The Overlord of Mysteries

Hello, this is my first time writing a fanfiction. 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. Let's begin the story!

Word Count: 3690 Words

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NULL Void,

The Root

Bruce stood rooted, his presence a calm amidst the chaos. His gaze lingered on the mesmerizing swirl of myriad colors bleeding through the cracks in the floor of the NULL Void. The jagged fissures, their fractal patterns spreading, hinted at dimensions unknown—threats unseen.

His mere presence soothed the Guardians, who stood tense and vigilant. The Unowns, noticing him first, swarmed toward Bruce and World. Their rhythmic hums and glowing forms revolved around the Fool and World in a coherent, joyous display. The beings, enigmatic yet loyal, expressed their happiness at Bruce's arrival, easing the tension that had gripped all those present.

Despite the temporary solace his presence provided, Bruce's sharp eyes remained on the cracks. They were expanding steadily, their ominous edges consuming the stability of the floor itself.

'Is this because the NULL Void is a pocket dimension just live every other floor in the Root?' he pondered, his thoughts racing. 'It couldn't withstand the sheer magnitude of two World Items clashing—no, three. Their flavor texts, the lores I wrote, have manifested far more powerful than I anticipated. How powerful are the other World Items and weapons, I've created? And Error? Did it possess this level of destruction too?"

Raising his hand, Bruce gestured for calm. The Guardians, whose gazes had been riveted to the cracks, obeyed instinctively, though unease lingered in their eyes.

With a single snap of his fingers, a soft ripple of magic emanated. His left hand remained in his pocket, fingers curling around the pocket watch.

As a shimmering portal materialized before him, his attention shifted. Saber and Ghost Rider stood near the edge, their expressions veiled with regret.

"Saber. Ghost Rider," Bruce began, his tone even and resonant. "It was a magnificent battle."

The two warriors bowed deeply, sorrow etched into their features. "We apologize for—" they started, but Bruce raised a hand, silencing them.

"No apologies are necessary. Quite the contrary—I am pleased. You've demonstrated power and resolve beyond expectation," Bruce said, his voice firm but not unkind. He paused, his eyes drifting momentarily to the ever-expanding cracks. A sigh escaped him before his attention returned to them.

"As for the outcome..." His words hung in the air, heavy with anticipation. "This battle has no clear victor. Both of you have excelled beyond measure. Thus, I declare it a tie."

Relief softened their features as they bowed once more, accepting his decree. Without another word, they turned and stepped through the portal Bruce had created, vanishing from the NULL Void.

Turning back to the Unowns, Bruce conjured another portal. The swirling vortex gleamed, a gateway to the Sefirah Castle. He gestured toward the floating entities. They hummed melodically, spiraling around Bruce and World in one final display of their joy before disappearing into the shimmering passageway.

As the last of them left, Bruce exhaled softly, his moment of solitude interrupted only by the persistent cracks that still marred the floor. 'The broadcast...' he reminded himself, slipping seamlessly into his Supreme One persona. His posture straightened, his gaze hardening into a mask of authority.

Meanwhile, within the grand structure of Aincrad, Saber and Ghost Rider returned to their designated areas allotted to their floors, weary but composed. Their minds reflected on the Fool's words, the decree of their battle.

As they rested, both turned instinctively toward the massive translucent screens hovering above the Colosseum. The broadcast lingered there, displaying the Fool and World standing motionless in the NULL Void. The sight of the Fool brought them comfort, a reassurance they didn't fully understand but trusted implicitly.

"After all," they thought in unison, "it was World who built the Root on the Fool's command."

Their breaths stilled as they waited for the Fool to enact a miracle, to do what only he could. Yet their hope faltered as the screens flickered. In a matter of moments, the images dissolved entirely, leaving only empty space behind.

A wave of unease rippled through the Guardians who observed from afar. They exchanged anxious glances, understanding the implications: no one, not even the mightiest of them, could enter the NULL Void save for the Fool and World.

---

Bruce sighed, weariness etched into his very being. The burdens that piled relentlessly upon his shoulders seemed endless. Turning to World—the one constant in his chaotic existence, the one who always found solutions to his problems—he allowed himself a fleeting moment of relief. She had devoted her entire existence to serving him, a silent but ever-reliable pillar of strength.

He cast a glance at her, his thoughts colliding in a whirlwind. "Quite the fight, don't you think, World?"

World nodded, her expression calm yet perceptive. "Indeed. They are far stronger than I had anticipated. If their power with those World Items is anything to go by, imagine your own potential. You've used World Saviour for your final avatar—the World Enemy Avatar. With World Saviour being the strongest World Item in raw power, coupled with your World Enemy status and the influence of Cthulhu's abilities... the devastation you could unleash would be incomprehensible."

A faint smile tugged at Bruce's lips as he met her words with a subtle nod. "The same could be said about you, World. You, who whose Avatar was created using Longinus, fused with the World Devourer.

Do you remember? In the game, World Devourer could shatter dimensions with nothing more than his presence.

His aura alone had shaken Ginnungagap, and the tremors that followed caused cracks to appear in the Void. Those cracks led to visions of the destroyed worlds of Yggdrasil—portals through space and time that allowed us to glimpse the remnants of those worlds.

While we couldn't pass through them, they still connected to those ravaged worlds, annihilated by World Devourer himself in the past. He consumed them entirely, leaving nothing behind but traces in the Void."

World inclined her head in agreement, her voice measured as she responded. "True, but Cthulhu is no less formidable. He manipulates reality itself, though only when his health drops below twenty percent.

Let's not forget his lore—the Dimensional Lord. According to his lore, he rules over R'lyeh, the lost city that vanished from Midgard, only to reappear in some unknown dimension."

Bruce crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "Exactly. To find him, we had to travel through that underwater portal in Midgard. If I recall, Cthulhu himself can traverse dimensions with ease."

"That's true," World replied, her gaze lingering on the cracks that continued to grow. "But let's not overlook Ea. At full strength, Ea might very well destroy this entire floor."

"Perhaps," Bruce conceded, glancing at her. Then he let out another sigh, the weight of the situation pressing on him once more. "World, this is your area of expertise. Fix it. You know I'm useless when it comes to repairs. If you had asked me to destroy the whole thing, I'd have done it without hesitation.

Still, knowing that those World Items can cause this level of damage... it does lift my spirits somewhat. Knowing well, that I won't be weak against Dragon Emperor."

Without waiting for a response, Bruce placed a hand on her shoulder. His voice softened, but the edge of exhaustion remained. "Just handle it soon. This kind of security breach can't be left unchecked for long."

As he turned and walked away, his mind was already drifting toward the promise of sleep—a luxury he hadn't indulged in for far too long. He craved the reprieve, that addictive pull of rest he could feel teasing at the edges of his consciousness.

But Fate, as always, had other plans.

The moment his right foot stepped forward, the ground beneath him fractured with an ominous crack. Before he could react, the jagged fissure widened, dragging him into its gaping void. It all happened in an instant—a fraction of a second.

"S!" World's voice rang out, panic breaking through her usual composure.

Without hesitation, she acted. In the heartbeat before he could vanish entirely, she teleported to him, catching him mid-fall as they both plunged into the abyss together.

---

Experiencing the pull, Bruce turned to World, his gaze questioning.

"Don't look at me like that," World said, her voice soft yet firm. "I can't let you embark on another journey for another thousand years."

Bruce smirked, a glint of defiance dancing in his eyes. With a flourish, he flung his arm forward, the motion theatrical as his voice resonated with power.

"I am the Fool with Dreams,

From Beginning to End,

The One with No Destiny,

Born of Dreams, where my mind is my world.

In the name of the Fool, I command the threads of fate and time.

Let the past and future intertwine, and reality bend to my will.

Summon the ancient horrors that lie beneath.

Let the abyssal depths rise,

And the sunken city of R'lyeh awaken.

Behold, the stage of cosmic dread,

Where madness reigns supreme!"

Turning to World, he smirked, his confidence palpable. World, awaiting his conclusion with a serene smile, nodded in his direction. Acknowledging her, he completed his chant with a flourish.

"Welcome to the Worlds of the Dreams of the Fool."

A gray fog emanated from Bruce, thick and unyielding. It consumed them both, swallowing them whole, and dissolving the strange dimension they had traversed.

---

Standing in the unknown, World gazed around.

There was no ground beneath her, no sky above her. She stood atop rippling water that mirrored the boundless void. In the surreal landscape, countless eyes darted through the ether, observing yet unblinking.

Her gaze was drawn to the grotesque hands rising from the water—massive, decayed, and laden with talismans and sealing tags. The hands seemed to rot everything they touched, exuding an aura of decay and dread.

"So, this is our ride," she muttered, her tone halfway between resignation and amusement.

Bruce, smiling at her reaction, nodded. "Yep." With measured steps, he climbed atop one of the colossal hands. From his perch, he looked down at her and nodded again.

Before she could react, the monstrous hands surged forward, engulfing her in their grip. Despite her formidable powers, resistance proved futile—or so it seemed...

---

Opening her eyes, World found herself standing before an alien city.

Its architecture defied logic, twisting and ancient, a symphony of madness carved into stone. The city's eldritch essence bore an unearthly weight, and its presence was suffocating.

"So, this is your Reality Marble," she murmured, her voice laced with awe. She wandered its warped streets, her steps carrying her closer to the grand temple at the city's heart.

Not seeing Bruce anywhere, she ascended into the skies, her movements fluid as she soared toward the temple.

---

Entering the temple grounds, she spotted S lounging on a deck chair.

He reclined lazily, sipping a mocktail with an air of nonchalance.

"So, World," he drawled, raising his glass slightly, "we're here. But what about the Null Void?"

World sighed at his relaxed demeanor. "There's no need to worry about it. I've activated the auto-repair function of the Guild. We had to pay for it with Yggdrasil credits, but I made some adjustments before we were summoned. Now, it's free of cost. Also, it's no longer a Guild Master-exclusive function. I can access and modify everything a Guild Master can."

Bruce nodded approvingly as he sipped his drink. "Fantastic. Now, you can handle all the maintenance and grunt work while I focus on the fun stuff and relaxation. Isn't that right, World?"

He smirked, watching for her reaction. She nodded helplessly, a small smile playing on her lips.

"That's my assistant for you," he quipped. "People should learn from your work ethic. You're a marvel."

Unperturbed, World conjured a table and chair using Create Greater Item. Settling into her seat, she summoned a teapot and a cup. With deliberate elegance, she poured herself tea and took a sip.

Bruce stared at her, slightly taken aback.

"What?" she asked, amusement flickering in her eyes.

Shaking off his surprise, he replied, "Nothing. Just noticing how much you've changed. You've grown... indulgent."

A soft laugh escaped her lips. "Perhaps your work ethic has inspired me. Maybe you should include yourself on the list of people who need to learn a thing or two."

---

Bruce chuckled, leaning back into his chair, mocktail still in hand. "Touché. I'm quite lazy, aren't I? A free spirit. Your existence, has allowed me to live comfortably, unlike my past self."

World smirked, sipping her tea. "A free spirit who conveniently delegates everything. Quite the arrangement you've carved out for yourself."

The air between them was light yet charged with familiarity. The alien city, for all its eerie grandeur, seemed almost homely in their presence.

Moreover, as the temple stirred with unseen energy, the air began to ripple. A shadow loomed over the horizon—an omen of what lay ahead.

---

Standing up, sensing the distortion within the temple, Bruce let out a weary sigh.

"Not this again," he muttered, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken frustrations. "I've postponed this long enough." With a resolute gaze, he turned toward World.

"Let's go, World. Your presence would be... appreciated."

World giggled at his attempt to exaggerate the danger, her laughter like a gentle chime. "Aren't you overthinking this? Despite your strength and brilliance, you always downplay yourself. Or should I say, you hold yourself to impossibly high standards? You judge yourself harsher than anyone else, comparing your strengths to others as if they diminish your worth. Aren't you being a bit too paranoid?"

Bruce remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line. Taking his silence as permission to continue, World's tone softened, her words aimed to soothe.

"Don't you remember? It was you who wished to embrace chaos, to dive headfirst into the unknown. You didn't just stumble upon this life—you waltzed into it, guided by a single motto: 'Fck it, let's explore the unknown.' You wanted to enjoy life, to make this second chance worthwhile. No regrets, no hesitation—just pure experience. You wished for entertainment."

He sighed, her carefree attitude clashing with his own careful deliberation. Turning toward her, his gaze grew serious.

"World," he began, his voice low but firm, "I've never backed away from a fight, not even against the Dragon Progenitor of the Fate Verse. I have this suit from the ROB—" He paused briefly, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "I understand your point. I do. But this isn't about that right now. Yes, I was reckless in my first life, driven by an inner voice screaming louder than reason. 'Fck it all' became my mantra. But this… this is different."

World's skeptical gaze softened his resolve further, and he sighed again, more heavily this time. "Fine, fine. I get it. But for now, let's focus on the task at hand." His voice dipped into an almost reluctant murmur, "Let there be chaos," while he stole a glance at her reaction.

"Okay," she replied simply, her calm presence a quiet reassurance.

Bruce nodded, his steps deliberate as he moved forward. Despite his apparent resolve, her silent companionship steadied him in ways he wouldn't admit.

---

World watched as Bruce walked ahead, his silhouette framed by the temple's foreboding entrance.

This was his first time entering the temple. Though she couldn't sense it as he did, she understood his apprehension. As the master of this Reality Marble, Bruce perceived its layers in ways she never could.

Through his memories, she had glimpsed the paranoia the temple invoked in him. She recalled the ominous aura he described—something intangible yet all-encompassing. While her own senses betrayed no such presence, seeing it through his perspective left her unsettled.

They continued their exploration.

---

Bruce's voice broke through her reverie as they stepped inside. "So… I was gone for a thousand years."

World sighed at his evasive approach to the topic. "We've discussed this already. There's no need to blame yourself."

Bruce stopped and turned to her, his expression unreadable. "I understand your stance. I always knew the time between the Nasuverse and the Overlord Verse would differ. A year here might be a thousand years there, similar to how it was for me. May be, it is my presence that's causing it, after all, it is I alone who is the observer. Oh! Well, By the time we return to the Nasuverse, the world as we knew it might not even exist."

She nodded. "It's possible. We've barely scratched the surface of understanding the Omniverse."

Bruce's brow furrowed. "I even considered using the time machine—turning the Cube, the Omni Vehicle into Doraemon's time machine. But no matter how I tried, it didn't work.

When I was stuck in the past in the Nasuverse, I attempted to travel back to the future. Instead, it only brought me back to the starting point. Whether it's the nature of the Nasuverse itself or a flaw in the machine, I'm still not sure."

World considered his words before speaking. "When we fell into that crack, I saw the Overlord Verse from a higher plane. Its timeline was… unique. Linear, not branching. There's a Multiverse though, bound by singularity. It's rules keeping them distant, never allowing them to mingle or affect one another. It's as if they exist all exist in different Verses. Also, Time travel isn't just impossible—it's forbidden here."

Bruce's eyes lit up with intrigue. "So, that crack led us to a higher dimension? And we survived? That's incredible."

"Could be," World replied, her tone nonchalant.

Bruce chuckled at her indifference. "So, time works in a straight line here. Like Harry Potter's or Project Almanac—events are predestined. Anything you do in the past or future was always supposed to happen. It's a closed loop; your actions only serve to maintain the timeline. You aren't doing anything new that your future self hasn't already done. Interesting."

Their conversation ended abruptly as Bruce reached a massive pair of doors.

---

Standing before the doors, Bruce exhaled deeply.

"So, here it is," he muttered, steeling himself. With a sudden burst of energy, he pushed the doors open. "World, I know I'm a hypocrite and often contradict myself. I play the cool guy when there's a safety net, but as soon as it's gone, I'm left exposed. I didn't react much at the time, but I felt it when the accident happened—the crushing force that squashed my body, though it all disappeared in a second.

I'm overly cautious and lazy to boot. That's why my actions often contradict my thoughts and behavior. All my planning goes down the drain when I'm too lazy to follow through. But I suppose I was born with great luck; things just happen to benefit me." Bruce sighed, taking a pause before continuing.

"I put on a brave front, but my immaturity slips through at times. I act as if I'm better and more mature, all to be accepted and welcomed by society. I overthink, which makes me cautious in many things. But now, equipped with this Suit, I've grown quite carefree, to be honest. I like to role-play, yes, role-play.

I'm saying all this not to you, but to myself. After all, you know everything about me, don't you?" Bruce smiled as he turned around, caught in the moment, only to be stopped by the World.

"I hope you're not thinking of writing this down. It was a great speech, after all. Yet, everything you've said could be true from your perspective. But from a third party's view, some things might differ from what you've said.

Knowing everything about you, S, there's no need to worry about being like everyone else. You're different and unique. There's no need to be jealous of those who become the central figures in group dynamics. No need to worry about getting lost in the crowd. You are different. You are the Fool, the One who shall rule the Omniverse."

---

Bringing a smile upon his face. He continued his walk ahead.

World followed him cautiously but stopped at his gesture. The space beyond revealed an impossibly long spiral staircase descending into darkness. Returning to his normal..., or to at least his usual mood. Bruce stared down the endless steps, muttering under his breath.

"ROB… I'm placing my trust in you again. This suit has served me well, but I hope it continues to hold true. Your number one fan, @a.victim.of.ROB."

"Are you ready?" World's voice broke through his thoughts.

Bruce smirked, though his eyes betrayed doubt. "Ready as I'll ever be. I just thought you'd be curious about the temple's... welcoming aura. That's why I left it alone, all this time."

His thoughts betrayed his words: 'This isn't a game anymore. Dealing with eldritch entities isn't as simple as it was back then. The suit can protect my body, but what about my mind? My psyche? In the end, I'm just a shadow of Cthulhu from a game, no less—a fragment Dungeon Boss of a game.

Dealing with Real Eldritch Entities isn't as simple as those people on the internet made it seem.

Are the real Eldritch Gods censored? Do they need to follow the guidelines? Are they simmered down to follow age guidelines? Do they have their gore and others horror inducing things, stripped off them? Better, are they restricted by the rules set by some three Dimensional Mongrel, who so designed them and the game, they were made for.

Suppressing a shudder, Bruce began his descent, cursing the game developers. His movements were deliberate, almost mechanical.

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**The End**

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