Chapter 1014 - The Twelfth Four Pillar War
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【Sora】: Honestly, really. You worry too much.
【Sora】: I'm all better now. I'm okay.
【Sora】: We saw each other in the virtual world yesterday and the day before, didn't we?
【Haru】: I know, but...
【Haru】: With things like this, if I can't see your face in real life, I can't really feel at ease from the bottom of my heart.
【Haru】: Well, it just doesn't feel right.
【Sora】: That's...
【Haru】: It's probably annoying to be worried about so much. Sorry.
【Sora】: I understand how you feel, and it's not a bother.
【Sora】: It's not annoying at all. I would never think that.
【Sora】: But, um...
【Sora】: Really, I'm okay.
【Sora】: I'm happy that you care about me.
【Haru】: It helps to hear you say that.
【Sora】: So, staying up a little late is no problem at all.
【Sora】: I'm cheering for you. I'll be watching like always, so...
【Sora】: Do your best.
【Haru】: I will.
【Haru】: I'm gonna look sooooooo cool, so make sure you watch.
【Sora】: I bet you said the same thing to Nia-san.
【Haru】: That comeback is brutal.
【Sora】: Ehe.
【Haru】: Cute.
◇◆◇◆◇
December 31st. New Year's Eve, exactly nine o'clock in the afternoon.
"...Something about this feels weird."
"What's up?"
"It's just... suuuuch a strange feeling. 'Spending New Year's Eve playing a game' isn't exactly... well, I won't say it's bad, but it's not the kind of thing that's generally praised, right?"
"That might be true."
"But we're... what? When I think about how the whole world wants us to spend New Year's Eve gaming, it gives me a strange sense of wickedness."
"Ah... haha, I kind of get that."
Year-end. The end of December. Since the virtual world of Arcadia became widely recognized by society as 'another world,' this is the fourth year it has pushed aside numerous traditions to become the companion for ringing in the new year.
On the battlefield of the twelfth Four Pillar War—this being my third time, I'd accumulated some familiarity. I was having a laid-back conversation with my junior, number one.
My, oh my, how time flies. It feels like I just took on the biggest challenge of my life the other day, and yet a month has passed in a flash.
Between reality and virtual reality, love and training, I was running around so much it was gone in an instant. I didn't even have a moment to lament the fastest-passing time of my life before I found myself here.
"You're pretty calm, Senpai."
"Or rather..."
It might be better to say I'm feeling a bit floaty. Well, my condition is extra perfect, but... let's set that aside.
While my one hundred-plus comrades-in-arms were bustling with their final team meetings after arriving on the battlefield, I, who always just do as I please solo, was light in both body and mind.
I've learned a thing or two about dealing with pressure, so Tetra seeing me as 'calm' probably wasn't wrong.
At the very least, I can survey the scene without breaking into a pathetic cold sweat.
This is growth. I'll pride myself on that—as I inwardly convinced myself and trailed off, my junior number one glanced at me and, for some reason, let a small smile slip.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all."
As always, his demeanor was so composed it was hard to believe his self-proclaimed younger age. Deftly dodging my side-eye, Tetra shifted his gaze into the distance...
"This is a good course this time, isn't it? Go on, rampage to your heart's content."
The battlefield for the Four Pillar War is composed of a super-massive labyrinthine zone at its center, with passages extending in a cross shape from the middle of each of its four outer sides, connecting to each faction's "castle."
Each time, the 'flavor' of the field changes, a customary random element for this grandest of virtual world events... but this time, it was extremely simple.
............Well, simple, or rather...
"A 'path (course)'...?"
In any case, it's huge.
Huge? Vast? Wide?
...Yeah, um. In any case, it's just relentlessly, insanely scaled. Beyond the entrance to the labyrinthine zone at the end of the passage, that's the only impression I can muster for the scene before my eyes.
The floor, the walls, every surface is bare, with no discernible environmental effects or obstacles, just waiting for the players with sheer vastness.
A super, super, super-giant labyrinth. That's probably the concept for the twelfth time around.
It seems so simple it's almost anticlimactic, but... how immensely that simple element would affect the 'war'—
"...This looks tough."
Even a fool could tell by looking at our comrades—starting with Goldow the General Commander, Lotta, and the other commanders and strategists—who were in a state of utter chaos, running around in a panic.
It's obvious that for all aspects of troop deployment, like marching, 'the way things have always been done' is no longer applicable... I didn't mean for it to sound like I was uninvolved, but.
"Whoa, look who's talking like it's not his problem!"
Apparently, that's how it sounded. The moment I muttered to myself, a light impact—not quite a thud, but more of a thump—landed a weight on my back.
There were two culprits. The voice and the physical attack came from different people.
"You guys in the base defense group are pretty detached from it too, aren't you?"
"I wouldn't say that! If the labyrinth zone is this big, we're likely to have a lot of close calls, which means we'll probably have quite a few 'guests' visiting the base, right?"
The one in charge of talking was the red one, Mi-na.
"Hey, you're an active idol. This is a national broadcast."
"It's the usual..."
The one in charge of sticking to me personally, the blue one, Ri-na—my self-proclaimed little sister. Of course, if I were to casually ignore such a silly statement under the watchful eyes of the public... and I mean, the entire world... things would get ugly.
"Ah..."
"Whoa, wait, why me toooo...!"
I acted instantly. I bundled them both up with my 'thread' and released them with a toss into the distance.
"Alright, alright. My finger dexterity is in top form."
"...See? You really are calm."
I flexed the five fingers that manipulate the shadow threads of the [Ninefold Shadow-Woven Gauntlet], reaffirming my peak condition. Both 'internally' and 'externally,' my avatar control was, if I do say so myself, precise and perfect.
—And just then.
"Baldy."
"Haru."
"Yeah. ...Been a while since I heard that one."
"Oh? Ah, my bad. It's just, when it comes to the Four Pillar War, it reminds me of the beginning."
Having seen them in the corner of my eye, I knew the two of them were approaching. So as I stood up and replied, two smiles and one object came flying my way.
And so,
"Haha, you've grown."
"Thanks for your concern."
Whether it was a precaution or a tease, I unfurled the large scroll without borrowing Tetra's help—it was a field map detailing the entirety of this stage's labyrinthine zone.
I stared at it for one second, two seconds, three seconds, and then,
"—...Okay. So, we're good with the plan, right?"
"Yeah, if you've got no problem with it, we're fine."
Returning the fully 'memorized' map to my friend (Lotta) with thanks, I received final confirmation from the passing [Goldow the General Commander] as I walked forward. As for that,
"No problem. I'm heading out."
There was no hesitation in my reply.
A string of numbers flashed in the corner of my vision. A countdown timer showing the grace period given after transferring to the field, before entry into the labyrinthine zone becomes possible.
Just a little longer until it hits zero.
—In that case, there's only one place for me to go.
"Kanata."
"...Ah, yes!"
"I'm counting on you to handle the runner's part... for me, too."
"Yes, sir!!"
I shot some encouragement to my passing junior, number two.
"I'm expecting great things from you again, Haru-kun."
"You can bet I'll put on a show."
Accepting a wink from the 'big sis' who was exuding her usual charm and reliability.
"............"
"'Sup."
Lightly bumping fists with the martial arts master in his training gi.
Now, to the front of the formation.
With all due respect, to the center.
Lined up to my left and right were two swords—no, correction, one sword & two swords, for a total of three.
"Fufu... Your spirit seems more than ready, I see."
"You know it."
My master, the [Sword Saint], and,
"Just don't get overeager and mess up."
"Shut up and watch. You better not pull a fast one and get knocked out immediately like last time."
My... ah, rival (?), the [Peerless], exchanging words with each of them.
──────3,
────2,
──1,
Zeroes lined up, the signal to begin battle.
No hesitation in executing the plan. Let my first, eye-searing step serve as the opening speech.
Alright, let's go.
"Well then...──────Feast your eyes on this."
With an unconscious smile spreading across my face, I declared in my mind, This time, I'm the main character.
And took a swift, running step forward.
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◇Status◇
Title: Haru the Acrobat
Name: Haru
Lv: 110
STR: 300
AGI: 300
DEX: 0
VIT: 0(+100)
MID: 350(+450)
LUC: 300
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I want to wrap this up in about three chapters.
I probably won't be able to.