VRMMO no Shien Shokunin ～Top Player no Shikakenin～

Missed me?

Hope everyone is doing well these days.

Well, first of all, I’ll give an apology because this chapter was actually half done for a long while. Though it ended up piling up dust as time passed.

Anyway, new chapter after all this time.

Got some “good news”, as we are reaching the climax of the arc, I personally would like to end this arc in a more timely manner so readers and myself don’t have to wait too long to read the ending to it.

For that reason, I’ll try to speed up the releases until the arc ends, which means…5 more chapters or so after this one.

What happens after that…or even if I manage to do it in a timely manner is up to my mood swings but I’ll try to do my best to translate them.

However, I’ll be busy this weekend so there probably won’t be any progress during that time.

Think that will be all for now, hope to see you again soon with another chapter.

A giant sword, armour, huge body and a pair of eyes filled with an intimidating aura.

Mercenary Albert stood up in front of us amidst the immense amount of cheers accompanied by a small girl.

When standing facing him like this, the intimidating aura is nothing to scoff at.

Surprisingly, the first ones to address the other party were them.

「It’s been a while, Hind.」 (Albert)

「Yeah, you still remember me?」 (Hind)

「I wouldn’t forget. The sword I’m currently wielding was handed over to me by both of you after all.」 (Albert)

As he said that, he wielded the greatsword without a scabbard at the height of his abdomen to let me see.

Rather than handing it over, we did sell it to him though.

I mean, none of us would be able to wield it normally in a fight and it’s stupidly long after all.

「With this sword that you handed to me, I’ll defeat you…please don’t think badly of me. I don’t feel like losing for a second time.」 (Albert)

I wonder if it was just him acting or his real nature, but he gave off a menacing smile while saying that.

Ooh, scary scary.

If this wasn’t a game, I’d definitely not even think about facing him.

「Can I ask you something first before we get into the fight? Albert」 (Yumir)

「What is it? Yumir」 (Albert)

「Well, the one that hasn’t been talking at all…was she called Philia? What’s your relationship with her? I’m aware that it might be impolite of me to ask this but…I’ve been really curious about it.」 (Yumir)

Now that she mentions it, there was someone in the BBS saying that they were relatives.

The people that disagreed with him were many, honestly, other than him there were not that many that…

Towards that question asked by Yumir, Albert readily replied.

「She’s my daughter.」 (Albert)

Whoa, they don’t look alike at all…that kind of reaction was probably what Yumir and I had at the same time.

How do you even manage to give birth to such a lovable girl with such a big and rough looking man? I couldn’t help but start comparing their faces.

If there’s someone that is able to make out that they are parent and child out there, I feel like he would deserve some praise.

「I know what you want to say.」 (Albert)

「Eh, well…ha-hahaha….」 (Hind)

I could do nothing but try to dodge the topic by laughing.

It seems like Albert was used to people having that reaction.

But…a mercenary that brings his child along, huh? Is that…something new?

「The fact that she looks more like my wife is nice and all, but has never been that talkative just like me. Philia, go greet them.」 (Albert)

「…Nice to meet you.」 (Philia)

You could say that this girl’s lack of pleasantries and 0 friendliness was something refreshing.

However, there was something that bothered me when looking at this girl.

…Right now it was close to 10pm.

I believe it’s a bit late for such a child to still be up.

「You don’t mind letting her play a game at such a late time? Isn’t your daughter an elementary schooler…」 (Hind)

「I…I’m a middle schooler, not an elementary schooler.」 (Philia)

「Eh? Ah, I’m so sorry! My bad!」 (Hind)

「I’m not mad. The fact that I’m short is the truth.」 (Philia)

Is that so?

Since she was silent and her expression didn’t change at all, I thought that she got mad.

For kids her age, they usually tend to get mad when you treat them as a child after all.

Having heard my words, Albert said this as a follow up while placing his hand on top of Philia’s head.

「I had a growth spurt suddenly during high school. I’m pretty sure this child…will also be one of the late bloomer types. That’s why, you shouldn’t mind it that much.」 (Albert)

「I see. There’s someone like that among the people I know. Though that person is in the basketball club, once that person grew up in high school their position switched from guard to center.」 (Hind)

『Hey, can we start already? Is that “basketball” thing you are talking about that important? I’d like to watch the match between you as soon as possible. I believe the audience would want that too?』 (Emperor)

There was this feeling of impatience coming from the audience.

Guess we got too absorbed into our talk.

「Whoops. I apologize. Please start the match.」 (Hind)

At this rate it’ll be a repeat of the Licht fight.

If it’s just talking, we can do it as much as we want after the fight.

Since the Emperor is quite lenient, we couldn’t help but start talking to our opponents before the match.

「Umu. Make it start!」 (Yumir)

「We are ready over here too.」 (Albert)

「…」 (Philia)

Once everyone had reported that they were ready, the Emperor gave a big nod.

Luckily, all my nervousness went away while we were talking.

No matter what happens now, this is the last one, we can only give it our best having gotten this far.

『…In that case, last match of the martial arts tournament sponsored by the Empire! Beli Confederation’s Mercenary Albert and Philia vs Sala Kingdom’s Yumir and Hind…start!!』 (Emperor)

At the same time the signal was given, all of us started moving while wielding our weapons.

A few seconds after the match started, we decided to stick close together because our opponents would want to try to take us one on one.

However, the fight wasn’t really going in our favor…

Heavy sounds of metal clashing came from in front of me and Yumir’s face was filled with anguish.

「Nuaaaah!! This is tough!」 (Yumir)

「Don’t exchange blows forcefully! Dodging takes priority, try to aim for some counters!」 (Hind)

Both of them have heavy class weapons. We are at a disadvantage in a contest of strength.

If we were to take a hit directly, we wouldn’t be able to endure the damage they would deal.

Their attacks were filled with strength and devoid of any strategy, I charged up my MP slowly while evading them.

I won’t be able to survive if I get distracted for even a split second.

The one aiming for me was Philia-chan, Albert was mainly aiming for Yumir.

We’ve been able to avoid an instant defeat by supporting each other until now, however, Yumir should be close to her limit.

Just have to get the minimum amount of MP to get it work…alright, it should be barely enough for it! Time to start casting!

「Yumir, switch with me!」 (Hind)

「…!! OK, I’ll leave it to you!」 (Yumir)

Having switched places with her, I leaped in front of Albert.

Seeing this situation, Albert was filled with doubt for a moment, however…

「Have you come to die? Hindo!」 (Albert)

「Tsk!!」 (Hind)

He decided to attack me right away.

Calm down…no matter how bad I’m at attacking, this is something I can’t afford to miss.

His chest and arms bulging with strength, he mowed down with the heavy sword at a speed that would make your hair stand on end.

It’s alright, I’m seeing it clearly…that’s the spot! Time to activate 『Shining』!

「!!??」 (Albert)

「Uwhoa!!That was so close!」 (Hind)

Right after finishing casting, I backstepped to take some distance from the greatsword that missed its mark.

How did it go?

「Gaaaaaaaaah!!」 (Albert)

Albert groaned in anguish as he covered his eyes.

Without having any time to celebrate, I shouted at the same time as I saw that happening.

「Yumir!」 (Hind)

「…Ooooooooooooooooh!!」 (Yumir)

「!!」 (Philia)

Yumir activated 『Act of Desperation』 and rushed towards Philia-chan.

With a ferocious rush of attacks, her HP was being shaved off in an instant.

Since that previous event with the sand, I was able to ascertain certain things, it seems like if a player’s eyes are damaged, it’ll take quite a while for them to recover.

They’ll eventually heal naturally given some time, but this 『Shining』 in particular…when I tested it out on myself, my field of view turned pure white and I was unable to look at my surroundings for about 10 seconds easily.

I have no way if it’ll have less effect than anticipated, but I found out that this skill can be used as a sort of debuff that’s limited to PvP.

Since I saw no mention of it in the BBS and walkthrough sites, this is something I haven’t told anyone yet and saved up as a trump card.

「!! Yumir, hurry up!!」 (Hind)

「Philia, are you alright!? Philia!!」 (Albert)

While staggering, probably relying on sound, Albert headed towards Yumir while brandishing his sword.

I had taken the chance to take some distance and charge my MP and I cast 『Attack Up』 on Yumir.

Philia-chan was giving it her all by defending herself with her Axe, however, Yumir was currently overwhelming her with her physical build, the way she moved and her concentration.

And finally…

「This is the end!!」 (Yumir)

「Auh!」 (Philia)

Yumir’s 『Heavy Slash』 landed on her petite body and she slammed violently against the floor.

Her HP flickered and disappeared, then she stopped moving.

「Philia!!」 (Albert)

With bloodshot eyes, Albert gave a shout that resounded throughout the entire arena.

It went well…however, this is where things get real.