kscans

Chapter 223 - Turn and Dive

—About damn time you showed up, senpai.

On the other side of the barrier, his smug face, as if to say "I see right through you," is a little irritating, but in this situation, a meeting of the minds is more than welcome.

In truth, to get this chaotic mess moving, that's the quickest way… which means all that's left is the timing.

I need to create a clear break point by striking at a gap in his awareness—and to do that, I first need to lay the groundwork.

I'll chain together moments of unease to create a grand 'surprise.'

So, for now—let's get fired up, within the limits of what I can afford to use!

"Whoa, there…! Getting fired up all of a sudden!"

"I don't exactly have time to play around with you anymore!"

Even with my agility reduced, the unpredictable movements from the special footwork of [Rabbit Run] are still effective. I closed the distance into his guard with a minimal preliminary motion—

As expected of the second-ranked player. I only managed to elicit a slight widening of his eyes, but that too was within my expectations.

Sorry, but I've had plenty of time to see your 'habits.'

When you're a little surprised—your left hand floats up slightly, your weight shifts a little to the right. And the tip of the dagger in your right hand, will it go up or down… it's pointing down, so that means!

A reverse diagonal slash from the right, followed by a step back—making it look like you're retreating, then a thrust from the left, right?!

"Wha—no way!"

Trusting my 'memory' and deductions, I slipped past his successive counterattacks by a hair's breadth and closed in. The Heavy Tank's eyes went wide with genuine surprise—but unfortunately, I don't have the leeway to swing my weapon!

This was a forceful breakthrough to create an opening, and I haven't broken his stance. If I get greedy from this awkward position, a painful counterattack is all but guaranteed—so!

"Hrrr—YAH!"

"Uwaah?!"

Eat a full-power body slam, and then!

"[Ignition]!"

"Ghh—"

Even if I can't swing it, I can at least grip it. Switching out my jade blade for [Panga Fool], I pulled the trigger—and from the shoulder I slammed into him, I unleashed kinetic energy at top speed, skipping the acceleration process, right into his body.

The damage was, unfortunately, almost zero. But it caused a massive knockback, and… yep, that's the face I wanted to see. That had to have surprised you, right?

And now to follow up—!

"—Irori!"

"—[Interrupt]!"

Show me an even bigger opening, Heavy Tank! Be more surprised!

"Wh-…!"

Voices called out from inside and outside the barrier, one of them declaring an interruption… The fact that he instantly turned to face the 'newcomer' behind him and took a stance speaks to his impressive reaction time.

But…

"Ah, damn it… you got me."

The Irori he turned to face, who had just brazenly shouted the 'bluff' of a declaration, wasn't even touching the wall… and I'm sure he was wearing that insufferably smug smile of his again.

With the boy's wry smile, which I could picture without even looking, at my back, I leisurely reached the 'wall' and—

"[Break]."

—I pressed my palm against it, invoking the authority of a ranker with a 'declaration' for what I believe is the first time this war.

Instantly, the [Engage] field shattered with a deafening roar… That's two points consumed.

Rankers start the war with three points, but since I've defeated both the Great Tiger and the Ever-Changing, I gained two additional points, making the cost of [Break] a net zero.

Therefore… with a consecutive use, I can finally fulfill my duty. Passing through the shattered barrier, I reached out to the next 'wall'—and with a cost of exactly three points.

"[Interrupt]!"

Well, when I say duty—

"…So, now what?"

My plan was to drag the General Commander out—but I have absolutely no idea what to do after that…!

Either way, if our command tower falls now, the East will be at a massive disadvantage… or rather, if the person inside is who I think it is, they could just make a mad dash and score a touchdown on our base.

We need a countermeasure. And to come up with one, we need a brain, not muscle like me. I'm not saying I'm happy to be a sacrificial pawn, but this trade was necessary.

[Interrupt], as a rule, swaps an ally inside with your own position, teleporting yourself just inside the 'wall' you touched.

In other words, simply having Irori interrupt wouldn't have gotten me here… which is why this was a carefully thought-out, yet utterly thoughtless, plan.

If only I had time to get instructions from Goldow through the barrier after swapping places—but as I was engulfed in the light of the teleport, the 'pressure' I'd been feeling suddenly stopped, and I was secretly freaking out…

And just like that, I was thrown into the field where the 'monster' resided.