kscans

Chapter 194 - A Resounding Signal Fire

The moment I kicked off at top speed, my surroundings blurred into lines and my vision became practically useless—that was normal. Thinking back, the fact that I could just accept it as normal was probably thanks to my ‘memory’ Gift.

See, lay the path, and follow it.

Indeed, all of those steps were predicated on memory—just as, in this very moment, I was able to race on without relying on sight, following the path of daggers I had laid out beforehand.

It all made perfect sense now. From the know-how of high-speed maneuvering to the application of 《Quick Change》 type skills… the entire combat style of the player named [Haru] was supported by that talent.

I remember thinking it once before.

That if a talent just happened to fall into my lap that let me enjoy this virtual world to the fullest, I would welcome it with open arms.

And indeed, that feeling hasn’t changed—Talent? A Gift? Bring it on. I’ll master it so completely that I can proudly declare, “This is my power”!!

“I’M GOING ON AHEAD, IRORIIIIII!!!”

Just before my peripheral vision turned black… in other words, right before I plunged into the maze entrance, I shouted to the Blonde Samurai who was on standby nearby—

Having crossed the long passage from the base to the maze in literally a second, I ignored all the water below and soared through the air.

Now that I recognized it as a clear ability, and had verified its reliability, I no longer needed sight.

Okay, I exaggerated. I don’t need sight that much!!

Using my vision—which was providing little more than blurry colors—only as a reference, I controlled my soaring avatar ninety percent with my own memory.

Based on the distance and direction of the pillars of light I saw earlier, I had a pretty good idea of where all of them were located.

—In that case, there was only one thing to do.

Before the North-South alliance could make a serious move, I would just have to knock down every ‘Pillar’ I could find!!

I activated 《Floating Leaf》 just before crashing into the black wall in front of me, veered left at a right angle, took two more steps to crush a few dozen meters underfoot, and then went right.

Once inside the maze, there were plenty of walls to use as footholds, so I was no longer bound by the flight speed of my little knives or the cooldown of my switch jumps.

Left, right, right, left, left, left, right-left-right-right-left!!

“YEAH, MY MENTAL MAPPING IS PERFECT!! I’M SO AWESOME!!”

If even one corner was wrong in my memory, I’d be a stain on the wall by now—which means my ‘memory’ talent was, without a doubt, functioning perfectly.

Hey world, you watching? I can’t show my face for… reasons, but I plan to live up to your expectations, so enjoy the show—first off, I’ll make this red pillar that just appeared at the end of this long straightaway my commemorative first trophy.

This is the [Acrobat]’s debut cry to the entire world, the signal fire marking the start of this battle—since it’s a big moment, let’s make it flashy and over-the-top!!

I launched my body straight up with a 《Blink Switch》 into a switch jump, dissipating the momentum with a spin… and at a height of ten meters, just shy of the ceiling, I went into a nosedive and summoned the [White-Flawed Straight Sword] to my right hand.

“‘Awaken, White Eye’—!!”

In that instant, the ‘white’ of the point dyed the Anima’s blade.

“‘Reflecting world, shifting world, unite all that is empty’!!”

Dwelling in my hand now was a sword-arrow of white lightning that soared through the sky.

“《Eclair》!!”

The unleashed blade scattered white light as it raced through the air—and I myself twisted my body just before hitting the water, executing a switch jump into an all-out sprint. I chased after my beloved sword, kicking up a massive explosion of water in my wake.

I hadn’t forgotten. There’s a barrier around the ‘Pillars’ that blocks long-range attacks… so then!!

“《Whirlwind》!!”

I activated the evolved skill of 《Gusty Limb》. I raced through the air, cloaked in an enchantment of wind that now extended from my bare hands to my weapons… and the moment I caught up to the accelerating projectile, I unhesitatingly unleashed my ‘special move.’

A simple throw would be blocked by the barrier—so then, I’ll just fuse it with this kick!!

The sole of my right foot, which tore through the air with a roar, caught the pommel of the flying [White-Flawed Straight Sword], and the wind enveloping my avatar, deeming it a ‘weapon,’ coiled around the Anima.

As a bonus, I released the wind from both my arms, which were extended over my head, parallel to the sword I had become one with. I converted the additional one-shot ‘misfire’ effect I’d gained for each limb into even more thrust—

“First one down!!”

Something brushed against my senses—probably the barrier—and the pure white straight sword, having safely passed through it… was mercilessly kicked along by its wielder.

With a resounding crack—it pierced and shattered the crimson-decorated ‘Pillar’ right through its middle.

◇◆◇◆◇

“—…Hah, you really are something else.”

As he had passed by at a ridiculous speed, the Doppler effect had been so intense that Irori couldn’t make out what he was yelling. While he was tilting his head in confusion—this happened.

It had only been a few dozen seconds since the pillar of light signifying its appearance had risen, yet now another, even flashier tower of light shot up… a brilliance that meant a ‘Pillar’ had been destroyed. Irori couldn’t hide the smile that spread across his face.

“…………Does that guy have wings or something?”

Perhaps recalling the image of the young man who had dashed through the air at a speed that would be missed in the blink of an eye, Genkotsu blinked his eyes in rare, honest surprise.

“He does. Wings so big, free, innocent, and absurdly out of the ordinary, they’re ridiculous—Let’s go. We can’t let our junior steal all the glory, can we?”

“...You’re right. Let’s go.”

And so, following the ‘vanguard,’ the two of them charged onto the battlefield. Behind them, the group of players who had stopped in their tracks—no, who had been frozen by surprise and confusion—were all at a loss for words.

Amidst the scattered murmurs of “So fast,” “Can’t see him,” and “Huh…”, those who had some inkling of the ‘abnormality’ of that young man were thinking.

“…………No wonder Gossan said we’d be ‘blown away.’”

Hinayo let out a weak smile, as if in surrender.

“…………What was that, is he an idiot…? Hey, did you see it?”

“…………All I could tell was that he was running in mid-air.”

“I told you, didn’t I? You don’t have to worry about him.”

Mi-na, who had been staring blankly in amazement, asked her partner. Ri-na shook her head, and Rotta, standing beside them, beamed with pride.

“………………Hey.”

“Heh, hehe… Y-yeah, what is it?”

Tetra, who had been watching the situation with an undisguised look of shock, turned a deadpan gaze on Goldow—who was laughing with utter delight at the sight of the absurdity-made-manifest young man and the crowd’s reaction.

“Does that even need its nemesis eliminated? He looks like he could just mow them down regardless of type disadvantage—I mean… what the…”

In the midst of that, a second tower of light rose.

The boy, lost for words, stared with his mouth agape… and ten seconds later, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, a third one shot up towards the heavens.

“Ghk…! —Kahahaha!! Ah, dammit, this is too good…!! I feel bad that my expectations were so small!!”

Unable to hold it in any longer, Goldow let his cheers overflow—and with the players already hyped up for the big event, his excitement was easily contagious.

And of course—the [General Commander] would not let that opportunity pass.

“Oi, you lot, what are you standing around for!!”

The golden giant roared, and anticipating the ‘command’ to follow, their feet all turned in the same direction.

“Our [Acrobat] just lit a massive signal fire!!—FOLLOW HIM, YOU BASTARDS!!”

At that, a battle cry that shook the very earth rose up—and the army of battle-crazed warriors (Istia) began to move.

…Meanwhile, behind the scenes of all this excitement.

“—H-hey, wait!? Stop—!! Don’t let the defense squad charge in too!!”

As the entire army, their fighting spirit at its peak, kicked up water and rushed towards the maze entrance, Mi-na chased after them in a flustered panic mixed with anger—a scene that would later become the stuff of legend.