MV – Chapter 177: Preparations for Infiltrating Vapula and the Minor Villain

“I didn’t mean any harm-usa yo.”

“Help meee! Herupu-usa!”

“That’s why I told you not to take things too far~”

The rabbits, tied up tightly with ropes and dangling in midair as punishment, quickly changed their tune.

“Oh, this is fun-usa. Swinging back and forth like this-usa yo.”

“Usa can swing even more.”

“No way I’m losing-usa. Usa’s swinging is the best-usa~”

Despite their pitiful cries, the rabbits seemed to enjoy themselves, soon turning their predicament into a game, swaying like they were on swings and squealing happily. These fluffy creatures could find joy in anything.

“Look, it’s a bagworm rabbit! So cute!”

“Is this some kind of rare event?”

“I have to take a picture!”

Tourists were quick to notice, and began snapping photos, causing a commotion. They seemed to assume this was part of an event.

“All right, all right, today is the special event: Rare Rabbit Bagworm Edition. For those who want photos, please purchase our deluxe seating!”

With a clap of his hands, a shrewd old man seized the opportunity to make more money.

“They’re incorrigible. Do they even know the meaning of the word ‘remorse’?” (Lanpeach)

“Aah, they’re having fun! Papa-shan and the others are playing!” (Koume)

“Father, me too! I want to swing too-deshu!” (Mei)

From the back came the chirping voices of young girls, their cheeks puffed out and eyes sparkling with excitement.

Lanpeach sighed and tried to leave, but he realized he had been spotted by some children he shouldn’t have been. Two little girls, along with Libra, came running down the hall, their small footsteps pattering as they approached. They looked ready to cry if they didn’t get their turn on the swings.

“Kyaa! Little girls! Little girls swinging!”

“Look over here! Adorable little girls!”

“That smile is so healing!”

“The person that looks like a crook is ruining the shot. Is the theme ‘kidnapper and captured children’ or what?”

“Gah! Has the rabbits’ popularity been completely overtaken?!” (Krita)

(The rabbit craze seemed to have shifted to a little-girl craze. As for that last comment: hey, I have feelings too, you know.) (Lanpeach)

“Well, whatever. Libra, perfect timing. Let’s head to the colony. We need to get our gear ready.” (Lanpeach)

“Eeeh, I don’t get to swing? We are busy, so it can’t be helped, I guess.” (Libra)

The shrine maiden, who was so engrossed in playing with the young girls, now claimed to be busy, smiling gleefully and wriggling with joy. Truly, she behaved in a manner far removed from what one might expect of an Artificial Spirit.

With her silver twin tails, pale complexion, and an adorably calculated shrine maiden outfit, she was undeniably beautiful. Perhaps even one of the most stunning girls one could imagine. If she were turned into a silkworm cocoon, a fan club might spring up around her, so that idea was strictly forbidden.

“Come on, stop with the nonsense. Let’s get moving already.” (Lanpeach)

“Hmm, I suppose I’ll humor Soldier who can’t stand being apart from me for even a little while. Could this be… a dere phase? Minor Villain Dere Phase?” (Libra)

“Don’t go coining strange new terms. Let’s go.” (Lanpeach)

Laughing merrily, Koume and the others swayed atop the rabbits. For now, everything was entrusted to the rabbits, with strict instructions not to let their influence affect Koume and the others negatively.

◇◇

They traveled to the colony through the teleportation portal. Fully restored, the colony was a multifunctional facility capable of everything from harvesting crops to conducting research.

Only the terminal and farm areas were open to humans, and the gift shops and restaurants there were bustling. However, there was no need to stop at the terminal.

Their destination was the research lab.

“I don’t come to the research lab often, but it seems like they’re working hard.” (Lanpeach)

“Uh, yeah, it’s kind of surprising. I thought they’d just be slacking off and lazing around, but they’re actually doing their jobs.” (Libra)

Contrary to expectations of them napping or fooling around, the rabbits in lab coats were busy at their desks, typing frantically on terminals, debating in front of incomplete spirit armor, or gleefully playing with battleship models.

Well, aside from the last group of rabbits, the rest were surprisingly diligent.

“Great work, everyone~ Here’s some cheesecake for you.”

“Thank you very much. We’ll make sure to share it among everyone. Ah, usa.”

As soon as food was produced, the ever-present Black Rabbit appeared to accept the cheesecake and distribute it to the lab coat rabbits. Make sure to share it properly with everyone.

“Ah, hello, Boss-usa.”

“Yo, looks like you’re working hard. What’s keeping you all so busy?” (Lanpeach)

The terminal screen displayed complex formulas, indicating some challenging research. A lab coat rabbit nodded firmly, puffed out its chest, and tried to cross its short legs -only to topple over.

Amused by the fluffy, adorably foolish behavior, he helped the rabbit up. The lab coat rabbit’s eyes sparkled.

“Right-usa ne. Boss, we’re developing new equipment from the feedback of your abilities. Until now, even when we defeated the immortal demons, they would revive immediately, and we’d just get beaten up. But with this system -dubbed the Minor Villain System- we can completely erase them-usa yo.”

“Could you please change that name? You know how the first name you give something tends to stick forever.” (Lanpeach)

“We’ll take that under consideration. Anyway, upgrading the equipment is why we’re so busy-usa ne.”

The lab coat rabbit puffed out its chest with pride. It was clear that their work was demanding.

“I see, you’re really busy. Mind if I press the ESC key for a moment?”

“If a rabbit gets its ESC key pressed, it dies-usa yo?”

Its ears drooped in sadness, and its eyes glistened pitifully. He decided to let it go. As much as he was curious to see what the screen might display if he pressed it, he relented out of mercy.

When it came to such developments, the Space Library would already know about them after all. The lab coat rabbits were primarily in charge of selling skills and equipment.

“All right then, let’s see your main job. First, I’ll acquire the remaining skills in Libra.” (Lanpeach)

“Oh, me? Come to think of it, I still have three skill slots open!” (Libra)

“You could just say you’ve only used one, you know?”

Libra

[Skill Slot: All Stats Doubled]
[Skill Slot: None]
[Skill Slot: None]
[Skill Slot: None]

The shrine maiden had clearly forgotten her role, but that was no surprise by now. He brought up the skill list.

“These are the skills currently available-usa.”

“Hmm, let’s see. For the upcoming battles… This system doesn’t exist in the game, so it’s hard to choose. Doesn’t the Space Library have a walkthrough site?” (Lanpeach)

“If you had something like that in real life, wouldn’t you end up enslaved to it? Knowing you, Soldier, you’d live your life glued to a walkthrough site, wouldn’t you? No free will at all.” (Libra)

“In games, following walkthroughs often makes me forget the story entirely. But real life doesn’t follow predetermined paths, so that won’t happen.” (Lanpeach)

“I wonder about that. I bet you’d live exactly according to a walkthrough’s choices.” (Libra)

Lanpeach evidently abandoned independent thought. This type of game usually required multiple retries to discover the optimal skills. Libra folded her arms with a conflicted expression.

“Alright, I’ll go with these skills.” (Lanpeach)

“Thanks for your purchase~ Each new skill will cost 5,000 EXP-usa~.”

“Isn’t that price a bit steep? Well, I’ll buy them anyway.” (Lanpeach)

As usual, the price was exorbitant, clearly taking advantage of him. Still, the skills acquired were powerful.

Here’s the updated skill setup:

Libra

[Skill Slot: All Stats Doubled]
[Skill Slot: Greatly Increased Item Drop Rate]
[Skill Slot: Complete Immunity to Status Effects]
[Skill Slot: Greatly Enhanced Libra Techniques]

He hoped this setup would be optimal.

“Soldier… Greatly Increased Item Drop Rate?” (Libra)

“It’s a player instinct. This one’s non-negotiable.” (Lanpeach)

Libra-san gave him a sidelong, disapproving look as he turned away. The complete immunity to status effects even protected against piercing damage, so there was no longer any need to fear instant death. Instant death was the only fear he had.

As for the final skill, he would have preferred a combat-oriented one. But “Greatly Enhanced Libra Techniques” was too enticing for a gamer to resist. There was no way he wouldn’t choose it.

“My techniques are greatly enhanced… Fufufu, finally, my time has come! Shall we test it out? Tonight, my karate chop thirsts for a rabbit!” (Libra)

[Ultra Libra Chop!]

Whack.

“Ow! That stung a bit-usa yo.”

Libra, who had been laughing triumphantly, delivered a chop to the lab coat rabbit’s head. The rabbit, rubbing its sore head, turned the smug Libra’s expression into a blank stare.

“It seems Libra Techniques have been significantly enhanced. Before, they didn’t even hurt the target.” (Lanpeach)

“…U-Uwaaan! It’s a completely useless skill!” (Libra)

“There, there. It went about as expected.” (Lanpeach)

Libra-san wailed loudly, throwing weak punches in frustration. While her disappointment was understandable, skills that initially seemed useless often proved incredibly effective later. She would see the results eventually.

“All right, let’s move on to my spirit armor. Got anything good?” (Lanpeach)

Adjusting his focus, he asked about armor. The Sword Saint’s Garb was no longer sufficient. It wouldn’t benefit anyone if it tore during combat.

The lab coat rabbit looked troubled.

“There’s currently no spirit armor that can withstand your full power, Boss. The Trascendental skill puts enormous strain on spirit armor. It’s practically a miracle that your last armor didn’t break-usa ne.”

“So there’s nothing for me to use? That’s a problem.” (Lanpeach)

“There’s the ‘Divine Spirit Armor,’ modeled after the Spirit Gauntlets-usa ne. It matches your Psychic Power in defense, but it weakens if you weaken, so keep that in mind-usa. It’s not ideal-usa, but it’s the best option available.”

“Solid, but with a big drawback… Well, I’ll take it.” (Lanpeach)

“Thanks for your purchase~ That’ll be 80,000 EXP-usa yo.”

At least it wouldn’t break, and when he was at full strength, it would offer incredible defense. The cost was steep, but there wasn’t much choice…

“All right, let’s infuse your body with spirit particles-usa. this armor fuses internally like the gauntlets-usa yo.”

A rugged, iron maiden-like capsule rose from the floor. It looked rather intimidating…

“Uh, am I going to survive this? Is it safe?” (Lanpeach)

“It’s fine-usa. We tested it on Libra, and she came out perfectly fine-usa yo.”

“She recovers in three seconds! Hey, don’t push—stop it!” (Lanpeach)

“Push push-usa~”

“Manju push-usa.”

“Teei, eei.”

With the lab coat rabbits gleefully shoving him, Lanpeach was unceremoniously stuffed into the iron maiden.