Ainz Ooal Gown continued walking, his skeletal form gliding silently over the strange, vibrant earth beneath him. The world around him was nothing like the bleak lands of Yggdrasil or the intimidating grandeur of Nazarick. The atmosphere hummed with energy, and the skies were a deep, bright blue—far too cheerful for his liking.
Is this truly another world? he wondered, his mind sharp and focused. The faint sounds of life began to grow louder, though he could sense no immediate threats. Yet, the peculiar sensation of this place gnawed at him.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. Ainz paused, lifting a hand. A pulse of magic shot through him as he activated a detection spell, scanning for danger. His skeletal jaw tightened as the vibrations grew stronger.
Without warning, a massive figure erupted from the nearby forest. Towering above him stood a giant ogre, its crimson skin gleaming in the sunlight, muscles rippling as it roared in defiance. Around it, a group of smaller monsters—goblins and wolves—emerged, all glaring at Ainz.
Is this how the creatures of this world greet visitors? Ainz thought, with a touch of amusement. He was unfazed by the display of strength, knowing that his power dwarfed theirs. Still, he chose to proceed cautiously.
"Who dares enter my domain?" the ogre demanded, its voice a deep growl.
Ainz considered his next move. In Yggdrasil, he would have immediately crushed such a being without a second thought, but this world was unfamiliar. Information was more valuable than raw power, at least for now.
"I am Ainz Ooal Gown," he replied, his voice calm yet imposing. "I am not here to cause harm, merely seeking knowledge of this place. Who are you?"
The ogre's eyes narrowed, as though weighing his options. A tense silence filled the air, broken only by the growls of the wolves surrounding Ainz. The goblins shifted nervously, clearly intimidated by Ainz's presence. Ainz could feel their fear—it was almost tangible, like a thick fog.
Before the ogre could respond, a soft, high-pitched voice interrupted.
"Hey, big guy! Calm down!"
Ainz turned to see a small, blue creature hopping toward them—a slime. Its smooth, glossy surface gleamed in the sunlight, and its comical, round body wobbled with every bounce. Despite its appearance, it exuded an aura of confidence.
Is this... one of the creatures of this world? Ainz's thoughts raced as he analyzed the slime's mana. There was something strange about this being. It wasn't particularly powerful on the surface, but there was something... deeper.
The ogre immediately stood down, crossing his arms as the slime approached.
"Sorry about that!" the slime said, its voice cheerful. "We're not usually this aggressive, but you looked like a pretty tough guy. Name's Rimuru Tempest, by the way."
Rimuru... Tempest. Ainz's mind clicked. This name was familiar to him, as if he had heard it somewhere before—but from where?
"I am Ainz Ooal Gown," he repeated, though now with a slight air of curiosity. "I find myself in this strange world, having come from another. Tell me, what is this place?"
The slime—Rimuru—bounced in place, tilting its small body as if in thought. "Oh, I get it! You're from another world, huh? Yeah, that happens sometimes. This is the Jura Forest, in the world of monsters. Pretty wild place, but I try to keep things in order around here."
Ainz took in the information silently. So, I am indeed in a world where creatures like this slime hold power. Rimuru was clearly not just an ordinary monster. Despite the simplicity of his form, he had an aura of leadership, and the other creatures—ogres, goblins, and wolves—seemed to respect him.
"What kind of magic do you use here?" Ainz asked, his curiosity growing.
"Magic, huh? Well, there's a bit of everything, really," Rimuru replied nonchalantly. "You've got elemental magic, healing spells, monster skills, and a whole bunch of unique stuff. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve myself." Rimuru puffed up a little, looking proud—if slimes could show pride.
Ainz observed him closely. If this slime was the ruler of these monsters, there must be more to him than meets the eye. Is he a worthy ally? Or a threat?
"I see," Ainz replied coolly. "Perhaps we can... exchange knowledge. I seek to understand this world better, and you seem to hold valuable information."
Rimuru seemed to perk up at the suggestion. "Sure! I'm always up for making new friends. You look like someone who knows their way around magic—especially with that cool undead look you've got going. I'm interested to hear what you know, too!"
Ainz gave a nod, his mind already beginning to strategize. Rimuru Tempest—a slime that could command ogres and goblins—was certainly no ordinary creature. There was much to learn from this world. For now, Ainz would play along, gather intelligence, and plan his next move.
But one thing was clear—this new world held far more secrets than he had anticipated.
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End of Chapter 2