"This really takes some time getting used to!" Ainz sat in a tavern, clad in pitch-black armor.
(Damn it, this world has so many different races. Even if there were one resembling a skeleton, it wouldn't be that strange, right?)
"I don't understand, Lord Ainz. Being able to behold your esteemed visage should be an honor for these humans. If you feel uncomfortable, why not return to your true form?
Is there any need to care about the opinions of these insignificant worms?" Narberal Gamma, standing behind Ainz, voiced her confusion.
As the Supreme Being of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, why should he concern himself with the thoughts of these lowly insects?
"Narberal, even though these ants are nothing more than creatures we could crush effortlessly, now is not the time to be entangled with them.
So if we can avoid unnecessary trouble, we should do so." Ainz lifted a mug of ale and took a sip.
(Damn, why do I keep using words like 'ants' in conversation now? And this skeleton form is really inconvenient! Drinking is nothing more than an act for show.)
"Narberal, do we have any good targets?" Ainz asked.
"Lord Ainz, at the moment, the highest bounty in this small town belonged to that pesky pirate you killed earlier.
As for the highest remaining bounty, it's Roshio, with a bounty of 42 million Berries."
"42 million?" Ainz pondered for a moment.
According to his plan, becoming a bounty hunter and hunting down high-value pirate targets would quickly spread the name of Ainz Ooal Gown.
However, a mere 42 million bounty hardly piqued his interest.
"Narberal, is there no better target?"
"Apologies, Lord Ainz. Based on the bounty posters in the newspaper, this is currently the best option available." Narberal pulled out a bounty poster and placed it in front of him.
"Straw Hat Luffy—Monkey D. Luffy, with a bounty of 100 million Berries?"
Ainz examined the poster. Now, that was an interesting target. A pirate with a nine-digit bounty must be quite infamous in this world.
"However, Lord Ainz, the newspaper reported that this brat just left a country called Alabasta.
We have no way of determining his current location. Additionally, we ourselves are still uncertain about our exact position."
"Ahem, I see, Narberal. In that case, let's make Roshio our target for now!" Ainz quickly covered up his momentary awkwardness.
As per yesterday's arrangement, Sebas and Shalltear had taken the corpses of the Bellamy Pirates to the nearest Marine base to claim their bounties.
They were even attempting to infiltrate the Marines to gather intelligence. Because of this, they had taken the Bellamy Pirates' ship and Log Pose with them.
Even the money they were using for drinks was scavenged from the Bellamy Pirates' ship.
Ainz wouldn't carelessly use Nazarick's gold, as they were essential for maintaining certain facilities.
"Why would a bounty hunter of your caliber come after someone as insignificant as me?"
Roshio looked warily at Ainz and Narberal.
At first, he had assumed they were just a couple of naive rookies fresh out to sea—easy pickings. But as soon as Ainz began exuding his aura, Roshio's expression darkened.
Even though Roshio was merely a 42 million pirate, he had once witnessed a Marine Vice Admiral taking down a pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million.
The sheer pressure of that Vice Admiral's presence had left him completely unable to move.
And now, the aura emanating from this black-armored man was no weaker than that of a Vice Admiral.
"Oh? Looks like you understand the power gap between us!" Ainz was slightly surprised. Based on anime tropes, shouldn't guys like this always be cocky and reckless?
"Black-armored guy, you're after me for my bounty, aren't you? How about a deal?
If you let me go, I'll hand over all the treasure I've looted. It's worth even more than my bounty—an entire 100 million Berries!"
"Oh? 100 million Berries? That's no small amount." Ainz mused for a moment. "But too bad—I'm not here for money. What I want is fame!"
"Damn it!" Roshio drew his broken sword and lunged at Ainz. "If you want my head, you'll have to take it yourself! I won't go down without a fight!"
Roshio's blade stabbed straight into Ainz's helmet. "Hahaha! I thought you were tough! Turns out this is all you've got! Now, I'll take your woman as compensation for threatening me!"
As Roshio reveled in his supposed victory—
"Tsk. Looks like I can't let you die too quickly. No one insults the Great Tomb of Nazarick and gets away with it." Ainz's helmet glowed ominously with a crimson light.
Ainz's hand clamped around Roshio's throat.
Roshio gasped, struggling for breath. "How… how is this possible?! I stabbed straight through your helmet! You should be dead!"
He hacked away at Ainz's head repeatedly, but it had no effect.
"Y-you're a demon…!" As Roshio continued his futile assault, fragments of Ainz's helmet broke away, revealing his skeletal visage.
"A demon? How amusing!"
(Oi, oi, at most I look like a skeleton, right? Why the hell am I being called a demon? Seems like this world isn't as simple as it seems!)
With a casual squeeze, Ainz snapped Roshio's neck.
"Let's go, Narberal."
"Understood, Lord Ainz."
Ainz tossed Roshio's corpse to the tavern owner.
Based on the information he'd gathered yesterday, this bartender could also exchange pirate heads for Berries—though he charged a small handling fee.