Shiramochi-ō


 * "You want to challenge me? Fools..."
 * — Shiramochi-ō's statement.

Shiramochi-ō (白餅王) was an event boss that appeared in Mass for the Dead during the New Year celebration.

Appearance
In his first manifestation, Shiramochi-ō appeared as a tall imposing muscular being with pale white skin and flowing golden hair. He wears a gold crown that has an elaborate symbol of a sunrise that emerges from the horizon. Not only the physical beauty reminiscent of developed muscles, but also the eerie glow of red crystals embedded in the chest as well. More so, the wonderful contrast of red and white combined with the skin color are the harmonious charm of "strong" and "beauty" to overwhelm the viewer. He has a gold belt with the triquetra, a nio-dasuki, and black pants. He walks barefoot while his feet tied with shimenawas wrapped around the ankles and hips. Behind him, there is a gold dharma wheel along with a halo of bamboo and pine on his back.

In his second manifestation, Shiramochi-ō took the form as a young pale, blonde hair boy in a white robe with white eyes. After he eventually regained his memories, Shiramochi-ō's attire changed to a toga and his eyes turn scarlet with a golden flaming halo shining behind him.

Personality
Originally due to his imperfect entry into the New World, Shiramochi-ō possessed a haughty attitude. This was the case as he acted self-assured and confident of his abilities and power. He appeared to have no actual personality or intellect as his responses are scripted in a very basic, simplistic fashion.

In his second reincarnation as Shiro, he displayed being curious and quite child-like. After spending time with the NPCs of Nazarick, he gain an emotional attachment to them. Shiro was awed by their relationship to the Supreme Beings, who they considered their gods, as they depicted them in such a positive light, making Shiro feel envious of them. Due to the circumstance of his creation, he bears a grudge towards his own uncaring creators who selfishly willed him into existence due to neglecting their duties.

Background
According to Shiramochi-ō's dialogue, he claims to appear at the beginning of the year to purify everything old. Later on, Shiramochi-ō's origins are explained by the entity as a product of creation by the Seven Lucky Gods who called him forth from the Sea of Possibilities. The gods unwilling to fulfill the wishes of their mortal worshippers created Shiramochi-ō as their solution to administer the aspirations and wishes of their followers on every New Year, making Shiramochi-ō's seem as both a blessing and a curse. Somehow by mistake, Shiramochi-ō was summoned into the New World which resulted in an imperfect manifestation on himself and also the Bishamonten Shrine which was corrupted due to the influence of the existing data when creating a shrine dedicated to one of the local gods.

Mass for the Dead Arc
,Momonga, noticing the change in scenery of the dungeon, and the strange behavior of his NPCs in having a New Year theme, tracks the source of the anomalies to Fake Nazarick, where it has transformed into the Takemikazuchi Shrine. After battling multiple strange Chaos Beasts and humoring the NPCs in their odd behavior he, and his team finally arrive in the replica of the Throne Room where they find a bunch of Chaos Beasts by the throne. Momonga orders his summons to eliminate the intruders. When the last enemy falls, a mysterious being appears and proceeds to annihilate the skeleton party. Momonga observing the battle through his summons until their defeat analyzes the entity as a strong Chaos Beast and deduces that it is unable to leave the Throne Room.

Planning an all out attack, Momonga and his allies cross the Gate. The entity introduces himself as Shiramochi-ō, before Momonga starts the fight by using [Reality Slash], but the being remains unfazed. Momonga notices the entity's lack of personality and surmises that he lacks an actual will. The group begins to battle the entity, injuring it to a point where Shiramochi-ō is forced to use area-of-effect attacks. In the end, Shiramochi-ō was defeated by them and Nazarick is returned back to normal.

The death of Shiramochi-ō was not the end as he later shifted his body to a new reality, one that was similar to the previous world where he was defeated and one where the New Year event had yet to take place. Following his creed to purify everything old, Shiramochi-ō body broke down to form a new body as a young boy. The boy though had no memory of who he was or even where he was. As the New Year mood began to take on effect and bring the existing NPCs under its influence, the boy wandered into the Round Table Room where he met both Albedo and Demiurge who were lazing around a kotasu and eating mandarin oranges. Due to the "New Year mood," they Floor Guardians were unable to register him as a threat and invited him to join them. Eventually, Momonga arrive for the daily staff meeting and found the situation to be puzzling. Later on, Momonga took notice of the boy and out of fear that he was the causes politely excused himself so as to privately address the situation. The boy followed after him, deducing that Momonga knew what was going on and perhaps provide him with answers on his identity. Though Momonga did not trust him, keeping the boy who called himself Shiro, next to him would be more convenient to monitor him.

Together, the two went to the Throne Room, where Shiro admitted that this to be where it first appeared. After being joined by Shalltear Bloodfallen, the three encountered a Chaos Beasts and a Kadomatsu Type Beast. After defeating them, a drop item was discovered in the form of a biwa. Momonga was unable to get what the item was with his magic yet Shiro seemed to recognize it but was unable to fathom on why that is. Later, the protagonist and his team composed of Solution Epsilon and Slimeko came to the 1st Floor. Momonga and Shiro went to greet them. The trio unlike the others in Nazarick were unaffected by whatever was affecting the NPCs. After being introduced to Shiro, Momonga decided to bring in Sebas Tian to assist them.

Sebas Tian came when the party were dealing with an infestation of Mochi Type Beast s that appeared on the surface on Nazarick. From one of them, Sebas Tian produced a strange scroll. Like the biwa, Momonga's magic was useless in appraising it but when Shiro touched it however, he received a vision of Shiramochi-ō and Momonga fighting each other out in the previous world. Using that vision, Shiro led the party to a Hatsumōde that led into Fake Nazarick. There, upon entering it, the group found themselves in a strange area similar to a Chaos Zone.

Traveling through the group, they encountered Aura Bella Fiora and Mare Bello Fiore who were playing hanetsuki. Shiro interested in the game wanted to play with the elves. It was allowed by Momonga as Shiro's happiness was required to discover the mystery of what was happening. The boy proved to be a skilled hanetsuki player, having successfully defeated the twins. For his victory, Shiro was given a fishing rod and cane. Upon receiving the items, Shiro received another vision that directed him to lead the others deeper into the area.

The party came across the Pleiades who blocked their way at Pandora's Actor insistence in order to play a game of kurata. Seeing it as the only way to get passage, Momonga's team played a karuta version based on the Supreme Beings. The game was enjoyed by Shiro who despite having briefly been told about Momonga's comrades seemed to impress him to a great degree. The game ends with Momonga's team's victory and they are awarded a treasure bag and mallet. Momonga takes the opportunity to give everyone a YGGDRASIL gold coin as a New Year's gift. After Shiro touches the prizes, he urges the others to follow him.

Shiro's newfound assertiveness sparked some concern among his allies. The protagonist while in a dialogue with Momonga figured that the items they had collected until now are related to the Seven Lucky Gods who were according to literature associated with bringing fortune. Momonga as well noted the whole situation felt exactly like some kind of game event and the characters they encountered played some role in rewarding them the items they received. The team then reached the 9th Floor of Fake Nazarick where the entire floor was converted into a strange temple. Sebas Tian and Solution initially wanted to scout ahead, but Shiro dissuaded them as he already knew who was guarding the shrine. Cocytus acted as the gatekeeper and refused Momonga and his escorts passage to what he called the Takemikazuchi Shrine. He was corrected by Shiro to his surprise, who told him that the shrine was no longer called by that name, but was actually the Bishamonten Shrine. And that last time, it was a mistake under such name and Cocytus was chosen as its guardian due to the latter reflecting the patron deity of the place of worship to be consistent with part of the event story. Once the team defeated Cocytus and were given the sansageki, Shiro then received another vision and informed his companions that this was the last one before leading them away from the shrine.

On the way to their next destination, Shiro took the opportunity to provide some commentary on the area and the shrine. He explained in details of the purpose of the shrine as a place where wishes came true. And that when it previously appeared before the shrine was unable to properly manifest as the Bishamonten Shrine of the Seven Lucky Gods. Instead, it took up data from one of the local god of the area known as Warrior Takemikazuchi, creating an entirely new location. However, what he described to them was just flavor text of the event that they are participating. Though the NPCs are unfamiliar with what he is referring to, he drops a subtly hint that Momonga is the only person who can conceive of what he is referring to. Later on, he explains that he has on possession of all the items of the Seven Lucky Gods, save for the biwa which Momonga kept for safe keeping. Shiro asks when the time comes at the last stage of the event that he return it to him. Momonga consents that he will be given that as he is allowed to examine the last stage of this New Year's event. The boy finds it to be acceptable as in the end it will not really matter regardless.

Behind the shrine is the replica of the Throne Room in Fake Nazarick. Momonga knowing that it happens to be an event finds that the Event Boss is missing, but pieces together that the enemy is not present in the room, because he has already been traveling with him this whole time until now. Taking out the biwa, Momonga gives the instrument to Shiro. Accepting the item, Shiro then takes out the other six items and absorbs them into his body. The boy transforms and reveals his identity and origins to the assembled party as Shiramochi-ō, the Ruler of New Year.

Upon revealing his identity, Momonga asks several questions on what Shiramochi-ō is, who out of respect provides the undead on what he knows about his creators and how he came to be. And that he was the reason for the New Year's epidemic and the only way to undo it would be to kill him. Momonga accepting that to be true then proceed to battle it out with Shiramochi-ō. The battle turns to Momonga's favor and it is clear that the Ruler of New Year is losing. Momonga despite the advantage, senses that something is wrong as Shiramochi-ō is intentionally refraining from throwing lethal attacks at him. Stopping the fight, Momonga asks Shiramochi-ō what is his goal and why he would try to intentionally lose to him. Momonga then remembers what Shiramochi-ō said about "last time", and deduces that the Ruler of New Year had encountered Nazarick and Momonga before and this is his second time fighting Momonga again. At that time it seems Shiramochi-ō was defeated, but yet seemingly rewound time or shifted to another similar reality hence creating a loop. However, in this fight, its seems that Shiramochi-ō is avoiding physical attacks and trying to get Momonga to use a death spell on him.

Shiramochi-ō is impressed that Momonga managed to figure it all out. He admits that in the previous timeline, Momonga and Shiramochi-ō fought as enemies, but back then it was different as Shiramochi-ō was a different person then and lack a definite personality. In this second time, Shiramochi-ō was born anew but had his memories and power scattered. It took some time to piece everything together, but eventually he remembered everything including his grudge against his creators who he honestly tells Momonga he has very little loyalty to. Shiramochi-ō tells Momonga that as he was experiencing New Year's with Momonga and the others, he eventually at some point gained an appreciation towards them. He in fact did not wish to fulfill the wishes of his creators but rather wishes to help lift the spell that was inflicted over Nazarick. To do that though would require him to die in a way where it would permanently kill him so that another loop like this event would not occur.

While Shiramochi-ō's desire to help Nazarick is seen as a benefit, Momonga finds it bitter to allow Shiramochi-ō to sacrifice himself for their sake. However, the Overlord accepts to grant Shiramochi-ō a true death as he wanted. But before doing so, Momonga reminds Shiramochi-ō that he should be entitled to enjoy his last few moments in life, reminding him that he still has to keep his promises to Aura and Mare for a rematch, after all it is New Year's. The Ruler of New Year briefly considers the offer before acknowledging that it would be nice to play one last game.

The dark elf twins are later brought to the 10th Floor, before all the NPCS that were in Fake Nazarick. Once the game is done, Shiramochi-ō says his final goodbyes, telling the NPCs that he is in their debt for fulfilling a wish he never thought he would gain. Now ready, Shiramochi-ō then has Momonga cast [The Goal of All Life is Death]. Before vanishing, Shiramochi-ō then wishes Momonga a Happy New Year. With Shiramochi-ō finally gone at long last, Fake Nazarick is restored back to normal, though the NPCS affected by the New Year's event have no recollection of what occurred. It seems that the memories of Shiramochi-ō have also vanished, but Aura and Mare recall scant fragments of their time with Shiramochi-ō. A single gold coin where Shiramochi-ō stood is all that remains. Momonga retrieving the coin gives it to Pandora's Actor to safeguard in the Treasury.

Abilities and Powers
Shiramochi-ō is a powerful summoner, able to call forth New Year-theme monsters. His connection to his summons is strong enough that renders even Demiurge's [Command Mantra] ineffective.

It appears he can mentally affect minds, inducing a New Year's mood remotely over a large region. It can almost be considered an empathetic passive ability, putting victims in a holiday spirit, also granting them temporary class abilities to assist them in the revelry. This ability can affect various races, and powerful enough to have the Floor Guardian under his influence.

In addition, the bamboo carried on his back is not only a decoration, but it can also be operated freely and floats high in the sky as well. It rains all at once like heavy rain, and is good at range attacks that destroy enemies at once, boasting unrivaled strength.

The fighting style is more suitable for long-distance battles, but he is still like a strong man in close quarters. As his name suggests, his body is that of white mochi, and yet it is reminiscent of that of a well-trained monk. A half-baked attack cannot be made on him. If an enemy attacks in front of such a tough body, countless bamboos will skewer the enemy's back in the gap.

In his first incarnation, he is strong enough that even a powerful tier spell like [Reality Slash] does not faze him even the slightest. In fact, he appears to be immune due to his body being made of mochi. As a matter of fact, any such attack that separates him into his component parts, he can reform as needed. Momonga estimated Shiramochi-ō's strength to be equivalent to that of a Raid Boss.

Later Shiramochi-ō became more flesh and blood losing his mochi composition. All his powers became separated into seven objects that he needed to recover and reabsorb back into him. Shiramochi-ō when fully acquiring his scattered fragments, now wields a bamboo sword.

Active

 * Attack Power Destruction: Inflicts magical damage on a single enemy and reduces attack power.
 * Tana kara Botamochi: Increase hit and evasion rate.
 * 一Salvo Pole: Inflicts magical damage on all enemies and randomly grants abnormal conditions with a certain probability.
 * Nichirin Amaterasu: Causes magical damage to all enemies with the "light" element.

Passive

 * Quickness UP: Quickness improves.
 * Magic Attack UP: Increases magic attack power.

Summons

 * Mochi Type Beast
 * Kadomatsu Type Beast

Main Equipment

 * Biwa
 * Scroll
 * Fishing Rod
 * Cane
 * Treasure Bag
 * Mallet
 * Sansageki

Momonga
Initially Shiramochi-ō and Momonga had only a tenuous alliance that was formed as a mutual benefit for both. Momonga wanted to undo the New Year's epidemic that was contaminating his home while Shiramochi-ō yearned to search for his memories. As the two traveled and experience many New Year's activities, Shiramochi-ō and Momonga bonded. Though Shiramochi-ō slowly regained his recollections that Momonga in a previous timeline killed and defeated him, he held no animosity toward the undead as he understood that it was due to special circumstances. To Shiramochi-ō was the ideal creator that he longed to have in comparison to his cold creators. Even when he inevitably had to play his role as the Last Boss for the event scenario, Shiramochi-ō could not go through into harming his friend and was more than willing to sacrifice himself so that the spell over Nazarick would break.

Aura Bella Fiora
Shiramochi-ō under his alias as Shiro played with Aura and enjoyed a game of hanetsuki with her, besting her in a match. The two became friends over the game. Before Shiramochi-ō willingly allowed Momonga to kill him, he kept his promise with her to have a rematch.

Mare Bello Fiore
Shiramochi-ō under his alias as Shiro played with Mare and enjoyed a game of hanetsuki with him, besting him in a match. The two became friends over the game. Before Shiramochi-ō willingly allowed Momonga to kill him, he kept his promise with him to have a rematch.

Trivia

 * Shiramochi-ō translates as White Mochi King which suits him as it appears he is made of rice mochi.
 * Shiramochi-ō is the sixth new character from the game Mass for the Dead. He was added as an event character on December 31, 2019.
 * In his reprint appearance, Shiramochi-ō in in the laitasana pose, or "royal ease" position. The laitasna is a position in Indian art where a figure sits on a throne with one leg tucked inwards on a seat while the other leg is pendent. on the ground.
 * According to Mass for the Dead's classification, despite emerging from a Crack, he belongs to the demon race, making him the second original game demon to appear in the game.

Quotes

 * (To Party): "Stupid trying to challenge me."
 * (To Momonga): "I'm the Shiramochi-ō, Ruler of the New Year."
 * (Rebirth): "Huh. Kagami Biraki. What is this?——"
 * (To Momonga): "——I wish you a good year."