Chapter 155 - The Maiden of the Scales, Attended by a Thousand Blades - Part 5
"Reading my moves is cheating!"
"And you know my entire hand!"
"Well, that's tr—whoa!"
"Kuh, ugh…!!"
Even as we traded verbal blows, I was zipping through a world of lines, trying to press my attack—but, and this was just astonishing, Sora was managing to block every single attempt.
It's no good, she's reading me.
Even if I moved at a speed that no eye could follow, unless it was a relentless, non-stop barrage, she could predict my destination and defend against it.
So, why not a relentless barrage? Well, for one, I couldn't quite control myself perfectly at this speed, and for another—there was Sora-san’s anti-Haru special weapon, Rivert Blume…!!
That sword-armor—or rather, that sword-veil, as it should be called—was my own creation.
I had realized that no matter what techniques Sora tried, they would only be effective against opponents slower than her own mental processing speed. In short…
Normally, there aren't many players who dump all their stats into agility. It was only because she had been constantly watching an exception like me that she sought a way to deal with that kind of opponent.
And… if Sora asked, was there any way I could refuse?
Of course, I packed it full, without holding anything back—everything I hated having done to me, I poured it all into that sword-veil!
First, Rivert Blume is not a 'wall'. To describe it accurately, that barrier is a double-edged sword-armor that distributes damage to both parties.
Simply put, it surrounds her with magic swords shrunk to the size of pebbles. It's a method of placing a massive number of blades between herself and an opponent's attack.
If someone were to push through, Sora would take damage as well, of course—but there's a difference between an enemy and the caster.
Anyone who touches it is mercilessly assaulted by a counter of sharp blades, while Sora, though also taking damage, can manipulate the swords that touch her to be “pushed away,” thereby evading the attack itself.
That damage-trading tactic is, well—supernaturally effective against a glass cannon like me.
“Just hit her with a single slash as you pass by without stopping to avoid the counter,” you say? If I were to try such a straightforward move, I’d run right into the cloud of sword-dust she has set up in addition to her armor, and the match would be over.
You could call it a purely defensive stance. And since its main purpose is to intercept and wear down an opponent, there is, of course, an open path.
Yes, right in front of the girl who stands there, sword at the ready, looking straight at me.
I tried a little feint from behind earlier… but alas, it seems I have no choice but to challenge her head-on.
To avoid the sword-dust surrounding her, I have to charge from the front.
If I slow down to weave through the dust as I have been, Sora's read on me will allow her to intercept me in time.
That leaves only one option: charge straight through the wide-open front door at my first-ever top speed in this fight, and land a fatal blow on Sora before I'm swallowed by the counter-attacking petals of her sword-veil.
Well then—let’s have Sora-san experience this, too.
"Parabellum Bullet."
And, activate Flip Stroke.
"Tch—"
She must recognize it. Sora reacted to the light effect that welled up in my right hand—
"Reluctantly, I guess it's time to live up to my reputation—!!"
A crimson barrage shot forth as my lightning-fast body dashed forward.
The super-high-speed crimson ring I’d shown against Irori—this move, designed purely for distraction, puts immense pressure on any opponent caught in its center.
It was a special trick that made even the Sword Protector, whose absolute defense was equal to or greater than Sora's, brace himself for a moment. If she didn't get flustered seeing it for the first time, something would be wrong!
"Y-You…!!"
No matter how well she understood me, the fact that Sora wasn't used to PvP was undeniable. If the tension of these mind games made her lose her composure even slightly, her mental control over her all-important magic swords would surely falter.
I weaved through the feint-like barrage of sword-bullets, searching for that perfect opening—and found it.
The position: right here.
The time: right now.
And, just as I’d predicted, Sora spun around as if pulled by a string—but that very action was the final piece of the puzzle I needed.
The open door was in front of her, and at this very moment—with Sora lured into this position, there were no blades in front of or behind her to block this ‘one step’!
Activate Exchange Voltate.
Then Floating Leaf and every other mobility skill I had, all in parallel!
"Tch—…"
In a moment less than an instant—whether she was able to register my approach or not, her wide-open amber eyes reflected my image, swinging a giant black battle axe.
Sorry, I can't—`Blink Switch`.
The [Giant's Hand Axe] vanished from my hand, leaving only a faint effect behind.
And Sora's sword, which she had astoundingly decided to use for a counter-attack, reached my neck. The system barrier I’d deployed shattered with a deafening roar and a flash of light.
“………………”
“………………Huh, eh…? Why…”
I had less than ten percent of my HP left; it was clear that last hit should have been fatal.
It was obvious to anyone watching that the fierce battle had come to an abrupt end. We both stood frozen, different expressions on our faces.
One of confusion. The other… well, I wonder what kind of face I was making. I'm sure it wasn't a pleasant one.
“…Sorry. It was just, sort of, a reflex, you know,” I managed.
“Haru…?”
What could I say? No, really, what excuse could I possibly make that she would accept?
After we’d clashed with such intensity—now, just as I was about to deliver the final blow, I saw Sora's face and my hand froze.
I didn't want to say it—or rather, I couldn't.
I knew it would be far too disrespectful to her, after she had come at me with her absolute all.
“………………”
Sora just stared at me. I felt a pang of guilt but forced myself to meet her gaze, knowing that even if I tried to hide it, the intelligent girl would surely figure it out.
"Tch…"
Just as I was about to end things in such an unfitting way, Sora dispelled her magic swords and took my hand in both of hers. Her upturned eyes, contrary to my inner turmoil, seemed to be smiling in satisfaction.
"—Was I able to stand beside you?"
If the result was going to be ambiguous, then she wanted an answer in words.
Just as Sora could easily read my heart, I understood what she wanted as if it were in the palm of my hand.
I felt pathetic for taking advantage of my partner's kindness—she reached out to me without pressing the issue—but…
"…You even have to ask? From the bottom of my heart, you're a partner I'm proud of."
In response to my words, Sora gave me a genuinely happy smile.
Thanks to a certain idiot, it wasn't a clean finish—but for now, the first match between the two of us had come to a close.
Yeah, no way. It's impossible, right? At least, it was for me and for the protagonist.
I'm sure some of you are thinking, “Couldn't you just cover yourself completely in layers of Rivert Blume and be invincible?” I'll just preemptively say that it’s impossible due to a clear weakness.