Overlord: Reborn as an NPC

Chapter 10: When an Alchemist Fights a Vampire

[Citrinitas's POV]

After culling half the members of the Black Scripture, I stayed hidden using [Perfect Unknowable] to watch them leave the premises without detecting me. I didn't have to wait long. They gathered the dead bodies along with their weak and uninteresting artefacts and retreated to the Theocracy.

After the group left. I came out of the shadows as the spell neared its duration limit. I put away the glorious World Item I held in my hand in my inventory. Before leaving, I took one last look towards Shalltear, who witnessed the ordeal with dull and lifeless eyes.

I don't know how to explain it in words. However, a part of me didn't want to leave her in such a state. 'That must be the NPC side of me caring for the denizens of Nazarick.' I concluded. I could have left the premise and told Ainz about Shalltear's brainwashed state tomorrow. But, I didn't. I kept on looking at the still vampire.

'Should I ... try and fight Shalltear?' I thought. The idea just popped into my head from nowhere. Of course, there was no need for me to fight her. Fighting Shalltear, an NPC designed to kill with my alchemic build is frankly, quite stupid. However, if I were a real NPC, it would make some sense if I tested the parameters of my colleague's brainwashed state or tried to snap her out of it entirely.

Testing the magic I've learnt wouldn't be a bad idea either. It would be helpful to experience a real fight so I get used to combat and witness my limits. The idea was quite tempting. 'Once Shalltear detects any attack thrown her way, she'll aim straight for my head.'

I tapped my foot on the ground, thinking about what to do next. 'There are no downsides to fighting her. Except maybe dying. Dying is bad. But, I could always escape the area before anything becomes too dangerous. I could give it a shot. Besides, I'm quite excited to test out new magic.'

However, there is the small issue of Platinum Dragon Lord fighting Shalltear just before she fights Ainz tomorrow. I'm not too sure if my battle affects his battle. Though in canon, the Dragon Lord attacks her once and runs away. He'd most likely do the same in this timeline.

'Screw it. I'll have a quick fight with Shalltear and test out my magic. I do have the perfect test dummy right here. Besides, I do need a cover story to tell the other floor guardians. It wouldn't really make sense for me to not try and measure her brainwashed state.' I concluded.

(A/N: I just wanted to try and write a fight scene xD. Give me your thoughts after reading!)

Deciding to have a quick skirmish and test out my skills, I prepared myself for the battle. Just like Ainz did in the show, I started to cast buffing spells to increase my odds of survival. This was very important because my build wasn't min-maxed for PvP. It was built for alchemy.

That doesn't mean I have no strong or alternative way of attacking others. Maybe I don't compare to Sebas, Shalltear, Cocytus or my 'sister' Albedo in combat. But, I do have the upper hand when it comes to fighting with poison-related magic and powerful debuffs.

I'm not going to be like Ainz in the show and destroy a huge portion of the forest. I'm not equipped enough for a fight on that level. I'm just going in with the gear I have at hand. Taking into account all the variables, I'd probably be able to hold out for a couple of minutes before things get too dangerous or out of control.

"[Body of Effulgent Beryl]. [Body of Effulgent Aquamarine]. [False Data: Life]. [False Data: Mana]. [Blessing of Aristotle]. [Veil of Mystery]. [Quick March]. [Haste]. [Greater Hardening]. [Penetrate Up]. [Unholy Aura]. [Alchemic Veins]." I cast a few of the more useful buffing spells in my arsenal along with a few more just to be safe.