Chapter 200 - Sword Incarnate
—He had changed.
The moment the young man let go of the spear in his right hand, took out a new weapon, and drew that magnificent jade blade, the very air around him palpably shifted.
I couldn't immediately tell what was different from before.
But the one thing that was certain was that it was different—a sensation akin to a shiver down my spine brought with it an undeniable conviction.
That is dangerous.
Not the sword.
But the figure holding the sword.
"Sorry about this, Tora-kichi."
Just as I tried to chase the swelling sense of déjà vu, a light voice cut in. With the jade blade in his right hand and the scabbard in his left in a reverse grip, Haru... smiled quietly from beneath his hood.
"When I use this, I can't show a disgraceful performance, no matter what—so be prepared for me to come at you with enough force to not let you do anything."
Even the slightest movement of the wavering blade demanded my utmost vigilance. Realizing my gaze was being drawn in, pulled toward it—the [Great Tiger]'s entire body trembled as a wicked smile spread across his face.
"Hey, you... this is the first time in my life I've ever had a warrior's tremble. Give me a break."
The smile that escaped him was, in other words, proof of his 'anticipation'.
The [Acrobat] who had made such a bold declaration was now, as a 'swordsman'—
"—Here I come."
His body, as it launched forward, became a single, sharpened blade.
◇◆◇◆◇
In the end, I was unable to master Shukuchi.
That fact, while frustrating, was something I knew from the very beginning. I have no intention of hiding my intense disappointment, but it was a result I could accept.
And what that fact meant was—in conclusion, I cannot properly wield the techniques of the [Kesshiki Ittoryu].
Even with the most basic of basics, the first strike [Flying Water], what I can reproduce is a pale imitation of a pale imitation. Of course, I can incorporate the sword principles that Ui-san devised into my forms as much as I want... but at least in this state, I would hesitate to call myself a practitioner of Kesshiki Ittoryu.
However, that does not change the fact that I am the disciple of the [Sword Saint].
Therefore, above all else.
If I am to wield a sword, I have a duty to embody my strongest self—one that does not tarnish that 'pinnacle'.
"—[Matoi]."
It was not from my master... but for some reason, from her grandfather, that this deteriorated version of Shukuchi was given its name—and I was scolded for demeaning it so, for it is my footwork alone.
By progressively layering 'Outer Force' onto 'Inner Force', this technique, which allows me to approach the [Sword Saint]'s level for a brief moment, achieves an instantaneous change from high speed to super-high speed.
Its movements are such that they can deceive even the eyes of the strong, a technique my 'master' herself said even she could misjudge. In other words, this [Matoi] is, without a doubt—my very own special weapon.
And it is something that no Title Holder, no matter who they are,
"— — — — — — — — —"
...could possibly react to on their first sight, as my master has guaranteed.
Sweeping aside the logic of this virtual world and the burden of water pressure, I leaped into the [Great Tiger]'s range, parting the waterway, and he showed absolutely no reaction.
He can't perceive me. With that conviction, I swing my blade.
The jade blade of [Samidorizuki], kicking up a spray of water, leaped up from a low stance, and was drawn into his side in an upward diagonal slash—and my gaze locked firmly with his green, glowing eyes.
Ah, well, being unable to deal with it—that's the one exception.
I reflexively turned my blade and immediately dashed past his side, and a massive 'something' that grazed my cheek sent a huge pillar of water erupting directly in front of him.
[Cleave Fang]—the unique enhancement effect of the special title 'Great Tiger', held by the seventh-ranked member of the Northern Faction, Nortalia.
Among the many rankers, its power is particularly simple and purely strength-oriented. It is the ability to manifest invisible limbs—or more accurately, the power to operate massive jaws that function like limbs.
"You damn fool... how can you still be a blur even when I'm using thought acceleration?"
"Sorry, but when it comes to speed, I've got a 'God's' seal of approval."
"Who the hell is 'God'?"
"Well now, I'll tell you if you can beat me."
"Hah...! You've got a sharp tongue for a newcomer!"
His movement as he burst through the water at his feet was completely different from the rough yet precise footwork he had shown before. It was the 'Adamant' footwork, utilizing the leg portions of the tiger fangs that corresponded to his four limbs.
If the records are correct, the invisible jaws manifested by [Cleave Fang] possess the absurd strength of STR: 500—the speed achieved with them is on a completely different level from his base state.
And my speed is on a level beyond even that.
I'll gladly make use of it, my 'personal' artisan.
"Shine—[Crimson Red Ruby]!"
Deep within the white and blue. The ruby pendant tucked into the chest of my battle garment shone with a brilliant crimson light through the fabric woven from feathers—and coursing through my entire body was a pulsating crimson flame.
It's not made of any special materials.
It doesn't use any techniques no one else could achieve.
But in the sense that only I can handle it, Nia is probably the only one in this virtual world who could have tailored something like this into a practical item.
Its effect—continuous percentage-based self-damage every tenth of a second.
Through the power of [Crown Crown], which allows me to keep the fact that 'I took damage' while discarding the result of 'HP reduction', I achieve an absurdly unfair cheat:
Constant activation of the law-defying [Ignition].
In other words, from this moment on—
My avatar discards all processes of acceleration.
"—...!!?"
The [Great Tiger] searched for my form, which had vanished from before his eyes. By that point, I had already completed my approach, attack, and withdrawal.
There's no need to change course. Guided by the blessing of the [Fatal Leak] dwelling in my eyes, I slipped past the invisible jaws and, with the momentum of landing a single strike on his shoulder, passed behind him.
I ran up the barrier summoned by [Engage]—and charged straight for the height limit, using the immense repulsive force as a foothold to dive straight down.
His reaction, spotting my shadow and turning on a dime, was impressive. But,
"Wha...!?"
I completely ignored the immense advantage of his four fangs, their invisibility.
Following the eyes that calmly sent me the bright red predicted trajectories, I used my scabbard to smoothly parry the intercepting jaws—and unable to suppress his shock, the [Great Tiger] let out a cry of dismay.
"This isn't a bluff or bravado, you know."
And indeed, the jade blade in my right was already mid-swing—the flash of the sword that shot past now thoroughly tore open his side.
The magnificent display of red (damage effects) reflected on the water's surface sprayed from his body as I spoke.
"—To be blunt, I'm your natural enemy."
The [Great Tiger], lost for words, looked as if he was simply dumbfounded.
"...So I'm the challenger here? You monster."
He couldn't hide the smile spreading across his lips, and I, too, couldn't help but let out a small laugh—and as we laughed together, the water at our feet burst and danced in the air time and time again.
The ultimate counter to Tiger ☆ Lucky, a little something called [Fatal Leak].