Kaaang!
“…Shield?”
“Uuuhhh!!”
A white shield enveloping the hatchling.
It’s so sturdy that even the sharp blade of the Mythical Item, Yellow Raider, cannot pierce it.
“I guess I need to put in some effort.”
The Grim Reaper steadied himself and raised his scythe high.
A chilling yellow energy wrapped around the scythe, and its size grew incrementally.
Before long, it was longer than its master’s height.
The Grim Reaper swung down the shield with a speed undetectable to the hatchling.
Kagagagak…!
The shield screamed much more threateningly than before.
The once-comfortable Sugarado’s eyes began to tremble.
It’s going to break.
“How long can it hold out?”
Kaaang! Kaaang! Kaaang!
“U-uuuuhhh!!!”
“Anyway, it can’t come. Even if it does, escaping is all that matters.”
Why is he called the Grim Reaper?
It’s not just because he brings death; he moves in ‘darkness.’
His strength and magical power match that of a warrior and mage, yet his abilities are close to that of an assassin.
No matter how hard Lily tried, it wasn’t something she could just run away from—
Puhwaaaak!
“…!”
A spear flies in.
Despite using an anti-perception magic scroll and having a solid defense system, the spear shot directly at the Grim Reaper’s neck.
Tsk. The Grim Reaper let out a disappointed sound and vanished into the darkness with the hatchling.
‘I’ll figure out how to break the shield in due time…’
“Where are you going?”
Calling him back.
Kwahjijik!
“Chhuck!”
“Uuuhh!”
Before long, Lily leaped with the spear and severed the Grim Reaper’s left arm.
No, she exploded it.
The hatchling dropped into Lily’s arms.
Seizing this opportunity, the Grim Reaper used one of the Yellow Raider’s powers, ‘Harvest.’
A yellow scythe symbol was marked on Lily’s left shoulder as part of her strength seeped into him.
‘The Harvest Mark steals a portion of all stats for a period. This applies even to that Lily.’
This was a fact proven in battle against Leo.
Though he had lost, the amount of stats stolen back then amplified the Grim Reaper’s abilities immensely.
At that time, it had been about 7%, but now the grown Yellow Raider could steal up to 15%.
Now that he was ten times stronger, he could…
‘…Ten times?’
As the Grim Reaper tried to take down Lily with an utterly heightened power he had never experienced before, he sensed something was off.
The overwhelming wave of magic overflowing within him and his physical abilities.
In this moment, he felt he could do anything, and no enemy could frighten him.
……
Cold sweat dripped from his hand as he gripped the Yellow Raider.
Meanwhile, Lily was observing the hatchling and her opponent with unwavering composure.
Lily Elbrite.
“Hmm?”
If she’s about 15% stronger, then…
“What did she do?”
Just how strong is Lily, anyway?
■
A sharp yellow scythe rages forth.
It’s a storm of reaping that seems to fill this space.
Kiiing…
Lily, responding in kind, unleashed the roar of her spear.
The storm shredding the front wipes away the yellow and turns the building into a piece of paper.
The once dark ceiling crumbles, letting bright light through.
The yellow magical power spreads like smoke where the scythe has passed.
Magic eventually engulfs everything around.
Hidden class, ‘Soul Harvester.’
A profession that plunders and snatches everything around, allowing her to obtain the advancement quest for the mythical masterpiece, ‘Yellow Raider.’
Each time she swings her scythe, everything becomes the Soul Harvester’s nourishment.
Based on the nourishment obtained, her stats increase, both temporarily and permanently.
Normally, permanent stats scarcely rise.
Even against the strongest enemy, if she gains 2-3 per battle, that’s considered a good harvest; usually, it’s below 1.
“Crazy.”
But the Grim Reaper feels it.
Kwahahaha!!
Ding!
[The Soul Harvester begins the harvest.]
[You have harvested 4 strength, 1 agility, and 3 stamina. The effect lasts for 10 minutes.]
[Current harvested stats – Strength 37, Agility 13, Stamina 55, Magic 32, Sharpness 7, Penetration 8…]
[Permanently increases strength and stamina by 1.]
[Permanently harvested stats – Strength 6, Agility 2, Stamina 7, Magic 4, Sharpness 1, Penetration 1…]
Lily has gone insane.
She’s overwhelming herself in every aspect.
At the same time, she felt euphoria.
She’s getting stronger.
Maintaining the top spot in Banded, she experienced a sense of joy she had never felt before.
That feeling of getting so strong after reaching the peak was a long-lost sensation.
Perhaps that’s why.
Ding!
[‘Conditional PVP’ has been activated.]
[User, Lily Elbrite has accepted Conditional PVP.]
She was too excited.
“Ah…”
Crap.
[The combat factor is very high. You cannot refuse Conditional PVP.]
[You attacked first. You cannot refuse Conditional PVP.]
[You are a Raider. You cannot refuse Conditional PVP.]
[User, the Grim Reaper has accepted Conditional PVP.]
[Please select the reward for the opponent in PVP.]
“Yellow Raider would be nice.”
“…Damn! It’s not a mythical one!”
“Is that something someone who kidnapped a righteous dragon would say?”
Looks like she’s getting a good deal, doesn’t it?
Where are you?
Lily wears a beautiful smile.
Even though it’s undeniably a stunning smile, the Grim Reaper couldn’t take it at face value and took a step back.
A demon. No doubt about it.
‘What the hell, a mythical level for just one duel…?’
I admit it.
I was too intoxicated and had forgotten about the “Conditional PVP” that activates during user battles.
Conditional PVP.
It’s a duel where users stake ‘equal’ rewards against each other, and the winner takes everything through victory or defeat.
Originally, it’s a clash agreed upon by both parties, and it’s not often used by the bandits tagged as ‘Raider’.
Bandits can forcibly loot items or resources through PK.
The problem is, this conditional PVP is one of the most dangerous systems for bandits.
One of the characteristics of a ‘Raider’ living off others’ possessions is that, except in special circumstances, they ‘cannot refuse any duel system.’
And as the Raider rank increases, the chance to refuse drops significantly.
“…Shit.”
That’s why I was trying to bail.
“Please tell me what you want. I’ll accommodate you as much as I can.”
“…Ending the PVP here?”
“I can end it if you give me a masterpiece. Oh wait, I guess that won’t work.”
Lily raised one hand that had been concealed.
Before I knew it, the seal released Hatchling was glaring at the Grim Reaper with wild eyes.
If looks could kill, I probably would have died over ten times by now.
“I have to hit you at least once.”
“……Huff.”
I need a cigarette.
“Shall I decide for you?”
“What?”
Ding!
[User, Elbrite suggests ‘Blue Guardian,’ ‘Red Guide,’ and ‘Green Hermit’ as rewards.]
[The value of the duel’s rewards is not very appropriate!]
[Will you accept?]
“…What are you thinking?”
“I thought you looked deep in thought.”
Doesn’t it tempt you?
“……”
I nodded at Lily’s last words.
Honestly, I am tempted.
‘Three mythical levels for just one duel?’
Even just obtaining them would bring in billions easily and could significantly enhance my power compared to now.
With this, I could make even Leo bow down.
Moreover, rings, gloves, daggers.
These are all weapons and equipment that I, as a soul harvester, can fully handle.
I use a scythe, but originally used daggers.
But the Grim Reaper, with countless battles under his belt, knows.
‘I will definitely lose.’
But even if I don’t accept, it’ll end up the same anyway.
“…Sigh. What a ridiculous game, really.”
[Accepted.]
[Victory in duel – Acquired ‘Blue Guardian,’ ‘Red Guide,’ ‘Green Hermit.’]
– ‘Blue Guardian’, ‘Red Guide’, ‘Green Hermit’ acquired.]
[Defeat in battle – lost ‘Yellow Raider.’]
[Condition PVP starts.]
If we’re going to do it anyway, it’s better to shoot for at least a slim chance.
The Grim Reaper is preparing his ultimate move.
A technique so strong that it’s like a guaranteed kill with a long cooldown.
‘Soul Brand. Takes 80% health from the marked target.’
A skill that applies only to players; the moment you get hit, you’re almost guaranteed to be in a dying state.
In that moment, if you unleash all your skills, there might be a chance…
‘But where did he go?’
“One hit.”
KKWHAAAAA—!!!
The white hammer smashed the Grim Reaper’s head.
■
‘Thank you for the information. I didn’t give much, but you even shared World Boss information.’
‘It’s nothing. Ah, Lady Lily. There’s actually one more way to get a masterpiece.’
‘There’s a user called Grim Reaper among the Banded. He’s a guy who roams around stealing stats and equipment; he should be around here.’
‘The problem is, that guy is carrying the Yellow Raider.’
So, how about trying to bait him?
“…Hmm.”
“Uwooou!”
“Yeah. Alright.”
With Black’s help, I managed to acquire the Yellow Raider.
Condition PVP? I had no idea such a good system existed until now.
I fiddled with the yellow scythe that fit snugly in my hand and turned my gaze to the chat window I’d been ignoring until now.
[LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL]
[Is Lily a god? Is Lily a god? Is Lily a god?]
[One-shot by the Grim Reaper, LOL!]
[They say masterpieces will copy, LOL]
[Already 4…]
[The Grim Reaper crying, haha]
[Serves that Banded guy right! He didn’t think he’d get stolen from, did he?]
[Training the Banded, LOL]
[Masterpieces rolling in]
[If you’re stealing from others, you should know you could get stolen from too]
[For real, LOL]
[True that]
[Let’s go tear up the rest]
[Just need to take down 3 more, and we’re done]
[?]
“Ah, I’m not the kind of person who just steals stuff.”
This was a ‘fair’ duel, after all.
Anyway, it is what it is.
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