kscans

Chapter 598 - Three Choices

—And so, a little while later.

"Hey, glad you could make it."

"It ended up being just for the very last part, but... yes, hello."

Welcomed by Goldow, whose face was beaming like a grandfather seeing his grandchild, I entered the special seating area, bringing Sora-san with me, who had logged in after safely taking care of her business.

After several months of knowing each other, and having deepened their bond on that trip, they had grown quite accustomed to one another... or rather, while my partner was no longer intimidated by the incarnation of muscle, it felt more like our General Commander was the one getting weaker at the knees by the day.

It seemed her lovability was steadily expanding on all fronts, which was all well and good.

Incidentally, she had delivered her prim and proper greeting after perfectly intercepting the now-classic opening pounce from the red one without even flinching. She, too, was growing stronger in her own way.

"The final match... It's Hinayo-san versus Genkotsu-san, isn't it? That's a rare combination, or rather... was the footage just never released to the public?"

"Nah, that ain't it. Just like you said, this is actually their first match-up."

"Despite his imposing presence, Gen-chan is actually junior to Irorin, you know."

"This is only his fourth time participating in the selection matches."

Sora and Goldow, along with Mi-na and Ri-na—who unconditionally turn into clingy bugs wherever Sora is—stuck together, and the four of them began to chat cheerfully. Beside them, I looked around the special seating area—a different instance than before, but literally identical down to the last particle—but saw no one else.

Setting aside the night-owl boy (Tetra), who had logged out moments before, declaring, "I'm tired, I'm sleeping," it seemed neither Yurayura-shi... nor Irori had any intention of showing up.

Irori, at least, was probably dead to the world, just as I had been a little while ago. It seemed even the invincible samurai got humanly exhausted after back-to-back serious battles with a fellow ranker.

"Even outside of a stage like this, have you ever seen Hina-chan and Gen-chan have a serious battle? I'm actually looking forward to this."

"Yeah. In terms of matchup... Genkotsu has the advantage, I suppose."

"That thing of his is just dirty, you know—hey, big bro. What are you doing standing there all spaced out? Sit down, quickly now, next to Sora-chan!"

As I dazedly watched the four of them, my body still heavy with fatigue, the red-haired girl charged over, grabbed my arm with a thwack, and slammed me into the designated seat with a thud.

If this were my real body, my tailbone would have undoubtedly screamed in agony.

"What was that for...? I was holding back because I figured you two would want to sit on either side of her."

"Hmph, you don't have to hold back for us. I'll be taking this lap right here!"

"Sora, feel free to dump her."

"Ah, haha..."

"Not fair. I want that lap, too."

"First come, first served!"

I still have no idea what chain of events led to them becoming so attached to her since their first meeting, but it was business as usual for this to happen whenever Sora and the two little ones got together.

And when Goldow was also present.

"Hey, General Commander."

"What?"

"Your face is melting. You a grandpa or something?"

It was also business as usual for him to adopt a look he couldn't possibly show his subordinates.

◇◆◇◆◇

And so, time passed, and just before evening, the 11th Four Pillar War Selection Match concluded without a hitch.

The winner of the tournament was the current ninth-ranked member, the man known as "Twin Fists." The selection matches were meant to gauge the participants' strength and suitability for the Four Pillar War, so the title of 'winner' didn't come with any special perks... but it was an honor all the same.

And honestly, Gen-san was insanely strong, so the champion title suited him perfectly.

His personality and fighting style made him a bit less conspicuous, but in terms of potential, he was a player overflowing with that invincible aura you'd expect from a ranker. No Istian would question the fact that he won.

—And so, once the festival was over, the Eastern Faction, with its astoundingly free-spirited members, went back to normal. With an order for everyone to rest up, all involved were mandated to take time off, leaving the entire second half of the day free.

Following the friend registration we'd exchanged so casually, I sent a message to ask for the meeting spot. The place I went was a training room in the castle, which was more or less what I expected.

"Yo, you came."

"Yep, here I am."

Is it rude to think 'unexpected' of someone I've only exchanged a few words with? I raised a hand to the silver-haired beauty who had arrived before me and offered a faint smile... but besides her words, I was met with a dead-serious silent treatment.

It's, well, how do I put it— so easy to read. It makes things so much easier.

Even after just a few words, I had a perfect grasp of their extremely straightforward nature. In that case, I might as well allow myself to act just as carefree.

"So, what did you need? I'm guessing it's not to deepen our friendship."

"This is just how I am. I know it's a pain."

They didn't seem the type to genuinely think it was a pain. I didn't respond, waiting for them to continue... and they took that as their cue, adding more.

"You know about that thing in September, right?"

"Yeah, I know—the `Triangle Duo`, right?"

To my immediate answer, naming the event I'd been told about two months prior, I received a single nod that said, "Saves me the trouble."

"I'm passing on the Four Pillar War, but I'll have to show my face at that... Reluctantly, since I'm back now. And if that's the case, I have to show the 'new face' what's what beforehand, you see?"

I have no idea what they're talking about—actually, no, I do.

Combining this with what I'd vaguely learned about `Screen`, the reason for this meeting became clear from the flow of the conversation. At the same time, I mentally revised my assessment of the senior ranker before me.

I get it now. This person is the delinquent type with a heart of gold—a tsundere.

The `Triangle Duo` in question is the name of a semi-official, large-scale, real-world event that's different in flavor from the Four Pillar War.

Its main content is a tag-team tournament featuring a chaotic mix of rankers from the three combat-oriented factions: North, South, and East... Well, the details of the event don't matter right now.

What's important is that there's a chance Yurayura-shi and I will fight on that day.

And the bigger problem is that I would be facing this `Screen` for the first time on a stage that's even more focused on entertainment than the Four Pillar War—a stage that exists solely to entertain the audience.

Why? Because no one, past or future, could possibly put up a fight against this player on their first encounter.

In other words, Yurayura-shi called me here for one reason and one reason only.

"I'll give you thirty minutes. Memorize it, go home, and come up with a countermeasure."

In the event that we have a 'match' in the future, they were going to let me learn their moves so that I, `The Acrobat`, wouldn't be mercilessly beaten to a pulp and disgrace myself.

...I wonder how they'd react if I said it...

Ah well, I'll just say it once and see what happens.

"You talk tough, but you're actually pretty nice, senpai."

"Maybe I'll make it three minutes instead."

"My apologies, I won't say another word. Please stop glaring at me, your face is scary enough as it is."

I see, so that's what good communication looks like.

Not bad.

"Jeez... I really can't figure out what you're thinking."

"Oh, it's been a while since someone said that to me..."

"Huh?"

Nope, it's nothing, I'll shut up now—ah, this is kind of relaxing.

I don't dislike this type of person.

It's a different kind of easygoing than with Tiger Lucky... It's like, they're not considerate, but they also broadcast with their attitude that you don't have to be considerate, either.

Whether it's roleplaying or their actual personality, I have a feeling I could get along with the Yurayura-shi of the virtual world... at least, it doesn't seem like they want to.

Well, I'll just let our future friendship develop as it may.

"That's enough, stop muttering and let's start—out of 'Status,' 'Skills,' and 'Magic,' which one do you think is your strongest?"

I understand that they're taking time out of their day for me.

Therefore, I have no complaints about them cutting off the conversation as if they'd lost their patience and getting straight to the point. And, knowing even a little about the unique ability `Screen` possesses, I have no questions about their query.

Status, Skills, Magic. Of these three miracles granted to players by the world (system), the one I feel I'm most accustomed to handling is—

"Well... 'Status,' I guess."

Most people would probably answer the same, but for me, having learned about 'inner' and 'outer' forces from my master, it's even more true. I accomplish things with my superhuman avatar specs alone that normal players would need skills for... so yeah, there's that.

It would be most accurate to say that 'Status,' the foundation of it all, is my specialty. 'Skills' would probably be next. I haven't used 'Magic' enough to call it a specialty yet.

And with that,

"Alright, we'll start with that one. Don't let the swing send you flying."

"Yeah, I'm ready when you are."

The silver screen, having received my answer, opens their mouth.

"—[Invertia]."

And inside it, on the crimson 'tongue' that contrasts so sharply with the silver hair and white skin, a complex, bizarre pattern faintly glows with an eerie light...—

"《Zel Celeste Zeatese》."

In this virtual world, the Anima known as the 'strangest of all' activated in accordance with the declaration.