VRMMO: My first Contractee is Yandere-Chapter 108: A death is no mere thing!

"Man, I’m bored! I wish I could’ve seen Captain Liora’s grand performance from a front-row seat!"

"Yeah, yeah. And then you’d end up getting killed by a stray bullet, right, Zerak? I can see it already."

"I’m not dying! I’ll have my moment of glory too! The name of Zerak from the Seventh Strike Force will be known far and wide!"

"At that level...? Oh, my divine god of beauty, please forgive this foolish boy!"

As usual, Zerak was yelling, and Sister Lidis replied with sarcastic affirmation. Although the unit had only recently been formed, it was already developing its own unique atmosphere.

Gano added more firewood to the campfire.

A dry voice came from his hoarse throat.

"Keep quiet. We’re still on a combat mission. Night is falling. It’s about time we expanded the lighting range."

"Oh, should I do it? I’m used to hunting in forests."

"Hmm, then I shall entrust it to you, Lady Mya."

"Just call me Mya, Gano."

As he watched Mya run off with a lantern, Gano turned his gaze to Zerak, who was eating meat beside him. A brutal battle was taking place nearby.

And yet they ate calmly.

That was something most new recruits couldn’t do. For better or worse, they were being influenced by Liora, who was truly fit to be called a hero.

"Zerak, don’t overeat. If Captain Liora retreats, we’ll need to move immediately."

"About that... do you really think Captain Liora will retreat? Guarding a route that might not be used is tough on a rookie’s mental state."

"If my predictions are correct, she’ll use this route. This battle is almost certainly a loss... no, if it’s Prince Alex, he might manage a draw."

"A loss!? A draw!? I thought this was a sure win!"

That would’ve only been the case during the daytime, Gano said, sitting on a fallen log. Zerak, sitting beside him, clapped his hands as if remembering something.

"So it really makes that much of a difference."

"The Yoyo faction kept their defensive magic devices hidden until the very last moment. That gave them the edge."

"That wall didn’t budge even against large-scale magic... I guess even Captain Liora would have no choice but to retreat if the army loses."

"Exactly. That’s why she’ll have to retreat. But since she isn’t part of the regular army, retreating with the troops would only slow them down. She needs a separate escape route just for herself."

Zerak’s uncovered eye sparkled.

"Alright! In that case, we’ve got to defend this spot no matter what! We’re protecting Captain Liora’s life! I’m fired up now—whoooo!"

"In moderation, please," Gano said with a wry smile.

They were in the mountains, away from the battlefield.

Running into the mountains while fleeing from vampires was usually a bad idea. Humans were inferior in physical ability, night vision, and mobility. Retreating into the mountains only put them at a disadvantage.

The enemy surely knew that too.

That’s precisely why this escape route for Liora led through the mountains.

Despite the chaos of the battlefield, the forest was eerily quiet. Even the bugs and beasts had gone silent, frightened by the nearby war.

Zerak, completely relaxed now, let out a big yawn.

A single tear trailed down his cheek. Gano noticed and was about to scold him—when he suddenly shoved Zerak hard.

Zerak fell off the log and landed on his rear.

"Ouch! What the hell, old ma—"

"—We’re under attack."

Sitting on the ground, Zerak saw it. The arm of Gano, who had shoved him—was gone, replaced by a spray of blood.

Gano stood up, showing no signs of pain.

His remaining left hand gripped a long staff.

"Zerak, an old man like me and a new recruit like you won’t outrun them. Be ready to die here. At least let’s buy time for the other two to escape."

"W-what...?"

"Vampire Queen Yoyo is here."

Gano glared up into the trees.

Standing on a slender branch was a beautiful girl, probably in her early teens. One hand on the thick trunk, the vampire—no, the true ancestor vampire Yoyo—looked down at the Seventh Strike Force.

With amusement, Yoyo chuckled softly.

"Well done, strategist Gano. To reduce the damage of my ambush to just one arm... you deserve praise."

"Yoyo! Why would someone of your rank appear here in person!?"

"Indeed. I shall tell you. As a reward."

Yoyo leapt down from the tree.

Her dyed golden hair fluttered in the wind, rising with her landing. Beneath it, crimson eyes gleamed.

She was a small child, wearing a luxurious top that screamed nobility or royalty. In contrast, she wore easy-to-move-in shorts below.

Her thin thighs were clearly visible. Zerak was speechless beside Gano.

"She’s... younger than me?"

"Incorrect, young soldier. I’m over two hundred years old. Though yes, physically I appear younger. If you wish, I could call you ’big brother’ in an adorable voice?"

This world has body-size compensation.

The smaller your body, the faster and more agile you are. In other words, smaller humans tend to become stronger.

Even large humans were still smaller than dragons or other monsters, never reaching the upper limit. Thus, being small is close to optimal.

Also, the [Regeneration] skill works better on smaller bodies. Smaller body parts cost less MP to regenerate. That’s why Yoyo the True Ancestor Vampire chose to keep her body at its prime child form.

Happily, Yoyo shook her head. Her shoulder-length hair swayed side to side.

"An immature body is truly ideal. The only downsides are short reach and lack of sexual desire? But reach can be compensated with weapons, and if I begin to crave men, I can’t drink virgin blood anymore. Hm... this body really is too perfect."

’What a lunatic’ Zerak muttered to himself.

Sister Lidis and Mya were already trying to retreat. But Yoyo was watching them, so they couldn’t move.

Zerak swallowed nervously.

"What’s your reason for coming here, ’Queen?"

"Normally, I wouldn’t say. But you blocked my ambush. So now, I must be a Queen who rewards warriors. Thus, I shall answer your question."

Yoyo raised a finger, smiling like a child proud of learning numbers.

"You all serve Liora, do you not? Therefore, I kill you."

"Huh? Killing us won’t hurt Captain Liora at all!"

"No, no, you don’t understand. Let me explain."

Yoyo slowly stepped closer. Her leather boots made no sound, and her smile was pure and innocent, like a child playing hide-and-seek.

"A warrior’s heart is their foundation. Remove the people around them, and their soul crumbles. For a warrior like Liora, whose strength stems from her emotions, killing the ones she protects is the best way to defeat her. Quite simple, yes?"

"You... bastard...!"

Gano’s voice trembled with fury.

Yoyo nodded cheerfully.

"That’s the correct reaction. Oh, how I adore those honest emotions. But don’t worry—I’ll keep the killing quick. It’ll be over in a blink."

She raised his hand.

In that instant, Gano lunged.

"Zerak-, run!!"

"Wait—!"

Gano’s body exploded with magic. His entire figure blurred, vanishing into a speed burst as he closed the distance to Yoyo in the blink of an eye.

"So fast—!"

Even Zerak, who had been completely panicked, widened his eyes at the overwhelming acceleration.

A direct hit—Gano’s staff, wrapped in explosive magical energy, came crashing down from above!

But—

Clink.

A dull metallic sound rang out.

Yoyo had caught it.

With just two fingers.

"Hmm. Not bad. You’ve trained."

Gano’s face twisted. His whole body pushed against the strike with all his might, but Yoyo didn’t even flinch.

"This is what I hate about heroes... you burn so brightly, only to flicker and die. Allow me to extinguish that light."

"Zerak... I leave the rest... to you..."

Blood sprayed.

Gano’s body was blown away.

It wasn’t clear whether it had been a kick, a punch, or magic.

By the time Zerak realized what had happened, the old man’s body lay limp and broken.

"Gano...!"

"Now then, your turn. Shall we dance, big brother?"

Yoyo turned toward Zerak with a childlike giggle.

Her crimson eyes glowed in the twilight.

Zerak stood frozen.

The overwhelming pressure made it hard to breathe.

His legs wouldn’t move. His hands were shaking.

(He’s... a monster...)

He couldn’t even scream.

Yoyo stepped forward.

One step. Then another.

And another.

Death itself was walking toward him.

And then—

"My, my. I can’t have you playing with my men without permission."

The air changed.

A cold wind blew through the trees.

Yoyo stopped in his tracks.

"Ah... the queen has arrived."

"You flatter me."

A single woman stood on a high rock.

Her coat fluttered in the wind. Her eyes were sharp, her silver hair flowing behind her like a comet.

Captain Liora had arrived.

She didn’t smile. She didn’t shout.

She simply gazed down at Yoyo with an icy calm.

"Back away from my unit, Yoyo . Or I’ll kill you."

Yoyo gave a delighted squeal, like a child receiving a toy.

"Ohhh! How wonderful! How majestic! Truly, you are a goddess of war!"

He raised both hands in joy.

"But... alas, even a goddess cannot save them all."

"Try me."

A sword of flame appeared in Liora’s hand.

With a single swing, she slashed the air—

—and the mountain split.

A wave of pressure exploded outward.

Zerak, still frozen, was blown off his feet by the shockwave.

Yoyo had already moved.

From atop a tree, she grinned down.

"This is why I love you, Liora! So fierce! So divine! I shall retreat for today... but next time, we dance until the end!"

And with a flutter of his coat, she vanished.

The forest fell silent.

Captain Liora landed beside Gano’s body, knelt, and closed his eyes gently.

"You did well, Gano. I’ll take it from here."

She stood, eyes burning with quiet fury.

Zerak, finally regaining control of his limbs, knelt instinctively.

"Captain... I... I couldn’t do anything...!"

"You did exactly what was needed."

She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You lived. That’s enough."