The outer ring of the Tob Forest lay in uneasy silence.
This region, closest to Carne Village, was home to numerous monsters. When three figures suddenly appeared, the beasts lurking in the shadows immediately grew alert. Yet upon sensing human presence rather than prey, they hesitated, watching from concealment.
Lock casually threw Nigun Grid Luin onto the forest floor.
A blood-red magic circle bloomed once more.
"AAAAAA—!!"
The Soul-Consuming Curse Mark activated.
Even though Nigun's body had already been shattered by the eighth-tier spell Super-Gravity, the agony that erupted now was far worse—pain that tore directly at the soul. His scream echoed through the forest as he convulsed, nearly losing consciousness on the spot.
Only when Lock withdrew the effect did the torment stop.
Vier stepped forward and cast a Heavy Injury Healing spell. In seconds, Nigun's broken body was restored, bones knitting together as if they had never shattered.
"You… who are you?!"
Nigun scrambled backward, panic written across his face.
No matter how foolish he might be, he understood the truth now. These two were not allies. They had saved him from death, yes—but only because his survival still held value.
Lock removed his mask without hesitation, revealing his face.
"I am Lock Kote Albert."
Nigun froze.
"That surname—wait… Albert?" His thoughts raced. "Then what is your relationship to Catherine Cort Albert? No—impossible! She attacked you just now! You cannot be related to her!"
Even within the Slane Theocracy, Catherine's name carried weight. A dragon-riding Adamantite-ranked Adventurer, rumored to have surpassed even Fluder Paradyne, the strongest magic caster of the Empire.
Lock's eyes narrowed.
"Tch."
He raised his hand. The curse stirred again.
Nigun collapsed to his knees, screaming as his soul was shredded from within.
"Listen carefully," Lock said coldly. "Your life belongs to me now. Obey, and you live. Defy me, and I will ensure you suffer a death far worse than oblivion."
"I understand! I understand!" Nigun cried, his will utterly broken.
Lock lowered his hand.
"You witnessed the strength of the magic caster called Ainz Ooal Gown, didn't you?"
"Yes…" Nigun answered hoarsely. "Such a being should not exist in this world."
Lock nodded in satisfaction.
"A magic caster capable of annihilating a Dominion Authority will not escape the notice of the Theocracy. That is precisely why you will deliver a message to your Chief Priest."
Nigun stiffened. "A… message?"
Lock's voice was calm, absolute.
"Tell him this: 'God has descended.'"
Nigun's pupils shrank. "God… descended? What does that mean?!"
"You are not qualified to know," Lock replied flatly.
"Deliver the words exactly as given. Then tell him this as well—a catastrophe is coming, one that will engulf all of humanity. The Theocracy will be powerless to resist it. Not even the God-blooded you hide in the shadows will matter."
Nigun's face drained of color.
"You… you know about the God-men?"
The greatest secret of the Theocracy.
The descendants of the Six Gods—except for the Death God Surshana—some of whom awakened fragments of player blood, becoming beings known as God-men. Their existence was concealed even from most of the Scriptures, for fear of drawing the wrath of the Platinum Dragon Lord, who hunted anything connected to players.
Only someone of Nigun's rank should have known this.
Yet Lock spoke of it casually.
"You will say nothing more than what I instruct," Lock continued.
"If the Theocracy wishes to survive what is coming, then someone who can speak for it will come to my territory."
Nigun trembled.
Then Lock smiled faintly.
"Oh, one more thing. The curse binding you—once you return, you may choose to reveal it… or conceal it."
Nigun looked up in confusion.
"But understand this," Lock added softly. "If it ever activates, I will detonate it without hesitation. Your soul will be erased. You will not even earn the mercy of becoming undead."
"How considerate, wouldn't you say?"
Cold sweat drenched Nigun's body.
"I wouldn't dare! I swear absolute loyalty! I will serve you without betrayal!"
Lock turned away, already disinterested.
"Your loyalty is irrelevant. Your value lies in being alive—for now."
"Deliver my words. Prove yourself useful. If you wish to live, then struggle accordingly."
A dark teleportation gate opened.
Lock and Vier stepped through, vanishing without a trace.
Nigun was left alone.
For a long time, he lay there, staring at the forest floor, mind empty.
Eventually, he rose unsteadily.
"I must return to the Theocracy…" he muttered.
"Ainz Ooal Gown… the exposure of the God-men… and now Lock Kote Albert…"
The sky above darkened, clouds gathering as if foreshadowing calamity.
"Is there a way to break his curse?" Nigun whispered.
"Or… to bargain for my freedom?"
There was no answer.
Only the growing certainty that the world itself was beginning to move—and that he had already been dragged into its depths.
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San