Question: How do you conceal?; a not really a secret entrance onto some area? But still reduce people's interest to even look that way? Especially in school?… Mark the door as building utility machinery; like ventilation, heating, water pump and so on. Then there was no problem to found characters who turned back, when after descending the staircase, was meet with a hum of machinery, whistle of pipes, poor quality of lighting, humidity and heat; that will be a thriving environment for tiny lizards and such hiding on places.
But somebody will try to swear, that when you descend the stairs to the basement, they dint saw that by another turn, the staircase continued down, toward another subterranean level. As if that route was not unlocked yet, until somebody know about it. Like, (How hard?), it must be to turn in correct left or right, to see it?
Anyway the six plus one heroes, descend to the dungeon, that resembled a maze of corridors, intersections in school building like theme. And so after some time, descending deeper and deeper into a deeps of dungeon they descended…
Out of the dungeon onto something that look like a first floor of a different school on a different place?
It was an unexplored school hallway, of little different style that the one what they had attended. Whats more, a rays of day light shine through a window in hall, plus you can notice a birds singing outside. The air and aura of this place, was not the one you will expect in deeps of dungeons either.
All six plus one, of them just stand there and stare. Except Puck, he was levitating next to Emilia. Plus, there was duo of lighting orb that accompanied that white elf as another spirit that was used as a torch like source of light.
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That's why it was Kazuma, who stomp the floor and scream in frustration: "Where the heck we got!" And those light orb puff off, dispersing back into spirit realm, like a scared up light bugs, because they were no needed anymore.
That shout, awake the party from the day dreaming into a discussion that start with a Puck. "What a surprising curiosity. I can tell, that whats behind that windows is not illusion, but actual outside. At last, if that what is around the usual school we attend, can be called outside."
First to react to it was Subaru. "Hoy Puck-u, it sounded like you just drop a serious lore hint. It feels like we passed through a dimensional space bubble, dividing an extension block from main school building. Next we found out, that the true school-principal office, can be entered only by jumping onto garden like fountain on lobby, and sinking through fake bottom." Because Emilia make an expression that she actually believe that, the cursed boy quickly correct that mistake by stating that it was a pun comparison to a rule; that the answer can be right in front of them this entire time. But because nobody think about it in that way it can stay hidden, indefinitely.
Tanya shared her thoughts too. "Hmm, I can imagine that it will be really annoying to some, to must solve a Rubik's cube, just to past from one part of school to another." Because Visha asked (What is a Rubik's cube?), her commander explained, that its a famous brain puzzle toy, where you shall match a nine colored pieces on each side. Whoever Kazuma very frustrated complained that is annoyance. As respond blonde soldier agreed, that it can be furious problem to those, who are not good with those type of toys.
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Yet it was again the green adventurer who stomp the floor, but in lees frustrated tone. "That's not important right now!" He stand up in front of party and face them to explain. "Listen up! We can say that we know, why is that map folded up like an origami: its follow the folded space. Its like entering a multilevel RPG pro dungeon sliced out with Rubik's cube. The issue is not navigating through a tower like multi-layer maze to go through one place to another. At this point we don't know how many worlds are linked together, or we just in some puzzle that can change or get swapped, in who know when. Like, when you just want to grab a coat from a wardrobe, just to realize, that now you have there a portal to another world inside it."
The other boy agreed to his words. "You are right bro, this not just a rat maze. Try to imagine that this start to randomly poop up a trip to toilets that were just at the intersection can turn into an hour long dungeon crawler. But in reality its just a short distance away."
Obviously the third blonde protagonist wearing a military uniform give the party leader a praise. "I muss say, that is reassuring how seriously you taking this assignment."
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Whoever Kazuma dint take that comment as a praise, as he stomp the floor. Again. "Hey, don't you dare to mock me, by playing a higher/noble cast! Not everybody can invest in invincible energy shielding and top fire power, to solve any inconvenience that life throw at you. No, some people muss play the game of life, with the shitty cards life gave to some of us." Then quickly add as if not to forget while he is on the ride of spotlight. "And that's mean, that we shall play safe! Everyone who is bad at direction, shall grab a hand of someone responsible." Someone shall expect a response from at last one of the party members in sense as (Where do you see that "responsible" person?). Yet he thrown a pointing finger in random direction. "Darkness!; don't you dare, to fall into some dimensional hole. Getting you out will be truly a pain. ... For us!"
There was not the typical frightened blushing a maiden shriek (Kia!) from that blonde tank, as Subaru deliver the obvious truth. "Bro, the crusader is not even with us."
As Visha asked Tanya, what that dimensional hole means, the little blonde repeated that some people are just a magnet on problems and they as group shall stick to the person who have a map. Otherwise who know, what trap can trigger by careless approach, or what curse they can encounter by strolling off. They even can end up as skeleton, of a lost adventurer, only to be found a centuries later. That is not a something, she will want to experience. The brown haired girl shiver, directly protecting her tummy as if fear of starving was her main problem.
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That's was when the party leader noticed, that something is off, so he turn his head toward the blue priestess and the rest of party followed his example. That girl was just standing there silently, not making any comments, complain or fuss, not even sassy notes, as she was fully focused by studying the map diary something. Yet there was this nervous drop of sweet on her face.
That's why green adventurer address her nonchalantly; sounding nearly bored, but his expression reveal that he is up to something. "Aqua~a,-- where is the Third Class?" That girl jerked like if frightened, as she glanced back at him, but hesitated to answer. So the boy got; (That's suspicious!), glare. "Aqua~a,-- you are not going to tell us, that we are lost; Don't you?"
Map holder panicked, and start blabbing. "Wha?-- W-what?; are you talking about Kazuma? Of course we are in correct place! Yunyun class shall be right in this alley! I already check it twice. No! We shall already see it from where we stand, but something is wrong with this place. Something is throwing me off." Because all they stared at her silently, she got frustrated as she make a step back. Especially her partner in arms glared at her coldly, because she was the one, who boldly declared; that the trip will be without a fuss. "Why are not believe me?! Give Yunyun a chance! We went so far to just turn around. The class is somewhere around! I sense it!!" Because she was backing toward the staircase from where they descended, it almost seemed that the blue girl will flee the main party.
Jet an other person stand up, right behind her to cut her escape route, and reached out its (hand?). Then a Megumin's voice reached the ears of the blue one. "I believe in you, Aqua." Priestess got cheered up by hearing the Mage, shouting happily her voice: (Megumin!!) But the hand that was placed on priestess shoulder, not looked like the small gentle hand of the red mage. No! It definitely had been only a collection of bare, white bones. Then a different voice reached her ears, that was clearly a skeleton like one with high pitch, like if it was high on Helium gas. "You are correct, that something is wrong with this place." Then there was this unknown mischievous grin of a beast, that you can physically feel.
The water goddess expression changed from relieved smile, into a horror and doom. She freak out in so loud panicked shriek (Kia~~~a!!), that she literally fainted and fall onto the floor.
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As some of you already know, Yunyun and Megumin are from the same clan village of crazy or eccentric mages; the crimson demons village. They are friends and the smaller girl tended to heavily exploit the loneliness of the taller girl. But still, they both value they friendship. So its not usual for the explosion mage, to worry into a point, where she reversed her decision not to go into dungeon, fully know her magic is useless there.
Yet as she rushed back, the party already moved on. So she used her memory from that short glimpse as Aqua showed the map and route, to rush toward place, where they shall enter the dungeon. She descend the ordinary staircase onto the basement and stop. She nearly though that she is too late, when she heard a distant voices and noises. It was the party and they were quite ahead. So following her ears, she make a correct turn and rushed in that direction.
At first, the chase was a simple, as the route was quite narrow, but then come an another intersection. A luck for her was, that the main party had a live conversation, loud enough that echoed through the corridors. So she spend some time, to stretch her ears to one side and then to other, to be sure witch direction is the correct. It was a delay, but she cant afford to make a wrong decision here.
But, a problem occurred, when the party ahead went silent and she was on another intersection. Did they pass some door? Or did they simply went to ahead? She was so sure that she was nearly catches onto them, yet she found herself standing still, trying to hear the whispering in the wind. Her face got covered by sweat as she dint heard anything and had no clue where to go. So she make a leap of faith, and step forward.
That's when a skeleton hand reach out to her from behind, and grab her shoulder to stop her. "Its this way!..." A confused surprise showed on her face: "Huh?..."
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As it was a morning: Ainz group also arrived at the school campus. Ainz Ooal Gown (Momonga), the Lich (skeleton mage) like, lord of the crypt guild in typical last boss of game clothing; saw from outside as the suspicious group pushed the dumb goodness toward the staircase down toward the basement with utility facilities. Then when they entered the building and were ready to head toward they classes, he saw Megumin dashed toward that staircase and down by it.
As they lord react to it by turning his head toward that place observing whats going on, the rest of his harem… (*Ehm* his guild members (or a family)) turn they attention toward it.
But it was Demiurge, the always plotting demon in position of wicked advisor in mafia like business suit, who appear right behind his lord, glancing over his master shoulder with his plotting smile, as he pushed his glasses back to its place up on nose. "Hmm I got it!" [Naruhodo! / I see!]
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Of course Ainz freak out on inside, wonderingof (What the heck?!) was Demiurge capable to figure out, just from that. Clearly his floor guardian must saw it too; that the previous group composed from third teams of two, walked down that stairs, where only utility machinery shall be.
But the advisor already turns to the rest of guild members. "So?; who wants to accompany lord Ainz, this time?"
It was an auction. On spot the rest of them, start to dropping they offers, throwing onto table they bets; shouting one across other, practically having a quick shot argue.
It was less that a minute, but somehow when Albedo (the gorgeous Succubus who look like a pale fallen angel in that white dress, having black hairs and wing) desperately shout: "A pillow size hug plushy of our lord!!" The rest of them stand down as they agreed, that this will be nice. So when Demiurge declare her a winner of this auction, she clenched her fist strongly in a victory gesture, shouting: "Yes!" If it happens, that she holds something in her palm, it will be crushed by her grip of excitement.
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Of course Ainz was freaking out, overthinking again. (("They had been betting?? Because its pointless to bet money or wealth, they bet a services?; or what they can do for others? And Albedo's plushies/(stuffed animals) won? Whats going on??"))
Yet the demon advisor already turned toward Ainz pointing toward that staircase down. "Then, Lady Albedo will accompany our Lord, on the journey hidden behind that corner. No matter if it will be long or short, eventful or boring, no backing down from the placed bet."
Looking elegantly she walk over they Lord. "Of course. Just make sure to latter; hand out a list of spec of what will you want. No need to be haste by choosing poorly, because I will not remade them." She was so happy to be next to him, that she dint bat an eye of the amount of work she will be facing.
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Because it was so big shock for the Lich, he was freaking out on full. But his body lacked that expression to expose that fact. So he made a last ditch to look at last somehow dignified for his family. "Understood. Demiurge, continue to investigate on surface! Albedo, lets go!"
That white woman happily answered (Yes!) as the duo went to follow that red girl.
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The moment they entered the dungeon; She drop the composed noble lady pretense, already treated (that quest?), like a date between them. She slip her hand under his arm, and lean on him, on his shoulder blushing heavily, making a giggles and (happy?) noises. That's why, Lord cast a silence bubble around them to conceal they presence and noises. Plus a levitation, to quickly travel through the dungeon.
So it happen, that they quickly catch up with the red explosion mage, standing in the middle on intersection. They stop behind her just in moment when she tries to figure up, where to go next by listening to the wind. The duo touchdown behind her and stared silently, observing; as the mage was failing to hear anything from the corridors. In Albedo case, her stare was more of the snake, observing its next meal.Only when the Lich glanced toward the distance into a correct corridor sensing the main group, he realize that the edge of conceal bubble must interacting with this girl, without her noticing and that's why she panicking, failing to track the main group. So he disable the bubble spell.
And that's why when Megumin make that incorrect turn. Realizing that, he reach out with his hand placing it on her shoulder, stopping her. "Its this way! I can sense the cursed boy clearly."
For some reason that little crazy mage, was not scared or freaking out from that encounter. No, even as surprised, she was somehow relieved, that she not alone down here.
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As they walk, following undead lead, Megumin asked why the two of them are there, and Ainz answer whatever come first to his mind. "Insist it intriguing? What secret?; or Reason?; is hiding at the end of this stroll? Its hard to tell, but I have feel of nostalgia right now."
The fallen angel aka Succubus that still clinger onto her (self proclaimed) hubby arm, had a colorful note about her destiny to accompanying her lord. So Megumin summarized that nonsense by in dry reaction. That Aizen chose Albedo to accompany him, knowing well, that if he don't do it: She will be running around the school, like a headless chicken, crying his name; eventually doing a vandalism on school property, in the name of love.
Even if the woman disapprove it, the skeleton hasty agree to that. (Hm! Lets go with this.) At first, white woman cry vine to it, but then she though that maybe it look like a she is the favorite one from the harem selection, and instantly was happy.
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As they walk through the tunnels, Megumin having an embarrassing moment as she walk silently, gaze down, thinking about something. That's why Ainz drop a wisdom to start the discussion. "If you don't have experience, skills and mentality, to solo anything that dungeon can throw at you, include solving any task or problem; then you shall always rely on your party members. In other words, don't go to the dungeon alone." As Mage glance at them, Succubus make a sassy comment. So Skeleton quickly smooth talk out of that. "Of course, both of us can brute force our way forward in stile we like. But?; Will we be able?; to stay focused on the true objective? That happened to you. That's why, you had made that mistake and nearly got lost. I too, was not always a skilled caster. My and my friends… our first dungeon crawl… was a crash."
White succubus tried to make a complaint that her hubby (self proclaimed), giving his attention to that runt, but when Red mage sighed; "Its Yunyun…"; Albedo realized that this was a clever plan (a ploy), on how extract intel from Megumi's and she let the girl to tell her tale. (There was not actually any grand elaborated plan or ploy in action.) "Its seems, that there is something more to the third class idea, that just her saying that she belong to it. Shes my friend. But she struggle to grain the wits and trick, that any of our clan members shall possessed. But she also the future leader of our clan village. I am worried about her, because even if she a skilled mage, she trust to easily and that make her, easy to trick."
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As they walk, it come to point where Ainz stop they group in middleof the dark black corridor. (Except it was just a school hallway, spiced with a spooky aura for a mood.) "Hmm, seems like they stop to have a discussion about something. Like at what route to take next. We shall too take a small stop, as to not run into them, yet."
For that, Megumin take down from her head her spiky mage's hat and flip/turn it upside down. From that hole a Chomusuke (a small black cat with a red cross on forehead and bat wings) pop up it head out, placing its small paws onto the edge. This cat, having its trade mark mischievous grin smile, make a (Hi!) meow.
Of course the adults duo noticed that summoning and start discussion about it. While Megumin turn her head to them to answer as why she have her familiar with her (not why it is in the hat); the little fur-ball turn its head to side, to look up at torch on the wall. It spit a mini fireball from its maw. That little fire spell hit the torch, igniting it. Megumin dint saw her cat casting a spell, butat that moment she noticed that the torch, lit the corridor with a warm color.
They asked her if Chomusuke is a cat, and as she taking Chomusuke into her arms, returning the hat on her hand, and holding the kitten to her chest in a warm hug, she answered that it just a (ordinary) cat. Well, the Crimson village and its surrounding is pretty crazy, so its probably normal for them.
Because there was no reason for a torch to be there as they still were capable to see just fine, Ainz reached for it and take that light source, curios if something will be triggered while having it.
In contrast it was Albedo who got into romantic mod, still hugging onto her hubby (self proclaimed). So their group continue to walk, following the steps of ateam ahead.
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For now, we will not focus on a duo of little cave lizards, that accidentally committed a grave sin, by standingup in front of Albedo and stopping they team smooth walk, because the lord was curious if those two creatures represent an event trigger.
Anyway, they journey reached a critical point, that seemed like an end on other side of the dungeon. As they were ready to descend the stairs, Ainz notice a change in space way down, as if the there was a some kind of threshold or barrier down there. So he place that torch into an empty torch holder on wall, and placed his skeleton hands on shoulder of both females. They turned they they gazes at him, but he look forward. "Stay close to me! We are about to descend and pass some kind of barrier. Lets minimize any possibilities for any funny happenstances." Of course Albedo was already in love sick from that simple gesture of him hugging her in a protecting way. Especially when its her, who shall normally act as a protective wall, for a top tier caster.
Yet as the trio descended the stairs. Both girl noticed something like (a change) when they pass the invisible threshold, making them to be on alert, even looking around. It was not just the increased light, but the change of air as if they climb up stairs from a cellar.
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As they reach the corner on bottom of the stairs, they heard the main group having a live discussion, just right behind that corner. So the trio of them sneak peak from the corner. It was like trio of the heads sneakily lean out from bottom to top by; Megumin, Albedo, Ainz. For a moment they not just ear picking at the main team.
As Aqua had her (scream?) of (Why they dint believe?), and as she back toward the stair, the rest of main team finally noticed the unusual sight of trio pairs of eyes, glaring at them. Ainz as skeleton had a duo or dark red dots, that glared at world from deep of his skull, as to seeking a lost soul to collect. It almost look like some evil deity was hanging in air. Albedo under him, had this yellowish evil beast eyes, and with her white pale skin and horn, plus coal black hairs and wings, it almost look like it is a magical snake beast who glare at its prey. Next was a crimson mage, whose were famous for a fact that when they are excited or such, they crimson red eye pupils shine, even in the dark. With the red glow, it look like an imp, evil glaring at next victim. Plus don't forget the fur-ball in Megumin's arms, who may be innocent and harmless. But this kitty having a mischievous grin on a level of a chaos god; (Who know something sinister!).
Right now the quartet look like a hidden menace, leaning out of shadows, who seek whats on today menu: (Today we feast, on a full course, of adventurers party.)
So when the yapping priestess got close enough, they make they move…
Megumin tried to support her blue companion to found her friend, by uttering a few words. Albedo make a confident supportive stand toward her lord. And Ainz reach out his skeleton hand to stop blue girl from backing as if to not crash onto them or stairs. He tried to make a word of agreement to priestess theory, but a funny thing happened. Physical voice of this lich is produced by a small worm like creature inside his maw, on which he use telepathy to produce his voice. This creature was affected by the previously mentioned change and because it was not okay, the produced voice had a too high pitch. Plus cat grinned wildly.
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The expression on Aqua face, changed from relieved smile of meeting a friend, into horror of meeting a former friend and doom of whats come next. She freak out in so loud panicked shriek (Kia~~~a!!), that she literally fainted.
All of them stared surprised as the water goddess fall onto the floor, and reactions from onlookers were colorful.
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[Notes:]
Ainz group (Overlord): "Great Tomb of Nazarick" the guild.
Ainz Ooal Gown (Momonga), This walking skeleton is a Lich, a powerful caster in ceremonial (for burial) outfit. Originally he was a corporate drone who played a virtual reality online game. He was a Guild master and his wish to stay with the game and world that he loved so much to its final moment until the game was shut down, turned into unforeseen miracle.
Albedo, a succubus in white dress, pale skin and horns, snake yellow eyes, black hairs and black angel like wings. She is the Overseer of the Guardians of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. She is in deep true love with her lord, because somebody as a last troll, grief her backstory.
Demiurge, a trusty but shady devil like advisor in a red business mafia like suit, who is so smart that it actually bothers Ainz, to point that he letting him a free hand in many matters, especially in explaining any grand scheme plan (mostly of his lord) that don't existed in first place. Maybe his devotion create a scenario where he consider his lord as senile and just helping for the sake of all, as the rest of superior beings are already gone. Its just grandpa adventure with his childrens.
Chomusuke (Konosuba), this innocently looking black kitten with red cross on forehead and bat wings, having more that a connection to a certain chaos good. Its definitely more that a baby to a pet formerly owned by that chaos god. This fur-ball is smart enough to understand a puns, and wild emotions of people. She/he/it like its food cooked and warm, and just like the chaos good, it prefer characters and people with character traits the chaos good posses. It often got into quarrel with Aquas (holly?) pet.
-Origami, is an art of folding a paper to create a beautiful ornaments, like animals and such.
-Once again, I have problem when it come to certain paragraphs. Its quite smooth to make an alpha version of some parts, where progress is limited only by my writing speed and quick repairs. Like when I made beginning and end at first, then filling the middle. Then come the beta rewriting of the entire work and if possible check up onto publishable version. But, when some stomp onto a stone and fall, it will hold its progress for not knowing how to continue or do next. Like when there is a connection paragraph between two parts, that shall be connected, creating transitions from one to other; but a creativity decide to raise an opinion. Its annoying, to feel like some cog got stuck or stop and holding back the entire machine.
Well its different, when the entire alpha is a story in your head and making beta by writing it down only now, is just a replaying of what was already made. The most biggest limit is how much you will be able to remember before the (idea/memory of a story) will be taken to wind, or got under pressure to be rewrite by new ideas and trends that come only now.