Chapter 638 - III ≧ I?
Let's get back to basics. Although we all share the name of 'Title Holder,' it's said that each faction basically excels in different areas.
Take the Northern Faction, Nortalia, for example. They tend to elevate those with specialized anti-enemy abilities, and among the three combat-oriented factions, they have the lowest PvP capabilities.
The master-disciple duo of Torakichi and Maru II, who love PvP, are exceptions. Apparently, there are quite a few players there who are openly 'bad' at PvP, regardless of their abilities. Rinne, too, while blessed with talent and sense, has said herself that she doesn't particularly enjoy it.
Next is the Southern Faction, Sotalm. They are rich in versatility, handling both anti-enemy and anti-player combat, and they are all masters of special abilities that shine in 'party coordination.'
As expected of the faction of 'Wealth' and 'Cooperation,' it's not just the Rankers; Sotalm has a long track record in large-scale combat, to the point that 'Raid' is practically synonymous with their name.
Let's set aside the matter of one individual who exists as the 'ultimate one,' having strayed from that concept.
We'll also put aside the non-combat faction, Vestol... which leaves one more.
Istia, the Eastern Faction. My own faction, where the hurdle to being granted a title is said to be the highest among the three combat factions... its specialty is being 'a complete fighting force as an individual.'
To be blunt, public opinion generally recognizes that in terms of simple combat power, 'Northern/Southern Rankers < Eastern Rankers.' In fact, in most cases, my seniors would likely have the power to snatch victory from other factions' Rankers even with a slight compatibility disadvantage in a one-on-one fight.
And now, I will declare this with full awareness: that also applies to me.
In terms of anti-enemy combat or raid contribution, there are countless people who surpass me. However, when it comes to simple one-on-one combat prowess... it's daunting, but it's now a fact that I'm among the very top.
It would be more than just cheeky to say it out loud, so I'll refrain, but honestly, I don't intend to lose to most opponents in a one-on-one fight right now.
Excluding my seniors in the Eastern Faction, and the exceptional top two, the [Sword Saint] and the [Sword Queen], my current PvP rating is, embarrassingly enough, in the highest tier.
—Now then.
With all that in mind, shall I say it loud and clear?
Alright, on three!
"There's no way I can handle three at once!!!!"
Heck, I couldn't even handle two.
1+1=∞ is common sense in a game that allows for coordination. There's no way a skill gap of 'well, I can probably win most one-on-ones' can overcome a difference in numbers!
The 'threads,' which are difficult to perceive without focusing, dance closer.
The 'water,' far more adept than my own magic, bursts and closes in.
And,
"You say it's impossible, but you look like you're having a grand time dancing, you know!"
"I'm just...—desperately running for my life, that's what!"
An unyielding 'shield' that I can't look away from, that there's no point in looking away from, corners me.
I have the knowledge. I've done more than enough research—but perhaps the heights of a 'Ranker' are something you can't fully grasp just by watching their glory.
No matter how I push or strike, she never buckles. It's not just the [Knight] before me, who's keeping up with my speed, every single one of them is beyond troublesome...!
It's a charge not with a sword, but with a shield. Unable to avoid the enemy who once again appeared suddenly before me, I reflexively summon my [Twaibolt Mirari] and we clash, but my opponent is just too much.
As expected of someone who has mastered the profound <
I avoided damage, but was sent flying with ease...—Sensing killing intent in the empty space before me, I swing the Stella I summoned to my right hand while in mid-air and feel the distinct sensation of cutting through 'something.'
Nearly invisible threads. This web, spun like a spider's, is the biggest obstacle currently robbing me of my 'full-speed maneuver' option. To put it simply, it's like the shadow threads produced by my [Nine Tail], and if I carelessly charge in and get entangled, it's game over.
Both of them are still putting on a steady and understated performance compared to their maximum specs.
Still, their tactics are extremely effective and are causing me a great deal of trouble. But if the [Knight] and the [Thread-Weaver] are devoting themselves to a support role...—that means,
The attacker currently closing in on me is none other than [Long Legs].
"—'Piercing water nail, hook-wing that stills might.'"
The incantation of a spell I also possess, but the one chanting is not me.
"'Turn, water vortex, gather, waves; a formless shield dwells in the spirit, a shapeless blade sways in reality.'"
The litany of a spell I don't have, one I've actually been seeking because I 'want it.'
"'Stillness is dew, chaos is rain, rage is the wave; come, come, come, come, my eyes are the muzzles of still water, shoot them down, pierce and see through, for it is the spearhead of serene, heavenly grace.'"
And then, a rather unfamiliar and ominous-sounding long verse.
Following the 'key word' my ears picked up, but wished they hadn't, the woven, continuous 'song' manifests a miracle into the world, accompanied by a roaring torrent of magic.
And...—and,
—Piercing water nail, hook-wing that stills might, turn, water vortex, gather, waves; a formless shield dwells in the spirit, a shapeless blade sways in reality, stillness is dew, chaos is rain, rage is the wave; come, come, come, come, my eyes are the muzzles of still water, shoot them down, pierce and see through, for it is the spearhead of serene, heavenly grace, piercing water nail, hook-wing that stills might, turn, water vortex, gather, waves; a formless shield dwells in the spirit, a shapeless blade sways in reality, stillness is dew, chaos is rain, rage is the wave; come, come, come, come, my eyes are the muzzles of still water, shoot them down, pierce and see through, for it is the spearhead of serene, heavenly grace, piercing water nail, hook-wing that stills might, turn, water vortex, gather, waves; a formless shield dwells in the spirit, a shapeless blade sways in reality, stillness is dew, chaos is rain, rage is the wave; come, come, come, come, my eyes are the muzzles of still water, shoot them down, pierce and see through, for it is the spearhead of serene, heavenly grace, piercing water nail, hook-wing that stills might, turn—
A voice that is his, yet not his, follows, continuing to sing an endless song.
The Narrator's Armament, [Dia-do Resta (True Theory: Branch Staff Silencing Hymns)].
Its power, [Endless, Doll of Atonement], brings forth...—an abnormal frenzy that automatically repeats, endlessly speaking and manifesting the spell its master chanted.
Floating water needles, rings of waves, and great lances of torrents. As I stare in stunned silence, a cold sweat trickling down my face at the great swarm of weapons that endlessly, and with ever-increasing acceleration, fills the air,
"—...Now then, how will you weather this?"
He, Record, let loose a cool smile, and at the same time,
"Show us what you've got, Prince."
"W-Wait—"
Without a shred of mercy, pity, or hesitation, he unleashed all of the 'water.'
- [Dia-do Resta (True Theory: Branch Staff Silencing Hymns)], Narrator's Armament: Greatstaff.
A single great branch left in the earth, the only part that did not rot after a great tree, worshipped by a certain people, withered away. The tree spirit, having drunk its fill of love, wishes, prayers, and faith, now clings to the world, seeking only a song. Sprout forth, grant forth, attend me, curse me. Ah, master, my host, your voice is I, and my voice is you.
- Origin String Release <
The second form, which releases the memories of the great tree that consumes songs, turning a solo into a chorus. Spells that have completed the incantation ⇒ activation process are stocked as 'Repeating Songs,' and the staff continues to produce magic without requiring any burden or skill from the user. The incantation of the Repeating Song continues endlessly until the magic stored in the staff is depleted, and its maximum stored magic capacity is said to be 'equivalent to 3000 MID.'
This is the one Kagura-san mentioned a while back, the one that was "discovered already in weapon form." By the way, the parallel activation of multiple spells is an extremely advanced chanting technique called 'Double Cast' or 'Triple Cast,' and there are currently no players in Arcadia who can properly execute it in combat through pure player skill. As a result, this greatstaff, which simulates that 'impossibility,' is truly a Terror Armament.
What? Mi-na and Ri-na's grand magic spam? That's, uh, something different, you know, that thing... And for the record, Ashe's <