Chapter 31 Finale
A ferocious exchange of attacks.
On the battlefield, a fierce battle between a young girl and an old man is unfolding.
Yes, we are right in the middle of the battlefield, under the raid boss's feet, engaging in a full-scale PvP battle.
"Ho ho! The ingenuity of the young never ceases to amaze me!"
"Graaaah!"
"Everyone, be quiet."
Liora dodges Jackjack's rapier by hiding behind the raid boss—Chimera Griffin's legs. Jackjack's rapier pierces the boss's leg.
"Shining Slash!"
The magic enhanced with the unique skill, Killing Blade, attacks Jackjack. He easily dodges, but my Dark Ball is floating where he evades.
"Annoying!"
It might not deal much damage, but it will stagger him if it hits. When he dodges, Shiwo extends his tentacles.
"Dark Wall! Arts Penetrate!"
The old man jumps off the dark wall, enhancing his rapier with arts as he descends. The rapier, imbued with a complete penetration attribute, is swirling with wind.
A lightning-fast thrust.
Liora closes the distance while evading with the ritual dance of Offering and Instant Move. She leaps and takes the high ground, then activates the arts, Hare's Slash.
"Using arts here? Such an opening—"
"Offering, Halted Conquest!"
It's an arts that forcefully interrupts the arts. Liora performs a sudden stop, catching him off guard, and delivers a sweeping strike downward.
The rapier deflects the attack.
Jackjack's rapier aims for Liora's face, but I hit the airborne Liora with Dark Ball, pushing her back.
"Ho ho. An impressive coordination."
"Hehe… I and God are the best. I am God's apostle! You die now."
Liora grins.
The scythe has a unique shape, like the numeral "7". It's inconvenient as a weapon but handy for cutting something.
Now, the blade of Liora's scythe is behind Jackjack's neck.
Utilizing the momentum from being blown away, Liora delivers an almost surprise attack to decapitate him.
For a moment, Jackjack's reaction was slow.
The arts-enhanced scythe attack, Neck Hunter and Weakness Strike, merely grazed Jackjack, yet it shaved off 80% of his HP.
Indeed, an attack power 5x + defense-ignore attack is formidable.
It's designed for monsters with massive HP.
The drawback is having to aim for the neck.
The opponent excels in speed and assassination.
His HP and defense seem inadequate.
One more hit.
"—"
Jackjack suddenly sharpens his gaze and, before anyone knew it, stood behind Liora. He grabbed her head and threw her far away.
"…I've come to a conclusion."
Releasing a formidable pressure, Jackjack lowers his head.
"Coordination with spirits is a powerful trump card. I thought I'd seek revenge alone, but dying in defeat is pointless. Liora, though still inexperienced, can reach me through spirit coordination."
Jackjack uses a weapon that intentionally weakens him.
Without it, there wouldn't be a fight.
Liora excels in PvE over PvP.
The old man, seemingly having realized something, raises his hand.
"Ribbit-sama… I've resolved to borrow your power to complete my revenge!"
"Seriously. Long-winded old man. Didn't expect a game character to tell me not to play games, but if you can fight, that's fine."
A giant woman appears.
In this "Sugo," obtaining the Manifestation skill allows for character creation. Humanoid forms, faces based on one's own or entirely new designs, animals, plants, and monsters are possible.
The player Ribbit- created a ten-meter giant.
She is incredibly beautiful, but the sheer size precedes her beauty and grace.
"Decisive Manifestation—status multiplied by five! I'll trample everything."
When Ribbit- raises her hand, countless light swords appear.
Light magic!?
According to appraisal, Ribbit- should be using water spirits. Spirits and NPCs are typically limited to their innate attributes!
Seeing our confusion, Ribbit- smirks.
"I'm not the only one who's unique, Zephyr-."
Light attribute magic, Shining Shower, activates. Enhanced by Decisive Manifestation, each light sword possesses lethal power.
A devastating rain.
The attack mercilessly pierces even the raid boss, Chimera Griffin. While the aim is chaotic, making evasion possible.
However, merely dodging magic won't protect us from Jackjack's attacks.
Thus,
"Shiwo."
Liora mutters, and Shiwo expands his body. A giant octopus covers Liora with its body, shielding her from the attacks.
Sorry, but let's dedicate the victory to you.
Jackjack approaches.
Liora prepares to face him head-on, but I shout without hesitation.
"Go for Chimera Griffin's neck!"
"Okay. The neck!"
Ignoring Jackjack, Liora leaps high, aiming for Chimera Griffin's neck.
Jackjack's rapier pierces her ankle.
Unfazed, Liora slashes through the three lowered heads of Chimera Griffin simultaneously with the light swords.
[Third server team 3 has defeated the raid boss.]
With the massive beast fading behind her, the young girl swings her scythe.
The sudden defeat stuns everyone.
Jackjack tilts his head but quietly readies his rapier. However, I whisper to Liora.
"Liora, say this."
Liora nods naturally
The line I had Liora say was this:
"God says… You said, 'During the next raid boss battle, I'll PK you, Liora-.' The 'next raid boss battle' is already over."
Jackjack widened his eyes and turned around hastily. He looked at his contracted spirit, Ribbit○-.
The massive Ribbit○- shook her overly remarkable figure and laughed heartily. A grin spread across her lips.
"Well noticed, Zephyr-. That's right, old man. I did say 'during the next raid boss battle.' That was the agreement. The pointless fighting is over now."
"But, Ribbit○-. My honing is not yet—"
"Sacrificing pride for revenge is not a bad thing. But old man, the fate of someone who makes pride out of sacrificing pride is predetermined."
Ribbit○- continued, "Not that you need me, a young girl, to tell you this." Jackjack groaned, "Hmph."
"With nothing accomplished, they just wither away… Alright."
It seems Jackjack has already lowered his rapier.
Frankly, Liora has no chance of winning as things stand. The level gap is too large. The only winning strategy is to swiftly defeat the raid boss and launch a simultaneous attack with the other members during the raid.
(So, if he didn't agree to the persuasion, I intended to incite the team to kill him…)
It seems we won't need to resort to that worst-case scenario.
Though this place nullifies death, Liora and I were attacked. Normally, that would warrant killing, but this old man is still useful.
Liora wants to get stronger and be free.
I want to get stronger and earn money.
We will use him as a stepping stone for those purposes.
"Liora, let's propose a collaboration with Jackjack."
"Jackjack. God says, propose a collaboration."
"Impressive, Liora-… That sounds good. This event, as it's called, seems to offer rewards the more you complete it. For me, combat experience with people was the rarest thing, but I have achieved my goal. I'll lend this life, this dream for the time being."
Thus, we gained Jackjack as a fighting force.
[The Fourth Raid Boss Battle will begin]
The old warrior and the young reaper stood side by side, facing the appearing raid boss.
▽
We've fought several battles since then.
In the end, our team, [Third Server Team 3], was defeated by the seventh raid boss.
The reasons for our defeat were the many dropouts by then (the sixth raid boss spread poison, which was tough) and the seventh raid boss's troublesome special ability.
Forcing a stun over the entire area was unexpected.
It was tough when Jackjack was taken out by that. Assassination characters are already at a disadvantage in straightforward boss fights, and bosses that stop movements with certainty are like anti-specialty characters.
After that, we gradually approached defeat, and though Liora fought solo for a while, we lacked firepower. The absence of a head on the enemy was troublesome. Liora isn't purely powerful; she's an attacker who stacks various damage-boosting skills to deal damage.
With all the fights in the Third Server over, we've been gathered in a waiting area of sorts.
It's a huge square. There are restaurants and such, providing a very relaxing atmosphere. The staff are glowing blobs.
Liora is being offered lots of food.
As expected of a regular on the popular channel [Liora Eats a Lot], with 100,000 subscribers. She's worth feeding.
Occasionally, jealousy leads to poison being mixed in, but well, Liora can use [Cure]. She continues eating without concern.
Even if she dies on this field, it's nullified.
Let's have her remember the taste of dangerous poison when she returns.
I've recorded the players who poisoned her… I'll make sure they regret everything later. After the event where they can truly die, that is.
Leaving them alone is risky.
If you harm others in the game, there's no need to have Liora fight them. Just a drop of justice in the form of lethal poison on the forum will suffice.
"Liora-, may I have a moment?"
The one who sat next to us was the old elf, Jackjack. He placed his hat on the table and ordered an ale.
He treated Liora to some grilled chicken.
…It seems there's no poison in it.
"Nom, nom, nom."
Liora continues eating without a care. Only Shio and I can stop Liora's meals. Shio would wave his tentacles, and Liora would run away saying, "That's gross…"
Jackjack took a swig of his ale and looked at me, floating beside Liora.
"Zephyr-. I won't resist, so please use [Appraisal]."
"Then, without hesitation. [Appraisal]."
If there's no resistance, [Appraisal] succeeds regardless of the level difference. Now, let's see what his skill set is like.
Jackjack is likely max level, so this should be interesting.
Name: [Johan Argart] Gender: [Male]
Level: [100] Race: [Elf] Job: [Head Butler]
Magic: [Dark Magic 100]
Crafting: [Tea Ceremony 100]
Skills: [Butler Techniques 100][Management 100][Command 100]
[Rapier Techniques 100][Riding 100][Guarding 100]
[Assassination 100][Covert Movement 100]
Stats: Attack: [400] Magic Attack: [600]
Defense: [400] Agility: [1000]
Luck: [900]
Titles: [Defeated One Burned with Revenge]
Unique Skills: [Watchful Eye][Super Senses]
…Well, well?
He seems like an assassin type, but at his core, he's completely a butler. He doesn't feel like a pure warrior.
Noticing my puzzlement, Jackjack—no, Johan—smiled.
"As you can see, I'm not a warrior. After seeking revenge, I hastily trained to acquire combat skills… but in the end, I'm a distorted imitation of an assassin."
"So, you weren't a pure combat class. Still, considering your skills and experience, you're not weak."
"Through this experience, I've realized something. Could you continue collaborating with Liora-? Of course, not for free. You can take as much as you want from an old man's savings."
"Liora, should we refuse?"
Liora nodded and then shook her head.
"God says no."
"Please, reconsider! My target of revenge is on the Third Field. Until I reach that place, I need your cooperation."
"No."
The old man slumped.
I don't want to get involved in a revenge story. While many find it interesting, and I don't mind reading it, I don't want to 'experience' it in this realistic VR.
I want to enjoy a carefree journey with Liora.
…Wasn't Liora's first episode a revenge story?
Liora is cute, so it's fine. Obviously.
Seeing the old man continuously slumping was indeed pitiful. As I felt awkward and Liora continued enjoying her meal, Ribbit○- manifested, floating beside us.
The appearance Is of a giant woman.
"That's why I said, old man. If you pick a fight first, you can't form a cooperative relationship… But how about it, Zephyr-? This old man is strong. How about a relationship where you call each other when you need extra strength for boss battles or side quests?"
...It's troublesome.
I avoided taking the highly recommended skill [Manifestation] because I dislike dealing with people. It seems convenient for conversations, commands, and useful in battles… but I don't want it.
Conversations are troublesome.
I don't desire team play. I'm delighted that Liora is a solo-oriented NPC, so forming a party now…
However, I understand the benefits.
You can't clear an MMO solo. The raid event we experienced has reinforced that belief.
But there's the fact that Liora was attacked unreasonably. I dislike it.
"They attacked Liora out of nowhere."
"We won!"
"Well, yes, but…"
Liora doesn't doubt her victory.
Well, we used everything available on the battlefield (the raid boss and other players) to fight, so I don't feel we lost either.
Liora doesn't seem to care about Jackjack. More precisely, she has no interest in Jackjack at all.
It seems she doesn't even feel that she was nearly killed.
If Liora has no interest, let's prioritize rationality.
We are not bound by anything. "Not teaming up with disliked individuals" is a self-imposed rule, and we are free from even such constraints.
Let's use them to our advantage.
…I've decided.
"Liora, let's accept with conditions. We'll do a so-called friend registration. No excessive camaraderie is needed; we'll contact each other only when necessary."
"Yes. Alright, God!"
I used one of my powers as a spirit.
I sent a friend request. Now we can see each other's login status, chat as friends, and send friend party invitations.
"Thank you!" the voluptuous woman laughed cheerfully.
Jackjack also bowed his head.
"Much appreciated. To reach my destination, there's at least one raid-class boss waiting. I'll call you then. Look forward to the rewards."
"Yes. If God is okay with it, I'll go."
"So, this 'God'…?"
"God is God."
The raid boss battle rewards are likely valuable. Having a relationship where we occasionally raid together without tight contact is ideal.
I'm already looking forward to the rewards.
Meanwhile, it seems the other servers.