170　Issenza Match Part 5

　　＊　＊　＊


"After all, it's you."

　Last round. It was exactly who I expected to be my challenger.

"I'm really glad to be here. I never thought I'd see the day when I could face Senpai again like this…… Oh, this is a dream come true."

　Raspberry Bell.

　She used to be 『Framboise I,』 one of the world's top-ranked players, numbering 128th in the world rankings.

　However, one must not evaluate him, or rather her, solely on the basis of that ranking. Of particular note was her performance in the Issenza battle in Mobius. Ras's style of wielding a great sword was unique. Because the great sword was "considered weak". Despite this, Ras had even won the tournament on several occasions. That was simply because she was incredibly strong. She was consistently strong, no matter what she tried to use, whether it was a great sword or not.


　But in this game, in this world, it is a different story.

　In Mobius, she was a "Heavy Knight type" in her growth type, but now she is a "Support type".


"A great sword? "
"No way. Overall, it will not have enough firepower. There's nothing I can do."

　I was curious, so I asked. No wonder, but apparently she is well aware of her current situation.


　That's right. You can't beat me if you're using a great sword.

　Naturally, it may be a long sword or a short sword.

　I have many other skills, and she has only Swordsmanship, making the stats too different between us. That's just too much to compete with.


　But I wasn't particularly worried.

　You could tell by the look on Ras's face. As the start of the match approached, she gradually became more and more serious.


　……She means it. She's determined to win.

　Then I can rest assured and accept it.


"Well then."
"There's got to be some secret to this."
"Well, there's no point in hiding it from you, Senpai."

　Just as we finished bowing to each other and readying our weapons, Raspberry Bell revealed her trump card.

　That was the sword she took out.

　As for me, I took my usual mithril longsword.
　And Raspberry Bell……


"Uwoah."


　I couldn't help but exclaim.

　She held a pitch-black, single-edged sword. That was, as I recall.


"A Black Fal."


　Yes, a falchion. It was also black.

　Two types of this weapon have existed: white and black. Each had its own characteristics, with white specializing in critical, and black specializing in…… knockback.


　For a time, this "Black Fal" was popular in the Issenza games.

　It was so popular that a Black Fal vs. Black Fal Game Plan was developed.

　That's how nasty and powerful the weapon was.

　Why was it so troublesome? The reason for this was the "busted performance" of the knockback effect, which could be triggered even by a simple 《Soldier Swordsmanship》 if it was 《performance enhanced》 by specializing in knockback up to the sixth stage. This would be activated even if the opponent defended against it.

　The fact that it was no longer possible to properly defend against attacks was an element that could completely change the conventional wisdom of the Issenza battle.

　As a result, 80% of the contestants started using Black Fal, and the situation became more like a "Black Fal battle" than an Issenza battle.

　However, trends are bound to go out of style at some point.

The 『Black Fal Vaccine,』 a winning Game Plan against the Black Fal, became widely recognized by the contestants, and there was no longer any reason to dare to use the Black Fal.

　This was a very well-developed Game Plan, and with practice, anyone could easily execute it, making it a good beginner strategy. Because of its ease of use, even novices who were competing for the first time in a title match remembered it, and finally, the Black Fal disappeared from the Issenza competition.

　There is only one thing you need to prepare for the Black Fal Vaccine. A rapier.

　The rapier, with the fastest attack motion and the least defensive efficiency among swords, was the natural enemy of the Black Fal. Because of its low defensive effectiveness, just defending against a Black Fal's attack would result in an excessively large knockback.
　In fact, if they started preparing 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》 from the moment they were thrown back, they could activate 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》 no matter what the Black Fal side attempted to do. In other words, the technique exploited the extra-large knockback in a backstepping manner. The key point was that Dragon King could be ready at almost the same time as the opponent's post-use delay animation finished.
　By preparing such traps while always fighting first with quick attack motions, Black Fal could become completely powerless.


　At that time, all contestants always had one rapier in their inventory. And because they all knew this, they did not try to take out a Black Fal.

　Of course, there were those who tried to take it out at the right moment…… But the more experienced you became, the more you did not allow your opponent to switch weapons. It was an unalterable common sense to finish without giving such an opportunity.


"Oh God, so that's what it was."

　I had completely forgotten about it.

　I don't have a rapier right now.
　In other words, the Black Fal vaccine, ain't working here.


"I knew it. I didn't think you had it. After all, you're not someone who would readily use weapons that give an advantage."

　As she said. If I were to use a strong weapon on top of this, it would be really, really boring. So for me, it's going to be a mithril longsword for a while.


　But, yeah…… without a rapier, I'll have to deal with the Black Fal, huh?

　……Well, is it interesting? Yes, let's do that.


"Ras."
"What's up? "
"I'll go with the '31st move'."
"……Exactly what I expected."


　The 31st Move Set―― a Game Plan that was considered the mainstream against Black Fal prior to the discovery of the Black Fal vaccine.

　With the Black Fal as the second player, the objective was to create a situation in which the first player had the advantage as much as possible while continuing the attack and defense while carefully measuring the time between moves until the 31st move.

　The style is to aim for a 51:49 rather than a 100:0 while steadily and painstakingly earning points. Very modest, but worth doing.


　……The fact that Ras's Black Fal has been strengthened to the sixth stage. This must be Yukari's assistance. Sending salt to the enemy?　Nonsense, Yukari doesn't have that kind of personality. Maybe she enhanced that thing at the sixth stage for my sake. She's absolutely fantastic. Then why not just enjoy it to the fullest?


"――Begin! "

　I started running at the same time as the referee's command.

　My first move was 《Bishop's Swordsmanship》.

　All right, I'm looking forward to seeing the 32nd move and to see what Ras will come up with.



　　＊　＊　＊



　Finally, the match for the Issenza title began.

　……But.

　There was not a single person in the room who understood even a fraction of what Second and Raspberry Bell were doing.


　Even that Rave was a confused mess.

　He struggled to make sense of the long, drawn-out attack and defense between the two players unfolding in front of him, and the meaning of each move.


　Why did Second now pull his right leg and swing Silver through the left front of Raspberry Bell?
　Why did Raspberry Bell now cancel the Soldier once and then activate it again?
　Why did Second now prepare Lance and cancel it once before focusing on evasion when he should have received it with Gold?
　Why did Raspberry Bell now choose to combine Silver and Knight when she could have pushed through with Rook?

　Why, why, why?
　He didn't know the answer to any of the questions.

　Their movements were far too advanced.

　Perhaps even the seemingly meaningless movements of their hands, feet, and gazes had deeper meanings and effects that were unimaginable―― that much was to be expected.

　But the bottom line was that he couldn't figure it out.


　Eventually, Rave came to some idea of the characteristics of the black sword used by Raspberry Bell, but he still could not make sense of their movements.

　No, there was no longer time to think about it.

　It was only natural that the two players would continue to play nonstop for 31 moves, without giving each other the slightest chance to make a move that would give the other an edge.

　However, the two players were calm and collected. In contrast, the people watching the game were all so heated that they seemed to be losing their minds.

　Everyone watched the longest-running battle since Second's appearance in the Issenza games.

　Even if the audience could not understand what the two were doing at all, the fact that they were doing "something incredible" could be conveyed with certainty.


"Well, what will you do!? "

　On the thirty-first move, when he released 《Silver Swordsmanship》 to thrust it into Raspberry Bell's right shoulder, Second uttered this with a big smile on his face.

　Finally, the picture became clearer.

　Immediately after, Raspberry Bell chose ――  《Soldier Swordsmanship》.


"How about this! "


　It was a blow that one could hardly even describe as exquisite.


　The thirty-first move, in which Second should normally have the upper hand. Against that Second's too-sharp thrust, Raspberry Bell pushed the Black Fal even sharper, with a vertical thrust to the side of the mithril longsword.


　――Koton A gentle hit.

　The Silver attack passed an inch from Raspberry Bell's right ear, and……



"Oeeh!? "


　Second was knocked back loudly, making a strange sound.


　This was the power of the Black Fal and the decisive factor that Raspberry Bell had prepared.


　The situation was quickly reversed.

　Raspberry Bell had long anticipated that the Second would adopt the 31st move set against her own Black Fal.

　In her 32nd move, she puts all of her accumulated research into the game.

　A decisive move to "break the 31st move set," so to speak.


　It was perfect. The choice of weapon, the expectation that Second will forget the rapier, the thoroughness of hardly revealing her hand leading up to this point, the timing of when this research should be bumped up, and the mastery of a dauntingly high level of skill. Everything was perfect.


"I got you, Senpai! "

　A knocked-back Second was quickly pursued.

　A ruthless chase. Raspberry Bell's mind was filled with the word "victory" as she prepared her 《Rook Swordsmanship》 and moved forward.


　……This 《Rook Swordsmanship》, Second could neither dodge nor defend against.

　It was just too close to avoid. Even if he tried to prevent it by hitting it, the knockback effect would be triggered again when the mithril longsword and the Black Fal clashed with each other.

　If you wanted to buy time, you would still have to defend against it, but by continuing to defend against it, you would surely eventually accumulate the down value, and eventually, you would go Down, receive the 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》 by Raspberry Bell's great sword, and the game would be set.


　There was no escape.

　In other words…… deadlocked.



　　＊　＊　＊



　Ah, we are now fighting using a Game Plan that only Senpai and I know, so only the two of us can understand it.

　It's the best. What a happy time!

　I'm ready to die.
　……No, I'm not going to die, though.


"Oeeh!? "

　Senpai, did you enjoy it?


　A move to break the 31st move set―― aptly named 『New 32nd Move Set』.

　Maybe Senpai did have a blind spot.


　Only Mosa-san would be interested in researching the 31st move set against a Black Fal after the Black Fal vaccine was developed.


"I got you, Senpai! "


　Ah, ah, the best time is almost over.

　It was really like a dream.


　The 《Rook Swordsmanship》 in pursuit. This is not something that can be avoided or prevented.

　A deadlock. This is something that even the world's number one can't do anything about.


　I'm sure that Senpai will not defend himself. Gracefully take my 《Rook Swordsmanship》 head on――




"　"




　――Why is he smiling……!?




"Ahh."


　…………I forgot.

　Senpai is that kind of person.


　I remember saying that a genius is someone who wants to win more than anyone else.

　……That's right, senpai. Beyond that, there's more.


　The real deal is the person who wants to win more than anyone else, who never wants to lose, who transcends immediate victory or defeat, and who can entertain himself, his opponents, the people watching, and everyone else.


　…………

　Maybe Senpai was keeping me company……


　Seems like I still have a way to go.

　I was obsessed with winning.


　Haa.
　Ahhh, it's love. It really is love……



　　＊　＊　＊




　I was seriously surprised.

　After the 31st move set, Ras's 32nd move. I was about to shout "OH, how come it's Soldier! ? ", but what came out of my mouth was "Oeeh! ? " like some weird bird's call.

　But surely, if one could do such 《Soldier Swordsmanship》, then this 32nd move would be viable.

　It's really wonderful!　Truly wonderful!　It was an ultra-C-class technique that went beyond my expectations.



　Then let's finish with my new 33rd move set.



"Ahh."


　Now it was Ras's turn to make a shameful sound.


　While she was preparing to swing her 《Rook Swordsmanship》 from the upper right corner, I started preparing my 《Silver Swordsmanship》 from the upper left corner to match.

　The swords lined up, parallel to each other.


　Now, here's the tricky part.

　If the swords clash with each other, it will be judged as a collision, and they will be subjected to knockback.

　However, if it does not clash with the sword, it will not even be judged as a collision, and you will be downed by the Rook.

　So what can you do?


　The solution is simple: just defend yourself without issuing a collision call.


　Such a thing is nearly impossible, but it becomes possible if certain conditions are met.

　Those are……


"Here, like this."


　The timing of the activation of the same type of skill should be matched within 0.02 seconds before or after the activation of the opponent's skill, and the speed and direction of the sword swing should also be matched to some extent.

　As you can see from Mobius's system, there are other forms of Counterbalance, besides colliding with each other, where the attacks end up swinging in the air. This Counterbalance, which exists not only in 【Magic】 but also in 【Archery】 and 【Swordsmanship】, does not actually result in a collision call.

　However, this is not easy to do. It's a very difficult technique, but…… I have about a 90% chance of success.

　Or rather, in a knocked-back, collapsed stance, it's 90%.

　I practiced it to death.

　In case of emergency, there is no harm in being in shape. So I swung my sword over and over again, assuming all kinds of patterns: vs. Black Fal, vs. rapier, vs. great sword, vs. short sword, and so on.

　I had been preparing for this day, which was sure to come someday, for years by practicing to predict the timing of the opponent's skill activation based on the timing and approach speed, sometimes triggering the activation with a feint, and sometimes going for the exact timing of the skill activation.

　Ras would not have overlooked this Counterbalance. In fact, for 31 moves, we had been carefully and skillfully advancing our moves while being on the lookout for each other to avoid any Counterbalance.

　However, there is no doubt that the 33rd move, this moment, was the only one that was left out of consideration.

　I know exactly why too. It's common sense. It is common sense to say, "Don't aim for a Counterbalance after a knockback". The reason is simple: it will never succeed. There is no way one could succeed in counterbalancing, which is said to be a "50% chance of success for a superhuman," if one were to do so while in a broken stance.

　……Or so, is what everyone would think as common sense. That is where we can find a way to be active and prepare a move that can fetch us victory.
　No matter how many years it takes, being prepared is the most important thing for the world's number 1.

　The new 33rd Move Set. The initiative was always mine. If I'm honest, I'm not afraid of a Black Fal, with or without a rapier.


"A-uh! "

　The time of animation delay after 《Rook Swordsmanship》 and the time of animation delay after 《Silver Swordsmanship》. Naturally, the latter is shorter.

　Hence, in this situation, I can hit one 《Silver Swordsmanship》 《Knight Swordsmanship》 Combine into Ras's chest.

　A vital point attack. Plus, a critical.
　With the stats difference between me and Ras, this proved…… fatal.


　Oh, the best of times, it's over.


"――That's enough!　Winner, Second Firstest Issenza! "


　Defense successful.

　In the summer, too, I'm the Issenza.

======

Thank you for reading.

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Cheat sheet

Status Details

HP　Hit Points
MP　Magic Points
SP　Stamina Points
STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
INT　Attack Magic skill power.
LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
VIT　Simple defense.
MGR　Magic defense.

Skill Ranking

From lower (16th) to higher (1st) class, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade

• 16th class
• 15th class
• 14th class
• 13th class
• 12h class
• 11th class
• 10th class
• 9th class
• 8th class
• 7th class
• 6th class
• 5th class
• 4th class
• 3rd class
• 2nd class
• 1st class
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5
• Grade 6
• Grade 7
• Grade 8
• Grade 9 (Can challenge Title when all related skills are at this level)

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

【Swordsmanship】　Damage： STR Dependent.

《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　Powerful ranged attack forward + stun.
《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　Powerful ranged attack in all directions.
《Rook Swordsmanship》　Very strong single-target attack.
《Bishop Swordsmanship》　Quick and powerful penetrating attack.
《Gold Swordsmanship》　Ranged attack in all directions.
《Silver Swordsmanship》　Strong, single-target attack.
《Knight Swordsmanship》　Precision attack＋added damage against vital points.
《Lance Swordsmanship》　Penetrating attack.
《Soldier Swordsmanship》　Normal attack.

(Rook＋Knight, Silver＋Knight, Lance＋Knight, Soldier＋Knight are possible for Combine)

List of Jojutsu (cane) skills

【Jojutsu】Thrust・Strike・Sweep

《Dragon King Jojutsu》　Extremely powerful wide-area attack
《Dragon Horse Jojutsu》　Wide range defense + knockback
《Rook Jojutsu》　Very powerful ranged attack
《Bishop Jojutsu》　Rush piercing attack
《Gold Jojutsu》　Very strong defense
《Silver Jojutsu》　Powerful ranged attack
《Knight Jojutsu》　Rush attack
《Lance Jojutsu》　Piercing attack
《Soldier Jojutsu》　Conventional attack

List of Spearmanship skills

【Spearmanship】

《Dragon King Spearmanship》　Extremely powerful single-target attack
《Dragon Horse Spearmanship》　Powerful long-range attack (shockwave)
《Rook Spearmanship》　Rush attack (charge thrust)
《Bishop Spearmanship》　Powerful ranged attack (Cleave)
《Gold Spearmanship》　Counterattack (Counter)
《Silver Spearmanship》　Powerful single-target attack (charge thrust)
《Knight Spearmanship》　Forward leaping attack (leaping thrust)
《Lance Spearmanship》　Ranged attack (Cleave)
《Soldier Spearmanship》　Normal Attack (Thrust)

List of Archery skills

【Archery】

《Dragon King Archery》　Powerful on-impact ranged attack.
《Dragon Horse Archery》　Powerful piercing ranged attack.
《Rook Archery》　Very strong single-target range attack.
《Bishop Archery》　Strong piercing range attack.
《Gold Archery》　Range attack with added knockback.
《Silver Archery》　Strong single-target range attack.
《Knight Archery》　Precise sniping range attack.
《Lance Archery》　Piercing range attack.
《Soldier Archery》　Normal range attack.

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     Defense +chance to parry
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      Rush attack
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       Powerful shield attack, takes time to prepare

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

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 ToC    

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