kscans

Chapter 398 - Plaything

—A short while later, the scene changes.

"Wha-aat is thaaat?! I wanted one tooooooo!"

"Soooo daaaamn looooud! Your voice is way too loud!"

After deciding to take a break for the time being, the raid party disbanded. We rank-holders of the East used our "Keys" to return to the Round Table.

The moment she saw my transformed state, the red-headed girl leaped at me without a moment's hesitation. I was sent tumbling to the floor, struggling in vain but completely unable to fight back.

"Hey! Cut it out, stop—oi, wait a minute! I'm still a guy, even looking like this! Show a little maidenly shame, Mi-naaa! Help me, Ri-na-saaan!"

I was being manhandled in my starting outfit, which had low defense in more ways than one… Seriously sensing my life was in danger, I cried out for help, and the kind-hearted blue-haired girl pulled the fiend off me.

Left behind on the floor, I was utterly crushed, cringing at my own genuinely girlish scream. I felt like I’d lost something precious as a man.

I should have undone my [Trance] instead of thinking things like, I need to get used to the controls…

If I'd thought about it calmly, I could have easily predicted that the red-headed tension monster would go on a rampage. What an idiot I am.

"…Congratulations on conquering the White Throne."

"Coongraaaatulaaaatioooons!"

And so, as I lay abandoned on the floor, a cheerful exchange began between the pair who had stayed behind and the group that had participated.

Is this world kind to me or not…? I know I'm blessed in many ways, but why do these sudden hardships befall me, as if someone out there has a bizarre fixation on me?

"Ah, haha… A-are you alright?"

"You're the only one on my side, Sora…"

I took the offered hand and pulled myself up, looking up at my partner's troubled smile. She wasn't using [Trance]… this was her usual appearance, having deactivated her own transformation.

"So… how is it? How does your body feel…?"

She whispered the question, leaning in close as she helped me to my feet.

I suppose it's because I'd once casually mentioned, 'So our faces are the same in the real world and the virtual one, huh?' and told her about my VRE compatibility and all that.

"Oh, that seems to be fine, really. My body feels heavy because of my stats, but… for now, at least, I don't feel any issues with the controls."

I offered her a reassuring smile, and Sora said, "I see," before looking away. It seemed she just couldn't get used to my new face.

"…Haru. I'm not joking, I really need you to be careful."

"Hm?"

"You can't just go around smiling at anyone and everyone with that face."

"…Eh… Is it that bad?"

Standing next to me, my partner—who was now about the same height as me—still had a faint blush on her cheeks and wouldn't meet my gaze.

Considering my appearance was on par with Ashe's, not just by my own assessment but by others' as well… well, I guess I could understand.

Still, the person inside is me. I'd like her to get used to it sooner rather than later—

"—Round twooooo…"

"Whoa, you scared me…!"

A voice from point-blank range made me jump back. The red-headed girl was back for more, inching closer and closer. What's with that bizarre movement? Are you a zombie?

"Hey there, little lady."

"Who are you calling 'little lady'? I told you, I'm a guy."

Inch,

"Heh? Hooo? Quite the attitude you've got there, Mr. Acrobat, with a Wing on each arm?"

"On each arm, what… huh??"

Inch, inch,

"Congrats on the promotion, huh? How's it feel to kick Ri-na down and wedge yourself between us sisters?"

"Sisters…?"

"We are not sisters."

Inch, inch, inching closer—then GRAB!.

Ignoring the cold rebuttal not just from me but from my partner as well, the red-headed girl let her emotions take over and leaped at me once more.

—And once again, I, with my AGI of 0, couldn't even dodge properly and was sent tumbling.

"Why did you have to get in between us?! You could have just jumped over me and taken fifth place, you lolicon pretty-boy-girl!"

"It wasn't my decision! And who are you calling a lolicon pretty-boy-girl?! Hey, you, that's enough—Ri-naaa! Help me, Ri-na-san, do something about herrr!"

"…Should I help him?"

"…If… If you could, please do."

And so, I, with my STR of 0, couldn't even win a scuffle with a pipsqueak and was completely at her mercy.

Well, this is a problem. I've created a new build… or rather, this Trance body with its far-from-a-build stat distribution is, as I expected, completely useless in a physical fight.

I flailed my slender limbs, so different from my original body's, and put up a futile resistance for a dozen or so seconds.

Finally, with an expression of utter annoyance, Ri-na pulled her partner off me. As Sora helped me to my feet once more…

"…Ahem, can we get started now?"

"That's what I'm saying…! It's like I'm the one who's actively screwing around…!"

My high-pitched voice shot back an indignant complaint at Goldow's exasperated words—but sadly, it was just… so pathetically…

It lacked even more pressure and force than usual.