The Armor of Kai

Hades dispelled the Time Stop magic. All the preludes had been completed, and the spells he had set on delay could no longer be held back.

It was time to send Momonga on his way. As the flow of time returned to normal, Hades's entire body was enveloped in a flash by a substance resembling black rock, even covering his head completely. Under the reflection of the light, the black material took on a metallic sheen.

For a moment, it was impossible to tell with the naked eye whether it was rock or metal. This black, rock-like metal did not stop at merely covering Hades; it began to evolve its form.

A row of sharp barbs protruded from his forearms, while his back and chest formed armor plating that mimicked the lines of muscles, and his headgear shifted into a streamlined helmet.

Although it encased Hades's entire body, it did not feel cumbersome in the slightest; instead, it appeared exceptionally agile.

This was one of the spells triggered by the delayed magic—"Armor."

This spell was exclusive to the Elemental Mage's earth element specialization. It could only be learned by those who had upgraded their earth specialization to the high-tier class of Evoker.

While not a skill of a hidden class, it was a high-tier class exclusive that could only be cast on oneself, not on others.

Yet, even with such limitations, this was the final choice Hades had made after combining dozens of class builds.

There was, naturally, a reason for him to make such a choice.

First was the effect of "Armor." This spell provided the caster with a layer of plating that granted roughly level 65 warrior attack stats and level 75 defense stats.

These values could stack with the caster's own stats. Unlike the power armor used by novices—which would overwrite the user's own stats, making it a burden for a level 100 player—this spell was different.

It allowed a magic caster to instantly become a warrior of roughly level 70, with the upper limit depending on their own base stats.

When stacked with the stats of a typical magic caster player, the final value would reach around level 85.

However, compared to the spell "Perfect Warrior," it could not allow a magic caster to equip warrior weapons.

Yet, it did not require continuous MP consumption to maintain, and it still allowed the use of certain spells, which was far better than the state of "Perfect Warrior," where no magic could be used.

Still, the operators would never design a perfect spell that would break the game's balance.

Being unable to use warrior weapons, and even less able to use warrior skills, meant he was merely a blank-slate warrior with high stats.

The restriction on using certain spells meant his combat capabilities as a magic caster were curtailed.

Thus, the spell's utility was limited to self-preservation, used to withstand a fatal blow from an enemy.

The restriction preventing it from being cast on others also stripped it of any potential as a powerful support tool.

But for Hades, who possessed the "Seed of the World Tree," this setting was like discovering a new world. In order to unearth the potential of this World Item, he had constantly leveled up and down, switching through various class combinations, until he finally discovered the ingenious use of this spell.

With level 100 warrior stats, plus the stacking effect of "Armor," he could reach nearly level 170 warrior stats, and with the attributes granted by his equipment, he could approach level 190.

The only drawback was that the official tournament restricted the use of World Items; otherwise, Hades believed it wouldn't have been difficult for him to take home the world championship.

With his body already covered by "Armor," Hades had long since activated the "Seed of the World Tree," transforming into a human warrior.

Before he could even savor this incomparable power, Hades flew forward and kicked Albedo directly in the lower back.

If one were to ask how terrifying the strength of a nearly level 190 warrior was, Albedo could not answer. She had been admiring the figure of Ainz as he fought with a look of adoration when she suddenly felt movement behind her.

As a qualified defensive warrior, her senses were exceptionally keen. Through the flow of the wind, she detected an anomaly behind her, but just as she prepared to turn around, an irresistible force struck her waist.

That force pushed her a step forward. For a defensive warrior, being shaken was a profound humiliation. As she turned in a rage to retaliate, she suddenly realized she was standing in a completely unfamiliar place.

"Ainz-sama! Ainz-sama!"

Albedo called out to Momonga in terror, but the surrounding forest was deathly silent. She tried to contact Momonga via "Message," but there was no response.

"Damn it! Where is this! Ainz-sama!"

Wielding her giant axe, Albedo wandered like a headless fly. She was not a magic caster; although her race provided some magical skills, she possessed no teleportation magic.

The sudden turn of events left her unsettled. She abruptly spread her black wings and flew into the sky, looking out over the vast, endless forest.

"Damn it! Damn it! Where on earth is this! Ainz-sama, where are you!"

Albedo's eyes were bloodshot, and the aura she released caused the once-quiet forest to instantly become chaotic.

Just as she was about to charge in a random direction regardless of the consequences, a voice suddenly came from behind her. In her blind rage, Albedo didn't even think; she swung the long axe in her hand.

"Ah! It's me—Albedo-sama!"

Mare's terrified, high-pitched voice rang through the area. The long axe in Albedo's hand stopped one centimeter from Mare's head; had it gone any further, Mare would likely have been decapitated.

"Oh, it's you. And Aura, too." Albedo retracted her axe and looked coldly at Mare and Aura, who were hovering in the air. Her voice was icy. "Are you trying to betray Ainz-sama? Mare!"

"Eh?" Mare's heart tightened, and his legs clamped together involuntarily. He stammered, "I... I... I have never thought of such a thing. How could I ever betray Ainz-sama?"

"If that is the case," Albedo narrowed her eyes, revealing a terrifying murderous intent, "then why haven't you opened a portal to return to Ainz-sama's side!"

Of the three present, only Mare was a full magic caster class and the only one capable of using teleportation magic. Albedo believed that Mare would not have the guts to abandon his post; since they had appeared here, they should have realized the problem. What Mare should be doing was not chatting with her, but returning to Ainz-sama's side.

"No... no... it's not like that..." Mare was so anxious that tears were about to fall. "I... I have already tried, but the teleportation magic has no effect. Even communication cannot reach Ainz-sama."

"!!!!!!!!!!!!!"