A World Without Mercy
Darkness. Cold. A crushing weight pressing down on his existence.
Ainz felt nothing—no body, no breath, no sound. Just an endless void, stretching into eternity.
Then, a voice echoed through the darkness.
[You have died.]
Died? The words sent a jolt of confusion through him. Memories surged back—his lonely apartment, the empty fridge, the suffocating exhaustion of working late nights to afford school. Then, the cold streets, the heavy footsteps behind him, the glint of a knife—pain—and then… nothing.
His thoughts spiraled. So this is it? My life ends like this?
[Reincarnation in progress…]
A sudden force wrapped around him, pulling him forward. The darkness shattered.
Then—impact.
Thrown Into the Unknown
Ainz gasped as he hit the ground hard. Grass scratched against his bare skin, the earthy scent of damp soil filling his nose. Heat beat down on him, unfamiliar and relentless.
He forced his eyes open.
Towering trees stretched endlessly above, their thick branches tangled with vines. The air was thick with humidity, heavy with the scent of leaves and distant water. Birds screeched in the distance, and the deep, guttural growl of some unseen beast rumbled through the underbrush.
Panic surged through him.
"W-Where…?" His voice cracked. He looked down at himself—small hands, thin arms, a child's body.
Ding!
A translucent blue screen suddenly flashed before his eyes.
[Welcome to the World of Aeternis.]
[You have been granted a second life.]
[Bonus Abilities Unlocked.]
His breath hitched. What the hell is this?
The text shifted.
[Status Window]
Name: Ainz
Age: 8
Level: 1
HP: 100/100
MP: 50/50
Strength: 5
Agility: 6
Vitality: 4
Mana: 10
Abilities:
Healing (Rank 1): Passively recovers small wounds over time.
Regeneration (Rank 1): Accelerated healing when injured.
Elemental Control (Rank 1): Basic control over fire, water, earth, and air.
Ainz stared, heart pounding. This was just like a game. Levels, stats, abilities—but this was real.
The wind rustled through the jungle, and for the first time, he realized something terrifying.
He was completely alone.
No food. No shelter. No people.
And then—
SNAP.
Ainz's head snapped toward the noise. The bushes shook violently. Something was moving.
A deep, guttural growl sent shivers down his spine.
The leaves parted—a massive black-furred wolf emerged. Its glowing red eyes locked onto him, saliva dripping from its fangs.
A translucent screen appeared beside the beast.
[Dire Wolf - Level 3]
Ainz's stomach twisted.
It's higher level than me.
The wolf's muscles tensed. Its bloodthirsty gaze fixated on him.
Then, it lunged.
Ainz threw himself to the side, barely avoiding the beast's snapping jaws. Adrenaline surged through him. His breathing was ragged, hands shaking.
He had no weapons. No training. Nothing.
The wolf circled, growling. Then, it charged again.
Ainz raised his hands—a gust of wind exploded outward.
The wolf stumbled back, startled.
Ainz's eyes widened. Did I just… use Elemental Control?!
But he had no time to think. The beast snarled and lunged again. This time, Ainz was too slow.
RIP!
Pain burned through his arm as the wolf's claws tore into his skin. Blood dripped onto the grass. Ainz stumbled, gasping.
But then—the wound sealed itself. The bleeding stopped. The pain dulled.
His Regeneration was working.
The wolf hesitated, sensing something unnatural.
Ainz clenched his fists. If I don't fight, I'll die.
Summoning every ounce of strength, he thrust his hands forward.
The air shimmered.
Then—a pillar of fire erupted from the ground.
The wolf howled, thrashing as flames engulfed its body.
Ainz fell to his knees, gasping for air. His arms trembled from exhaustion.
Then—
[You have defeated Dire Wolf - Level 3.]
[EXP Gained.]
[Level Up!]
He stared at the notification, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His first kill. His first real fight.
His hands shook.
"This… is real."
His gaze drifted to the wolf's smoldering corpse. The heat from the fire still clung to the air.
Ainz took a deep breath.
He was alone in a wild, merciless world.
No home. No guidance.
Just himself.
"…I need to get stronger."
And so, his journey for survival began.