Underneath the glare of the Overlord, Erasmus Delamere, Zayd could do nothing but shudder from a contrasting mix of scorching pain from his severed arm and sudden cold as his warm blood left his body from the wound.
“So, what will it be, Hero?”
“I already told you, I’m no Hero, just a humble…Island Wanderer. You found the wrong guy, ugh.” Another anguished groan escaped his lips no matter how much he tried to hide it.
“You’ll continue to keep up the act? Do you have no shame at all?” Erasmus raised his spear above Zayd’s remaining arm with its tip pointed downward.
“Get away from him, you fiend!” Milonia lunged at Erasmus with a mighty swing that glowed with amber light, empowered by her Knight Class skill
She faltered but did not fall and tried to raise her sword for another attack but was cut short by the Lord of Fiends slashing through her stomach with another swipe of his claws. The warrior coughed up blood and was about to fall, but an amber glow surrounded her and she regained her footing, her grip tightened on her blade’s handle.
“That skill…is Chivalric Might, as long as the user’s grip remains on their weapon, their health won’t drop below a certain amount. That’s a Knight skill. Wait, was that other move just now Grand Slash? How does a Monster have the Skills of an Adventurer?”
“You sure talk a lot for someone in such a hurry. Turn your weapon from my liege and fight me with honor if you want to find out more about my abilities.”
Erasmus sighed. “Such hubris, I’ll deal with you now if you that’s what you truly wish.” While Milonia was barely able to remain standing while wheezing for air, he casually flicked her on the forehead to send her tumbling along the ground. She lost track of the directions of the sky and earth as her body grew ragged from constantly colliding with the latter.
When she eventually stopped a ways away, she looked like a rag doll left out to dry. Erasmus was about to take a step forward but felt something try to hold him in place. It was Zayd’s hand.
“Don’t lay another finger on her…” Zayd forced himself to get on his feet on shaky legs. His vision was clouded by darkness.
“You have no right to tell me what to do when you want even reveal what you’re hiding. Just why do these Monsters try to defend you?”
“Because he actually cares about us.” Milonia spoke up while unsteadily pushing herself off the ground, a large gash on her forehead. “Our village was attacked by adventurers who sought to hunt us like animals then that man showed up unarmed and clueless of what was going on. Even in that pitiful state, he came to our defense and then gave us the power to change our fate. What have you done for us, o’ great Overlord?”
For the first time since arriving, Erasmus Delamere’s expression seemed to display doubt as his mouth opened with no words. That stirred memories within in Zayd that made him consider something that he never would have in Chronicle Odyssey. No, it had never been an option in the first place.
After a few seconds of thought, the Overlord’s face once again dawned a mask of malice and confidence.
“You don’t understand. The role of an Overlord is not to spread charity to weaklings that can’t fend for themselves. It’s to be a pillar of might and fear that reigns in all other Monsters and keeps the human nations in check. To uphold order, I must be stronger and crueler than any other ruler there is.”
The Overlord continued to walk over to Milonia with his lance raised. He seemed like he would honor her challenge.
“Erasmus! You said that you would spare everyone if I told you what I knew about the future. Fine then, I’ll fess up.”
Erasmus stopped and turned back with a grin. “I’m glad you finally came to your senses.”
“Me too. I just have a few questions for you beforehand. What’s the point in being a ruler of subjects who hate and fear you? How does that help you obtain your goal of being able to roam freely through lands of lush green meadows and clear blue skies.”
“...How do-I mean, what makes you think that’s what I want?”
“Because, that’s what the Fates told me, or more it’s like what they showed me what a certain someone would say. I have their favor, remember?”
“Curse you, you have no idea what my aspirations are!”
“Maybe so, because I have no idea how perpetuating a system where Monsters only treat others with decency due to fear while waiting to stab them in the back is going to help protect your brother who’s so gentle they wouldn’t even hurt a fly!’
A spear was thrust at Zayd’s neck, it’s razor-sharp tip caused a trickle of blood to flow down.
“I don’t want to hear another word from you. I’ve realized anything you say will just be a pathetic attempt to twist my mind with deceit.”
“Then, what if you could go beyond his words and allow his memories to do the talking?”
A calm voice called out. Zayd, Milonia, and Erasmus all looked in its direction to see it came from Cecilia who was just behind the Absolute Domain that the Overlord had set up prior to the battle. All of the villages looked stunned to see her there as well. It was likely she appeared right in front of them through teleportation.
“And who are you supposed to be?”
“I’m the one who shot you.” Cecilia proclaimed flatly before continuing. Zayd could see that she was putting on a front from beads dripping from her brow. “I’m also an Astrologer, I can reveal his memories using my spell, Reclaimed Nebula.”
The Overlord seemed to muzzle over her proposition before saying, “If it’s that spell then it’s true there won’t be any room for lies.”
He retracted his weapon from Zayd’s throat who fell to his knees from the sudden loss of such intense tension. Erasmus snapped his fingers and the barrier disappeared. Cecilia walked in then gave a healing potion to Zayd to stabilize his condition, closing his wound and keeping him from bleeding out.
“I’ve made the preparations… Just make sure you are ready to accept what is shown to you, Overlord.”
Nothing but a low guttural noise escaped from the imposing figure.
“Just get on with it before I lose what’s left of my strained patience.”
Cecilia nodded and crouched down in front of Zayd.
‘Are you ready? If things go south, don’t blame me.”
“As I’ll ever be, Making him see that his choices lead to a bad end are the only thing we can do.”
‘Who would’ve thought I’d be trying to reason with a raid boss?’
The Astrologer gave him a look of understanding and began her spell.
“O’ Spirit of Stars, grant me your power, reveal the lost origin of the heavens that formed eons ago, Reclaimed Nebula.”
A magical circle surrounded Zayd. The next thing that transpired was the area being filled with sapphire particles and clouds of purple dust that eventually formed into a mirage-like phenomenon. The people in it were miniature constellations while everything else seemed to be made out of the purple stardust from before.
What was shown consisted of a group of Adventurers? The party contained a warrior, a healer, an archer, a mage, and a sentinel facing off against a group of heavily-armored Fiends in a giant chamber.
‘This is the fight my party had with Overlord’s elite guard right before reaching his throne room…’
The Adventurers in the recollection had a moderately difficult time against the Fiends but ultimately dispatched them without much issue.
What was left behind after their defeat was the visage of a wounded young Fiend who looked to be around eighteen and wore noble attire. He appeared to be bleeding out from a wound on his chest.
“Is that…Esdras? ” Erasmus uttered hoarsely.
The vision continued and Esdras spoke to the Adventurers using the last bit of his strength.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“You must be wondering how I ended up in this state. Well, it’s because the elite guard themselves. They were going to use me as a hostage and attack you and my brother, Erasmus, during your fight. I tried to stop them…”
The Sentinal knelt by the young Fiend’s side in a show of respect for his valor.
‘That’s my avatar, but I don’t remember doing that. Not only that, the cutscene wasn’t so…real. Just what exactly is the connection between the game and this world?’
“Please, try to make my brother see reason. A world where Fiends bring only endless bloodshed and betrayal is not what he wants, that’s just an act. Being able to roam freely through lands filled with lush green grass and clear blue skies is all we wish for…” The light faded from Edras eyes and the spell’s vision dispersed as well.
Everyone was silent for a while after that.
“Erasmus…” Zayd started to say.
‘Spare me. I’ve already come to my decision. In order to become the Overlord, the offspring of the previous one fought for supremacy in a battle to the death. In the end, I and my youngest brother both miraculously survived. If that’s what fate has shown you, I see I need to take a new approach. Humans aren’t the only threats to me.”
“So, you’ll leave my village and my liege alone?” Milonia inquired after picking herself up and walking to Zayd’s side.
“Yes, but I have one condition.”
A frown etched itself onto Zayd’s face while trying to ignore the unbearable pain of his grievous wound. “What is it?”
“This Orc woman has the Skills of an Adventurer and told me that you gave her the power to change her fate. Connecting the dots, it’s easy to surmise that you have the ability to confer Status onto Monsters. No wonder they admire you so highly.”
“And?”
‘I feel like already know where this is going, but I’m not going to say it out loud at least.’
“I’ll spare everywhere here and leave without further trouble if you give me the Status of an Adventurer. With that power added to my own then even Fate itself will yield to me.”
“Didn’t you just learn that power isn’t everything?”
“I did, but an Adventurer is able to go anywhere, including the human nations. How do you suppose I have peace talks when I can’t even meet other rulers face to face?”
“Ughh, alright. I’ll give you a Status, but you’ll have to buzz off right after that.”
“Fine with me, I wouldn’t want to waste another second on this backwater island.”
Zayd sighed and began tracing a square in front of the Overlord which opened up a Patching window.
Zayd took a glance at his stats and realized just how outmatched he and Milonia were.
Name: Erasmus Delamere Age: 24 Race: Fiend Title: 27th Overlord Level: 66 Health: 300/300 Mana: 500/500 Stamina: 220/220 Strength: 400 Agility: 282 Perception: 190 Vitality: 171 Resilience: 304 Intelligence: 359 Skills: 8 Spells: 6 Equipment: 9
‘Wait, he’s the same age as me?! Whatever, I guess that’s what Fiend genetics does to you. I’m just going to get this over with as quickly as possible.’
He redirected his attention to the Patching options.
Item Status Dungeon Quest
A thought crossed his mind of double-crossing the Overlord to get back at him for severing his arm, but he did not think that would be a good look in front of everyone watching. Plus, every option was dim to indicate that they were inapplicable at the moment.
With a sigh, he tapped “Status” then went to the submenu where Adventurer was displayed
Adventurer
He tapped again and was met with one last prompt.
Implement Feature? YES/NO
Zayd reluctantly clicked “yes” and the window disappeared followed by a silvery glow covering the Overlord. There was a bright flash of light that blinded everyone momentarily. When it faded, the tall visage of the Overlord was gone. They then looked down to see a young man around 175 centimeters with crimson hair, gray skin, and spiral horns.
“He’s the Overlord?!” Milonia exclaimed.
After getting a good look at the incredibly normal-looking person, Zayd chuckled. Meanwhile, Erasmus looked at his hands in the horror of his transformation.
“What did you do? I feel so much weaker.” Erasmus stated with even his voice raising in pitch to reflect the change.
“Heh, it looks like that's what happens when you cast aside the title of the strongest Monster…” Zayd snidely remarked before falling over from blood loss. Milonia frantically caught him.
“It isn’t just my strength. I can’t even use my Skills anymore! You tricked me.”
“No, I didn’t. Look at your Status yourself to check.”
Erasmus pulled up his Status to analyze it.
Name: Erasmus Delamere Age: 24 Race: Fiend Title: Seeker of Peace Level: 0 Class: None Health: 150/150 Mana: 250/250 Stamina: 110/110 Strength: 200 Agility: 282 Perception: 190 Vitality: 85 Resilience: 152 Intelligence: 179 Skills: 0 Spells: 0 Equipment: 9
“Hmm, I think I know what happened.” Cecilia chimed in.”By obtaining a Status, you overwrote your Parameters as the ‘Overlord’ and they reset to be based on your experiences in Isle and inherent physical abilities.”
“So, you’re saying it dropped me down to this level because I lacked experience? How is this Status supposed to help?”
“By gaining experience as an Adventurer through defeating Monsters and completing Quests of course. You were strong before, but with your rare Attributes, this Status will allow you to become as strong and even more so. The true value of a Status is that it converts heroic victories into power and unlocks dormant potential from within.”
“Gaining experience as an Adventurer, huh?” Erasmus did not seem to be opposed to the idea.
“Wow, Cee, you sure know a lot about the System, even more than I do.” Zayd praised.
“It’s nothing. When you’ve been around long enough, you pick up a few things.”
“Mind knowing any way to restore to restore my arm.” Zayd asked with a strained voice as he pointed at his stump but Cecilia simply shook her head.
“That’s unfortunately not within my power, but I can give you a suitable prosthetic for it.”
“I see… Well, this wouldn’t be the first time I had to learn to live with a missing body part.” Zayd said with an unusual nonchalance that made even Erasmus feel a chill.
“You are certainly not the wide-eyed Hero I was intended to find. Who are you and what is your level?”
“I’m Zayd Naughton, the one who’s studied the fate of this world thoroughly and wants to change it for the better. As for my level, it’s null and 0.”
“Wait, are you saying…”
“Yep, you’re finally on the same level as I am.”
***
The next few days passed by quickly as everyone prepared to disembark using the ship the raiding Adventurers left behind. Eventually, all was ready for them to set out to the nearby nation of Mediterra where adventuring was highly prominent with a new goal from before.
Zayd’s footsteps left behind a trail in the sand as he marched toward the ship’s entrance.
“Since we now have the Overlord himself on our side, it doesn’t make much sense to want to defeat him. We need something else to set our sights on!” Zayd proclaimed from the top of his lungs while wearing an elaborate tunic along with a turquoise cape that covered his left side.
Close to him was Milonia who no longer wore flimsy strips of fabric but an elegant cross between a maid’s outfit and knight armor. Both were fabricated by Erasmus who surprisingly had a talent for tailoring while gaining a sewing Skill in the process, much to his chagrin.
“Since we all need to gain experience to have any hope of realizing our ambitions. I say let’s start the most bizarre and revolutionary Guild that Isle has ever seen!” The young warrior bellowed out and a roar of cheers resounded.
The only ones who did not participate were Cecilia who made it clear she was only joining out of a faint curiosity and Erasmus whose excuse for going along with their journey was that he no longer had access to the teleportation Spell he used to arrive on the island in the first place. Cecelia wore mostly the same clothes except for a new hood with a star pattern on it while Erasmus was a more streamlined and smaller version of his former garb that lacked long coattails. These modifications were also done by him.
“Shut the crap up and let’s get on the ship already!” Erasmus commanded and Zayd casually relented with a shrug.
‘Now that he can’t pulverize me with a flick of his finger, he just seems like a temperamental punk. He’s going to make for an interesting party member.’
In a matter of minutes, everyone boarded the ship and it departed from the shores of the small island that had been Zayd’s first home in Isle. He stared at it fondly before looking toward the horizon where the endless sea stretched out before them.
‘Now, it’s time for the real adventure to begin. Admin, I’m heading straight for you.’