A few days later.
"The taste is alright..."
Delicious food makes you feel happy; Max HP +1.
"Eric, do you want to try some?"
Eric, who was outside the cave playing with the Evil Spirit Dog with his wife and child, shook his head like a rattle upon hearing Yang Tao's words.
"Yang, forget it. I don't have a constitution as good as yours. I'll just stick to what ordinary people can eat."
The Evil Spirit Dog was covered in 'Ghost Fire', with several chains rotating continuously around its body.
At this moment, it was playing games with Eric's child just like a pet dog.
Yang Tao said with a bit of regret, "This is a Magic Tiger I worked hard to find in this forest. This tiger loin combined with my special Tiger Penis Wine could make even a dead man stand up straight."
He didn't know if ordinary Tiger Penis Wine worked, but his Tiger Penis and Bone Wine clearly gave Strength +1.
"Then I'll give it a try..."
Eric immediately changed his mind; no man could refuse the word 'aphrodisiac'.
Sitting on a stool, he took the medicinal wine Yang Tao handed him. After taking a sip, his pale face immediately turned bright red.
"It's... really good! My whole body feels warm and full of strength."
Yang Tao also took a sip and looked at Eric, asking, "Do you really not want to live a bit longer?"
Eric shook his head gently and said, "Living too long would be exhausting. I don't have such grand ambitions. I just hope that after I die, you can bury me in a place with beautiful scenery..."
"Beautiful scenery? In the Backrooms, there's a cow level on the Great Island that's quite nice. I'll just bury you there when the time comes. If that cow eats the grass on your grave, I'll turn it into an offering for you."
Yang Tao said jokingly, but in his heart, he had already decided that people's thoughts change over time.
He would first inject Eric and his wife with a Strengthening Potion each to double or triple their lifespan, and worry about the rest later.
"Haha, that works too. But are you sure that cow will live longer than me?"
"If I'm not mistaken, that cow is the Level Lord. Even if you grow sideways, there's no way you'll outlive it."
The two of them chatted idly.
Before long, Eric reached out his 'claws' toward the roasted loins. After eating and drinking his fill, Eric's face was flushed, but his eyes seemed to glow faintly.
"Yang, I'm heading back now!"
Seeing Eric's condition, Yang Tao's face broke into a playful smile. "Hurry up and go. I don't want to see anything strange."
Eric stood up and led his wife and child through the wooden door. Before leaving, he didn't forget to remind Yang Tao, "Save some of that wine for me!"
"Sure!"
The wooden door disappeared.
Yang Tao whistled, and the Evil Spirit Dog immediately ran to his side, wagging its tail.
He reached out and vigorously rubbed the dog's head.
"Wait a bit, you'll take the lead..."
"Woof!!"
Looking up toward the valley, several figures were walking this way.
[World Exploration Progress: 23.333%]
Activating Draconic Evolution Module.
What a pain in the neck exploration value, and this Draconic Evolution Module... I already have ProjectE, what's the point of giving me this now?
Wait... it seems it might be somewhat useful after all, but for now, I need to welcome the guests.
Three people arrived this time.
The protagonist Ainz Ooal Gown, the Battle Maid Narberal Gamma, and the tomboy Aura Bella Fiora.
Ainz Ooal Gown looked at the cave entrance where only a single human and an Evil Spirit Dog were on guard, and couldn't help but say:
"To have only one human and one Evil Spirit Dog on watch—how incredibly careless."
Ainz Ooal Gown, the strongest magic caster with a skeletal appearance.
Wearing a magnificent black cloak, he was massive in stature, and his fingers were adorned with a plethora of item-type rings like a nouveau riche.
His entire body radiated a supreme Haki.
Seeing the main characters arrive.
Yang Tao knew it was time to show off his acting skills.
Panicking, he picked up the longsword beside him and stood up, looking at the three of them. "Ske... Skeleton! What are you? I... I'm telling you, this is the territory of the Giant Kingdom! If you dare come over, you'll be provoking the Trolls... Yeah, that's right."
As the Battle Maid, Narberal Gamma saw Yang Tao dare to point a sword at the respected Lord Ainz and immediately placed her hand on the weapon at her waist.
"Insignificant insect, how dare you..."
But Ainz, standing beside her, placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Narberal."
"Lord Ainz."
An expression of confusion appeared on Narberal's face. To her, an insect-like human daring to draw a weapon against the Lord was the ultimate disrespect.
"Step back."
"Yes."
No matter how unwilling she felt, Narberal could only retreat after hearing the command.
Holding the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, Ainz walked toward Yang Tao and said, "I am Ainz Ooal Gown, the highest tier of the Undead, an Overlord!"
"You... You..."
A look of horror appeared on Yang Tao's face, as if he were intimidated by the other's title and the aura radiating from his body.
"The Trolls are... even more powerful... Don't come any closer, or it will be seen as a provocation..."
At the same time, a roar echoed from within the cave.
Ainz Ooal Gown's attention was instantly drawn to the activity inside the cave, ignoring Yang Tao, who had already 'collapsed' onto the stool.
"Narberal, Aura, follow me inside..."
"Yes, Lord Ainz."
Yang Tao 'advised' them earnestly, "No, no, you... You are declaring war..."
Narberal gave him a cold look, her eyes devoid of any emotion as she said softly, "Insect, you should be grateful for Lord Ainz's kindness. Declaring war? You have no idea what you are up against!"
As Ainz took a step forward, Yang Tao pulled a steaming cup of Knowledge Tea from his backpack and smiled. "But I am also very kind!"
Narberal: "???"
Several figures lunged out of the cave. They wore magnificent medieval-style armor and held massive war halberds, slashing at the group with a speed invisible to the average person.
"Watch out!!"
Bang!
The light on Ainz's body flashed wildly as he continuously cast various buffs and defenses.
Narberal, being the lowest level, could only hurriedly use the longsword in her hand to block the Doom Warrior's attack.
"Lord Ainz, it's an ambush!! Please retreat immediately!"
Yang Tao took a sip of Knowledge Tea and said with a chuckle, "It's not an ambush. You were just too arrogant. I already warned you—stepping forward is a declaration of war..."
"You!"
Narberal felt humiliated by a lower lifeform and immediately stopped suppressing her power. A magnificent black-and-white battle maid outfit appeared on her, with reinforced metal plates added to the hem for increased defense.
Teleportation.
Holding her gold and silver battle staff, Narberal wanted to teleport away, but the group of Doom Warriors attacking them had installed Ender Interrupters, specifically designed for those who tried to teleport at every turn.
Bang... The heavy war halberd slammed into her staff, leaving a notch.
"Grasp Heart!"
A beating heart appeared in Ainz Ooal Gown's hand; though it was only an illusion, it looked incredibly real.
He closed his hand gently.
The heart exploded instantly, and illusory blood splattered everywhere.