VRMMO: My first Contractee is Yandere
Chapter 33 Reward From The Friend

I only have one friend.

I open the notification from Ribbit. Since we agreed to keep our interactions to a minimum, this must be urgent.

The message starts with a polite apology: "I'm sorry for contacting you right away, despite saying I wouldn't be in touch often."

This feels good.

If they're this considerate, I can be more lenient about communication. I even feel a bit guilty for being so demanding.

In short, the email says, "I intended to give you the reward I received from the event when I initiated the PK, but it seems I won't be able to do so. Also, the item won't be particularly useful for either of you, so I'm giving you a rare and useful item I already have."

The attached item is a "Light Magic Acquisition Ticket."

"Shit! A gift from the heavens!"

"...? The heavens!"

"My gift! I have prepared a gift for you!" Although I feel a little guilty for claiming Ribbit's present as my own, I can't undo my roleplay now.

"A gift from the gods!"

Correcting myself, I replace my opinion of Ribbit improving due to their perfect timing.

I gratefully accept the apology gift.

Well, Ribbit likely intended for me to use it, knowing my inclination. Combining dark and light magic is intriguing, and there may be some sort of integrated evolution skill.

However, Liora remains my priority.

Liora can't be replaced.

Liora combined [Dark Magic] and [Scythe Arts]—no, [Dark Magic] and [Agriculture]—through integrated evolution.

I figured it might work, and it turns out I was right.

Liora's stats have changed.

Name: [Liora]

Gender: [Female]

Level: [46]

Race: [Human]

Job: [Shrine Maiden]

Magic: [Light Magic 1], [Dark Magic 55]

Crafting: [No Skill Set]

Skills: [Loneliness Resistance 40], [Scythe Arts 53], [Summoning 23],

[Dance of the Gods 35], [Chant Extension 5], [Moonlight Scythe Arts 1]

Stats: Attack [146], Magic Attack [338],

Endurance [257], Agility [341],

Luck [278]

Title: [Sin: Patricide]

Unique Skill: [Killing Blade]

It seems the re-acquired skill retained its original level.

Additionally, it looks like Liora can acquire a different skill since [Agriculture] has been removed from her crafting skills. The mechanics seem different from other integrated evolutions.

It appears that she must possess some kind of crafting skill.

I tried to choose [Agriculture] again, but it didn't work. I also attempted to select [Gardening], which involves using a scythe, but that was also rejected.

I started getting stubborn.

I desperately searched for a crafting activity that uses a [Scythe] and finally found the [Landscaping] skill. Landscaping involves the art of creating and maintaining gardens, using a scythe for plant care.

I'm eager to give it a try.

"Liora, please use [Moonlight Scythe Arts]."

"――!"

Liora's large scythe is enveloped in light. It's not a blinding light, but a gentle, soft, and beautiful glow, akin to moonlight.

Every slight swing leaves a faint afterglow.

It seems that the light itself causes damage, though it's minimal compared to the main attack. Still, it adds some firepower.

"What kind of Arts should we take?"

"There are quite a few options."

"They all seem powerful."

A common characteristic of scythe skills is their ability to enhance the blade itself with additional effects. This trait remains unchanged in [Moonlight Scythe Arts].

The top choice among desirable Arts would be [Life-Stealing Blade II].

It's similar to, or perhaps an upgraded version of, [Life-stealing Blade I]. This Art drains the enemy's life force in addition to dealing damage.

In other words, it adds life-stealing damage as a bonus.

For instance, if you deal 1,000 damage, you might gain an additional 100 points of absorption damage. I'm not sure about the exact numbers, but that's the general idea.

Liora was attacked by six mantises.

They were likely specialized in stealth and ambush. Caught off guard, Liora almost had her neck sliced off.

If not for the [Fatal Evasion] skill I had just acquired, she would have been dead.

"Isn't a forest full of assassins a bit too much?"

"Saved by the god again. So happy...!"

"Is this really the time to be saying that, Liora?"

With blood gushing from her neck, Liora imbued her large scythe with [Life-Stealing Blade]. She then tilted her head slightly and murmured:

"...[Life-Stealing Blade]."

"!?"

The scythe now emitted a dual glow. One was the soft light from [Moonlight Scythe Arts], and the other was the ominous hue from [Scythe Arts].

They can be used simultaneously.

It seems that [Killing Blade] differs from Scythe Arts, allowing for stacking.

"I see. So, [Scythe Arts] and [Moonlight Scythe Arts] are technically distinct skills."

"As expected of the god..."

"For now, Liora, try using the new skill, [Regeneration]."

My new skill, [Regeneration], supports both passive healing and active use. In other words, the more MP you sacrifice, the more HP you can recover—instantly.

When Liora whispered "Regeneration," her health was fully restored in an instant.

"Now, let's crush those mantis scum."

Liora was nearly killed.

I'm pretty upset too.

"[Speed Boost]!"

Liora activated [Speed Boost] from her [Light Magic]. Her offensive options are already well-covered thanks to [Dark Magic].

From now on, she can focus on learning support and healing skills under [Light Magic].

[Hound Lightning], the new Art from [Flash], was also used. It has high homing capabilities, making it effective despite its modest damage output.

Liora aimed upwards and released [Hound Lightning].

The light zigzagged in mid-air, then surged straight towards the mantises.

"—Shya!"

The mantis looked up at the sky just as Liora closed the gap. In one swift motion, she sliced through two of their necks.

All were instant kills.

When the remaining mantises prepared for Liora's next move, [Hound Lightning] struck from above, disrupting their stance.

"As long as I have the god, I won't lose to mere insects."

Another mantis head rolled.

Three of the mantises had already been eliminated. The additional options we've acquired have greatly increased our ability to close the gap quickly.

The finishing move is still typically a decapitation.

Three remain.

Liora charged at the mantises without hesitation. The mantises swung their scythes, slashing at Liora's body, but she simultaneously decapitated them.

The wounds she received closed up instantly.

It seems the overlapping skills are working. The recovery rate is astonishing.

"You're doing great, Liora. ...Does it hurt?"

"God, GOD is here!!..."

"Oh, something's gotten into you."

With spinning eyes, Liora lunged at the remaining mantises. The mantises tried desperately to target her with their scythes, but she blocked all non-fatal hits with her body, then forcefully decapitated them with her large scythe.

The battle was overwhelming.

The fight was over.

[Zephyr has leveled up.]

[Zephyr's Regeneration has leveled up.]

[Liora has leveled up.]

[Liora's Scythe Arts have leveled up.]

[Liora's Moonlight Scythe Arts have leveled up.]

[Liora's Landscaping Skill has leveled up.]

[Liora's Light Magic has leveled up.]

[Liora's Dark Magic has leveled up.]

[Liora's Dance of the Gods has leveled up.]

[Liora's Tame has leveled up.]

[Samurai has leveled up.]

[Samurai's Mimicry has leveled up.]

"Liora, you've grown stronger."

"...Got caught off guard... I did..."

"Don't worry about it. The enemy was specialized in ambush and assassination. ...However, this situation is becoming more dangerous. If we try to return now, we might be ambushed again."

My [Fatal Evasion] skill allows me to avoid a fatal blow once per day. Since I've already used it today, it won't work again.

In a game where death means losing everything, this skill is essential.

I always make sure to acquire some form of instant death avoidance skill in any game.

As we ponder how to avoid further ambushes...

"—"

"Eek!"

Samurai wriggled her tentacles.

Seeing this, I immediately understood.

"I see. You're suggesting that you should acquire a skill to detect ambushes, right?"

"—!"

She even has intelligence. Well, that was surprising.

I decided to check Samurai's status.