kscans

Chapter 56 - The Sword-King of the Wedge Enshrines a God, The World Hails the Scales of the Hymn - Part Two

"――――――Tch!"

It was a miracle, one in a million, that I didn't freeze up. I rode the shock of my weapon being shattered, dodged the approaching kick by a hair's breadth, and ran through the giant's legs at full speed until I reached the wall.

When I looked back―――`Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King`, who had just unleashed a kick that seemed to make the entire arena tremble, was quietly lowering its right leg, controlling its armored body with a dexterity that belied its size.

Perhaps because I had put more distance between us than ever before, or perhaps it was an interval after its excessive onslaught... the giant knight, which had once again assumed its pre-battle stance―――as if nothing had happened, raised its greatsword towards me.

"...Tch."

Casting aside the unbearable feeling of powerlessness with a single click of my tongue, I threw the remnants of my warhammer, which was now just a part of the hilt, into my inventory.

Looking back, I realize I had come to rely on it quite a bit since I got it. It was a ridiculously simple item in both appearance and concept... but I had grown quite attached to it, so I couldn't ignore the sadness I felt.

"...This is getting serious."

I have no moves left. I didn't think a sword attack would work against an armored knight of that size from the start, but I had naively assumed that a blunt attack would do some damage.

Was this the price for not caring about the quality of my weapons, thinking, "I'm not particularly troubled by it," aside from my `Anima`―――I can't say that. The premise itself is that it's an irregularity for a rookie at the bottom of the ladder to encounter a monster like this.

In any case, I never expected my only potential effective weapon to be shattered. Of course, since it was destroyed before it could deliver its full force, the enemy's HP is almost untouched.

―――No, wait a minute.

"That's insane..."

How many HP bars does it have? One, two, three, four... eight? Eight layers? The most I've seen so far was the `Dusty Worm, Great Serpent of Dust`'s five. Isn't that a bit greedy?

That serpent was also annoyingly tough, but with the now-deceased brute force of my hammer, I could knock its head back and even do a little damage.

Since most of its attacks would kill me instantly, its attack power isn't that important. But in terms of the other important factors, durability and agility, this thing is undoubtedly superior to the desert serpent.

Its agility in particular is unmanageable. If we just compare AGI numbers, I would probably come out on top. And yet, the reason I'm forced to be on the back foot in terms of speed is simply the difference in scale between me and it.

It's like how no matter how fast you drive in a supercar, you'll still be crushed by a giant monster's slow walk. I had trouble with the serpent too, but this thing is faster and has a body that is incomparably more agile―――it's no wonder I can't keep up.

The numbness in my hands, which had lost all sensation from the impact, is starting to fade, and my HP bar is back to full thanks to the regeneration effect from Sora's evolved skill... now, what to do?

Judging by its relentless pursuit so far, it seems this `Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King`, is the type to have a very single-minded focus with its hostility. Compared to me, who has retreated to the outer edge of the arena again after several exchanges, the giant knight, who has also returned to the center, doesn't even glance at Sora, who is frozen in place about ten meters away.

Well, that's convenient for me... Thinking that the giant might start moving again the moment I raise my voice, I gesture to Sora, who is frozen at a delicate distance, to back away to the wall.

My partner, whose telepathy with me has become quite good, immediately understood my suspicious gestures. She gave a small nod and began to retreat slowly, so as not to draw its attention.

Now without my partner by my side, it's a repeat of the pre-battle situation. I have no way of knowing what kind of thought routine it's been given, but I'm grateful for the room for a break―――otherwise, Sora and I would have been sent back to town long ago.

"But still, this is a dead end, isn't it..."

As I muttered to myself, I summoned the [White-Flawed Straight Sword] to my empty hand, but even an `Anima` is still in its infancy, just at the starting line of its growth. I don't think it stands a chance against an enemy that shattered my strongest attack head-on, and at that point, our victory has already vanished.

By the way, as expected, the massive double doors that served as the entrance to the arena had closed at some point. I don't even need to test it; they probably won't open again until this battle is over.

The outcome from here on is already decided―――so all that's left is to at least figure out how to look cool.

"I'll give it a try...!"

I cast aside all offensive thoughts. I won't dive into its range, just focus purely on evasion―――To add a single star to my pathetic rout, I steeled my resolve and launched my second charge at `Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King`.

My AGI stat, including equipment bonuses, is 450. This is a number that even a pioneer (Kagura-san) confirmed surpasses that of max-level players.

Of course, just having a high number doesn't mean it's superior. On the flip side, it means that my other stats are significantly inferior to players of the same level.

In addition, the number of skills I've learned, their proficiency, and the quality of my equipment are all unmistakably that of a rookie. Even if my stats are numerically superior, I'm sure experienced players have various ways to boost them.

It's frustrating to be so ignorant that I can only speculate, but in reality, high-level players in this virtual world are probably capable of dealing with this opponent―――but right now, I have no weapon other than my own legs.

"Tch, impossible!!"

If I calmly watch the start of its motion, I can see that its agility isn't that out of this world. But still, the multiplication with its massive body is just absurd.

Imagine a clever giant monster that moves with the agility of a human. Does humanity even stand a chance against that?

The greatsword, which stirs up the wind just by its tip wavering, attacks at a tremendous speed from a swing that seems to defy its weight. At top speed, the blade naturally blurs, and it's impossible to dodge while watching it with my eyes.

If I hadn't been predicting the sword's trajectory from its 'wind-up' to its 'swing,' I don't know how many times I would have been cut in half already. I'm using my seemingly excessive agility stat to its fullest, and it's all I can do to stay alive.

"Damn it...!"

I'm sorry, but I don't have the luxury to think about Sora's turn or anything like that. The moment the effect of `Spectate Ale` runs out, I'll probably be vaporized before we can even coordinate.

I told her to watch carefully with her Observation Eye, but this is beyond seeing through its movements or not. Our overall specs, including player skill, are just completely lacking.

"Guh... t-this thing is just, too much...!!"

―――I can't do anything. I'm struggling, but I can't even find an opening for a counterattack with my maximum speed and her support.

Little by little... but surely.

As if to avert my eyes from my heart, which was beginning to reach for surrender, I continued to perform my pathetic spectacle of evasion―――no, escape.