kscans

Chapter 741 - Gear Shift

About three months. Seeing it again after all this time, I couldn't help but complain, 'You've got to be kidding me,' at its absurd activation speed.

On top of that, compared to the explosive deployment speed of the magic circle that served as its cannon, its power and scale were completely unacceptable. It was the work of a felonious enemy that casually filled the space with a manifestation of death that would be fatal to a player even if it just grazed them, let alone a direct hit. Something you couldn't touch, not in a million years. And,

I suppose that me, having somehow managed to deal with that at point-blank range, am also pretty ridiculous. But still, I have no choice but to shout it again and again.

Screw you, go back to your lair, you bastard.

I had only a few seconds left before my MP dropped to the safety line, the danger zone where various operations would become difficult. In the end, it turned out to be a wasted shot, but I clung to [Eyes Oculus] to survive.

I retaliated with a no-motion flying punch, [Sextuple], to knock away its claw. I bought a moment's respite with a reflexive retreat and used the freed Sakura Memento to devour the lethal magic cannon... and then—I kicked my thoughts into overdrive and shifted gears.

It goes without saying, but PvP and PvE are two different things.

The biggest difference is the direction of thought required. This is especially prominent in Arcadia, but PvP battles often become a 'session' where players exchange techniques with each other.

Since it's content with no merit other than enjoyment, players share a common understanding that, unless it's a simple brawl, this is fundamentally how it should be.

This is likely related to the fact that some festive faction declared 'a battle is something to be shown off' during the very first Four Pillar War, the largest PvP event in the virtual world, and made good on that grand statement.

Conversely, of course, there's no such thing in PvE.

No matter where they are or what kind of ecosystem they've built, there's no concept of respect for the monsters that, with very few exceptions, will attack a player with killing intent on sight.

That's why, unlike the struggles between players who find enjoyment in 'fun,' the fundamental premise of that content, where enemies are the main opponents, is...

"[Alv Call]—"

...to follow the etiquette of the monsters and beat them down without mercy.

"[Helia]."

Not 'fun,' but a true struggle that seeks only 'victory.'

In place of the fading magic light in my eyes, I called for the other half of my soul.

My first time in this event. 'I'm really counting on you for this one,' I called out, half-praying. My call was answered, and the [Alv Stella, True White Star Sword] manifested in a reasonably good mood, shaping itself according to my wish.

I offered my right arm, and a torrent of 'red' overflowed. An arm of異形, constantly flowing while emitting a crystalline luster, wielded a versatile weapon of a thousand changes.

An automatic enemy-reaping machine, the red star sword.

Alright, well then,

"Let's beat the crap out of it, partner!"

Two minutes left until the end of the match. It's sudden, but let's brace ourselves and struggle.

Activate [Water Enchant]. The red imbued with the magical light of water mimicked a 'claw,' not to be outdone by the 'shadow,' and extended at high speed. As I watched it tear apart the black cannon that had been haphazardly drawn in the air, I took one step... no, two.

Dual leg activation of [Rocket] and [Ignition], along with the construction of 'Matoi.' A pseudo-'Shukuchi,' and with 'legs' that now surpassed even my master's in sheer speed, I bit through the air.

'You've still got some ridiculous reaction speed, huh,' I cursed loudly in my mind as the 'shadow' once again caught the Sakura Sword I swung with my left, just as I expected. I threw a casual smile at it, as if to say, 'Yeah, yeah, I knew you would,' and...

...I stepped in with my left and unleashed my right leg. A fighting kick I had failed to deliver to the rock bastard, delivered at the speed of sound.

External rotation output 'Kai' critical convergence. Experimental Kicking Style: Shinden Kai—it doesn't have a special name!

"Dooooryaaaaaaah!"

The quaking leg unleashed a roar that rivaled the magic cannon. Who knows to what extent it had been recreated, but fortunately, its footing seemed to be as light as ever. I sent the hated enemy (Repra) flying.

There was no 'sound.' But who cares. I'm not arrogant enough to think I can defeat an extraordinary monster that took both me and Asche working together to take down, in just two minutes and all by myself.

"[Rocket]!"

Then, my role from here on out is a single one. To fight with all my might against both it and this barrage that has been relentlessly chasing me without pause, and to continue to drain the resources of the two little ones, who, judging by their state, are not exactly having an easy time of it.

Basically, well, it's that.

"I'M COUNTING ON YOU FOR THE REST!"

"I don't want to understand, but I get it!"

The fate of the match that follows is left entirely in the hands of my reliable older sister... which means you better prepare for a quagmire too, you nine-tailed monster bastard.

No matter how much of a monster you are, one of the strongest in Arcadia's history, don't think you can kill the current me, the [Acrobat] who has seared your attack patterns into his virtual brain through a death-defying battle that has not faded from memory—

...not in just two minutes, even with the support of your insane firepower.

---

This is the protagonist in his true element, after all. Well, you know, this game is mainly PvE.