Shurshana is an Undead of the highest order. An Overlord, draped in white cloak, oversized pauldrons of silver and adorned with various golden accessories that wrapped around his wrist, ankles, waist, and neck.
He sat there with a cross scythe at hand watching as his guild members argue and banter. The World Champion Tournament has only just begun and already, they had lost.
All because of one person, Alah Alaf.
He couldn't help but sigh at his friend's failure. Nor could he defend him in this situation. Their guild leader Nulgath had warned them after all.
It was mere hours before the official beginning of the Tournament. In order to increase their chances of winning, the members were undecided if they should split into various groups to find the location or maintain strength in numbers.
But amidst the decision making, Alah Alaf came forth with information. A friend of his has stumbled upon the official banner that had sprung up when the last hour struck. And after verifying it, the guild rejoiced now having the advantage of knowing where to go to.
Only for things to go sideways.
Alaf was given the benefit of the doubt. After all, everyone was able to verify the credibility in his information. So when he suggested that they join the alliance of Heteromorphs to create blockades against the Humanoid races, only a few disagreed. This nay sayers agreed with Nulgath and his most loyal saying that such a decision was folly. Not believing in the unified front they tried to paint.
A fracture formed when more and more agreed with their Guildmaster but half still disagreed just the same. So in accordance with guild policies, they went with divide and conquer.
And now... here they are. Squabbling within their guild hall at the caverns of the Tercessuinotlim after dying at the hands of their would be allies.
Again he sighed. How badly things had gone and went. Losing several level so close to the beginning of the Tournament.... they were basically guaranteed defeat by then.
With a defeated sigh, he logged out. Not wanting to hear any more of their argument.
The next day, was the worst day ever since he started playing Yggdrasil.
He had been kicked out of the guild and had basically been stripped of all guild buffs and borrowed guild items which were a quarter of everything he owned, and a tenth of his character's power. All because a handful of idiots stole a World Item.
He tried to explain his situation, he truly did. But the guild had closed its doors from him and had started a purge of all those in any form of association to the thieves. This try and tested method was not uncommon as information was a commodity in the game. And just as ridding of every rotten fruit is necessary so was trimming of the tree. Which naturally translates to no lose ends.
While many were unlucky and was cornered, he was able to escape and lose only another handful of levels.
Of course that was not thanks to Alah Alaf and his dumb cronies. No, it was all him and an old friend.
The same friend he can now only watch as the tournament carried on.
~~~~~~BREAK~~~~~~
'This tournament of power, the most coveted stage for ascension... Is now lost to me.
All because the Archfiend failed to see the brilliance of my actions.
Did he not see that all I did, I did for The Nation?
...No matter...
What is done is done. And in the end, it is I who won. For in my hands now lies the power to reshape reality itself. And that will suffice. All I need now is time to gather the powers to fuel it....
The crowd erupts in cheers and boos as another battle reaches a conclusion. And instead of joining the celebration, I could not help but feel bitter at being denied the chance to stand upon such a grand stage. To be looked upon with worship and praise. Instead, I am a bystander in my own story. Watching as others battle for supremacy.
"Yaaahhh!! Haha! Go get em Momonga!"
My attention shifted to him, Shurshana. The Undead Overlord that had forced my own team into allegiance with. I knew they were forced, for what else was I to think when all of them turned against me. All in a bid to make me accept him.
To make matters worst, I could not touch him. Not at the moment...
And my thoughts were proven true as in the screen in the middle of a collosal arena, showed how an Undead Overlord, decimated an Angel of the First Circle without even bothering to draw his sword.
I could not help but grit my teeth as this... Creature of Lesser power... A level 95 Undead take on those who are his betters... and still succeed... No. It must be a trick, yes.
For no matter his skill in boxing, his frightening kicks that can send even strength builds on their asses and a proficiency with a sword that made all around him quake in envy. The gap between a level 95 and a level 100 is not easily breached.
And yet... here he is. Watching as this creature of darkness do just that.
It is now day three of the World Champion Tournament. And none were more surprised at the rising power houses that had sprouted from everywhere more than him. Even with all my research, this was an unexpected outcome.
From The Seraphs rose Aranx and his Glorified Spear of the Celestine, from Swordhaven rose Artix and his Blinding Axe of Destiny, Ulbert Allain Odle of Ainz Ooal Gown, Malxas of The Infernal Spire, Vordred of Doomwood, Archfiend Nulgath, and finally Momonga of Ainz Ooal Gown.
All of which are players who had reshaped the very gaming landscape of Yggdrasil for certain. Their builds, I knew they will soon be mimicked by many and I could not blame them why.
Aranx' Spear Skills and Divine attributes would have sent him to he fast track to victory had this been the Tournament from last year. But things have changed now... Aside from the rising necessary flexibility in builds regarding both races and classes, the Rare to Divine Grade Classes are also no longer possible to ignore. One such example is the existence of two World Disasters in the tournament.
Ulbert Allain Odle and Malxas.
Both players showcasing relentless display of destructive power. Once the duel begun, there was one thing to best describe their playstyle, and that is Hellfire.
The relentless barrage, the never ending rows, shower, walls and balls of black flame. Where a single hit could easily devastate any player. This made the duel between Demons all the more thrilling.
Malxas' fighting was impressive and much like Ulbert, he utilized illusions, feints, summons or any form of misdirection to gain the upper hand against the enemy.
But a major difference could also be seen. Ulbert was a tactical player, that much was obvious with his expert use of teleportations and protection spells and we'll timed use of survival skills. But Malxas is far too nimble.
His muscular form moved like a beast on four limbs. And not only was he willing to use his claws, the movements of his tail and clawed wings was also to watch out for. Showcasing great control and expertise in his own Demonic form.
Malxas for all his disadvantages was definitely not losing out so easily.
The duel then jumped up a notch as it bordered on the edge, and we watched as a single seventh tier -fireball- wipe out a third of Malxas' vitality and in retaliation, hewiped out half of Ulbert's own with several bone spears striking true and that was with the goat headed demon dodging the majority of them.
This simple exchange truly set the whole arena in excited silence, one I could not deny to have been swept upon.
The duel continued on, this time with two players probing ceaselessly and taking lower risks in their exchanges. With low levels of vitality left, it made every feint, every summon and every illusion and misdirection critical.
And without warning, the tension skyrocketed with Ulbert casting [Grand Catastrophe] right in the middle of a tense probing between the two. It was a killing spell, no doubt about it. But the actions was foolish no less.
I could not hide my glee as I heard Shurshana's cry of disappointment when Malxas matched the calamity with his own, the [Realm of Terror]. Only, what happened was not what many expected.
Realm Change are skills used to either isolate a target for a certain amount of times. This is done to avoid extremely destructive spells and Grand Catastrophe was definitely one of these spells. So it should go into reason that Ulbert's spell should have been casted but not landed. And yet....
From the edges of the fog all around Ulbert, floods of demons and infernal creatures came rushing in, only for the unexpected to happen.
*Crash! *Boom! *Kathom! *Zap! Ziistch!
From the skies fell all. Fire that rained down everywhere, water that splashed with the speed and strength of a boulder, winds so sharp that they shreaded everything and earth that rose and spiked like spears aiming for the darkening heavens and the flashes of divine light like piercing lasers, darkness that flooded the ground and lightning that shattered through everything. Grand Catastrophe carried on, wreaking havoc within the Realm of Terror itself, and its Lord... Malxas could only roar in defiance as the storm tore through him, leaving nothing behind.
[Winner: Ulbert Allain Odle]
A warcry of victory nearly ruptured my ears at the audience's reaction to the announcement. Yet all I felt was a gut clenching pain and the curiosity on what the actual fuck had just happened... what had Ulbert done to counter Malxas' so?
"Oi... Alaf. You ok there man?" Kikotenshin Nekonyan greeted.
Alaf turned to see his friend, garbed in bulky white armor with golden trims and a huge sword at his back. Smirking with his unmistakable blue hair and blue eyes. Alaf couldn't help but give half a smile at the man who is smugly looking down at him. "I see." he remarks with a chuckle, "I'm sorry leader-san. It was wrong of me to disturb your Chūnibyō ways."
"Shut Up!" he squeaks out.
"Hahahaha!!!"
His laughter took the attention of the few around them. Making Alaf blush and bring his face down at his hands in embarrassment. And despite it all, he couldn't help but smile as more of his friends joined in with his laughter.
Wiping a stray tear, Kikotenshin says. "I still can't believe you are actually filling that info book. It has no use or utility man."
"Yeah yeah... I know, you've told me already." Alaf groans out. "But I can't help it you know. The book was a one time gift from the devs. It can't just mean nothing."
"Do not worry Alaf." says Shurshana. "You are still new to this game. You'd understand the meaning behind the terms 'Shitty Devs' one day."
"He ain't exactly wrong. Come on leader. Lets just, enjoy the tournament you know. There are some insane quality players here after all."
"..yeah I guess...the lore book can wait. Speaking of insane players, you know them right Shurshana? Ulbert and Momonga."
"That I do. Truth be told, I am truly surprised that Momonga-san could make it this far. Specially with a Role Playing build like his."
"Eeeh!? But! You're talking about the same guy right? The same level 95 player pummeling the rest of the competition!" Kikotenshin asks in bewilderment to which Shurshana answers with a nod. "Bro...Dudes got some moves... I swear, people are gonna be taking boxing or martial arts classes after this tournament."
"I agree. I myself am itching to try it."
"I know a gym!!! I can hook you guys up."
Their conversation carried on from there as they watched the rest of the competition. And as more and more progress, the more the crowd got hyped.
And at the end of day three... Four names had cemented themselves.
Aranx, Artix, Nulgath and Momonga. The four most insane builds in the game so far. Yet in his confidence, Alaf's eyes went to a certain player. The Archfiend of Tercessuinotlim. And the trump card Alaf knew that he has still kept hidden, perhaps this time he would succeed in finding out what it was.