Chapter 16: The Great Hunt part 1

"Good morning everyone. Today is the day of the 'big hunt'. Out target will be Maximilian Ramos Kasper. According to the information I have gathered, he seems to be on the same level as Narberal. It seems he could take over this territory if he so pleased, but it seems he may be scared to act. I advise utmost caution in handling this hunt, the target is known to surround himself with bodyguards, albeit weak ones." Yuri announced.

"Should we not all attack him at once?" Atlas asked.

"This is a personal order from Ainz-sama, he wants you to be able to handle this mission with just the assistance of Narberal. He stated that there would be no challenge whatsoever if we all attacked him." Solution explained.

"Acknowledged."

"May I ask for a different partner then? I do not believe that Narberal Gamma will have my back" Atlas asked.

"Rejected. This was an order from Ainz-sama." Yuri spoke.

"Acknowledged."

"I am not so petty as to sacrifice the mission over a personal grudge!" Narberal complained.

"Ainz-sama also stated that this mission will serve as practice for Narberal's role as Nabe when she accompanies Ainz-sama." Yuri spoke.

"Then I will work my absolute hardest." Narberal announced.

After the matter was over with, Yuri brought forth a box full of dark clothes.

"Narberal, change into these clothes. They will provide some concealment."

"For this mission, the goal is to put spotlight on Atlas. He will enter the organisation that sent those warriors from earlier. Once the time comes, kill them all." Yuri announced.

"As soon as they appear, Narberal will hide her presence."

"Ainz-sama has instructed for Atlas to play 'hard to get'. You will be required to decline any offers front the organisation until they appear to get 'serious', then you will accept. This will apparently be more believable." Yuri continued.

"Acknowledged, Sister Yuri." Atlas responded.

"Good."

"However, should the disguise fail; Ainz-sama has given full permission to engage enemy forces. But please put escaping as your number one priority." Solution finished.

"Acknowledged." Narberal and Atlas spoke in unison.

"Now please allow for us to change." Narberal spoke.

Atlas left the room and went back to his quarters. He donned his armour yet again, ready for the worst of events. Atlas grasped his helmet and wore it. His field of view dropped by over half of his maximum, leaving him feeling slightly off-guard. He had already worn the helmet once, but it still didn't feel quite natural for him. He armor itself didn't just feel like a bodily extension like his natural armour, it felt like a shell which encased another shell.

The skeleton had developed a sense of claustrophobia in gaining flesh which became much more amplified in wearing armour. The sense was by no means natural even for a flesh dweller, it was an enhanced feeling brought about by the false life spell. A skeleton that had only known bones can't possible adapt to flesh easily, such things weren't heard of and never happened.

Atlas quelled the brief sense of anxiety with a prayer to the Supreme One, kneeling on the floor.

"O Lord Ainz, I pray to Thee to bless me on my mission. I ask Thee to give me strength to slay the enemies of Nazarick, to bring glory to Thy name. I thank Thee for your kindness in giving this lowly undead a mission to further Thine power."

Atlas stood up from the floor and went outside of his room. He yawned as he closed the door behind him, feeling disgust as he realised it later. His bodily functions were already dulling his mind. This would be a rather difficult challenge to overcome, since he cannot rid himself of the flesh until he succeeds in the mission. More motivation was created in that one thought, to complete the mission was to free himself of this flesh prison.

"I am ready for the hunt." Atlas said as he grasped his hands together.

"Then we are all ready?" Yuri asked.

"Affirmative." Everyone spoke.

The cohort stealthy snuck out of the tavern during the early morning, navigating the city in total stealth. This was made possible by a group concealment spell cast by Narberal.

After 10 minutes of travelling, the group finally made it to what seemed to be a bar.

"'Bud Garden'?" Atlas spoke as he read the sign.

"Yes, this is the place. It is an illegal operation that deals in human trafficking, it is posing as a luxury bar. Be careful when entering, guards are located almost everywhere." Yuri spoke.

"May I kill every creature inside the building?" Atlas asked.

"No, there are illegal slaves in there which are innocent." Yuri announced.

"Slaves are living too, why spare trash?" Atlas continued.

"Letting them leave won't harm Nazarick." Yuri responded.

"Worthless trash." Narberal commented.

"We shouldn't leave witnesses." She continued.

"If you want, I could 'take care' of them." Solution suggested mischievously

"Denied." Yuri said.

"Acknowledged."

Atlas and Narberal entered the establishment. Inside they saw a large room filled with wooden furniture and exquisite sofas. The room had marble tables and purple carpets decorating them. The scene was filed with many men and women enjoying their drinks as demi-humans with metal collars served them.

"Slaves." Atlas murmured.

Suddenly a large figure entered the room, surrounded by 4 armed guards with short swords.

"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen."