{A Week Later}
(Katsuo POV)
Feeling confident again, I inputted Lisa's avatar into the simulator. My three sidekicks were very eager to fight their first opponent, but I decided—no, demanded—I fight her on my own. Each had different reactions: Dem gave me a sad nod, Jade a thumbs up of respect, and Kai emitted a bolt of sadness. I guess I'll have to comfort a pouting bunny later, I mused.
As Lisa's avatar started materializing, the air became dark and oppressive, mirroring her armor. After her form solidified, she pointed her greatsword at me and said, "Stance."
I zipped to her side, immediately coating Sanchomo with Sword Essence and Quadra-elemental properties.
You see, Sword Essence gives a massive boost to Sanchomo and my Summoned Swords, but it gradually loses its effect, requiring me to reapply it. So I opted for a rapid re-coating time rather than the duration of the coating.
Our swords clashed with a force that sent shockwaves through the simulator. Lisa's avatar moved with a grace that belied the heavy armor she wore, each swing of her greatsword calculated and precise. I countered with a flurry of strikes, each imbued with the elemental power that crackled, burned, and pulsed with energy.
Lisa's avatar parried my blows with ease, her greatsword a blur of dark energy. I had to stay on my toes, dodging her powerful strikes while looking for an opening. With a quick Shunpo, I appeared behind her, aiming a slash at her back, but she anticipated the move and spun around, blocking my attack effortlessly.
"Not bad," she said, her voice echoing with an ethereal quality. "But you'll need to do better than that."
I gritted my teeth and pressed on, increasing the intensity of my attacks. My Summoned Swords hovered around us, ready to strike at a moment's notice. With a flick of my wrist, I sent them hurtling towards her. She deflected them with a single sweep of her greatsword, the ethereal blades scattering like leaves in the wind.
Lisa's avatar then unleashed a torrent of dark energy, forcing me to retreat. I used Air Manipulation to create a gust of wind that pushed me back, giving me some distance. I then combined Fire and Lightning, sending bolts of fiery electricity at her. She absorbed the attack with her greatsword, the runes on her armor glowing brighter.
"Impressive," she said, her tone almost admiring. "But let's see how you handle this."
She vanished from sight, and I felt a chill run down my spine. My instincts screamed at me to move, and I barely managed to dodge as she reappeared behind me, her greatsword coming down in a devastating arc. I rolled to the side and sprang to my feet, launching a counterattack.
The fight became a blur of motion and energy. We traded blows, neither of us giving an inch. My Mana Core thrummed with power, and I poured everything I had into each strike. I could feel the strain on my body, but I pushed through, determined to hold my ground.
With a surge of strength, I managed to push her back, her avatar staggering. I immediately went to deliver a Judgement Cut. But then my instincts blared again, and I zipped away. It was the right decision, as she emitted a shockwave of black energy that spread out like writhing tentacles.
"Now, let's have fun, shall we?" she said, her voice dripping with menace, before disappearing from my sight.
I cursed under my breath, scanning the area for any sign of her. The atmosphere grew thicker, darker, and I felt a chill run down my spine. My senses were on high alert, every muscle in my body tense and ready for action.
Suddenly, she appeared to my left, her greatsword swinging down with lethal intent. I barely had time to block, the force of the blow sending me skidding backward. Before I could recover, she vanished again, reappearing behind me with a flurry of strikes. I parried desperately, sparks flying as our blades clashed.
"You're good," she taunted, her voice echoing eerily. "But let's see how you handle this."
Dark tendrils of energy snaked out from her armor, lashing at me with frightening speed. I dodged and weaved, using my Shunpo to stay one step ahead. My Summoned Swords flew in to assist, but she batted them away effortlessly.
I tried to mount an offense, sending bolts of fiery lightning her way, but she absorbed them with a wave of her hand, the runes on her armor glowing brighter. She countered with a torrent of dark energy, forcing me to retreat and regroup.
As I prepared my next move, she disappeared again. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I knew I had to be smart, to anticipate her attacks. I called upon my Earth Manipulation, creating a series of stone pillars around me for cover.
But it was futile. She reappeared within my defenses, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. I barely managed to block, but the impact left me reeling. She pressed her advantage, her strikes relentless and unyielding.
I summoned every ounce of strength I had, channeling my Mana Core to its limit. My body burned with elemental energy, my blade crackling with power. I launched a desperate counterattack, aiming to land a decisive blow.
But she was too fast, too strong. She parried my strikes with ease, her movements fluid and precise. In a final, desperate move, I unleashed a powerful Judgement Cut, the blade of energy slicing through the air towards her.
For a moment, it seemed like I might have her. But then she vanished, reappearing behind me with a wicked expression. Her greatsword came down with a force that shattered my defenses, knocking Sanchomo from my grasp.
I staggered back, dazed and disoriented. Before I could react, she unleashed another wave of dark energy, the tendrils wrapping around me and lifting me off the ground. I struggled to break free, but it was no use.
"Impressive," she said, her voice cold and unfeeling. "You have potential, but you need to push yourself harder."
With a final, crushing blow, she slammed me into the ground. My vision blurred, pain radiating through my body. As darkness closed in, I realized too late that she had a "second phase" I hadn't anticipated.
The simulator ended, and I lay on the floor, defeated but not broken. My three sidekicks rushed to my side, their worried faces a welcome sight.
"Next time," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.
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I returned to my room, barely registering Tom's presence, then I lay flat on the floor, my mind raced with thoughts, Infernal Clarity doing its wonders again. Losing to Malenia, Blade of Miquella, thirty-four straight times had already shattered my pride, but I had carried on, feeling a glimmer of improvement with each attempt.
But losing to Lisa's avatar? That was a different story. With every clash, it felt like the gap between us widened—a chasm I thought I could cross, only to realize it was an abyss.
I stared up at the ceiling, my breath coming in ragged gasps, and I couldn't help but think of all the times I had pushed myself to my limits. The countless hours in the simulator, the relentless training, the small victories that seemed so insignificant now. It was as if all my efforts had amounted to nothing.
Doubt began to creep into my mind. Maybe I wasn't cut out for this. Maybe I was deluding myself, thinking I could ever stand a chance against someone like Lisa, even her simulated avatar. It was a humbling, crushing realization, and for a moment, I felt utterly defeated.
At one point, I even considered doping myself with strengthening potions, but my rational side knew it would only be a short path to temporary power, inevitably leading to another roadblock. The potions might give me a fleeting edge, but they couldn't bridge the fundamental gap in skill and experience. I needed something more profound, a breakthrough that seemed just out of reach.
As I lay there, I felt the weight of my ambition pressing down on me, a relentless pressure that threatened to crush my spirit. My three buddies, sensing my distress, huddled closer. Dem gave me a reassuring smile, Jade stood protectively beside me, and Kai nuzzled my hand, emitting soft, crackling sounds of comfort.
But even their presence couldn't dispel the gloom that had settled over me. The room felt colder, darker, and my mind spiraled into a vortex of despair. Every failure, every setback replayed in my head, a relentless loop of inadequacy.
I closed my eyes, trying to find a spark of hope amidst the darkness. The journey ahead seemed impossibly long, the challenges insurmountable. For the first time, I questioned if I had the strength to continue, if I could ever close the gap and emerge victorious.
And then I recalled Lisa's avatar saying, "You have potential, but you need to push yourself harder."
Harder? Fuck! I practically lived in the simulator. I had pushed my body and mind to their absolute limits, training until I collapsed from exhaustion, only to drag myself up and do it all over again the next day. What more could I possibly give? How much more blood, sweat, and tears did I need to shed?
Anger surged through me, hot and fierce. It wasn't fair. I had given everything I had, and it still wasn't enough. The frustration boiled over, and I pounded my fist against the floor, the pain a fleeting distraction from the turmoil within. Why wasn't my effort translating into progress? What was I missing?
"Harder," I muttered through gritted teeth. "How much harder do I have to push? I've bled for this. I've sacrificed for this."
The trio huddled closer, their worried eyes reflecting my turmoil. Kai nudged my hand, emitting a low, comforting hum. Jade stood guard, his stony face unreadable, while Dem's soft glow seemed to pulse in sync with my ragged breaths.
But no amount of comfort could quench the fire of my frustration. I had hit a wall, and no matter how hard I pushed, I couldn't break through. The gap between where I was and where I needed to be felt insurmountable.
For a long moment, I let the anger consume me, allowing myself to feel the raw injustice of it all. It wasn't just about the fight; it was about the endless struggle, the unrelenting pressure, the fear of never being good enough. I was fighting more than just Lisa's avatar—I was battling my own insecurities, my own limitations.
Gradually, the fire of my anger began to cool, replaced again with self-deprecating thoughts.
Was I deluding myself into thinking I could ever be strong enough? Maybe I was just fooling myself, pretending to be a hero when I was nothing more than a glorified wannabe.
Doubt gnawed at my resolve like a relentless parasite. All my training, all my sacrifices—what if they were for nothing? What if I was destined to remain in this limbo, forever chasing a dream just out of reach?
I felt a weight on my chest, a familiar suffocating sensation. Maybe I was just wasting my time. Maybe I was the joke everyone else could see but me.
I buried my face in my hands, trying to shut out the mocking voices in my head. My sidekicks huddled closer, their presence a faint reminder of the faith they had in me. But even that felt like a heavy burden—what if I let them down too?
The room seemed to close in on me, the silence echoing with my inner turmoil. I had never felt so small, so inadequate.
But then, through the haze of despair, I heard a faint, persistent meow. Tom, my Best Boi, padded over and nudged my arm with his head. His eyes, filled with unwavering trust, met mine, and for a moment, the noise in my head quieted.
"Tom," I whispered, feeling a flicker of warmth amidst the cold void of my thoughts. He purred softly, pressing closer as if to say, "I'm here."
Slowly, I lowered my hands and took a deep breath. Maybe I wasn't as strong as I wanted to be, but I wasn't alone. I had my companions, my friends, who believed in me even when I couldn't believe in myself.
"I can't give up," I murmured, more to myself than to anyone else. "Not now."
With a shaky resolve, I stood up. The doubts and fears didn't vanish, but I pushed them to the back of my mind. I had to keep going, not just for myself, but for those who depended on me.
"Let's get back to work," I said, determination slowly rekindling in my voice. My sidekicks perked up, ready to follow me into the next battle, their trust a fragile yet powerful lifeline.
The road ahead was daunting, but I would face it one step at a time. For now, that was enough.
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{Two Months Later}
As the weeks passed, it was finally time for my rank-up mission. Wearing my Stormweaver's Set, with Sanchomo at my waist, I walked towards the portal room with my three elemental buddies. I was feeling burnt out, but I still trained and trained. As the saying goes, there's no rest for the weary.
Greeting me in the room was Lisa. "Good luck, Katsuo," she said, giving me an encouraging smile.
Not meeting her eyes, I nodded and approached the portal.
"Katsuo," Lisa said softly. When I turned around, I was met with a strong slap that staggered me a bit.
Her slap stung more than my recent battles. Lisa had always been my anchor, the one who believed in me when I doubted myself the most. Seeing the hurt in her eyes now felt like a betrayal of that trust.
"You haven't come to meet me in three months, and this is how you treat me?" she repeated, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and concern.
I sighed heavily and looked at her properly. Blue hair in a bob cut, round brown eyes, a nose that complemented her cheeky grin. She wore her iconic blue blazer with an inner black shirt and pencil skirt. Her slender figure made her look delicate, but I knew better. Beneath that fragile exterior was a warrior, a warrior who wouldn't hesitate to kill.
Lisa was the depiction of a childhood tomboyish friend—cheerful, bold, and a worrywart. But she was also more than that; she was my rock, my confidante, and now, my wall to overcome.
"I'm sorry," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I've been... lost in my training. Trying to push myself harder, to be better. I didn't mean to shut you out."
She crossed her arms and glared at me. "You've always had a tendency to bury yourself in your own world, Katsuo. But you can't forget the people who care about you. We're here to support you, not just as allies but as friends."
Her words cut deeper than any blade. She was right. I had been so focused on my own struggles and insecurities that I had neglected the bonds that had kept me grounded.
"I know," I admitted, feeling the weight of my actions. "I just... I don't want to disappoint anyone. Especially not you."
Lisa's expression softened, and she stepped closer, placing a hand on my cheek where she had slapped me. "You're not disappointing anyone, Katsuo. But you have to remember that strength isn't just about how hard you train or how powerful you become. It's also about relying on others, trusting in those who believe in you."
Her words were a balm to my weary soul. I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I won't forget that, Lisa. Thank you."
She smiled, her anger melting away. "Good. Now go out there and show them what you're made of. And remember, no matter what happens, you've got people who believe in you."
With that, I turned back towards the portal, my resolve strengthened. As I stepped through, I knew that this rank-up mission wasn't just about proving my strength; it was about proving that I could overcome my own demons and trust in the people who had always been there for me.
Lisa was my wall to overcome, but she was also my guiding light. And with her faith in me, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead.