Chapter 209 - Ninth × 2
Not even two hours had passed since the unbelievable news of the [Great Tiger]'s defeat, which had occurred less than ten minutes into the war. If this were a typical Four Pillar event, this would be the time when the initial probing phase ended and the real battle was about to begin.
But the strange reports coming in from all sectors, and the ridiculous point difference that confirmed their accuracy, meant that this war was already hurtling towards its peak right this very moment.
She couldn't recall a Four Pillar War that so perfectly fit the phrase "climax from the very beginning," not even from the times when they were mere spectators.
The 'Pillars' being toppled one after another just minutes after the start,
The rankers being eliminated so early on,
And Sotalm, the strategic commander for the North and South, issuing the order for a 'decisive battle' barely an hour in—all of it was, without a doubt, completely abnormal.
Rinne and Maru II, rankers of the Northern Faction, couldn't be called veterans of the Four Pillar War like the [Great Tiger] they looked up to. Since entering the ranks together two years ago, they had only participated twice.
Because this was only their third time, they still vividly remembered their first time stepping onto this battlefield.
Exhilaration, tension—and an overwhelming terror of a kind they had never experienced before.
For anyone with normal nerves, it was terrifying. The unrealistic fact of being exposed to the gazes of the entire world, and the ridiculous position of being 'targeted' by the superhumans who reveled in such an environment.
It was customary for rankers participating in the war for the first time to be thoroughly intimidated. Their resolve was questioned, they were expected to meet expectations, and they were made to accept responsibility—honestly, the title was so heavy that any normal game player would want to refuse it.
It was a common theory that the mental fortitude to withstand such pressure was part of the selection criteria. Fortunately, no title holder had ever been crushed by it in the past.
Rinne and Maru II had overcome it together—but that was not something that happened the moment they stepped onto the battlefield.
Between the information they'd gathered and the gust of wind from the white-and-blue figure that had just rushed past them, the report that the [Great Tiger] had been defeated almost one-sidedly was beginning to feel very real.
Doubt turned to premonition, and premonition to certainty. [Bell-Mail] and [Ever-Changing] naturally arrived at their 'conclusion.'
Namely—if they didn't stop this, there was no chance of victory.
"—Maru!!"
"—I'll do it!!"
Their communication was instantaneous, their decision immediate. The moment their healer unit was struck down in the blink of an eye, and they were caught between 'him' and [Heat Gaze].
With the faint chime of a bell as his signal, the young man known as [Ever-Changing] launched himself from his spot like a catapult, propelled by a force from beneath his own feet.
His target was 'him'—the monstrous Acrobat who continued to achieve unprecedented results.
Was he caught off guard, or was he simply that confident? Whatever the reason, he didn't move as Maru II closed in… and the moment he easily crossed the line, Maru II understood that this was a 'misjudgment born from inexperience.'
Because—
"[Engage]!!"
"…The hell!?"
After showing up as reinforcements and hinting at a joint battle—no seasoned ranker would ever make the mistake of letting a lone opponent who charged in like that get within the ten-meter activation range.
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"…Hey, you brat."
"…Haru-kun?"
Two voices echoed in my head, their tones carrying an indescribable pressure, rebuking me for my blunder. From a distance, Hinayo-san's rare, deadpan stare pierced my chest.
"S-Sorry… I was thinking I'd draw him in, then slip past and cause some chaos…"
It wasn't that I'd forgotten about the [Engage] skill. But I'd gotten carried away by the fact that he was part of a pair that likely relied on teamwork, and by the electrifying "Alright, let's team up!" mood.
Ugh, another mistake to reflect on…
"Tch… You got this?"
"Well, yeah… I don't have a problem with it."
"—You say that so casually."
A clear voice was tossed my way as I nonchalantly bluffed.
His voice and expression were cheerful, somewhat reminiscent of an athlete. He was slightly taller than me, and his avatar, clad in leather armor befitting a swordsman, had a muscular, sturdy build.
And the weapon in his hand was, for now, a straight sword. I presume this is the Northern Faction's ninth-ranked, [Ever-Changing], Maru II.
"Honestly, I've been wanting to meet you, Lord Ever-Changing."
"…Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't have to, Mr. Acrobat."
We exchanged contrasting words, both of us smiling. Though, again, our smiles were polar opposites in their sentiment.
"From what I've gathered since you pummeled Tiger-san, it sounds like… you might be a complete superior version of me, aren't you?"
He said this with a deep, bitter smile, as if to say, "Give me a break."
Well, whether he's a superior version is up for debate, but—
"Guess we might not need to use [Break] after all."
As I declared this while surveying the deployed field, the young man scratched his head and let out a dry laugh. When he looked up again, the weakness was gone from his face, and his eyes held a familiar color.
—Just as expected of the [Great Tiger]'s 'disciple.' He seems to have inherited his master's trait of instantly converting taunts into positive fighting spirit.
"…Hagi-san. Sorry, but I can't afford to stall for time against this guy, so I'm going all out."
He must have been getting permission from his own commander. After muttering that, Maru II ceased all conversation and focused his entire being squarely on me.
Now then—he's talked a big game, but frankly, this is an even bigger challenge than the [Great Tiger].
Unlike with Tiger-yoshi, where I could force a perfect compatibility mismatch, I don't possess any truly decisive advantage against [Ever-Changing].
I still have the upper hand in agility, but… he's not quite a natural enemy. More like,
This young man, you could say, is a true opponent on the same level as me.
"Should be a good learning experience for both of us, don't you think?"
"You're the one who said you were stalling for time. Are you sure you can afford to chat so leisurely?"
I summoned the [White-Flawed Straight Sword] to match his and grinned. Maru II also gave a slight smirk and returned the light jab.
Well, you see, about that—
"I'm waiting for it. For that 'all out' you mentioned."
The fighting style of [Ever-Changing] has two sides, a front and a back. The 'all out' he just mentioned is likely the back side—and that's precisely what I want to see.
"How very considerate of you."
"I know my manners when it comes to a one-on-one between rankers."
This is what the audience wants to see, right?
—And I'm not one to dislike this sort of thing either.
"Let's make this count. Let's go all out, [Ever-Changing]."
"…I can kinda see why Tiger-san got so absorbed he missed his chance to withdraw. Alright then, let's have a hundred-second brawl."
With a ferocious grin reminiscent of a certain someone, Maru II lowered his stance, readying the short swords he now held in both hands.
An immense fighting spirit and the pressure of a ranker emanated from him, creating the illusion of large ripples in the waterway—and above his head, a bizarre crown made of gears materialized.
"—[Roan Chronos, Eye of Deceiving Time]."
The young man's eyes, announcing his authority, blazed with a blue flame that seemed to scorch whatever they saw.
"Nortalia's ninth-ranked, [Ever-Changing], Maru II."
"Istia's ninth-ranked, [Acrobat], Haru."
We exchanged names, laughing as if to say, "I already know." And then—we simultaneously kicked off the water and shot into the air.
The two ladies are watching them with an expression that just says, "Look at these guys getting all pumped up…