Mass for the Dead Chapter 01



World of Chaos (混沌の世界) is the first main story chapter in Mass for the Dead. It was released to the public on February 21, 2019.

Episode 1: Departure
In the Round Table Room, Momonga decides to first survey the surroundings before sending out a team to explore. By using the Mirror of Remote Viewing, the Overlord is able to see a grassland area, goblins and finally a ruined village. Momonga notes that the world they are in is not YGGDRASIL, judging by the poor quality of equipment used by the demi-humans. However the last image attracts Momonga's attention as the damaged to the human settlement is similar to what transpired in the Great Tomb of Nazarick. While the information they might gain might be minimal, Momonga assigned the homunuculus NPC protagonist their first mission: to locate the village and gather intelligence. Albedo knowing that the mission may be dangerous suggests giving the NPC escorts. Nazarick being undermanned and damaged as it is, Momonga assigns Narberal Gamma to protect the homunculus. While the maid is ready for her assignment she informs her master that after fighting the monster from the Crack, she seems to feel much stronger. The experience she feels is deduced by her master to be leveling up which should be impossible as NPCs levels are set. But given that they are in another world, and the fact that various NPCs have underwent level losses in this New World, leveling up may be a possibility. Momonga is eager to begin research into this phenomena to restore the dungeon. Before the party leaves Momonga gives the protagonist a Sealing Crystal containing transfer magic to allow for a quick escape. To prevent the villagers from being suspicious they are given minimal supplies to create a cover as lost travelers. In addition the Overlord gives the pair use of a mercenary NPC, a Redeem Slime as its mimicry abilities could be useful in their mission. The three travelers now ready, Momonga creates a [Gate] and transports them to their destination.

After crossing the [Gate], the group find themselves not at the village, but in a vast forest instead. A [Message] from Momonga is received by Narberal, who tells the trio that some kind of error in the arrival coordinates had occurred. Normally such a thing would not be possible but Momonga believes that the influence of the Crack in Nazarick may have distorted space. The protagonist and their group are far from the village, and Momonga advises the group to use their Sealing Crystal to transfer back so that he can try again to send them to the village. The protagonist declines wishing to take the risk and explore the surrounding while heading towards the human village. Momonga is initially uncomfortable in taking the risk permits the protagonist's decision but reminds them to be careful and that there is no shame in a retreat. After ending the [Message]. Narberal asks how should they proceed to locate the village. While Narberal could use [Fly] to find the settlement, she does not recommend it as it uses too much magic. The answer soon comes in the form of the Redeem Slime who offers to climb one of the trees to help Narberal determine their exact position. The slime then proceeds to climb a tree and extend part of her body like a rope so the maid could climb to observe the world above the branches. Narberal soon after crashes down back on the forest floor, but has gained insight of where the village is.

Now with a heading, for extra caution Narberal Gama uses [Rabbit Ears] in case of approaching enemies. The trio travel through the forest, until the slime takes notice of a sound. While seemingly nothing it's revealed there are melted leaves in a tree up ahead. Narberal sees that a slime is lurking there waiting for prey. The maid then uses a stone to draw it out and kills it will her powers. After having killed the slime, Narberal exclaims that she felt her level rise once again. The slime is happy for its superior, which causes the homunculus to be surprised as they had just killed it own kind. When asked if it felt any guilt, the slime stated it considers itself to be a breed superior than those common slimes that only live by instinct. Thus she has no qualms in killing inferior breeds and lives only to serve. Just as they are about to move the group senses that there are more slimes lurking near the tree. And given the number of slime trails its possibly a colony resting in its shade. As they talk Narberal and the protagonist find it difficult to continue a conversation with the slime as it still unnamed. To make up for their rudeness of not treating the slime as an individual, the two formally introduce themselves to it. The slime given the opportunity to name itself, decides to call herself Slimeko. The name however is a dead ringer for her species, so under her teammates' recommendations Slimeko adopts the alias of "Surako" while on the mission.

After eliminating the danger, the group have traveled a reasonably distance from their starting point. Narberal suggests they rest and so they take a refreshing water break. The protagonist reminds Surako that they soon will be encountering humans on this mission and must not draw attention to themselves. Surako agrees and defers the interaction of humans to the protagonist. Narberal finds it distasteful that she will be interacting with lowly creatures. However she stops short of herself when she senses something approaching them. She urges her companions to a big tree to prepare for whatever is coming and advises the protagonist to use the crystal just in case. Narberal facing the threat alone soon comes face to face with a snarling wolf as it leaps out of the bushes.

Episode 2: Forest Wolf
Narberal is uninterested in her opponent, believing it to be just a common beast and easily kills the wolf. She tells her charges that normal animals unlike monsters flee once they see the difference in power. Before they can leave, more wolves come and attack. Narberal rebuffs one but she starts to see that the pack is behaving abnormally as are continuing to attack them despite them being outclassed by the maid. It's wondered if perhaps they are starving or under the influence of someone like a Beast Tamer. Its recalled that goblins use wolves as mounts but no signs of any masters appear. The maid slays the entire pack and the group plan to quickly vacate the area to avoid more attacks.

Though before proceeding with that plan, Surako moves to consume the wolves corpses for nutrition. While it may seem to be snacking on the job, the slime states that she can use her nutrients and convert it to energy which she can use [Message] and communicate with Momonga. Seeing it as a useful skill and a bit of insurance to remain in contact with Nazarick, Narberal and the protagonist allow her to continue, though Surako warns them it will take time for her to digest as she envelopes a corpse. The group are interrupted when a chorus of howls come from yonder. Narberal not wanting Surako from being disturbed tells her to focus on eating while she deals with the interlopers.

Surako unable to answer, the slime finds herself "choking" on a bone as she is busy doing her digestion. Narberal witnessing this tells herself that next time she will prepare rations in the future to avoid a situation like this from happening.

Episode 3: Giant Shadow
Surako having finished digesting the wolf, announces that she now has the required energy to send out a message to Momonga. Before they could proceed, a roar is heard from the depths of the forest. The slime is sent to see what is causing the movement and heads to the treetops to survey the area. She reports that the sound to be from a wolf and a goblin looking for prey. While their fighting ability is weak, the group decide to hasten away from the spot to avoid a conflict. However the get caught by a wave of goblins who were attracted to the prior battle and are forced to fight. The agents fight through a second wave of goblins and a realization dawns on the odd behavior of their attackers. Just like the wolves they found the demi-humans appear to disregard all common sense and give into baseless violence, attacking them even if they have no chance of winning. As they are discussing whether their is some sort of manipulation involved, Surako gives a cry when she spots something massive peeking out through the gaps of the trees.

However neither the protagonist or Narberal see not detect it. While they cannot confirm something is actually out there, they assume it to be a powerful enemy like a giant or a dragon and remain vigilant. The edge of the forest is soon discover, along with a road that they hope will lead them to the human village. Before setting off on the road, Surako then takes the opportunity to use her shape-shifting abilities to create a guise of a human girl wearing a scarlet top hat. The form is convincing enough save for the facial expressions but it is deemed to be convincing enough to fool any human they might come across.

A glint of a sword is spotted through the trees along the road by Narberal. She realizes that there is someone out there and a possibly sword fight. At the insistence of the protagonist, the trio then rush to the scene in hopes of assisting. There they see a group of armed humans fighting what appear to be goblins. One of the fighters calls these goblins contaminated which attracts the protagonist's attention. Seeing that the humans may not last long, the protagonist and their friends move to engage. A lone magic caster defending a small girl who about to be ambushed by the goblins is saved by Narberal Gamma who intercepts the attackers before they could touch them.

Episode 4: Swords of Darkness
Narberal's attacks leave the humans in awe at her ability. Once all the goblins have been slain, one of the members of the party introduces himself as Peter Mauk the leader of the Swords of Darkness. The young man thanks the protagonist for their timely save. The ranger of the group, Lukrut Volve attempts to profess his love to the battle maid, having fallen in love with her at first sight. Narberal is stunned by the declaration, but quickly rejects Lukrut calling him a lower life form which Lukrut happily accepts. Peter humbly apologizes for his companion's outburst and asks the protagonist if they are adventurers like them or travelers. Lukrut however interrupts again to compliment Narberal beauty much to his companions' frustrations. The interruption is forgotten when the protagonist notices the little girl with the Swords of Darkness. The girl is explained to be Nemu Emmot, and the adventurers current client from the nearby Carne Village. The village was attacked by a horde of monsters, Nemu and another man were sent out to find help. Nemu was separated from her friend when monsters attacked the. She managed to escape and was rescued by the adventurers who came from the city of E-Rantel to collect herbs.

The adventurers having heard of Nemu's village's plight were on their way to provide assistance when they encountered goblins. Faced with this information, the protagonist offer to join with the adventurers as they destination is the same. The travelers are welcomed to the quest, though a problem lies in getting their on time. To shave some time on the journey the group collectively agree to cut through the forest.

Traveling through the dense thicket, Narberal detects several targets ahead. All the combatants ready themselves for a fight, while the non-combatants like Surako and Nemu stay behind in safety with Dyne Woodwonder. The targets are goblins who are definitely contaminated, acting like bloodthirsty ghouls and berserkers. Peter explains that they are Contaminated Beasts, results of when creatures get exposed to the noxious gas that are emitted from a phenomena that have spread out through the world called Cracks.

Though the adventurers treat it as common knowledge the Nazarick agents see it as vital intelligence and the dangers it holds. Unsure if any of their allies back in Nazarick have been contaminated by the gas from the Cracks in the dungeon, the protagonist orders Narberal to contact Momonga. Momonga in the middle of a damage assessment report with Albedo, receives the [Message]. After learning what Narberal just discovered he assures her that the Cracks in the dungeon have been reinforced with security provided by summons. Strangely unlike the New World inhabitants, none of the denizens of Nazarick are experiencing signs of contamination. It draws a wonder on the possible intelligent intent of the Cracks and Momonga orders Narberal to relay a message to the protagonist to continue collecting more information.

Once the [Message] ends, Narberal having expended the last of her mana rejoins the group quietly The group busy resting from their fight withe the goblins raise questions on the disappearance of Narberal's [Rabbit Ears], though the maid explains it to be a result of her over-expenditure of magic while fighting the goblins, hiding the fact her [Message] also contributed to her depleted reserves, leaving the humans unaware of the transaction with her master. The group then continue on their journey to the village. Something big in the forest is detected by Lukrut and Dyne and the party goes on alert. Assuming it to be just an ogre, they are proven wrong when a quadrupedal purple beast appears. The protagonist realizes its a related species to the monsters from the Crack, and Peter confirms his suspicions who calls it a Chaos Beast and are much more dangerous than Contaminated Beasts. Knowing they had no chance against it, Peter orders everyone to prepare to withdraw. Nemu however is frozen in terror when she sees that the beast's jaw has a human body. The body possess similar clothes to Nemu's comrade, Morgan and realizes its his corpse and cries about being unable to save him. The group runs with the beast in pursuit. Escape seems unlikely as the beast runs through the forest, knocking aside trees in its path. Seeing their options are limited, Narberal advises to the protagonist to run and let the monster have the adventurers. The protagonist believes staying with the group will allow them to glean more information.

The beast catches up and targets Narberal. Lukrut attempts to shield her with his body, but she quickly pushes him out of the way to cast [Thunderlance]. Despite it being a direct attack, the beast still continues to move to everyone's shock. The protagonist seeing a broken tree direct Narberal to lure it through a broken tree. The beast takes the bait and finds itself trapped beneath the broken tree. The party seeing their chance take their weapons and finally kill it. After defeating it Ninya cannot help but express her shock that they killed a monster even gold ranked adventurers would have trouble dealing. As the adventurers celebrate their victory, the protagonist notes that the body of the monster has vanished leaving behind a Chaos Stone. Narberal is praised for being the main reason for their victory, and in a rare act of respect, the woman compliments Lukrut much to his glee.

The adventurers having become curious about the protagonist and their company ask who they are. To keep things anonymous, the protagonist merely explains that they were sent to investigate rumors. This leads to the adventurers wondering if they were sent by nobles, which matches up given Narberal's beauty. The secrecy confounds them as the surrounding nations like the Theocracy, the Empire and the Kingdom, though enemies in the past have since all three of those nations have put their differences aside in face of the current crisis. While they still have many question the Swords of Darkness don;t pry but continue to put their trust in their new allies.