Misho had no prior experience in wielding a spear. He simply tried what he could, and it brought him nowhere.
{Aphrodite, is there a skill for spears?} Misho asked her.
{There aren't skills in this game, but you can learn any weapon skill here 100x faster compared to outside,} Aphrodite explained.
What she meant was one could learn to use a sword 100x faster here compared to outside. But there wasn't any in-game skill that would support your usage of the weapon, unlike other popular VRMMO games.
{So if I swing this spear enough, I will be able to use it in battle?} Misho asked.
{Correct. But to learn 100x faster, you need to have 100 intelligence. Currently, you have 9 which equates to 9x.}
{What! Isn't that unfair?}
{The demon race is great at the higher tiers, but it would be hard for them to win against humans in terms of talent at the lower tiers.}
{What would the difference be?}
{Hehe. Why should I spoil you?} Aphrodite giggled.
{Okay, but is there any other way to make it easier?}
{You still haven't gotten your reward from me. Do you not want it?}
{Would it make it easier for me?}
{I'm breaking protocol by giving it to you so easily.}
{Okay. I want to see what it is.}
Misho sat on the ground and crossed his legs. He closed his eyes and meditated.
He entered the dark space inside his body once more. He floated above his Essence Sea.
A bundle of white light appeared beside him and formed into Aphrodite.
"QuarterPounder, congrats," Aphrodite said and smiled at him.
Misho was satisfied seeing her praise.
"Thank you."
"According to our agreement before, this is your reward."
A book formed in Aphrodite's hand, and she passed it to him.
"What book is this?" Misho asked.
He looked at the front cover and flipped it around, but nothing was written on it. He then opened it. The moment he did, a flood of memories rushed into his mind.
"Wh–"
Aphrodite grabbed Misho's hand. She smiled sweetly at him.
"Relax and let it imprint into your memories," Aphrodite said in a relaxing and soothing voice.
"Oh…"
Misho followed her words, and the confusion in his mind melted away. He suddenly realized she was holding his hand. He didn't think much of it before, but he was worried about her holding his hand after what happened with Kea earlier.
"Didn't you say it was okay for me to hold your hand??"
Aphrodite pulled her hand back in horror. "You tricked me!" she exclaimed.
"What? It's really okay in real life. I'm just culture-shocked because the villagers here kept giving us weird looks and assuming we were husband and wife for holding our hands," Misho quickly explained himself.
"Really?" Aphrodite asked, a little unsure.
"Yes."
Misho nodded his head seriously to tell her he wasn't lying.
Aphrodite decided to trust him. She held his hand once more.
"Hehe. Then I will hold your hand as long as we are here. It makes me feel less lo…" Aphrodite's voice slowly trailed off as she frowned sadly.
"What?"
"Nothing. Go check out the new information in your mind," Aphrodite said and a smile formed on her face.
Misho was also curious, so he looked into his mind.
"What!? There are hidden stages for Tier 1!?" Misho shouted and opened his eyes.
"Amazing, right? You would've become angry if I only told you that after you reached Tier 2," Aphrodite said with some smugness in her voice.
"It's amazing. So after Essence Sea, there are Essence Ocean and Essence Whirlpool?"
"Correct. Now, you know what to do to gain an advantage against the talents of the humans and the other races."
"Thank you. Can I tell this to Maia?" Misho asked excitedly.
"You can, but don't tell it to anyone without my permission. Or I will leave you," Aphrodite replied.
"How can you leave? Don't all the players have you?" Misho asked with a wry smile on his face.
After hearing his words, Aphrodite simply smiled and didn't say anything.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Misho asked and squeezed her hand.
"QuarterPounder, do you trust me?" Aphrodite suddenly asked.
"Of course. Your job is to make my game life easier, right?"
"It's not. My job is to give you challenges and motivate you to reach the top of this world," Aphrodite replied and shook her head.
"The top of the world? Do you mean this game?"
"Yes. Something waits for you at the very top," Aphrodite said and suddenly turned into particles of white light that scattered in the air.
Misho felt his hand empty and looked down. It left a sense of loss inside him. It was as if he had lost something very important.
Misho shook his head and got rid of that depressing thought. He didn't lose Aphrodite. He felt this sense of loss because she was holding his hand when she disappeared.
"Aphrodite?" Misho couldn't help but ask in his worry.
"QuarterPounder, if you reach Essence Whirlpool, I will let you kiss me."
Aphrodite's voice sounded from everywhere in this dark world.'
"K-kiss you!? Sure!" Misho agreed instantly.
"Womanizer," Aphrodite said.
Her voice sounded a little bit embarrassed.
Misho was taken aback by what she called him. He opened his mouth to retort, but he found no words to say in reply. He was really eager to try and kiss her.
Her beauty was something he couldn't pass upon. He needed to reach Essence Whirlpool and kiss her! He was curious what those cherry-red lips of hers felt and tasted like.
Misho regained his calm and opened his eyes.
"Misho?" Maia called out.
Misho was slightly surprised to see her face so close to him. Maia was crouching in front of him with her eyes focused on him.
"What's wrong, Maia?" Misho asked.
"Did you learn something? You suddenly sat down and meditated," Maia replied.
"Oh. I will tell you something."
Misho pulled her ear closer and told her what he got from Aphrodite.