kscans

Chapter 634 - The First Spear

A quick run through was all it took to grasp it: the density of the 'web' in this maze seems to change depending on the distance to a 'Pillar.'

The farther away, the denser; the closer, the thinner.

As you approach, the number of black iron pillars decreases, and within a twenty-meter radius of a 'Pillar'—where a barrier prevents long-range attacks from both inside and out—it becomes a clean, open space.

This implies two things.

One, you can roughly estimate the location of a pillar from the density of the obstacles.

And two, these obstacles will probably start moving soon.

The reason I can say that is because the 'Pillars' in the Four Pillar War have a specification where, after being destroyed, they respawn at a random location after a waiting period.

In other words, when a new tower rises, it's highly likely that the distribution of the thick black iron web filling the maze will also change. I have no way of knowing exactly how it will behave now, but as time passes, it will likely become a gimmick that affects the course of the battle—and so,

I rattled off my thoughts as a report to my superior.

"—Hmm… At this rate, I could probably just leave the rest to him without any issues, huh?"

In the midst of the explosive phosphorescence scattered by the remnants of the blue pillar—the Northern Faction's 'Pillar'—that I had shattered with a single punch, I watched the ninth beacon rise in the distance. I stopped the legs that had been working at full capacity just seconds before and muttered to myself.

A little over three minutes since the start, the score was six pillars for me, three for Kanata.

I pushed myself to get a double score to maintain my seniority… but the 'Pillars' in the Four Pillar War aren't something you can just snap one after another in a few minutes, conventionally speaking.

In other words, at this point, Kanata has more than proven himself as an exceptional runner to allies, enemies, and spectators alike. To say he made a good first impression would be an understatement.

Furthermore, with the physical and mental endurance he's thoroughly built up, I trust he'll continue to rampage spectacularly.

Excellent. Truly reliable—which means.

"Sorry Goldow, some rough-looking guy picked a fight with me instantly, so I'm taking a break from running."

"…Well, that's what I figured would happen—so, is it a problem?"

"Nope."

"You said it. Don't go making a fool of yourself, Acrobat."

"Didn't you say that last time too?"

There was no further reply, only the sensation in the back of my mind of the war-time exclusive Telepathy skill being cut. Pretty dismissive of you. I'll take it as a sign of trust.

Now then, if I don't give him some attention soon, a 'spear' might come flying… I turned back to the reason I had stopped—or rather, been forced to stop.

"…Look at that confident face. You've gotten even cheekier than last time, haven't you?"

"Hahaha. As before, I'm choosing my opponents, so please forgive me, senior."

"That's what I'm callin' cheeky, ya baldy."

"I'm not bald. If anything, this avatar has more than enough hair, you damn tiger."

I'm still having trouble getting used to how heavy one side of my head is—but that aside.

In contrast to me, who had cleverly woven through the 'web,' the guy standing before me had clearly charged through, crushing everything in his path. He stood amidst a pile of pulverized rubble.

I was enjoying the high-speed hurdles, so I hadn't tried it myself yet, but I see. Unlike the walls, these can be destroyed by players… but setting that aside as well.

A spiky-haired man with a black and gold tiger-striped crown, wearing a tiger-print jacket and carrying a black cross-spear. Just like a replay of last time, the one who appeared before me first was…

"Still, to come charging in all by yourself… Did you miss me that much, Tora-Lucky?"

"Who's Tora-Lucky?! —It's Tiger Star Lucky, I told ya, ya dumbass!"

Nortalia's Seventh Seat, the Great Tiger, Tora-kichi.

A spear user I faced in my public debut as the Acrobat, and like Irori, a precious guy-friend with whom I can go all out in a fight without holding back.

According to him, his name is 'super cool because he's a Tiger, a Star, and Lucky,' but don't let the silly name fool you; he's a hard-hitting martial artist who's as strong as, if not stronger than, anyone in the East.

"Damn, you're knockin' down pillars left and right again… —So, what's with that? Did you finally go full idiot and learn how to make clones?"

"Full idiot… Well, who knows. If you're that curious, why don't you go see for yourself?"

"Hah, you're right. Then I'll just be on my way."

"…………"

"…………"

The butt of his black spear tapped the maze floor with a clack.

The tip of the crimson spear I summoned spun through the air, whistling loudly.

A sharp gaze pierced through me as I met his spear with my own. It was a silent 'You're not lookin' down on me, are ya?'… Ah, of course not.

My title is the Acrobat.

I don't choose my tools. I'll put on a show.

"Come on—whether it's with a sword or a spear, I'm not the same rookie I was back then."

"…Hah, you really are—an incorrigible instigator…!"

It was almost like a ritual, each of us fueling the other's fire.

The smiles that bloomed at the end of our taunts were of the same kind. As if we didn't care about the world broadcast, we both let our vicious fighting spirits show on our faces and—

""—DIE!!""

We pushed off at the same time. The intersecting black and crimson once again,

Announced the official start of the festival with a grand clash and a shower of sparks.