The sun peeked through thinning clouds as Ainz — still in disguise as Rein — walked calmly down one of E-Rantel's narrow side streets. Narberal trailed close behind, eyes watchful as always.
They had no real destination yet. Just observation. Presence. Information.
A guild plate and a name. That's a start, Ainz thought. Now to quietly establish ourselves...
Then he heard it. A cry. Sharp and panicked.
"Help! Someone—please—he's not breathing!"
Ainz didn't hesitate. He turned sharply into a shaded alley.
There, slumped against a wall, was a boy—no, a young man. Blood stained his chest and side. His grandmother, a sharp-eyed woman with trembling hands, was frantically trying to administer a standard healing potion, but the wound wasn't responding.
"Why isn't it working…? Damn it, Nfirea, don't you close your eyes!" she snapped, voice cracking.
Ainz knelt down silently, taking in the scene.
A lung wound... internal bleeding. Those potions only work on surface damage. He won't last another minute.
He pulled a crimson-glass vial from beneath his cloak and offered it wordlessly.
Lizzie Bareare blinked. "You—?"
"Let him drink this."
"I don't—"
"It will work."
She hesitated, then helped guide the boy's lips. The potion shimmered faintly, unnaturally red. Within moments, color returned to his skin. His breathing steadied. His eyes fluttered open, dazed.
Lizzie stared in silence, jaw tight.
"...That wasn't a standard potion."
"It's not." Ainz stood, brushing imaginary dust from his coat. "But it was the right one."
She looked at him properly now—this tall man with noble bearing and strange, almost unreal eyes. His tone wasn't arrogant. Just... certain.
"You just saved my grandson's life."
"You would've done the same," he said evenly. "Had your tools been enough."
"I'm Lizzie," she said. "Lizzie Bareare. Alchemist. And you—?"
"Rein."
"...Thank you, Rein."
She paused, then added with quiet sincerity, "If you ever need alchemy, trade, or a place to rest—my door's open."
He gave a polite nod. "I'll remember that."
As Ainz and Narberal walked away from the alley, she cast him a sidelong glance.
"That woman... she didn't look like she had much to offer."
"Perhaps not at first glance," Ainz replied. "But she seems like a skilled alchemist—even in this world. More importantly, her gratitude may prove... valuable."
Internally, he was already adjusting his mental map of this city.
So they do have decent potion makers here. That means a system of alchemy and medicinal crafting exists—likely valuable to Nazarick's future operations.
Narberal kept pace beside him, silent for a moment.
Then she said, "Did you know her name beforehand, Rein-sama?"
"No," he replied truthfully. "But her skill was evident in her panic. That was a woman who knew her potion should've worked—and couldn't accept it when it didn't."
Ainz paused briefly, his eyes scanning the busy street ahead.
"Desperation," he said calmly, "has a way of revealing who people really are. A desperate person will cling to anything that offers hope. And in doing so… they often make the best allies."
Narberal nodded slowly, digesting the words.
He added, almost absently, "Touch Me once said something like that. 'In a raid, it's always the ones with nothing to lose who pull off miracles.'"
A faint smile ghosted across his lips under the hood.
Back then, it had been about games—players putting everything on the line for a clear. But here, in this world, the principle still held. And now, he wasn't clearing a dungeon. He was mapping an empire.
"...We'll keep an eye on her," he murmured. "And her grandson too. Never underestimate the value of a saved life."
Narberal gave a small bow. "As you command, Rein-sama."
And with that, they melted back into the heartbeat of E-Rantel, their quiet infiltration continuing—one grateful ally at a time.
****************
They returned to the Adventurer's Guild before sunset. The receptionist greeted them with a practiced smile and handed over a newly forged bronze adventurer's plate.
"Rein-san, your guild plate. You've been assigned a provisional rank of copper until you complete your introductory quest."
Ainz accepted the plate and gave a polite nod. "Understood. What is the nature of the quest?"
"A simple extermination request," the receptionist explained. "Giant forest rats have been nesting in a warehouse district near the outer walls. Clear them out and report back."
A monster extermination quest… just like the beginning of every low-level game.
He resisted the urge to sigh.
"Very well," he said aloud. "We will take care of it immediately."
Narberal looked like she wanted to say something but wisely held her tongue.
As they exited the Guild once more, the golden light of evening washed the streets in warmth.
"Well, Nabe," Ainz said with a dry chuckle, "our glorious reign as exterminators begins."
Narberal looked completely unimpressed. "If any rat dares approach you, Rein-sama, I will ensure it ceases to exist."
"I have no doubt."
******************
The warehouse district near the edge of E-Rantel was quiet, the kind of quiet that carried the scurrying sounds of vermin in the walls. The air smelled of dust, old hay, and mildew.
Ainz and Narberal entered one of the dilapidated buildings designated in the quest. Inside, faint movement in the shadows confirmed their quarry.
But before they could act, another set of voices echoed through the building.
"Watch your step, Dyne. They might be nesting deeper in."
Ainz turned, recognizing the party that entered. A young man in simple armor stepped into the light—Ninya, followed by a tall warrior, a robed spellcaster, and a quiet thief.
Ninya stopped mid-step. "Oh—Adventurers?"
Ainz offered a polite nod. "Yes. Rein. Copper rank, newly registered."
"Same here. We're clearing the other side. Name's Ninya. And that's Lukrut, Dyne, and Peter."
The introductions were simple but genuine.
"I assume you're here for the same quest?" Peter asked.
"Yes," Ainz replied. "We'll avoid getting in each other's way."
Lukrut gave a whistle. "You two don't look like copper ranks. Especially her." He eyed Narberal, who looked two seconds away from vaporizing him.
"She's very efficient," Ainz replied flatly.
"Efficient, huh? She looks more like she's about to stab someone than kill rats," Lukrut chuckled.
Narberal's tone was ice. "If you continue speaking so casually to my master, I will reduce you to a smear on the floor."
The group froze. Lukrut raised his hands. "Whoa, easy. Just joking."
Ainz sighed. "Nabe, restraint. We are supposed to be blending in."
"Yes, Rein-sama… my apologies."
Peter, trying to ease the tension, commented, "Still, you two really don't seem like you're from around here. You look more like nobles than adventurers."
"We've traveled a long way," Ainz replied with calm finality.
The groups split up to clear separate halves of the warehouse.
Ainz held up a hand and cast a small, controlled spell. "[Shock Orb]."
A rat the size of a small dog exploded.
He turned to Narberal. "Make sure not to go overboard."
The extermination was simple. Too simple, but that suited his current goal: observation.
After a short time, both groups reconvened outside.
"Efficient," Ninya said, panting slightly. "Didn't even break a sweat."
Peter nodded. "You two are good. Want to grab dinner?"
Ainz considered it. Building relationships with local adventurers could be useful.
"Perhaps. Another time. But thank you."
As they parted ways, Ainz kept Ninya's group in mind.
They seem decent. Maybe even potential assets...
How long has it been since I adventured with everyone?
He could almost hear the laughter, the arguments over loot distribution, the last-minute strategy calls before a world boss. He remembered HeroHero's complaints, Bukubukuchagama's eccentric voice over chat, and Touch Me's unwavering optimism.
"They'd have loved this place," he murmured under his breath. "All of them."
He glanced at Narberal, her expression stone-still.
And now... I carry them with me. All of them. In name, in memory, and in every step I take.
Narberal, on the other hand, muttered, "That archer has no respect."
"He's harmless," Ainz said. "But I'll keep an eye on them."
E-Rantel was starting to take shape in his eyes. One connection at a time.
*****************
With the job complete, Ainz and Narberal made their way back to the Adventurer's Guild.
The receptionist from earlier greeted them with a courteous nod. "Ah, Rein-san. Welcome back. Did the extermination go well?"
"No issues," Ainz replied, handing over the completed request form.
The receptionist inspected the details, checked their plates, and smiled. "Excellent work. With that, your probation ends, and your rank will officially be upgraded to copper."
Narberal stood silently at Ainz's side, her gaze occasionally sweeping the room.
The receptionist added, "We've had multiple reports confirming the extermination, including one from another party. Seems you worked alongside Swords of Darkness?"
"Briefly," Ainz said. "Our paths crossed."
"They had good things to say about you."
Ainz simply nodded.
As expected. Reputation is currency here.
He pocketed the polished copper plate and stepped away from the desk.
"Nabe," he said, "this city is starting to open up. Slowly, but it is."
"Should we begin investigating other potential contacts?"
"Yes. But carefully. Let's continue to lay the foundation."
Narberal bowed slightly. "Understood, Rein-sama."
Ainz looked around the Guild one last time before exiting into the night.
One quest down. Many more to go.