kscans

Chapter 225 - The Ever-Advancing Sword

From the launch to the clash, the 'one step' that bent reality itself knew no delay.

As I closed the distance and unleashed my sword—unfortunately, he must have sensed it beforehand. The surprise attack failed, and my gaze met that of the Heavy Tank, who blocked my blade with his black steel at the point where I had jumped.

Fundamentally, Uni's [Dual Heavy, Starfall Twin Black Steel] is invincible in a direct clash. Ignoring the weapon's inherent attack power and the kinetic energy of both parties, the power of 'weight falsification' exerts an absurd cheat-like effect to secure its advantage.

Furthermore, with his new power, [Regalias] something-or-other, which even robs those who approach of their freedom, it could be said that he has become even more untouchable in PvP.

—But…

"Tch…"

As expected of the Heavy Tank—the sharp-witted boy, despite his appearance, immediately noticed the 'discrepancy.' As he effortlessly parried the slash from my [Frostblade Shirosou], he narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"[Floating—"

"Ah… dammit!"

"—Castle]!"

With my body's movements slightly dulled, I maneuvered to dissipate the recoil from my sword-wielding right hand—and my free left hand seized Uni by the collar.

A 'grab' was established—the skill activated. A light blue effect traveled from my left hand through the Heavy Tank's entire body… leaving no room for resistance. With a technique that ignores the target's weight, I threw his small body with all my might towards the maze entrance.

This was my counter-skill against the Heavy Tank, the very reason I hadn't been completely and utterly outmatched by him, even after all the bitter defeats I had suffered.

It was galling that I had only acquired it after he had shut me out in three consecutive matches—but I'll use everything I have.

As a click of his tongue reached my ears as we separated, I knew that Uni had no counter for [Floating Castle]. The larger the core element of a build, the more a player's options are limited when it is sealed.

There aren't many out there like that certain runaway express train, who has two or three hidden tricks up his sleeve—but that's not to say he can be sealed by that alone. If that were the case, the Heavy Tank would not have been able to maintain a 100% win rate against the Sword Protector.

I was well aware that the disadvantage remained unchanged… and that's precisely why.

"[Ekou]!"

This challenge, in which I have decided to use 'everything,' is no figure of speech—I have cast aside all restraint and reservation. All that is left is to attack relentlessly.

I activated a 'boon' that emulated a 'technique.' It was the long-range slash I had once used to chase down my junior as he soared through the sky, a skill that could be considered a counterpart to Extended Step in a way.

—A sword skill emulating Kesshiki Ittoryu's Sixth Strike, Ekou.

To be honest, I'm not without my complaints about the system… but if what it gave me couldn't be called a downgrade, I suppose I could swallow my pride.

Its effect was a flying slash that consumed MP—and it's worth noting that as long as my magic holds out, it allows for 'unlimited rapid fire,' something the original Ekou could not achieve.

Thrown over ten meters by the effect of [Floating Castle], the Heavy Tank, who had shown signs of a counter-move the moment he hit the water, was assailed by a crescent moon of glowing blue.

He was forced to backpedal and switch to defense—activate Extended Step.

"That's why I said…! The cooldown on that thing is too short, you know!"

"Like I care! We're both using cheats, aren't we?!"

As we crossed blades and words after 'one step' into his guard, I continued to press him with a flurry of attacks that surpassed that of his twin daggers, all while avoiding a direct clash.

"W-wait a minute! Don't tell me you—gh?!"

The player known as Uni, the Heavy Tank, is a logical warrior who values information. As such, he struggles against first-time opponents with little data or existing enemies who have completely revamped their builds.

The proof was in the bewildered panic that now showed on his face as I demonstrated movements that contradicted his data.

He probably never dreamed of it—that a ranker would come to the Four Pillar War having completely revamped their status build on the day of the event.

It was a kick that surpassed his knowledge and slipped through his defenses. My right kick, which dodged his daggers and found his stomach, sent the Heavy Tank flying with a flash of skill-light.

His body, which flew through the air with a gasp, passed through the entrance to the maze… For now, I've succeeded in driving him out of the base—now to push him even further!

I took a step forward and leaped off a platform of ice that I had instantly formed. This too, produced a speed that shattered Uni's existing knowledge, shattering the platform and splitting the waterway.

I caught up to the one I had kicked away. With an excessive STR, into which I had poured points at the expense of durability, I slammed down a full-force blow.

"Nngh!"

My target was the Heavy Tank, who had instantly formed a defense with his black steel—

"Hah!"

—no, it was his feet.

With skill and equipment enhancements, my actual value was over 600. It surpassed the [Cleave Fang] of the Great Tiger—a brute force that could reach the heights of the Sword Saint, and it sent up a massive pillar of water that reached the top of the outer wall.

By brute-forcing it with excessive strength (STR), I achieved movements that surpassed the limits of my agility (AGI). The recoil from my repeated reckless moves was mercilessly chipping away at my HP… but compared to a certain someone's self-harm festival, this was nothing.

"Dah, this—"

"Freeze!"

As if to freeze his useless chatter along with everything else, the first power of my [Frostblade Shirosou] instantly froze the massive volume of water that had swallowed him.

And,

"—[Rinka Ittou]."

If I do this, defense and everything else become irrelevant.

As far as I know, the 'weight falsification' of [Dual Heavy, Starfall Twin Black Steel] has several limitations to its rule-breaking effect.

One, there is a slight time lag for its activation.

Two, it can only intervene in the calculation formula for the dagger itself or a single object it is in contact with.

Three, it can only affect one target at a time.

And four, the calculation it intervenes in must be caused by some action taken with the dagger.

In other words, if I can stop all of his movements, even for an instant, like this—then in the following moment, his 'weight'-based defense will not activate!

The blue blade, imbued with a brilliant silver light, horizontally sliced through the pillar of ice, striking the Heavy Tank trapped within.

The ice was not strong enough to completely seal a player's status, and against a ranker, a forced defense would likely be possible in time.

But I would not give him the leeway to activate his ability.

""—""

Through the shattering ice, our gazes met, and in his eyes, I saw a look of sincere admiration.

And so, the blade of my [Frostblade Shirosou], which had caught the blade of his [Dual Heavy, Starfall Twin Black Steel]—without giving it time to falsify its weight, sent his small body flying with a deafening roar.