If you notice any errors, please feel free to give me constructive feedback. English is not my first language, so if you notice any mistakes, please mention them in the comment section at the end of the chapter. I do not own Overlord. All property rights belong to their respective creators. Let's begin the story!
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Chapter-25
Múspellsheim,
Yggdrasil,
Earth – January of Year 2138,
Overlord Verse;
5 Months Before the End of Yggdrasil,
Agartha;
The Eternal Flying Garden of Utopia – Avalon:
The grand hall of Giant Castle of Agartha, the tenth floor was shrouded in soft artificial twilight, the kind programmed to illuminate the room, without ever truly darkening the room, unless desired.
Kai stood alone, his hands behind his back, his gaze lingering on the Hall of Memories.
Frames lined the walls, photographs captured in the game. Group pictures at dungeon clearings, at seasonal events, guild parties, world events. Some were blurry, some perfectly timed, and some accidental candid shots where someone had laughed or waved at the wrong moment. And Kai stood in front of one such photograph.
In the photograph; Kai leaned against the railing of the balcony they stood on, with other members of the guild. The photo had been taken right after they had cleared the Lost Civilisation event, during the celebration of Shining Knight's engagement to Wandering Soul, and Hitoshi's engagement to Itsuki or Kindred Star. A strange portrait, that was probably the last picture Kai had with the most of the players in that photograph.
Kai smiled faintly, but his eyes were distant.
'Now,' he mused, 'it's just me, Shouko, Manabu, Hitoshi, and Itsuki left.'
His gaze sharpened, narrowing slightly at the cascade of memories pouring through his mind. It hadn't happened all at once. At first, people cut back their playtime—naturally, as life moved on. Families, jobs, children. But after that day – after that specific night on the balcony, after the celebration, many had chosen to move on in real life.
Zaroth and Red Order had been the first to approach him. They similar to others before, had wished to sell their whole inventory along with their classes. And he had obliged and bought their whole account in a round-about way. Then came Nameless Shadow and Indomitable Wall – Akira and Akaza. They too had stepped away, selling him their accounts' and moving on from the game. Most of them wished to keep in touch with him and Manabu but neither of the two bothered with remaining in touch with them. Though it wasn't their fault, but to Kai and Manabu, all they were interested was in their money and power.
A few friends of his from other guilds and clans he had cherished followed suit, some quietly, some openly. But the pattern was always the same.
And when the announcement came: Yggdrasil was soon to shut-down its servers.
That had been the final push; Every remaining guild member—everyone except for Shouko, Manabu, Hitoshi, and Itsuki—came to him, one by one, eager to cash out. While, they still could. They sold their accounts, and Kai bought everything.
It had been a golden opportunity to them and they saw Kai as a fool to invest money in a falling game. And Kai like a demon, bought all their inventory, smiling and nodding at their jibber and jabber, while he paid them.
Yet, Kai sighed unsure of his complicated and contradictory emotions on the development. He had been happy at the chance to monopolise, freely without any underhanded techniques from his end. To have the monopoly of the Guild Base in the New World. But he unbeknownst to himself, felt sadness. He was angry with them for throwing away their friendship and bond for money. He felt betrayed by their action but was also happy to not have them in the New World.
He sighed at the unexpected turn of events and his complicated emotions; "Though money isn't omnipotent," he muttered, the words escaping his lips in a tone void of warmth, "there is nothing in this mortal plane that you can't buy with money. Money rules over all, something that was born to replace the barter system that the society functioned on to increase the chances of survival of mankind, now has its clutches on everyone. It can even prompt man to kill for it, be they shared a deep bond or blood."
Their parting words echoed in his mind.
Honeyed promises about "staying in touch offline."
"Let's meet for dinner sometime."
"We'll hang out, Kai. It's just a game, right?"
Yet, he remained impassive with them. With a sigh, he rotated a single gold coin of Yggdrasil between his fingers. Its polished surface gleamed, but there was no joy in his gaze – only a bitter aftertaste lingering in the hollow of his heart.
'Though I suppose I should be thankful,' he mused silently. 'Being born into money does have its perks. And I won't have to worry about finances in the New World, either.'
His thoughts drifted toward the two World Items safely secured in his vault of the last floor – The Fifteenth Floor: Arrow of Time.
The Ring of Draupnir – A World Item that multiplied gains by eightfold. Experience points, gold coins, HP recovery, MP regeneration, buffs – it stacked all the perks.
And then there was The Well of Riches: Anunnaki – a statue of a golden goddess, halo shimmering, forever pouring limitless treasures from her sacred urn. The statue conjured not only gold but rare jewels, and trade goods, which could be exchanged directly for Yggdrasil currency. As a World Item, it was beyond game-breaking for him, providing endless Yggdrasil gold along with other riches.
Pondering on their departure, he couldn't help but remember the conversation between Manabu and Itsuki.
"They were fools," Manabu had said after their guildmates had chosen to cash out.
Itsuki confused with his statement, had questioned him why did he think of them as fools, if not Hitoshi and her love for this game, she would have done the same. She had regarded them as smart to try to get their money they had spent on the game, before its closing. And with the possibility to make more money, she couldn't think of why it had been a foolish decision.
"They rather chose money than possible connection to most influential part of the society, who practically controlled the entirety of politics, economy and the city of the Neo-Valley. And yet they couldn't think of future and chased short-term goals, throwing away the connections they had built." Manabu spoke, sighing and continued, "They chose money, which they could easily burn through in a span of a day. No wonder they are still poor and aren't able to climb. Now, what would you call people like that, other than fools?"
Itsuki hearing his answer, couldn't agree more. While, Shouko and Hitoshi smiled for Kai to shake his head. As, Immortal Witch had intervened, drilling Manabu for his answer. "Well, not everyone is as privileged as you to prioritize moving forward than tackling their current problems." With Manabu turning silent and rest followed his suit, as Immortal Witch continued with her lecture for Kai to intervene, just like her.
"Well, Immortal Witch, I suppose that is enough." He muttered, signalling her to stop drilling them. "My dear Immortal Witch, I understand where you are coming from but Rex sub luna is also right in his place." Hearing his answer, she tried arguing but to see him signal her to let him continue, she calmed down for a moment to hear his perspective on this issue. After all, it was he who had been buying away the accounts.
"Most of our guildmembers weren't in that desperate position that you portray them, Immortal Witch. If not, they wouldn't have spent thousands of Yen to purchase cosmetic effects and other items. So, your concern is unfounded. As for those players, I don't suppose they would spend much money in a game. Unless, as Rex Sub Luna spoke, they are fools."
******
Yet, among the current active players in the guild, Itsuki and Hitoshi did not come from money like Kai, Shouko and Manabu.
Hitoshi's father was the driver of Manabu's father. And after losing both his parents in an accident, the Hojou family had taken him in. But now that he had graduated and stepped into adulthood, Hitoshi had chosen to work for a small consultancy company – on his own merit.
Manabu had offered him to work for his company, but Hitoshi had wished to achieve something on his own. As, well as financial aid, that Hitoshi had clearly denied. With that Hitoshi had tried paying off the money that Hojou family had used on him, for Manabu to deny. "Are we friends because of money?" Manabu had asked back then, his tone direct but calm. Hitoshi had respected that answer.
Itsuki had joined Hitoshi in the same firm after their marriage, both of them determined to carve out lives of independence, to build a small and happy family.
Kai sighed again, closing his hand around the coin. And then there was Immortal Witch – Azusa. She had retired too, leaving behind her avatar to focus on her real-world responsibilities. Kai had worried about her, of course. And there was also, Kanami, who had been too faithful to Kai and had not married, fully focused on serving him till the end.
Luckily, both of them had been around the same age, and he had tried playing the matchmaker for them to surprisingly hit off. Both of them had hit-off with discussing Kai's antics.
'At least someone settled down properly, and have found happiness.' Kai thought, a rare, bittersweet smile brushing his lips. Unwilling to let his loyal butler remain alone, alienated in the world after his demise.
With a flick of his wrist, he dismissed the gold coin back into his inventory.
It was then he heard a familiar voice echo through the silent hall.
"Drowning in the memories again, are you?"
Kai turned, his eyes narrowing slightly before softening at the sight.
"Manabu."
******
It had been weeks since Manabu last logged in. Shouko had met Wandering Soul for coffee today. Hitoshi and Itsuki had been busy for weeks now. Kai had gotten used to the solitude, except for when Shouko logged in.
So, to see Manabu here, in the Hall of Memories, felt almost surreal.
Without another word, Manabu walked beside him and stopped before the same photograph Kai had been staring at. The picture from that day on the balcony – the celebration after the Lost Civilization event. Shining Knight's engagement, Wandering Soul's blushing as she kept her head down, Hitoshi and Itsuki's intertwined hands. Kai himself, standing by the railing. While, he stood at the side, gazing at the castle and the couples. He felt a churring feeling in his stomach, gazing at the photograph, but maintained his composure.
"Time moves on," Manabu whispered, his gaze heavy.
Kai had intended to greet him properly but then noticed something that made his expression shift.
Manabu's level was gone.
Kai frowned, his eyes narrowing.
"You have reset?"
Manabu shook his head, a weary smile crossing his face. "No. I'm quitting."
Kai blinked, caught off-guard by the sudden announcement. "…So you're here to cash in too?"
Manabu smirked faintly. "Relax. I'm not here to sell you anything."
He paused, eyes still on the photo.
"This guild has a lot of memories. There were times when I thought about buying this game out myself. But with you and Shouko holding it, I never had the chance and could never hope for it."
His gaze drifted toward Kai.
"I know you love this game. So does she. That's why I've always wondered… why haven't you stopped it from ending?"
Kai let out a quiet breath, "Because, Manabu… everything that begins must end. Life follows a natural order. Yggdrasil's no different. Everything that is born must die, just like us. While, the question remains is when. That is the natural order of this universe."
His tone was calm, philosophical. Manabu smiled, with resignation from Kai's answer, it was something that he at times did.
Manabu smiled, but his expression remained somber.
"Well, my inventory's in good hands now. So are my classes. I came empty-handed to Yggdrasil… and I'll leave the same way." His eyes darkened slightly. "I suppose it's not fate. It's just life."
Kai's brows furrowed. Interacting with Kai for a while now, Manabu had picked up a few skills and wished to use it for his farewell.
"…Why now?" Kai asked, unsure of his abrupt decision.
Manabu exhaled slowly, his eyes meeting Kai's directly.
"I wasn't sure how to bring it up," he murmured, his voice tightening, "but I can't keep you in the dark."
He paused.
Then, without embellishment, he dropped the words that shattered the stillness of Kai's world.
"Hitoshi and Itsuki are dead."
******
For the first time in a long while, Kai froze completely.
His mind blanked, his thoughts collapsing inward like a black hole.
The last time he had felt this hollow was when the news of his mother's death had reached him in this life, when he was just 7. Barely a couple decade ago, he had met with the news. When he felt venerable, before he was diagnosed with his terminal illness.
"…When?" Kai finally managed to ask, his voice rough.
"Three days ago," Manabu answered, his tone subdued but direct.
Kai closed his eyes.
He had been playing Yggdrasil, unaware of the tragedy that struck to two of his close friends.
"How?" Kai's voice sounded distant, like he wasn't quite sure who was asking.
"Both of them attended a night party at their office, where from what I know, Itsuki was sexually assaulted and killed, while it is alleged that Hitoshi committed suicide after the ordeal, unable to come to terms with it."
Manabu did not need to say anymore, Kai had logged out from the game. Hitoshi had been a dear friend and so did Itsuki more so than Manabu. Shouko, Hitoshi and Itsuki had been his good friends that stayed with him till the present. As, for Hitoshi and Itsuki, they stayed by his side until death.
He could not stop himself from giving hell to those involved, yet he failed to understand how Manabu had remained quiet. His world view crumbled from the news, grieving for their tragedy.
******
Kai sat in his car, when he received Manabu's message on his cell.
[Manabu: I already have my men looking around. I know that it will not satisfy you with just this, So, I'm sharing the location, be there in 10.]
******
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**The End**
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