kscans

Chapter 119 - Guardian's Frost Blade, Endless Sky Dash - Part Three

[Frostblade Shirosou]—among all existing Anima, it is the only one that takes the form of a pure Japanese sword. In an unofficial ranking of exceptional Anima, it is listed as sixth in the armor category.

The ability hidden within its blue-silver blade is called Bushin—the power to deploy a spherical, physical defense barrier that envelops the user.

Like a veil of diamond dust, the barrier doesn't block or deflect physical attacks—it parries them, letting them slide off as if on ice.

It apparently has a numerical durability value, but since it's a cheat-level flexible shield that automatically parries everything, breaking it with a head-on attack isn't realistic. After much debate, the only established method to counter it is to simply chip away at it with magical attacks.

—Yes, only with magic.

"What a physical-build killer..."

After my all-out strike was completely nullified, I managed to narrowly escape the merciless counterattack that followed. Scrambling away, I shot a resentful glare at the very embodiment of unreasonableness.

"How rude. I'm more than a match for mages, too," the [Sword Protector] replied, adding, "with just this one sword." He swung his Anima through the air pridefully, a smirk playing on his lips.

True to its magnificent appearance as a sword, it's also a top-tier weapon.

In the first place, Anima don't have durability—meaning they essentially never break. Just getting one in the weapon category is considered a huge win.

And this particular sword has been honed in the hands of a top-ranked player, and it even comes with an exceptional defensive ability that shuts down physical attacks. Of course it would make the rankings.

...So, what do I do about that thing?

I don't have a single magical attack..

Well, I have one hidden ace that at least looks non-physical... but I'm pretty sure its damage calculation is still physical...

"...Well, it's not like I have any other options."

From the start, I went into this match prepared to lose if that didn't work. All I can do is give it everything I've got.

"Now then... I know it's unreasonable, but if you're out of options, this is checkmate."

He had probably guessed from my reaction that I was a pure physical build. As if even confirming it was unnecessary, he lowered his sword without taking a stance.

"Torturing my opponents isn't my hobby. I suggest you surrender."

As you can tell from his余裕 to chat leisurely, that unique ability doesn't have a duration. Apparently, if it's destroyed even once, it has such a long cooldown that it can't be used again in the same battle... but against someone like me, it's literally an invincible defense.

[Sword Protector]—what a fitting title, damn him.

"Unfortunately for you, giving up isn't in my nature."

I summoned them to my hands: [Panga Fool] and [White-Flawed Straight Sword].

"...I said it wasn't my hobby."

Despite his words, the expression on his handsome face wasn't one of disapproval.

You battle junkie, that's what I'm talking about, Istia players—Blink Switch.

"...Hm?"

I put away the black short sword and the white straight sword, next summoning the [Demon Horn Spear: Crimson Valor] and the [Revolving Gyre Shield].

—Blink Switch.

"What are you...—!"

He noticed.

Having come to some sort of conclusion, the [Sword Protector] shed his look of condescending余裕 and charged forward.

That instant teleportation again—then I'll counter with this!!

"Bullet!"

First, I summoned a handful of daggers between my fingers and tossed them straight up with just the right amount of force.

Then, without even bothering to read his presence, I stored the [Giant's Hand Axe] and the [Prologue: Wedge Fragment Singing of Eternity (Angalta)] that I had summoned and leaped upward with all my might.

And then—

"Wha—Hah?!"

Along with the sound of a sword cleaving through empty air, a voice of pure astonishment came from far below.

It wasn't surprise at the fact that I had summoned more clones despite the original [Rabbit Dagger: Parabellum] having been broken.

Nor was it at the fact that I had jumped over ten meters in a single leap.

It was the sight of the crimson daggers, ascending straight toward the heavens at the slow, leisurely pace of a paper airplane, showing no sign of falling.

And it was the sight of me, kicking off their hilts and soaring more than fifty meters above the arena as if it were the most natural thing in the world. His shock was likely for both.

You're making a great face. I wish you'd just stay there and watch forever.

At the apex of my jump, just as I was about to begin my descent, I summoned the Bullets again and threw them straight down with a trivial amount of force, as if merely plucking and releasing them.

The daggers, glinting in the sunlight, once again defied the laws of physics and began to fall slowly in a straight line—Blink Switch.

I summoned [Panga Fool] to my left hand and the [White-Flawed Straight Sword] to my right, using them as footholds to leap toward the Bullets falling below me—I kicked off their small crimson hilts and looped back into the sky.

Having started to bounce around by myself high in the air, I showed no sign of stopping my bizarre, or rather, skillful antics, all while basking in the countless stares from below.

It didn't take long for the murmurs of the venue to swell into a roar that reached even the highest heights of the arena.

◇◆◇◆◇

""—...""

"Ah..."

Come to think of it, he hasn't done this yet.

Seeing the two people next to her—and indeed, everyone in the special seating area—struck dumb, Sora finally remembered.

She'd been so captivated by all the cool things he'd done that she'd completely forgotten.

"When you think of Haru, you think of that, don't you?"

It was undeniably incredible, a feat that would amaze anyone who saw it, yet the movements required to achieve it were so oddly comical that they lacked a certain grace.

And because he did it so casually, with a cool expression on his face, it seemed all the more so. To be honest, that part of him was something I—

"..."

What was I about to say? As if hitting a sudden brake, she averted her gaze from the thought in her heart. Oblivious to Sora, who had cast her eyes down—

"Well, yeah, that's what would happen..."

"It certainly would..."

The stage, once filled with confusion, was now transitioning to the next situation, right where the duo next to her was looking.