Aura kept panting as her dark-toned face started to look pale around her eyes. It was her. It was Argent Silver! But how? How was she also in this world? And why was she even in the area? How did she even know where to find her and why did Silver come after her? Fearful thoughts filled Aura's head as just those azure blue eyes from behind the mask the other Elf wore. Tanya meanwhile had decided to just use her bow for now, it was a strong one so it should be up to the task. It would be easy if she needed to take her rifle out using her magic, if she needed it that was. "Decern level" Tanya spoke quietly even though Aura just seemed to be staring at her and not acting, even as her tamed beasts shouted up to her through barking or hissing. Tanya had also already cast a lot of buffs, and even activated Decern Level allowed her to see Aura level and ability scored. Still below hers, perfect.
"Well, whichever of the elves you are I will grant you a single mercy. Answer both of my questions and I shall let you go. Refuse, and I will bring you back to my base" Tanya's smirk that followed her saying that, made Aura even more afraid. "And if that happens well… let's just say whatever torture methods your creators taught you, is child's play to what I can do." Aura slowly got to her feet, and more moments passed by from the fight on the sixth floor. The fight where her master was taken down by this very elf. Argent Silver. The one who leads the only other group that the supreme beings considered their rivals.
"First question, do you have any world items? If so then I will take it off your hands." Tanya was not asking kindly, though she doubted Ainz had thought to give any of the npcs world items just yet, even though they had more than she did. Unless that ring on Aura's fingers was a world item but Tanya doubted that, she needed to appraise the item with magic to know that though. "None." Aura tried not to sound scared, but the sweat beating down her head was not convincing of that. "Good girl. Now. what is the exact location of the Great Tomb of Nazarick?" Aura's eyes widened and she swallowed. "I can't tell you that" Yes she was afraid. It was an insult to Nazarick to be this afraid of someone who was not one of the forty-one supreme beings even if it was someone who had defeated many of them and was acknowledged by Ainz Ooal Gown himself.
"I will never betray Lord Ainz!" Aura pulled out her bow, To your Heart-----, and fired an arrow from her position on a branch below Tanya. But the arrow stopped short of Tanya. "W-what?" Aura's tried again and again but none of the arrows hit Tanya. Tanya started pulling back her bow "Shield of superiority. A unique skill to the Gunslinger Mage. so long as I am not moving or activating an offensive spell, it protects me from attacks from opponents depending on their physical and magic attack stat. If either is lower than mine none will hit me." Aura started sweating more, her magic attack was zero, and her physical attack was high but by how calm Tanya was it seemed it was higher than Aura's at least after a buff.
Aura started moving but an arrow went through her back. She winced in pain and fell off the second branch she managed to reach. But while in the air she could see Tanya moving. "I have you now!" she fired back but Tanya started to fly at the right time. "Are you really a guardian?" Tanya said with a smirk as she fired two arrows as Aura fell. Acting quickly Aura took out her whip, queen, and whacked away each arrow. Only for a lightning spell to hit her all the way down to the ground. 'I haven't even gotten one hit in!' Aura thought as she could see her health had already dropped. It was obvious Tanya could tell too.
Tanya pulled another arrow back "Last chance-" Before she could say more suddenly Fenrir came in and grabbed Aura by her vest while Itzamna used its tongue to attack the surprised Tanya who was sent against a tree trunk. Right, beast tamer. "Itzamna run as fast as you can as well!" Aura shouted while she got on Fenrir's back. She petted the large black wolf and smiled a little. "Thank you, Fenrir. I promise we will play plenty when we get back to Nazarick- oh no!" Aura looked back since she told Itzamna to run as well it meant Tanya could easily follow them. And sure enough, Tanya had already activated her flight ability and was indeed following them. Aura's ring was not a ring of Nazarick, it was one that granted vitality. But even if it was it would not allow her to teleport. And she did not have the message spell, not that she had much MP to begin with.
'I can't lead her back to Nazarick either! This is bad.' Aura sighed heavily. 'What else did I expect fighting someone that matches with supreme beings? That outfit she is wearing now actually seems to be more for males. Same with the one from before during the raid…wait.' Aura grasped her head and shuddered. 'Does that mean she's like Bukubukuchagama?! No, I can't actually think the enemy looks cool now! Let alone because she wears boys' clothes like Chagama wants!'
As Tanya followed Aura she started thinking back to the raid. And more importantly…that slime who was with the two dark elves on the sixth floor.
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They had lost a lot of members already. Most importantly Weikarn. Still, Rovel's victory over big Ainz Ooal Gown player, Warrior Takemikazuchi, was one that gave them a much-needed edge even as another player joined the fray and managed to take down Weikarn. They were able to proceed to the next floor. While Tanya could not be sure she thought there were ten floors, they were over halfway done. But they could not afford more losses. They were down to half of their players, mostly due to the efforts of the commanders. They had also lost all their healers except three, an attack from behind had cost them dearly. Only Wae*mu and two others remained. Wae*mu was still restoring Rovel to full strength as he had basically carried the party through the frigid fifth floor.
'No more losses on this floor. I will take the first player.' Tanya had hoped to conserve her MP but they had only barely made it past the halfway point. And if the rumors of the eighth floor were true Tanya was sure she needed most of her commanders still around for it. Especially Rovel and Kouven for their combination of Defense and offense. Adelhime would help take point on this floor as well, Kouven was ordered to guard Wae*mu and the healers and not to act otherwise till they reach the eighth floor or ordered directly by Tanya.
They noticed they were outside a large coliseum and around them was a giant forest. No one was coming to stop them. "Well well, seems we should check out Ziss arena first," Adelhime said with great interest. Tanya readied her rifle with a magic bullet already loaded and embedded with a fire spell. "Remember your roles. Everyone follow your commanders in. Adelhime and I are to deal with any initial players or strong NPCs. the rest of you take the weaker one."
When they entered the coliseum they saw an orangish pink slime that had shield items equipt despite slimes taking a penalty for held items they held it anyways. On either side of her was two young dark elves. The elves were Aura Bella Fiora and Mare Bello Fiore. The slime was Bukubukuchagama, the infamous defense player given the title "the unsinkable". Kouven had wanted to test his defense abilities with hers and had wanted that for a long time. But Tanya had orders and he knew if anyone got to Wae*nu because of him the entire raid was screwed. So he let Tanya do it.
Clapping was heard from various Golems in the coliseum stands. Though they did not act all the Imperial Unit players remain ready for them to start moving. Tanya approached Chagama and she could see the high levels of Hate the slime had, it meant Chagama had a high level of aggro so it would impede the players if they went for the dark elves while Chagama was nearby. Aura and Mare started moving as Tanya approached but luckily Adelhime and a few players intercepted with a 'science magic attack' because despite being a believer in god he refused to call it fully magic because it was against his character.
"Oh, Silver-chan~ your outfit looks so adorable!" Chagama said as her slime body wiggled in anticipation. Tanya's avatar sneered, she remembers when their guilds worked together and had expected this of her. The other player seemed to love seeing girls and boys in opposite-gender articles of clothing, she had no doubt that Aura was the girl and Mare was the boy. It sent shivers down Tanya's spine when Chagama liked it even more when it was a petite boy or girl wearing opposite-gender clothing. And because Tanya was wearing it. Chagama had "connected" with Tanya when they first met because she had assumed Tanya was the same way as her. And tried getting Tanya to join AOG with many "favors" that were very graphic. She thought Chagama's brother was a pervert but both of them were pretty bad. She was shocked that Chagama was even a professional voice actress with this personality.
"You know I didn't get the finishing blow on your brother. So at least this will give me some pleasure." Tanya smirked as she got her rifle ready again. "Oh…pleasure you say~" Chagama giggled in a heated way and Tanya was just happy the game avatars were limited in how much blushing they could show. "Not like that you perverted slime!" Tanya quickly fired the rifle and the magic bullet flew into Chagama and an explosion went off. A bunch of text-only "oooohs wooow" went off from the golem crowd. "Hehehe. Oh, Silver-chan…you know well I am not called Bukubukuchagama the Unsinkable for no reason."
Tanya flew up before Chagama's shield thrust attack could hit her. "Twenty-five. Not counting NPCs at least. That's how many players of yours we've taken down. Considering most of my guild is vastly under-leveled compared to all forty-one of you I say that's a bad look on all of your soldiers." Tanya loaded another magic bullet and smiled as wide as her avatar would allow "I suppose you'll be twenty-six." Chagama started giggling like a crazy woman "Oh. If only I could see you like this all the time. You make me all warm inside when you get all serious, Argent Silver-chan~" Tanya's eyes narrowed "I take it back, what I said about your brother. Because I think nothing will make me happier after I take you down. other than after I take down the entire tomb of Nazarick."
While Chagama could only hit Tanya from up close as even her range attack could not hit Tanya well, it became apparent to Tanya that the amount of MP she was using was not yielding great results damage-wise on Chagama. Her only option was to activate the skill "point blank" which ignored defense buffs and items and slightly increased damage if it was fired up close to the target. It sucked using it before Ainz as she could only use it twice a day and it could not even recharge earlier unless it was with a cash item. So if she used it again she would be unable to use it on Momonga.
Tanya could see Aura and Mare had taken down a few players of Adelhime was slowly taking down their HP. most importantly despite trying to help Chagama, the NPCs Mare and Aura were unable to fire at Tanya because every time it tired Adelhime would attack them easily. It was an intense battle. These NPCs were amazing for sure as even Adelhime struggled to take them both on, despite not being one of her commanders he was still one of the most powerful players in her guild.
Tanya sped towards Chagama while activating point blank. Chagama suddenly spoke out "Knights challenge!" the aggro against Chagama increased drastically and the moment Tanya fired her bullet right in front of Tanya Chagama used her Mega impact attack skill and hit her hard just as the bullet hit her.
Both took massive damage but Tanya could see the amount of Damage she took from that one attack had nearly taken her down to half. Knights challenge increases the hidden stat hatred and allows the user to deal more damage to the target. She could not take more than two more attacks like that.
"I have to give you credit Chagama. That was a well-played move." Tanya complimented her opponent and the golem audience had a text-only "awww" which just soured Tanya's mood. Chagama however was below a quarter HP after that. But Tanya was not an idiot. Chagama had other harder-hitting attacks and Tanya could not afford to burn through MP to slowly whittle down Chagama's HP when they had limited MP restoration items. Point blank was active for two minutes. She had very little time to get another one off like that. She embedded the strongest fire spell she had into a magic bullet after loading it into her rifle.
"Oh, Silver-Chan. Who do you prefer the most out of everyone in Nazarick?" Chagama asked despite their fight. "What a stupid thing to ask. I am invading your guild base you know?" Tanya said as she thought of a strategy smiling as a tactic already came to mind. "So what? We are still friends aren't we Silver-chan~" Tanya without hesitation said, "I literally couldn't hate you more." Chagama gasped loudly "Oh how cruel. It's because Momonga is your favorite right? How unfair!" the slime huffed a bit "Fine. If I win you have to come for an in-game girl's night with every female player I know!" there was not a lot of those for sure. Tanya smiled "fine. But if I win you can't DM insisting I check out the latest adult game you've voice-acted in anymore." Chagama's slime avatar wiggles a lot "Deal!"
Then much to Chagama's shock Tanya ran towards her rather than fly up. But Chagama would not think of what Tanya could do and rather focused on what she was doing. This time Chagame attempted a shield stun that would stun Tanya on impact. But Tanya flew up right above Chagama. "You left yourself open!" Chagama should as she swung up but Tanya deactivated her fly ability and landed directly on the slime before sliding on the ground beside her. She aimed the rifle right at Chagama as she swung her shield and yet the attack was stopped by Shield of Superority. Because most of Chagama's skill was in her defense her physical offense fell short of even Tanya's base ones. "No. you did." Tanya fired and just like that Chagama was killed. Well till she could respawn or resurrect that was.
Aura however had been watching she could see the moment Bukubukuchagama was defeated, her own creator. Tanya then focused on her and not long after she and Mare were killed as well.
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Tanya was thinking fondly back on that moment even if remembering Chagama was not filling her with many positive emotions, she could see why Ainz missed his guild members. Unlike her though memory played in Aura's mind over and over again as she fled on Fenrir's back. 'Maybe if I had been stronger. Maybe if I was not stopped by the weird-sounding scientist. Maybe Chagama would have remained in Nazarick!' more similar horrible thoughts filled Aura's mind and she could not escape them. It made her terrified and it made it hard for her to breathe. If not for Itzamna licking her she probably would have fallen off Fenrir due to lack of focus.
Aura looked back and saw Tanya had stopped on top of a tree. "What is she doing?" Aura said quietly while looking back. Tanya aimed her bow "arrow volley" The moment the arrow was fired it suddenly multiplied and a mass of arrows flew toward Aura and her tamed beasts. "That's…" Aura realized it was similar to her rain arrow but more focused and with fewer arrows summoned. "Fenrir, Itzamna move-" but it was too late as the arrows went into her and her creatures. As Fenrir fell Aura basically rolled till she was stopped by a tree.
When she looked up Tanya had already landed and had another arrow ready. "I warned you, didn't I? Guess I have to bring you back to my base." Tanya's eyes moved in a way where one was squinted and one was wide and it scared Aura more. "Lord Ainz will b-beat you, Argent Silver. He did before." Aura said while gripping her fists.
Tanya shook her head and readied a spell that would put Aura to sleep. "This isn't a game anymore. I can't afford to let that happen this time." Aura was confused by what Tanya meant, was it really that important she defeated Lord Ainz now? Before Tanya could do her spell Fenrir launched himself at Tanya and attempted to bite her hard. Aura saw an opportunity and the moment Tanya dodged the attack Aura used her own bow and activated 'shadow piercing arrow' which went into Tanya's shadow and immobilized her.
'I messed up!' Tanya noticed she could not move her legs now. Or much of anything. She stared down Aura who despite being in an advantageous position still seemed frightened. "If I attack you…you might be able to move again." Aura really wanted to. But no matter what attack or skill she or her beasts used it would not be enough to kill Tanya in one blow. Shadow-piercing arrow had a limited time before Tanya could move as well. Aura needed to be cautious for once and leave before Tanya could follow her.
The Dark Elf climbed on Fenrir but before she left she said something "I really like the way you dress as well. I know it's not for the same reason but…it made Chagama-sama happy so it makes me happy. A-and you should know, she wanted to see you again!" Aura flashed back to her creator and how she said just a few days before she stopped coming into YGGDRASIL was how one of the things she regretted never actually getting to know Argent Silver. Aura and her beasts made off after that. Leaving in a direction that would not lead to Nazarick if Tanya tried it and after they were far out of sight split off towards Nazarick. Tanya gritted her teeth after she could move again, now Ainz would know for sure she was in the new world as well. At least when he returned to Nazarick. For now, she was safe from that but her element of surprise might as well be gone.
"Being X" she realized that the wolf was suddenly a lot faster when it attacked, she had no doubt Being X intervened to make sure she could not capture one of Ainz's NPCs. A large moose-like beast started rushing at Tanya now. "Well. I need to get my stress out somehow."
Momon and the others were still waiting for Tanya to return. He was worried, mostly about Aura. Albedo should inform him if Aura was killed but so far nothing. Luckily none of them would have to wait long as after the last of the herbs that the former "wise king of the forest" helped them collect was loaded on the cart Tanya had returned with a large beast moose. "Well done Tanya! It looks so delicious!" Vikki said as her mouth salivated. "Why did you take so long?" Nabe asked before Momon could. "I needed to find something that would satisfy my lady's hunger." Vikki was already eying it up.
Tanya could see Momon was staring at her but could sense no anger at least, good, he did not know who she was yet. "Are you sure there was nothing else?" Ainz asked while trying to see any obvious signs of blood on Tanya but could see none even from the moose. "None else. Thank you for your concern." Peter sighed "Since the cart is full and we can't carry the moose how about we take a break before heading back to E-rantel to eat it?" Nfriea nodded "Sure I am not in any rush."
Ainz and Tanya passed by one another. Each for once thinking the same thing 'a break is exactly what I need.'
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Clementine snuck around the E-rantel cemetery until she found the entrance to the underground crypts, there she found her new employer, Khajiit. Well, he worked for her new employer, that of the group known as Zurrernorn. "Oh, Khajat-sama. Sorry, I kept you waiting~" Clementine said in a creepy voice as the necromancer in question just stared at her with annoyance. "Don't call me that! What are you doing here Clementine? You know I am busy imbuing mana in this." Khajiit held out the orb of death.
Clementine snickers "Oh are you sure you want to be more hostile to me? I brought this," she said as she twirled the crown of wisdom on her fingers. Khajiit looked on with astonishment and said "Well I suppose even you have your uses. I heard you went to the Slane Theocracy. Surprised they did not kill you given how you stole that." Clementine playfully shrugs "All I had to do was kill the old man who used to bug me a lot. And the old farts just let me have it. Heheheheh" She was very happy having remembered how "delicious" and "enjoyable" killing Sioux was.
"I can help you with this. Neither you nor I can use it. But I heard of one boy in the very town you intend to target with your ritual, one that can use any magic item." Clementine smiled widely. "fine…I suppose I can allow it. It would speed things along." now it was Khhajiit's turn to smile "and soon E-rantel will become the second city of undead!"