Birth Of D.K

Leaving the Jungle

The jungle had been his home for ten years.

In that time, Ainz had conquered nature itself.

He fought against monsters that could tear through steel.

He survived against apex predators that hunted even the strongest warriors.

He built his own home, crafted his own weapons, and learned skills through near-death experiences.

And now—

For the first time in a decade—

He was stepping into civilization.

The sight before him was overwhelming.

A town stood beyond the grassy plains, surrounded by stone walls with towering gates guarded by armored men. Smoke from forges and chimneys drifted into the sky, mixing with the scent of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and the iron tang of steel.

It was nothing like the untamed wilderness he had known.

And yet, this was where his next challenge lay.

The Town of Luthen

As Ainz approached the town gates, he noticed the line of people waiting to enter.

Merchants with carts filled with goods, adventurers clad in armor, travelers covered in dust. Guards inspected each of them, checking identification papers and asking questions.

Ainz's clothes were tattered, his hair long and unkempt. He looked no different from a wandering beggar.

When it was his turn, a guard raised an eyebrow.

"Name?"

Ainz kept his voice low. "Ainz."

"Got any ID?"

He shook his head.

The guard frowned. "Where are you from?"

Ainz had already prepared an answer. "The mountains. My village was attacked by monsters. I was the only survivor."

The guard studied him for a long moment before sighing. "Another refugee, huh? Alright, you can enter. But if you cause trouble, we'll throw you out."

With that, Ainz stepped through the gates.

And into the world of men.

Overwhelming Sights and Sounds

The moment he entered, the chaos of the city hit him.

Merchants shouted, advertising their goods—"Fresh bread! Only two copper!" "High-quality swords! Straight from the capital!"

Adventurers boasted about their latest hunts—"You should've seen that ogre's face when I split its skull!"

A group of children ran past him, laughing, while a baker scolded them for stealing bread.

Blacksmiths hammered metal, sending sparks flying as they crafted weapons and armor.

The air smelled of roasted meat, burning coal, and damp stone.

For someone who had lived in silence and solitude for years, the noise was almost too much.

But Ainz kept his face emotionless, his hood pulled low.

I need to learn how this world works.

And so, he began his observation.

Understanding the World

Ainz spent hours walking through the town, analyzing its structure and economy.

He identified four key locations:

The Marketplace – The heart of trade, where goods from across the kingdom were sold.

The Adventurers' Guild – A massive stone building where warriors, mages, and rogues gathered for quests.

The Blacksmith District – Where weapons, armor, and tools were crafted.

The Noble Quarters – A guarded area where the wealthy and powerful resided.

Through listening to conversations, he learned important facts:

Currency was divided into copper, silver, and gold coins.

Adventurers were ranked from F to S, with S-rank being legends.

The town was built near a dungeon, and many made a living by hunting monsters inside.

But there was one problem.

Ainz had no money.

Figuring Out How to Earn

Without money, he couldn't buy food, rent a room, or even exist in this society.

He considered his options:

Becoming an adventurer – Too risky. The guild would test his abilities, and he needed to stay hidden.

Selling monster materials – He had plenty, but they were too high-quality. Selling them would raise suspicion.

Doing manual labor – A slow method, but a good way to gather information.

Alchemy and crafting – He had spent years making potions, weapons, and tools in the jungle.

Alchemy.

That was the best choice.

If he could find an alchemist, he could work under them, earn money, and gain information.

The Alchemist's Shop

Ainz entered a small, dimly lit shop filled with glass bottles, dried herbs, and bubbling cauldrons.

Behind the counter, an old man with sharp eyes crushed ingredients with a stone mortar.

The alchemist barely glanced at him. "If you're here to buy, hurry up."

Ainz stepped forward and placed a small glass bottle on the counter.

The old man frowned. "What's this?"

"A potion."

The alchemist snorted but uncorked it and sniffed. His eyes widened.

Then he poured a single drop onto his finger and tasted it.

His expression changed immediately.

"…Where did you get this?"

Ainz calmly replied, "I made it."

Silence.

Then the old man let out a dry chuckle. "Boy, don't joke with me. This is a high-grade healing potion. Even top alchemists struggle to make something this pure."

Ainz didn't argue. Instead, he grabbed some herbs from the counter, crushed them, mixed them, and within minutes—

A fresh potion was made.

The old man's eyes trembled.

Then, he laughed. "Heh… interesting."

Ainz's First Job

The alchemist hired him on the spot.

Ainz now had a way to earn money while staying hidden.

While working, he overheard conversations from customers:

A powerful S-rank guild had arrived in town.

A rare dungeon had been discovered nearby.

A noble was looking for skilled warriors.

Information was the real currency of the world.

And Ainz was collecting it without anyone realizing.

The Shadow That Watches

At night, while the town slept—

Ainz moved unseen.

He studied the adventurers' guild, memorizing how ranks worked.

He examined guild recruitment tests, learning their weaknesses.

He visited the dungeon entrance, noting how guards were positioned.

No one noticed him.

To the world, he was just a nameless alchemist's assistant.

But in reality—

Ainz was planning his next move.

The Beginning of a New Life

By the end of the week, Ainz had:

Earned money without suspicion.

Understood the town's structure and economy.

Collected intelligence on guilds, dungeons, and nobles.

And most importantly—

He had remained hidden.

For now.

Because soon—

He would step onto the real battlefield.