Moto Sekai Ichi – 188 | Sousaku – 創作

188　Kongou Match Part 2

【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.

"Long time no see, Eko-san. A sharp parry, brilliant as always."

"Long time no see-fret. (Hisashibu-Leafret)"

"……? "

"Been fine, Rok-kun? "

"Yes, I am well. Eko-san, as always, you seem to be enjoying the game. I need to learn from you."

"You can copy me! "

"Yes, I will imitate you."

Kongou Rokunchea vs. Eko Leafret.

Despite the relaxed atmosphere, the two were quietly passionate about the fight.

On the one hand, it was a match with a defense on the line, and on the other hand, it was a match with a first title win on the line. Achieve it or fail at it, it was truly a game that decided everything.

"Bow to each other! Get ready! "

Following the referee's order, the two players took out their shields from their inventory.

Eko was fully decked out in the "Shellrock Series armor," including Shellrock Shield, Shellrock Armor, Shellrock Boots, and Shellrock Gauntlets.

Rokunchea, on the other hand, had――

"A Mithril Buckler, huh?"

Second in the audience was quick to spot it and muttered. The mithril buckler was a lightweight, sturdy, small shield that attached to the arm about 50 centimeters in diameter.

Then.

"……Oh, I knew it."

A green crystal was embedded in the shield. That meant ―― Bestowal of "Side Pawn Picker" which provided a 150% AGI effect.

Equipment that emphasizes on quickness. Rokunchea made full use of "Bestowal" to bestow the most appropriate effect on the shield that best suited his style of combat to take advantage of his AGI.

Rokunchea, who realized the importance of Bestowal after winning the first prize at the winter bingo game, had probably gone to a lot of fretful effort to prepare this "Side Pawn Picker Mithril Buckler".

And perhaps that was why. Second was beaming.

Green crystals glittered not only on Rokunchea's shield but also on his boots and his gauntlets.

In just six months, he prepared three pieces of equipment with the same Bestowal effect. It was, one could say, an unimaginable hassle.

"――Begin! "

Finally, the game for the Kongou title was about to unfold.

Immediately after the order, Rokunchea ran out without using any skills.

"----! "

Fast ――Eko's round eyes widened even more in surprise, but she calmly followed Rokunchea's racing movements.

Rokunchea moved backward, using his very high AGI to confuse Eko, and prepared 《Rook Shield Arts》.

A Rush was coming. Everyone expected that, however...... Rokunchea did not move when it was ready.

Silence. Suddenly, the two stayed motionless as they stared at each other.

"He's very careful."

"What does that mean? Second-dono."

The stalemate continued for a few seconds. Silvia tilted her head at Second, who muttered in admiration.

"Shield Arts has only four types of attacks. Do you understand? "

"Ummm, the Rush of Rook, the wide range attack of Dragon Horse, the range attack of Dragon King, and ......? "

"And, the Silver's Parry counterattack."

"Ohh! I see... that too."

"So, basically, will he promote the Rook or he get parried by a Silver?"
"Promotion?"

"To take the opponent down with Rook and then complete the preparations for Dragon King while the opponent is down."

"That's something I've seen several times. Fumu, so that's why you said 'promotion'."

"Yeah. I mean, the Kongou fight is incredibly simple, it's just a game of how you get it into those two patterns."

"I get it. So, Rokunchea-dono is wary of Eko's parry? "

Silvia said, as if she understood, and Second replied with a sighing laugh.

"It is not that simple. Look, surely, the Kongou battle is simple. But the simplicity of the game demands a deeper meaning in each and every move."

"Hmm……Deeper meaning, huh?"

"Rokunchea showed once yesterday, albeit only momentarily, the speed of a Rush by Rook with Side Pawn Picker equipment. Even though it was only one time, there is no denying that Eko may have already prepared a response to that speed. Hence, I guess he is now daring to leave time in between and trying to make the Rush by the high AGI more intense. In other words, it is a way to prevent the opponent from parrying. Perhaps, by putting everything into the first move, he is trying to prevent himself from stepping into the Game Plan transition that Eko is aiming for."

"……That's a tough one. How can you think that far in a split second in the middle of a match? "

"It's difficult for me because I have to verbalize every single thing. Well, sort of, you know what I mean."

"Mm, I don't know."

"What he showed us yesterday was a Rush with the effect of one Side Pawn Picker, that is, just in the Buckler. What he will show us now is a Rush of three Side Pawn Picker enchants, with gauntlets and boots added. That's why the first move is so important. Hence, that guy is being so cautious. Do you understand this? "

"I see. I don't understand."

"……Well, if you do it long enough, you'll figure it out."

Some people are strong even if they don't understand, Second said, following up.

Just then, Eko started to move as if she were starting to get tired.

The skill that she began preparing was 《Dragon King Shield Arts》, a very powerful forward ranged attack.

Yeah ――It was an invitation.

Eko implied that unless he wanted her preparations to be complete, he should hurry up and activate the Rook.

"Are you sure!? "

Rokunchea nodded strongly and activated 《Rook Shield Arts》.

"If possible―― please don't think of it as cheating."

Then he muttered quietly and kicked the ground.

"! ? "

Unusual acceleration, as if by a rocket jet.

Rokunchea curved, moved to Eko's side, and hit his 《Rook Shield Arts》.

Rokunchea's speed was far more than double what Eko had expected.

The AGI of Rokunchea, which was higher than before, was 250% due to the effect of Side Pawn Picker x3, of course. This is what he meant when he said, "Please don't think of it as cheating."

"Ah! "

Eko immediately canceled her 《Dragon King Shield Arts》 and switched to 《Soldier Shield Arts》, but…… failed to parry.

How could she not fail? There were probably only one or two people in the world who could parry a Rook of this speed on the first try.

That's right, there was simply no way around it.

Rokunchea's strategy was a success. The best use of this Side Pawn Picker equipment is the first move. Hence, everything was focused on that.

"……Do your best and have fun. I don't think we can truly enjoy ourselves unless we do everything possible within the rules and with each other."

Rokunchea spoke as he readied his 《Dragon King Shield Arts》, while Eko went down after a direct hit from 《Rook Shield Arts》.

A drop of water fell on Eko's cheek as her smile faded away.

Before the conclusion of the match, a steady rain began to fall.

"Everyone is serious about winning and will pull out all the stops. That's the kind of place I want to have fun. That's why…… I'm sorry."

And by the time he finished speaking, he was already ready for the 《Dragon King Shield Arts》.

……The Rook's been promoted.

"Thank you very much, Eko-san."

Almost as soon as Eko got up, Rokunchea activated his 《Dragon King Shield Arts》.

A tremendous impact shook the ground.

Large drops of rain made everyone in the arena anticipate a real downpour to come.

"――Don't think of this as cheating."

"Wha――!? "

So when Eko popped up out of the dust cloud, everyone was surprised.

No, only two people were not surprised. Second and Raspberry Bell. They both knew the significance of the brown crystals on Eko's full-body equipment.

Bestowal effect "Badger" ――It was a 150% VIT increase, a defensive-specific Bestowal.

Eko was wearing the Shellrock Series armor, manufactured from materials dropped by the Rock Turtle, the boss of the Limptfert dungeon. "Bestowal" was given to all of them. Head, torso, hands, legs, and feet, five parts in total. In other words, a 350% VIT effect.

Here is why Rokunchea did not see it coming. To match the same Bestowal effect with the same series of equipment. Such an undertaking would require tremendous time, effort, and financial resources. When it came to high-end materials such as Shellrock, it was hard to estimate how much it would cost.
Hence, Rokunchea said, "It's impossible," and stopped looking for crystals to recognize the Bestowal effect when Eko's entire body was equipped with the Shellrock Armor series.

This was the strength of a Blacksmith. It was the strength of Yukari, who had been diligently and steadily working through the endless loop of "Bestowal→Dismantle→Manufacture→Bestowal" since the Castall kingdom was still in turmoil due to the political strife.

"How!? "

"I just hmmmmgg through it."

"Soldier!? "

Normally, this would be impossible.

But with a VIT of 350%, that would be comparable to the greatly enhanced defense of 《Bishop Shield Arts》. No wonder she could withstand 《Dragon King Shield Arts》.

"Okay, here I go."

Eko, who had started to move nimbly immediately after 《Soldier Shield Arts》, prepared 《Rook Shield Arts》 and attacked Rokunchea, who had been immobilized by the stiffness effect after using 《Dragon King Shield Arts》.

"Gghh, ugh!? "

Rokunchea was helplessly hit directly by the Rook and rolled backward and down.

Rokunchea looked in anguish and astonishment at the damage, which was more than he had imagined. Because, with just one blow, he was in a "near-death" state.

This was due to the STR raised by Eko's 【Axemanship】 and the characteristics of the 《Rook Shield Arts》, in which VIT was added as STR. Hence, the damage was that heavy.

Thus ―― The rook was a success.

"If you do it all, and get it, it's fun, I know it."

"……Yeah, hehehe, you're right. You already knew that, didn't you, Eko-san?"

"But it's a shame. I couldn't do it all."

"…………You mean you weren't really serious? "

"Not that. I couldn't use all my strength."

"That's almost the same…… Then it's fine."

Rokunchea, who was breathlessly replying to the words, saw that Eko had completed the preparation for 《Dragon King Shield Arts》 and said the last words, frustrated, but with a smile on his face.

"I forfeit."

"――That's enough! Winner, Eko Leafret! "

A battle for the books. For the first time, a Beastfolk Kongou was born, after defeating the first Human Kongou.

The audience, who were present at this defining moment in the creation of a new history, gave a huge ovation.

The rain began to fall with a thumping sound.

Smiling with a relieved expression on her face, Eko waved cheerfully to Second in the audience, her rain-soaked tail still happily held up in the air.

======

Thank you for reading.

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.

Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
Lance(Kyousha)
Knight (Keima)
Silver General (Ginshou)
Gold General (Kinshou)
Bishop (Kakugyou)
Rook (Hisha)
Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
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)

ToC