NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Rewards.
"It seems our display was slightly more boring" I really didn't put much of a fight because i know in order for me to win, i would either have to read all of Satella's moves or overpower her.
"I was holding back, i didn't use my authority" She said in a quiet tone.
The battle was reaching a breaking point, it seemed Ainz was about to prepare a spell that could end the fight decisively, while Homura was frantically considering her options. She wasn't out of tricks yet, but her stamina was beginning to wane, and Ainz's unrelenting power made it clear that this wasn't just a contest of abilities—it was a war of endurance.
Suddenly, a loud chime echoed through the arena, halting their clash.
[Ding! The System has deemed this battle a draw! Both participants displayed extraordinary skills, earning equal merit.]
Both combatants froze, the oppressive aura dissipating as Ainz lowered his skeletal hand. Homura let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her lilac eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"A draw?" Ainz muttered, his tone a mix of curiosity and disappointment. "How unusual. It seems the system is more merciful than I would have been."
Homura straightened, brushing imaginary dust off her skirt. "If this wasn't a demonstration, I wouldn't have held back. You're lucky."
Ainz chuckled, the sound echoing ominously in the space. "Luck? Or perhaps it was wisdom on both our parts. I enjoyed testing your abilities, young one. Your time manipulation is fascinating."
Before Homura could respond, the arena shifted, returning everyone to the white space where the other group members were waiting. Satella was sitting on the ground, idly twisting shadows between her fingers, while Nick Fury stood at a cautious distance, observing everyone with narrowed eyes.
"I have to say," Nick said, his tone sharp as he addressed Ainz and Homura, "watching you two fight was both terrifying and enlightening. But it begs the question what exactly are you two? Because I'm not convinced you're just people."
Homura shot him a sidelong glance but didn't answer, while Ainz tilted his head. "In my case, you could say I am the ruler of death and magic," he replied smoothly. "As for her… I believe she prefers her identity to remain shrouded in mystery."
"I'll let you all guess," Homura said coldly, turning her back on them.
Satella looked up from her shadows and smirked slightly. "Interesting match. Though I wonder did either of you really take it seriously?"
"I did hold back," Ainz admitted without shame, his crimson eyes flashing. "If I had unleashed my full arsenal, it would have been… messy."
Homura crossed her arms, glaring at the undead king. "Right back at you. But if you want a rematch, I'll be happy to oblige."
Before their tension could escalate, the system interrupted again:
[Ding! The next participants are… The Genocidal_Child (Chara) versus The Director (Nick Fury).]
"Wait, what?" Nick Fury's eyes widened as he glanced around, his voice full of disbelief. "You expect me to fight? I don't have superpowers, magical time tricks, or a skeletal overlord arsenal!"
"Sheesh, i ain't gonna kill you" I said rolling my eyes, he thinks id just kill someone for fun…well if it's a monster maybe.
[Does group member one_eyed_black_egg admit defeat, due to your circumstances of being human you cannot defeat them, if you forfeit you will lose the chance to gain an ability but will gain a rare item instead]
"Fighting someone who can throw energy attacks is a dumb idea, ofcourse i give up" Nick said without hesitation, it was truly sad i wasn't able to atleast hit him.
[Very well, let us advance to the giving of gifts to the founding members]
[Satella or i address you as the witch of envy, you are a being of immense power and unpredictability, your ability to consume anything has given you the chance to awaken an ability from the chat group exclusive only to the founding members]
[Ability Unlocked: "Void Connection"]
[Description: Grants the user the power to summon and manipulate fragments of the void, enhancing their existing abilities and giving access to exclusive dimensional portals. This power grows stronger with emotional resonance, especially envy.]
Satella's smirk widened as she felt the energy surging within her. "Void Connection? Interesting… This power feels familiar, yet different. I wonder what more it can do." She glanced around the group, her shadowy tendrils swirling lazily.
Homura raised an eyebrow. "Exclusive abilities? So this chat group isn't just for entertainment after all. It's tailoring rewards."
Ainz, ever the strategist, tapped his skeletal fingers together. "Fascinating. It seems this 'system' is intent on making us stronger. But to what end?"
Nick Fury, still processing his forfeit, interrupted. "Hold up. I didn't fight, so I better get something damn good for sitting out of this madness."
The system chimed again:
[Nick Fury, as a tactician and strategist from a world devoid of magic or powers, your gift is tailored to compensate for your lack of abilities.]
[Item Granted: "All-Seeing Eye"]
[Description: A device implanted within your eyepatch that allows you to perceive hidden truths, detect anomalies, and predict threats from alternate dimensions. Its full potential will grow with use.]
Nick instinctively touched his eyepatch as he processed the information. "Well, that's… unsettlingly convenient." He turned to the others, his usual commanding tone returning. "Guess I won't be completely useless next time."
Chara, standing silently, suddenly spoke up, their voice tinged with mischief. "What about me? I'm ready for whatever this system has for me."
The system chimed once more:
[Chara, as a being of duality and determination, your gift reflects your unyielding will and ability to adapt.]
[Ability Unlocked: "Soul Fracture"]
[Description: Allows the user to fragment their soul, creating autonomous avatars or imbuing objects with fragments of their essence. Each fragment retains a portion of the user's power and determination.]
Chara grinned, their red eyes glowing ominously. "Soul Fracture? Oh, I can have so much fun with this."
Finally, the system addressed Homura:
[Homura Akemi, the resolute protector, your gift amplifies your temporal abilities.]
[Ability Unlocked: "Temporal Anchor"]
[Description: Establish an unbreakable anchor point in time that cannot be disrupted by external forces. This ability also enhances the precision and strength of all time-related actions]
[Ainz Ooal Gown, supreme overlord of death and magic, your reward is a testament to your unparalleled mastery.]
[Ability Unlocked: "Necrotic Dominion"]
[Description: A power that allows the user to bend death itself on a multiversal scale. With this ability, the user can summon and control undead from any timeline, empower them with unique traits, and temporarily suppress the life force of nearby opponents. The dominion strengthens with strategic use and conquest.]
Chara then had a thoughtful expression.
'Wait i have soul manupilation, i could have probably learned soul fracture by myself…but a reward is a reward, also all of our abilities are op…but i have got a feeling that there is a reason for such'
[The Mission board can now be used, you shall now return to your individual worlds]
Then everyone was consumed by a flash of white light.
…..
Damn that was sudden, but atleast i have a cool new power, i can now create avatars…somehow, i don't know how to feel about that.
Yeah it looks like a broken ability, but why would i need copies of myself running around, its not like i am going to shape them and then transform them into an Au version of myself or something.
...…Wait a damn minute?!, can i actually do that?!.