Ainz Ooal Gown stood within the echoing depths of the cave, his glowing red eyes surveying the aftermath of his recent exertions. The once vibrant ecosystem, teeming with life, now lay in ruin, the remains of various creatures scattered about. Ainz had drawn deeply from their essence, but a gnawing hunger remained in his gut—a realization that struck him like a sudden thunderclap: I still need more mana to summon my guild base.
The thought weighed heavily on him. While he had absorbed considerable mana from the cave's denizens, it was still not enough. Summoning the guild base was essential, and he had to find a way to secure the power necessary for that task. I must hunt more.
With a sense of purpose igniting within him, Ainz set forth once again, seeking out any remaining creatures that dared to reside in the depths of the cave. One by one, he dispatched them with ease, his powerful spells overwhelming even the most formidable foes. Each kill brought a sense of satisfaction, the mana he absorbed bolstering his reserves, yet it was not enough.
After killing a few creatures and drawing their essence, I must go back to the village, Ainz thought, his mind racing with ideas. As he exited the cave, the thrill of the hunt still coursing through him, he returned to the goblin village, where he found Rimuru in a lively discussion with the villagers.
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A New Base, A New Strategy
Once back, Ainz pondered how to create a base of operations, a sanctuary from which he could command his growing power. He approached Rimuru, who greeted him with his usual enthusiasm.
"Hey, Ainz! How did it go? Did you find any powerful creatures?" Rimuru asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Ainz smiled faintly, the shadows of his past clinging to him. "I found some, but there's still much work to be done."
He hesitated before continuing. "I'd like to understand more about skills and how they function in this world, but I must decline your offer to consult with Great Sage."
"Why not? Great Sage is incredibly knowledgeable!" Rimuru replied, tilting his head in confusion.
"I have my reasons," Ainz replied curtly, his tone indicating that he preferred to keep his thoughts private. The unease he felt around Great Sage lingered like a phantom. Trust is a fragile thing, he reminded himself.
With that, Ainz returned to his hut, where he felt the weight of his solitude pressing down upon him. Alone, he reflected on his capabilities. The only skill he had acquired thus far was [Ant King], a power that allowed him to command the ants in the forest.
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The Command of Ants
A sudden idea struck him—a flash of inspiration that felt almost electric. What if I could use the ants to bolster my power even further? He resolved to test the limits of [Ant King].
Ainz closed his eyes, focusing on the connection he had established with the colony. "I command all ants to gather before me!" he declared, and moments later, a swarm of ants surged toward his presence, a dark tide of moving bodies. He smiled, sensing their loyalty and eagerness to obey.
Once the ants had gathered, Ainz focused on creating a new spell—one that would grant him the ability to bestow power upon others, while also allowing him to retract it at will. I shall name it the Slave Spell, he thought. The idea of control was intoxicating, the prospect of loyalty through manipulation appealing to his more ruthless nature.
As he activated the spell, he felt the magic pulsating around him. When he applied it to one of the ants, it began to tremble violently. "Screeeaaam!" the ant screeched, its voice echoing in the stillness of the hut.
"Thank goodness I placed a barrier around it," Ainz muttered, his brow furrowing with concern. He watched intently, feeling a mix of excitement and dread. However, the ant's screams intensified until, eventually, it fell silent, lifeless on the ground.
The loss of life was staggering. Ainz calculated that perhaps hundreds of thousands of ants had perished in his experimentation. Yet, he felt no remorse. Ants are expendable, he reminded himself. Only a few would survive, and he would use them to perfect the Slave Spell.
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Feeding the Colony
With a renewed sense of purpose, Ainz ordered the remaining ants to consume the bodies of their fallen brethren. "Eat! Evolve!" he commanded. The ants obeyed, overwhelming the corpses in a frenzy of movement, their mandibles tearing through flesh and exoskeleton.
As the ants devoured their dead, Ainz felt a rush of energy course through him. He sensed a shift in the mana dynamics of the cave; the absorbed essence was transforming not only the ants but also enhancing his own reserves. This will be perfect!
He observed the ants' forced evolution, their forms growing larger and more terrifying with each morsel consumed. I can control the ratio of mana they devour, Ainz mused, a cruel smile spreading across his bony face. "Let's set it to 50 percent for the colony and 50 percent for myself," he ordered, his voice dripping with authority.
As he established the parameters, Ainz felt the connection between him and the ants strengthen. The thrill of command surged through him as he realized that he was becoming more than just their master; he was shaping them into a formidable force.
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A New Era of Ants
Days passed, and the remaining ants, now evolved and empowered, began to take on new roles under Ainz's command. Their loyalty was unwavering, their abilities enhanced beyond his initial expectations. The colony transformed into an army of ants capable of extraordinary feats, obeying Ainz's every whim.
Feeling the surge of power from the bond he had created, Ainz knew that this was just the beginning. With each passing day, his plans to summon the guild base solidified further. He would need to explore the capabilities of his newly acquired skills and ensure that his command over the ants would yield the results he desired.
Soon, he thought, gazing out at the horizon from the entrance of his hut, I will not only summon my guild base, but I will also create an empire here—a place where my power reigns supreme, unchallenged and unyielding.
As he turned back into his hut, a sense of anticipation filled him. The night was still young, and he had much work to do. The world was vast, and he was merely beginning to uncover its secrets.
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