kscans

Chapter 579 - That Morning

"—…Alright, not bad."

Early the next morning, on the second day of the Four Pillar selection's latter half.

After a textbook display of dedication—waking up early and heading straight to the training room—I spent just under an hour warming up. After moving my body every which way, I stamped my condition with a seal of 'Excellent.'

I felt no discomfort from my adjusted limb armor, and my avatar control and thought processes were both sharp. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it peak condition.

My only concern was my right bracelet—the [Nine Tail]—whose control I still hadn't managed to refine beyond 'crude' even after two months… but well, at this point, it might be better to just give up and accept it. This thing is just built different.

As its name implies, it's a wide bangle with a design of nine overlapping shades of 'black.' It has a delicate build, accented with a single purplish-blue jewel, but its hidden abilities are just as delicate—or rather, absurdly difficult to control.

On top of that, its status boosts spectacularly break the common sense of Arcadia, raising not individual stats like STR or AGI, but my level itself.

In other words, right now, my avatar is…

――――――――――――――――――
◇Status◇
Title: Acrobat
Name: Haru
Lv: 110
STR: 300
AGI: 300
DEX: 0
VIT: 0 (+200)
MID: 350 (+330)
LUC: 300
――――――――――――――――――

…one of only two people in this virtual world to be over the level cap.

Considering that dungeon's concept was 'surpassing one's own limits,' this equipment's properties are perfectly in line with that theme. Therefore, I believe the level increase is a basic performance feature, not exclusive to the first-clear reward.

Of course, the 100 status points from the level-up can be freely distributed, making it unrivaled in terms of stat-boosting versatility.

Also, a word of caution: if the additional stat points aren't left unallocated, the equipment becomes impossible to unequip. If you max out your points at the level cap, this accessory slot will be locked until you use a stat reset.

At any rate, with my equipment bonuses, my stats are equivalent to a monstrous Level 178. If I activate [Desperate Crimson], I'll easily surpass 200, which is just lawless. It's safe to say I'm not just in good shape, but teetering on the edge of being broken.

And as for my skills… including making peace with abilities like [Rega-Lielta], I'm more polished than ever. There's no doubt I've reached a new personal best.

After all, for the last two months, I've spent almost all my time at my master's dojo.

Mind, technique, and body are all in perfect harmony. In my current state, I could probably take on that [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King]—the 'Acrobat Edition,' a small, high-speed form—and finish it in a three-minute (and life-risking) cook-off. And yet…

"…I wonder what my overall record is… one win and how many losses…"

If things go as planned, my opponent in the sixth match today—the one I faced in the fourth round before—is someone I still can't clearly envision a victory against.

A big part of it is probably the mental block from getting thoroughly trounced during our special training for the 'White Throne' subjugation. But even setting that aside…

"He's just so strong…"

That guy—Irori—is strong.

I can think of areas where I have the advantage right now, like speed and number of attacks. But the gap in 'skill,' backed by overwhelming talent and effort, is immense.

It's the same with my master, Ui-san, but how do they return such precise reactions when their physical movements and thought processes shouldn't be able to keep up? Their predictive ability in combat is just too high.

It's not a rare occurrence, either. It happens frequently enough that my own speed is turned against me and I'm cut down by a counter. He's completely unmanageable.

And to be honest—

When it comes strictly to 'battle,' I think he surpasses the [Sword Saint].

In terms of pure sword technique, Ui-san is likely superior, and I'm not just saying that because I'm her student. It's probably a significant margin.

However, according to her, she's not suited for combat, which is hard to believe. But after spending several months with her, I'm starting to accept it.

Fundamentally, she's not suited for conflict or competition—or rather, she has no underlying interest in such things. Her passion is focused solely on 'wielding a sword herself'; she doesn't seek an 'opponent' in that equation.

What Ui-san seeks is 'learning,' not 'victory.'

Therefore, the [Sword Saint] lacks the passion for 'battle.' And in that respect, the blade of the [Peerless] far surpasses the ultimate sword.

This world, Arcadia, is a dream world where the passion you pour in becomes power. It goes without saying how much of a difference in output the gap in their mindsets will create during a fight.

In terms of simple 'strength,' I think Ui-san is stronger. But in terms of 'fear' as an opponent… I'm far more afraid of Irori.

—So much so that the whisper of 'I might not be able to win' clings to me and won't fade.

"……………I really don't want to lose."

This day, a day I've been looking toward for a while now.

This strange mental state feels like a first since I came to this world.

Arcadia is, no matter how you slice it, ultimately a game for entertainment, and that guy is now… embarrassingly enough, supposed to be a close friend.

And yet, for the first time, I think—

"…Nnngh, what's wrong with me? Losing my nerve? Am I okay…?"

I felt a sense of dread about heading to the battlefield.