kscans

Chapter 582 - Here

The 11th 'Four Pillar War' Selection Match. The second half of the second day.

A serious match where Rankers from the same faction, having duly won their way through, publicly clash is one of the biggest events in the conflict-driven Eastern Faction. Thus, the stage prepared is not the usual selection match field, but a special arena capable of accommodating several times the number of spectators.

It might not be on the scale of a martial arts stadium, but the concentrated fervor is surely no less intense. Even for me, who has grown accustomed to being the center of attention—

"There's no way not to be nervous about this…"

—I find myself letting out a weak complaint, a wry smile on my face, even with my fighting mentality set.

It's probably soundproofed by magic or the system's power. The countless voices reaching the stage should be muffled to a hundredth, or maybe a thousandth, of their actual volume… and yet, the pressure is so immense it feels like it could crush me.

Countless gazes, countless minds, countless voices—it's a different kind of attention from what you get over the internet, a truly extraordinary level of focus being showered upon my actual avatar.

My body feels like it's about to start trembling on its own… and it's precisely because I feel that way that…

"You're way too calm, it's starting to piss me off."

"Get used to it, junior. Adaptation is your specialty, isn't it?"

Across the spacious arena, the composed figure of my 'senior' stands before me, and I can't help but want to throw a baseless complaint his way.

As for me, I've advanced as planned and as expected.

Without any close calls, while consciously trying to draw out the potential of my challengers, and at the same time, trying to put on a show for all the eyes on me…

In reality, I feel like I've managed to fulfill my duties and make it this far, one way or another.

The sixth match of the second day, facing the blade of the [Peerless].

"…Well, don't be so tense."

The 'wall' that once stood in my way under a different name gave a faint smile, as if recreating that very past. At the same time, he raised the right hand that he had once offered for a handshake, and

"I won't expect anything, like I did before."

And so, the guy who, over time, had transformed from an 'unknown celestial being' to a friend,

"—I understand your strength. Show me what you've got, Haru."

—he goaded me with a vexingly refreshing tone, as if demanding something perfectly natural.

"………Seriously, every single one of them."

Or rather, maybe I should just be exasperated with myself.

Perhaps it's not that my friends and acquaintances are particularly good at riling me up, but that I'm just 'easy to handle,' getting fired up without limit the more I'm provoked.

Well, whatever.

It's fine now.

Lotta told me it would be a waste to just blow through it without thinking, but I still think that against this guy… on this stage, in particular, I don't need to think about complicated things.

A rematch I once swore to have in earnest. Four months ago, I declared I would take him down with my all, fair and square. Four months that felt both longer and shorter than I expected—

"Irori."

"Yeah."

From that day, when I was still just a rough stone, I ran.

I ran, and I soared—

"I've made it this far."

Not a step forward.

As if to simply mark my arrival, my right foot, lifted slightly and then set down quietly—unleashed a roar and a tremor, sending a faint crack running through the arena stage.

It wasn't for show.

It was an act of catharsis, a way to vent the excess excitement and compose my heart. Seeing this, Irori didn't flinch, but his smile only deepened—and he drew his sword.

"I've been waiting. For much longer than you have."

The blue blade of the [Frostblade Shirosou] was held steady, aimed at my center line. I noticed its point was trembling ever so slightly, uncharacteristically, and I couldn't help but let a smile escape.

That's the first time I've ever seen someone physically tremble with excitement like that.

""——————————""

The silence was surely not my imagination. The two of us stood in the space where the clamor had ceased at some point, facing each other for a time. Breathing in, out, in deep, and out…—

I drew the scarlet dagger from my back.

This isn't a recreation of that day. I will simply, with everything I am now—

"Istia's Fourth Seat, the [Acrobat]."

"Istia's Third Seat, the [Peerless]."

—on this stage where the Acrobat truly began, step forward for another challenge.

""—Let's begin."

To overcome the unbreachable wall.