7 Playing Tag (2)
"Say, isn't my skill a bit too perfect in this game of tag?" I stared at my arms before shifting, allowing them to become one with the wind, "However, I should get a speed mana technique."
Unlike Skills, which are unique and exclusive, mana technique is like "spells" you can attain and learn through through manuals. Mana technique are classified in the following ranks: SS, S, A, B, C, D, E, and F.
The differences between Skills and mana technique is that Skills does not use mana and can grow with the user, while mana technique uses mana but can not grow with the user and will stay the same rank forever.
However, one can not just get lucky and learn a mana technique that easily as the mana techniques often have requirement for mana pool and level of mana control, and sometime it needs a certain level of aptitude towards mana elements in order to learn it.
Level of mana pool and mana control both can be classified as follows (from top to bottom):
High-high
High-intermediate
High-low
Intermediate-high
Intermediate-intermediate
Intermediate-low
Low-high
Low-intermediate
Low-low
Mana elements obviously is that cliche isekai concept, in the world of [Worthless Honor] there are a total of 6 elements: Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Holy, and Demonic.
Holy elements are exclusive to certain human, and Demonic is only exclusive to demons. human mostly are only available to either Earth, Fire, Wind, or Water. Human mostly can only have aptitude towards one element thus allowing them to harness them; however, there are some rare cases in which one can harness 2 elements, even rarer, 3 elements, someone that had the ability to harness all 4 element was said to only appear once every 100 years.
Now, entering Shin, The Second Anomaly, Regressor (726th round), can copy all Skills he had seen, has the ability to harness all 6 elements.
Yeah, quite overpowered, I know. Imagine regressing over 1000 rounds just to get to the end of the story with those overpowered cheats in your pocket, what a loser.
Right, I have the ability to harness the mana element of wind (what a surprise, I know) and fire, quite the interesting combination.
"Excuse me?" A soft voice echoed behind me. "Jin Shinpei, yes?"
"Yes, how I can I help you, princess?" I returned a question without turning my head. Right, I forgot she was also a Runner. To be honest, her personality is much more bearable than the other two, so that's that.
"No it's nothing, I just wanted to thank you for saving me yesterday," Eliss said.
"Saving? Oh right that did happen."
"…"
"As for the type of compensation, if possible, I would like hold on to it for a while until I made my decision," I quickly changed the subject.
"That shouldn't be any problem," Eliss nodded.
Then, there was a long awkward silent was presented between us.
…
…
"So… I'm not your type?" Eliss suddenly brought up. "I heard from Jun-seo and Mia."
"What? You disappointed?" I chuckled, who the fuck asks a question like that?
"No, it's just that was the first time I've heard something like that, so it was a new experience, I guess," Eliss said in a barely audible volume.
"Wow, so I'm the only guy who haven't voiced out the thought of how cute you were? That's quite a nice title and achievement, I should put that on my resume."
"We don't use resume anymore, and you really don't think so…?" Eliss said with a disheartened expression. She really is weird when she gets comfortable.
"Oh please, don't tell me the princess of Alys is letting the passionate pampers of the men with no taste get to her head," I sighed.
"No that'a not what I-… pfthahaha," Suddenly, Eliss burst out laughing…?Wait, what? She's laughing? What the fuck is this? She can laugh?
"W-what… you're scaring me…" I hesitantly backed away.
"Haha… I was just thinking you're quite…refreshing, I guess," Eliss said with a smile.
Ah, I see…
"I'm not refreshing at all, I'm just a natural asshole who likes to voice his opinion," I knew exactly what she meant. Eliss Alys, due to her background as a princess, it was natural she was surrounded by a lot of humans who each wore a mask, a facade, with the intention of satisfying her 'expectation', which never existed in the first place, so they could gain something from it. It was obvious. Eliss had been used to it, too cautious of it. She hated it. Although she had Mia and Jun-seo, who are of high status, they sometime are hesitant due to her status as a royal princess. Being with someone who was not afraid to speak their mind was new to her.
Maybe it's just because I see them as 'character' rather than actual real people that I am able to act like this.
Sometimes as I read the novel I found her character hard to understand. Though she was sensitive and wary to the facade around her, she never stop trying to seek the genuine in humans. Her curiosity of human never died down. I guess it was also one of the reason why she grew on me quite a bit as I read further into the novel.
"Oh really now, well, that's quite refreshing, in my opinion," Eliss chuckled
"Then, you're in luck, even if you were the empress of the entire human domain, I would still state with conviction that you're not my type," I said confidently which caused Eliss eyes to widen before melting into a smile.
"I'll make you regret it," Eliss said with a sly smile.
"Please, don't even bother trying that shit on me," I sighed.
Do I mean it? Yes, I did. Why? Because I don't have enough fucks to give.
Well, jokes aside, it really was the truth. I'm not saying she is not beautiful, but, I was firm believer and is fond of the idea of a relationship that built on experience and mutual understanding, and naturally whether or not I fall for someone would be based on those factors.
Still, she's getting quite comfortable, this was almost like Shin's encounter with her back then.
I'm not sure if it was good thing or not. Since the deal created between Shin and I was made, I supposed it wouldn't matter much if I interact with them a little bit, speaking of which may actually be quite useful, but still I should keep it to a minimum. The problem, as of currently, that I'm worrying about is having my existence be known by the demon king.
"But still, where did you learn that? quite the smooth line, princess, I gotta add that to my list," said the 25-year-old virgin.
"Pampering men with no taste," Eliss answered
"Hmm, fair enough," I nodded, "If you tried that on the likes of Jun-seo just imagine the reaction."
"You're no fun." Eliss pouted. "By the way, where's Shin?"
"What is it?" Shin asked.
"Yeah I was asking where you we-…. AHHHHH!!" Eliss shouted in fright as Shin magically appeared out of thin air.
"My bad," Shin chuckled as he scratched the back of his head.
"Oh, you're done?" I asked.
"Yeah," Shin nodded
[Hey.] suddenly Shin's voice suddenly echoed within my mind. I immediately knew what it was.
[Eternal Mimicry - Telepathy]
[What is it?] I questioned
[Allow me to confirm your identity as a prophet once more. You do know what it means since I have eliminated the Demon King's spy, correct?] Shin gazed at me indifferently
[Of course, the war would soon be approaching…]
Though, originally, the war was supposed to occur 2 years later. However, since the spy has been eliminated, it is most likely the demon king would push starting the war earlier, trying to eliminate the possible threat.
I estimated that we only have around 1 year left.
[Are you sure? Is this truly the path you should take? I have experience such a round before, I lost everything.]
[You are a regressor, the only thing you can lose is yourself.]
I met his gazed. [You were already intending on choosing this path, that, I can say with conviction.]
[I really hate you prophets]
[Eva Varon, that is your purpose for choosing this path, do remember it?]
[Indeed.]
Though the memory of 725th round was quite blurry, Shin was able recalled now that Eva Varon, the true prophet, was under a mind control spell cast upon by the Demon King.
[That is my purpose as well.]
[I wish to make her my ally, what is your true purpose?]
There was silent before…
[I must not allow my identity to be known by the Demon King, nor the Origin.] I met his gaze, the golden hues on his eyes vanished, replaced by the color of mystic blue.
[Though I don't desire to pry, it's been bothering me, why are you so desperate in avoiding these being?]
There was silent. The words was resting on the tip of my tongue, or in this case my mind I guess, as I wonder if I should tell him or not.
I decided it must be done. Though, I am confident this may increase his cautiousness towards me, I must make him understand the significant of my existence. [Unlike you, I am weak and frail, I may only have one chance as I am an anomaly, I have no knowledge of my fate once the Absolute Reset occurs. However, I possess a weapon that can potentially kill even the Origin itself. You understand the weight of those words, correct?]
[How…?] Shin's eyes widened.
[I can not harness it fully yet, thus, for now, believe in me.]
[If only I could.]
[I have told you, you are a regressor, the only thing you can lose is yourself]
[And that is exactly why can't place my full trust in you.]
[Well, I will not blame you, thus, I'll gain your trust myself]
[I hope you will succeed]
*BOOOOOOOM*
Suddenly, an explosion reverberated in the distance, near the center, signaling the beginning of the game.
"Well, there's that, let's fuck them up, shall we?" My indifferent expression melted to that of smile as I took out both my daggers.
"Language," Eliss sternly said as she drew the weakened version of her bow and placed exactly 3 arrows on the string. "And that's my line.."
"You're both too weak to talk," Shin sighed as he summoned the weakened version of his assigned spear.
I squinted my eyes, enhanced it with mana and looked further in the distance, there I could see the duo of Mia and Jun-seo, their eyes, also enhanced with mana, locked on to me, "It seems they're dead set on coming for my ass, god the passion, it's making me blush."
"What?" The two next to me unconsciously blurted out.
It seems since Shin was here, there weren't any other students other than Mia and Jun-seo that would be interested in having a go with him.
"Anyways, you guys want to team up?" I asked while stretching my back.
""No.""
"Assholes…"
"[Limitless Range]" Eliss muttered before the mystic blue in her right eyes distorted to that of vibrant yellow. She pulled the arrows on her bow string and released them at once.
The three arrows silently howled as they flew through the air at high speed. Almost like a homing-missile, the arrows graciously divided itself as it target different vital points on Jun-seo's body.
It was impressive, however, Jun-seo was able to dodge two of them by leaping up into the air and deflected one of them with his sword. He landed and continued to rush towards our position.
"You want to take of him? Cause I don't think I can," I asked Shin hoping for positive answer.
"No, you do it, I'll deal with Mia."
"Tch, womanizing scumbag," I muttered in an audible tone as I activated [Wind Mimicry] and vanished into thin air.
Though this was a game tag, and I was a Runner, I would still like to confirm my skills and abilities.
[7 Swords of The Fallen Gods - Agonizing Patience]
'So, he chose Agonizing Patience,' I thought as I smile crept up on my face.
Jun-seo skills essentially allowed him to enhance his sword with 7 modes, this gave him different buff and power. These buff can be strength, speed, defense, increase in mana pool, increase mana control, healing, and there's even a berserk mode.
Agonizing Patience gave him a speed buff.
—-
"I'll take on Shin. Mia, you take the other guy, make sure to be careful of Eliss' arrows," Jun-seo said as activated is Skill
[7 Swords of The Fallen Gods - Agonizing Patience]
Power began to surge all over his body. "That power from before, that's must be a bluff… right?" The destructiveness of Shin's spear continued to return to him. "Because, there is no way such a power is possible for a mere 17 years old."
It was then, a gust of unusually strong wind assaulted Jun-seo. It gave him the chills.
Swoosh-
Jun-seo's intinct cried out in desperation as it warned him of a lurking danger behind. Putting full trust in it, he immediately twist his body at high speed and slashed his swords, grinding it against two of my dagger that manifested out of thin air. "I see, it was wind type Skill."
'His strength is crazy.' It took all of myself just stop the strength of one of his arm, but…
"I have to admit, your instinct and strength is quite amazing, however, you're against a bad match-up as of the current situation…" I spoke trying to muster a smile through the difficulty.
"Fuck off, my opponent is going to be Shin. It seems yesterday was only a product of luck itself, now I can tell. You're too weak to be my opponent," he sneered.
"I'm sorry to inform you, your boyfriend left you for another girl." My voice echoed as I shifted once again with [Wind Mimicry] vanishing with out a trace. "Oh, and who said anything about me being stronger than you?"
[Dagger Art: Silent Wind - Concealment]
I continued to dance around him in my shifted form, occasionally manifesting my real body randomly. The fact that he wasn't able to trace my existence combining the continuing current of wind brushing against his skin only served to make him grew more anxious.
Silent Wind wasn't an art meant for prolonged fight as it only contained movement befitting for assassination. Not only that, its concealment ability can only fully conceal one's mana but still is unable to conceal them visually.
However, by combining with my Skill I am able to conceal myself visually to some extent while being immune to most attack. Thus, I can achieve to have a prolonged fight.
Eliss was also firing barrages of arrow towards both Mia and Jun-seo with her ability in a support-like manner leading to them having also to fend for themselves while battling us. As for myself, it didn't affect me due to my ability, therefore Jun-seo was the one being overwhelmed.
"Grr, shit." He cursed.
Still concealed, I slashed my daggers at him, only grazing his sides yet it was enough to count as a hit. 'Only two more to go until I win this exchange.'
"This bastard. Hey! Reveal yourself and fight me head on, you coward!" He provoked.
"Your logic is idiotic, why would I fight a battle I can't win?" My voice echoed throughout the howl of wind.
Swipe-
I slashed once again, this time making a small cut on his leg. 'Two hits.'
"Tch," Jun-seo suddenly clicked his tongue. "I seem to have grasps what your ability is about."
[7 Swords of The Fallen Gods - Agonizing Patience - Mirage]
Jun-seo's speed suddenly hightened at an alarming rate, he dash around at a speed in which I can barely trace, leaving only after-image of himself.
Swoosh-
With sound of wind howling, I manifested my true body, standing on top of a tree. "Well, that's unfortunate, I suppose he certainly is no fool," I muttered before vanishing once again.
Well, now that I have a better understanding my own ability, let's focus on winning the game.
In which I mean hiding and running until the time ran out, by the way.
I'm a Runner. And after all, the number rule I set out to myself is never to try and do anything overly meaningless.
