Moto Sekai Ichi – 203 | Sousaku – 創作

203　Bishamon Match Part 2

Arc 10: Title Defense

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【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)

"I never thought the day would come when I would be able to face Azami-anesama again like this."
"Me too, Akaneko-chan. And not just as a Tobatsu-style or Kisshou-style, but to face each other as just samurai."
"It's weird."
"Yes, it really is weird."

The two samurai facing each other in the center of the arena exchanged a few words, and then both of them let out a giggle.

"You've changed, Azami-anesama. I may be rude for saying this, but…… it seems like an evil spirit has left you."
"I feel like that too, especially these days. It's interesting, you know? I used to hate Sword-drawing so much, but for some reason, I've been enjoying it recently."
"I see. So, will you be competing this season too?”
"Well, I guess you could say that, but…… The girl who works at the shop I'm currently helping out at said that I definitely had to come. Just because it would be good publicity."
"Fufufu, you've been blessed with a good encounter."
"Yeah. But that goes for you too, Akaneko-chan."
"……Yes, indeed. I've achieved growth that I can hardly believe myself."
"Ara, that sounds…… really interesting."

The peaceful atmosphere between the two gradually grew more intense, until it finally burned out and was blown away by the wind.

What appeared instead was a torrent of fiery fighting spirit between the samurai.

Fate brings together those who have staked everything on their swords, and when they face each other with their swords drawn, this is what happens.

This is their fate, born as samurai.

"――Bow to each other! Get ready!”

Standing calmly and silently in position.

Ruthlessly, the game can be decided in an instant. The ephemeral nature of that momentary flash is what makes sword-drawing so special.

They know this from experience.

It could be said that both of them have had their lives governed by swords.
The successor to the Tobatsu-style and the head of the Kisshou-style.

But now, they are merely samurai.
They have nothing to burden them.

Simply women, looking ahead, wielding a sword.
In this moment of glory, there is no need to feel anxious, even if you have high expectations.

The heartless transience changes form at this moment.

To a vivid, passionate, exciting form of entertainment that neither of them had ever seen before.

"Akaneko-chan, let's have fun!”
"Yes. Otherwise, there is no point in doing it……!”

They looked at each other again and smiled.

They had carefree, beaming smiles.

"――Begin!”

At the same time as the starting command, they closed the distance and activated their skills.

Akaneko prepared 《Knight Sword-drawing》, and Azami stood ready with her sword half-drawn, waiting.

Azami chose to play the latter move. A beautiful victory achieved by anticipating the opponent's move. This was the essence of the Kisshou style.
Akaneko chose to attack first. The Tobatsu-style was an aggressive sword-drawing style. The essence of the art lay in killing with a single blow.

……But.

"Just kidding!”
"I thought so too!”

Azami suddenly approached and, when she lowered herself, she activated 《Silver Sword-drawing》.

Akaneko had anticipated the surprise attack. She canceled the Knight, and immediately prepared 《Silver Sword-drawing》 in order to match her opponent.

The two of them had played against each other many times since they were young, so they knew each other's moves inside out. However, the changes that have occurred in the last six months have been too unpredictable.

Something like that has never happened before. This was something that would have been unthinkable when they were living on the same island. That is why they both thought this. If it were to happen, it would be a very big change that would overturn our current knowledge.

The results were as they had expected.

They had both abandoned their own schools. No, it should be more accurate to say that they did not deliberately follow the style of their school.

This was not a case of cutting corners. It could be said that the two have matured in their sword-drawing techniques, to the point where they now have the ability to demonstrate their skills despite having broken the traditional forms of sword-drawing they had cultivated up until now. In other words, the underlying strength has increased.

Sword-drawing is a technique that can be used to defeat an opponent with a single strike. Using such a delicate skill to enjoy yourself without being restricted by the fighting style is a privilege only allowed to experienced players.

To sum up……

"As I thought. You've learned a lot from him."
"It seems you weren't just kneading bread all the time."

Raising the corners of their mouths, they taunted.

That's right. As they had said before the match, the two of them were trying to enjoy the game.

The two players, as they clashed their silver and locked their gazes, were as sharp as a drawn katana. However, the corners of their mouths were twitching with the joy that welled up from deep within their hearts.

In front of thousands of spectators, they fully demonstrated the techniques they had painstakingly developed. Neither of them had thought that it would be such fun.

They were very excited.

What will Akaneko, who grew up through the Tobatsu-style and then became a disciple of Second, and Azami, who abandoned the Kisshou-style and awakened to her own style, unleash? They couldn't help enjoying themselves.

"Well then, let me show you!”

Akaneko suddenly put her strength into it and deflected Azami's katana.

Immediately after, Akaneko began preparing for 《Rook Sword-drawing》 and slowly closed the distance.

"----!”

Azami realized. It's a move that Second once showed.
It would not be strange for Akaneko, who studied under Second, to have mastered it.

And, as one might've expected, Akaneko suddenly canceled the Rook at the last moment, and while keeping her posture low, she spun around to show her back.

――Next, a Silver with frightening speed will follow. I already knew that.

However, for some reason, Azami…… moved only one step to the left without preparing any skills at all.

"!!”

The scabbard pierced the empty space.

Akaneko did not dare to activate Silver here, but instead aimed to surprise her opponent with a surprise attack from the sheath.

This was the technique that Akaneko was defeated with by Second at the Tobatsu Dojo. The more you braced yourself for the Silver's approach, the more difficult it was to avoid the surprise attack.

However, Azami had read it. Therefore, while evading with the minimum of movement, she prepared her skill and activated 《Bishop Sword-drawing》 towards Akaneko, who had a gap in her stance as she thrust out her scabbard.

Akaneko's stomach was wide open. Bishop was a skill where you stopped your opponent's sword with your sword in front of you, and then quickly thrust in with your sword by turning your wrist. There was no way that Akaneko, who had exposed a gap in her defenses, could avoid that piercing thrust.

"……!?”

This is when Azami first became aware of a new fact.

The sheath's surprise attack…… there was more to it.

"I thought you would dodge it."

Akaneko's mutterings made Azami realize her defeat.

Azami had already drawn her sword.
There was no longer any way to stop it.

When did Akaneko complete her preparations for 《Gold Sword-drawing》?

After stabbing with the sheath? If that's the case, there's no way she'd make it. Right, probably when she was spinning around before thrusting with the sheath.

Gold was a counter-effective skill. If you were to attack this, you would be unable to do anything and would receive a counterattack.

But even if she knew this, there was nothing she could do about it now.

"Oh dear."

The moment the Bishop reached Akaneko, the counter-effect of Gold was activated, nullifying Azami's Bishop. Immediately after, Akaneko unsheathed her sword and, with the firepower of her counterattack already in place, she slashed at Azami's neck.

Fresh blood danced about. A mortal wound. And just before she fainted, Azami realized something.

She realized that Akaneko's reading was one level above hers.

The moment she spun around. From that point on, Akaneko began preparing for Gold, and only had eyes for this ending.

Long before the game began, she had already read this sequence of moves, where Azami would avoid the attack of the sheath and then counterattack with a Bishop. Therefore, she was able to prepare the Gold from long ago. While preparing the Gold, she was able to thrust out the sheath as if to say, “It's a surprise attack!”.

……A formidable sense of battle. Azami smiled and accepted it, understanding why Second wanted her.

"――That's enough! Winner, Akaneko!”

Azami collapsed and Akaneko sheathed her katana.

After a brief pause, the two were enveloped in thunderous applause and cheers.

The winner was decided with a single strike. It might seem a little bland, but the momentary exchange was more intense and profound than any other skill.

The audience had already learned how to enjoy the Bishamon battles by the end of these two matches.

"Thank you very much."

As Akaneko was leaving, she bowed to Azami and the arena, thinking to herself.

That was really fun――She thought.

This was the first serious match in a public setting since leaving the Tobatsu-style school.

She was confident and felt that way from the bottom of her heart.

And the same could be said of the audience.

The sword-drawing battles of these men and women had grown into a major form of entertainment and were on the verge of becoming top-class.

It entertained everyone and everyone enjoyed it. That was the new sword-drawing style that Akaneko was aiming for, something that she had been pursuing for a long time, now just a distant shadow.

But she was close to achieving it.

"――Hallo Missu Akaneko! Naisu to shi yu! I am happy to see you here!”
"Y-Yeah…… I'm glad to see that you're in good health today, Mamushi-dono.
"Yeah! Mee is always in good spirits!”
"Is that so?"

The first Bishamon Tournament semifinal match: Mamushi vs. Akaneko.

Mamushi was a guy who never seemed to have a relaxed day, but today he was more excited than usual. As proof of this, he was wearing sunglasses in a carefree style.

No wonder he was so excited― he was able to demonstrate his “Hop Hip Sword-drawing” in front of such a large audience. There was no way his excitement wouldn't rise.

"Bow to each other! Get ready!”

After a brief greeting, the referee gave the command.

Akaneko had been afraid of Mamushi.

Not to mention how strange he talked, but most of all, his crazy sword-drawing style.

Mamushi was a samurai with brown dreadlocks and sunglasses. No matter who you asked, they would probably think he was a bit of a joke. But…… Despite appearances, he was the head of the Tennan-style school. In the last tournament, he was a strong fourth-place contender.

His sword-drawing style, which was feared for its ability to change shape at will, was probably the most disliked by orthodox practitioners.

"――Begin!”

However…… That was until six months ago.

"Howaht!?”

Akaneko was the first to make a move.

By using the AGI boosted by learning the 【Martial Arts】 skill, she quickly closed the distance and then used 《Silver Sword-drawing》. However, suddenly Akaneko canceled the Silver and used the 《Knight Sword-drawing》 to charge forward.

No wonder Mamushi let out a surprised cry.

An aggressive opening move full of energy. This was a fighting style that did not exist in any of the existing schools.

Even the Tennan Hop Hip Sword-drawing style would produce a more composed first move.

……Right now, Akaneko is far more unconventional than Mamushi's sword-drawing.

It was clear who had influenced her.

"To be able to take, it is magnificent, Mamushi-dono!”
"Wow, that was a very dangerous sword-drawing technique……!”

《Knight's Sword-drawing》 combined a large movement with sword-drawing. If you added a running start to this, the initial speed would be added to the movement of the skill, resulting in a very unique speed.

Mamushi blocked it with 《Silver Sword-drawing》. Akaneko approached faster than expected, so he arched his body to gain as much distance as possible, and just as he was about to draw his sword, he was able to parry the attack and bring it to a standstill. Everything had been improvised. The fact that he could do this on the first try was probably because he was the head of the school.

"Well then, how about this?”

With one kick, Akaneko sent Mamushi flying and took a step back, preparing to use a skill.

《Bishop Sword-drawing》―― A skill that delivered a sharp thrust with high power.

"Don't underestimate hop-hip!”

Mamushi used his hip-hop dance-like moves to regain his balance after being knocked off his feet, and began preparing for 《Gold Sword-drawing》.

The timing was just right. Because of the counter effect, Akaneko will not be able to continue to attack with the Bishop.

"!!”

However, Akaneko canceled her skill just before Mamushi's Gold was activated, and at the same time, she began preparing 《Dragon King Sword-drawing》 at about the same time.

Dragon King is a wide-area attack. The counter effect of Gold only activates when it is used as a single attack.

"Shito! However!”

He was still hanging on. Mamushi canceled the Gold and prepared 《Silver Sword-drawing》 to crush the Dragon King before it was activated, and immediately attacked.――

" "

――But here, he became speechless for the first time.

His mouth was open, yet he couldn't speak.

Akaneko, who was supposed to be preparing a Dragon King, had somehow charged up a 《Silver Sword-drawing》.

"Wh...!?”

Just as he was about to ask how, he realized the answer.

He rushed to destroy the Dragon King. Therefore, he activated the Silver instantaneously, without delay.

He could have waited calmly.

There was a good chance that the opponent had canceled the Dragon King early and was preparing a Silver.

The more a silver is charged, the more powerful the sword-drawing skill becomes. Generally speaking, the first move is considered to be advantageous.

"Auch!”

The two Silvers collided with each other, and Mamushi lost the bout.
Akaneko's sword slid over the pressed sword and cut Mamushi's right arm.

Mamushi's hand released the katana.

Akaneko wouldn't have missed such an opportunity.

"――That's enough! Winner, Akaneko!”

Akaneko advanced to the finals.

The cheering spectators quietly thought to themselves.

So strong――

Akaneko's strength was unusually consistent in both her fights against Azami and Mamushi.

Whether it was the speed of her judgments, her decisiveness, her careful movements, the depth of her reading, her sense of balance, her momentum, or her technique, she was the best in every respect. There were no particular faults to be found.

What's more, she was enjoying Sword-drawing.

She no longer had any weak points.

"They are alike"…… All the spectators naturally started to feel that way.

But it made one wonder why.

Her all-round style was really just like his, but... there was something different about her.

It was not just the audience who felt this way.

She, too, was asking herself the same question.

What is the difference? She truly wanted to know.

And soon, that would be granted.

All that was left to do was wait for the final match.

Probably the last piece was in the hands of that man――

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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