16 Ranker Tournament (2)
There are only eight of us left now or in other words quarter-final time.
Mage versus Swordswoman. The battle between the two beauties. The mage instantly rushed the gears by using her magic to create a large fireball straight away. I could feel the heat creeping up though my physical body is very far away from the fire itself. At that point, I thought the outcome had since been decided, but Swordswoman exceeded my expectations.
She cut the fireball.
She sliced a fireball in half with the edge of her blade.
That was… magnificent.
I did not expect swordsmanship of that caliber from this tournament. I suppose it is not that much of a joke anymore. At least there will be one fight worth some expectations. Hopefully she will not be defeated until our fight within the final round; otherwise, I would be very disappointed.
Enough of admiring her though, it is time for the second battle of the quarterfinal.
It is the Golem girl versus Latex-man. They were both physical powerhouse with bottomless strength. They traded blows one after another without caring for defense. An impressive show of strength, though they were probably weaker than the Noumu were I to rate their power levels.
That shock absorption and regenerative power are just too unfair when compared to other physical fighters. In fact, you could say Noumu is the ultimate counter for all fist-fighters. Compared to that monster these two were merely chumps that will never win against the Noumu no matter how many times they were to clash.
In the end, Latex-man won the fight by outlasting the enemy. He was severely injured, though that was a non-issue for him since the system immediately recovered them for him. I wonder if my Energy Replenishment will return to the max 20 times every time I win a fight. Ah well, let us not tempt fate if we could.
This whole tournament has taken more than an hour already, and it seems will take a whole hour and a half in total. I wonder whether the time is stopped in the real world, as otherwise, I would be late for my first class in Beacon which might piss them off. Not exactly the best idea when I am relying on them for a living.
[Affirmative. Time is stopped until the Ranker Tournament ends]
Nice.
Next fight, Bear-on-two-legs versus String woman in yukata. What a world we live in for a battle between these two to actually occur. The winner of this match will be my opponent next round after this so I put some more attention into this fight.
The string woman once again summoned strings all over the arena to start the battle. Thin razor-sharp wires spread all over the stage. They seem to appear from thin air, all of them standing straight even without being connected to anything. Maybe I could do the same with my Dimensional Shooter?
Nah, it might have been possible if I evolved the skill into Dimensional Retractor, but the current Dimensional Shooter is limited to 'storing' and 'shooting' effects. A shame but I still stand by my decision. The potential of Dimensional Shooter is too much to ignore.
Going back to the match, the bear struggled against the wires but nothing came out of it. The strings were far too thin and numerous for his overarching body to avoid them, and even his full strength is incapable of cutting them.
Even a lean human like me would have trouble avoiding all those string, forget fighting while doing so. The large bear was absolutely toasted without any reversal happening. The fight ended with Strings left untouched from harm.
Fighting her would be troublesome. With her strings rushing in without a plan would be suicidal even with OverLoad. I guess there will be a need to find another way to defeat her.
She is my next opponent after this fight, but for now, my attention is on the tall man with a blade who is my current opponent. He seems to be of European descent, with blonde hair and blue eyes along with his tall height. That kind of height is nonexistent in the Asian community, and he looks like a teenager too.
"Let's have a good fight." He said. As expected his voice was distorted so it sounded like both a petulant child and an old woman at the same time.
Rare to see someone so polite on the battlefield though. Somehow it pisses me off to see someone taking a battle so casually, even if it is impossible to be harmed from this Ranker Tournament. A battle is a battle, and politeness has no part in it.
"I'll crush you." Was my conservative response.
Overload 100%
[+10000% temporary physical strength]
I stomped down on the ground with my right leg, launching my body forward. Afterward, I raised said legs upwards so the sole of my feet faced the enemy while still flying onward towards him. On the other end, my enemy reacted by raising his blade to block my incoming kick.
A clash. I felt some of the bones on my leg breaking, most likely thanks to improper form while attacking. It barely matters though, since my enemy was blown away to oblivion. If the Arena has any rule about out-of-bounds I would have won the round already, but it seems he managed to survive the attack without getting knocked unconscious. Props to him for that I suppose.
At this point, he probably has several broken bones already though, so he is barely a threat anymore.
Ah, I forgot about my plans of holding back because the enemy pissed me off. Though it shouldn't matter too much considering there are only two matches left for me after this.
[You have won the Fourth round of Ranker Tournament +20SP]
Oh, he collapsed on his own. I guess he was barely hanging on with his willpower. how absurd.
I somehow despise these shounen-like battles. To be honest I would rather fight properly and be done with this whole thing. Talking before battles, powering-up mid fights, screaming out your attack names, holding out through willpower alone. I simply abhor the thought of having a fight like that.
Next fight I will go full power. As I will during the final fight.
Swordswoman fought against Latex. This fight was a bit peculiar in nature. Not only did they talk a lot(Tsk) but their focus seems to be concentrated at the conversation rather than the fight(Tsk). This fight was the culmination of everything I hate about shounen theme in general.
"Why are you doing this?!" Said Swordswoman.
"The strong lives and the weak dies. That's all there is to it."
"That's just an excuse! Nobody can live alone!"
"Yes, which is why the weak are spared to become slaves."
That's probably what they are talking about. Or something equally clichéd and stupid.
Nevertheless, the fight continued on. The two traded blow for blow. While the latex-man attacked with ferocity and recklessness the swordswoman seems elegant and beautiful as if she was dancing on the battlefield.
That was a level of technique far beyond my reach.
A clash. And another. An exchange between two fighters. Sacred, dangerous and undeniably blood-pumping. This is what a fight should be, rather than the excuse they had pulled beforehand. Blood started to spill as their wounds grew.
Seconds turned into minutes yet the battle was still undecided. Blade and fist clashed with one another. Soon enough both participants retreated back and the battle paused. Swordswoman drew her blade back, and I instinctively knew this next attack will decide the outcome of the battle. She swung her blade through empty air-
--and summoned a beam of light.
The attack destroyed parts of the amphitheater.
This is… I am getting in far over my head, aren't I?
Their strength is far beyond my reach.
Before I realized it I was back at the center of this large arena. It was my turn to fight again. And after this semifinal will be the final fight between the winners of this match against Swordswoman. Honestly, I do not wish to fight against that natural disaster in human form. Therefore the most optimal thing to do here would be to just lose this battle as to not be bound for the final battle.
However, if I were to do that then it would mean losing out on the reward of becoming the runner-up of this tournament, and said rewards were merely too lucrative. I guess there is the option of instantly surrendering during the final battle then. For now though—
--Time to take care of this spider swinging strings all over the damn place.
"So you're my enemy this round?" She asked
…I hate this girl already. To hell with talking during a battle.
I summoned a rock from my DS.
HG: This rock will hit my enemy and knock her unconscious
Overload 100%
[+10000% temporary physical strength]
Vicious Hidden Throw.
The effect of multiplying my strength was not activated as the enemy is clearly following me with her eyes but it did not matter. The air pressure was more than enough to blow myself who threw the projectile backward. Needless to say, Miss Strings on the receiving end of the attack was utterly annihilated.
[You have won the Fifth round of Ranker Tournament +25SP]
I was teleported back into the spectator seat for whatever reason, instead of having to fight Swordswoman straight away. On the other hand, Miss Strings was still on the stage, body completely healed. Along with her was Latex-man who has been teleported into the stage as a replacement for me.
Oh, it seems they are deciding who is in the third position from the loser's bracket first. Looks like my guess on the fact there should be a reward based on your Ranking on the tournament is correct, as otherwise there would be no need to differentiate between the third and fourth place. Most likely the top three of the tournament will be given some special rewards for their results.
The Latex-man and Miss Strings talked for a minute or so before they started fighting one another. Strings won by capturing Latex-man with her strings afterward. There are many more strings surrounding the stage than in her previous matches. Maybe those strings take preparation to appear, and she was buying time by talking?
Then I suppose talking with her enemy at the start of the battle was actually smart thinking on her part. Huh, I guess there was a case of misjudgment here on my part against her. If talking mid-battle could benefit her then doing so is obviously a good idea.
Nevertheless, I was once again summoned onto the stage, along with the Swordswoman.
Alright, let's do this.
"I surrender."
"Eh?"
[Negative, you may not surrender in Ranker Arena mid-fight]
…Tell me that earlier, please. Now I just embarrassed myself in front of a beautiful girl over nothing.
"W-what do you mean you surrender!?"
"Apparently you can't do that in Ranker arena. Never mind then."
I shrugged before taking a fighting pose. Might as well go over this quickly. If I lost then so be it, and if I win then all the better for me.
HG: I will slip into her guard.
Rushing forward towards the enemy, I suddenly slipped while approaching swordswoman. Slip into her guard. Slipped. It seems the System loves cringy puns.
Nevertheless, it seems the enemy did not expect the maneuver and did not react properly, leaving her guard wide open. I was not polite while taking advantage of the chance, using my full power to punch her in the guts.
Oveload 100%
[+10000% temporary physical strength]
[Energy Replenishment has activated]
"Overload 100%: Punch!"
My hand shot towards her lithe waist. Unexpectedly she managed to block it with her blade at the last moment. Even then she was still thrown away towards the wall of the Arena. And yet no announcement telling the battle ended came. Guess she won't faint that easily.
I was on guard as the Swordswoman picked herself up from the wall. If I were to let down my guard and she throws out her sword beam thingy then it would end up in my loss, with no means of blocking the attack.
The Swordswoman rushed towards me this time around. Unexpectedly enough she did not use her sword beam. Maybe the attack has a pricy cost then, like my own OverLoad and its stamina consumption.
She swung her sword towards me. I refused to have a generic competition of power and instead summoned a large boulder between us. Retreating two steps I managed to see a sight that made me doubt my eyesight.
She cut through the boulder.
A large two-meter tall boulder slashed cleanly in half with one swing.
Shit, the hell is that cutting power. I doubt my Aura can handle taking a hit from her slash. I retreated even more before using taking out a single boulder from my DS into my grasp. There is no leeway to hold back against her, so I immediately used OverLoad 100%
[+10000% temporary physical strength]
[Energy Replenishment has activated]
HG: This attack will knock her unconscious
"OverLoad 100%: Throw!"
She reacted by curring the air in front of her. Somehow she timed it precisely that her blade passed through the boulder I threw, cutting it in half and missing her entirely.
Bullshit.
I opened multiple portals leading to my DS, shooting out boulders at full throttle towards the Swordswoman. There is no way she could be capable of cutting all these boulders launched at the same time.
At this point, I was growing paranoid about her cutting everything I throw at her. Thankfully she did not fulfill my fears and instead dodged all the projectiles instead. Thank god.
No, wait, that's not a good thing either.
It seems her agility is as impressive as her cutting power as she managed to avoid the barrage of projectiles thrown at her. If I spread out the aim of DS even more then she would merely cut the ones shot right towards her and ignore the rest. On the other hand, concentrating my attacks would only make her dodge them all effortlessly.
With her tremendous cutting power fighting at close range is a foolish option. However, long-range attacks do not work on her either. My hands are tied and there is nothing left I could do. Except...
If I trigger One's Own Justice, there is still a chance. After dying I will become an undead with extremely high regenerative power and endless stamina.
Alright then. Let's get cut up by her and trigger the OOJ Skill.
I made a T-pose on the swordswoman to assert my dominance.
"Hey, hurry up and kill me already. I'm giving up."
That was a lie, but there was no need for her to know that. After she gives me the finishing blow her guar will be down. I will strike at that point and earn my victory!
"..What?"
The other party, however, was inclined to take her time with killing me it seems.
"Hurry up, I don't have much time here. Well, time is stopped here in Ranker Arena but you get my point."
She hesitated for a moment, before launching herself towards me...
And proceeded to cut me in half. As expected my Aura is of no use.
"...Eh?"
I smiled.
To live avariciously, that is my goal.
To live selfishly, that is my pride.
To live victoriously, that is my Justice
[One's Own Justice has activated]
[All Skill Ranks are lowered by 2]
[Remaining Time: 9:58]
My lower and upper body which has been cleanly cut in half was reconnected with one another. A wicked smile was on my lips. It is time for the counterattack.
"OverLoad 100% Constant!"
[+3000% temporary physical strength]
Sadly since the Skill Rank of OverLoad was lowered it can only increase my strength by 30 times instead of the previous one hundred. But since I have unlimited stamina I can use this state endlessly for however long I wish. Well, until the timer runs out anyway.
I wasted no time in punching the shell-shocked swordswoman right in the jaw, blowing her away with my punch.
That was no all I did, however, as my other hand was tightly grasping a sword. The large greatsword of the Swordswoman. I hurriedly put it within my DS, not letting the opponent have a chance at gaining it back from me.
That said and done I confidently walked towards the swordswoman. There was no need to hurriedly kill her, though that does not mean I intend to gloat either. It was merely in caution, as a cornered rat could still bite hard.
And indeed it bit hard, as I hear the next word she uttered.
"OverDrive 80%"
She suddenly disappeared from my sight. I felt extreme pain coming from my left upper chest area.
She was right before me, staring daggers at my eyes as her hand pierced through my heart.
I smiled.
Nice try, but no dice. I am currently an undead and therefore requires no organ to function. I do not need to breath, nor do I need to blink. I am a wraith seeking revenge for the one who killed me.
While she was right in front of me, I took the chance--
And hugged her.
"...Eh?"
She struggled to set herself free, but it was useless as my arms were tightly wrapped around her shoulder.
"U-unhand me you fiend!"
Huh, she reminds me of Ruby with those words. Nevertheless, there was obviously no reason for me to let her go. She was right within my grasp and helpless right now.
"OverDrive." I spoke. "It is a Skill that lets you increase your physical stats by quite a lot for a duration of time, at the cost of reducing your stamina."
She looked shocked as she heard those words. I knew I hit the nail on the board. The Skill was something I had myself before it went ahead and changed itself into OverLoad through evolution.
"However the key there is the word 'for a duration of time'. That means the boost is only temporary, most likely lasting for a few minutes at most. Long as I keep you within my grasp until the duration ends, you will not be able to escape me afterward."
That was a bluff. I do not know how long the Skill last after it has evolved into its higher Rank variants. Hopefully, it will last less than nine minutes left, as otherwise, I would die since the duration of OOJ will end before her OverDrive does.
However, she does not know how my OOJ only lasts for ten minutes. In a desperate gamble, she will take her chance in a risky plan. That is the point where I strike. It was a makeshift plan I thought from the middle of nowhere.
At this rate, the fight will end up being a deadlock with neither party being capable of hurting the other. To avoid that I might as well as to set up a stage where we can both shine.
"Agh..."
Or she could have her OverDrive ends before my OOJ does, then that would be perfect as well.
"...Why are you doing this?"
"Hmm? Fighting you here, you mean? If so then the answer is because the System told me to."
I was bored, so I might as well as listen to her woes or something.
"Then what of the people!"
Now she reminds me of Blake. Was she some kind of social justice warrior or something similar?
"I don't see what you're talking about."
"Tch, you're all the same. All of you!"
This was it, all or nothing. I secretly took out the Hero-Killer Sword behind her back. The blade was aimed right at her neck. Now the only thing I need to do was slice, and everything will be over.
"Blessing of Freya."
After hearing those words from her mouth, I felt something soft pushing against my lips.
And that was the last thing I felt before everything went wrong.
