Hostis Humani Generis

An LLS Production

Prologue : Adrift

"I'm sorry."

There were two people standing under a large tree.

The speaker wore an elaborately embroidered jet-black academic gown, adorned with gold and violet hemming The decoration around its neck seemed somewhat excessive, but rather fitting with the rest of it. The head that should have been sitting above the lavish collar was nothing more than a skull, devoid of skin and flesh. There was a dark red glow inside the empty eye sockets, and a dark halo-like object glimmered behind its head. The former was an Overlord that ranked top even among the Elder Liches — Magic Casters who had turned into the undead in the pursuit of ultimate magic.

An ORZ icon appeared above the Elder Lich. It was the last time, though not the first, that Momonga had demonstrated that expression. Just as it was not the first time that the Nagī had applied to Ainz Ooal Gown and was rejected.

"It is decided by majority vote, Sycorax-san," Momonga-san explained some more. "Your skill build doesn't fit our guild ideal. It's not you."

"Momonga-san, I have a job. I'm playing a heteromorphic race. How do I not qualify?"

As a Nagini, an Oriental offshoot of the Gorgons and both descendants of the enemy race of Dragons, Sycorax had the ability to transform my shape to some extent. To that effect, she looked human, and now she wore a white shirt and dark trousers along with light armour and a cutlass by her belt. Next to the Elder Lich, she did not look like a monster until she removed the glamour. She looked like a plain human, albeit one dressed like a sailor.

Yet, they were not monsters.

The selectable races in Yggdrasil were divided into three diverse categories: classic humanoids such as Humans, Dwarves and Elves. Demi-human races with hideous appearances such as Goblins, Orcs, and Ogres. Heteromorphic races who possessed monster abilities and higher stats than any other races, but were given restrictions in various aspects. The number of all the races reached a total of seven hundred if the high-tier races were included, covering Overlords and Nagas.

"I do not know, Sycorax-san. I will talk to Touch Me-san." Momonga nodded. "I am sorry."

"Thank you, Momonga-san. You're a great friend. I wanted to make friends, so..."

"I see."

"Momonga-san... we're friends, right? No matter what?"

"Of course, Sycorax-san. You are my friend."

DMMO-RPG.

Standing for Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, it is an interactive game in a virtual world, played by connecting a dedicated console to the neuron nano-interface— an intra-cerebral nano-computer network composed from the quintessence of cyber- and nanotechnology.

Amongst these commercial paracosms, there stood one title:

YGGDRASIL.

Released in 2126, it stood above all other DMMO-RPGs due to its expansive maps and unusually high player freedom. This obviously made it especially popular within Japan, its home country and the only country it was made commercial in.

Now, twelve years later, YGGDRASIL is about to end.

The centre of the game world, Yggdrasil, was based to some extent on Norse mythology; one tree with three great roots, spanning nine worlds. Each tree fed into a spring. Hvergelmir of the cold Niflheim, Urdarbrunnr of Asgard which ruled over all, and Mimisbrunnr of Jötunheimr were their names.

In the rocky tundra of Jötunheimr was a lake. In this lake lay a sparkling ship that looked like it had been made of glass, from the thick hand-spans of its seaworthy hull, to the delicate riggings upon its three masts and mizzen. Under the sea of stars, it resembled some fairy ship, set out upon the mists that scattered across Mimisbrunnr towards the skies themselves.

On the foredeck, seated upon a throne, a delicate hand covered in rings held two fingers up to her temple.

「Message」

The ringing of a dial tone echoed slightly, before there was a pick up.

「Sycorax-san?」

「Momonga-san! As expected of the Guild Master. You're staying until the end as well?」

「Yes, Sycorax-san. As well... how are you?」

「I'm the same as you. I might not have a dungeon as large as Nazarick, but everyone left the Fomori fleet.」

「We haven't talked a lot since you founded a guild, Sycorax-san. You'll still be welcoming those who might come?」

「Of course. But so far I've been checking out the treasury, wearing more shiny equipment, and so on... and I've assembled the fleet's top commanders to kneel before me.」

「That's a bit... extreme, Sycorax-san...」

「As if you've never done that.」

「...」

「...no way. You did.」

「I- it's the last day! I'm sure everyone would forgive me if I did whatever I wanted today.」

「Yeah, I know. I moved the fleet to Mimisbrunnr just to watch the skies.」

「Sycorax-san, you already control Mimir's well, please don't park your fleet on it as well.」

「I miss it, Momonga-san. Minutes to go and soon we'll be logged out.」

「...」

「Everyone left in the end, Momonga-san. In the end, you're my only friend.」

「My name is Suzuki Satoru.」

「Eh?」

「That's my RL name.」

「Oh. I'm... I can't say it.」

「I- I don't mean to press-」

「It's too embarrassing.」

「Eh?」

「...Michelle Kaiō. In Japanese it's Michiru.」

「...I see.」

「...」

「... is there a Ha-」

「STOP! IT'S EMBARRASSING!」

「-look, eight seconds. Four...」

「Three... I'm glad you're here.」

「Me too. Let's...」

「...meet...」

In the interest of expanding my repertoire, have a pilot chapter. I'll post more depending on response.

Critiquez, s'il vous plaît!