That Time I Played A VRMMORPG.

[ AN: Early chap~ Paragraph comment if you spot any errors. Thank you. ]

Four days passed, the trio had gathered much skills, Gram and Kaede had reached level 30 while Risa caught up to level 26.

Currently, there seems to be a cap of experience on the first stage. As they weren't able to gather more experience when they hit level 30. So they decided to challenge the second stage challenge dungeon even though Risa haven't maxed out her level yet.

During the couple days, Gram had gained more skills to amplify his existing ones. He also focused on getting more powerful offensive skills because he thought he was still lacking on variable offensive skill. So while he enjoyed fighting enemies with the girls, he was always looking for a better way to maximize his spells.

Knox

Lv: 30

HP: 275/275 ( MB: 1120 ) ( BP: 100/100 ) ( LBP: 10000/10000 )

MP: 900/900 (+220) [ All MP: 1120/1120 ]

[ STR: 0〈＋10〉]

[ VIT: 245〈＋10〉]

[ AGI: 0 〈＋80 〉]

[ DEX: 0 〈＋20〉]

[ INT: 735〈＋50〉〈＋10〉]

Equipment:

Head [ーーー]

Body [ Timeworn Armor of the Shadows ]

Right hand [ Mirror of Oblivion ]

Left hand [ Mystic Storm Gloves [ Skill: Earth Wyvern ] ]

Legs [ Timeworn Armor of the Shadows ]

Shoes [ Timeworn Armor of the Shadows ]

Accessories [ Ring of the Forgotten Knight ]

[ Mana Ring ]

[ Soulless Amulet ]

Skill:

[ Transcendental Meditation ] [ Perception ] [ Sensory Enhancement ] [ Mana Sensing ] [ Nature Gift ] [ Spell Creation ] [ Fire Manipulation ] [ Gravity Manipulation ] [ Spell Overkill EX (Small) ] [ Giant Killer ] [ Poison Immunity ] [ Enchantment ] [ Wind Manipulation ] [ Light Manipulation ] [ Almighty Defense ] [ Earth Wyvern Eater ] [ Mastery of the Support VI ] [ Bizarre Eater ] [ Explosion Manipulation ] [ Magic (Mana) Devourer ] [ Sound Manipulation ] [ Fishing IV ] [ Cooking I ] [ Running II ] [ MP Strengthening (Small) ] [ MP Enhancement (Medium) ] [ MP Cut ( Medium ) ] [ MP Regen (Medium) ] [ Intelligence Strengthening (Small) ] [ Mana Leech Augment (Small) ] [ Electricity Manipulation ] [ Multi-Casting (Small) ] [ Concurrent Chanting II ] [ Master Arsonist (Small) ]

--------------------

[ Gold: 511792 ]

Low HP Potion x 20

Low MP Potion x 20

… Materials...

(AN: His manipulation skills aren't exactly the same as literal Magic skills counterparts. While manipulation skills are rarer, they also use so much mana to maintain their sub-skills, so yeah, the MP usage is bigger than the normal spells. Balance!! )

[ Light Manipulation ]

The ability to manipulate visible light commonly referred to as light. Spell damage, radius, and effectiveness could be enhanced by incorporating additional MP.

Spells:

Light Barrier - 100 MP.

Radiant Light Healing - 200 MP.

Light Healing Zone - 50 MP per second.

[ Radiant Light Healing ]

Heals, remove debuffs and convert debuff to equivalent buff and it's remaining seconds to the target player at the cost of 200 MP with 2 minutes cool-down.

[ Healing Zone ]

When used, nearby players on the same [ Party ] would receive healing for an unconditional time until MP is depleted. 50 MP per second, heal 100 HP per second it's activated. 1 hour cooldown. User don't heal using this skill. Cannot move until skill is cancelled.

[ Fire Manipulation ]

The ability to wield fire and its fiery countenance. Spells offense damage is derived from user INT, applying more MP to the spell to deal more damage. Fire spells will always cause, [ Burning ] effect on enemies, de-buff's damage is equivalent to the 1% of the user's INT and lasts for 3 seconds, 1/3 stacking effect. Attacking continuously with fire spells would make the debuff longer.

Spells:

Fireball - 25 MP

Fiery Aura - 50 MP, use 5 min, 6 min CD,

Fire Bullet - 70 MP

Fire Flare - 200 MP

Fire Bullet Barrage - 50 MP

Fire Rune - 50 MP

Fire Lance - 200 MP

Comet Swarm - 500 MP

Flame Pillar - 800 MP

Meteor Desolate - 1000 MP

[ Fire Rune ]

Cast a rune to the target that would amplify their damage by 10% and all of their skills will apply [ Burning ] debuff with % fire elemental damage. Use 50 MP andast for 5 minutes with a cool-down time of 10 minutes.

[ Fire Lance ]

A flaming lance that penetrate defenses and had a higher degree of burn than [ Flame Bullet ]. Acquire [ Burning ] and [ Ignited ]. 200 MP per cast.

[ Comet Swarm ]

Summons flaming stones that would pelt an area for 30-second duration, enemies hit will be damage in small amounts and will gain [ Scorched ] debuff that reduces percentage amount of HP variable to the HP.

500 MP peruse with a cool-down of 2 minutes with a cast time of 10 seconds, the player is unaffected by the comet itself.

[ Flame Pillar ]

Calls down an instance pillar of fire in front, burning all enemies within the 15-meter radius area that deals fire damage and an additional [ Scorched ] debuff that reduce HP over 8 sec while reducing their movement speed by 50% for the duration. ] Uses 700 MP per cast with 8-minute cool-down and had 15 seconds of casting time.

[ Meteor Desolate ]

Summons a chuck of flaming earth to the designated area, and roll towards the opposite side of the user. It either does high fire elemental damage, or damage multiple times that will stun them every damage dealt. Enemies hit in the area will get [ Scorched ] debuff that reduces HP over 15 sec while reducing their movement speed by 70% for the duration. ] Uses 1000 MP per cast with 30-minute cool-down and had a 40 second casting time.

[ Master Arsonist (Small) ]

Have 10 or more fire related spells. Enhance fire damage by 10%, critical fire damage and duration by 2 seconds.

Maple

Lv: 30

HP: 831 / 831

MP: 22 / 22

[ STR: 235 ]

[ VIT: 735〈＋66〉]

[ AGI: 0 〈＋80〉]

[ DEX: 0 〈＋20〉]

[ INT: 0 ]

Equipment:

Head [ーーー]

Body [ Armor of Black Roses ]

Right hand [ New Moon [ Skill: Hydra ] ]

Left hand [ Mirror of the Dark Night [ Skill: Bizarre Eater ] ]

Legs [ Armor of Black Roses ]

Shoes [ Armor of Black Roses ]

Accessories [ Ring of the Forest Queen Bee ]

[ーーー]

[ーーー]

Skill:

[ Absolute Defense ] [ Giant Killing ] [ Hydra Eater ] [ Explosion Resistance (Small) ] [ Meditation ] [ Provoke ] [ Inhumane ] [ Mastery of the Large Shield VI ] [ Body Manipulation ] [ Attack Deflection ] [ Shield Attack ] [ Echoing Roar ] [ Petricite Spark ] [ Buildup Strength ] [ Vitality Strengthening (Small) ] [ Physical Attack Resistance (Small) ] [ Magical Attack Resistance (Small) ] [ HP Strengthening (Small) ] [ MP Strengthening (Small)

[ Gold: 424892 ]

Low HP Potion x 20

Low MP Potion x 20

… Materials...

Sally

Lv: 26

HP: 32/32

MP: 60/60〈＋35 〉

[ STR: 100〈＋20〉 ]

[ VIT: 0 ]

[ AGI: 120〈＋70〉〈＋80〉]

[ DEX: 50〈＋25〉〈＋20〉]

[ INT: 40 〈＋20〉]

Equipments:

Head [ Marble Muffler ]

Body [ Oceanic Coat ]

Right hand [ Dagger of the Depths ]

Left hand [ Abyss Dagger ]

Legs [ Oceanic Garments ]

Shoes [ Black Shoes ]

Accessories [ーーー]

[ーーー]

[ーーー]

Skills:

[ Enhanced Speed ] [ Fishing III ] [ Swimming X ] [ Diving X ] [ Status Debuff Attack III ] [ Sword Fencing I ] [ Slash ] [ Double Slash ] [ Gale Slash ] [ Muscle Strengthening (Small) ] [ Consecutive Attack Strengthening (Small) ] [ Double Attack ] [ Powered Attack ] [ Switch Attack ] [ Body Arts I ] [ Knowledge of Short Swords II ] [ Fire Magic I ] [ Water Magic II ] [ Wind Magic III ] [ Earth Magic II ] [ Dark Magic I ] [ Light Magic II ] [ Fireball] [ Waterball ] [ Wind Cutter ] [ Thunder Cutter ] [ Darkball ] [ Refresh ] [ MP Strengthening (Small)] [ MP Cut (Small) ] [ MP Recovery Speed Strengthening (Small) ] [ Knowledge of Magic III ] [ Cooking I ] [ Mining Speed Strengthening (Small) ] [ Jack of All Trades (Small) ] [ Sensory Blocking II ] [ Sensory Awareness II ] [ Stealth Move II ] [ Leap II ] [ Poison Resistance (Small) ] [ Super Acceleration ] [ Hiding Presence II ] [ Sense Presence II ]

[ Gold: 100292 ]

Low HP Potion x 20

Low MP Potion x 20

… Materials...

"We have come a long way to have this many attributes and skills. Hehe~." Kaede giggled cutely while looking at the long list of her skills, alongside her close companions.

"Yeah, it's been a nice session of mastering and practicing in those dungeons~" Risa smiled with a prideful look. Gram stopped in front of the two girls.

"Is this it? This should be our next plate.. Miladies." Gram chuckled and looked at them, he put up a graceful display while being some kind of a butler with a deep voice.

"Hoho~ then lead us~" Kaede curtsied while she put her shield on the inventory for a moment before raising her hand prompting him to softly hold her hand.

"As you wish~" Gram kneeled and did a very cool butler pose, inspired by some anime he had watched.

"Milady?! Uhh…"

"What's the matter Milady Sally.. Is there something wrong?" Gram chuckled internally, while not showing any changes in his face, and such honorific made Risa feel weird inside.

Risa blushed lightly and waved her hands, "Uh~n-n-nothing! Hey we've arrived! Yeh~ so can we just get on with it?"

Kaede pouted and looked at her friend before saying, "Muhh~ Sally's is such a killjoy…"

Risa saw her being 'somewhat' angry, "H..nnn. Fine, just do what you want~..."

After a moment, Risa helplessly sighed as she raised her hand beckoning him to move to the next process. Although redness appeared on her cheeks that totally improved her 'dere' in the moment.

Gram held her hand softly, "Let us not waste time no more… I'd always wanted to see both you blooming flowers at their finest moment.." With both girls at his side, there wasn't anything to fear. The two girls heard him and they blushed as they turned a little fluttery, meanwhile, Kaede had a lovely expression on her face.

In front of them, there was a path, an entrance towards the massive stone ruins seen from it's ruined walls.

If the information was correct, this should be the dungeon to capture so that players could move to the second stage. They saw some players around, a hub of some sorts, exchanging various information. Players staying here should have a reason why they were still here and not doing the advancement itself.

Although, players can go back to the stage by paying some gold coins but doing that, they won't be able to gain loot or any gears from drops unlike before. There would be a large restriction placed on the player if they want to conquer dungeons at the previous stages.

Gram, on the lead, walked in the path. They stopped playing around after they entered the swirling deep-blue hue of the dungeon portal. The dungeon itself is called [ 2nd Level Capturing Dungeon. ] The walls were the usual cave-like theme with some specs of ruined walls here and there but it's not noticeable if you don't focus enough.

Kaede took the lead afterward, she already held the shield [ Mirror of the Dark Night ] while walking composedly with perfect balance, her defense at a 100% ready.

After walking for sometime, they encountered the first monster as always. What appeared in front of them is a boar that's a little huge compared to a normal reality version

[ Big Boar Lv: 23 ]

"[ Wind Cutter ]!"

Risa took action first and shot a magic spell. It only decreased its health bar by 40%. Her [ Jack of All Trades ] had a moderate demerit if it was another player that acquired the skill, but she thought it was a skill that would give more challenge. Additionally, Risa's INT was not the stats she focused for now.

Risa returned to the back, "Mu… putting those free stats, I think I will collect more stats points and use them when the time comes. I'm already used to my current AGI and DEX now~ so maybe i should raise status debuff skills from now on."

"Put more focus on physical attack skills, we have already too much magical damage so~..." Gram who had been unanimously assigned to be the supporting role to buff had taken the backseat, and just provided assistance while discussing things in a relax fashion.

"You're right about that… then I'll put that in my priority list, but I would still enhance my existing magic skills." Risa glanced at him and seeing him agree, and not saying anything negative, she smiled.

While Gram and Risa were talking, the boar regained its posture and charged as it reacted to Risa's preemptive attack earlier. Of course it collided towards Kaede who had taken the lead, charging at her in a fast momentum.

But it got devoured by her large shield. A clink sounded as a crystal appeared on the shield.

"Ne〜 Maple.… so you'll just be going to devour any monsters right?" Gram asked, after all, she can't turn off its auto-trigger function of the skill [ Bizarre Eater ].

"Yes〜 that's the plan! And then I would use a massive skill to the boss monster! And it should go *boom*!" Kaede beamed with a smile.

Risa wryly sighed, "Really… that's Maple as always~ hah..." The path was narrow, the boar monster charge attacks were suicidal. The moment they saw the group, it would run to its death.

The boars didn't have any intelligence, after all, all it knows is about them being an enemy while it attacked the front person, who had a large shield, lunging, or using its tusk.

While going through different directions of the fork and segways, they were moving deeper. Then, they saw the next monsters of the dungeon, it appeared to be a bear.

Kaede shouted, "Oh! A different one came!"

"Aren't they monsters at the beginner area? It seems to be the highlight of this dungeon." Gram asked.

"Yeah~ so we can expect other wild monsters with higher levels." Risa analyzed.

[ Big Bear Lv: 23 ]

Like the boars, the bear attacked should attack in a similar pattern, it would approach but after it reached near the player in front, it would move backward and maintain a 6-meter distance.

There seemed to be an effect as its sharp claw glows, it attacks, it swipes its claws in the air. Unluckily for the bear, Kaede, the receiving, made a stance with her shield, the attack that traveled in air was not able to damage nor knock-back her in the slightest.

Ultimately, it didn't tickle Kaede but she got surprised though, she tried to approach the bear but it kept on withdrawing fastly while swiping its claws to make air claw attacks.

The bear made a strategic movement pattern compared to the boar, and is probably a monster of a higher rank with the same level as the boar. Gram gleamed at the funny sight.

"In the future, monsters would have a much-enhanced attack pattern, while they would get much more intellectual, I'm kinda looking forward to fighting monsters like those." Gram imagined one scenario. But in the end, he saw Kaede, seeing her bashing the enemy with her shield, while not getting damage at all.

Kaede said, "I-I was just a little surprised, to think with that body, it could agilely move. N~nnn… hah~haha."

Risa giggled, "Oh~ you didn't think that it would attack in long-range huh... In addition, it's blocking the way with its body while taking distance after not being able to finish you off."

"It's called monster tactics Maple, they are getting intelligent~" Gram tried to joke that made Kaede giggle under her breath, although Risa just glared at him, as it's not really a joke to be honest.

"Then I will try to defeat it, it's just a bear after all… Huff~ Take a straight stance and make the large shield stand." Kaede dropped the large shield to the ground.

Although it looked like it but she still balanced the shield by her feet, as the bear saw that someone had appeared and was defenseless, so it charged, it thought that it was the only chance and it really charged.

Kaede knew if there wasn't the touch of the large shield in her hand, she would probably have to reach down on the ground. Or she would have to take it from her inventory.

At the same time, the bear reached where the large shield was in the first place, its body disappeared.

"It just leaped directly? Hoho~ My tactic work in the end heheh~ That was so cool right? Knox? Sally?" Kaede said in surprise while glancing at the two as if waiting for praise.

The large shield fell on the ground with a large *tang*. The devoured monster had disappeared altogether while waiting for the two's reply the next second she quickly understood.

"Sorry~ Maple… I just tested out [ Mirage ] and it seems the skill is a successful get, what do you guys think?" Risa said with a small laugh while making a sorry face.

"So it's the skill huh… [ Mirage ] 〜! I didn't think it would just pounce on me like that! I was really surprised you know?! That my tactic worked!" Kaede made an exaggerated face while a pout appeared on the side of her cheek.

Gram approached her and rubbed her head without a fuss that lessens the pout on her cheek.

"That skill would be a great skill to use in PVP battle.. It would be like a surprise method to attack enemies to one-shot them." Gram praised as he could appreciate having a skill like that. He could probably make one but it didn't fit the moment of him adding more skills when he had tons of others to use.

After all, in fights, he would just use two or three spells depending on the enemy. He's somewhat of a minimalist and although he's somewhat a showoff, lengthening fights is not something he usually does. Of course, it would be a different scenario when he intentionally tries to show off.

Preserving cool-down times of his skill also matters whether he had to use it or not. If he could, he won't use his trump card unless it's really necessary.

Risa lightly scratched her cheek with her finger. "Well~ I just tried it as a test flight putting the bear as its recipient for my phantom, confusing it, I also used upgraded [ Hiding Presence II ] to cover so you two would get surprise. Hehe~ I've been experimenting with the skill but I didn't think of trying it with other methods to vanish before. I used it because I got an instant inspiration earlier."

Although, she was sure it would only be usable to players and not monster itself.

It should be dependant on whether the player or monster had a presence detecting skill.

Gram had one, but he's oblivious of not using it in the moment since he needed to activate it's ability before being able to see with the [ Perception ].

As what really happened was that, Risa used her [ Mirage ] and spawned a phantom of her in front of Kaede but she was using [ Hiding Presence ] when she used, technically, leading everyone, not noticing the phantom except the bear that had had a heightened sense. In that moment, her phantom got killed due to it's attack but the bear also accidentally touched Kaede's shield by it's large swipe.

"Un~ Un! That was it… But next time~, tell me in advance, It made my heart go pyun~ pyun!" Kaede said while pointing at her c.h.e.s.t.

"Sorry, sorry again.." Risa grinned and made a cute bowing gesture.

Kaede smiled, "Nnnn~ forgiven."