"Momonga, we're leaving the rest to you."
"Yeah. Good luck."
On the Eighth Floor of Nazarick, a massive scroll floated in midair. It was the World-Class Item [Depiction of Nature and Society].
Whether it was Herohero fusing with a World Boss or Naohara undergoing dragonification, both required absolute quiet and complete isolation from outside interference.
The small worlds within [Depiction of Nature and Society] were undoubtedly the perfect place.
After a final discussion to confirm everything was in order, Naohara and Herohero stepped into the vortex without hesitation.
Their vision blurred for a moment. When they regained their senses, they were standing beneath a star-filled sky.
A hundred stars shimmered faintly, each representing one of the hundred small worlds within [Depiction of Nature and Society].
"Restored already?"
Naohara glanced around, a little surprised.
The small world that had been destroyed during his friendly spar with the Brightness Dragon Lord had somehow recovered without him noticing.
As expected of a World-Class Item. Truly reliable.
Standing beneath the artificial starry sky, Herohero clicked his tongue.
"Heh. Let's just hope we don't wake up and find out months have passed."
The summoned World Boss had no self-awareness. It would simply follow the summoner's commands like a machine.
So Herohero was not worried about anything going wrong during the fusion itself.
The only concern was how long it would take.
"Who knows? We can only leave it to fate."
Naohara understood his concern, but the process was beyond their control.
There was no point overthinking it. It might even finish sooner than expected.
"Fair enough. I'm off."
With that, the two split up and flew toward different stars.
...
In a desolate small world, Naohara sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. The traits of a Dragonoid were clearly visible across his body.
His perception sank inward, past flesh and bone.
First, there was a magic circle densely covered in mysterious runes, radiating the fluctuations of Wild Magic.
Above it hovered a crystal-clear Dragon Crystal, within which the phantom image of a giant dragon flickered.
Under Naohara's control, the magic circle lay below and the Dragon Crystal above. The process progressed far more smoothly than expected, without the slightest mishap.
Within seconds, the two began to resonate, drawing closer and merging together.
As Wild Magic activated, the Dragon Crystal burst into dazzling light. Guided by the magic circle, its immense power flowed silently into his blood.
In that instant, Naohara felt every drop of blood in his body begin to boil. It roared and rejoiced as if celebrating.
The transformation into a dragon had begun.
Under that pure energy, all of Naohara's attributes surged at an astonishing pace.
At the same time, fragments of information surfaced within his mind, carrying the knowledge and inheritance of the Dragon Race.
"World… devour… end… dragon…"
Images and concepts flooded his consciousness one after another.
Outside, centered on Naohara, an overwhelming dragon's might descended from above, like the wrath of a god.
In an instant, the sky seemed to collapse and the void wailed. A colossal dragon's shadow appeared, blotting out everything.
Magic gathered and condensed into a massive cocoon, wrapping around Naohara and drawing him into an even deeper transformation.
On the surface of the cocoon, a unique magic shimmered, emitting dark, ominous waves.
...
In another small world, an irregular, constantly warping mass of viscous slime writhed as its enormous body squirmed ceaselessly.
"Turning into a dragon?"
"That aura… it's truly terrifying."
Herohero looked up at the sky. His gaze pierced through the world's barrier, toward the small world where Naohara was, and he could not help but sigh in amazement.
"Well then, I should get started too."
Pulling his gaze back, Herohero turned to the massive dragon before him.
[Wings of the End - Níðhöggr]
The summoned World Boss stood motionless.
Herohero's indescribable body shifted. In the next instant, countless tentacles shot out, wrapping tightly around the dragon and binding it in place.
The two drew closer. The tentacles dragged the dragon downward, slowly submerging it into the viscous mass.
The fusion had begun.
Herohero's enormous body gradually compressed, transforming into a massive sphere that completely enveloped the dragon within.
A powerful corrosive force activated, relentlessly eroding, melting, and absorbing it.
...
Outside.
Momonga was pondering what to do next. Should he head to the library to read for a while?
Or slip away somewhere private and secretly enjoy a proper feast?
"Momonga-sama!"
A sudden voice interrupted his thoughts.
Turning his head, he saw Sebas approaching quickly.
"What is it, Sebas?"
"Momonga-sama, a small group is approaching Nazarick."
"They are currently in the forest outside. Should we have the magical beasts in the forest take action?"
Just moments ago, the surveillance magic had sounded an alert. Someone was approaching Nazarick.
"Who are they?"
Momonga froze for a brief moment, then asked sharply.
The timing was too perfect.
Naohara and Herohero had just entered a deep state of transformation, and immediately afterward, unknown humans were approaching Nazarick.
His thoughts began racing.
A conspiracy?
Or just coincidence?
For safety's sake, Momonga raised his hand.
"Do nothing. Let them enter Nazarick."
"Sebas, notify Shalltear and Cocytus. Have them assemble on the First Floor."
He did not take this lightly and immediately began arranging a careful response.
With Naohara and Herohero currently indisposed, it was better to proceed cautiously.
Moreover, he had no idea whether the other side possessed any hidden trump cards. To prevent any unforeseen complications, it would be safest to let them enter Nazarick.
Once inside, it would be their home ground.
"As you command."
Sebas bowed slightly and withdrew.
"Aureole, remain here. If Naohara or Herohero awaken, inform me at once."
Momonga gave [Depiction of Nature and Society] a long look, then instructed Aureole at his side.
"Yes, Momonga-sama."
"Good. Albedo, Pandora's Actor, let's move."
"To the First Floor."
"To welcome our guests."