The red gothic-dressed loli stepped out of the teleportation gate and immediately spotted Momonga standing at the top of the stairs. Letting out a soft, moaning cry of delight, she called, "My Lord~!" Dropping the parasol she had been holding, she lifted her skirt and ran toward Momonga. The parasol then transformed into a swarm of black bats fluttering behind her.
Watching her approach, Momonga identified her in his mind: "Shalltear—guardian of the first to third floors of the Great Tomb of Nazarick."
As Shalltear reached him, she threw her arms around his waist with zealous affection and murmured, "My one and only ruler, my most beloved master."
Even Momonga, startled by Shalltear's intensity, felt a pang of nervousness in his otherwise still heart. Behind him, both Chu Lian and Aura couldn't help but want to comment.
However, unlike Chu Lian—who, knowing her own position and Shalltear's peculiar personality, wisely chose silence—Aura spoke up directly. "Shalltear, can you not go overboard for once?"
"Oh? Shorty." Hearing that, Shalltear released Momonga, turned with an arrogant expression, and gazed at Aura with her blood-red eyes. "So you're here too," she said haughtily. Then she turned to Mare and added, "And you too, Mare—you must have it hard, having such a brainless sister."
Her words not only infuriated Aura but also made Chu Lian burst into laughter. "Lady Shalltear, greetings," Chu Lian said politely.
Hearing the sweet voice, Shalltear turned her head and noticed Chu Lian standing not far behind Momonga, her nine tails gently swaying. "Oh my, you're here too, Deloris?" she said in genuine surprise. After all, Momonga had only summoned the floor guardians—Deloris wasn't one of them, so her presence caught Shalltear off guard.
She already knew that Deloris was highly regarded by Momonga, but she hadn't realized how much he favored her until now. Instantly, jealousy sparked in her crimson eyes. "Lord Momonga really spoils you too much."
"This is my good fortune. Without Lord Momonga's life-saving grace, I might have already perished in the wild," Chu Lian replied calmly. She was well aware that this perverted, erotic vampire loli possessed numerous twisted fetishes—ranging from bisexuality and sadomasochism to necrophilia—and though her obsession with Momonga was absolute, Chu Lian herself wasn't exactly off Shalltear's "menu."
Thus, whenever Shalltear acted tsundere, Chu Lian knew it was best to yield rather than provoke her and risk becoming a target of interest.
"Well then, if you'd just play with me for a while, I'd forgive you," Shalltear said with a teasing smile—not truly angry, but using the moment to try and entice Chu Lian into spending time with her.
After all, Chu Lian's current form was that of a fox-eared loli with nine tails—adorably beautiful and exquisitely delicate. For a creature like Shalltear, not wanting to devour such a cute little beauty would have been the stranger thing.
Chu Lian, of course, understood this perfectly. That was why she had requested to stay by Momonga's side as his personal maid—to avoid Shalltear as much as possible. Her quarters were second only to those of the Supreme Beings themselves, meaning she rarely ever had to see Shalltear.
These choices and memories were part of her system-generated background, but now, in this real world, they had become her genuine past. Thus, she tried to stay out of Shalltear's sight and give her no opportunities.
And as for Shalltear's offer, Chu Lian knew all too well what "play with me" meant. It wouldn't stop at innocent fun—it would likely involve every kind of depraved game imaginable with this lewd vampire loli.
She wasn't into that sort of thing and had no desire to get dragged into it, so Chu Lian immediately refused. "I'm sorry, Lady Shalltear. Without Lord Momonga's orders, I cannot leave his side."
Momonga, realizing it was best not to stay silent, quickly intervened. "Shalltear, that's enough nonsense."
The vampire girl pouted, casting Chu Lian a covetous glance that clearly said, You'll be mine eventually.
But before the tension could linger, Aura struck again with a jab that instantly shifted Shalltear's focus. "Fake breasts."
Caught off guard, Shalltear instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at the blonde elf with blood-red eyes.
"Hit a nerve, didn't I? That's why you used the teleport gate—if you'd run here in a hurry, your chest padding would've flown off somewhere," Aura sneered, one hand on her hip and the other pointing directly at Shalltear.
Hearing that, Shalltear blushed furiously, clutching her chest with both hands. "Shut up! You don't even have anything to begin with!" she shouted.
"You idiot, so you admit it's fake, and that your real chest size is barely anything," Chu Lian thought to herself with amusement, silently delivering a mental jab.
Aura didn't seem to care at all. Crossing her arms and closing her eyes confidently, she said, "I'm only seventy-six, you know. You, on the other hand, are undead—you'll never grow any bigger. How pitiful. You should just be grateful for what you've got."
That remark truly enraged Shalltear. Releasing her chest, she jumped down the stairs and charged straight toward Aura. "You'll regret that, you insolent brat!"
Momonga, however, didn't intervene. Instead, he found himself lost in thought, recalling the days when his guildmates created these NPCs and the interactions they once shared. Now, after arriving in this world, those same NPCs all displayed unwavering loyalty—not just Deloris and Albedo as he had first assumed. "I'm not sure how or why this happened," he mused inwardly, "but since coming to this world, they've all remained faithful. That means I must act with dignity and authority toward them."
"Next, I need to gather information. I was max level in the game, but I have no idea how strong that makes me here."
"And... if this really is another world, should I even try to return to the old one?"
"No friends, no family—just work, eat, sleep, and repeat. What meaning did that life even have?"
Meanwhile, Chu Lian stood quietly beside him, hands neatly folded before her abdomen, listening to the two flat-chested girls argue over breast size—secretly delighted. If this had been her old body, she wouldn't have had the right to laugh at them. But now? That was another story. Ah, the difference between having boobs and not having them... it's like night and day.
If it weren't for her current identity and the situation, she would've loved to take a proper look at her new, enticing figure.
While Momonga was deep in thought, the remaining guardians—except those of the fourth and eighth floors—arrived one after another. Chu Lian gently reminded him, "Lord Momonga, all the guardians have assembled."
Her words snapped him from his thoughts, and he turned his attention to the commotion below.
A massive blue insectoid creature, observing Shalltear and Aura's squabble, spoke sternly: "This is disgraceful. Quarreling so loudly before the Supreme One—have you no sense of decorum?"
Shalltear, her hands now wreathed in flames and her eyes glowing fiercely, retorted, "It's this short one who started mouthing off first!"
Aura immediately shot back, "I only stated the truth!"
Seeing they were still bickering, the insectoid slammed his weapon into the ground, sending a layer of ice spreading rapidly toward them.
Momonga's body began to exude dark mist, his tone carrying unmistakable authority as he shouted, "Enough! Shalltear, Aura—playtime is over."
His voice, laced with oppressive energy, radiated a sinister aura that made both girls freeze in place. They quickly bowed their heads. "Our apologies, my lord."
Turning to the insectoid, Momonga spoke firmly. "You've arrived just in time, Cocytus."
Cocytus bowed deeply. "Upon receiving your summons, I came at once."
Momonga nodded in approval. "Well done."
"Apologies for keeping everyone waiting," came another voice. Everyone turned to see Albedo approaching, walking alongside another guardian.
Once they had all gathered before Momonga, Albedo smiled gracefully and declared, "Everyone, present your loyalty to the Supreme One."
One by one, the guardians turned to Momonga and introduced themselves.
The crimson gothic-dressed loli Shalltear was the first to kneel, placing her right hand over her chest and smiling. "Guardian of the first to third floors—Shalltear Bloodfallen, at your service, my lord."
"A flat-chested vampire loli pretending to have a chest... not only a perverted lolita but a complete degenerate," Chu Lian muttered inwardly, knowing she couldn't change what was destined to happen but unable to resist her sarcastic commentary nonetheless.
Next was the towering, upright insectoid warrior Cocytus. Taking a step forward, he knelt on both knees and spoke in a deep, resonant tone. "Guardian of the Fifth Floor, Cocytus, reporting to you, my lord."
A two-and-a-half-meter-tall bug with a samurai's temperament—rigid-minded but boasting unmatched attack power, Chu Lian mused silently. I wonder if he's edible? Nah, forget it—I hate bugs. Though I suppose I could introduce him to Bear Grylls. Then again, Bear's power level is way too low. Maybe I should summon Bear's ultimate form... I bet Cocytus could give him a whole new culinary experience.
Following Cocytus came the twin guardians of the Sixth Floor—the very arena they currently stood in. The sister, Aura, spoke first: "Guardian of the Sixth Floor, Aura Bella Fiora." Mare followed right after: "Co-Guardian of the Sixth Floor, Mare Bello Fiore." Once finished, the two knelt simultaneously. "At your service, my lord."
Twin siblings—though the sister is female, she insists on dressing like a boy, lively and energetic to a fault. Meanwhile, her brother wears skirts like a delicate trap, gentle in demeanor but not necessarily weak. Honestly... have 'otokonoko' already conquered every dimension? Sorry, but I just can't bring myself to call Mare a 'he.' 'She' suits better.
Next came a man in an orange-red suit with a matching tie, glasses perched on his face, exuding the aura of a cunning minister. His long tail swayed gracefully as he knelt with impeccable etiquette. "Guardian of the Seventh Floor, Demiurge, at your command, my lord."
Demiurge—you really do have the face of a schemer. Anyone back in my world who saw you would cry over such wasted potential. You'd make a perfect sly minister! Still, I admire your analytical mind—thinking in every direction possible. I'm the same way... my thoughts wander everywhere too.
"And you still sound so proud about it," Ayase's voice chimed teasingly within Chu Lian's mind. "Little Lian'er, you're begging to be disciplined." Her tone carried faint amusement—and something else, a hint of anticipation—as if recalling a promise the little fox had once made to her.
Finally, it was Albedo's turn. Looking up at Momonga, she lowered herself gracefully onto one knee, head bowed. "Overseer of the Guardians, Albedo, presenting myself before you, my lord."
Ah, Albedo... if it weren't for that chain of personality settings, you'd truly be perfect just as you are. But I suppose your contrast—beauty mixed with obsession—has its own charm. Plenty of people love that gap moe. Still, it's good you can change. After all, falling in love with a skeleton isn't exactly a happy ending. Chu Lian smirked inwardly. At least with Albedo around, life will be a little easier... and a lot more entertaining.
"Except for the Fourth Floor Guardian Gargantua and the Eighth Floor Guardian Victim, all floor guardians are now assembled before you. Please give your orders, O Supreme One."
Albedo closed her eyes respectfully as she spoke, then opened them again to meet Momonga's gaze. "We are prepared to face fire and death alike for your will."
As the row of guardians knelt before him, Momonga finally opened his mouth to speak…