"Hmm, not a bad presence."
As he spoke, a majestic force of life erupted from within Helant. It surged into the Zy'tl Q'ae's body like raging floodwaters, flooding every root and branch with pure vitality.
"Eternal Life Sustenance: Vitality Anchored."
This move, one of the life-saving skills of the special class [Eternal Life Sustenance], granted the target unit immunity to instant death, execution effects, and any one-shot attack that exceeded their current HP for a limited duration. The evil tree's wounds began to knit almost immediately, though faint tremors still ran through its massive trunk.
Next to be tested were [Billion-Blade] and [Avarice and Generosity]. The wielders were level 100 powerhouses; the slightest carelessness could reduce the Zy'tl Q'ae to nothing more than scattered splinters with no place left to be buried.
Of course, testing World Items did not strictly require the evil tree as a target. But Momonga clearly had plans for it, so the creature could consider itself fortunate to live a little longer.
Momonga chuckled knowingly. Just earlier, the Guardians had admitted they had never seen a Christmas tree. He thought he might as well create one: partly to show them what it looked like, partly to reminisce about quiet YGGDRASIL holidays spent online with the guild.
As the thought crossed his mind, he produced [Billion-Blade], a magnificent longsword whose scabbard glittered with countless tiny embedded gems. It looked more like a museum piece than a weapon.
To Momonga, the act of collecting World Items sometimes carried more meaning than their practical use. He was usually reluctant to expend single-use items lightly.
He handed the sword to the heavily breathing Cocytus and spoke solemnly. "Cocytus, one of your classes is [Sword Saint]. I will leave the testing of [Billion-Blade] to you."
Momonga recalled the item's details. Its setting stated that upon attacking, it would split into billions of light blades, each possessing artifact-level attack power.
In theory, simply drawing this World Item could turn the tide in PVE raids or World Boss challenges. Yet the reason it remained largely theoretical was simple: after its acquisition, no one in Ainz Ooal Gown had ever actually used it.
Given the precedent of [Atlas] being stolen long ago, the guild had grown extremely cautious about deploying World Items in open combat.
Clang!
Cocytus drew the blade from its scabbard. The surface of [Billion-Blade] shimmered like a contained sea of stars; starlight rippled across the edge in gentle waves.
"Lord Helant, I am about to begin." Since Helant had just applied a protective buff to the Zy'tl Q'ae, even the usually straightforward Cocytus understood that the evil tree before him could not be killed carelessly.
Therefore, before starting the test, it was absolutely correct to seek the Supreme Being's permission.
This was something Demiurge had strictly emphasized during last night's crash course. It concerned his image in the eyes of the Supreme Beings.
He did not want the two Supreme Beings to think he was merely a brute who only knew how to swing a sword.
"Begin."
Helant noticed Demiurge's tense expression. He naturally knew that Demiurge had given the group an intensive lesson last night on what true cooperation meant and what details required attention today.
Otherwise, either Shalltear or Cocytus alone could have wiped out the Zy'tl Q'ae with a casual gesture, let alone demonstrated any sense of teamwork.
He had truly worried himself sick over them.
Cocytus gripped the hilt with both hands. He aimed the blade at the evil tree and executed a perfectly standard downward slash, without intending to use any active skill.
Hum!
As the blade sliced through the air, the starlight on the sword flared brilliantly. A low, resonant hum filled the prairie.
Crack...
In an instant, the blade shattered into a billion twinkling stars, scattering across the sky like a sudden nightfall. The world darkened briefly; everyone felt as if they stood beneath an endless starry dome.
Looking at the scene of twinkling lights, Momonga murmured softly. "It is… quite beautiful."
Meanwhile, Mino took out an image-recording item and prepared to capture the rare sight.
If I could use these stars as a nighttime backdrop and strike a flying pose like Albedo… he should be satisfied, right? Mino rubbed her head against Helant's palm affectionately.
Albedo, who had lent her a hand last night, shared the same thought. She stood silently beside Helant and whispered, Helant… so romantic. How about I…
Helant looked straight ahead, then glanced at the succubus and the loli she had corrupted out of the corner of his eye. He deliberately put on a stern expression. "Keep your mind on serious matters."
Cocytus held the hilt steady and pointed it at the evil tree from a distance.
In the next second, countless points of starlight transformed into tiny sword blades. They roared forward like a brilliant river of sword energy. The sharp intent carved an exaggerated scar straight through everything ahead.
The Zy'tl Q'ae's hundred-meter body became like a lone boat caught in the river of sword energy formed by [Billion-Blade]. It did not even need to be deliberately targeted; a single spray of sword qi could have ground it to dust.
Fortunately, Helant had applied Vitality Anchored, so it would not die for a while.
Though… it might hurt a bit.
After a few seconds, under Cocytus's deliberate control, the river of sword qi dissipated. The countless stars converged once more onto the blade of [Billion-Blade].
After finishing, Cocytus respectfully held the sword out flat and returned it to Momonga.
"Next, only [Avarice and Generosity] is left."
Momonga looked at Helant. When they had taken the World Items out of the treasury, he had suggested each take only two, to prevent any single accident from causing the loss of all of them.
"This item is very suitable for Mare." Helant took out a pair of black-and-white gloves from the Heart of the Sanctuary and handed them to Mare.
"Eh, m-me?" Mare reached out with both hands to take them, but then worried he would not use them well and pulled back sheepishly. "Father, I…"
"Mare!"
Before he could finish, Aura looked over with an unfriendly gaze, staring until the hair on Mare's back stood on end.
"…I, I will work hard." Mare immediately changed his tone and solemnly accepted [Avarice and Generosity].
Only when she saw Mare put them on did Aura's gaze soften slightly. Her younger brother was just too cowardly.
She and Demiurge had emphasized the importance of World Items for a long time last night, but today it seemed to have had the opposite effect.
Helant gently patted Mare's head and spoke warmly. "The greatest function of [Avarice and Generosity] is to store experience points. These can substitute for skills and magic that require experience consumption, and to a certain extent, enhance such magic."
Helant tried to be as gentle as possible. Mare's personality setting was that of a cowardly child with a hint of hidden darkness. Like Shalltear's recklessness and Cocytus's rigidity, these were negative traits that could easily cause problems.
Momonga had also noticed these issues, which was why he had discussed with Helant the idea of letting the Guardians hone abilities beyond just skill levels.
It was to help them overcome their weaknesses and become strong individuals who could stand on their own.
"Mm!" With Lord Helant's encouragement, Mare seemed a bit more confident.
Crackle~~! Crackle~~!
____
15 Advance chapters:
Patreon.com/CorruptElf