Chapter 1048 - ........................
In the combat of the virtual world Arcadia, what is the element that almost every player relies on most? It is not superhuman physical ability, the Status.
Above all else, it is Aptitude skills.
Whether using weapons or magic, they are indispensable. Without exception, everyone acquires them first, as they form the foundation of everything.
The reason for this is extremely simple. It is the Aptitude skill that teaches one how to fight.
It is not enough to press buttons on a controller.
It is not enough to operate a mouse or keyboard.
Even if it is a virtual creation, one must use their own body to swing weapons and cast magic. A human living in the modern age could not possibly do that properly.
Whether it is a sword, a spear, or even a club, actually swinging it correctly to generate power is much harder than one might think.
Furthermore, when facing monsters or beasts, even if one gains a superhuman body, establishing a proper fight would normally be the height of difficulty.
Thus, even Iris, the Sword Queen, was no exception.
Again, with very few exceptions, every player has walked with a guide since the day they began fighting. Now, that was lost.
So, what happens?
"...Ugh...!"
Hair swayed, the upper body shifted, and it was right in front of her.
Whether the movement was conscious or not, the shadow doll chose her and swung a greatsword down with ferocity. Iris breathed out as she dodged it widely.
The blade struck the floor with a heavy sound and impact. The pressure was within the expected range, but that alone wasn't why she let out a bitter breath.
It wasn't that she didn't understand. Of course not.
However...
"This...!"
Half unconscious, half intentional, she muttered a complaint. The words were not for the enemy, but for herself, as she performed far below her predictions.
The sword held in a hand lacking Aptitude was heavy.
"...Ugh!"
Even if she lost the guide that everyone in this world took for granted, the accumulated memories existed as solid experience. Thus, despite her clumsiness, she managed to evade the first strike and reflexively stepped in for a counterattack while complaining.
...However, as expected.
She could not possibly call herself the Sword Queen in this state.
...
The shadow watched as her sword line, lacking its usual sharpness and blurred by hesitation, missed. It tilted its head and twisted its body slightly to evade.
A hair's breadth away. It was a sophisticated movement that seemed to mock her own desperate and exaggerated evasion. It was infuriating.
...
"...!"
She didn't even have the luxury to be angry.
In a few seconds, the shadow doll expertly rotated the hilt of the greatsword. Using the momentum from striking the floor, the tip and blade roared as they changed direction. Their target was, of course...
The person who dared to counterattack. An intervention was inevitable.
"TAKE THAAAAAAT!"
He fought back with pure will.
An intercept he never doubted would come. Even though he said it wasn't useful, the crown atop his head shone. Gathering every ounce of strength he could muster, the spearman clashed with a roar of defiance.
A spear alone lacked pressure, so he practically threw his whole body into it. He perfectly read the movement and struck the side of the sword as it swung, but he lacked the power to blow it away.
Yet, it moved just a few centimeters.
Only a few centimeters, but it caused a wobble in the sword's trajectory. In that gap...
...
"..."
A sword raised with pride and fighting spirit swung, letting the blade graze her cheek.
Then...
"Hah...!"
She didn't wind up. The larger the movement, the more the discomfort interfered.
She didn't swing. The wider the power required, the more she lost her form.
In that case, she would simply push straight forward.
At point-blank range, the blade of the greatsword, which had slightly drifted, did not strike the floor again.
Judging that it couldn't be ignored, the shadow doll forcibly pulled the weapon back and jumped backward, causing Iris's sharp thrust to merely pierce the empty air.
...It seemed to be a break time.
Was it thinking something? Did it have the capacity to think?
It stood silently again, shouldering its greatsword. Ten meters away, the distance judged to be safe after that exchange...
"...Hey, that was just over five seconds. Isn't your optimization too fast?"
"Same to you. I didn't think you'd divert it so cleanly."
His temporary partner, who had just performed a full-power dive onto the floor, bounced back up. Iris swung the white sword once to clear the lingering discomfort.
"I'm honored by the praise. How do you see it?"
"Just as expected. Its behavior is equivalent to a Level 50 Strength and Vitality player build."
"Agreed. So that means..."
"Yes, that's right."
Apparently, unless they crossed the line again, it had no intention of continuing. Looking at the enemy standing still, the two agreed.
Whether with a slight expression or a deep one, there was a difference.
"It played with us."
"Haha, fine. I'll make that idiot regret it."
Both showed a defiant smile against the unpleasantness.
"...Next."
"Yeah, let's go."
Sword and spear were raised again. Without fear, they took another step forward.