kscans

Chapter 206 - Signs of Change

“—…I guess this is what’s happening.”

In a certain section of the maze area.

No matter how much he walked or ran, he never encountered his target ranker. On top of that, for a little while now, sporadic attacks from regular players had become frequent.

Irori, who had just cut down a unit from the North-South alliance, ignored the phosphorescent glow of the death effects drifting around him. Sensing a shift in the situation, he quietly looked up at the sky.

“Goldow.”

The wartime-exclusive telepathy skill gave the general the initiative. The system would relay a 'call' from up to thirty pre-registered members, but he couldn't initiate the call himself.

If there was no reply, it meant Goldow was busy, but—

Yeah, what is it?

Letting out a breath at the reply, Irori opened his mouth as he continued to walk along the frozen waterway.

“Since Haru took down the Great Tiger at the start, there’s been no sign of any enemy rankers. They’re probably plotting something.”

Yeah, I just got the same opinion from Gen a minute ago.

“I see. What about Hinayo?”

She said she started getting hit with sporadic attacks a little while ago. Gen said the same thing, but… Irori.

“Attacks, huh… Same here.”

It was as if… yes, as if they were trying to pin down their locations and stall for time.

“Goldow, where is Haru right now—”

As his premonition grew, his concern turned to the whereabouts of the young man who would likely be the key player in this war. The answer came not from the General Commander’s words, but from the pillar of light that shot up into the sky.

“...So he’s there.”

…So he is.

The destruction effect was more vivid than the spawning one. It was proof that the Acrobat had just toppled another 'Pillar.'

“Shouldn’t you call Haru back to base? If my feeling is right…”

If the North and South had already finished their 'observation' and 'preparation.'

That pillar of light could very well be the signal for them to make their move—

“—!!”

He was able to react only because he hadn't let his guard down while talking.

Reading the presence that welled up right behind him, Irori spun around, drawing his sword in the same motion. What loomed before him was a translucent figure that gave him an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.

His sweeping slash was met by a 'sword.'

The blade of the [Frostblade Shirosou] was blocked by… a transparent, mirror-image blade.

“…Still as creepy as ever.”

His own form, translucent and faceless. Through it, he could see two players appearing from around a corner of the walkway.

The Southern Faction’s fourth-ranked member, [Full Auto]—Fuji.

And the fifth-ranked, [Adamant]—Auerin.

They were, without a doubt, the close aides of the [Sword Queen], Iris. Seeing them approach so calmly, Irori was convinced his 'hunch' had been correct.

“Honestly… —You’re in the way.”

He clicked his tongue at the copycat doll that was pushing its blade against his with both hands. He knocked its sword away with one hand, and his free left hand shot out, grabbing the faceless neck.

The doll’s feet lifted from the frozen waterway as it began to struggle—

“Freeze.”

He wouldn’t give something that copied his own form the time to disgrace itself like that.

The moment the Anima in his right hand glowed with a blue light—the doll froze solid white, all its movements ceasing.

He tossed the ice statue back to its 'master.' Without so much as a glance at the shattered fragments that fell at his feet, [Full Auto] smiled with lowered brows.

“—Haha… as I thought, Irori-kun, you’re also a bad matchup for me, though not as bad as young Tetra. It was the right call not to come alone.”

“Don’t let your guard down because of that. It’s not like I have a favorable matchup either.”

A light-armored warrior with a greatsword, and an unarmed mage in a robe. He was no stranger to either of them, nor was this the first time they had faced each other as enemies.

And because he knew them, Irori let out a wry smile, as if to say this was going to be a pain.

“The seventh ranker, ganged up on by the fourth and fifth. I’m moved to tears by this VIP treatment.”

“Hah—Fuji, did you hear that? The East's #2 PvP specialist is talking.”

“He’s as glib as ever. Let’s approach this with the intention of learning from him.”

Auerin readied his greatsword, and Fuji took a step back. Like a conductor, he raised both his hands—at that moment.

Five copycat dolls appeared silently around them.

All of them mimicked Irori’s form, and all of them held the same sword as him.

“…………Hey, didn't you only have four before?”

“I’m not one to stagnate, you know. And I’m sure you’re the same?”

“Of course, I’ve brought a new trick or two of my own.”

In response to the young man’s sidelong glare, [Full Auto] and [Adamant] shot him sharp, smiling glances.

And so, the [Sword Protector], facing two opponents who, by numbers alone, could be considered his superiors, said,

“…Well, you’ve got a point. In that case.”

He slashed the air with his blue blade, letting out a loud ring.

“Come at me—with the intention of making me play my trump card.”

He curled his lip into a sneer, and simply laughed.