kscans

Chapter 209 - Ninth × 2

Not even two hours had passed since the unbelievable news of [Great Tiger]'s defeat. According to the usual flow of the Four Pillar War, this should have been the time when the initial probing phase was ending and the real battle was about to begin.

But the strange reports coming in from all over, and the ridiculous score gap that confirmed their accuracy, meant that this war was already hurtling toward its peak.

Not since they were mere spectators had they witnessed a Four Pillar War that fit the description “climax from the start” so perfectly.

The pillars being toppled one after another just minutes into the event,

a ranker being eliminated so early on,

and Sotalm, the strategic command for both North and South, issuing the call for a “decisive battle” barely an hour in—all of it, without a doubt, was an anomaly.

Rinne and Maru II, rankers of the Northern Faction, were hardly veterans of the Four Pillar War like their senior, [Great Tiger]. Since joining the ranks together two years ago, they had only participated twice.

This being their third time, they still vividly remembered their first time stepping onto this battlefield.

Exhilaration, tension—and a kind of overwhelming fear they had never experienced before.

For anyone with normal nerves, it’s terrifying. The surreal fact of being watched by the entire world, and the absurd position of being a “target” for the superhumans who reveled in such an environment.

It was customary for newly-ranked players in their first war to be thoroughly intimidated. Their resolve questioned, their ability to meet expectations demanded, their responsibility acknowledged—honestly, the title was so heavy it made one want to snap back, “Why should a mere game player have to deal with this?”

It was a common theory that the mental fortitude to withstand such pressure was part of the selection criteria… but fortunately, no title holder had ever cracked under it.

Rinne and Maru II had overcome it together—but that was just for the first step onto the battlefield.

The accumulated intel, and the gust of wind from the white-and-blue figure that had just rushed past, made the report of [Great Tiger] being almost completely one-sidedly defeated feel all too real.

Doubt became premonition, and premonition became certainty. [Berumail (Bell-Mail)] and [The Dictionary] naturally arrived at the same conclusion.

They had to stop him, or there would be no victory.

“Maru!!”

“I’ll do it!!”

Communication was instant, the decision immediate. The moment their healers were wiped out and they were caught between him and [Scorching Heat Gaze].

At the signal of a faint bell chime, the young man known as [The Dictionary] used the force pushing up from his feet as a catapult and launched himself without hesitation.

His target was him—the monstrous [Acrobat] who continued to achieve unprecedented results.

Was he caught off guard, or was it overconfidence? For whatever reason, the figure didn’t move. As Maru II closed in… and easily crossed the line, he understood that his opponent’s inaction was a “mistake born from inexperience.”

Why?

“[Engage]!!”

“…Hah!?”

Because no seasoned ranker, after just suggesting a joint battle with his reinforcement, would be foolish enough to let an opponent who charged in alone get within the ten-meter activation range of that skill.

◇◆◇◆◇

…Hey, you brat.

…Haru-kun?

Two voices echoed in my head, their tone laced with an indescribable pressure as they chided me for my blunder. From a distance, Hinayo-san’s rare glare pierced my heart.

“S-Sorry… I was planning to draw him in, then slip past and cause some chaos…”

It wasn’t that I’d forgotten about the [Engage] skill. But given that they were a pair that likely relied on teamwork, I got swept up in the “Alright, let’s fight together!” mood.

Ugh, another mistake to reflect on…

Jeez… You sure you got this?

“Well, yeah… I’ve got this. No problem.”

“That’s a bold thing to say.”

My nonchalant bluff was met with a cheerful voice.

The voice and expression were both bright, reminiscent of an athlete. He was a bit taller than me, his avatar clad in swordsman-like leather armor, with a sturdy, muscular build.

And the weapon in his hand was, for now, a straight sword. Nortalia’s ninth-ranked member, [The Dictionary], Maru II, I presume.

“Honestly, I’ve been wanting to meet you, Lord Dictionary.”

“…Honestly, I really didn’t want to meet you, Mr. Acrobat.”

We exchanged contrasting words, both of us smiling. Though, of course, our smiles were polar opposites in their sentiment.

“After you pummeled Tora-san, and based on all the reports that have been flooding in… you might just be a complete upgrade of me, aren’t you?”

He flashed a deep, bitter smile, as if begging for a break.

Well, whether he was an “upgrade” or not was up for debate, but—

“I probably won’t need to [Break] this engagement.”

I declared, glancing around the deployed field. The young man scratched his head and let out a dry laugh. When he looked up again, the diffidence was gone, and his eyes held a familiar color.

—Just as expected of [Great Tiger]’s ‘disciple’. The ability to instantly convert a taunt into positive fighting spirit seemed to be a trait inherited from his master.

“…Hagi-san. Sorry, but I can’t buy time against this guy, so I’m gonna go all out.”

He must have been getting permission from his commander. After that murmur, Maru II ceased all chatter and focused his entire attention squarely on me.

Well now… he’s all talk, but this is honestly a bigger hurdle than [Great Tiger].

Unlike with Tiger Lucky, against whom I had a perfect compatibility advantage, I held no clear advantage over [The Dictionary] in the truest sense.

I still held the upper hand in agility, but he was a different kind of opponent, not quite a natural enemy.

If I had to put it into words, this young man was someone who stood on the very same stage as me.

“Don’t you think this will be a good learning experience for both of us?”

“You’re the one who just said you were only buying time. Are you sure you can afford a leisurely chat?”

I summoned my [White-Flawed Straight Sword] to match his and smiled. Maru II also quirked his lips and shot back a lighthearted retort.

Oh, that? It’s fine, because—

“I’m waiting. For that ‘all out’ you mentioned.”

The fighting style of [The Dictionary] has two sides, a front and a back. The “all out” he mentioned is probably his other side—and that’s precisely what I want to see.

“How very gracious of you.”

“I know my manners when it comes to a one-on-one between rankers.”

This is what the audience wants to see, right?

—And I don’t mind this kind of thing either.

“Let’s do this, [The Dictionary]. All out, full power.”

“…Now I kinda get why Tora-san got so absorbed he missed his chance to pull back. Alright then, let’s have a hundred-second brawl.”

With a ferocious smile reminiscent of a certain someone, Maru II took his stance, lowering his hips and readying the daggers he now held in both hands.

An immense fighting spirit and the pressure of a ranker emanated from him, creating the illusion of large ripples in the waterway. Above his head, an unusual crown composed of gears manifested.

“—[Roan Chronos, Eye of Deceiving Time].”

The young man announced his authority as his eyes began to burn with a blue flame that could scorch all it saw.

“Nortalia’s ninth-ranked, [The Dictionary], Maru II.”

“Istia’s ninth-ranked, [the Acrobat], Haru.”

We announced our names, sharing a laugh as if to say, “I know.” And then—we simultaneously kicked off the water and soared into the air.