Escapia: A VRMMO

Chapter 7: Healer Girl

Morning arrived, casting its warm glow upon the peaceful landscape. Lockheart had found comfort in sleep, lying on the soft grass beneath a tree. As the gentle breeze caressed the surroundings, Daemon approached her and lightly poked her shoulder.

"Lockheart, wake up," he whispered.

Yawning and rubbing her eyes, Lockheart stood up and looked at Daemon, who wore a bored expression. The events of the previous day flooded her mind, and she cautiously broached the topic.

"H-Hey, Takashi... I mean Daemon. Are you feeling any better now?"

Daemon nodded silently, his face etched with a frown. Lockheart observed him, searching for any signs of emotional response, but his demeanor remained unchanged.

"Lockheart, why the hell are you staring at me?" Daemon questioned, his voice tinged with annoyance.

Startled by his reaction, Lockheart quickly averted her gaze and apologized. She decided not to delve into the matter further, aware that Daemon's emotional state when he had cried seemed more genuine than his usual edgelord facade. Setting her concerns aside, she smiled at him.

"So, what do you have in mind for today?"

Daemon clasped his hands behind his head, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes.

"Ah, it seems you're more engaged today. I like it. First, let's teleport to the Cavelands and delve into the Cave Dungeons. Our gear and gems are gradually becoming outdated compared to our enemies. Second-"

Daemon's words were interrupted by a piercing scream emanating from the nearby trees.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Emerging from the foliage, a young girl with long black hair and blue eyes appeared, pursued by two menacing men. The men donned black cloaks adorned with a symbol featuring a skull within a pentagram, but it was the man with red eyes who exuded a threatening presence. Stepping forward, he demanded, "Give me the girl!"

The little girl continued to cry out, "Onii-chan, help me!"

Lockheart looked at Daemon urgently. "Aren't we going to do something?"

Daemon rolled his eyes dismissively. "I guess I have to."

Drawing his Mythril Sword, Daemon dashed towards the man. Leaping over the little girl, he positioned himself as a shield, fiercely confronting their pursuers.

"Hey! Are you so low that you'd chase a little girl for a few measly items?" Daemon berated the men.

The red-eyed man spat on the ground in response. "Fool, you don't even know who the girl is."

Daemon smirked confidently. "I don't care who she is. The importance of the girl doesn't excuse your cowardice in attacking her."

Turning his attention to the little girl, Daemon smiled warmly. "Hey kiddo, what's your name?"

The girl replied shyly, "N-Nyaru!"

"Nyaru, that sounds familiar... Wait a moment," Daemon pondered.

The red-eyed man sighed, feeling compelled to explain. "This is the girl who defeated the Ice Minotaur and received a valuable reward."

Surprised, Daemon asked, "What reward did she receive?"

Bashfully, Nyaru pointed to the gold chain necklace adorning her neck, featuring a central sapphire. Soft yellow particles emitted from the necklace, piquing Daemon's curiosity.

"Whoa! Is that a Yellow Tier Necklace?" Daemon exclaimed, eagerly examining the item's details:

[Item Name: Sapphire Core Necklace Equipment Type: Necklace Tier: Yellow MP regeneration speed increased by 25%]

"Wow, that's amazing!" Daemon marveled.

Nyaru attempted to change the subject, realizing the imminent danger. "Onii-chan, I don't mean to interrupt, but these men want to take the necklace from me. I can't do much since I'm a healer... Can we discuss this later?"

Daemon patted Nyaru's head reassuringly. "Sure thing, but could you stop calling me 'onii-chan'? It's... too pure coming from you."

He pointed towards Lockheart and directed Nyaru, "Nyaru, stand behind your sister, Lockheart."

Daemon's eyes glinted with anticipation. "Brother Daemon has some cult members to take care of."

Raising his Mythril Sword, Daemon charged at the red-eyed man, who swiftly brandished two small daggers. Both combatants launched into the air simultaneously, engaging in a fierce clash. Daemon swung his sword from the left, but the red-eyed man deftly blocked the attack with one dagger while lunging with the other towards Daemon's right side.

A purple hue tainted Daemon's health bar as it gradually decreased, and he quickly assessed the accompanying status effect: [Poisoned]. Fueling his anger, Daemon leaped high once more, executing a nimble somersault through the air. With precision, he pressed his sword against the red-eyed man's left dagger. As the assailant prepared to strike with his right dagger, Daemon swiftly swung his sword, causing the man's dagger to fly away. Upon impact with the ground, the dagger dissolved into purple particles, dissipating into nothingness.

Seizing the opportunity, Daemon swung his sword to the right, piercing the man's side. The color of the man's health bar abruptly shifted from green to red, instilling panic in his eyes. The red-eyed man hastily retreated into the depths of the forest, his escape born of regret for tangling with the main character.

Encouraging cheers erupted from Lockheart and Nyaru behind Daemon, their voices filled with admiration. Daemon was about to burst into laughter, but a sudden dizziness overcame him. He lost his balance and crumpled to the ground, his health bar turning an even darker shade of purple, its surface bubbling ominously.

---

In the realm between wakefulness and dreams, Daemon heard the faint sound of fluttering wings and a strange green light dazzled his eyes. Gradually regaining consciousness, he found himself resting with his head on Lockheart's lap. Opening his eyes fully, he looked up at her concerned face.

"Daemon, thank goodness you're alright," Lockheart said, relief evident in her voice.

Rising from Lockheart's lap, Daemon surveyed his surroundings. The sun had already set, casting an ethereal glow upon the landscape, indicating that evening had arrived. His gaze wandered, searching for Nyaru, who was busy chasing fireflies in a field not too far away.

"What happened to me?" Daemon inquired.

"You were poisoned during the fight," Lockheart replied sternly. "You lost consciousness and collapsed, but Nyaru came and healed you."

"Ugh, being saved by a girl... It's a blow to my pride. I feel like that soy-boy, Kazuya," Daemon muttered, his tone laced with mild frustration.

Lockheart sighed and regarded Daemon with purple eyes reflecting a hint of disappointment. "Enough with your silly references. You need to be more careful during battles."

"Fine..." Daemon grumbled, accepting the reprimand.

As Nyaru emerged from the field, sprinting towards Daemon, she exclaimed, "Brother!"

Breathless, Nyaru reached Daemon and anxiously asked, "Brother, are you feeling better now? Did I heal you properly?"

Daemon nodded, offering a reassuring pat on Nyaru's head. "You did a great job, Nyaru!"

While Daemon watched Nyaru jump with joy, a thought crossed Lockheart's mind, prompting her to interject.

"By the way, Daemon, there's something else," she began.

"What is it?" Daemon inquired.

"Nyaru was playing this game with her mother, but she got separated from her while running through the fields. Until we find her mother, Nyaru will stay with us," Lockheart explained.

Daemon sighed, feeling a slight annoyance creep in. "And since when did I approve this?"

Lockheart smirked mischievously. "That's the best part—you didn't."

Daemon rolled his eyes, realizing he had been outmaneuvered. Lockheart continued, her voice adopting a persuasive tone.

"Come on, she's just a little kid. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Alright, fine," Daemon relented begrudgingly.

Meanwhile, Nyaru turned to Daemon, her eyes brimming with anticipation. "Onii-chan, can I ask you a question?"

Daemon smiled, prepared to entertain her query. "Go ahead."

Nyaru giggled with delight as she asked, "Can I call you and Lockheart 'papa' and 'mama'?"

Daemon's amusement transformed into mild panic, and Lockheart's cheeks flushed red. "NO! I mean, Nyaru, stop making assumptions. I mean... just don't... Daemon, say something!" Lockheart stammered, desperately seeking support.

Pinching his forehead, Daemon sighed. "I'm already regretting this decision."