Moto Sekai Ichi – 202 | Sousaku – 創作

202　Bishamon Match Part 1

【Sword-drawing】 (STR+DEX+AGI+VIT)/5.12+remaining SP/10^4（fire power when using a sword at the belt 128％）

《Dragon King Sword-drawing》 (The more you charge, the more power) Extremely powerful area of effect attack.
《Dragon Horse》 Range attack in all directions.
《Rook Sword-drawing》 (The more you charge, the more power) Extremely powerful Sword drawing attack (Single attack)
《Bishop Sword-drawing》 Quick and powerful thrust.
《Gold Sword-drawing》 Counter (Single attack + defense)
《Silver Sword-drawing》 (The more you charge, the more power) Powerful Sword-drawing attack.
《Knight Sword-drawing》 Large movement + Sword drawing attack (Single attack)
《Lance Sword-drawing》 Movement + Sword drawing attack (Single attack)
《Soldier Sword-drawing》 Sword drawing attack (Single attack)

Ａ Masamune（Last time seeded second）
Ｂ Second
Ｃ Kanbei
Ｄ Akaneko
Ｅ Azami
Ｆ Mamushi（Last time seeded fourth）（In absence of Urashima, who came in third last time）

{Ａ vs (Ｂ vs Ｃ)} vs {(Ｄ vs Ｅ) vs Ｆ}

（The tournament winner earns the Bishamon title due to the absence of Kenshin Bishamon.）

◇ ◇ ◇

In the morning, I entered the venue with Nova hanging from my right arm.

Apparently, Nova will be staying in the capital until the end of the title matches. "We can still be together for a while!” she said with a smile like a sunflower in bloom, and it made me smile too, but that was last night. Since I woke up this morning, the physical contact has become even more intense.

To be more specific, I didn't even eat breakfast with my own hands. She clings to my arm wherever I go. She even tried to follow me to the bathroom, but I refused her promptly. Nova was saying things like “I see... that's to be expected...” in agreement, but her expression was exactly that of a puppy that had been abandoned.

Nova is 26 years old this year. It seems that she has lived her life without knowing anything about love. This is because she had apparently been taught from a young age by her grandfather and father that she should only marry a man who was stronger than she was.

“This is your first and last chance,” Lieutenant Colonel Davidov said.

Well, that's only natural. I don't think there is a man in this world who could win against her, who has a status similar to that of the Muscle Grandpa, Nevado Bartelemon, using only 【Martial Arts】.

Is that why she has become so aggressive, or is it a reaction to the past 26 years, or is it both? In any case, her doting was unstoppable, and she was not so weak that she was embarrassed by what people thought of her.

"Second~. Aren't you tired from yesterday's match? Is your arm okay? If you like, I'll give you a massage!”
"No problem."
"I see! You're amazing, Second! I love you so～ much!"
"…………"

I'm not used to this.

Even Silvia, the quiet and reserved fairytale maiden, would never act like this even if it was just the two of them. Nova rubbed and squeezed my arm even in the crowded arena hallway.

What's more, we're both famous, and we're both tall and beautiful, so we stand out even more.

"Ah."

From the end of the hallway, I heard a man's voice.
Then, he came walking over to us. I recognized the man in the hakama.

"Kanbei?"
"Indeed. I take it that you are the Second Firstest."
"Correct."

This is Kanbei of the Daikoku-style. I had heard that one person from each school would be participating in the Bishamon tournament. So the representative of the Daikoku-style was Kanbei, as expected?

"It's been half a year. Have you been well?”
"What are you talking about? I have seen hell many times. You already know the reason why."
"Ah, it wouldn't be polite to put it into words."

Of course, it's to defeat me.

As I remember, Kanbei liked Akaneko. He was looking at Akaneko's thighs all the time, and he got so angry when he saw me holding Akaneko's hand that he suddenly attacked me. In other words, he was soundly defeated in front of the woman he liked. That defeat would undoubtedly hurt.

To vindicate one's honor. You must have climbed the cliff for six months, risking your life, and staked everything on this Bishamon battle, right?

When I asked him with a grin but without speaking, Kanbei frowned, then looked at the person next to me and opened his mouth with a startled expression.

"I-Is that the woman from yesterday?"
"General Nova Bartelemon of the Oranjee Kingdom Army. But now I'm just Second's woman."
"……I'm not trying to be mean. But don't get involved with that man."
"What a strange story. Why do I have to be told such things?”
"That man is a piece of trash who takes advantage of the fact that he's popular with women and keeps hopping from one woman to the next."
"Kanbei, was it? That's not true. Second is not playing around with all the women irresponsibly. It seems to me that he takes responsibility for all women and looks after them himself."
"I guess there are no flaws in the eyes of a lover. I can no longer save you."
"There is no need for that. This has nothing to do with you, Kanbei."
"……Tch……!”

As I thought, Nova is really good at verbal battles. As expected of a great general, she has dealt with not only military personnel from home and abroad but also politicians and nobles.

"Second Firstest…… Why do you get so much attention? Why is it always you?"
"It's probably because I have a handsome face."
"Kukuhaha! As expected of my guy. That is a funny joke."

……I didn't mean it as a joke, but oh well.

"S-Stop fooling around! Even though there is Akaneko-san, there are also rumors of the Kisenshou, of that dark elf servant, and even that Masamune-dono is in love with him! And to top it all off, now the former Toushini! How many women does it take to satisfy you!”

I see, so Kanbei's anger is because of the Akaneko incident. I have to tell him that he's mistaken.

"Akaneko and I are just teacher and student, not lovers. I am going out with Silvia and Yukari. Masamune and I are on good terms. As for Nova, things are just starting. I'm not trying to seduce anybody. I didn't want to reject their kindness, so I didn't, and this is the result."

When I told him the truth, Kanbei's face turned bright red with rage.

"How dare you say that after you stole Akaneko-san from the Tobatsu school! Are you satisfied with just recruiting women? You're not participating in the title matches just to collect women, are you? You've gone too far in your insolence, you samurai-slighting ruffian!”

Kanbei was furious.
Well, if you're humiliated in front of the girl you like and then she leaves your hometown, it's no wonder you end up like this.

But…… I'll have to fix the parts where he's got it wrong.

"Kanbei. Do you think the world's number one is popular?”
"What a foolish thing to say! You are taking advantage of that popularity!”
"Sure, the number one is popular. However, that doesn't translate to being popular with women. I'm asking if you can tell the difference."
"So, what are you saying――?"
"Don't you understand?"

What a miracle it is that there are people who know what it means to be the best in the world, and still love you.

If you think about it, today is the first time I'll be playing PvP with Kanbei in a formal setting.

"I'll tell you later. So much that you'll hate it."

I hope we can have a good match.

＊ ＊ ＊

The first match of the Bishamon Tournament, Second Firstest vs. Kanbei.
The arena was in a state of unusual excitement.

The reasons were complex. Until now, the Bishamon battles have been “just carried out” so to speak. This was because all the contestants ignored the audience and carried out the matches in a matter-of-fact way, only to decide the winner, and then they would leave without even taking part in the awards ceremony. The fact that the unique skill of the Land of the Eight Swords, called 【Sword-drawing】, was so unknown was also one of the reasons why it didn't get very popular. The general public was not interested in a title match where people they didn't know were doing things they didn't understand using skills they didn't know about.

This time, to everyone's surprise, things got really exciting. Perhaps because of what Second said, the Daikoku-style headmaster, Toukichirou, took action. He advertised extensively that the Bishamon title match would be different from the previous summer tournament. In addition, the method of manufacturing swords was sold to the Kingdom of Castall, and the number of ships crossing to the Land of the Eight Swords was increased tenfold. Through these activities, although it was only a little at a time, some people became interested in 【Sword-drawing】 and, by extension, the Bishamon games.

And when it came to the participation of “that” Second Firstest-Hepta-Crown, the story changed completely.

Second's ability to attract an audience was incredible. For the simple reason that “Second will be appearing”, the Bishamon tournament, which had previously had a noticeable number of empty seats, was full to capacity, with people even standing.

"……What a turnout!"

Kanbei, who had spent the last six months training on the island, had not anticipated this situation.

Walking out onto the arena, he looked around at the packed crowd and felt dizzy.
People, people, people as far as the eye could see. Kanbei had never played in front of such a large crowd before.

An unprecedented kind of tension made Kanbei's hands tremble quietly.

But he couldn't afford to lose over something like this.
Kanbei clenched his hands tightly and forced himself to stop shaking.

"How popular."

The man facing him, Second Firstest, muttered nonchalantly.

With his unnaturally composed expression, Kanbei realized. It was this man, without a doubt, who had attracted so many spectators. This was the immense popularity of the man who called himself the “world's number one”.

"Are you being sarcastic? Don't get too full of yourself!"

Kanbei still didn't understand.

He thought that it was because he was so popular that women liked him.

A man who has lived his life with only his katana must not lose to a man who has lost his heart to a woman.

Otherwise, then―― you would suddenly lose sight of who you are.

"If you're a samurai, you can only talk with each other using your katana……!”

If he could defeat the man who was getting carried away with being fawn over, Akaneko would surely wake up. Kanbei believed this to be the case.

"Ah, youth."

With Kanbei like that in front of him, Second spoke as if it were someone else's problem.

It seems we are looking at different places. For some reason, Kanbei got this impression.

"――Bow to each other! Get ready!”

Ordered the referee.

Kanbei's beloved katana was already at his waist, so he walked over to the designated spot and slowly turned to look at Second.

"……!?”

An instant―― Kanbei was overcome with such a terrible fear that the word “goosebumps” was not enough to describe it.

His gaze was fixed on the katana that Second was now holding at his waist. No, his eyes were glued to it as if he had been bewitched, unable to avert his gaze even for a moment.

A katana in a white silver sheath that shone brilliantly in the sunlight. Kanbei had no idea what was so creepy about the plain-looking katana. However, his body started to shake uncontrollably from an unknown chill.

"What…… what is that you're holding……!”
"This? Oh, I guess you're curious?”

When Kanbei questioned him, Second replied with a grin.

"Seventh Reikan. This is the katana that Reikan, the founder of the Hiruko school, left to me.”
"What a ridiculous thing to say! A thing from so long ago, it must have long since rotted away."
"It took Yukari six months to fix it. In other words, well, don't worry, she was serious."
"Wh-……"

Again, a woman.

His smug face, his proud bearing, his condescending attitude―― everything about him irritated Kanbei.

The blood rushed to his head.

For a moment, he forgot about the existence of the eerie katana.

"――Begin!”

The signal to start the match.

……Kanbei will never forget the scene that followed.

" "

He became speechless.

The man kneeling down and holding the sword's guard up high prepared to use 《Dragon King Sword-drawing》, a powerful area attack that built up power the longer it was held.

The problem was not the skill.

It was his eyes.

To put it in a metaphor, it was like the eyes of a demon. His eyes, which looked like they had been coated with paint and were a deep black, stared at Kanbei.

It looked like he was glaring at him sharply, but you could also tell that he wasn't directing that look out of anger or hatred.

These were the eyes of a person who had dived into the bottomless abyss beyond extreme concentration and never returned―― a person who was not thinking about anything.

"Tch……!”

There was no time to hesitate.

Kanbei, who had regained his senses in an instant, quickly closed the distance and began preparing 《Silver General Sword-drawing》 in front of Second's Dragon King.

Second immediately canceled the Dragon King, waited 0.2 seconds, and then began preparing for the counterattack with the effect of 《Gold Sword-drawing》 to deal with the Silver.

If he attacked the Gold directly with the Silver, he would be severely beaten back. Therefore, Kanbei was required to switch his skill. However, he didn't know what to switch to, so he didn't know the correct answer.

He was desperate. Kanbei was so absorbed in his thoughts that he forgot to breathe.

It was a miracle that he was able to cancel the Silver and prepare 《Lance Sword-drawing》 here.

Perhaps it was because of the unprecedented number of spectators, or perhaps it was because he didn't want to lose, or perhaps it was the result of six months of hard work, but at this moment he managed to do more than he was capable of. His brain accelerated dozens or hundreds of thoughts in less than a fraction of a second, sending instructions to his whole body without pause, causing him to draw his katana.

――As expected. At the moment he was about to pull it out, Kanbei realized.

Second's 《Gold Sword-drawing》 was slightly delayed.

《Lance Sword-drawing》 was a skill that allowed you to move and draw your sword at the same time. Therefore, if there was a certain amount of distance, it would be able to reach its target before Soldier or Silver.

If it was even 0.1 seconds late, this lance would not have been successful.

A flash of brilliance, in a split-second.

This is why 【Sword-drawing】 is interesting…… who wouldn't think like that?

"Gotcha……!?”

As the Lance began to move, Kanbei was certain of victory―― but at that moment, the Second's skill switched from Gold to Silver.

That's impossible!! Kanbei screamed out silently.

The decision was made way too quickly.

No matter how good Second's reflexes were, there were still limits to what a human could do. It was impossible to prepare a Silver after seeing Kanbei's Lance. It was clearly beyond a human's capabilities.

Yes, as if he had known that the lance would come at this moment from the very beginning.

"…………"

Once the 《Lance Sword-drawing》 started, there was no stopping it. All that was left was to cross swords with Second's Silver, which had not charged up.

Kanbei saw the merciless eyes of Second, and saw the reddish-black blade that appeared from the White Silver sheath, and for the first time――

――He felt scared to the very bottom of his heart.

There was no other way to describe it than as a “monster”.

People were all afraid of things beyond human understanding.

“I see,” Kanbei said, dumbly agreeing.

The world's number one is popular, but not popular with the opposite sex.
He finally understood why Second had said that.

"Do you understand?”

Those were his final words.

Kanbei agreed in his heart. Yes, he had to learn the hard way.

……I'm scared. The man in front of me is scary. I'm scared, scared, scared, I can't help it, I'm scared.

Popular? That's nonsense. No matter how popular you may be on the surface, if you catch even a glimpse of this horror, everyone will turn pale and immediately run away.

Second Firstest is a monster. So scary that you had no choice but to conclude that. One you had to categorize in this way, excluding him from humans, in order to protect your own sanity.

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

The Silver hit him directly, blowing off Kanbei's arm, and the Second Slash of the 《Bishop's Sword-drawing》 finished him off.

A brilliant conclusion in just two moves.

The audience went wild. Smiling and clapping their hands, they had no way of knowing the terror that Kanbei had just experienced.

======

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).

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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 Martial Arts skills

【Martial Arts】　Attack：(STR+DEX+AGI)/2.56

《Dragon King Martial Arts》　A very powerful wide-area attack in the front (shockwave)
《Dragon Horse Martial Arts》　Accelerated forward strike (Dash Punch)
《Rook Martial Arts》　Very powerful single-target attack + charge (Punch)
《Bishop Martial Arts》　Omni-directional attack (Roundhouse kick)
《Gold Martial Arts》　Short-range attack plus defense (Tackle)
《Silver Martial Arts》　Strong single-target attack （Punch）
《Knight Martial Arts》　Forward jumping attack （Jumping kick）
《Lance Martial Arts》　Short-range attack (Kick)
《Soldier Martial Arts》　Normal attack （Punch）

List of Sword-drawing skills

【Sword-drawing】 (STR+DEX+AGI+VIT)/5.12+remaining SP/10^4（fire power when using a sword at the belt 128％）

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