184　Kisenshou Match Part 2

【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.




　Final match of the tournament to determine the challenger for the Kisenshou title.
　Alfredo vs Silvia Virginia.

　Just before the match, the arena was filled with a strange silence.


"Silvia Virginia. You seem to have gained a lot of strength after not being seen for a while."
"It seems to me that you, Alfredo-dono, are the one who has improved his skills."
"Haha, you have my thanks. I can't express my gratitude."

　It was a seemingly friendly greeting.
　But their eyes were not smiling at all.

"……And that's why I can't let you beat me."
"……Same with me. I'm not giving up on this."

　The burning fighting spirit of the participants was on full display.

　If they lose here, they will not be able to fulfill their long-cherished wish.
　Both players were aware that this was a match they could not afford to lose.


"――Bow to each other!　Get ready! "

　At the order of the referee, the two players readied their weapons.

　The weapon of choice was a simple longbow, for both of them. It was the most orthodox, easy-to-handle, and comfortable weapon.


"I'll tell you something good."
"Fumu, I would appreciate that."

　After a short pause, Alfredo opened his mouth to deliver his closing words before the match.


"You're getting too carried away."

"……! "



"――Begin! "


　Immediately after the order―― Silvia's 《Soldier Archery》 was unleashed.


"! ? "

　……It was mainly the audience that was surprised.

　The 《Soldier Archery》 that Silvia just unleashed was several steps above the technique she showed during her match with Dee.

　The moment of skill activation was so hidden and shortened that even the spectators, who surrounded the arena and could observe from various directions, could not tell when the arrow was shot.

　Hence, the audience was surprised. Even in the match with Dee, which she won so decisively, Silvia was not taking it seriously, it seemed.

　Then, as they watched the arrow flying through the air, the surprised spectators asked, "When in the world did she shoot that arrow!? " The surprised spectators remembered Dee's unexpected hit in the second match and understood why. They noticed she might've not been able to recognize the attack at that time, just like they now.


"……I see."

　However, Silvia looked very uncomfortable at the moment she released her first move.

　I've been provoked――Yes, she realized.


"Sorry. I can hear the bow."


　The 《Lance Archery》 by Alfredo attacked Silvia, penetrating and nullifying Silvia's 《Soldier Archery》 as it flew by.

　Of course, Alfredo did not think that Silvia was getting too carried away. Rather, he knew she was in top shape. That was why he provoked Silvia in order to counter her.


"Also, excuse me. I'm vaguely aware of it."

　Alfredo said that this technique would not work.

　This was a basic yet powerful technique that could be used to completely eliminate a passable opponent, as in the case of Ernte and Second's exhibition. Silvia had an inhuman admiration for this technique.

　Second, who beat up that scary old man Ernte with only Soldier using this technique. It was because she had seen this heroic figure up close that she strongly wished to become like him, and over the past six months, she had devoted herself to learning it to the point of desperation.

　But it made no difference to Alfredo. Even though he had been blind, he had a super sense that enabled him to detect where arrows would be flying from. He was an excellent archer who did not rely on his vision.


"However, I wanted to see if I could win, with the power I have now."

　Silvia muttered quietly as she struck Alfredo's 《Lance Archery》 with her 《Lance Archery》 as well.


"……? "

　Alfredo had no idea what the phrase meant. The power I have now…… What could Silvia's statement be indicative of?

　Everything that Silvia did should be all in her power. However much she was taught by Second Firstest, it was she herself who acquired the skills. That was undeniably her power. But she mumbled this in a manner that sounded as if she was to borrow power from someone else.


　――She is hiding something.


　The moment Alfredo raised his alarm...... something hair-raising dominated the scene.



"Behold, the Type-2 Rook Strategy."


　Was it the weight of history? Or was it the power of a woman who once gave up everything she knew and spent six months in hell?

　This was the "Type-2 Seka-Mosa-Style", also named the "Type-2 Rook" game plan improved for Silvia, which evolved from the "New Mosa-Style Archery" developed from the "Mosa-Style Archery," a Game Plan created by a player who was once praised as an innovator, and the "Second-Type Mosa-Style," which was further developed from it.


　A Game Plan was not the property of an individual, but the property of the title game.

　Because she was impressed by the words spoken by Second, Silvia, more than any other person, had extreme respect for this Game Plan rendition.

　At last, she was about to step into it. Her participation would also be in a serious game of honing a Game Plan to cultivate it into something more valuable.

　And it was the same for Alfredo.


"I'll take it."

　He quietly muttered……Immediately, he made the first move with 《Silver Archery》.

　When he was blind, he preferred to choose the latter move. His signature counterstyle involved using his excellent listening skills and sharp counterattacks to make quick shots. But before that, when he could still see, he was the polar opposite, so to speak. It was a fast-attacking style that aggressively pushed ahead with guns blazing.


"! ! "


　……Silvia's second move.

　The moment Alfredo saw it, he couldn't help but let out an inarticulate cry.


　《Rook Archery》―― She ignored the incoming 《Silver Archery》 and began preparing 《Rook Archery》.


　Recklessness. Simply put, it was this.

　Even if the Rook could be shot before the Silver reached, the Silver was sure to hit during the stagger time after the skill was used. On the other hand, Alfredo's side had plenty of ways to respond to the fired Rook.

　Given this, Alfredo must naturally have the following concern. "I believe my Silver may actually be off the mark."

　No. Alfredo's aim was precise. Everyone could see that with Silvia's current position, it would hit "99%" of the time.


"…………Ugh."

　He noticed it immediately. Therefore, Alfredo hastened to make the next move.

　If he drew the 1%, he would be facing a 《Rook Archery》 from an unscathed Silvia.

　No matter how accurate the aim, there was always a very low probability that it would miss due to the nature of the skill. There was no guarantee that the 1% wouldn't be drawn out.


"Attack and destroy! "

　Alfredo immediately began to prepare 《Rook Archery》.

　A solid move to make. That was Alfredo's feeling.

　Before the latter player, Silvia, activated 《Rook Archery》, the first player also prepared 《Rook Archery》 as a means of following up or responding to the attack.

　If Silver hit, it would be a deciding factor; if not, it would be a response to Silvia's Rook. It was truly a two-birds-with-one-stone move.

　This rapid decision-making was another of Alfredo's strengths.


　But.


"……! ? "

　At the sound coming from Silvia's direction, Alfredo immediately realized his dire predicament.


　When in the world did you start preparing 《Bishop Archery》――！?


"Haa! "

　Just before the Silver landed, Silvia finished preparing her Bishop and activated it.

　Silvia had switched from Rook to Bishop just in time to be ready. Alfredo, who was in a hurry to beat Silvia's 《Rook Archery》 and was only thinking ahead, could not see through this stealthy switch.


"Ghhhou! "

　Immediately after, a 《Silver Archery》 shot hit Silvia's left abdomen.

　However, the 《Bishop Archery》 she released was firmly aimed at Alfredo.

　Alfredo no longer had room to cancel his 《Rook Archery》 and prepare a new skill to respond.

　The response to 《Bishop Archery》, which had a powerful penetrating effect, would be less effective if it were not a skill that also had a penetrating effect. However, 《Lance Archery》 is weak. That said, 《Bishop Archery》 will no longer be ready in time.


"Tch……!! "

　Alfredo thought of a desperate response to dampen the power of the 《Bishop Archery》 even a little by hitting it with his 《Rook Archery》 directly.

　But the penetrating effect of Bishop was not something to scoff at.

　It penetrated Alfredo's Rook spectacularly and shot straight into Alfredo's right shoulder with great speed.

"――! "


　Both players went down.


　Truly a furious attack on one another.

　They did not take a step back, nor did they fear one another in the slightest, and they thrust their weapons into each other's bodies without regard to the pain they might experience.


　The advantage belonged to Silvia.

　Between Silver and Bishop, the latter has more firepower.


　Type-2 Rook Strategy ―― A Game Plan in which the opponent is forced to respond with the second Rook, which looks reckless, and the main objective is to hit the target with the Bishop.

　The changes ranged widely, but…… it mainly came down to a brawl. The two sides attack each other, and the last one standing wins, or so the story goes.

　This was exactly what Silvia was suited for. This Game Plan was appropriate for her, as she stood up for her own righteousness and continued to stand up for herself, no matter what. One does not need to say who thought that and who taught it.


　But there was more to this Game Plan.


"This, will hurt a little."

　Silvia, her face contorted in pain from the ache in her abdomen, hit 《Soldier Archery》 in rapid succession.

　A barrage of Soldiers. This was not a decisive move, but it was also an excellent strategy.

　With the clear difference in damage received, this alone was a tough offensive move for Alfredo.

"Guh!　Guh!　Damn! "

　The number of shots gradually increased.

　The wound on Alfredo's shoulder was deeper than the wound on Silvia's side. His right arm no longer moved freely. Hence, even the response to the Soldiers was inadequate.


"…………! "

　Suddenly, Alfredo realized.

　He was trying to 'see' Silvia's 《Soldier Archery》 and then trying to evade it.


"……Stupid."

　He spoke to himself, with a sense of abhorrence.

　In hindsight, the same was true of his response to the third move.

　Alfredo was disturbed when he 'saw' Silvia's unexpected 《Rook Archery》.

　He saw what he should not have seen, and he became impatient.

"Stupid! "

　Six months passed.

　Compared to those days, her skills would certainly have improved.

　However, her spirit……!



"……Alfredo-dono, I'll take care of the rest."

　Silvia told Alfredo, who was unable to move sufficiently after arrows pierced both of his thighs.


"…………"

　The man responded silently, then, weak with frustration, dropped to his knees.


　Immediately after, a 《Silver Archery》 and 《Knight Archery》 Combine were released from Silvia's bow. The accurate and unmatched high-powered sniper shot struck him in the chest, mercilessly piercing through the air, to further ensure her victory.


"Brilliant."

　Alfredo, accepting his defeat, contemplated, smiled thinly, and muttered to no one in particular.



"――That's enough!　Winner, Silvia Virginia! "


　The challenger was decided.

　Rook・Bishop・Silver・Knight・Soldier. These were the five basic offensive skills in 【Archery】. The Type-2 Rook strategy, with all its dynamism, was truly an ideal offensive.


　Silvia, reborn with the latest Game Plan imprinted on her body like a blazing fire, will challenge the notoriously skilled and cunning Kisenshou, a master of the game.

　Now, the decisive battle――!

======

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 Shield Arts skills

【Shield Arts】

《Dragon King Shield Arts》　Very powerful ranged attack to the front.
《Dragon Horse Shield Arts》　Reinforced defense + all-range attack.
《Rook Shield Arts》　Powerful forward Rush attack (VIT converted to STR and added to net STR)
《Bishop Shield Arts》　Great Reinforced Defense (16th class: 250% ~ Grade 9th: 600% Defense)
《Gold Shield Arts》　Range homing defense ＋ Knockback（While active, attacks within a certain range would redirect themselves towards the shield）
《Silver Shield Arts》　Reinforced defense (parry grace time reduced by 0.01 second, successful parry triggers counterattack effect)
《Knight Shield Arts》　Defense + Knockback.
《Lance Shield Arts》　Piercing Reflective Defense
《Soldier Shield Arts》　Normal defense.
Success condition for parry: Activate the skill 0.287 to 0.250 seconds before the attack reaches the target.

List of Magic skills

【Magic】 (Four attributes: fire, water, wind, and earth)
Advantages and disadvantages: Fire>Earth>Wind>Water>Fire
・First Form　Normal Attack （Preparation time： Super short. Cooldown： Super short）
・Second Form　Extended range attack （Slow. Long）
・Third Form　Strong single-target attack （Short. Short）
・Fourth Form　Powerful extended-range attack （Super slow. Super long）
・Fifth Form　Very powerful extended-range attack （Slowest. Longest）

【Magical Magic】
《Combine》　Combines two magic skills into a single attack.
《Synergy》　Overlays two magic spells on top of another magic spell.
《Charge》　Magic attack that increases in magnitude the more it is charged up.

List of Thread Manipulation skills

【Thread Manipulation】
《Dragon King Thread Manipulation》　The most powerful single attack, limited to the restrained target.
《Dragon Horse Thread Manipulation》　Simultaneously emits multiple threads, forcibly restraining the touched object.
《Rook Thread Manipulation》　Very powerful single attack using a bundle of threads
《Bishop Thread Manipulation》　Powerful penetrating attack using thread like a needle.
《Gold Thread Manipulation》　Thread restraints on objects within a 4-meter radius.
《Silver Thread Manipulation》　Powerful single-target attack with a bundle of threads
《Knight Thread Manipulation》　Manipulate monsters, humans, and puppets using strings for a certain period of time.
《Lance Thread Manipulation》　Penetrating attack using thread like a needle.
《Soldier Thread Manipulation》　Single target attack with a bundle of threads
(Gold + Lance or Bishop can be Combined)

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 ToC    

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