Chapter 1- Noone Logged Out.
In the year 2138, VR technology had become one of the main sources of entertainment. Combined with nanotechnology it gave way to virtual worlds where people would spend every free minute of the day.
Such games offered several fantasy games. Often relying on strategy games for the games to be fun and interesting for all who played. This was mostly to distract the people playing from the harsh realities of the world with pollution, crime, endless overtime hours and just the monotony of it all.
One particular game was Yggdrasil.released twelve years back in 2126. Yggdrasil gave players an incredible amount of freedom. Gave players adventure, challenges and most of all… connections that many were too afraid to make in real life.
For years. The game ruled supreme until 5 years ago when it ended and the servers were shut down. Many were upset that the once popular game came to an end considering how much time and money was spent on it.
However, 5 years later the sequel to yggdrasil 2 had been announced and released. This excited many who would soon play the game. There was one added plus to it. Anyone who had been in the top 10 guilds of yggdrasil could get their old characters back along with their level 100 status and titles if any. Another feature was that yggdrasil 2 had a new level to reach. Players could now go beyond the previous status they had in Yggdrasil. In yggdrasil the highest one could reach was max level, but in yggdrasil 2 you could reach 'OMEGA level'.
Truly this is one of the greatest moments in vr gaming history. What new adventures, what new monsters, spells, titles and worlds will this game have and what players will rise up to the ranks to become high ranked players and what will their adventures look like. What future awaits them.
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" Oh shit, oh shit oh shit we're done for!" Yelled a birdman in gold, brown wizards clothing and a white and gold cloak while holding a staff and a yellow avian mask.
"Fuck it! It's not worth it let's just call it a day Ulbert! I don't wanna lose my level for this!" He called out to address this to a baphomet wearing a red cloak and holds the title of world disaster and the only one in the game who can cast {great catastrophe}.
"Stop being such a wuss Pero! You're in or you're out but I can't do this without you and I'm okay with being disappointed with reality but not virtual reality! I will not allow that!"
'Just a bit more and I've got it'. The reason for their argument is that after many failed attempts at trying to conquer the game realm known as 'the abyssal hell' they managed to learn to defeat the basic demons but now they were up against the ruler of hell 'malgorash' and each time they lost and went down a few levels. But Ulbert made himself a promise that he would reach omega level no matter what.
After their previous losses. they both had to regain their levels in order to fight the demon once more. Ulbert had to learn new spells and gain other classes and tools in preparation for this. Peroroncino had to add extra combat skills and pay extra money to add another class to his character so not only is he archer class but also sorcerer class and he's still having a hard time memorizing spells.
Right now they're both overwhelmed at the loss of hp and are barely holding their ground against this giant demon.
"How is it that noones stronger than us has been able to beat this damn thing?!" Pero exclaimed.
"I don't know but we're gonna be the first bud I know it!" Ulbert replied back.
"Yeah, the first to lose all their levels against this thing".
They both soon realized that magic attacks aren't doing anything to the creature. Ulbert wondered if there was some sort of cheat code or something that the devs did with this creature. It wouldn't make sense to create a powerful character and not create a weak point to defeat it. After all, one always had to ensure that their creations weren't too powerful. Especially when it came to servants.
This he learned when he read his favorite e book on 'how to be an evil mastermind'. Oh how he always took such pride in being the villain.
'Think Ulbert! There has to be something you're missing, something no one else has caught'. He looked around while aiding pero.
Pero then used a powerful spell that will cut his mp in half.
"Okay fuck it! I'm going for it. {mana blast!}"
This bright ray of mana shot out from his hands and aimed for the creature.
However Pero was new to the sorcerer class and aim was something he still needed to work on. And he accidentally hit a building in the abyssal hell. " Oops".
Ulbert looked at him with an 'are you kidding me' face.
The building Pero hit tore apart from the top and fell on the demon, knocking the demon down momentarily.
Ulbert then found it. The weakness. This demon can't be hurt by magic but by objects.
"Pero! You're a genius!".
"What'd I do?"
" Pero we need to use up our magic and destroy the surrounding buildings and knock it over Malgorash, he's buffed the hell up but is weak to being hit with buildings!".
They both looked at each other and knew what had to be done. They both looked at the biggest building they could find and immediately spotted the tallest ruined castle.
"You'll create a distraction. I'll destroy the building" Ulbert explained to his avian companion.
Without anything else needing to be said they went to work. Pero then led Malgorash around "beating around the bush" as one may call it, Pero was fast so evading his attacks was easy.
Ulbert proceeded to use his remaining magic to destroy the building. 'Pero is giving his all, it's only right I do the same considering he agreed to help with my selfish quest multiple times. I won't waste the opportunity you've given me, old pal. I swear on the name Ulbert alain odle. I WILL WIN!'.
"Pero. I'm ready when you are, bring him here."
The avian nodded and soon led the giant demon in front of the building that will soon be demolished. Just then a big burst of fire power erupted from the building.
{ Great Catastrophe!}
The building collapsed. Article upon article of floors came tumbling down with the giant demon underneath it.
"Hey, won't that building also fall on us?"
The realization hit Ulbert hard. " Pero! Run!".
Both soon ran as far as they could while watching the destruction of the building collapse and ending the demon's life.
" Did we do it? Did we win? I felt like we won?". Pero asked almost out of breath.
" Yeah, we won alright".
A notification soon hit Ulbert's console.
( Congratulations! you have defeated the demon king Malgorash and have leveled up to omega level)
Just at the words themselves. Ulbert was happy inside. ' Finally! I have reached omega level!'.
"Aw damn what? You reached omega level and not me? Well I guess that's fine. I'm happy for you bud" pero said congratulating his friend on the greatest achievement in the game.
Now Ulbert felt bad ' dammit! Only one of us gets the title?! Pero did just as much hard work as I did to get this far. He deserves this just as much as I do'.
"You know what? I think I should denounce this and give it to you. You did just as much work as I did and didn't get any of the spoils."
"Are you kidding me? No way! You've earned this buddy and I will not take what's rightfully yours. Demon king? I think that suits you". Ulbert in retaliation said "but". Only to be interrupted by the avian that he wasn't gonna have none of it and convinced him to keep his title and level. To which Ulbert accepted.
" That doesn't mean you can't share any of the spoils with me" the trigger happy avian said, hinting that he wanted something else. " since the place is all yours now. How about we raid the castle and you give me half of what's inside? Huh deal?"
"Deal," Ulbert responded. as soon as they agreed. They walked toward Malgorash's castle in search of the illustrious treasury, all the while they talked about finally conquering the place.
They soon arrived at the treasury and were amazed at what they found. Lots of treasure that they could spend on rare items and weapons. Both swam in the mountains of gold. Until they encountered another vault which looked more secure than anything else in the castle. Both looked at each other mischievously. Opened the vault and found an orb.
" Is this supposed to be cool or something? Maybe the giant demon lord used this giant orb as an ass bead".
( Congratulations! As the demon king you have complete control over the orb of souls. Feed it souls and you can increase any area of power you want!)
" Holy shit. Pero. Do you know what this orb is?"
" A beach ball for our next visit to the pool?"
" No. this is a world class item. Yggdrasil 2 style mother fucker!" Ulbert said cheerfully.
" No way. For real?. Ulbert you got your first world class item"
"We. got a world class item. I couldn't have done this without you" Ulbert says to Pero sorrowfully. " Do you think Momonga would've been proud of us?"
" I know for a fact that old bone daddy would've been proud of us without a doubt in my mind. And he would've asked you to put it in the vault with his hoarder instinct. Maybe even hold a celebratory party for you with all the other guild members".
" It's the anniversary of his death isn't it. How ironic that he was still with us 5 years ago and the day he died is the same day I conquer an inconquerable realm and get a world class item to show for it".
Both of them now entered a state of melancholy. Their friend, brother and guild leader died many years ago around the time yggdrasil ended.
Touch me. An ex guildmate missed the email Suzuki Satoru had sent out to all the guild members and felt bad about not being able to attend the last day. In his guilt he asked for a day off to visit Suzuki at his apartment with an apology cake.
However he was met with tragedy when he felt something was off when Suzuki wouldn't answer the door despite touch waiting all day thinking he was at work. His instincts told him something was very off so he broke into the apartment through the door and found that Suzuki had died with his VR headset on his face.
Touch. Having been a cop. Reported the news and informed all the other guild members what had happened and all pitched in for the funeral after finding Suzuki had no family. Some guild members that lived far away. Spent their money to travel by plane to make it to the funeral. Everyone said their piece and some gave wonderful speeches.
Weirdly enough. It was the first time they all got together. The event brought everyone together and some exchanged contact info. As soon as yggdrasil 2 came out. Everyone linked back up to get together for raids. Despite Pero and Ulbert living in different cities. They got together many times to play.
" I miss him, Pero. I miss him everyday. just as much as Bellriver. Why do all the good people in my life die so young?".
" I miss him too bud. More than you can imagine. I don't know what cruel joke fate had when he died like that but what I do know is that he loved the game. He loved us. And he wouldn't have wanted us to sit and sulk. He'd want us to celebrate a successful raid just like the old times"
" Heh, you're right, however I can't be in the game too long right now. Money being tight and all that you know. But anyways, what are you gonna do to celebrate later?"
" I'm touching myself tonight," Pero said blankly.
" Ooookay," Ulbert said awkwardly.
Shortly then. Both went their separate ways and logged out for the night.
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" Well that was fun. I was happy that I was able to see Peroroncino and that we were able to accomplish our goal"-(cough cough). " fuck! Not now." ' I almost forgot even for a second about my cancer'.
After many years the guild disbanded. Not one day in his life has been easy. He hated the world and the humans living in it. His hatred stemmed from the corporate CEOs and megacorporations. One day he walked up to his boss after finding out he had been informed that he would be working extra hours. He had had enough. And walked up to him and hit him.
Afterwards was fired. After that day he started packing his bags not knowing where to go. But that wasn't his biggest stressor. Back when he was in the guild. His friend Bellriver had died but before he did. He had sent Ulbert an email containing secrets about the megacorporations. Unfortunately it was coded so no one could read it.
Still Ulbert refused to give up. But after being fired. He found out he was being followed and went into hiding. He had spent the past few years in hiding, living in the streets, staying out of the public eye and even went out to get a gun to aid him in his mission. Making connections in the criminal underworld. He truly lived a dangerous life. But just recently. His health started declining and had all the symptoms of lung cancer. ' Of course smoking would have its toll on me someday'.
He had been homeless for a while now. Enduring the changes in weather. Despite all this. He made time to go to Suzuki's funeral but hid in the shadows. He had heard that yggdrasil 2 came out and thought he could use a distraction from his real life of courting danger daily.
With what little money he had from places he robbed to get by. He felt guilty doing so but it was all survival in the end. He knew he didn't have long. And he decided to give up on decoding Bellriver's coded message. He was ready to die.
But before doing so. He wanted to spend time with the only remaining friends he had left. Peroroncino and Lucifer. ' I hope they're doing alright'.
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" Alright! Time for some make myself feel good time."
" Oi stupid brother! Where you going?"
" I've got a date with a bottle of lotion and a box of tissues. What's it to you?"
" My back is hurting. I need you to go get pills from the drugstore."
" Can't it wait? I really need to let one out."
" Please".
He couldn't argue with his sister anymore at this point. She raised him most of his life working as a waitress then voice actor but can no longer work due to debilitating back pain so it was up to him to be the bread winner. This man known as peroroncino used to be a jokester but when his sisters health declined. He had to take up more responsibility and work for both their sakes.
She couldn't go out as often due to this. But he tried to keep her entertained by buying her her own vr headset so she could play the bubbly Bukubukuchagama in yggdrasil 2 and she happens to spend the most time with some of the other guild mates of Ainz ooal gown in game.
He had to step up as the little brother now had to take care of his big sister.
" By the way. Me and the gang made a few friends from another guild. Real popular ones too. They invited us to their farewell party, wanna come?"
" Which guild?"
" Sky keepers or something like that". Bukubukuchagama responded nonchalantly.
Pero immediately shot her a look.
" The sky keepers?! The guild in yggdrasil 2 ranked at number 3, most of the members are located in another country. You got to meet them?".
" Not me. Yamaiko did. Or well one of her former students invited her and by extension invited us. So… you down to go? We'll be bringing the other guild members of AOG."
" Umm yeah. I'll send a text to Ulbert to see if he's down to join."
"Great so I'll let them know to reserve 17 spots for us. Assuming touch me will join".
"Bet". Pero immediately sent his friend the text thinking this could be a way to celebrate them getting a world class item. " Anyways, I gotta get to work".
" You mean porn peddling?"
" ADULT CONTENT DISTRIBUTOR" Pero responded back to her.
" Whatever lil bro. Go make your money".
With that he left. Walked down the rainy street. Under the dark clouds. With his duffelbag and began selling his latest lewd magazines. Due to him having been fired a couple times. He had to resort to this. Lucky for him. Everyone wanted what he was selling. Couldn't tell if he should be concerned or if he's finally found his people.
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THE NEXT DAY
The siblings Pero and Bukubukuchagama were ready for the farewell party. Put on their headsets and immediately logged in. the slime and birdman found themselves at a meetup point where they will soon meet with their friends. The meet up point is supposed to be the entrance to the sky keepers hq but they didn't see anything. " So where is this great hq supposed to be huh sis?".
" They said they'll pick us up. Whatever that means." Suddenly 3 people came in. people they knew all too well. " Hey guys! Did we get here late?"
It was the insectoid known as touch me but soon changed his name or rather his son changed it to something he thought would be cooler. " Infinyrex prime. And with him, his family. Known in game as " Unity prime". His wife. Also named by their son. Who took the appearance of an anthropomorphic phoenix bird. And finally. their son who was a skulldog. With dark gray fur, dog like appearance, wore loose robe clothing with moonshapes on it, and his signature skull face. Not to mention he was 4 feet tall. His name was "Vortex prime" as he called himself to sound cooler. By all means his character looked "cute" which really annoyed him. His last name along with his family's was inspired after a western tv show he really liked.
" Nah, we just got here ourselves. Welcome to the party!, I think." Pero responded, trying his best to welcome them and not say anything dirty with children present. " By the way, something is off about you today. Your game aura looks different".
The insectoid soon replied. " I'm Omega level now. Me and some other guildmates fought this powerful dragon and when I landed the final blow. A notification informed me of my level upgrade. Not bad huh?."
"Noice. First Ulbert now you. I gotta step it up if I want to be at omega level." The sorrowful birdman let out a long sigh. After awhile. More and more of the other guildmates started to arrive.
Them being Tabula Smaragdina, Takemikazuchi, Herohero, blue planet, garnet, ankoro mochi mochi, beast king mekonogawa, nishikenrai, amanomahitotsu, lucifer, punito moe, genjiro and yamaiko who brought along one of her students who was a little girl who took on the appearance of a draconian spell caster. And also looked cute.
Finally Ulbert the newly crowned king of the Abyssal hell and new omega level player. The first to greet him was one of his friends Lucifer morningstar the trickster among them. " Heya bud the old goat. Just heard about your recent promotion from tweety bird over there. Congrats!."
" thank you Lucifer though I noticed that your character is emitting the same aura. Are you-".
"Yup, though I didn't have to cross through hell or fight an overgrown lizard or anything like that. Rather i just bribed another player who had the level and got him to trade levels with me along with giving me a shit ton of his magical items for a date with my ex wife. Hahahhaha!." lucifer said mischievously.
" Wait but isn't your ex wife already seeing someone?" Ulbert replied.
" Heh. yeah. But he didn't know that and ended up at her apartment while her boyfriend was there and from the neighbors I heard they got into it. Serves the bitch right for putting me on child support!". One could tell he was bitter about the whole thing.
Behind Lucifer's back everyone thought the same thing. ' What an asshole".
" Speaking of which. I can't be in the game too long. That dumbfuck I tricked for his level is out looking for me in game so let's wrap this up. Where's the escort to this party Buku?" the angel got frustrated with the wait considering he got his character well dressed for the occasion with a three piece suit, white coat, tie and pants. With black buttoned shirt with golden accessories on his fingers.
A few guild members changed their game characters species but kept a few aspects of their older one. For instance lucifer was still a humanoid angel but has a gold ring with five eyes around it resembling an ophanim. Ankoro mochi mochi the form of a female humanoid rough collie dog. Maybe she took on this form to honor her beloved irl pet who passed away recently. Garnet is a bear druid. Nishikenrai a humanoid rabbitman but still invested his levels in ninja skills like his last character. Genjiro a mothman. Amano is still a crab like creature but the new game gave the species a new, shorter appearance.
" By the way Ulbert. Who's that with you?. Did you create an NPCs?"
" Yes I did. Two actually. Their names are " Abaddon" and "Lilith". I had enough points back at the abyssal hell that I could make two of them. To be honest it was a rush job. But they are level 100 just like the ones in nazarick. Abaddon was a lean baphomet in a butlers suit. Lilith appeared to be a blonde succubus with a red dress, with fair skin. almost making her look like a secretary.
Suddenly a portal opened behind them. An Elf came out of it greeting them. And the heteromorphic members just thanked the elf for the invite. Soon the elf motioned for them to enter the portal. Welcoming them.
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The ex members of AOG soon found themselves in what the game called a pocket dimension. They were inside a small temple but once they left it they found out why the team was called " the Sky keepers". Their hq was a dimension in the sky with multiple floating islands with gorgeous views and multiple well sculpted architecture one of them being at the center of it all a towering castle. The kind you'd see in fairy tales. This was truly a sight to behold.
The group followed the elf while checking out the view of their surroundings. They saw multiple heteromorphic npcs that were used as farmers, workers, and servants. Soon they made their way into the castle where the guild sky keepers was celebrating their farewell party. Most of them were human beings and they thought that they would be hunted due to their heteromorphic appearance but they didn't seem to mind them.
The one who invited them to the party showed them around the castle and introduced them to the other members. Everyone got along. Everyone shared their stories and adventures in the game.
The heteromorphic group soon learned the reason for the farewell party. Many of the sky keepers were young adults. Some were teenagers that were heading off to college. Others would be leaving college to join the work force. And the few that remained didn't want to stick around if their favorite people weren't gonna be there waiting for them when they logged in.
Though they hunted heteromorphic beings like them. The sky keepers decided to forget that and just make friends on their last day. Some were kind enough to give each member their old equipment, levels, and other treasures including npcs. The sky keepers thought 'why not'. It was their last day and they never really had anything personal against heteromorphic beings.
The party was enjoyable to say the least.
Soon the guild leader appeared. It was a male elf. Who just got off work to log in. and introduced himself to the heteromorphic group. And spoke with them. Everyone was respectful and a few jokes were cracked but nothing bad.
The guildleader soon spoke up. " thank you for coming to this party, emotional as it is. Everyone is having fun and thank you for coming".
Infinyrex soon spoke up. " it was our pleasure. And we'd like to thank the person who invited Yamaiko and buku personally but we heard she couldn't make it".
"That's right".
Ulbert then spoke " Forgive me if this is too straightforward but I can't help but feel as if there's something more you want from us. If I'm wrong. Please correct me".
"no . You're right on the money. Actually since all of our guildmates are leaving. There's gonna be no one running this place and we originally wanted another group but we made too many enemies in our area. Though we didn't make any enemies with heteromorphic groups. Hinting at them.
" I guess what I'm trying to say is… how would you all like to run the kingdom of NIM? We'll be long gone and we prefer to give the place away rather than it being conquered. Plus we started with nothing when we first logged in. we'd like to give others a chance to rise up the ranks to prevent starting from scratch. If you don't want the place that's fine too. Shame that we never got to build everything we wanted in the islands. But we'd feel better if we gave the place away to people we knew even for one day. What do you all say?"
Nothing else needed to be said. The heteromorphic group agreed to take care of the place and promised to finish where the sky keepers left off.
They all resumed the party, Ulbert thought that guildmaster was the nicest guy he had met ina while and almost reminded him of suzuki.
Soon as night came. Sky keeper after sky keeper left the realm and logged out and their names were no longer to be seen in the servers. Finally the leader left. And all that was left in the realm of Nim was the heteromorphic group. Whom went to explore the islands including a vault that contained 6 world class items along with dungeon trap boxes and cash shop items. The place was truly marvelous. So much nature and bright sunny days. And the npcs were created to be friendly and loyal but territorial if need be.
It was almost midnight and around that time. The servers would shut down due to a curfew rule the devs had for players.
As they all looked at the now night sky. Ulbert had to come out and say it and get it over with. That he didn't have much time left. Before he could. Lucifer spoke up.
"Hey ! Who wants to spend their points on the most useless skill in the game? Just as a dare. After all, The sky keepers gave us a lot of points. So who wants to go round with me?"
Punito moe said " sure, what do you have in mind?".
"Lets spend it all on intelligence. Like why would they add that to the game. It's not like I'm going to know what the pythagorean theorem is after increasing that stat."
" Sure, I'll do it" Tabula said. After him Punito moe. Ulbert. Garnet and a few others. Some invested all of it into intelligence knowing it would do nothing.
" Congratulations! You einsteins and hawkings. We should now be able to figure out what we're having for dinner tonight".
Everyone laughed though they knew they had just wasted points.
Pero came out looking more radiant than ever. " guess who's now at omega level?! Yes, me!." They were all shocked but soon he explained that later in the night the guild leader would forward his omega level status over to pero since pero made him laugh the most.
" Welcome to the club Pero!"
"Congrats bro!"
" finally!"
" you've earned it… somehow"
" That's cheating!"
" Dammit! Why didn't I think of that?!"
Soon. a countdown began on their consoles. A timer before the servers curfew shutdown.
"Damn it's almost midnight? Anyone have any more fun dares?" Ankoro asked almost disappointed. Garnet then responded.
" I hope it's alright but I always wanted to change some of yall's game character trait descriptions. Like for instance I always thought take's character gave off russian vibes what with him originating from the cold and all. Is that racist?".
" a little bit. But I see what you mean. So did you want to give him new clothes. A big beard or something?". Buku asked.
" Nah. i just thought his character should have the basics. An accent and skilled russian dancing hahahahahaha."
"Well Take? What do you say?" nishikenrai asked.
" I don't mind. As long as you do something with Ulbert and Nish's characters as well. Just so I'm not the only one getting violated hahaha."
One by one just to pass the time. They changed each other's game character traits with only things the person whom they were changing would approve of. Each one is more creative than the last. Finally herohero spoke up.
" Well it's almost midnight and I gotta go to sleep before I get ready for work tomorrow. I've gotta be up by 4."
Others soon agreed and were ready to log out. But before anyone did anything. Ulbert spoke up. He had to tell them this would be his last game because of his sickness and no money so he wanted a farewell.
" Wait! Before any of you go.I have something I need to tell you! So just please wait. Unity. You can take the kids to the back. I don't think they should hear this."
Unity. Infinyrex's wife did as instructed and left with the kids. Knowing that Ulbert had something to get off his chest that had to do with the other guild members.
" This is my last game. I have no money. And on top of that I have cancer and don't have long and before the curfew hits. I just want to say that the years spent with you all had been the best and only good years of my life and despite me always complaining… I want you all to know that you are all my family. Monga always said the same thing but this time he's not here to say it. So I will. You are all my family. You are all I've got. Thank you all for everything." Ulbert said all this with a strained voice sounding like he was on the verge of tears.
Though noone can make facial expressions in the game. One could tell they looked at him sorrowfully. Almost immediately. Pero hugged Ulbert. Then Buku. Then Infinyrex. Then the others followed. Ulbert knew they gave a damn about him. He only wished this hug was real and that they were all actually together.
" How about we all stay like this just until the curfew huh? What do you say hero?" Yamaiko asked.
" Fine by me. I'm sure my boss would understand my reason for being late is that I hugged people I've never met in real life at crazy hours last night."
From behind. Unity can see them all gathered in one big hug while she is smiling at the beautiful scene.
Midnight is creeping in. Soon they'd all be waking up in their apartments ready for their same mundane lives.
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