Chapter 194 - A Resounding Signal Fire
The moment I burst forward at top speed, my surroundings dissolved into lines and my vision became all but meaningless—that's always how it is. Looking back now, the reason I can just take that for granted is probably thanks to my 'Gift' of memory.
See, lay the path, and follow.
Indeed, every part of that process relies on memory—just as in this very moment, I'm able to race along the path of knives I laid out beforehand without relying on sight.
Now that I think about it, it all makes perfect sense. The know-how for high-speed maneuvering, the way I use my `Quick Change`-type skills… the entire combat style of the player known as [Haru] was built upon that talent.
I remember thinking it once before.
If a talent just happened to fall into my lap that let me enjoy this virtual world to the fullest, I'd welcome it with open arms.
And right now, that feeling hasn't changed—Talent? A Gift? Bring it on. I'll master it so thoroughly that I can proudly call it my power!!
"Goin' on ahead, Iroriiii!"
Just as the edges of my vision were turning black—that is, right before I plunged into the maze entrance, I shouted to the Blonde Samurai waiting nearby.
I had sprinted through the long passage from our base to the maze in literally a second, and carried by that momentum, I ignored the water below and took to the air.
Now that I've recognized it as a clear ability and verified that I can trust its accuracy, I no longer need my sight.
Okay, I exaggerated. I don't really need my sight!!
Using my vision—which was providing little more than blurry colors—as a minor reference, I controlled my avatar as it soared through the air, relying ninety percent on my memory.
Based on the distance and direction of the light pillars I saw earlier, I have a rough idea of where all of them are.
—In that case, there's only one thing to do.
Before the North-South alliance can make a serious move, I'll tear down every 'Pillar' I can find!
I activated [Floating Leaf] just before crashing into the black wall in front of me, making a right-angle turn to the left. Two more steps crushed several dozen meters as I veered right again.
Once inside the maze, there are plenty of walls to use as footholds, so I'm not constrained by the flight speed of my knives or the cooldown of my switch-jumps.
Left, right, right, left, left, left, right-left-right-right-left!!
"Hell yeah, my mental mapping is perfect! I'm so awesome!"
If even one corner of my memory was wrong, I'd already be a stain on the wall—which means my 'memory' talent is, without a doubt, functioning perfectly.
Hey world, you watching? I'm keeping my face hidden for now because of reasons, but I plan to live up to your expectations, so enjoy the show. First off, I'll make that red pillar appearing at the end of this long straightaway my very first trophy.
This is the birth cry of the [Acrobat], a signal fire to open this battle—it's my big moment, so let's make it over-the-top and flashy!
I used [Blink Switch] into a switch-jump to launch myself straight up, dispersing my momentum with a spin… and at a height of ten meters, just shy of the forcefield ceiling, I went upside down and summoned the [White-Flawed Straight Sword] to my right hand.
"'Awaken, White Eyes'—!!"
Instantly, the 'White' on the pommel dyed the Anima's blade,
"'The world reflected, the world shifted, from the empty expanse, simply connect'!!"
Dwelling in my hand now is a sword-arrow of white lightning that soars through the sky on its own.
"[Eclair]!!"
The unleashed blade scattered white light as it raced through the air—and I, too, twisted my body just before hitting the water, executing a switch-jump into a full-out sprint. The aftershock sent a spectacular explosion of water into the air as I chased after my beloved sword.
I haven't forgotten. There's a barrier around the 'Pillars' that blocks long-range attacks… So then!!
"[Whirlwind]!!"
I activated the evolution of [Gusty Limbs]. The skill, which had expanded its range from just unarmed combat to weapons as well, enchanted my blade as I raced through the air… The moment I caught up to the thrown projectile, I committed to my 'finishing move' without hesitation.
A simple throw would be blocked by the barrier—so I'll fuse it with this!!
My right sole, roaring as it tore through the air, connected with the pommel of the flying [White-Flawed Straight Sword]. The wind field surrounding my avatar latched onto the Anima, now recognized as a 'weapon'.
As a bonus, I released the wind fields from both my arms, which I had extended over my head horizontally and parallel to the sword, converting the one-shot 'misfire' effect from each limb into even more thrust—
"That's one!!"
Something brushed against my senses—probably the barrier—but the pure white straight sword passed through it safely… still being mercilessly kicked along by its wielder.
It rang out with a loud crack—and splendidly pierced and shattered the crimson-adorned 'Pillar' from its midpoint.
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"—…Hah, you really are something else."
As he'd zipped past me at a ridiculous speed, the Doppler effect had been so intense that I couldn't make out what he was yelling. While I was still tilting my head at that—this happened.
It had only been a few dozen seconds since the light pillar signifying its appearance had risen, yet now another, even more spectacular tower of light shot up… the glow that meant a 'Pillar' had been destroyed. Irori couldn't hide the smile spreading across his face.
"…Does that guy have wings or something?"
Recalling the sight of the young man who had run through the air at a speed that you'd miss if you blinked, Genkotsu blinked his eyes in rare, genuine surprise.
"He does. And they're ridiculously large wings of freedom, innocence, and absurdity. Let's get going. We can't let our junior steal all the glory, can we?"
"…You're right. Let's go."
And so, following the 'vanguard', the two charged onto the battlefield. Behind them, the group of players who had been stopped at the base—no, frozen in shock and confusion—were uniformly speechless.
Amidst the scattered murmurs of "So fast," "Can't see him," and "Wha…" those who had some inkling of the young man's 'abnormality' were reacting in their own ways.
"…No wonder Gossan said we'd be 'blown away.'"
Hinase let out a weary smile as if to say, I give up.
"…What was that, is he an idiot…? Hey, did you see it?"
"…All I could tell was that he was running in mid-air."
"I told you, didn't I? You don't need to worry about him."
An astonished Mi-na asked her partner, Ri-na shook her head, and Rotta, standing nearby, beamed with pride.
"…………Hey."
"Heh, heh heh… Wh-what is it?"
Tetra, watching the situation with an undisguised look of shock, shot a sharp glance at Goldow, who was laughing heartily at the display of absurdity and the crowd's reaction.
"Do we even need to bother taking out his 'nemesis'? He looks like he could just steamroll through any matchup disadvantage—I mean… what…"
In that moment, a second tower of light shot into the sky.
The speechless boy's jaw finally dropped. And then, ten seconds later, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, a third one stretched toward the heavens.
"Guh…! —Hahahaha!! Ahh, damn, I can't take it…!! I feel bad that my expectations were so small!!"
Unable to hold it in any longer, Goldow let his cheers erupt. For the players, already hyped up for the big event, that tension was easily transmitted.
And of course—the [General Commander] would not miss such an opportunity.
"Oi, you lot, what are you standing around for?!"
The golden giant roared, and their feet, anticipating the next 'order', turned in unison toward the same direction.
"Our [Acrobat] has lit a ridiculously huge signal fire! —Follow him, you bastards!!"
At that, a war cry that shook the very earth rose up—and the army of battle junkies (Istia) began to move.
…Meanwhile, behind the scenes of all this excitement.
"—Hey, wait?! C'mon! Defense squad, don't charge in too—!!"
As the entire army, their fighting spirit through the roof, began kicking up water and charging toward the maze entrance, Mi-na had to frantically chase after them, her voice a mix of anger and panic—a scene that would later become the stuff of legends.
When you're surrounded by idiots, you're forced to job-change into the straight man. —The Red One.