Mass for the Dead Chapter 03



Fractured Forest (緋割れた大森林) is the third main story chapter in Mass for the Dead. It was released to the public on June 1, 2019.

Episode 1: Polluted Forest
In the hallways of the 10th Floor Shalltear Bloodfallen encounters Albedo unexpectedly. Having come from the Throne Room, Shalltear reports that she had finished training with the Pleiades in the Amphitheater and cleared up the enemies coming from the Crack in the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Albedo noticing her refreshed look inquires about her attitude, which the vampire explains she just had a nice soak in the hot springs. The soon get into a heated debate over who can wash Momonga's body, until Momonga appears and interrupts them. When he inquires what they were talking about, Albedo tactfully states that she was discussing the state of exhaustion must of Nazarick's personnel were experiencing in repairing the tomb. Thus to correct this Albedo asks to devise a plan to help repair the the communal baths. Momonga finds the idea acceptable and allows Abledo to handle the project. After the Overseer Guardian departs, Shalltear makes a comment of how easily the former was able to concoct a lie. When Momonga asks what she meant, Shalltear then uses the opportunity to take her master for reviving her, promising to work harder for him. Momonga brushes her thanks stating that she her power was not why he raised her, but her person as she is an integral part of Nazarick. Shalltear briefly at a loss for words, then bides Momonga goodbye. Now alone Momonga is relieved the NPCs to be gone as acting like a ruler is taking its toll on him. Suddenly a [Message] comes and he finds it to be Slimeko directing him to the protagonist.

The protagonist reports that their progress in their mission. Momonga is pleased that the character has pinpointed the location of a Crack outside the dungeon in such a short period of time. He then provides the protagonist what Demiurge'a investigation has gleaned from the Crack in the dungeon. So far it has been found that contamination from the Crack does not affect members of the tomb, though it is still unclear why. Additionally the Rift spits out monsters at regular intervals and abruptly ceases. A study should be possible so long as they do not get close to the Crack, though Momonga warns this may not be the case with Cracks outside of Nazarick. After the [Message] ends, the protagonist is still tongue tied in talking with the Supreme One, a fact that the others in their group, Slimeko, Aura Bella Fiora and Mare Bello Fiore tease them about.

The group then join up again with Ian Als Heim of the Sunlight Scripture and the Wise King of the Forest to search for the Crack in the Tob Forests. Aura inquires if the Wise King of the Forest has an actual name, sadly the beast replies that it has been living all alone its whole life and was never given a proper name. Taking pity on it, Aura decides to give it a name and asks the protagonist to her name the hamster. The name Hamsuke is eventually chosen much to the delight of the beast and dark elf. Hamsuke then leads the Sunlight Scripture and Nazarick agents deeper into the forest. A roar is sounded much to the surprise of the group, and a bloodshot eyed bear emerges from the foliage.

Seeing its eyes they determine that it to be contaminated. The group prepare to attack, but despite their numbers the beast refuses to retreat. The protagonist determines that contaminated beasts are changed from the toxins of the Cracks, their survival instincts broken and becoming more feral. The bear injures several priests, causing Aura and Mare to trap in vines so that the priests could finally attack it. To the shock of many the bear tries to rip off it leg to continue fighting so it would be free. Aura taking pity on the mad creature puts it down. Ian and the others are visibly disturbed by the sheer aggression of what the Cracks could do to living creatures. The cause for this is still unknown and the party resumes its journey.