Chris stared at the group gathered before him, lips parting as he prepared to speak, until a worried voice suddenly shouted, "Momo! Nana!"
The two Devilukean sisters looked up at the mention of their names. Running toward them was a woman with long pink hair, bright green eyes, and a tail identical to theirs. She wore a school uniform, and Chris immediately recognized her as Lala Satalin Deviluke.
Rito Yuuki and Saruyama hurried after her, both panting anxiously, and Rito called out, "Lala, wait!"
Chris also noticed two more girls following behind them. One had long blonde hair and red eyes, dressed in an all-black gothic leather outfit. The other had long black hair, golden eyes, and dark skin, moving with quiet menace in a black yukata.
As they ran closer, Chris let out a slow breath and said, "Really? It's rude to interrupt, you know." His tone carried a tired edge as he added, "Momo, Nana, deal with your mess."
The two sisters straightened with bright smiles and answered together, "Yes, Master!"
They rushed forward, their bodies blurring into motion before vanishing from sight entirely. In the next instant they reappeared behind the group, pinning Yami and Nemesis to the ground with their weapons.
Yami strained against Momo's hold, her crimson eyes flashing with anger and stubborn pride. Nemesis, meanwhile, lay completely relaxed, watching Chris with a grin and sparkling intrigued eyes like she'd discovered a new toy.
Momo leaned forward and chided gently, "Now now, Yami, stop struggling. It's not like you're going to be hurt."
Yami gritted her teeth and snapped, "How can I trust you? You've clearly been brainwashed!"
Chris raised an eyebrow, voice calm but edged with amusement. "Well, you're not wrong, but you're not right."
All eyes immediately turned toward him. Noticing the attention, Chris lifted Gabriel slightly on his shoulder and added dryly, "Oh good, I have your attention now. Geez, I only walked in carrying an unconscious angel."
As he said that, the crowd finally noticed Gabriel's limp form. Murmurs rippled through them, and several people instinctively backed away in fear.
Rito pointed shakily and demanded, "What did you do to her?"
Chris answered without hesitation, "I defeated her. And now she serves me."
Lala's face tightened with worry as she asked, "Is that what you did to my sisters?"
Momo immediately shook her head and said earnestly, "Oh no, big sis, we were already zombies when he found us. He saved us from that fate."
Nana added with a proud little nod, "And for that, we'll serve him forever."
Yami glared at Chris again. "What did you mean when you said I was right and wrong?"
Chris folded his arms, expression settling into something darkly confident. "Once someone becomes my subordinate, they are freed from their inhibitions and sense of morality, freeing them to follow their desires."
Chris exhaled sharply and said, "Momo. Nana. Let them up."
The girls obeyed instantly; in a blur of motion they vanished and reappeared behind Chris, posture straight, eyes alert.
Chris scanned the crowd with calm authority. "Alright. Is everyone listening?"
The gathered people exchanged nervous glances and nodded.
"Good," he continued, his voice steady. "My name's Nihil, but you can call me Chris. As of today, this place is mine, and in the next few hours the city will be transported to my world. And no—don't ask how, because even I'm not sure."
A tense ripple moved through the group.
"What this means for you," Chris added, raising his voice slightly, "is that you have a few hours to decide between three options. Will you be a subordinate… a subject… or an exile?"
A young man with short black hair, black eyes, and all-black clothing stepped forward, shoulders squared. "Can you elaborate on those options?"
"Of course," Chris replied, pausing for a moment as he tried to find the clearest wording.
Before he could continue, the young man politely added, "Kirigaya Kazuto is my name."
Chris nodded. "Well, Kazuto, the safest option is to be a subject. You'll be permitted to live and work in my world. You'll have regular jobs, normal lives… but you'll be denied the chance to ever hold any power."
Several people shifted anxiously.
"The second option," Chris went on, "is a bit more dangerous. Be my subordinate. If you choose that, you'll get the same privileges as a subject, but you'll also be given access to a job system that will let you obtain skills, abilities, and magic. Everyone you see behind me has already benefited from this."
A young woman with long brown hair, brown eyes, a purple shirt, jeans, and red-rimmed glasses suddenly pointed at someone near the back. "Wait—you in the back. Are you Karen?"
Llenn looked up, eyes lighting with excitement. "Oh hey, Miyu! You made it!"
Another girl called out from the crowd. "Wait, did you say Karen?"
A smaller girl with long black hair, blue eyes, and a white dress pushed through the crowd until she locked eyes with Llenn.
Llenn brightened further. "Oh hey, Elsa! You made it too! Great!"
Miyu stepped closer, curiosity bubbling over. "How are you, Llenn… in reality?"
Llenn chuckled and put a hand on her hip, clearly proud. "It's all thanks to my job. It lets me use my avatar in real life."
Hearing that, a surge of interest instantly swelled through the crowd. People started murmuring, leaning forward with questions—until Chris cut them off with a crisp clap.
"Anyway," he said firmly, "this option is dangerous because those who pick it will be expected to fight in defense of my world… or in the invasion of another."
A cold hush fell.
"And finally," Chris continued, "the third option is the most dangerous: exile. Within the next couple of hours, you are to depart from this city and take your chances elsewhere. Ordinarily I'd give you time to decide, but I have too much to do, so I'll make this simple. Form a line. Tell me who you are, one at a time, what you want, and what your strengths are—if you choose to join me."
They all looked around nervously before slowly forming a line.
The first was Kazuto. He stepped forward with a steady breath and said, "As I already stated, I'm Kirigaya Kazuto, and I choose subordinate. I'm a VR MMO player, and in-game I was a swordsman."
Chris gave an approving nod. "Alright. Welcome."
He waved his hand, and a sleek black smartwatch materialized around Kazuto's wrist.
Next approached a young woman with long brown hair, brown eyes, a simple dress, and a cardigan. She held herself with composed confidence.
"My name is Yuuki Asuna," she said, "and I will be a subordinate. I also was a VR MMO player, and in-game I was a swordswoman and a healer."
Chris lifted his hand, and a white smartwatch shimmered into existence on her wrist. She stepped aside to stand beside Kazuto.
After her came a large muscular man with a bald head, short brown beard, dark brown eyes, and dark skin. He wore a plain bartender's uniform and moved with quiet weight.
"The name's Andrew Mills," he said. "I'm a bartender and VR MMO player. In-game I was a merchant and a greataxe wielder. I'll be a subject."
Chris tilted his head. "You don't want to be a subordinate?"
Andrew rubbed the back of his neck. "As tempting as being my avatar in reality sounds, I'm thinking my talents may be of better use at the homestead. If you're really planning to build a kingdom, I figure you'll need people running a few things."
"You'd be correct," Chris replied. "I take it you'll want to open a shop?"
Andrew nodded firmly.
"In that case," Chris said, gesturing toward the rear of the platform, "you'll be under Nobuyuki's command, as he will be in charge of the market district."
Andrew looked at Nobuyuki and said, "Good to be working with you, boss," his tone steady and respectful.
Nobuyuki gave a small approving nod and replied, "Likewise. We'll go over the details later, decide what kind of shop you want to run. In the meantime…"
Andrew nodded again, understanding the hint, and stepped aside for the next person.
A small, timid girl with brown hair tied in twin tails and soft brown eyes stepped forward, fidgeting with the hem of her school uniform. She mustered her courage and said, "My name is Keiko Ayano, and I'd like to be a subordinate. I'm a VR MMO player, and in-game I was a tamer."
Chris raised a brow, studying her gentle posture. "You sure about this?" he asked, voice firm but not unkind.
Ayano nodded firmly, her nervous expression sharpening with determination. "Yes."
Chris exhaled quietly. "Alright." He waved his hand, and a blue smartwatch materialized on Ayano's wrist, causing her eyes to widen in awe.
She stepped aside, and the next person approached.
A young woman with short dark brown hair and warm brown eyes stepped up, adjusting her pink sweater with a small, polite smile. Her black skirt and stockings shifted as she bowed lightly. "My name is Shinozaki Rika, and I'll be a subordinate. I was also a VR MMO player, and in-game I was a blacksmith."
Chris gave her a sharp, considering look. "A blacksmith, huh? Well, aren't you a stroke of good luck."
Rika blinked. "Huh?"
Chris shook his head slightly, muttering, "Oh, nothing. But once you've got the blacksmith job, and you will get it, I'll be putting you in charge of the industrial district. Giblet is great at forging weapons and armor, but not much else."
Rika's eyes widened. "Woah… you're gonna put me in charge of a district?"
Chris answered calmly, "If you work hard and prove you're up to it." He waved his hand, and a red smartwatch appeared on her wrist.
Rika swallowed, half excited and half overwhelmed. "No pressure or anything…" She stepped aside.
A girl with neck-length black hair framing either side of her face stepped forward with a confident stride. Her black eyes were sharp with focus, and she wore a red jacket and blue shorts. "I'm Kirigaya Suguha, and I'm a VR MMO gamer. In-game I was a swordswoman and magic caster, and I'll be a subordinate."
Chris waved his hand again, giving her a welcoming nod. "Welcome."
A green smartwatch formed on her wrist. Suguha stepped aside.
The two girls from earlier stepped up together, exchanging a glance before speaking. "We'll be subordinates," they said in unison.
Chris waved his hand, granting them their smart watches. They stepped aside afterward.
A man with brown hair, brown eyes, and a stubbly beard approached next. He wore a white button-down, loosened tie, and jeans. He scratched his cheek awkwardly before saying, "My name's Tsuboi Ryoutarou, but you can call me Klein. It's what everyone else does. I'll stick to being a subject. Like Andrew, I'm thinking I'll be of better use at the homestead. I worked for a shipping company before this."
Chris nodded in agreement. "Alright. We can certainly use you. Once we grow bigger, we'll have need of services like that."
Klein gave a determined nod and stepped to the side.
A girl with short black hair tied in small side pieces and sharp black eyes took his place. Wearing a black blazer, white shirt, red tie, and black skirt, she spoke clearly, "My name's Asada Shino, and I'd like to be a subordinate. In-game I was a sniper and an archer."
Chris waved his hand again, and a light blue smartwatch appeared on her wrist. She stepped aside.
The next group approached: Rito, Lala, Saruyama, Mikan, Yami, and Nemesis.
Rito stepped up first. "I'll be a subject."
Lala bounced forward cheerfully. "Me too!"
Saruyama raised a hand. "Make it three."
Mikan nodded and said. "I'll also be a subject."
Yami stepped forward, face calm but watchful. "I'll also be a subject."
Nemesis, wearing a sly smile walked past the others and stepped right up to Chris. Her group stiffened in alarm.
Rito blurted, "Nemesis, what are you doing?"
Nemesis ignored him completely. Her eyes glimmered as she leaned toward Chris. "Why stick with that boring-looking sword? Why not make me your weapon?"
Chris narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "From what I know of you, you're something called a transformative weapon. From what I understand, you can only transform parts of your body into weapons, not become one."
Nemesis laughed softly. "Oh, I can do so much more than that. But that's not important right now. You see, you've been misinformed. I'm completely capable of fully transforming into a weapon. I've just never been interested in having a wielder… until now."
Her group stared at her in complete shock, eyes wide.
Rito turned frantically to Yami. "Yami, can't you stop her?"
Yami frowned, calculating. "Give me a minute to think…"
Chris's smartwatch suddenly chimed.
A notification appeared:
"The transformative weapon Nemesis wishes to be bound to the user. Do you accept?"
Chris's lips curled into a smirk. He tapped ACCEPT without hesitation.
A rush of energy surged through him. Tendrils of his power reached out toward Nemesis, coiling and fusing into her, binding her to him permanently.
Chris observed her with interest. "You're an interesting one. I suppose I won't be bored with you around."
Nemesis smirked back. "Likewise, master."
Chris extended his hand toward her. She reached for it, but before their hands met, Yami suddenly rushed forward, shouting, "Wait! Don't do it!"
Nemesis watched her approach with a wicked grin and clasped Chris's hand.
Her form shimmered with dark energy. In a burst of shadow, she transformed into a black longsword with red lines running down the length of the blade and a golden jewel laid in the hilt.
Yami froze mid-step, staring in disbelief.
Chris studied his new weapon and immediately used Appraisal. His smartwatch beeped.
---
Transformative Weapon: Nemesis
Description: A sentient weapon capable of transforming into whatever she or her wielder desires. Capable of taking human form, manipulating dark matter, controlling shadows, shapeshifting, regeneration, and controlling the minds of weak-minded creatures. Nemesis will grow in strength with her wielder.
---
Chris smiled in satisfaction at the appraisal. He turned to the crowd. "Alright, people, you're free to do your own thing for now. For those of you that just became subordinates, I suggest hitting the dungeon. For those of you who became subjects, I'd suggest figuring out what you're gonna do as a career."
He walked away, confident strides echoing his authority.
Nemesis shifted back into her human form and cast one last amused look at the bewildered Yami. With a gleeful smirk, she hurried after Chris.
Chris stood at the harbor, gazing at the now complete sea wall closing in the harbor. The structure gleamed under the light.
Gnarl stepped up beside him, his posture hunched and inquisitive. "Lord, who is this?" he asked, peering curiously at the person standing on Chris's other side.
Chris gestured calmly. "Gnarl, meet my new weapon, Nemesis. Nemesis, meet Gnarl, my advisor."
Gnarl's eyes widened, his wrinkled face twisting into a delighted grin. "A sentient weapon here? You have such good luck, Lord."
Nemesis grinned back, pride and amusement flickering in her expression. "Doesn't he?"
Chris raised a hand to quiet them, eyes narrowing toward the horizon. "Alright, you two, be quiet for a moment. It's starting."
Gnarl and Nemesis fell silent and stared forward.
A shimmering wall of light began forming along the perimeter of the city, stretching outward like a rising curtain. It climbed higher and higher until it encased the entire territory in a luminous dome. Minutes passed, humming with magical pressure.
A sudden flash engulfed everything.
When the light faded and visibility returned, the world beyond the sea wall had transformed. What had once been coastline and open terrain was now a bleak, desolate wasteland stretching into the distance.
Chris exhaled, arms folding as he studied the stark new landscape. "Well, it's a start… but still a lot left to do before this world's finished."