First Blood

What just happened? It was like the shield didn't register the attack at all, the hex unimpededly hitting its target.

My eyes darted to the log in my HUD.

<Psychic Cutting Damage Nullified.>

<Shadow Damage Ineffective.>

<Curse Damage Ineffective.>

So it actually did manage to hit me. The hex had just not stuck.

I've read about this when it came to mana levels, when I was trying to figure out the categorizing system Gaellia had when it came to their magic users. This was probably a result of being an Archmagus—magic was only effective when up against a moveable force and Archmagi were basically magical reservoirs the size of the Hoover Dam.

My mana levels were of such a high density that it had been like a handball being shot at a wall and exploding, leaving only burnt rubber marks on said wall.

Did she actually say "Yubi"—

The smoke cleared with a bit of help of my hand waving around to clear my vision (she actually aimed it at my neck. Rude) and the first thing I saw was the flash of fear in her dark eyes. "What Level ARE you?!"

"Oh, so you see Levels too," I remarked. It was a lucky thing I wore this mask, even if it was initially to keep my identity from being found out, because I would be coughing up smoke otherwise.

Was she actually referring to a disparity of Levels causing different damage output? Like in video games? Or was she unable to see my Level because of the difference, like how significantly higher-leveled monsters in some games just show up with their stats as question marks?

[That may be it.]

Taking the chance to speak in the pause of furious attacks, I cleared my throat, "I must have heard wrong. Did you say something about a 'Yubi'?"

Jett was glaring at me but our mutual confusion about different points stayed her relentless efforts to kill me—for the moment.

I already had <Flight> activated, just in case, though I remained standing on the roof. As the <Hover> skill was used so often since I accidentally created it, it had practically become a passive ability. My magic was so used to forming the spell, I sometimes needed to put thought to staying on the ground.

"He is my competitor currently located in the chain of islands called the Dead Man's Circle on this world. Yubi is making their way to this continent so we will meet eventually but his bounty is just nothing compared to what I plan."

… Did she mean Dead Man's Circle, where a demon was supposedly summoned?

Jett pulled her leg back and lowered her stance, the dagger held closer in front of her while the other stretched out into a clawed hand.

I tensed.

"I will prove why I am designated Partner Zero-One and reign supreme in this war!"

War?

But I didn't have the time to ask, my eyes noticing the dark energy gathering on her palm and my feet left the roof, dodging the Hadoken with a yelp.

<Dark Qi Blast>

"Do we really need to fight?" I asked before I moved to another roof, only to internally curse when Jet followed by jumping while shooting another <Qi Blast> at me. Dodging, I continued, "I'm not interested in whatever competition this is—"

I was cut off when I was nearly sideswiped by a kick that released a sickle of energy.

This wasn't working.

[Nori, I think…]

I tried to put some distance between us, only to accidentally start fleeing from her attacks, the other Partner pursuing me like a relentless predator. Her "Qi" attacks landed around me as I dodged acrobatically, causing damage to our surroundings. Occasionally, some detritus pinged harmlessly against my shield.

'What is it?' I suddenly had a thought, 'What we were talking about earlier—'

[Yes, I cannot sense the Program she is bonded with. She registers as a Partner though. I'm not sure—]

'So they're hiding, are they?' Considering Jett was right in front of me, that left her open to exploitation.

I <Scanned> her.

<Name: Jett>

<Occupation: Ambassadorial Assistant>

<Affiliation: Umbre Kingdom>

The information was faked. A thin mask. I narrowed my eyes and put more weight to my <Scan.>

<Na̡m̛e: ̴Je̵t̡t̴>

<O̢cc̡up̡a̕t́io͞n̵:̡ ̨A͡m͠ba҉s̶sa̛dorial ͡A͏sşi҉s̶t͝ant>

<Aff̛ìl͢ia̴tio͝n͏: Umbr̛e K̢in̡g̢do̕m̀>

The information started flickering like shattered glass. I bore down with more power and the pop-up shattered and reformed.

It was in a format similar to what I saw of Rosettia's information.

<"Spider-Lily" Wong Jiayin>

<Age: 18>

<Level: 54>

<Class: Assassin>

<Origin: Earth-210>

Well, I figured Jett was probably an assumed name.

Jiayin Wong screamed, having sensed my <Scan.> It had made me feel I did something I wasn't supposed to do; a misstep. The <Dark Qi Blast> came at me suddenly, when I was frozen by the sound of her panic-tinged screech.

Since I couldn't dodge and didn't feel like dodging anymore, I placed a thin layer of mana to coat my right hand before I batted the energy blast to the side. In the same motion, I backhanded the <Qi Blast> that had been shadowing the first away so it hit one of the metal towers scattered throughout this City.

"Jiayin, your opponent has more qi! Stop using energy attacks!"

As a low feminine voice called out from elsewhere, my head darted around, suddenly alert. Another adversary?

"Where are you looking?!"

I barely twisted my head to look back at the eighteen-year-old girl before I jerked when I saw her face within inches of mine.

An impact went right through my shield and sliced apart my shirt.