Chapter 571 - A Distant Aspiration
The Acrobat—the current Fourth Rank of the Eastern Faction, Istia, and the fastest trickster in the virtual world (though opinions may vary).
What's most noteworthy about him is the overwhelming number of strengths that are, in themselves, noteworthy, spanning a wide range of fields.
His legs carry him with deviant agility, whether on the ground or in the air. His unique ability to be the only one in Arcadia who can master the quick-change skill allows his weapons and engagement distances to shift and change in a thousand ways.
Furthermore, the genius-level combat sense he likely possessed from the start has been honed by the tutelage of masters like the [Sword Saint] and other powerful veterans, making his pure technique top-tier as well. He possesses both a clever mind and exceptional snap judgment, on top of an extraordinary 'intuition'.
In addition, as if in proportion to the outrageous path he has walked, the equipment he wears is all composed of exceptional, unique items. To say there is no opening to exploit would be the perfect description.
A true monster, one who cannot be summed up by the words 'a higher-tier version of myself.'
I'll say it again: I don't think I can win. I don't even think I can land a single scratch. I know for a fact that he surpasses me in every single element—
And that's why.
"—Tch!"
I can face him with all my strength, without thinking about pointless things, knowing I have nothing to lose.
The moment I saw him take that leisurely step, I pushed off with my right foot. It was a movement that had become second nature—route set, maximum output. Third-Tier Anima [Rebellion] activated.
Instantly,
"—…Oh?"
The short sword I swung from behind him as he took that first step naturally cut through empty air.
It was a minimal evasion, just a slight turn of his body. His eyes, which turned to lock onto his 'enemy', meant that he had tracked my 'trajectory'.
More than astonishment, more than awe, more than fear—joy won out.
He, right in front of me, was truly the Acrobat. And because of that, I pushed off with my left foot without hesitation. The route was set. Once again, an excessive AGI that I cannot control through normal means ignited—
"—Yeah. I see."
"Tch, wha—hey…!?"
This time, he wasn't content to just dodge the blade I thrust from his blind spot. The moment he tilted his head to watch the blade pass, he grabbed my hand and murmured in admiration.
"I don't know the principle behind it, but so that's how it works. Interesting."
"Tch…—!!"
Whoosh. The quiet smile he gave me sent a shiver down my spine that I couldn't ignore this time, and I reflexively activated my emergency defensive measure.
[Gravitational Error] activate. The skill, which repels 'contact', forcibly broke the restraint on my right hand. At the same time, I pushed off with my right foot.
In order to get some distance, my body began to glide along the route I had set directly behind me—
"That repulsion thing just now was actually pretty surprising."
"Huh…"
A voice came from directly behind me yet again.
"Instead of retreating, it would've been better to press the atta—whoa!?"
"Ngh…!!"
As if kicking my body out of its near-frozen state, I ducked under the scarlet sword aimed at my neck and slammed a body check into his back with a left-footed push.
Even with some equipment buffs, it's a well-known fact that his base VIT is dead. In other words, he's fundamentally extremely weak to external 'impact'.
Even if it wasn't enough to induce a forced stun, if I could just create even a slight opening like this—then, as he wished, I could press the attack further—
"—…Tch,!?"
Right foot push, emergency escape. As I once again put distance between us by gliding backward, the Acrobat sent his critique my way as he regained his balance—
"Hah hah—That was the right move. Good instincts."
"…………Thank you. I'm honored by your praise."
That last instant, if my judgment had been even slightly delayed, my head would have been sent flying.
No, in a stage like this, which is largely a demonstration, it's unlikely he would have truly swung his 'blade'—but I'm certain of one thing.
If I had pushed forward there, my 'evaluation' from him would have hit its ceiling.
I don't understand. I don't know what he was planning to do, what would have been done to me, anything. A true acrobat and magician… his depths and his hand are completely inscrutable.
I probably couldn't even make him draw his 'sword', let alone fight seriously.
We're on different levels. Yes, so different that—
"…………Heh?—I like that. I don't dislike people like you."
I couldn't suppress the smile that escaped me, and seeing it, he grinned back.
His words made my heart leap… but unfortunately, I don't currently possess the strength or the means to entertain this person I admire any further.
"…………That makes me incredibly happy, but I'm sorry. Everything I just did was, in all honesty, my absolute best. It's frustrating, but it seems I still can't lay a finger on you."
"Hmm? Hmmm…"
Whether he was aware of it or not, the way he casually made his daggers appear and disappear as if fiddling with them was, in terms of thought-based control techniques, far from ordinary.
Upon hearing my honest confession of my limits, he said,
"You surprised me, and you made me panic. I had to dodge your counter on pure 'instinct', too… So, what I'm saying is, at least—in terms of tactics, your teeth are definitely sinking in."
Whether or not they left a mark is another story—he added, with a cheerful smile.
Just like that time before, I couldn't help but feel inspired.
"…………Twelve seconds. Would you be willing to entertain me?"
"Ha, of course."
A trump card I can't say I can control perfectly. Because of that, I had been debating whether or not I should play this unique skill in this encounter, where I wanted to face him with my true all.
But, come to think of it, isn't that just like him?
"—It's all about doing whatever you want. Let's enjoy everything."
He is the Acrobat… a player who has climbed to the top by fearlessly and audaciously playing his trick cards and trump cards, trampling over every impossible challenge.
So then, for me, who admires him, to stand before him and—
"[Haze Oculus (The Yearning of the Unseeing Eye)]!"
How could I not trample over the impossible and put on a show?
"—Here I, come…!!"
I closed my eyes and declared my all-out assault. The response, of course, was—
"Yeah, I'll take you on…!!"
A voice filled with expectation and curiosity, a voice of welcome.