kscans

Chapter 638 - III ≧ I?

Let’s start with the fundamentals. While we all share the name “Title Holder,” it’s said that, for the most part, each faction excels in different areas.

Take the Northern Faction, Nortalia, for example. They tend to elevate those with specialized anti-enemy capabilities, and among the three combat factions, their interpersonal combat skills are the lowest.

The master-disciple duo of Tiger and Maru II, who love PvP, are exceptions, and there are apparently quite a few players who are explicitly ‘bad’ at it, regardless of their abilities. Rinne, too, while blessed with talent and sense, has said herself that she doesn’t particularly enjoy it.

Next is the Southern Faction, Sotalm. They are rich in versatility, handling both anti-enemy and anti-player combat, and are filled with individuals who possess special abilities that shine in ‘party coordination.’

As expected of the faction of ‘Wealth’ and ‘Cooperation.’ It’s not just their rankers; they have such a track record in large-scale combat that ‘raid’ has become synonymous with Sotalm.

We’ll set aside the fact that there’s one particular member who is the “ultimate one” and deviates from this concept.

We’ll also put aside the non-combat faction, Vestol… which leaves one more.

The Eastern Faction, Istia. Our faction’s special characteristic, said to have the highest hurdle for being granted a title among the three combat factions, is… ‘a fighting force complete in a single individual.’

To be blunt, public opinion generally recognizes that the simple combat power of ‘Northern and Southern Rankers < Eastern Rankers.’ In most cases, my seniors from Istia would likely have the strength to snatch victory from rankers of other factions in a one-on-one fight, even overcoming some disadvantageous matchups.

And now, I’ll declare this with full awareness: the same goes for me.

In broader terms, like anti-enemy combat or raid contribution, there are countless people who surpass me. However, when it comes to simple one-on-one combat strength, I find myself in a considerably high tier… It’s daunting, but it’s now a fact.

Saying it out loud would be more than just arrogant, so I’ll refrain, but honestly, I don’t intend to lose to most opponents in a one-on-one fight right now.

Excluding my seniors in the Eastern Faction and the exceptional top two, the [Sword Saint] and the [Sword Queen], my current interpersonal rating is, embarrassingly, at the very top tier.

—Now then.

With all that in mind, shall I say it loud and clear?

Ready, set, go!

“Three-on-one is impossible!!!”

Heck, even two-on-one would be impossible.

Isn’t 1+1=∞ a common-sense rule in games that allow for coordination? A skill gap that only lets me think, ‘Well, I can probably win most one-on-one fights,’ is nowhere near enough to overcome a numerical disadvantage!

Threads that are hard to perceive without staring dance toward me.

Water, far more skillfully wielded than my own magic, bursts and closes in.

And,

“You say it’s impossible, but you seem to be having quite a fun time dancing, don’t you?!”

“I’m just… desperately—! Trying to run for my life is all!!!”

An indomitable ‘shield’ that I can’t look away from, and have no reason to look away from, corners me.

I have the knowledge. I’ve researched them more than enough—but is this the peak of a ‘Ranker,’ something you can’t fully grasp just by observing their prestige?

Not just the [Knight] before me, who pushes and shoves but never buckles, keeping up with my speed, but every single one of them is beyond troublesome…!

It’s a charge not with a sword, but with a shield. Once again, an enemy appeared out of thin air right in front of me, and I couldn’t avoid it. I instantly summoned my [Twaibolt Mirari] and we clashed, but the opponent was just too much for me.

As expected of someone who has mastered the authentic “Shield Aptitude” tree. My “all-purpose arm,” which can approach true mastery but never fully achieve it, is no match when using the same weapon.

Though I avoided taking damage, I was sent flying with ease… I sensed a murderous intent in the empty space ahead and, while still in the air, swung the Stella I had summoned to my right hand, feeling the distinct sensation of cutting through something.

Nearly invisible threads. This web, spun like a spider’s, is the biggest obstacle currently robbing me of my ‘full-speed mobility’ option. To put it simply, it’s like the shadow threads produced by my [Nine Tail], and if I carelessly rush in and get entangled, it’s game over.

Both sides are still being methodical and low-key compared to their maximum specs.

Even so, their tactics are proving extremely effective and are causing me a great deal of trouble. But if the [Knight] and the [Thread-Weaver] are dedicating themselves to a support role, that means—the attacker currently trying to finish me off is none other than the remaining [Long Legs].

—“‘Piercing water nail, hook-wing that halts might.’”

An incantation for magic, one that I also possess, but the one chanting is not me.

“‘Turn, water vortex; gather, waves; a shield without form resides in the will, a blade without shape wavers in reality.’”

A magic prayer that I don't have, but have actually been seeking, thinking ‘I want that.’

“‘Silence is dew, chaos is rain, rage is a wave; come, come, come, come, my eyes are cannons of still water; shoot them down, pierce and see through, for it is a tranquil, heaven-sent spear.’”

And a rather ominous-sounding long chant I don't quite recognize.

Following the ‘keyword’ my ears picked up, and didn’t want to pick up, the woven, connected ‘song’ brings forth a miracle into the world, accompanied by a roaring torrent of magical power.

And…—and,

—Piercing water nail, hook-wing that halts might, turn, water vortex; gather, waves; a shield without form resides in the will, a blade without shape wavers in reality, silence is dew, chaos is rain, rage is a wave; come, come, come, come, my eyes are cannons of still water; shoot them down, pierce and see through, for it is a tranquil, heaven-sent spear, piercing water nail, hook-wing that halts might, turn, water vortex; gather, waves; a shield without form resides in the will, a blade without shape wavers in reality, silence is dew, chaos is rain, rage is a wave; come, come, come, come, my eyes are cannons of still water; shoot them down, pierce and see through, for it is a tranquil, heaven-sent spear, piercing water nail, hook-wing that halts might, turn, water vortex; gather, waves; a shield without form resides in the will, a blade without shape wavers in reality, silence is dew, chaos is rain, rage is a wave; come, come, come, come, my eyes are cannons of still water; shoot them down, pierce and see through, for it is a tranquil, heaven-sent spear, piercing water nail, hook-wing that halts might, turn—

His voice, not his own, follows, continuing to sing an endless song.

The Terror Armament, [Dia-do Resta (True Theory: The Branch Staff that Silences Hymns)].

Its authority, [Endless, Doll of Atonement], brings to reality… an aberrant frenzy where it automatically repeats the magic its master has cast, speaking and manifesting it endlessly.

Floating water needles, rings of surging waves, and great spears of raging torrents. Faced with a horde of weapons that endlessly multiply, filling the air at an accelerating rate, I stood stunned, a cold sweat trickling down my face.

“————…Now then, how will you handle this?”

He, Record, offered a cool smile.

“Show us what you’ve got, Prince.”

“W-Wait—”

Without a shred of mercy, pity, or hesitation, he unleashed all of the “water.”