kscans

Chapter 586 - The Peerless Ice Blade and the Eternal Warbler, Part 4

My hand does not hesitate to summon the sword, and the name I was permitted to use is spoken without doubt.

Drawing the responding [Samidorizuki] with my left hand, I simultaneously reach for a fraction of the power hidden within the skill bearing the king's name—the name I weave is,

"[Ignition]—!!"

—instantaneous acceleration, without the need for a price.

From zero to a hundred, a top speed that skips the process of acceleration. My rival closes in, and his left ice-sword naturally reacts to meet him—what I swing is my right scabbard.

[Nine Tail].

"'Zanten.'"

The 'shadow' that once again flows from my right bracelet engulfs the black-lacquered scabbard in even more black, overwriting the 'scabbard' into a jet-black blade. It moves towards the [Peerless]'s symbol, the zero-degree white sword—and just before contact.

""——————————""

Reading the 'intent' that flashes between our locked gazes, both our 'blades' change trajectory.

[Hyouka]—the power of Irori's 'white sword,' was already revealed during the last Four Pillar selections. Its true nature is like a grand ice-attribute magic condensed into the shape of a sword, a one-hit kill of absolute zero that freezes its target in an instant, even through a weapon.

In other words, we have two abilities that cannot touch each other. What begins is, of course…—a zero-distance death match from hell, where even a defensive choice can be fatal.

White avoids black, and into the opening, a blue thrust. Green parries, and white closes in on the parrying green. I activate [Rocket], [Ignition], and Matoi in parallel—achieving a pseudo-Shukuchi. After two exchanges, I circle behind him, leave behind a fatal blow, and leap for a third time. As the samurai turns with a flash of his white sword, I chant a 'technique' above his head.

"Fourth Strike—"

"Tch…—"

"[Heavenly Snow]!!"

A Shukuchi art performed in mid-air, requiring no foothold. I bring down a spinning combo from the zenith, the full centrifugal force of my body, which had been tumbling sideways, packed into it.

A block with the white sword—is impossible. The 'black' I left behind has already been struck down, entangled by the binding chains of 'shadow.'

Another fatal blow, a finishing scene. The [Peerless]'s response is,

""—Heh…!!""

—the same face as a certain someone, one of ferocious fighting spirit.

One, two, three, four. The 'technique' woven by the [Sword Saint] is met head-on and struck down with a single right arm and a single sword by the dual-wielding demon, who laughs.

The white sword, freed from the black chains, is in his left hand in the blink of an eye.

"Kashiki Nito, Fourth Strike—"

He counters a 'four' with a 'four.' From his deeply crossed arms, two blades, like the horns of a demon, point straight to the heavens—and flash.

"—[Ushimitsu]."

"Ggh, ga—…!?"

Two swings, four flashes.

The blades, returned with the divine speed of Shukuchi, form not a combo but four simultaneous strikes, blowing my body away like paper over the [Samidorizuki] I hastily pulled back.

The damage is light, the impact immense. I try to control my body as it's sent spinning straight up—but before I can, a presence is right beside me.

"Sixth Strike…!!"

"Tch… damn it, First Strike—"

"[Kagamizuchi]!!"

"[Flying Water]!!"

Forcibly taking control of the chaotic energy slammed into me, I channel the centrifugal force into my sword and hastily form the fastest possible stance. What I see as I unleash it is an overhead strike with both hands—

No, that's not it—!!

"Heh, you saw through it…!"

"Shut up, you're insane…!"

A two-handed strike with two swords. The downward strike of the blue sword in his right hand is a feint, an invitation.

The real attack is a slash upwards with the white sword in his left, hidden along his arm in a reverse grip, using the 'force' of his opponent meeting the downward strike from above.

An unorthodox, bizarre one-sword strike—but the power packed into it is a perfected, mighty sword that is in no way inferior to the [Sword Saint]'s.

The pressure from the flash I should have dodged slashes my right shoulder, which it didn't even touch, scattering crimson light in place of blood. You're extending your range without even using [Water Enchant], you monster…!!

Pseudo-Shukuchi, activate.

In the single aspect of being able to step on the air, this move is in no way a mere imitation of the [Sword Saint]'s. I head for the ground, scoop up the scabbard-sword I left behind—and activate 'Desperate Crimson.'

Alright, it's my turn…!!

"Seventh Strike—"

"Tch……… Come."

"[Seven Stars]."

Seven flashes in an instant, a divine speed form. The fatal sword flashes that assault from all directions simultaneously are,

…Wait, is he serious?

"Aside from her herself—"

"—…"

"That technique of the Sword Saint is what I've admired more than anyone in the world."

—completely read, and every last one is struck down and repelled by the roaring [Peerless].

"Second… Strike!!"

He brings both swords together, to his right rear.

The samurai takes his stance, his feet finding the ground before I can overcome the recoil of my technique, and

"—————[Shiguruma]!!!"

—unleashed, the spinning flash that arcs through the air catches my avatar.

One swing. The azure frost blade slides off the hastily crossed [Samidorizuki] and grazes my side—the other swing. The white ice blade slips past the delayed black, and

"Dammit, agh—!"

—it runs from my shoulder to my opposite side, feasting on its 'enemy's' life to its heart's content. And in the instant after the one-hit kill blade fulfills its purpose,

a massive prison of ice erects itself, with the avatar that had the core of absolute zero slammed into it at its center.