kscans

Chapter 647 - Two Winds

A flash of lightning tore through the avatar, robbing it of exactly ten percent of its HP. In exchange, it granted a slight status boost from the 'weapon' and unlocked a single 'skill'—one deeply memorable to both Kanata and the world at large.

Memorable, yet its name had only become widely known a mere four months ago. However, the skill whose name the famed [Acrobat] had shouted time and time again during the last Four Pillar War had left a vivid impression as his signature move.

[Ignition]—the power of this once-unique skill lay in its ability to achieve astonishing zero-to-one-hundred acceleration by eliminating the 'acceleration' phase from any action.

Ever since its existence became known, countless light-armored warriors had tried and failed to acquire it. Now, that very skill propelled Kanata's avatar forward.

No wind-up, no bracing—none of it was necessary.

With no foothold in the air, his right leg flashed out at top speed. Oubai Touri's eyes widened at the crimson lightning—a sight she, too, likely remembered—just as his foot caught the tip of her chin.

A solid hit. He felt no sensation of hardness from the tip of his toes as they grazed her, and Kanata’s physical arts didn’t pack the same ridiculous power as his 'senpai's'... but even if the HP damage was minimal, the impact was there.

In Arcadia, the universal nemesis of all players was—

"—, —...!"

A critical stun, a forced paralysis from a surprise attack striking a vital point.

The [Heroine]'s fist, its speed dropping sharply, grazed Kanata’s cheek and struck empty air as he used a bizarre aerial maneuver to twist his body after the kick.

And in this fleeting opportunity—what would likely be his first and last—

"Hngh—!"

The boy, having inherited a single step that was more than he deserved from the one he admired, desperately reached out.

[Breath Moment] activated. A skill normally used for evasion kicked physical laws to the curb, carrying Kanata's still-airborne body to the ground at maximum speed.

He landed behind her. And the second 'trigger' was pulled; his body was already in motion.

Lightning coursed through him. He wouldn't waste a single instant of the opening he'd earned.

"[Merciless]!"

His trajectory was so low he was practically on the ground—condition met. It was an attack from directly behind, triggering a back-attack bonus—condition met. And the target was afflicted with a status ailment—condition met.

The flashing blade of [Licoris Milles] swept across Oubai Touri's left Achilles tendon, and a dark orange effect burst forth, proving the skill had taken hold.

[Merciless], a high-tier skill in the dagger aptitude category that inflicted a movement-impairing debuff. When its effects were perfectly applied, the maximum duration of incapacitation was—

"...Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."

—a mere three seconds flat.

In other words, more than enough time to escape.

And this prime opportunity.

Third trigger. The moment his blade slashed her tendon, he tossed the sword aside as his right hand flashed out—Kanata reached out and grabbed Oubai Touri's arm just as she was about to break free from the stun.

"[Rebellion]!"

Without hesitation, he went on the offensive.

His Anima, [Rebellion], had three absolute conditions for its sliding activation: contact with the ground, alternating left and right steps, and setting a route with no obstacles.

And for this power, which transported Kanata and whatever he was holding at top speed—

There was no weight limit.

Seven meters—a hair's breadth of distance. The narrow corridor, far from spacious, worked in his favor. His 'boot' ran along the floor and then kicked off the 'wall'.

His perspective shifted from vertical to horizontal. After sliding just two meters up—

His plan to invite the [Heroine] into the air had succeeded.

Alright, one more time.

"[Crowly—"

He squeezed the trigger.

"—Rivind]!"

He released his right hand, sheathed his left, and drew anew with his left.

Replacing the black dagger [Panga Fool] was the other half of his [Licoris Milles] pair. Its blade was aimed at the airborne [Heroine]'s left leg.

[Crowly Rivind], the highest-tier assault skill in the dagger aptitude category.

Its initial speed, top speed, and power were all top-class. This was a dagger wielder's 'finishing blow'—a fatal blade imbued with the power to ensure a 'kill' even if it didn't finish the job.

Within the dagger aptitude, which boasted numerous status-effect skills similar to [Merciless], if this technique was used on a body part already afflicted with a foundational debuff...

...the small dagger would become a merciless reaper's scythe, guaranteed to cause part destruction.

With three seconds, he probably could have escaped. But that was only if she'd been willing to let him go. If a move like that were enough to truly break through, there would have been no point in fighting her head-on in the first place.

The [Heroine], Oubai Touri, was a ranker—a celestial being of the same 'class' as those Kanata looked up to. There was no way she didn't have one, two, or even three trump cards up her sleeve.

That's why, yes. To ensure he made good on his word—

"—Aaaargh!!"

"—Hah...!"

—he had been prepared to take a leg or two as the bare minimum.

A single blade, not two. Thus, the condensed blue light effect that burst from it was intensely brilliant. And so, the desperate strike born of a carefully crafted strategy certainly landed—

"—You did well, Kanata. You're strong. I praise you from the bottom of my heart."

"...I'm honored."

The resulting scene was of a boy on the ground and a lady looking down on him. Their positions, from air to earth, had been reversed, cementing a conclusion that meant defeat for the challenger...

"In spirit, this is my loss. To think I'd be forced to use my crown against someone who isn't even a ranker."

But Oubai Touri, the 'proof' of her title now lit above her head, spoke of her own defeat with a bitter yet thoroughly satisfied smile. Her praise was genuine, which was gratifying, but...

...at the same time, it was unbearably frustrating. Kanata could only go limp.

"...In just a little over a minute... all three of them?"

"...What did you say?"

Once, twice, and now a third time. A weak smile crossed his lips as he took in the sight his eyes had been seeing. Oubai Touri voiced her confusion, asking 'what are you talking about,' but it was obvious.

Considering her tendency to lose track of her surroundings when engrossed in a fight, it wasn't surprising she hadn't noticed.

And that meant she had been that focused on him, which was a joyous thing.

Joyous, but still, the frustration—and embarrassment—won out.

Then, a wind blew.

"—Yo, Kanata. Looks like you were giving it your all, huh?"

A wind that had been steadily approaching, raising a cloud of dust with every step.

"You did great. Leave the rest to your senpai."

"...Yes. I'll be sure to learn from this."

Because that wind, with its long, swaying white hair, was smiling right beside him.