Link 11: A special someone from the past.
Stage: Demonic City Stage.
"That's a simple question so I'll answer it before I get serious…I'm your partner."
Partner…sweet words that I can hear from her, but nonetheless I can't bring myself to believe her since there's some cowardly people who would say things to make their opponents falter; considering her words before, I can say that she's saying the truth and is not trying to do that to me; she called me 'Gray' that only a few people call me, specifically those people who are very close to me like Pyrite Clock furthermore she used on of my titles that very few people call me it was named after my incarnate attack [World Inferno]…and the weirdest thing is that she said that I suffered [Overflow], but I never before once used such dark power…
If she really is my 'partner' then why would I forget her? I'm not a person who would quickly forgets girls who are close to me even if years would past, but if I try to remember it's either I'll be attacked by this headache or I can't remember anything at all; why would I forget such girl who has that angelic voice? Why would I forget a girl who proclaims herself as my partner? Could she be a stalker or such? No there's no possibility that she is a stalker…
I need to remove this thoughts since one single mistake I can't play Brain Burst anymore and my knights need me to fight against the monster that no one can touch.
"If you are then prove it to me…"
"Well then I'll see you in the reality and I'll bring [Silver Tears] Kana-chan with me."
What? She even knows the true identity of Silver Tears; maybe she's telling the truth? But I can't remove the fact that we're here fighting, and I want at least to fight this girl since I haven't have a duel since the duel with Storm AKA my niece…maybe I'll bully some high level people here since this region unlike Edogawa isn't that depopulated…
"Guess I'd believe you a little, but you're here to fight right?"
"Well yeah I need to see how strong you are."
"Oh you're really going to see it."
Wait I've just realized that I'm speaking through the way that I usually speak, but for some reason I just subconsciously did it, but why? No time to ask since it's currently a time to fight seriously.
Our blades were shaking due to the force we're exerting and our hands trembled, but she quickly removed her sword and quickly raised it before my sword hit her then she made a downward slash meeting our swords again and pushing my [Silver Twlight]…wow that speed I haven't seen that since then which really means she's from that city where I came from and the same place where burst linkers are specialized in fast movement; looks like I'll be fighting her with enough seriousness.
"Oi Gray why don't we start from the start? You know a battle of blades and skill, and you should use the spear since your better using it"
Yes she's right my main weapon would be a spear, but I'm also used in using a sword, but I'm more experienced in using a spear since my first enhanced armament AKA the enhanced armament that was with me, when I was level 1 is the [Sky Javelin] a throwing spear.
"No need…I'll be able to pull through!"
I quickly withdrew my blade then took a step in front making her go away a little and then I used [Silver Twilight] to create a downward slash from raising it and she quickly blocked it…as I expect this is going to be boring just blocking and attacking as such…it far surpasses the boredom of burning [Lesser Enemies] in the UNF…I'll make this a bit fun…
I quickly separated from her and got down thrusting my left leg and used my hands as an axis then spun around making her jump and make a downward slash again which I blocked as I stood, but her force was enough to make me bend my body just to push her away. Not even caring she charged again and quickly made multiple thrust to my chest which were really quick and to a normal linker's eyes it would appear as blurs in the air, but I can clearly see it like it was in slow motion and I know this isn't one of my privileges as a level ten since I'd been like this.
"[Transcendence: Infinite Slash]!" She shouted as she executes her sword attack since saying before the attack would make the opponent evade…but the true reason for that is coolness since it's what anime characters do.
Eh? A [Transcendence]?! That should be owned only be me! How can she possibly?! No time here comes a multiple hit slash combo! A thrust! I blocked it and then quickly blocked all the slashes coming from many different arbitrary places. A hit directing to my head, a hit directing to my body, a hit directing my legs all of them were delivered with a speed rivaling lighting, but I blocked all of the slashes with a speed rivaling hers, and of course surpassing her…shit her speed gives me the shivers like it'll hit me anytime!
Her attack stopped now it's time to retaliate! I quickly charged at her and my [Silver Twilight] quickly shone in silver white and left particles of white light that resembled snow.
"[Transcendence: Heavy Burst]" I said as I quickly made my hand speed quicker and targeted her chest with an unending barrage of swords.
I quickly jumped leaving streaks of fire in the air and got behind her and quickly continued my barrage that quickly threw her into an infinite body of swords, and to tell this is trying to my hand creating such it's easier to pull out multiple hit attacks, but I only have incarnate attacks for that…my infinite barrage was blocked by her even from the start, but before my [Silver Twilight] hit her sword the final time I quickly shifted it hitting her shoulder which is unprotected.
Yes her HP got down a little! Just by a few dots…hmm a red short range type avatar? They might be a little rare in accel world, but I've faced tons of them and their defense even rival the green and blue colors…now I must kill her before she uses one of her short range attack skills like [Rose Valley] that releases petals of roses that has cutting powers of a sword, and is truly troublesome wait…how did I know such?
She quickly released a soft scream of agony that I couldn't comprehend and her defense was quickly broken opening the defense of her body now's the time to attack! Wait wha…! Her hand quickly vanished in the air and multiple hits to my flank, chest, and leg was delivered and even with my heightened senses I can only see the blur of her hand and can't block it! Her hands shifted quickly and I was thrown away with the strength of her strikes.
"Ack…! Aaa…ah!" I said as I was quickly thrown for about 4-5 meters
As fast as the wind she quickly got near me and tried to stab me with her sword which I quickly parried and she used all of her weight to push down her sword shit! If this goes longer I'll be hit! My HP at 82% even if I'm a gray color with the defense on par with a blue color shit! Our swords continuously produced this orange light and my hands are already in their limits while this girl is still okay shit! Now to heat things up! I quickly released a conflagration enough to burn her and that pushed her away from me.
I quickly got there by bursting through the flames just to find that her sword was covered in a rose colored flame an incarnate attack?! That would destroy me this girl's serious her strikes are just too fast for me to parry or to deflect!
I looked at her waist and her gaze looking directly at me as she prepared her sword…her feet quickly moved as she lowered her position and by the time that she did that I felt that she wanted to hit my flank and parts and what more she wants to slice me up looking at her feet facing to the right side so she could prepare a strong slash that can kill slice me up like meat!
As her sword that was covered in flames sliced the air I quickly did a somersault going to the flames and separating her from me to give me time to visualize and use an incarnate attack…
I increased the flames' heat, but she just burst though it and her HP didn't even go down even if those flames should be enough to stop her and to lightly damage her! She just stood there looking at me then quickly charged at me while shifting her feet.
"Hahahaha, you think normal flames can affect me? This robes is a drop from the legend class [Ifrit] the fire demon that we defeated! It can provide high resistance to light and fire based attacks also has high physical defense!"
Eh? I gave her something like that? That's—
"[Transcendence: Meteor Shower]"
"Ahhhh! Kuu…ahhs! AERHAAA!" I screamed due to the searing pain that I felt even if I'm heat proof.
Shit I was too focused of what she said she quickly used her flaming sword slashed at me two times creating an 'X' shape then swords of light showed up accompanied with pinkish fireballs and as they showed up she quickly thrust her sword that was accompanied with a sword of light and a fireball that hit me and set me on flames in every of the 14 thrusts then doing a downward jab by raising her sword that I tried to block, but utterly failed followed by an upward slash that destroyed a part of my armor then shit!
"Kuahhahhh!"
I was thrown away by the very strong full force swing that was too fast a 19 hit attack? How's that possible? This girl…she even knows my [Transcendence] incarnate techniques and even made her own! I slowly stood looking at my HP I only have 34%! Shit! I charged at her as I created a simple image of a traversing light and multiple swords of knights that met I concentrated and quickly my sword lit up.
Time to Retaliate! She quickly distanced herself to me and I chased her quickly meeting her and being cautious about her sword and her limbs that can hit me then did multiple slashes as my sword quickly shone and that slashes were quickly blocked by her then with a shift I did multiple thrust that shifted their directions before they hit.
Not yet. I thought as I blocked her counter attack as she spun beautifully creating a strong flash of light and a strong hit.
Not yet. I thought as I attacked with a thrust and spin again which she all blocked then kicked, but was blocked by her arm.
Not yet. I thought as I attacked again then she distanced herself seeing my sword.
Not yet. I thought as I chased her and then I didn't let her get away and I focused my mind on one image that I have…
Not yet. I thought as I looked for openings of her defense and when I found it…NOW!
"Take this! [Transcendence: Sonic Light Splash]!"
This will definitely damage her who has 96% HP! I arrived in front of her before she can use an incarnate then multiple swords of flames or rather lines made of flames circled around my [Silver Twilight] and I quickly did a full power upward slash that cut her body a little leaving damage to the robes and her body then I lowered my waist preparing for the heavy downward slash that she tried to block, but I shifted my sword hitting her body again and proceeding to the thrusting part!
I made a heavy jab to her head and two heavy jabs to her legs then quickly 15 swords of flames accompanied my 15 thrusts and multiple slashes up down up then left widen separate my arms a little. I increased my speed and only focused my eyes on her as the image itself was carved into my mind. I didn't let her hit me even once since it would destroy me if I get hit or go slowed I increased it further and further until I reached the speed transcending the speed of her sword before.
I need to watch her closely or I'm dead and since I'm used to it I didn't even feel a bit dizzy yet my head hurts since it's years since the last time I used it.
"eraahhh! Kuu…ahhhh! Lahnnn…ahhhhghhh…" Her loud groans were heard as I executed it.
Left right left right, try to kick her for a feint. Right, turn around with a full circle, right left up down. Not letting her counter attack and watching her sword and limbs, down right then finishing with the starting of the [Transcendence: Meteor Shower] two slashes full with force that formed an 'X' and threw her away.
a 22 hit attack, but it's different when you're using it in long range to attack an enemy, but I think that will only work against the Enemies and not the linkers…It's pretty hard to do, but with 7 and 3/4 years in accel world training it? It would be possible.
I once stayed in Accel World that long for my incarnate system training and most of that for my sword and spear training, and actually this incarnate technique is originally used with a spear.
It was too fast that I'm sure she didn't see it coming and for some reason she's enjoying this duel like me, but right now I can't be defeated!
She quickly stood up and ran back away distancing herself I thought of using [Extreme Bursts] to hit her even if she evades, but I was too tired…wow I can't imagine how much damage I left she only now has 38%! Now to provoke her.
"Why you scared?!"
"It's called strategic retreating Gray! You're even a coward more than me being scared of the [Wild Enemy] that took form of a cockroach! Hahahaha! I remembered how you frantically burned it!"
How did she know that?! Shit! Haa…I guess she's right…I'm a coward for being scared of a gigantic cockroach, but I only show that in my house! I even faced legend class enemies like [Pluto], the grim reaper! It was a legend class that gave people the shivers since it has a special one hit sure kill attack that can kill multiple level fives! It took at least 30-40 of them to defeat it, but it only took one of me to burn it to ash!
"How did you?" I focused my gaze at her.
"How? I was with you in your adventures in the UNF even if I'm not a part of Centauria!"
So she's from one of the seven great legions of that city in the Kanagawa prefecture and is a level eight during the war, and then her level raised up by getting the [Margin] needed and since the [Kings of Pure Color] AKA the kings of Tokyo didn't know about her she perfectly evaded the [Sudden Death Rule] applied to levels 9-10, but not survived it, and her situation is the same with Tsurugi and Blade who were originally level eight in the post war period, but for some reason raised their levels to the same level like Tears who supported in the first crown suppression.
Is she there during the first crown suppression? That's a question that I need to ask, no I must ask.
"Hey Ren." I subconsciously called her that instead of saying 'Siren' "Ah…er…"
"Fufu you subconsciously called me the name that you usually called me…you need something?"
"Are you there during the first crown suppression? My memories of that day is a bit hazy…I didn't have the [replay] to see it and even if Tears had that she wouldn't give me."
"Tears had recorded everything that happened that day you burned the [Great Crown]'s host since it's covered with a permanent field made using the incarnate system an impregnable shield that will destroy anyone once inside the shield or rather a field, and will guarantee the removal of brain burst…only Centauria's knights were fighting it perhaps your legion were only the ones who's able to fight it and the survivors evacuated as you burned the [Great Crown]'s host…most of that 60 are now in Tokyo and my legion's okay…that day I was rescued with [White Cavalier] and [Vanadium Janus] after resurrecting in the UNF"
So that's the story, but if she's a part of [Ephemeral Ison] since she mentioned two of the top lieutenants of the [Ephemeral Ison], then how could she be my 'partner' who stood beside me?
"Well to tell you I treated you as an enemy, but we so-soon ge-get along…" For some reason she's stuttering I wonder why…
"Let's get on the battle!"
Well as I charged at her I said thanks since there isn't anyone watching us, and with that we'll be able to pull of incarnate attacks and things and would give me the chance to launch on of the [24 counts] that would be enough to deal with her since I can burn all of the [Kings of Pure Color]…
I increased my speed and was quickly in front of her as she whispered. Okay just a few meters I'll be able to reach her!
"Sorry for cheating, but it will make the battle…"
After she whispered that a very angelic singing voice that rivaled Anesaki's voice or rather a little more beautiful than it rang out, but this voice carried [Power] in it which now restrained me and just stared at her in a daze…my eye sight became blurry like everything's mosaic which made me focus on her voice…shit even if I wanted to move I can't! A debuff! Even though they are rare, people who has debuff skills exist in accel world just like in any other VRMMORPG…
To think that she has something like this! Is this her long range attack a debuff? No it shouldn't be! How can this be possible she's a red how can she possibly have something like this! She's still not using long range attacks and she might have something like that on her sleeves…My heart beat more and more shit I'm panicking, but this isn't the time to do that!
It was a very beautiful voice that made me forget of anything else, but that…even though I can't understand what is she singing I was still enticed by it…shit I want to comprehend it! It was told that a siren's voice can give knowledge to a man, but I can't understand it! It was a continuous voice that even dulled this stabbing sensation and this slashing sensation shit my HP going down if I don't move! Wait I can use my voice! It's the skills only weakness! I can still shout!
That's a simple illustration of looking at the enemy's skill feature and affinity and counterattacking.
"OOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I howled, but it soon sounded like a bird's screech…
This is the weakness of a siren just like what Odysseus' crew did, they blocked the voice by blocking the voice, and with a shout I blocked the voice now I just need to…!
"[Inferno]!" As I said that a quick burst of fire engulfed my surroundings which made her stop and go away from me due to the heat far surpassing normal my special technique gauge was depleted by it…
It was enough to make her stop her singing…shit she just forced me to use up my special technique gauge's charge…and now I only have a 53% charge enough to use two or more of the [24 counts]…
"Let's get serious a little okay? Fufu…I'm happy that you still knew the weakness of that skill." She said full of perkiness…
"Well then I'll fulfill your wish Ren."
I looked at my HP and looks like 22% is only remaining…shit! She'll be the next level 10 if I don't move right now! I quickly looked at her as she charged at a speed that belonged to a king class…I prepared [Silver Twilight] and charge at her with my top speed and we quickly turned into Gray and Maroon blurs in the air that released orange sparks when we meet in the air…I looked at the openings around her since she only focuses her defense in the center of her body which is a big mistake since I targeted all the unprotected parts.
I did a quick hit in front followed by a sudden shift and hit her shoulders, but was blocked by her using her sword I quickly used my leg to kick her, but her blade soon shifted and parried my kick. I quickly thrust my blade to her, but she quickly slid through it and got my arm and threw me behind her and I slide on the rough ground; I quickly charged at her with full force and our swords met again it was an unending meeting of our kicks, punches, and swords…
I shifted my blade to hit her again, but she parried it with her hand like a blur and then she madly slashed at me using her sword that was seemingly like the color of blood, but I blocked all of it…the very strong forces around us broke the hard ground as we started to shine…well this is only a battle that you'll see when two high level players are fighting seriously. I quickly found an opening and hit her leg and stabbed it with full force as I withdrew then as if ignoring the pain she charged at me.
It feels like she's smiling as we fought and she somehow weirdly felt happiness that was transmitted to me to the extent that I too smiled in my heart as our blades continuously met as if dancing, and looking at my gauges I only have 19% remaining and she has 29% remaining HP and both of our special technique gauge is approaching the maximum and her special attack should be a middle range if not a close range so I'll be able to reach her using [Transcendence: Heaven Piercing]
I separated from her and this will be troublesome…I couldn't believe that I would enjoy a battle like this like before and even if I didn't use one of the [24 counts]. I looked at the Tokyo Skytree that I once destroyed during the battle with Mist.
"Get ready Gray." She said as her body was covered with a rosy light. "[Infinite Petal Blade/Burst]"
"I'm always ready Ren." I said as I raised [Silver Twilight] until it reached my face. "[Transcendence: Heaven Piercing]! [Transcendence: Meteor Blast]!"
I slashed off every petal that attacked me, 20 slashes then at least 61 thrusts and I did it all over hitting everything that I can hit with the technique [Transcendence: Meteor Blast].
A group of petals charged at me as from behind her multiple portals showed up and fired, but all of those attacks were nullified when I slashed and thrus multiple times using [Silver Twilight] that was covered with a bluish white flame and that flame was exactly the thing that nullified and burned everything that it touched and I quickly reached in front of her in just a second and she focused her [Petal Burst]'s fire at me, but that was cut and quickly I delivered a multiple hit attack at her from all directions that destroyed the beautiful petals that heavily damaged me and then my sword that was covered with that bluish white flames did a perfect thrust and directly cut through her body.
So she's a multi range range huh…
"Fufu…I'll see you in reality Gray that's what I promise…promised you…Fuu…I'll be fill your seat…I-I l"
Her words weren't finished. I looked at her HP looks like she has only a few left about 9% and still going down and I have only 6% left and that only proves that she really is a level nine king being able to do that I think she'll be able to deal with Lotus or with Blue Knight. I didn't have [Transcendence: Heaven Piercing] back me up she should've been defeated and Ren should've been the next level 10. Quickly a message was seen it was [YOU WIN!] and I'm happy that I won, but I'm sure Ren still has things under her sleeves just like me…I think it was just a friendly match between us since we didn't use much skills and she didn't use [Rose Valley] even though she could.
Time: 9:24 PM
Activity: Dating the idol?
Current Location: Tokyo Skytree
I was quickly back to the real world looking at Anesaki and the scene in front of me which made me smile, but that smile was maybe due to the enjoyment provided by the battle with Ren…I can't explain this good feeling that's welling up from deep inside me…this might be excitement that I'll meet Ren which will cause a love triangle, but I'll ask Tears to tell Ren that she shouldn't meet me at school since it will be troublesome…I think it wouldn't help my conquest if Ren would show up at my school since I'm currently raising Anesaki's affection levels…
I looked at Anesaki and smiled a bit making her brows furrow a little since I've kept this kuudere expression that I always have since.
"Someone once told me this Anesaki: 'Everybody's not there to lie to you'…I lost trust on others, if I trusted them then it wouldn't be complete since I suffered much on the hands of other people who hurt me, now I guess it's my time to face this scar of mine with my full might and trust people fully again."
"Well everybody needs to face their scars so that they can move on and step into a new future lying ahead…you know what Natsume-kun?"
I focused my eyes on Anesaki who is bathed by the thin light of the night.
"What Anesaki?"
"Someone special to me said this to me: 'don't hurt a person who's weaker than you since you're only showing that person that you're weaker than him or her…and soon you'll expose your weakness and that person wouldn't tolerate anymore and will start to fight…furthermore people who don't realize that will go to hell…fufufufu' I do admit if it was the past me I would hurt you and would react differently…"
She truly is a fragile girl…just looking at her makes me want to protect her, and to fill that space in her heart…it's just a statement that I made after seeing her.
"Hmm special person eh? Could it be your boyfriend?"
She quickly blushed and made an annoyed face which really makes her very cute.
"He's not my boyfriend or so! He's just someone like an older brother to me…and I have inherited his dream."
"What dream? Could it be?"
My mind was quickly filled with ecchi thoughts and things which my expression very weird due to it.
"Don't even think of such perverted thoughts you ecchi man!"
"Hahaha sorry sorry! Well I just made the atmosphere a bit lighter…" I made my expression serious again so that I won't anger this girl. "So what?"
She slowly raised her hands seemingly trying to reach for the stars in the skies. "He wanted to surpass this crappy world that's been filled with people like me and people who are selfish of their own happiness."
"That's a normal nature…most humans would only sacrifice others for their dreams and for their own survival, just like how we kill pigs, chickens and things to survive…it's only natural for people to think of their own happiness only which makes this world crappy, so we need more people who would think of other's happiness, so that the impossible idea of a world where everyone can smile would exist since it's impossible for you alone to do it…human beings were given great powers to change this world with numbers as one changes everyone would, and that doesn't apply only to humans, but every creatures in this world."
She quickly put her hand down and smiled at me then it turned into a quick chuckle and into laughter which made her rub her eyes a little.
"kukukuku…fufufufufuwhahahahahahaha!"
"Why are you laughing? Haa…I guess you're like my family who laughed at my ideas..."
She smiled at me again and touched my hand and held it tightly as if she doesn't want to let go of it.
"No I'm just happy…you're really different from most men who just go to me and ask me out and things…"
"I guess so…I might be…" I said trying to be composed since sensation of a girl's soft hand touching me and my mind is like 'YESSSSSSSSS! WHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!'
"No you really are, I'm not joking…I'm glad meeting you Natsume-kun."
I smiled at her and she smiled at me…now to tell this.
"Anesaki no matter what dreams that person left to you I'll help you to fulfill that as a friend…though I don't believe in friendship since things like that can be easily forgotten when it's not that strong which makes me remember my elementary friends who didn't much remember me…"
"Then how many of them remember you."
"Not much haaa it's enjoying."
I looked at the watch at the upper left of my Neuro linker and basing from the time I'm going to get killed by the Oni-baba…
"Yeah it is and Natsume-kun before we leave."
I again focused my eyes on her and she said blushingly. "Thanks."
"I haven't done anything why are you thanking me?"
"Fufu you have done many things…Thanks for accompanying me, the 'lightening the atmosphere' and specially your words."
"Then you're welcome."
"Fufu anyway I'll be killed by my mother if I get home late so let's go…Natsume-kun I have a favor." She mumbled happily.
I looked at her with confusion and a slight sense of excitement.
"What is it?"
"Could you walk me home?"
For me it was one of the sweetest words that a woman can ever say to you and I'm unbelievably asked by this idol to walk her home even though she can protect herself…I just hope we won't meet some delinquents on the way since I don't want to beat up people using [Physical Full Burst]…
"Are you even sure? You know I know that you can fight guys bigger than you!"
"Ahaha, so you've heard that? Hahahaha actually it's real true."
Obviously since you can even beat the guys from sports clubs and the likes…I even heard that you defeated the judo captain which is a fact that makes me scared in fact I even have a video of it which is given to me by Hayato and he made the man cry tears of manliness and defeat, but it also had some happiness in it…
"Then you could walk yourself home." I said half eyes closed.
"Well is it bad? I'll get lonely you know! And it's a job of a man!"
She is totally right, but does she knows that my reaction time in this world is at least 200 times slower? I CAN'T EVEN CATCH A BALL PROPERLY! I CAN'T EVEN PLAY BASKETBALL PROPERLY! But can I resist her I think no man would even resist a beautiful girl if she asks him to walk her home…unless if it's a heatless man of course.
"It's a job of a woman to protect a weak and frail man…" I retorted as I prepared for a deadly argument
"So will you swallow your pride? And I'll accompany you? I totally say that you won't survive if you're like that." She said and it hurt it literally hit me.
All right I admit women are champions in arguments I haven't doubted that, but I have never admitted that…BUT NOW I ADMIT IT WOMEN ARE BETTER! Just like what Daichi said! Women are better and it might sound sexist, but I don't care!
"All right! All right! I'll accompany you just stop!"
"Fufu well then let's go Nat-su-me-kun!"
Well she looked very cute while she did that…haa I guess I'll see her…
She quickly looked at me and got to the elevator and of course I followed her…man I was really thinking that she'll drag me and touch my hand, but nonetheless I can see her smile, but for some reason I saw a trace of sadness in her face since she frowned, but it wasn't because of dissatisfaction …but I don't care if this is about her in games then I can retaliate quickly…but for some reason my heart's telling me that that's not it, but a more different and deeper reason.
