If you notice any errors, please feel free to give me constructive feedback. English is not my first language, so if you notice any mistakes, please mention them in the comment section at the end of the chapter. I do not own Overlord. All property rights belong to their respective creators. Let's begin the story!
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter-01
On a silent afternoon, a boy stared into the dark abyss of the clouds that swallowed the sky - a sight typical of the world, he now inhabited. 'The ever-dark clouds blotting the skies all hours of the day… an unusual sight to people of my era', he mused.
The boy sighed as he turned away, his gaze looking ahead - watching an unusual sight across him. Seated comfortably on a sofa, he gazed through a giant glass window at the hallway beyond. As people rushed through the corridor, scrambling to gather the pieces of the now destroyed trophies, cracked frames of certificates and the broken shards of glass, that were embedded on one side of the wall of the long corridor to hold them, all of which were now scattered across the floor. A cry of some past glory.
******
The sight pained his heart. 'It's been, what… fifteen years, since I was reborn in this world.' He sighed as the memories flooded his thoughts. 'Well, it's more like time travel than proper isekai.' He mused. Reclining further into the sofa, he rested his chin on the back of his hand, eyes distant as he wondered about his current predicament.
Gazing at the scene across the glass, he fell silent, lost in thought, as he pondered about his actions, mildly regretting the destruction he caused. Those trophies… they were the proof of his testament to being a genius – proof of what he had achieved in the short span of time he had spent in this life. They numbered hundreds, if not thousands – all those trophies and certificates now lay wasted, broken on the ground, as he quietly stared at them.
When he had been abruptly thrown into the future — into this new life — the shock had taken a heavy toll on his mind.
It was no easy task to remain calm in the face of such a jarring reality: to start over… to accept the truth of his own demise, and his rebirth into a time far ahead of the world he once knew. After all, he had been just an ordinary college student in his past life. 'All I did was help a friend, drive a van to move some machines for his new start-up.' He recalled. 'He was in desperate need of help - the operation was set to begin the next morning. He was behind schedule and he couldn't let his start-up fail before it could even begin. Else, he would have lost all the fundings with just a day's delay. So, being the good friend I was, I drove the van late into the night, as he failed to find anyone else to drive the fourth van across the city. We were already tight on schedule as it was.'
'That night, I drove the van with the heavy heart, knowing that my long-cherished crush had found herself a boyfriend.' A smile graced his lips, as his mouth arched upwards awkwardly, as he found the irony of his situation from that night to todays. 'I had already been in dumps for days, since I found out the situation. Yet, I was cooping by prioritizing her happiness over mine. But that night was the turning point of our dynamics, as I got forwarded a video in the boys group.'
The boy shook his head at his past self, his actions now felt over the top and immature to the present him. His past problems appeared minuscule and childish compared to his current predicament. 'Just a leaked video of their love affair rattled me. It broke my heart' , he mused, sighing at his misfortune. "The non-stop barrage of the sound of notifications and calls, diverted my attention from the road, as I rammed the van through the flyover."
'I remember the sound of the crash, distracted, while my eyes were glued to my phone. As a pained smile graced my lips.' The thought made him frown-up. 'We men are a bunch of unique creatures. Smiling which is usually associated with happiness and tears that is associated with sadness and grief… We men smile in pain and defeat, hiding away our grief behind smile while we cry tears of joy at moments of happiness, unable to keep our emotions in check.' The boy sighed for the zenith time today, lamenting his misfortune, he whispered to himself, 'Aren't we weird… Isn't my life crazy.'
******
Interrupting his musings, the boy heard a voice, "Master Kai". He raised his head slowly and looked over. A man in a well-tailored tailcoat stood bowing beside him, waiting on the boy, now known as Kai.
"Urghh," Kai sighed as he slowly rose to his feet, his gaze fixated on the destruction he had wreaked beyond the glass window. He spoke calmly, addressing the man beside him, though his eyes never strayed from the art he had created. "What is it, Kanima? Has the punishment for my transgression been decided? It's awfully cruel of them to keep me waiting for this long…" His tone sarcastic as he turned to look at the man named Kanami, as if waiting for him to pass his judgement. "I… I beg your pardon, Master Kai. But…".
"Understandable…" Kai turned away as he spoke, interrupting Kanami, "I must have been labelled a failed product by now. No wonder they wouldn't be bothered about my tantrums." He paused, pointing his finger at Kanami, he continued. "The look of shock on your face perfectly explains the situation. They have forsaken me, haven't they?" Taking a pause, he studied the look on Kanami, the myriad of emotions flickering through Kanami's face. Clearly amused, Kai let out a laugh, a look of amusement pastured on his face.
"I was kidding there, Kanami." Kai spoke, as he looked Kanami in the eye, he continued, "You shouldn't let such things like that throw off your rhythm. Life is wonderful, as it is cursed." He paused, as he let out a breath, he didn't realise he had been holding.
"Master…" Kanami tried to speak but was stopped, Kai raised a hand, gesturing Kanami to stop, as he continued to speak. "It's time that I return. Didn't they send you to fetch me now?"
Without waiting for a reply, Kai turned and began walking away, leaving Kanami behind. Kanami stood still for a moment wondering his about Kai's words, before he quickly followed — as his duty demanded.
******
Kanami noticing Kai's gaze fixated on the broken frames, spoke in a reassuring tone. "I'm sure they don't mind it, Master Kai. Anyone with your circumstances would have reacted in the same way." The words caused Kai to stop in his tracks, as he looked over at Kanami, who looked over at him with both kindness and an unpleasant emotion, something that he wished was not directed at him. "Kanami, I'm not sure about these things but I can clearly understand the underlying pity in your words. Please stop it."
Kanami quickly responded, flustered, "Master Kai, it was never my intention to…"
"It's fine, Kanami." Kai interrupted, his voice softer now. "As I said, Life is wonderful as it is cursed." He paused. "What if, I have been handed my death sentence. I…" he paused, causing Kanami to worry. Still Kanami chose to remain to silent, patiently waiting for Kai's words. Wishing to let Kai, a young kid from his perspective, to unload all his worries at his pace.
Kai struggled to find the words, then he sighed, as he continued walking in silence. Silence reigned supreme, as both of them walked quietly to their destination.
Eventually, Kai stopped right before a large door, Kanami stopping just behind him.
Kai reached for the doorknob, then paused, gesturing for Kanami to stay back. His lips parted, then closed again — like a fish gasping for air. After a moment, he steadied his breath and spoke, "Kanami life is full of surprises, I have at most ten or twelve years to live. Well, that's what the doctors have to say. It is quite shocking and a lot to take in for me. I may have been called a genius and I have excelled and dominated in everything I picked up." He paused, his voice dejected nearing the end.
Kai turned to face Kanami, one hand still on the door as he slowly turned the knob.
He stepped backward into the room, his eyes never leaving Kanami's. "What use are those trophies and certificates to me, if I'm not going to be here." He smiled faintly, and closed the door. Leaving Kanami lost for words, his faint and pained smile etched into Kanami's memories.
******
Kurenai Estate,
Tokyo, Neo-Japan;
22nd Century Earth
"Thank you, for the food", Kai said, dabbing his lips with a napkin and stood up. He ignored the pitying and indifferent gazes directed on him around the dining table. Without a second glance and with disregard for the decorum of the dining hall, he walked out of the dining.
The corridors were quiet as he moved through them, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the evening quiet. He passed the hall that stored his trophies, certificates and medals. All of which were repaired and put on display on side of the long hall, as if the earlier destruction was but a dream. Kai came to halt in front of one particular trophy, set neatly inside a glass wedge embedded in the wall. Beside it hung a medal, a framed certificate and a photograph of him receiving the award at the venue.
Kai's gaze remained focused on the photograph, as he reminisced. "Time moves fast, huh…"
He stood there, phased out, watching the photo, lost in memories of his past life and the strange accident that brought to where he is now. The mysterious time travel and reincarnation, a surreal experience.
Kai unsure of the purpose… and reason of his life, resumed his slow walk. 'The Earth of twenty-second century is quite different… it's nothing like the twenty-first century Earth.' He thought. 'A barren dystopia, unfit for most life forms. And… as for the Nuclear Wars… I never would've considered them to happen on such scale. Ahh… Who am I kidding. With the way things were before my accident – it's a wonder that the planet is still inhabitable.' He shook his head at the thought, and he stopped, pausing beside a row of towering windows. His gaze wandering to the view of the city far below from his house on top of a sky scraper. Reflexively, he placed a hand against the cold glass, silently taking in the view of the night life of the Neo Japan.
"Hmm!", Kai sighed, his thoughts drifting, he mused 'Life sure is short. Even counting both of my lives, I haven't even lived the average life span of humans of twenty-first century Earth. But here, getting to live in such luxury, even for a short period of time is more alluring than to be born on the streets. Where hundreds needlessly die daily. To them surviving is by itself a struggle.' A resigned smile curved his lips, 'Well… compared to them, haven't I been living a privileged life?'
Kai let out a sigh, at the mess that was his life. And he retrieved his phone from his pocket. For a moment, he simply stared at it for a couple of seconds, before unlocking it. 'The World moves on.' he mused, idly browsing through social media and blogging sites. The glow of screen reflected in his iris, a tired expression masking his face.
******
"Master Kai", Kai turned his head slowly toward the voice that called his name. "Kanami," he said with a faint smirk. "Did everyone finally finish dinner? Is that why they have let you roam free now? To attend the young master, Kai Kurenai." He spoke in a light and sarcastic manner. Shaking his head, he turned back to watching his phone. "I'm sorry, Master Kai…", Kanami tried to speak, but…
Kai waved a hand dismissively, eyes still fixed on the screen, he spoke, "I was joking, Kanami. You do not need to take this young master's word so seriously, and yes, I have changed." He spoke observing the bewildered look on Kanami's face from the corner of his eye. "Though I still supposedly have a decade or so to live. The fore knowledge of death, changes people. And with the environment like mine, that should be the least of your worries."
But in Kai's mind, the words that he wished to say, things that he held himself from saying out loud flowed freely. 'It's not like I am treated as the centre of the family anymore. The love I receive isn't same as before. After my biological mother of this life died and my biological father of this life remarried. For this to be coming from the me, who did not love them as much as my original parents from past life is hypocritical. Yet, to be treated as a trophy of the family and a monster is something that I abhor.' He mused, as a faint smile tugged at his lips. 'Alas, to revel in the family's opulence while complaining about them... I must sound like a hypocrite.' Kanami blinked, puzzled by the long silence and the faint smile that lingered on Kai's face.
******
Kanami introspected silently, 'Master Kai has changed a lot. The knowledge of one's death does scar the mind. And, here I am, serving the Madam, just as Master Kai implied. What Master Kai, said is undeniable.' He frowned slightly, 'I came to visit him not out of my own will, but under the Madam's instruction. Even for a genius like him, this kind of treatment... under his condition… it's unjust. He's still a child, after all.' He shook his head, trying to get rid of the excessive thoughts before he forgets his purpose for visiting, Master Kai.
"Master Kai…", Kanami began, but was cut off. The sudden clatter of Kai' phone hitting the floor startled him, jolting him upright. As if Kai's erratic and unhinged behaviour throughout the day hadn't been enough, he stood rooted in his spot, hearing the words uttered by Kai, this moment leaving him stunned.
"Fuck…" the words left Kai's lips, as he remained frozen - rooted to his spot, making no attempt to pick his phone. While his eyes remained glazed over, staring at the screen of his phone, locked onto the post displayed over the screen off the phone.
Kanami stood motionless, unsure whether to speak or simply observe. Something had changed subtly, and deeply in that moment. It was more so in Kai's life's purpose and his reason for this reincarnation.
------
{ Greetings, players!
We're thrilled to officially announce that the Beta Server for the first ever DMMORPG - Yggdrasil is now taking in applicants while, the official game's launch date will be soon announced!
This is a huge step forward for our team—and for you, our amazing community—as we move closer to the full release of the world's first fantasy DMMORPG game perfected to the finest. The Beta will give you early access to a working version of the game while allowing us to test core systems, gather feedback, and fine-tune performance.
We look forward to the beta testing applicants, those who are eager to jump into the Worlds of Yggdrasil. }
-----------------------------------------------------------
**The End**
Drop a comment and leave a review. Be it negative or positive but make sure to give constructive criticism. Also if you think you can add anything of value to the fic, then you are more than welcome to comment. Any thoughts or questions, ask them in the comment section. I'll try to answer them as soon as I can.