kscans

Chapter 939 - At the Summit of the Foundation Tree, Part 1

The instant-boost skill, 《Rocket》, now synonymous with the [Acrobat]—or rather, its post-integration name within 《Rega-Lielta》, which is still called 《Rocket》—has become quite popular with the public, thanks in part to its catchy name… and at the same time, it's widely used as meme material.

It's probably my own fault for using it as my opening move without hesitation in most of my fights.

'Opening Rocket,' 'Just-in-case Rocket,' 'Rocket (the usual),' 'Rocket (greeting),' and so on, and so forth, et cetera.

Yeah, I get it. It's no wonder people see it that way from the outside.

But honestly, it's extremely frustrating. My 'opening 《Rocket》' is a perfectly valid tactic, one I settled on as a basic option after fully understanding my own extremely peaky performance and giving it careful consideration.

For me, whose basic strategy revolves around ultra-high-speed combat, the scariest thing is one simple fact: 'the opponent is faster than me.'

Their movement speed is higher. Their attack speed is higher. Their reaction speed is higher.

It doesn't matter what it is, but if the opponent surpasses my speed in any element… and if that's revealed at the right time, there's a high probability I'll be instantly killed.

That's why, in the one instant where the opponent most likely hasn't adapted to my speed—

In other words, by slamming them with my full base speed at the very start, I drag out any counters they might have.

It's less about eliminating risk and more about forcing a clash of risks.

With my trump cards from the [Aquamarine Rabbit Heart], including its 'fatal damage nullification,' as a safety net, I drag the enemy into my own pace from the very first move… It's a 'clever strategy (Rocket)' for that purpose.

…Or so I passionately explained once in the past.

The Blonde Samurai who snorted, laughed in my face, and then hit me with the sound argument, "In the end, it's just high-level improv and making it up as you go, isn't it?" will not be forgiven.

And that's precisely why this is Improv Ver. 2.

"《Rock—"

Parallel activation of 《Altera-Notis》.

"—et》!"

I can't wait to shove the footage of my new, safety-guaranteed opening move in his face.

────────────────
◇Status / Restarted◇
Title: Acrobat
Name: Haru　 Lv: 110
STR: 100
AGI: 200 + 450
DEX: 0 + 450
VIT: 0 (+100)
MID: 500 (+400)
LUC: 300
────────────────

The phosphorescent light I cloaked myself in upon entering my battle stance was, of course, from 'Desperate Crimson,' my stable opening move. With the additional stats distributed from my total MID, my legs easily reached the fastest theoretical value in this virtual world.

Add to that the insane thrust of 《Rocket》 and the forced, instantaneous activation of 'Matoi' through an infusion of 《Ignition》… in other words, with a pseudo-'Shukuchi' technique, my body left sound itself behind.

In the instant I stepped in, I had already referenced my intuition.

《Altera-Notis》—its hidden power was the functionalization of the sixth sense.

To give a prime example, it was like the battle against [Rep-La Nobody], which I challenged alongside Alicia. It was a skill that let me freely turn ON and OFF the switch for that mysterious ability of mine, a 'hunch' akin to premonition, which had both saved me and bewildered me during that fight.

It's a strange thing, a hunch that doesn't activate unless you flip a switch, but if I can have 'that feeling,' which I myself think is borderline cheating, on my side—

My opening move no longer requires even a shred of fear or hesitation.

` `

A flash through the sky, no reaction.

The crimson twin blades flickered and carved into its face, completely ignoring the height difference, but the goddess statue remained motionless. No voice, no movement, and even when touched by my sword, its presence was faint.

However…

"Yikes, that's… terrifying…!"

A wave of pressure was unleashed. A tsunami of anxiety washed over my mind directly.

The damage recorded on the HP bar that appeared above its faceless head was a mere sliver, but it seems that despite the trivial damage, I had succeeded in massively stoking the goddess statue's hostility.

Now then, was this just me being scared, or was this some kind of special ability?

And was it a coincidence or inevitable that I had slipped behind it without being exposed to a counterattack? From here on, I'd have to move carefully to find the answer…

Aerial control and 'Recall' unsheathing of [Samidorizuki].

Furthermore, Outer Rotation Output 'Kai' Critical Convergence.

"Shifu Itto—"

"…!"

Does it even have sight? I couldn't say. We sandwiched the giant, faceless form, and our gazes met with mutual trust. As ordered, my partner had waited for my first step before following up.

"《Hayate》!"

"《Nel Widersch》!!"

Our paths crossed at a single point.

The flashing jade blade and the rushing magic sword carved a streak of light across the grotesque creature's neck.

---

The story of the opening three seconds flat.