Chapter 398 - Plaything
—Some time later, the scene changes.
"W H A T I S T H A T I W A N T E D O N E T O O O O! ! !"
"SO LOUD! YOUR VOICE IS TOO DAMN LOUD!"
We had decided to take a break for the time being, so the raid was disbanded, and the Eastern rankers used the `Key` to return to the Round Table.
And there, the moment she caught sight of my c(・)h(・)a(・)n(・)g(・)e(・)d(・) f(・)o(・)r(・)m(・), the red-haired girl pounced on me without a moment's hesitation. My resistance was futile as I was sent tumbling to the floor, flailing helplessly.
"Hey! Cut it out, sto— Oi, hold on! Even like this, I'm still a guy! Have some maidenly decency, would you, Mi-naaa! Help me, Ri-na-saaan!"
Being manhandled in my low-defense starter outfit… I genuinely feared for my well-being and pleaded for help, and the kind-hearted blue-haired girl pulled the fiend off me.
Left behind on the floor, I was crushed by the sheer horror of my own genuine (girlish) scream. I felt like I had lost something precious as a man.
I should have dispelled my `Trance` instead of trying to get used to the controls.
If I had thought about it calmly, I could have easily predicted that the high-tension monster (red) would turn into a rioting mob. What an idiot I am.
"…Congratulations on clearing the White Throne."
"C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! ! !"
And so, leaving me on the floor, the cheerful reunion between the pair who stayed behind and the group who participated began.
Is this world kind to me or not…? I know I'm blessed in many ways, but why do I sometimes suffer these sudden hardships, as if I'm the target of someone's twisted affection?
"Ah, haha………… A-Are you okay?"
"You're my only ally, Sora…"
Taking the offered hand, I pulled myself up, looking up at my partner's troubled smile. She was in her usual form, having deactivated her own `Trance`.
"So… um… how is your body feeling…?"
She asked in a hushed voice, leaning in close as she helped me to my feet.
She probably remembered when we'd casually talked about how our faces were the same in the real and virtual worlds, and I'd told her about my VRE calibration issues.
"Ah, that part seems fine, really. My body feels heavy because of my stats, but… for now, I don't feel any problems with the controls."
I offered a reassuring smile to show I was okay, and Sora replied with an "I see," before l(・)o(・)o(・)k(・)i(・)n(・)g(・) a(・)w(・)a(・)y(・). It seemed she really couldn't get used to my new face.
"…Haru. I'm not joking, I really want you to be careful."
"Hm?"
"With that face, you can't just go smiling at anyone and everyone, okay?"
"…………Eh… is it that bad?"
My partner, who was now about the same height as me as we stood side-by-side, still wouldn't meet my gaze, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Considering that not just my own assessment, but public opinion too, placed my new appearance on p(・)a(・)r(・) w(・)i(・)t(・)h(・) A(・)s(・)c(・)h(・)e(・)'(・)s(・)… well, I guess I could understand her reaction.
But since the person inside is still me, I'd appreciate it if she could get used to it soon—
"————Round twoooooo…"
"Whoa, you scared me…!"
I leaped back from the voice that whispered right next to me, only to see the relentless red menace inching closer and closer. What's with that bizarre movement? Are you a zombie?
"Hey, hey, b(・)i(・)g(・) s(・)i(・)s(・)t(・)e(・)r(・)."
"Who are you calling big sister? I told you, I'm a guy."
Inch,
"Heeh? Hooo? Quite an attitude you've got there, Mr. A(・)c(・)r(・)o(・)b(・)a(・)t(・) W(・)i(・)t(・)h(・) W(・)i(・)n(・)g(・)s(・) o(・)n(・) H(・)i(・)s(・) H(・)a(・)n(・)d(・)s(・)?"
"Wings on my… wait, what???"
Inch, inch,
"Congratulations on the rank promotion, eh? How does it feel to kick Ri-na-chan out of her spot and squeeze in between us sisters?"
"Sisters…?"
"We are not sisters."
Inch, inch, inching closer—and then S(・)W(・)O(・)O(・)P(・).
Ignoring not only me but also my partner's cold rebuttal, the red-haired girl launched herself at me again, driven by the sheer voltage of her emotions.
—And once again, unable to even dodge properly, I was sent tumbling to the floor. AGI: 0.
"Why'd you have to get in the middle! You should've just jumped over me and taken fifth place, you lolicon pretty boy-girl!"
"It wasn't my decision, and who are you calling a lolicon pretty boy-girl!? Argh, you, that's enough—Ri-naaa! Help, Ri-na-san, do something about her!"
"…………Should I help?"
"………………P-Please, if you could."
And so, unable to even win a scuffle against a pipsqueak, I was completely at her mercy. STR: 0.
This was bad—this new build… or rather, this stat distribution that couldn't even be called a build, was completely and utterly helpless in a physical fight, just as I'd expected.
For a good dozen seconds, I thrashed my slender limbs about in futile resistance.
Finally, with an expression of extreme annoyance, Ri-na pulled her partner away, and I was once again helped to my feet by Sora….
"………………Uh, can we get started now?"
"That's what I'm saying…! You make it look like I'm the one who's actively goofing off…!"
In response to Goldow's exasperated words, I shot back a protest in my high-pitched voice, which—sadly, so very sadly.
—Lacked even more presence and power than usual.
Fun times.
――――――――――――――――――
◇Status / Trance◇
Title：Acrobat
Name：Haru
Lv：100
STR(Strength)：0
AGI(Agility)：0
DEX(Dexterity)：0
VIT(Vitality)：0
MID(Mental)：1150
LUC(Luck)：0
◇Skill◇
・Gandharva
《Construction》
《Mistlurade》
《Lumina Raygust》
《Exchange Implode》
《Greed's Precept》
・Water Magic Aptitude
《Aqua》
《Flood》
《Water Enchant》
・Active
《Reflect Explode》
《Breath Moment》
《Rocket》
《Floating Leaf》
《Eyes Oculus》
・Passive
《White Dragon's Blessing》
《Attentive Limit》
《Gigant Figure》
《Goma Soten》
《Hare Real》
《Land Insulate》
《Floating Star》
《Trickster of Zenith》
《Dangerous Light, Fast Recovery》
《Cutting Body, Unyielding Advance》
《Luna Nobody》
《Master of Magic》
《Telepathy》
《Four-Sided Blessing》
◇Arts◇
【Kesshiki Ittoryu】
《Flying Water》
《Striking Iron》
《Heavenly Snow》
《Karehomura》
《Nanahoshi》
《Hourai》
Secret Technique：《Yuikaze》
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