In the years following the extensive boom on the DMMORPG games, one stood out of the line. One with expansive worlds, almost unlimited methods for character creation, a magic system that has never been seen before and gameplay so close to actual life that if few things were to be changed into more realistic, players would have a hard time recognizing what's real and what is not.

This game has been dubbed "Yggdrasil", after the nordic mythological tree that connects all 9 realms. In one of those realms, Asgard, was a place where all players agreed to stop the hostility against any other player, if one would to from out of nowhere start killing, other players would kill them instead.

This silent agreement was made due to what exactly was going on in that building. Massive, because the size of a guild base, building was created by just one person and their unique abilities. The creation was named "ShakeSphere", and everyone knew who made it. After all it was the biggest illusion that could have been made at the time.

ShakeSphere would appear once every month in the sky of Asgard. The only way to get so high was to use spells that allowed flight, have your own wings or, as most did, have an invite. Because if you did not carry an invite, the sphere would not allow you inside.

The entire building was made out of thick blue glass with purple accents and gold rings scattered throughout the whole thing.In the sole middle of this massive sphere was one floor that hosted around 500 seats and tables for guests. Magical lamps were always floating in the air and tables that had been prepared for the audience were always full of food, drinks and other usable items.

Although, one would wonder why go such a way, because after all, taste and smell were entirely removed from the game, so the concept of eating or drinking was near to useless. In the middle of the sphere, was a circle stage around 120 feet in width and 6 feet raised off the ground. With more seats, that have never been taken by anyone. Not once throughout the entire 12 years of the games lifespan. But in the center point of the whole creation, in the middle of the stage, higher around another 6 feet than anyone, was a pedestal where the most magic happened. Everytime the building appeared in the sky, masses would gather at the doors to the ShakeSphere, the tickets were never of real life currency, but they were not that easy to obtain. Every ticket cost the equivalent of a Divine weapon. Which meant that not everyone could attend. But the seats were always filled, there has never been an empty seat in the audience. People that could fly, or had specific mounts, and could not afford a ticket, but still wanted to attend, were outside but still looking through the glass into the sphere. But they never had full experience. The sphere was through half of the show dimmed and not able to show anything outside, and if that was not enough to make you want to be inside, it was fully soundproof.

Everytime, the show consisted of 4 consecutive parts.

Introduction, apologies and thanks to the audience.

Then the intro which consisted of a full Philharmonic concert, always starting with "Overture 1812 by Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky", and ending with "Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi".

Then came the light show, which most of the time, illustrated a great happening in the real world, recreated of course because most videos from before the 2100s were converted, or lost to the void.

The last part was again, thanks to the audience and the grande finalle, "Danse macabre". For the last part of the show, all the seats disappeared, and the entire show turned into a massive and classical dance party. The last piece of the concert and the show itself, "Prelude by J.S Bach in C major", was playing in the background.

Why Danse macabre? Well, the tickets were more like insurance to the players. Because no one ever dared to bring a world item, or divine weapon to the show, so they did not have to risk dying and losing it. And dying, they would be. When the conductor started playing the piano, for every person attending, a partner appeared, always different and always a ghost.

Once their hands touched, no force could take them apart, and through the whole finish, the ghost would drain the attendees from their HP. Of course so the finish could be spectacular, the DMG dealt, was in %, so that everyone could die, at the same time.

But there was one instance of something that should not have occured. The Maestro, the Conductor, the Virtuoso was… Interrupted. Not with violence, but with something more outrageous. When the show started and the music about to play, Ixlente V, for that was his name realized, he was being recorded. But not with the Yggdrasil way of recording that only allows personal ingame use. It so happened that a group of virtual vloggers paid for the tickets, and used a special ingame item to create an external linked camera…

-We are here, at the start of the Ixlente V concert show, where all wealthy Yggdrasil players have gathered, like they do every month, to listen to the masterpiece that was created by the composer. Through the whole concert we will be providing commentary and our opinion.- So said the metal maid that was standing before the flying camera with a microphone.

"What nonsense, interrupting my show with those lies… I am merely spreading the art, to those who wish to listen. Yet, they come here, and think they can interrupt ME from showing everyone what true art is… I will show them."

-Oh? It seems that the Composer has different plans this time, is he not starting with a concert as always? Maybe, perhaps he wishes to change the style. Stay tuned to our stream as we dive deeper into this amazing show.-

A slow clap, that's all that was heard next second. If not for that singular sound, the camera crew would be eating the illusion created ground. Eyes of the audience were focused with malicious intent on the maid presenter. But with that singular clap, the intense feeling vanished.

-I think I am owed an apology. I was not informed that this would be streamed through outside means.-

-Our 14682 watchers have different opinions. They all have tuned to our stream, to see for their own eyes how you make your magic.- The presenter player spoke trying to sound like a robot.

-Ah, I see, magic. Tell me this then, Do you wish to see how this show goes? How thrilling can music truly be? Maybe you wish to participate yourself?"- He asked with gentle hand gestures, before he held out a hand for her to grab.

-Invitation from the master Ixlente himself? I would not pass on this!- with ecstasy in her voice, and eyes of the audience on her, the conductor led her to the main stage and with a swipe of his hand, pushed all the musical equipment to the side to make room for a special dance. He took the woman firmly by her hand, snapped his fingers at his right hand, and grabbed her waist just as firmly. The snap was a special command that could only be used by him.

The musical piece that started playing after that was the first 103 seconds of "Dance of Knights by Prokofiev".

The time passed slowly as the pair danced. Few of the audience slowly started to get bored by this monotonne show, after all they thought what the Conductor was doing was just flirting. But that did not stop them from listening to music. When 100 seconds passed, Ixlente made a ceremonious gesture and put the lady into a spinning motion while at the same time opening inventory. When the lady somewhat came back to her senses, she looked towards the Conductor, and what she saw was the end of a gun barrel.

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Without any warning the gun fired, and the lady was nothing more than a pile of colorful disappearing pixels, the camera vanished with her. With tap on the stage, microphone appeared in hand of Ixlente.

-Phoo phoo.- "seems to work"- I am terribly sorry for that unfortunate happening, but it seems that after 7 years, I have to clarify. As much as I don't mind people looking from the outside, or buying tickets and enjoying the show. No, in fact it was exactly why I am still doing it after 7 whole years.- At that point the audience clapped but was interrupted by the Conductor's hand gesture.-When I Invite people by giving them the chance to participate in this show, I truly feel terrible when people from the outside get their hands on this art by way of cheating… So as a service to all of you that payed for this luxury, I will continue to get rid of pirating scams that may occur. I am terribly sorry once more, let us get back to the show.- He bowed deeply, his right hand wandering far from his torso, and his left hand going straight into his chest. The audience stood up and started to cheer for Ixlente. Providing such excellent execution mixed with classical music and dance right before the main show even started.

Show finished that day, everyone attending already died to the ghost, all instruments and chairs disappeared, but someone was waiting outside, it was unusual for people to wait after the show. It caught the attention of Ixlente, for a second he thought about ignoring the person, but his roleplay persona could not allow that. After 5 more minutes to make sure the man was not confused, Conductor opened the menu and unlocked the door, which surprised even the person that stood outside. The doors were an illusion so there was never need to toggle them. You just had to have the invite to enter and pass through. Ixlente waved to the person to come closer, and so the stranger did exactly just that.

-U-Uhm, H-Hi.-said the boy clearly in a childish voice, but it was not the voice of a boy nor a man. It was the voice of a girl, judging by the pitch and overall behaviour, he came to the conclusion that she was about 17.

-Yes? What is it that you need darling?- He asked cautiously to not seem too suspicious but not like a lolicon too.

-I-I wondered if I could get an a-autograph?- She opened a menu and gave him a piece of paper.

-Autograph? Why is that? I am pretty sure you haven't heard the music through the sphere. And I am not who composed those songs. I am merely giving them to other people for their enjoyment.- He gestured in an overreacting way, before letting out a small laugh.

-I… That's true…- she fiddled a bit in her shoes, clearly flustered, even though he could not see any expression due to how the game worked.

-Hmm… I think I get it. You want the autograph to sell it?- He looked at her and spoke in an expressionless way to not reveal his suspicion.

-Y-Yes, I'm sorry. I wanted to spend the money I get on the next concert.-

-Hmm…- He thought about something for a second while looking at her.- I have a better idea. The sphere will be here for another hour or so. How about you take a seat and I'll play something only for you hmm?-

-I-I can?!- she asked, full of excitement.

-Yes, but shhh. Heh, we don't want anyone to know alright?- He smiled, or rather he would if he could. The girl nodded a few times before sitting down on the ground right next to the stage. Normally Ixlente wouldn't have anything for such an occasion, he never gave any lessons nor did have a backup composition. He had to think for a bit, before he realised he had one more song. He never played it for an audience, because it was his personal favourite, "Hungarian Dances by Brahms". He never played it because it was music that he listens to when preparing the show for everyone else. Something of…

-... My personal gem.

Once the music finished, the girl in the body of a boy, clapped with all her might. Ixlente thought that she was also crying, but maybe that was just his imagination.

-I see you liked it, I'm glad.

-I-I did! Next month I'll for sure get enough money to buy a ticket!- she giggled and logged out after exiting the sphere all happy and joyful.

-Fascinating…

After contemplating a few thoughts inside himself, Ixlente shrugged as if he did not know the answer to the question he asked himself, then held out his hand in the air and said.

-Faciam te Perfectum.

Like on a command, the sphere started to vanish from top to bottom, slowly disappearing into blue and gold pixels then quickly turned into nothing. Ixlente to not fall down and take fall damage had equipped an item than reduces said effect. After all of the sphere vanished, he started to slowly fall onto the ground, as if he used an elevator.

-Now… This damned meeting.

In the time of Yggdrasil there have been plenty of guilds that were remarkable. "Seraphim", a guild that had the most believable information and only allowed angel race players to join. "Three burning eyes", a guild that many refer to as "pricks". They did not fancy player killing, but they had a nasty, by Yggdrasil standards, way of getting information. They sent spies to other guilds to steal information and or items. Ainz Ooal Gown, referred to as the evil guild, composed only by heteromorphic races and owning the most world items in the game of any other guilds. But none came close to the sheer numbers that had Darkness at the time, not being in the top guilds, composed of three divided groups, each numbering around three hundred players in size, altho powerful in size, relativly weak in strategy... Making any decisions by vote of majority was a pain to do for them. But even if voting did occur, Ixlente did not take part.

-Ixlente, your vote counts too, you know?

-I know ASA, but I cannot vote, my persona demands I stay mostly neutral. Also… Does it really matter which monster we grind, Gargantuans or Beliars Hounds?

-You would be surprised…

-Spare me the lecture. Rather… What was that about the upcoming raid? I do not recall any voting for that.

-We have yet to decide whether we should even touch this topic, but there is an idea to invade the Great Tomb of Nazarick along with 7 other guilds...

-Are you for real?- Ixlente looked at him like he was the mad one.

-I am dead serious.

-This just seems like a bad idea to me.

-I told them the same thing, they have a combined force of 7000 levels. That's like a solid World enemy.

-And people are ok with this?

-Seems so.- Asa crossed his hands.-It's high risk, high reward.

-Hmmm… If they did it, we can too. But we would need way more than just good equipment, we need numbers.

-200 players from the 1st Ring. 157 from the 2nd ring and only a hundred from 3rd.

-Hmm, it might be doable…

-I still think it's not a good idea.

-Same, but Darkness has been doing nothing recently, if this works, we will be spoken of for years.-His inner actor came out as he started to gesture with hands with over dramatic effect.- Darkness! The only guild that topped Ainz Ooal Gown! monsters that haunted this game! Sounds pretty cool doesn't it?- Asa shook his head with disapproval. Ixlente waved his hand and groaned due to the lack of chill his friend had.

-You need some more art in your life.

-Thanks I'm fine. What I need is money.

-Don't we all…

At that moment someone walked over to the two men. It was a woman dressed in grey heavy power armor and a ballista on her back. All her equipment was shining as if it was just polished today.

-Hey boyyyys.

-Morgana.- said Asa with a little bit of disappointed manner. He was clearly not content with her being so close.

-Asa, what has gotten into youuu.-her way of speaking was clearly put on, the alluring tone of the voice mixed with prologning every last word made it seem incredibly appealing, but Asa, had a grudge. So, he did not answer.

-He is probably still mad about that thing.- answered Ixlente for his friend. To which Asa nodded slightly.

-Aww, and here I thought we could have some fuuuun.

-It's because of you I have been banned. My whole account got wiped! I had to buy the game again!- he clearly was mad. To which she only giggled, as if she didn't know what he was going about.

-Cut it out. You're both at fault.-that line might as well have cost him his life, Ixlente felt two pairs of eyes glaring at him down.-Uhmm… Aaanyway, when will the voting for the raid be?

-Probably at the end of next month.

-Hmm… I will be at the ShakeSphere in the last week, so I hope everything goes right.