kscans

Chapter 644 - Meanwhile, the Former Nova

By cross-referencing my memory with the pillars of light that rose before the battle started, and the signal fires from the ones Kanata and I destroyed, I can figure out the general locations of the remaining ten or so.

So, despite being hit by various events, there's no problem with resuming my runner duties.

And so, making full use of my frankly broken ‘talent,’ I took a brief rest and then, a mere thirty seconds after starting towards my next objective—

“This is just fan service, right?! That’s what this is!”

“I can die happy, so I shall humbly approach!”

“It’s a battlefield, so it’s totally legal, right?!”

“I watch the arena archives every day!!!”

“Look here! Can I get a look over here, please?!”

“Oi, Haru, you got a second?”

“Ahhhhhhh, the real thing, moving, is amaaaaaazing…!!!”

—…and that’s how it was.

I was in a section of the labyrinth near the Northern Faction’s base. I stared, completely repulsed, at the sight of the general participants I had finally encountered—a mob of strange lunatics surging towards me.

What’s with them? They’re creepy. Stay away.

“…Recall.”

I summoned the crimson cylinder, and my finger on the trigger held truly zero hesitation.

“Get blown away, you idiots!”

The light of magic that lit the matchlock struck the flash pan, and the crystal-coated barrel burst as a massive gleaming bullet was fired. Since I wanted this trump card specifically for wiping out groups, this situation was, in all honesty, the perfect opportunity for it to shine, but…—

Being famous is tough, or maybe it’s an unavoidable weakness.

Since it was a trump card I had already revealed, there was no way the elite players strong enough to be participating in the Four Pillar War wouldn't have a ‘counter’ for it.

I had been suspicious of their slow approach compared to their initial excitement, but it was simple—they were running in a tight group, maintaining their formation and matching the pace of the person in the lead.

As my vision spun from the recoil of the shot, I caught sight of a warrior, likely a durability-focused tank with low agility, raising his shield with an ‘I knew it’ expression.

And then, another spin and an instant later, the next thing I saw was a barrier of light, deployed from the shield, stopping the reactive warhead of the [Ruby Rabbit Bullet].

An explosion, a roar—and the result,

“Heh, not bad, you veterans…!”

—was that I saw no figures scattering. I wasn't just seen and known, I was being studied. It wasn't just that my tricks were exposed; from my perspective, with my still-lacking knowledge, many of the moves these veterans used were new to me.

What the heck was that? I’ve never seen a shield of light before—Thus, in terms of informational advantage, the enemy had a landslide victory. The thorough surprise attacks of the last war wouldn't work this time.

Then again, back then I was in a state of hopeless ignorance that surpassed even my current self, so it was more like a ‘first encounter vs. first encounter’ situation that has now become a ‘mostly known vs. somewhat new’ one…

Well, if that's the case.

—“[Frezon Revolver].”

I’ll just have to show them the strength I’ve built up, with a little bit of the unknown mixed in.

My deceleration and battle stance were simultaneous. I loaded bullets into my clenched fists without a weapon. Alright, time to make good on that promise from before—this is how you punch someone from a distance.

“Hrrr…—yah!”

A flash of six strikes. The fist-bullets fired straight from my alternately swinging fists,

“Guh!” “Bu—” “Beh!” “Ba—” “Oboah?!”

—struck the chins of the approaching enemies one by one, five in total, forcibly halting their advance. I gave the shield-bearer who had blocked the Ruby Bullet and worn a smug look on his face two extra helpings, but that was because he looked tough, not because I was irritated or anything.

The last one at the rear was left unscathed, but the five in front of him were blocking the way, so it shouldn't be a problem—that aside, my next move is this.

“[Aqua].”

Did you think I didn't notice? Using the charge of the melee group as a wall, a quiet incantation was woven, and the ranged artillery that now shot up from behind them was, by my count, from five people.

A simultaneous magic volley is technically quite difficult, and as a basic rule to prevent power diffusion from interference between adjacent spells, it's common to unify the element for each unit if possible.

In other words, it was only natural that the approaching magic was all ‘fire’… I did this the other day, but what happens when explosions and water meet in Arcadia is—

[Rocket] ignition. I swung my right hand and scattered an amount of ‘water’ just shy of a Terra Aqua, and retreated backwards from the impact of the steam explosion caused by its contact with the great spear of flame that led the barrage.

And then, [Rocket] re-ignition, followed by drawing my Rabbit Dagger and using [Water Enchant].

Kesshiki Ittoryu, Fifth Strike.

“`Karehomura`.”

Pseudo `Shukuchi` activation.

I cut through the steam (smokescreen), weaved through the approaching magic, and brushed past the six frontline fighters who, despite having their chins smashed and an explosion going off in front of them, showed the spirit to press forward without flinching—and then a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree spin.

Behind the enemy, I poured all the momentum of my charge into the spin, and as I came to a stop, I unleashed a series of three killing blows aimed at their necks from their blind spot—the murderous, neck-reaping Fifth Strike.

This was the cause of my death in my memorable first match with the [Sword Saint], a three-hit combo that instantly bypassed the death-negation of the [Crimson Rabbit Hairpin]—plus,

—it was a combo move with the extended range from my Water Enchantment, which scales with my swing speed.

Don’t complain about a `Kare-``homura` (Withered Flame) having a water enchantment. If it’s strong and it cuts, it’s good—a six-kill in an instant was pretty impressive, wouldn’t you say?

Alright then…

“Ah.”

“Hey, melee group…”

“Isn’t it embarrassing that only Don-chan got a moment to shine?”

“Won’t that be the same for us in the future?”

“YES, he definitely, absolutely made eye contact with me just now! I did it!!!”

“He’s selecting his prey, no doubt about it.”

Let’s go, you guys in the back row. No need to ask if you’re prepared, I assume.

And so, six seconds later.

“—So, what’s up, Gossan?”

“I know you can hear me. Answer the damn call.”

“Sorry, I was a little busy dealing with a mob of perverts…”

“Huh? What kind of nonsense are you spouting now?”

I’m sorry. I’ll listen properly, so please forgive me.