Night fell as dark clouds covered the sky, and the cold wind cut to the bone.
The young man gripped the USB drive and hurried into the dim rental room through the biting wind.
Click!
He went straight to the computer, found the port, and plugged it in. Lines of code immediately appeared on the screen.
"I've finally gotten the source code for YGGDRASIL. Success or failure depends on this one move!"
He stared at the monitor, his eyes bloodshot, dark circles heavy beneath them.
His fingers flew across the keyboard, rapidly modifying the code.
While working, he glanced at the time in the corner of the screen. 23:00.
"Time is of the essence!"
Buzz!
Just then, the phone on the desk vibrated and lit up. It was an in-game message.
—Helant San, in one more hour, YGGDRASIL will shut down completely. Nazarick was built by everyone. Please, you must come online to say goodbye!—
Momonga.
The young man only spared it a cursory glance. His fingers moved so fast they left afterimages under the glow of the screen, lines of code streaming across the display.
"Don't worry, I've prepared for over twenty years. There's no way I'll mess up at the final moment!"
At the same time, inside YGGDRASIL.
"Then, Momonga San, let's meet again if fate allows."
"Ah, Herohero San. Please… take care…"
Momonga withdrew his skeletal claws, murmuring Herohero's words.
"Meet again if fate allows…"
He looked up at the magnificent Round Table Conference Room before him. The forty-two empty chairs each represented a former companion.
A heavy feeling pressed against Momonga's chest, as if a massive boulder were weighing him down, growing heavier with every breath.
He couldn't help but open his friend list again.
[Helant (Offline)]
—Momonga, I've been a bit busy lately, but don't worry. I'll definitely be online when YGGDRASIL shuts down.— Helant.
This was a message his best friend had sent more than ten days ago, and he had read it countless times since then.
In the final moments of the game, had Helant San still failed to make it?
The first time he met Helant San was back in Nazarick's predecessor, the Suicide Ten. Back then, he and Takimi had saved him together when he was being hunted by human players.
After that, Helant San began his path as a logistics master. Whether it was alchemy or equipment forging, he was universally acknowledged as the best in the game.
Most of the Divine-class equipment owned by the guild members had come from his hands.
Especially back then, by exploiting a bug, he created the first and only man-made World Item, instantly establishing his status as the number one in both alchemy and forging.
Although Helant San was outstanding, he got along well with everyone. Touch Me had once pursued him, Takimi and Ulbert regarded him as a close friend, and Tsukuyomi even considered him a kindred spirit.
"Whew." Momonga let out a long breath, easing the heaviness in his chest. "If you hadn't refused to be Guild Master, how could it have ever been my turn?"
Momonga glanced at the status of the message he had sent. Unread.
He slowly stood and walked over to the Guild Weapon, the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown.
This weapon carried with it a chapter of the guild members' shared history.
Someone had been dumped by their girlfriend because of it. Someone had been fired from their company because of it. Someone had eaten only one meal a day for an entire month because of it. Yet everyone had been happy back then.
Ulbert and Takimi often bickered and argued, while Tsukuyomi and Helant discussed equipment designs. Momonga picked up the Guild Weapon, cast one last nostalgic glance at the Round Table Conference Room, and turned to leave.
Creak.
Outside the door, Momonga saw Takimi's creation, Sebas, along with the battle maids of the Pleiades.
"Follow me."
Momonga did not linger. He wanted to reach the Throne Room as quickly as possible.
There, he would welcome the end of Nazarick, which carried years of memories.
The time reached 23:30. Only half an hour remained until the server shutdown.
"Helant San…"
The name box representing Helant was still gray.
Buzz!
The doors to the Throne Room were pushed open.
The hall was cold and dim, banners hanging from the ceiling, guardian statues standing along the red carpet that led straight to the throne on the high platform.
Momonga stepped onto the red carpet and walked forward, one step at a time.
Dressed in a pure white gown, the beautiful and dignified succubus Albedo stood waiting at the foot of the throne with a gentle smile.
Even knowing she was just an NPC, a fabricated being, Momonga was still stunned by her beauty.
"If she were alive, Helant San would really be in for some good fortune."
Momonga chuckled and used the Guild Weapon to open Albedo's settings page.
The final line in the dense block of text was unmistakable.
In love with Helant.
"Helant San, this is Tsukuyomi San's reward for your 'Pure Succubus Contrast Theory'!"
When Albedo was being created, Tsukuyomi originally wanted to set her as a "bitch," but Helant San came up with a shocking argument.
"Instead of that, wouldn't it have more gap moe if a creature like a succubus were loyal to love?"
The setting "In love with Helant" was Momonga's suggestion.
He had originally wanted to use it to tease his friend together with Tsukuyomi San.
But in the end, Tsukuyomi San quit the game, and now even Helant San had not stayed until the very end.
Momonga's mood inevitably grew somber again.
The time reached 23:55. Only five minutes remained until the server shutdown.
Watching the time tick away, Momonga could not help but sigh. "Helant San, you broke your word…"
"I think I didn't." A gentle voice rang out.
Momonga looked up abruptly.
Dressed in pure white mage robes, the exquisitely modeled and handsome Helant tilted his head, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
"If I hadn't come, would Guild Master Momonga have started crying?"
Momonga did not mind Helant's teasing. His voice was hurried, unable to hide his smile, and even rose in pitch. "I thought you wouldn't log in. This is great. We can still say goodbye to Nazarick together."
Helant did not argue out loud, but quietly added in his heart.
It's not just saying goodbye to the ordinary and painful life of the past. It's welcoming a new life.
He glanced at the time. 23:59.
Only the final minute remained.
Thump. Thump thump. Thump thump thump…!!!
Helant felt his heart beating faster and faster, almost leaping out of his chest.
His body, lying inside the gaming pod, trembled uncontrollably.
Over twenty years of effort, with almost all his savings and energy poured into YGGDRASIL.
There was no way back anymore. Success or failure depended on this one move.
The countdown began.
10, 9, 8… 3, 2, 1… Helant closed his eyes.
Time hit zero.
A surge of pleasure rose from the depths of his soul, spreading through his limbs and bones as endless vitality flooded his body.
Helant clearly felt his soul merging perfectly with his current form.
Like a newborn baby, he drew in a deep breath.
For the first time, cool air filled his lungs.
Helant opened his azure eyes, and his holy, handsome face curved into a smile for the first time.
"Phew. Helant, congratulations on your rebirth." He muttered, congratulating himself with a grin.
_____
I read a lot of Overlord fanfics, and most of them were too slow. Almost 90% were dropped before reaching the new world or were dropped after a few chapters.
This one jumps straight into the New World, revealing the build organically through some flashbacks while focusing on adventures here. Hope you enjoy the ride!