Ainz Ooal Gown was by no means a poor guild. They were just sensible, with each of them having their own commitments to life outside of gaming. So when someone suddenly dons an armor that cost months worth of paychecks at the spot.
It was only natural that they think how stupid that person is.
Yggdrasil may be costly, but it was by no means unplayable to the majority of players who also happens to be poor. And while it doesn't mean that the Devs don't try to milk as much as they can from the those who were willing open up their pockets, such expenditures still aren't exactly common.
But while they were baffled at her attempt at a Gacha Armor Set. What they did find more disturbing is the fact that she actually succeeded.
The term 'Shitty Devs' exist for a reason. One of them being how unfair the Gacha System was, proven to point by the countless videos in the internet showing how scummy it really is.
While the first pull was easy, the second cost twice more, the third cost twice compared to the second, and the fourth cost twice compared the third and so on and so fort. Exponentially the expenditure increases and at worst is the final piece which will require at least five times more than the one before it. And why continue to spend on it? Simple, it was the last piece in a whole set whose effects are so fucking devastating that a Legendary Set Effect is worth more than a clown suit of Divine Gear.
The Guild's main example is Touch Me's armor set itself. His platinum armor is exclusive to his World Champion class. So long has he has it on, no amount of Divine Gear could defeat him. The only one that can challenge his panoply is a full Set of Divine Gear.
So when one member suddenly appears donning possibly one of the most expensive and only known existing armor set of Legendary grade. It was natural that they be baffled, curious, envious and when the dungeon dive commenced, they were downright gushing in excitement in excess.
One such group is Momonga's own. Eliza walked at the forefront alongside Buku-Bukuchagama both chatting amicably while remaining attentive on their respective tasks.
At the back stood both Ulbert and Momonga, quietly observing the two girls in their party. And while Momonga was fine with the peace and quiet, his friend seemed to have other plans.
"Do you like her?" Ulbert asked.
"I haven't even known her that long."
"I see. I get why you were hesitant then." receiving a questioning look, Ulbert continued. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but chances are she is an old woman whos also a widower. Probably looking for someone young to spend her last moments with."
"Wha- No!" Momonga shouted making everyone turn towards him to which he simply sent a smile emoji and carried on.
"I get it. I do. But I'm sorry if I'm really forceful about this... but I would still say you go for it."
"...are you seriously telling me to spend my days as someone's toy?" Momonga asked, baffled at his friends words.
"You make it sound like it would be worst than now." Ulbert's distain was impossible to ignore. But before Momonga could press on, monsters appeared into their vision. Rotting corpses with several bones exposed and covered in rigor mortis. As he looked around only then did he realized that somehow, the other parties had all seemingly vanished.
[Discern Enemy] "Zombie... Level 83" said Momonga.
Without a word, Buku stepped forward manifesting two shields at her sides, held by a gelatinous limb covered in decorated gauntlets. Right behind her stood Eliza, drawing her sword, dripped in blood red crystals and encased in black steel and casting "[Blade Enchant- Flame]."
Buku was the first to move, gathering the enemies attention and with a single [Shield Bash] within the ancient corridor, she stunned all enemies in a single row.
Eliza rushed without missing a beat, attacking with [Blade Fury]. Four simultaneous strikes appears like flashes of red trails that cut down the first half a dozen monsters in an instant.
With the enemies wiped, Buku rushed forward once more and with a [Heavy Strike] pushed the oncoming enemies with her shield toppling down those upfront on top of those behind them. With another opening provided, Eliza rushed in with a [Triple Slash]. Sending three horizontal attacks in quick succession. Damaging a large number of enemies and with her sword enchant, she wiped out the undead easily.
Seeing as the path was easily cleared by two frontiers, Momonga resolved to apply minimum buffs to his allies while Ulbert was to conserve his MP.
"The others are gone." Momonga remarks.
"Sounds about right." answers Ulbert. "Its a 'Die-By-Yourself-Dungeon' after all. I admit, it is a little eerie how they disappeared without warning."
Momonga nodded at that. This was the problem with simultaneous attack dungeons. Parties being split and then forced to regather altogether was the task. The annoying part is that a single party failing means that the everybody else fails as well and all it takes is one mishap from one member. Worst off is the fact that to those who died last, later causing the dungeon fail, meant permanently losing one item with no means of getting it back again.
"Shitty Devs they may be, I'm just glad we're keeping our party wide buffs." adds Nishiki Enrai.
"I wouldn't be too sure." Eliza interjects. "This dungeon was not meant to be cleared on first try. It wouldn't surprise me if the buffs come crashing down once we reach the boss rooms or at worst..."
"A de-buff. Yeah, that seems in line with those sadistic bastards." Buku whines out.
"Don't worry guys." says Momonga. "This is the strongest team composition there is. We will win."
With unseen smiles of their own, each nodded in affirmation to their leader and carried on. In constant pace, the party went through every enemy they could find while on the back lines, Ulbert kept an eye out for potential enemies of higher grade, Nishiki Enrai searched in advance for traps and Momonga kept in touch with other parties, keeping track of their progress through the dungeon.
Out at the front, Buku, Yamaiko and Eliza had started to sync their movements. With Buku in the lead, Eliza made sure to capitalize on any opening the slime would give. While Yamaiko ensured minimizing risks and damage taken by enemy retaliation. This allows Buku to focus on Hate management and crowd control which in turn allowed her to save much needed MP and HP.
Through it all, their party moved like a well oiled machine. With each member complimenting each other. It was impressive enough that Ulbert, someone who was tasked to 'keep an eye on the new guy' begrudgingly respected her proficiency in utilizing her class.
'She's as skilled as Momonga-san. Adapting to the field and her allies in frightening speed. The only difference is that while Momonga utilized his enemies weaknesses the more they expelled themselves. This girl seemed to lean more towards aggressive actions to provide and pry open her enemies weaknesses instead.' Ulbert thought grimly just as his kind wandered aimlessly to grimmer thoughts.
A rich woman coming out of nowhere and offering a ticket to heaven. Ulbert scoffed at the mere thought. He knew there was nothing free in this world. The air itself is for sale after all. And so he fears for his friend what this woman's offer truly entails. He knew that there are those who indeed got lucky. But luck wouldn't be luck if everyone had it.
He knew of people turning into personal servants. Some even turned to slaves. Others as actual workers in private families. While there are those who were turned into a sex toy, torture devices and some were harvested for parts, from limbs, to skin, to organs. A person meant to scratch the itch of the rich, and the horrors the worst of them were willing to indulge... it was frightening to even think about.
"You met her yet?" Ulbert whispers startling Momonga.
"Is this really the time Ulbert-san?"
"We can talk now or later. Just so you know, I have no intention of letting his topic go." Ulbert affirms. "You know what, lets change topic. She is skilled that much I admit."
Jumping at the chance, Momonga spoke. "She is. As is expected of her."
"Hoo.... I guess its only natural you know how well she fights."
"Well-" 'how exactly do I say that she is practically the game itself now?' "It is because of her rather, special circumstances."
"The body capsule. Yeah, I thought as much."
"Eh?"
Believing Momonga was surprised than baffled, Ulbert carried on. "Her expressions, her movements and her unnaturally quick reaction. It is both far too advance and far too fast by VR headgear standards. I only know of two other devices that can do the same thing. One is a Nano Dipped Headgear."
"The one that looks like an astronaut's helmet?" Momonga asks.
"Yup. Unlike the casual Nano interface that is commonly used is connected through the spine that then scans the brain. This helmet basically drowns the whole head into a bowl of nano machines. It allows for faster connections, smoother controls and even face tracing."
"That thing is worth years of savings."
"20 years of savings if you go by standard salary man pay and is willing to live life on nutrient packets."
Suzuki winced at the thought. Not even he was willing to go that far. Twenty years is too long, and he knows it is. He could barely last two months on nutrient packets, let alone twenty years.
"And then there is hers. Full body scan, only one type of device could do that. The Body Capsule. It has a very advance computer with an extremely moderated A.I. it doesn't just dipp the head but the whole body in nano machines, allowing for live body scans and even behavioral pattern recording. Twitches during certain scenarios allow the computer to record the person's characteristics and reaction patterns. Now here is the scary part Momonga-san." Ulbert turns serious as he spoke not noticing how quiet everyone is. "This recorded patterns can either be changed, removed or enhanced. From simple twitches to body jerking reactions. It is said that this machine is commonly used by the rich to further develop themselves mentally through practice and physically through nutrient injection... All done in the safety of the Capsule."
"Su-surely t-this was but a, uhmm... conspiracy theory... right?"
"Nope." says Eliza.
"Eh?"
"Huh?"
"Wait..."
"I knew it!?" whispers Ulbert. Him and everyone else turning to the person who denied Momonga's denial.
"Its true." Eliza adds. "The device exist and is capable of doing just what your friend said Suzuki-kun."
"Fuck ..."
"Well that is no longer unfair... that's just downright corrupt."
"The poor gets poorer....wow... who would have thought."
"Damn... Wait! You have one!? I mean you are inside one right now!?" asked Nishiki Enrai.
"I am." Eliza replies. "I got two of them from my mother and my father. It was among the few items they personally owned."
"...two?..." Buku's eyes widened at the realization. And with her head turning from Eliza to Momonga, the others put one and two together just as quick.
"Tsk! Lucky bastard..."
Everyone chatted amicably as they waited in front of two giant double doors whilst they waited for Momonga's instructions, who was too engrossed in a conversation with the other parties.
"So... Eliza-san. What exactly is your intention towards Momonga-san?"
"... a little too forward Yamaiko." Ulbert remarks.
"Only cause I know she would prefer we ask her directly." turning back to he raven haired beauty. "Why him exactly?"
"Well... truth be told, I'm not sure. All I know is that my mother wants him. Chances are...he's an heir of a fortune and mother wants to be the one to send the invitation to him."
"That doesn't make sense..." says Yamaiko.
"Its because it doesn't." answers Ulbert. "Sometimes the wealthy doesn't leave behind an heir. So instead, the nearest of kin inherits everything. But what if the nearest of kin is outside of the Dome? Then the 'nearest of Kin' needs to get to the Dome. A bullshit practice done by wealthiest to have control over other wealthy people. And they made sure there is only one way to enter."
"....by invitation...."
"...no fucking way..."
"... doesn't that mean that-"
"Yes." Eliza says.
The group went quiet. Not really sure how to process things. The side broken only by Ulbert who remarked.
"...I shouldn't be surprised that the rich kids club required invitation..."