Sky World Vol 1 Chapter 4.07

VOLUME 1

Chapter 4: The Duel
Part 7

Since before the battle started, Jun knew that he was in an unfavorable situation.

He was exhausted from the difficult battle with the Veil Guardian.

Though his HP had since recovered, his MP was all depleted, and he had already had to use his most important trump card, the greatsword secret technique.

This was in stark contrast to Sakuya, who seemed to have made all sorts of preparations. She herself even had access to secret techniques, as he had learned from their earlier exchange.

They were both magic swordsmen who specialized in greatswords.

Even if their equipment was pretty much the same, no matter how much he would hit Sakuya in her weak points, the battle had basically been decided already&h.e.l.lip; but&h.e.l.lip;

They had clashed swords before. Their ability was about the same.

In Sky World, which was not an MMORPG but an extension of real life, the best movements were found to be the most efficient ones, like those of craftsmen.

“You really do things by the book, copying my movements and all.”

As their swords made contact, Sakuyaresponded, “Sorry. You and I wrote said books. It seems like we ended up making the same manuals in different places.”

Though they knew it, in regards to their system vital points, Kai/Sakuya and Jun were about equal in smelling capabilities. They had both chosen to be magic swordsmen, done similar research, and looked for the best methods for everything&h.e.l.lip;

They moved in sync, mirroring one another.

Sparks flew as they slashed their swords against each other.

“We really get along.”

“That’s ‘cause we both came up with the same theories through our investigations in games. It was inevitable that this would happen. It’s not surprising.”

Even though she was a girl, by no means was she weaker than that of Jun.

Sakuya’s. .h.i.ts were just as strong as Jun’s.

Jun was counterattacking precisely and dealing damage back to her.

However, though Sakuya was able to imbue magic into her sword, Jun could no longer do stuff like that.

Well aware of that, Sakuya cast a movement-stopping stun spell. The difference in HP between the two had been gradually increasing.

“It’s true, I wanted to fight with you evenly.”

“That’s a lie. Isn’t it your own personal rule to never lose a battle?”

“But you’re my opponent.”

Even if they kept dealing damage to each other, or if the blood effect was activated, it wouldn’t mean that either of them was injured. He wanted to feel some pain.

He wanted to feel the pain of being hurt by a close friend.

He wanted to experience the agony of being killed by a close friend.

However, he lifted his head and looked at Sakuya. Now he glared at her. Her HP was double that of his, and she was biting down so hard that her lips had started to bleed.

“If it’s too hard to do it, just give up.”

“I won’t. If I drop my sword here, I’ll surely regret it in the future.”

Sparks flew as the two greatsword wielders continued to fight. Jun, without magic imbued into his sword, took damage that would be impossible to bounce back from.

“Ughhh&h.e.l.lip;”

“When I came to this island, I happened upon some information. Hearing your name, I was surprised. Then I found out that you had been with Kasumi, that was an even bigger shock. But at the same time, I felt annoyed. If you and Kasumi became good friends, I would be the odd one out&h.e.l.lip; I thought that was cunning of you.”

“But you willingly turned your back to her!”

“Yeah, yeah, I did. I had to do what I had to do. Even if it meant throwing away everything, I had to make my way to Aion. So because of that&h.e.l.lip; I cast you away. I cast Kasumi away. For that one reason, I’m here&h.e.l.lip;”

Sakuya used Quick Stun on Jun. Jun’s movement stopped for a bit.

In that time, she moved away with Backstep.

(Is this the last hit?)

She lifted her greatsword.

“I’m going to&h.e.l.lip; kill you. ——Secret technique, activate!”

Her sword burnt up in flames.

The swirl of fire enveloped Sakuya’s whole body. It flared intensely while Jun couldn’t move. The whirlwind intensified.

“Glowing Inferno!”

The raging flames left her sword and went after Jun&h.e.l.lip;

At that moment, when Jun ?couldn’t wait any longer, he grinned and opened his mouth.

Jun shouted the command, “——Change, lance mode!”

The speech recognition system, used in place of manually clicking on the item icon on the tablet, had endless practical uses in Sky World&h.e.l.lip;

It was the best way to surprise an enemy.

Jun’s giant greatsword was engulfed in light. Its edge became thin and its handle lengthened. When the light went out, Jun was holding a longspear, another one of the magic swordsman’s weapon choices.

It was called ‘Shape s.h.i.+fter’.

Jun obtained that weapon by chance, as a rare fifth level quest reward. It wasn’t very well known and it did not raise attack or defense power by much, however, ever since Jun got it, it became his favorite.”

He thought that its ability would prove useful when used in conjunction with a command to switch weapons.

Until just this battle, he had never needed it.

He smiled bitterly as many feelings flooded his mind. Why would Jun, whose specialty had originally been greatswords, have such a weapon to be his favorite&h.e.l.lip;

“Secret technique, activate!”

Jun muttered those words quietly.

Another action slot activated. His HP bar, normally green, glowed red once more, and Jun’s whole body became covered in white light. Jun took ready position and pointed the tip of his spear towards Sakuya.

Until a few days ago, Jun had not gotten the secret technique for greatswords. However, he had possessed the longspear’s secret technique.

“Holy Wings Blast”

A pure white light flew out of the tip of the longspear and grew into the shape of a swan’s wings. The wing turned around in front of the scorching hot h.e.l.lfire that was approaching. The s.h.i.+ning silver light, while turning round and round, collided with the whirlpool of flames&h.e.l.lip;

The area exploded.

Then&h.e.l.lip;