The night was falling, like my ice cream earlier. We were innocently strolling around the city centre, Yuki wanted to go on an impromptu shopping spree with her brother, while Shun was hungry all the time, and I was in the middle of it all, thinking. I couldn't forget the guy Emiko was talking to at the end of the event. This skinny guy, very stiff, a few white hairs still survived on his head despite everything. There was a tiny spark of pride in the way he looked at me. I almost wondered if he wasn't the guy I got into a tangle with towards the end of the game.
Yet the buddies, especially Yuki didn't let me drown in my thoughts, I was flattered by his gesture and especially by his care. Even if we'll have to face each other tomorrow, I don't intend to lose just to show her that I take her and her brother seriously.
— Rikuu, Rikuu–kun," she said, shaking me from side to side, "do you want to stop thinking and place your order? Just ask the twin.
— You've been away for a while brother, what's wrong with you?
— I'm just exhausted, I'm starting after placing my order, it's been a while since I've been able to have a long night. And I think it's going to continue like this until the final.
— Even if the fights aren't that exciting? Ayama points out.
— Listen to you! It's not about thrills, it's a game, and a game is intense when everyone's in a rage. You see that look you all gave me when you found out I was Kik'x before, I pause as I take a fry from Yuki's plate,...
— That look...? Shun insists impatiently.
— Yes, that look gave me the chills, seeing so many people targeting me got me all wound up!
We chatted some more over some extra fat for our bodies. Around nine o'clock we came out of there with our bellies full, the lighting was beautiful. The photos more photos. Me and Shun have to go home for the night, but the twins are too tired and too enthusiastic for that. They prefer to sleep at the hotel.
On the way to the station, we arrive at a crossroads where our paths are bound to separate. As Shun and I walk along the pavement in this freezing temperature, Ayama and Yuki have to take the left. Ayama raises her voice in the distance behind us:
— RIKU, GIVE ME SOMETHING CRAZY TOMORROW!!!
— DON'T WORRY, YOU'LL ENJOY LOSING, I PROMISE.
— I HOPE YOU'LL FEEL THE THRILL TOO. added his sister.
I just nodded.
— Are you feeling up to it?
— No, I'm exhausted, I feel like I could collapse at any moment. I've had to push myself on energy drinks and my sleep reserves.
— Just sleep, I told Emiko to come and get us when I saw the look on your face earlier.
No more words were needed to convince me, I collapse on my friend. I fall asleep immediately. I have no idea what's going on. My body is as heavy as my eyelids, this afternoon I took so much on myself that I forgot my problem, I was so excited to compete that I forgot the pain.
*****
2pm we are all present, all in our seats ready to go for the round of 16. Still more lighting, less space than the day before, almost all of us dressed in jogging suits. With the recent update, we are now able to chat with friends while playing another game. Which is really cool considering we might get separated from Shun.
Yesterday's email stated that the events will be run as follows: 4 simultaneous games will take place, with 4 players competing against each other per game. The winners of each game, that is to say 1 per game, will play a backgammon where only one will remain. All this while keeping the same mana and hp bars; it's survival.
Glued to my screen, I'm making final adjustments to my avatar when I get a notification from the game. It says this: Congratulations Rykuo you have made it to the round of 16 of the National V.H™ tournament. You are receiving the "Awakening" mode as a beta tester. It goes without saying that I'm not the only one who got it, Sky, Izuki and the others must have received the same.
There is a huge silence when the reward message appears on the big screen. We all start to change the settings of our awakening mode. That is; the appearance, the points to reinforce and how to trigger them. What is certain is that this mode is only activated after reaching the critical threshold of 20% hp. Which is to say that I will never use this, which is a shame considering how well I buffed my avatar with this mode.
— Players are requested to put in the code received and log in to the game. Thank you.
I log in and off I go!
"In game"
An assassin. I am. Level 100/100 (max)
An alchemist, a youngster, dressed in a school uniform. Level 92/100. Nickname: BlaV
An assassin. A girl with long pink hair, short and dressed in a blue suit, with a huge sword. Level 80/100. Nickname: U.D
An alchemist, short–shafted, brown and slender. Dressed in simple jeans and a white t–shirt. Barefoot. Level 100/100 (max). Nickname: Fortune
Apparently the others are in other games, perfect, I could use my new attacks as much as I want.
— Come on, who's coming back in first gear? I ask with a wide smile on my face, holding my sword in one hand.
They are all surprised and start to laugh.
— But are you serious, you jerk?
— Just because you're a kik what's–his–name doesn't mean I'm going to be scared of a second–rate assassin.
— Let's deal with him first and then we'll see?
— Deal!!! They answer in chorus.
— Let's fucking gooooo!!!! Crit the phony alchemist. Alchemist invokes: first sequences → Hand Of Hell!!! Gigantic earthen hands come out of the ground and move into position.
What the hell is this? Is he going to box me? Interesting that.
Right hook. I duck.
Left hook. I jump high to avoid.
— Switch¹ U.D.! Crit BlaV.
A combination attack?! With people you don't know?
— Whoo! Here we go! Do the latter.
— Assassin invokes: fifth sequences → Tempest. She leaps into the air as the boxer keeps boxing.
U.D draws her sword and a storm of huge sharp wind blades erupts around her. Shit I'm too close to her to avoid, and this BlaV who doesn't let go of me with his very sharp punches. I'm hit and propelled far away by the storm, but when I'm supposed to hit the ground they switch again.
— Alchemist invokes: second sequences → Black Box. Does Fortune behind me.
Huh?! What do you mean black box? What the hell is this?!
Well, that's it, my turn to play.
— Did we have fun? I ask from the black box, which is slowly lowering my mana.
— Your hp are soon in yellow zone². You're really persistent, aren't you? Underlines U.D
— Ok we're going to take it easy guys, get ready.
— Assassin invokes: forth sequences → Brake.
This sequence breaks the black box from the inside.
— Assassin invokes: second sequences → Full Speed Moove.
— DAMN, LAUNCHED ALL AN ATTACK, begins Fortune bewildered by my speed, I FEEL THE DINGUISH!
— Assassin invokes: fifth sequences → Wake Up The Infinite Blad. I utter as I stab both of my swords into the ground, so a huge magic circle covers the entire field from which an infinite number of swords of all kinds emerge.
— Hargh! That bastard was hiding it well. Crit BlaV in agony, his body filled with swords. Sorry guys... He explodes.
I take a vial that fills my entire mana bar.
Oh, there's U.D. slaloming between the swords on a black cube; it must be one of the other. I look for her a moment...
— Look me in the eyes, did anyone ever tell you that it's disrespectful to look away during a duel? She has a smile on her face, her katana well in hand, approaching at high speed without ever touching a single blade.
Wonderful coordination. So beautiful that I could have forgotten about that huge black sphere, that must be where she's hiding. But one problem after another.
My previous attack stops when our blades meet, adrenaline fills me, our blades keep rubbing, she is strong and full of energy. That smile that never lets go. This frenzied dance completely blows me away. It had been a long time since I had crossed swords with an opponent as talented as her. But hey, let's get it over with.
— ASSASSIN INVOKES: ENDING SEQUENCES ONE→ FINISHIM. She wrote.
— ASSASSIN INVOKES: ENDING SEQUENCES ONE→ FINISHIM LINK.
A thread is created linking the necks of my two opponents.
I decapitate them at once, while crossing this sphere. Just by making my blades follow the "line".
I win.
Unconsciously, I win. While I have my hen barely accelerating. Instead of prolonging the pleasure I preferred to win. That's just like me. Never satisfied, damn it. After a few seconds of long and tiring sighs; Astre, Yama and Princess—YK appear in the arena.
Archer, a white and gold medieval princely outfit. Level 100/100 (max). Nickname: Yama.
Mage, simple blue robe. Level 100/100 (max). Nickname: Princess—YK.
Assassin, futuristic black outfit. Level 100/100 (max). Nickname: Astre.
A rather banal map, a long dirt field, with some ruins. The determination on the faces of my opponents is strong. Even Astre's is almost frightening. I didn't really imagine I would have to face him now, but hey, when you have to go. We have to go!
"— Alte!! Come and form duos before continuing! "That's what it says on the notification that covers my screen. I can't help but give Astre a surprised look as he puts on a cheerful face. That's when I finally realise that I'm not going to part with my ally now.
— What the hell?! Geind the blond.
— After all, it's not so bad Yama. Retorts his twin.
Of course, me and Astre have teamed up before. How can I separate myself from him now? It's completely absurd, he was always there for me, to win by his side would only be magnificent. Smiling, I give my partner a huge smile.
— Hey Rykuo! It's a first for us to fuck mothers together, right?
— Yeah, yeah. I hope the hours we spent playing duets will serve you well and that you'll be able to follow me.
— Don't worry my n*gga, I'll be in front of the target before you even think of attacking.
I trust him completely. So much trust that I'm going for it.
— LET'S FUCKING GOOOO!!!!!!
I run through the whole field at full speed, not worrying about retaliation, from the beginning I've been holding back in real life. I didn't find the others interesting, but I for the twins, I will keep my fucking promise.
With vivacity I switch to double fencing mode ³ and attack the archer relentlessly, I leave no moment of respite. While my partner does the same with his. Even though I am fully engaged in my duel, I can't help but see his hp almost not decreasing, distracted by this detail he takes advantage of it to move away to take refuge behind his sister.
— It's too much, too demonic to be true. You don't let go of anything, even though I'm here I still don't believe I'm facing the one who was hiding behind the "Scarlet King"... Yama rejoices, you see how heavy he is, sister?
Princess—YK stands in front of her brother and spreads her hands. I've heard of those mages who don't use wands or magic scepters. I have to admit that I am in awe of her as she gesticulates and makes a magic circle. It's so exciting that I expect nothing less from her.
— Before playing the hysterical groupies, let's fuck this bastard up first.
Oh yeah, right. That's free.
— Mage invokes: third sequences ... she puts one knee on the ground and her hands outstretched before her → Magical Power Booster Circle.
Large magic circles appear in front of her hands.
— To you brother.
— Archer invokes: third sequences → Lock Arrow. Six.
He aims six arrows that pass through the circle at breakneck speed. Their combo was so fast that I don't realize it until one, then two, then three arrows come in my direction.
— Assassin invokes: second sequences → SLASH! Astra writes as he draws his sword which produces a sharp blade of wind that seduces all ten arrows, then he puts his sword back down.
— What the hell was that? How could he destroy the arrows you reinforced with such ease?
He doesn't wait for an answer, he charges forward and re—launches the same attack, which is then blocked by my teammate's "SLASH". He still can't believe it — poor guy.
— You don't pay anything to wait. I'm going to finish you off you little prick.
— Stop clowning around and let's attack together.
— He's keeping me from fighting the ex—king. And I don't like the look of him. He spits before rising into the sky and launching his special attack.
— ARCHER INVOKES: ENDING SEQUENCE: DRAGON ARROW!!! Crit—il, aiming at Astre on my far left.
— Assassin invokes: sixth sequences → TEMPEST. Crit—il in turn as he fully unsheathes "Ralabast"—his sword.
A huge storm that completely explodes Yama's dragon with one blow.
— My... my life points! How did you do that? Your attack didn't even touch me...
Astre doesn't even let him finish his speech that he gratifies him with a knee blow in the upright while he was in full fall, I can only be a spectator in front of these two. Even if Astre doesn't like to show it, he hates to draw Ralabast, it pisses him off. Especially since throwing his storm is like a whore's punch, it removes almost all the points of the opponent who threw an attack against him and that's not very fair play. Another kick in the stomach, which precipitates Yama's fall.
— Fuck Yama! Always keep your cool, always, and yet I've been telling you that all morning!
— Mage invokes: fourth sequences → Magical Gun. She says, aiming at my partner, who is interfering with me.
The multiple coloured spheres charged with mana from the magical circles of Princess—YK explode one by one under the blows of Astre's blades. He doesn't say a word, until he tears his opponent apart with a blow of his blade.
"Yama Lose"
— Mage invokes: second sequences → Magical Beast. She says as she angrily throws eggs into magical circles.
Several animals of all colours come out of the circles then run towards us. Without invokes we kill every last one.
— You'd think you'd be better at this than me, dear. I sulk.
— It would be stupid to think that, you know?
— What the fuck! She laughs. He just wanted to have fun, in front of his idol, and you, poor bastard, are standing in his way, why?
— Listen Princess—YK, you've already lost. He says serenely.
— Huh?
— Even before you threw your first invokes you were doomed to lose, I start as I advance towards her, but it's okay I'll finish it with all the strength I have.
She smiles, even though her hp is quite low she smiles. Maintaining her brother's hp has cost her dearly apparently.
— Mage invokes: Awakening!
Her mana bar goes crazy, a volcano suddenly appears in the middle of the map, she dives in and becomes on fire.
— Mega stylish. I say administratively in front of all this magnificent spectacle.
— DON'T WORRY BRO, I'M GOING TO CHANGE YOU !!! She throws two eggs in the middle of the volcano and screams. MAGE INVOKES: ENDING SEQUENCES → CERBERUS AND DRACOS.
The power released by the lava cerberus and lava dragon is so immense that I almost get chills. Basically I didn't know what to expect, but I'm not disappointed with her, she deserves a good beating from me.
— I'll take care of the dragon, you take care of the beast...
— No, let's get it over with. I'm getting very bored with this. I simply declare.
— In the end, I'll finish it alone.
— KILL THEM! shouted the mage.
— Assasin invokes: second sequences → Full Speed Moove.
— ASSASSIN INVOKES: ENDING SEQUENCES ONE→ FINISHIM LINK.
Cerberus. Decapitated.
Dragon. In pieces.
— ASSASSIN INVOKES: ENDING SEQUENCES→ FINISHIM.
I am propelled from the air with my two blades in hand. A smile on my face. And I pimp her out just before I make her join her brother:
— How about a second date?
I see her unsettled...
But what the hell do I care?
Since she's exploding.
"Rykuo x Astre are Winners"
"End of the Game"
The whole room applauds. They clap loudly while I have Yuki hugging me tightly with his brother... On top of that my phone starts vibrating in my pocket it must be Megumi.
I can finally say that Versus Hunter is a real killer!
*******
Sorry for the delay. I failed in my mission last week. As a bonus you have the missing chapters.
Thanks for reading and see you next week.