He managed to find Mash, still holding on but gravely wounded. Her body was drenched in blood, her lower half trapped beneath massive debris.
"Mash! Her condition is dire," Natan thought anxiously.
"But… her status is undergoing a change. As if she is awakening as a Servant. One can become stronger when faced with life and death. Healing her now might disrupt this process." A dilemma weighed heavily on Natan.
Moments later, an even more terrifying announcement resounded.
Warning to all supervisors.
Chaldeas' condition has changed.
Now rewriting SHEBA Near-Future Prediction Data.
Unable to detect human existence within the next 100 years on Earth.
Unable to guarantee the future of humanity.
"Senpai, don't think about me. Just go," Mash pleaded desperately. She knew there was no saving herself now. At the very least, she didn't want anyone else to die trying to rescue her.
"I'll stay here, with you," Nathan refused, his voice firm.
"Senpai… may I hold your hand?" Mash asked softly, fragile yet tender, even as despair weighed heavily upon her broken body.
"Of course," Nathan replied, clasping her hand tightly, offering her a fragile sense of safety in the midst of the suffocating crisis.
Suddenly, the announcement returned, its tone cold and mechanical, filled with cryptic codes:
Central Area quarantined.
Sixty seconds until internal quarantine procedure.
Coffin vitals: Masters.
Baseline not achieved.
Rayshift incomplete.
Searching for qualified Master…
Founded.
Candidate No. 48: Ritsuka Fujimaru.
Reset as Master.
Unsummon Program initiated.
Spiritron Conversion initiated.
Rayshifting in
3…
2…
1…
All procedures executed.
First Order commencing operation.
The seconds ticked away like a death knell. Time was gone. Every protocol, every desperate measure, had become humanity's final gamble. The fate of the future now rested entirely on this last, fragile thread.