Chapter 41: High-Tier Skill, Life Restoration!
...
The Rooftop.
Seito arrived at their designated spot exactly on time. As he stepped onto the concrete, his gaze met that of the silver-haired girl waiting there.
A gentle breeze swept across the roof, catching their white hair and light uniforms. For a fleeting second, the scene looked like a masterpiece—two ethereal figures framed against the vast, blue sky.
"I kept my promise," Seito said, lifting the insulated bento boxes.
"Mm."
Kanade Tachibana nodded simply. Her expression remained blank, but she walked over and sat down beside him.
Seito joined her, opening the containers. The food was still warm, the rich, spicy aroma of the Mapo Tofu filling the air. It wasn't as potent as when it was fresh off the stove, but it was still mouth-watering.
"Try some."
He handed her a spoon. Kanade took a generous scoop of the silken tofu and ate it in one go.
"Delicious..."
A soft, sweet sigh escaped her lips, and a tiny, genuine smile flickered across her face.
As expected of an Angel, Seito thought, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He pushed the other two boxes toward her. "Try the pork and the beef too. These are famous Szechuan classics."
"Okay."
Seito's culinary skills, honed across two lifetimes, were undeniable. Kanade ate with a quiet, focused joy. After a few minutes, she paused, scooped up a spoonful of tofu, and held it to Seito's lips.
"You should eat too," she whispered.
"Don't mind if I do."
Seito ate the offering without a hint of awkwardness. He chewed thoughtfully and nodded. My skills haven't rusted yet.
He pulled out a second spoon and grinned at her. "Let's finish it together."
"Yes."
They ate in a comfortable silence for nearly ten minutes. When the boxes were empty, Kanade elegantly wiped her mouth.
"Seito-kun," she said softly, her voice carrying a sudden weight. "Soon, I won't be able to come to school anymore."
Seito's hand froze. "Is your condition worsening?"
He knew her family, the Tachibana family, was wealthy and she was their only child. Her parents were desperate, but the risk of a heart transplant was a mountain they were terrified to climb.
"Yes," Kanade nodded, her gaze drifting toward the clouds. "The checkup last night... they say I have about half a year left. I need to start preparations for surgery immediately. After this month, I'll be hospitalized full-time."
She looked at him with her large, clear eyes.
"It seems the Gods aren't looking out for me after all."
"Don't worry about that," Seito smiled, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair. "The Gods might be busy, but I'm looking out for you."
He had the power of manifestation now. If he could find a healing skill powerful enough in the game, he could rewrite her fate in reality.
"Thank you, Seito-kun," she said, though her tone suggested she thought he was merely being kind.
"I'm not joking around, Kanade."
Seito's smile turned confident. A faint, white shimmer began to radiate from his body.
In a flash of light, his school uniform was gone, replaced by the snow-white trench coat of the Fatui Leader. In his hand, the black Tachi appeared from thin air.
Kanade gasped, her stoic facade finally breaking into pure shock. "Seito-kun... you..."
"Wait here for a moment."
Seito laughed, a bold, vibrant sound, and initiated a Direct Dive into the game world.
Healing skills were the rarest commodities in God's Domain. High-tier ones weren't just expensive; they were "priceless," usually hoarded by the top guilds. But Seito wasn't a normal player.
He opened the World Chat and sent a single message.
[Sei: I am looking for a High-Tier Healing Skill. Who is selling?]
The chat exploded instantly.
[LazyKing: HOLY CRAP! THE TOP PLAYER SEI IS TYPING IN WORLD CHAT!]
[Moemoe: Sei needs a heal? I just sold mine yesterday, I'm gonna cry!]
[WinterStorm: High-tier heals are rare, but the Frontline guilds definitely have some in their vaults. You should ask them.]
Seito was about to ping the guild leaders when a familiar name popped up in a private message.
[Ako: I... I have a skill book.]
Ako... Seito mused.
He'd seen that name on the leaderboards earlier. Now it clicked—the female lead from And You Thought There Is Never a Girl Online?.
[Sei: What's your price?]
[Ako: I don't want money. I just... I want to join your guild.]
[Sei: Done.]
Technically, the "Fatui" was a sanctuary for the world's top three players, and letting a random player in was a huge privilege. But she had the solution to his most urgent problem. It was a fair trade.
[System: Player 'Ako' has joined the Fatui.]
The guild was quiet; Sora and Shiro were sleeping, while Maple and Sally were still in class. Only Seito and Ako were active.
[Ako: Guild Leader, I've placed the book in the Guild Vault. You can take it now.]
[Sei: Thanks. I'm logging off. If the Blank siblings log in later, tell them to help you level up.]
[Ako: Understood!]
Seito withdrew the book and used it immediately.
[Notice: You have learned the skill 'Life Restoration'.]
[Life Restoration: An advanced healing art far beyond standard magic. Can regenerate severed limbs and heal terminal organ failure. A miracle that brings the dead back to the living.]
"Perfect," Seito whispered, his heart racing.
Without a second's delay, he logged out.
...
Thank you for reading.