CHAPTER 5- Into The Rabbit Hole
BACK IN NIM MEETING ROOM
All the players were gathered at the meeting room to discuss the new information that their lead strategist brought forth.
" And that's what happened." Finished Punitto moe. The entire room was shocked with mouths agape.
"Hang on!! You said they wanted Ulbert dead? They said Ulbert's name specifically?! Ulbert! You haven't even had a chance to go to the other world yet have you?!" Asked Pero.
"No. Not even once. All I know about the other world are from Nish's reports. Nothing more." Ulbert answered calmly.
"This confirms my theory!" Yelled Lucifer.
"It appears that someone is holding a grudge for us!."
"NO! NO! Not our Momonga. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding!" Yelled infinyrex trying to reason with everyone. " Punitto. Did you see Momonga specifically?."
"No." The plant wizard replied. "Only our guild name was mentioned. " I'm only assuming here but from the reports. I theorize that maybe Momonga took on our guilds name. And now refers to himself as Ainz."
The insectoid knight continued. " if he wasn't there personally then maybe the information we had Nish give to that knight didn't make its way to him."
" That could be a possibility. We're still lacking so much information. I'd like to at least know who that woman was and the doppelgänger who was with her." He said while stroking his chin. " Perhaps if we could identify those two. It could give us some closure or at least a tiny bit of info on what we're dealing with. All we know is that someone wants US dead. For reasons unknown. They mentioned " Ulbert and others". Those others could be referring to everyone in this room." Punitto sat trying to think of people they pissed off in the past or a plan to counter their unknown enemies.
"Good idea Punitto." Said Ulbert. " Can you provide us with a description of what this woman looks like?."
Punitto soon gave the court and his friends a description of what their new enemies looked like. Lucifer in the other world took art classes and continued since then. He was in charge of drawing out the description of the woman in question. He even provided a description of the doppelgänger whom they assumed to be her second in command.
"Why does that woman look so familiar?."
"I wouldn't mind a cutie like that hunting me down!."
"Where've I seen'er before, eh?."
"Is it Luci's ex wife?."
Ulbert then spoke. "Does anyone notice anything strange about this picture?."
" I want to have sex with that picture." Answered Peroroncino.
"No!". ulbert yelled. Then pointed at a small black staff in the picture. "Genjiro! You were in charge of organizing world class items back in Yggdrasil if I remember correctly. You even had a list of all the items in the entire Yggdrasil game. Have you ever seen this one?."
"Let's see." The moth man-like creature approached the image. Looked closer. "Yes! I remember that one! It's called Ganungagap! But why is it here? It should've disappeared with Nazarick."
"Nazarick? What does Nazarick have anything to do with this?." Ulbert asked.
"We won this at a dungeon once, remember. But it was Tabula who won it and decided what to do with it."
"Tabula?!" Ulbert yelled out. Expecting no response considering he rarely ever attended the meetings. Immediately everyone sent a message to Tabula urging him to leave his lab and come to the meeting room.
After a few minutes. The doors opened revealing the tall mind flayer walking into the room. Asking what is so urgent that they had to pull him from his work. However none of his colleagues were having any of it as they looked at him menacingly. Expecting him to have answers to his questions. Tabula was already not well liked considering how strict his personality is.
"Tabula! So glad you could make it. We have a few questions for you. So if you would be so kind as to grace us with a little bit of your time." Ulbert said, almost sounding sarcastic.
He showed the picture to Tabula. The mindflayer crouched and narrowed his eyes as he was asked what he knew about the world item or possibly the woman holding it.
" That's ganungagap alright. But why is it here? Last time I saw it was when I left the game and gave it to one of my npcs. Oh! What was it's name? I named it after a potion. Nigredo? No that was the fugly one. Rubedo? No that was the one I mixed that world item with. Aaah! I remember! The fat one! Albedo! Yes I gave that item to Albedo. You know. The one always standing by the throne of Nazarick!." He finished hoping the others would remember.
"The eye candy in the throne room? I remember cause I masturbated who knows how many times to that npc." Said Pero.
" Well Tabs! This woman. Wants to kill Ulbert! Did you have anything to do with that?." Said Punitto.
" What?! She's real? Wait back up. What?! No I never programmed anything like that on Albedo. She's supposed to be a slut!."
"Why a slut?."
"I lost a bet to Pero and it followed the rules of gap moe so I couldn't say no." He explained himself. " she's also on the psychotic side mentally, but not harm any of us! She's just sadistic is all."
"Great! So some psychotic slut wants to kill us all?! That's perfect." Hero hero sarcastically expressing himself.
The court soon explained to Tabula the events that had occurred that led to them questioning him. Now that they were all caught up. They knew that npc's could come to life what with the npc's of NIM. So now they had to face the idea that the one of the npc's of nazarick had come alive too.
"Dammit Tabula! Why'd you make your npc evil?!."
"Wasn't 'evil' the theme we were all going with in nazarick? We roleplayed as villains! Villains need evil servants according to Ulbert." Tabula recoiled. " But anyway. Changing the subject. If one of our npc's made their way to the new world. Who knows how many of our other npc's made their way there."
At the mention of this. The room erupted. All of them in shock and in disbelief. Knowing some of them created npc's much worse. And the possibility of them coming alive shook a few.
" Oh god! Demiurge! Fuck! The fucking demons in the 7th floor! Oh fuck!." Ulbert shouted with a worried expression.
" Shalltear! Shit! She'll fuck us to death! Then continue fucking us afterwards. Shit why did I make her a necrophile?!!." Said pero already regretting everything.
After a few minutes of freaking out. Everyone calmed down.
Punitto moe began. " Dammit!!! There's so little information!! We ask one unanswerable question. And we end up in a rabbit hole of more unanswerable questions!!! And once we're out of that damn hole. We're left with only assumptions that WE.CAN'T. PROVE!!." Punitto moe ended while stomping his foot.
"Punitto is right". Said Infinyrex. "We need a way to go to the other world and answer all our questions. The only problem is. How do we do that without risking everything?."
Everyone looked at each other hoping to have an answer.
"I've got it!! Guys I know what's going on!" Pero yelled. Others thought to themselves. 'This should be good'. "What if Momonga is being held against his will? We created the npc's to be evil right? Shalltear has a thing for undead guys. So it's possible that they're holding him hostage as a sex toy or something worse."
"Another assumption!" Punitto said. "Though it's just as likely, but again. We can't prove it."
After the idea was suggested. Everyone was worried for Momonga. Thinking 'poor thing'. And. 'Poor Momonga he's not good with women'. Everyone feared the worst for their former guild leader. Mainly the thought of him being violated.
"What if one of us went over to this sorcerer kingdom and established a base there? We'd have a teleportation point and enough time to gather more information to answer our questions. The only place to gather information is in that kingdom. Nish has come out of there with answers. Why don't we do the same? but this time, We have don't have to rush." Suggested lady Ankoro.
The others in the court agreed to this decision.
"Yes! Brilliant Ankoro!". Yelled Peroroncino.
" With that in mind, I reckon I should tag along with this person as a guide. Hope I'm not overstepping' me boundaries, but I suggest an omega level chief, just in case." Suggested Nish.
"I should go." Infinyrex said confidently.
"You have a family bro. Get off the stage." Said Punitto.
" I'm the strongest. Physically. So it should be me. Just prepare me the necessary supplies and I'll be good. We can't afford to lose leaders like Ulbert and peroroncino. Whom are skilled in magic, combat and weaponry."
"Very well." Ulbert replied. "Dear friend, you are to establish a secret base in the sorcerer kingdom. And in doing so. Providing us a starting ground for intelligence gathering. Nish will accompany you for protection. We shall provide what we can from our vault to ensure you are well equipped. Once the base is established. We will all take turns going in and out of that place so we can all educate ourselves in that world. Better to face the known than the unknown. Are we all agreed?." Everyone agreed.
Ulbert hated when Infinyrex got all the attention. But there was nothing he could do about it but try to climb up that same ladder but higher.
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THE NEXT MORNING
In an big architectural building meant to be Prime Manor. In the main bedroom lied the insectoid Infinyrex and his wife the anthropomorphic phoenix. Unity. They've been married for many years in the human world. Dealt with challenges. Then arrived to the realm of NIM. To face more dangerous challenges yet their love never faded. Despite their new appearances. The love was still there.
"Dear. It's time to get up." She had his head resting on her fluffy chest. "Just a few more minutes hon." He responded.
"Any longer and Nish will come in here looking for you wondering why you're late." She laughed warmly.
With reluctance he did so. "Alright, fine I'll get ready."
With that. He put his armor on. Pecked his wife on the cheek with his mandibles. Then left. With his wife wishing him a safe journey and to come back the way he left. Nish was waiting outside for his superior. They departed and went to the new world with the equipment provided.
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AT THE SORCERER KINGDOM
"Okay. We got through customs. What's next Nish?" Asked Infinyrex in his doppelgänger disguise. A 40 year old man with brown aging hair, beard, blue eyes. Blue coat and pants. A white under shirt, fantasy looking clothing the npc's prepared for him. Tall yet gruff appearance.
"Now we just gotta find us a base, mate. I reckon there's a few places for lease in the middle o' the city. If not, we'll just ask around."
"Lead the way."
The duo traveled around the streets in search of a place to station their base of operations in the new world. After looking around. Even checking the demi human district. They compiled a list of possibilities.
"Gosh it's strange being around humans again after so long. And it's hard to contain myself. I just realized that my insectoid species has a taste for humans. And to my dissatisfaction they smell so good." Infinyrex stated.
"Oh, didn't realize that. Sorry for puttin ya on the spot yesterday." Nish said apologetically.
" It's alright. I just hope this is just a phase. And anyways. What are we gonna do about money?."
Nish explained that Pero gave them rare minerals that they could possibly use to sell at a exchange center to get money. After a few walks. They found a store in a building in between two roads. It was on sale. The building was big enough to have rooms. Had three floors.
They met with the owner. Received a tour. And the duo agreed this place was acceptable.
They went to an exchange store. Got the money needed and more. Filled out the necessary paperwork. Read the laws and regulations. And bought the store.
"Looks like Lady Luck's finally on our side with is one, eh?" Nish joked.
"Looks like it. So what should we turn this store into?."
"Nah, let the bigwigs worry 'bout that, we've done our bit. Rest's on them."
After some discussing. The council decided a bookshop would be best as it promised a quiet unsuspecting store. Nish was asked to go get more money and purchase books from other kingdoms. Some books they might even use themselves. They even included useless books from the NIM library. The npc's fixed up the furniture used. Genjiro being the inventory guy and skilled at organizing. Went to the other world and assisted in the putting together of the bookstore system. It took only two days and everything was settled and ready to open.
"Are we sure about this?." Asked Infinyrex worriedly.
"No. But it's the only way to get answers to our many questions. Especially that one of why Tabula's npc wants to kill me." Responded Ulbert in a human disguise. That being of a taller man, with broader shoulder. Gruff looking yet elegant. With a black beard and darkish grey hair. Also appearing of an aging man. Handsome and wearing dark clothing. Walking around with a cane.
Both men in their human forms were handsome aging men. In elegant clothing.
A system was developed for taking turns running the shop. Now they had their base. Soon after came the search for answers.
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OPENING DAY OF THE TURNING PAGE BOOKSHOP
On opening day. They received a lot of customers. Most of them were admiring the furniture that seemed alien to them. The two owners had to thank the npc's for that. Ulbert was a fast learner. He picked up the monetary system quickly and taught it to his companions. All was well on the first day as it ended quickly. The duo brought some npc's to help with their shop. Seeing as some stores that had Demi human employees were well received.
"Well that's all for today. Want me to close up Mr Garrison?" Pero said mockingly to Infinyrex's incognito name. Pero joined because they needed help with keeping some of the customers in line. He wore the disguise of a handsome young adult man in his 30s. With blonde short hair. A goatee beard and mustache. Muscular. Just like his companions. And fair skinned.
"Just shut up and help with inventory." Infinyrex said clearly annoyed by Pero's joking around.
They were all getting used to seeing humans again. Especially Ulbert and Infinyrex. Both their races had an appetite for humans. But stayed to their morals. Ulbert despised humans. Remembering their cruelty in his old world. He sees them as nothing but greedy, filthy creatures. The trio felt close to nothing towards all the lesser races due to their body change. Earlier when a child got a paper cut. They either felt hunger or nothing for the child. Not even pity. To them. Humans were no different to ants.
"The nights coming in. What are yall gonna do for the rest of the day?." Pero asked.
"Go home to my family."
"Gotta create a way to get the answers we seek. Maybe find someone who knows stuff."
"Alright! Well while yall are out doin that. Imma bag me a nice looking chick at a bar." Pero said with a smirk.
Knowing this is typical behavior on behalf of their friend. The two said nothing.
"Just wear protection alright? Can't have any of your 'precious' genes coming back to haunt us."
"Aight!". Pero said as he left.
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AT A BAR
Pero headed to a bar an earlier customer recommended him to go if he wanted to get his rocks off without breaking any laws of the kingdom. He was surprised when he saw many females of many different races. He sat down, ordered his drink and started to look around. He had money made from the bookshop so he figured he'd spend it on a hotel.
The bar was somewhat quiet. With live music performance. As Pero looked around. He soon found an adult female elf drinking alone.
'Okay this one's got potential. She's got a cute face. I like blonde girls. That suit is a little tight on her but that's okay. Let's take a closer look'. Taking a closer look. Pero got a full view of her figure. 'Yup. She's the one. Nice lips. Nice legs!. Nice breasts and nice ass. Scratch that she's got those double d's!. Alright. As much as I appreciate friends with benefits back home. I'm in the mood for something exotic!'. Pero finished his drink and headed towards the elf woman.
As he headed towards the elf. He slides a stool to her table and sits down.
"Wow, you're either very brave or very foolish." She said in a neutral tone. Not even giving him a glance.
"Alright, I'm gonna be honest with you straight away — I don't know a thing about elven wine, ancient magic, or woodland politics… but I do know you look like someone who's bored out of her immortal mind." She finally glances at him. Studies him.
"Don't you humans usually start with flattery?.
"Oh, I'll get there. I just like to make sure you're actually listening first."
She looks at him in an annoyed expression. Pero picking up on her hints responds.
"Tell you what — humor a poor, inferior human for five minutes. One game of darts. If I lose, I buy your next drink and disappear."
A smirk tugs at her lips. "Fine. You have my attention. Impress me." She says finally standing up. "I have trained with bows for over a century. I'm sure a human can't beat me." She said in a cocky tone. 'I got her right where I want her'.
The first round of darts the elf got it in the triple ring. Scoring a point. Pero. Spent most of his Yggdrasil points on skills mainly archery and being a master archer with eagles eye vision. He never missed a shot once since he got transported to NIM. He got a bullseye on the first try. This shocked the elf as he kept hitting the mark. In the end. The elf woman admitted defeat.
"Alright I lost. So what do you have in mind?"
"How about another drink and maybe a change of scenery if you decide this place has worn out its welcome."
"You assume I'd leave with you."
"I assume you might." He shrugs. "If not, I finish my drink, wish you a good night, and go home knowing I met a very interesting woman."
"…You're surprisingly tolerable."
"High praise. I'll treasure it forever." She signals the bartender.
"One more round. Then you can show me this 'change of scenery' you're so confident about." He stands. offering his hand.
"Fair warning. The hotel's nothing fancy." She takes his hand, smiling.
"Good. I've had enough fancy for one lifetime."
They leave together, laughter fading into the night as Pero leads her to a hotel where they spend a very passionate night together.
'Scoooore!' Pero thought to himself.
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THE NEXT MORNING
"Where the hell is he?! He should've been here by now! Don't tell me he actually spent the night here." Infinyrex said, wondering where Pero was for his shift.
"He did say he was gonna engage in late night shenanigans with a girl he hopes to score at a bar yesterday." Ulbert reasoned. "We'll just ask Nish to cover him until he gets back."
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SOMEWHERE AT A HOTEL
'Yawn'. Pero awoke in his human form. Waking up late. With the elven woman resting on his chest. He began stroking her long blonde hair.
He couldn't stop gazing at her smooth hips and flawless skin. 'I really hit the jack pot tonight didn't I?' He surprised himself tonight.
After a few gentle hair strokes and caressing of her hips. She opened her eyes got up and stretched with her arms up and without a bra.
'What a wonderful sight!'. Pero thought to himself. Staring at the two mounds of flesh in front of him.
"No no no. What time is it?!"
"Morning to you too."
"Why didn't you wake me?!."
"I did. You told me to 'stop breathing so loudly' and rolled over.
"That was not consent to oversleep!". She fumbles over her shirt. Clearly flustered.
"Relax. The sun's barely up."
"Barely up. Is late!" She stopped and looked at him. "I stayed the night?!"
"Yeah. You also beat me at darts.victory was very important for you."
"Ugh. I do not do this. I do not stay the night. I do not… wake up in human inns." Looking almost disgusted at the sight.
"Low end hotel actually"
"Not helping! My little brother's gonna be worried"
"Hey! You had fun and the world didn't end right? I call that a win win."
She puts her pants on. Proceeding to the door. Stops halfway. And Pero throws her coat at her. "You left it by the bed. Figured you'd need it." Pero said, giving her a smirk.
She smiled back and headed towards the door.
"By the way. I never got your name." Pero took the chance to ask before she left the room.
"Aura Bella Fiore."