Chapter 16: Invitation to Elf Land

In the blink of an eye, we annihilated over fifty ants.

However, the ones we defeated were Pawn Ants, the weakest enemies in chess pieces (though players who underestimate pawns are weak themselves).

After dispatching this swarm of lowly enemies, the first round was finally over.

"Chitter, chitter, chitter."

"Liora, from here on, it's inevitable that we'll be hit. Swap out your blade."

Liora nodded and activated the [Life-Stealing Blade]. She switched to a blade with an HP drain effect and started running.

The Rook Ants spewed acid from their mouths. It was probably formic acid, and if it hit, it would surely dissolve flesh.

Since I dislike gore, let's block it.

"[Darkness Creation]! Mode: Shield! Charge, Liora."

I blocked the acid rain with a dark shield.

Seizing the brief opening, Liora charged at the dozen or so sniper ants. Using the physical techniques enhanced by the shrine maiden's skill, Liora swung her scythe in a dance-like manner.

Ten kills in five seconds.

However, in prioritizing the snipers, Liora did not dodge any other attacks. Her skin was marked with numerous wounds, but she immediately healed with regeneration skills.

Against the swarming enemies, she spun around, attacking with her scythe. Even though the ants had excellent defenses, Liora's attacks were insufficient without activating [Death-Guiding Blade]. She had to aim for their necks.

But Liora had become stronger now.

"Liora, new technique." "Dark Magic—[Darkness Burst]."

Liora's body was momentarily enveloped in a faint dark Dark. Then, the dark concentrated around her and exploded the next instant.

A dark attribute area attack.

[Darkness Burst].

An attack magic that sweeps away everything within a five-meter radius with darkness. This attack has high power for a dark attribute spell because it can only be used at close range.

Attack magic is usually the job of the rear guard.

The disadvantage of this magic is offset by its high power and range.

It's an area attack with power comparable to single-target spells.

Fortunately, Liora excels in close combat and has higher magic attack power than physical attack power.

So, Liora can use this magic without any drawbacks.

The enemies around her were obliterated, leaving a small crater centered around Liora.

"Now, what's next?"

A giant ant stood before us. Not the hippo-sized ones we faced earlier, but a behemoth comparable to a house.

According to my appraisal—Queen Ant.

Clearly, the strongest ant in this swarm.

Each of its legs was a long spear, measuring in meters. Acid dripped from its mouth, and being bitten would undoubtedly spell doom in every sense.

A formidable foe indeed.

The Queen struck down with two of its legs. The ground was torn up by its gatling-like barrage of attacks. Though it relied on its high stats, its speed made it a formidable challenge.

Liora evaded these attacks as if she were dancing.

Admiring her graceful movements, I issued our strategy.

"We'll end this with one strike." "Understood. [Flash]!" "[Darkness Creation] Mode: Smoke."

We blinded the Queen with a flash and smoke screen, and Liora leapt with all her might. Enhancing her scythe, [Shadow of Death], with the skills [Death-Guiding Blade] and [Life-Taking Blade], and boosting its power with the weapon's skill [Soul Devourer], Liora's scythe was no longer just a scythe but a massive shadow.

Without any hesitation, the little reaper girl swung it down. Naturally, she aimed for the enemy's neck. With the combined effects of the scythe skills [Head Hunter] and [Weak Point Attack]—

—BOOM, a thunderous explosion echoed.

With unbelievable durability, the massive ant, the Queen fell to the ground with a single strike.

Liora, who landed manically, charged at the stunned swarm of ants. She had already switched her blade to the [Life-Stealing Blade], rapidly recovering her health.

It didn't take more than thirty minutes to annihilate the swarm.

[Zephyr has leveled up.]

[Zephyr's Dark Magic has leveled up.]

[Zephyr's Create Dark has leveled up.]

[Zephyr's Dark Aura has leveled up.]

[Zephyr's HP Auto-Recovery has leveled up.]

[Zephyr's MP Auto-Recovery has leveled up.]

[Zephyr's Appraisal has leveled up.]

[Liora has leveled up.]

[Liora's Scythe Technique has leveled up.]

[Liora's Farming Skill has leveled up.]

[Liora's Light Magic has leveled up.]

[Liora's Loneliness Resistance has leveled up.]

[Liora's mainden's skill has leveled up.]

After the battle, we fed the ant materials to the [Shadow of Death] to enhance it. Since there was a significant amount, the weapon's level increased nicely.

This enemy is probably meant to be fought by a party.

But before Liora's durability and burst power, they were nothing more than insignificant opponents. For now, we're on the front lines of this game, albeit reluctantly.

This level of performance is to be expected, I suppose.

"However, while it's convenient not to have to carry the materials back..."

The large scythe [Shadow of Death] completely prevents material loss. However, my primary purpose for playing the game is to "earn money."

Not being able to bring back materials is a drawback.

Though it's better than wasting them...

I could log out frequently to exchange the materials for cash, but that would make Liora lonely. Some might say not to worry about an NPC being lonely, but her sDarkly sad face is too realistic...

"Liora, I have a proposal."

"? I want you to do as you think best, Master."

"You trust me too much. Alright, then let's learn the [Item Box] skill."

The [Item Box] skill is an essential skill.

It starts with 10 slots.

After that, the number of slots increases by one each time the level goes up. Ultimately, you can carry up to 110 items.

It is a convenient skill.

However, using a skill slot for this can weaken you. Naturally, carrying items yourself and using skills for attacks or support makes you stronger.

"Some players hire NPCs to carry their items... Well, it can't be helped. Convenience is the best."

"Indeed."

"Still, my skill setup is too 'Liora-dependent'..."

I have no intention of doing so, but if Liora were lost, I'd be in trouble.

I started storing some of the materials in the item box. The cleanup took longer than the battle itself.

It's realistic, but the hassle outweighs the immersion.

Chatting with Liora keeps me from getting bored, though. As we finished collecting everything and were about to move, a voice called out from above.

"Wait. You there, spirit and girl."

"...Hm. Who are you? Also, I'm not a spirit, but a god."

"A god? ...Regardless, I don't recognize your faces. Where are you from?"

"I don't know."

That's right.

Liora didn't know the name of her own country, let alone her village, until the end. It's not that no one taught her; it was just too rural to matter.

The owner of the voice looked puzzled.

Upon closer inspection, the man appeared to be an elf. Quite a handsome one. His golden hair seemed to glow, and every movement scattered sparkling particles.

He was wary, aiming his bow at us.

"Say you come from the human kingdom of Albute." I whispered to Liora.

"We come from the human kingdom of Albute."

"...Albute! So you are the hero who defeated Helmut! That accursed Helmut. Because you defeated him, the time-space freeze has been lifted."

It seems he's explaining the game's lore.

The first field where we respawned is called the human kingdom of Albute. It's a nation where diverse human species coexist.

It's said to be the last land of humanity, with other places destroyed by the demon king's army.

However, just before the kingdom's fall, the goddess used a "time-space freeze" to protect the people. Those frozen were preserved in a separate dimension for hundreds of years.

Only the second field has been unlocked.

The elf continued.

"When the demon king's army invaded Elf Land, we were frozen by the goddess's power. It felt like an instant to us, but we were undoubtedly annihilated. In reality, Elf Land was destroyed, becoming a den for monsters."

"Elf Land?"

"Yes. This great forest itself is the country where elves lived. Welcome to the forest nation of Elf Land, liberators."

The elf muttered "Follow me" and moved by kicking off the trees.

Liora tilted her head, looking at me, but since it was a quest, we should comply for now.

Liora, too, kicked off the trees and moved through the forest with ease. Impressive!