Chapter 223 - Turn and Dive
"Whoa… this is bad…"
"An AGI debuff based on vitality? Give me a break."
"The fact that he's still moving means… you know what, right?"
"So our Ninth is even more of a glass cannon than we thought…"
"Probably AGI & DEX, with the leftovers in STR. But still…"
"So he's good with technique, too. He's getting more terrifying by the second."
"Haha—he's changed so much… even from just half a month ago…"
Three parties from Istia's defense unit plus alpha, a total of 21 people. Thrown out of the field when the [Engage] was activated, they were now watching the battle, practically glued to the barrier—
"…………To stand around gawking without even keeping watch… you all have some nerve."
"""—Gasp…!?"""
Irori, who had been watching them from behind with an exasperated look, threw his words and a wave of 'cold air' at them. They all held their breath and snapped to attention.
"Ah, well, Irori-kun. Sorry about that. I have a connection with 'him,' so I got a bit carried away…"
"I understand the feeling, Defense Captain, but please stay focused. …And you, Commander's aides, what are you doing falling for the enemy's trap right alongside them?"
"""We're deeply sorry…"""
Ignoring the adults who were now meekly hanging their heads after being scolded by a younger man—the [Sword Protector]'s gaze was fixed on his 'junior,' trapped within the barrier, locked in a fierce battle with the [Heavy Tank].
"Honestly… what is he doing?"
It's fine to be conscious of conserving your strength for what's to come, but if you can't fulfill your role because of it, then it's meaningless… —Ah, no, I see.
The reason it looks like he's struggling against a slightly superior opponent is because of that.
He did say it, after all—"Hurry up and catch up to me."
It's probably about that… look. The proof was right there. When I sent my gaze through the barrier, our eyes met without any effort.
"You've got some nerve yourself—fine."
He's been making me dance in the palm of his hand for long enough. Letting my junior use me for once isn't so bad… or rather,
In the end, I owe that cheeky junior of mine a huge 'debt'. Paying it back bit by bit like this isn't a bad idea.
—In that case, I'm ready whenever you are.
On the other side of the barrier, the [Acrobat] was holding his own against the twin daggers with just a single katana. Behind his hood, he was surely wearing that infuriating smile he so often showed Irori.
Haru, his cheeks faintly lifted in a smirk, drew the [Heavy Tank]'s attention even more, as if to say, "Look at me, I'm forced to keep my back to you."
With a still-unrefined yet undeniable 'echo' of another's presence about him, he swung his katana with gusto—
◇◆◇◆◇
—About time you showed up, senpai.
That smug look on his face through the barrier, as if to say "I see right through you," is a little annoying, but in this situation, being on the same wavelength is more than welcome.
Realistically, to get this chaotic mess moving, that's the quickest way… which means all that's left is the timing.
I need to strike a gap in his awareness and create a clear break point—and to do that, I first need to lay the groundwork.
To give him a big 'surprise,' I'll create a chain reaction of panic.
So, for now—I guess I'll get serious, within the limits of what I can afford to use!
"Whoa, there…! Getting fired up all of a sudden!"
"I don't have time to play around with you anymore!"
Even with my agility reduced, the unpredictable footwork of [Rabbit Run] is still effective. From a minimal readying motion, I stepped deep into his guard—
As expected of the second-in-command, he barely reacted beyond a slight widening of his eyes, but that too was within my calculations.
Sorry, but I've had plenty of time to observe your 'habits.'
When you're a little surprised—your left hand floats up slightly, and your weight shifts subtly to the right. And the tip of the dagger in your right hand, is it up or down… it's down, which means!
A reverse diagonal slash from the right, followed by a step back—or so it seems, before a thrust from the left, right?!
"Wh—no way!"
Trusting my 'memory' and deductions, I slipped past his consecutive counterattacks by a hair's breadth and closed in. The [Heavy Tank], his eyes wide with genuine shock right in front of me—unfortunately, I don't have the leeway to swing my weapon!
It was a forceful breakthrough to exploit a gap, and I haven't broken his stance. If I get greedy from this awkward position, a painful counter is almost guaranteed—so!
"Take—THIS!!"
"Wha-!?"
Eat a full-power body slam, and then!
"[Ignition]!!"
"Guh—"
Even if I can't swing it, I can at least grip it. Switching from the jade blade, I summoned [Panga Fool] and pulled the trigger—from the shoulder I'd slammed into, I blasted him with kinetic energy at top speed, skipping the acceleration process entirely.
Damage was, unfortunately, near zero. But on top of the massive knockback… yep, that's the face I wanted to see. That must have surprised you, right?
And now, to follow up—!
"—Irori!!"
"—[Interrupt]!!"
Show me more of an opening, [Heavy Tank]! Show me more surprise!
"Wha—…!!"
We called out to each other from inside and outside the barrier, and one of us even declared an interruption… The fact that he instantly turned to face the direction the 'newcomer' would appear from was a testament to his quick reflexes.
But,
"Ah, damn… I've been had."
In the direction he turned, Irori, who had boldly shouted the 'declaration (bluff),' stood there without touching the wall… he was probably wearing that smug, cat-like grin of his again.
With the image of the boy's wry smile in my mind's eye, I leisurely reached the 'wall'—
"[Break]."
Pressing my palm against it, I activated the authority of a ranker with my first 'declaration' of this war.
Instantly, the [Engage] field shattered with a deafening roar… and with that, two points consumed.
Rankers start the war with three points, but since I've defeated two opponents, the [Great Tiger] and the [Freely Transforming], I gained two extra points, meaning the cost of [Break] is a net zero.
Therefore… with a consecutive use, I can finally fulfill my duty. Passing through the shattered barrier, I reached out to the next 'wall'—consuming three points, exactly.
"[Interrupt]!!"
Well, when I say duty—
"…………So, what's the plan from here?"
First, drag the General Commander out—after that, I have absolutely no plan whatsoever…!
Either way, if the commander is taken out here, the East will be at a massive disadvantage… or rather, if the person inside is who I think it is, she could just make a mad dash and capture our base for a touchdown.
We need a countermeasure. And to come up with one, we need a brain, not limbs (me). I'm not going so far as to say I'm a willing sacrifice, but this trade was necessary.
[Interrupt], as a rule, swaps an ally inside with your own position. And you yourself are teleported just inside the 'wall' you touched.
In other words, simply having Irori interrupt wouldn't have gotten me here… which is why this was a plan born of careful thought, followed by no thought at all.
It would be nice if I had time to get instructions from Goldow through the newly-swapped barrier—but as I was swallowed by the light of teleportation, the 'pressure' I felt suddenly vanished, and while inwardly freaking out…
I was thrown into the field where the 'monster' resided.