Chapter 4
A few minutes before the fight
"I'll make him heartily regret such foolishness. Did he really think he could pick a fight with Ainz Ooal Gown?"
Putting those thoughts into words, Touch Me was finally able to process his irritation. The duel was about to start, and all of his guildmates were about to come buff him after lending their best items.
This is so unlike us, though. Everybody knows there's the easy, usual way to do this. But I wouldn't have it any other way with someone who asked for a fair fight. Though I'm starting to wonder if such thing really exists… He smiled self-deprecatingly. Is this guilt for all the times we ambushed players like him? Or did I become too prideful? No, in that case I wouldn't let my friends help me no matter how powerful that player is.
Oshikuru definitely was the strongest player he had ever seen, but the man was all by himself. If the whole of Nazarick, NPCs included, were to take him on even with a basic plan, victory would be certain for Ainz Ooal Gown. There was only one reason he hadn't chosen that option.
He wanted to fight and defeat Oshikuru in a duel, for that wouldn't simply be "the right thing to do" but an epic feat, while there was no honour, not to mention no difficulty, in ganging up on someone who by the way had never antagonised Nazarick yet.
If Oshikuru openly defied Ainz Ooal Gown of his own free will like many had done in the past, even Touch Me would readily agree on using everything in the Great Catacomb to destroy the player as it had already been done countless times.
But that was not the case with Oshikuru. This time it was a duel invitation, made by one of his guild members nonetheless. The task to fight fell on the World Champion, so he wanted to settle things himself, even if he needed help from his friends to fill the gap with his otherwise probably unbeatable rival.
This wasn't like the duels he'd experienced now and then. Now, loss seemed to be inevitable: from clips of Oshikuru's previous fights it appeared the man's physical stats were far higher both in speed and strength.
Also, though just a little bit, the loner's combat combat ability was astounding. That angered Touch Me, since his greatest strength was the ability to almost always predict the opponent's moves. Looking at most Oshikuru's previous fights, he could do that for about half of the presumed human's blows. Although the Paladin was a hell of a fighter, he was starting from a serious disadvantage.
It's not like his position as World Champion and best warrior of all within the Great Tomb of Nazarick was a sham, rather than Oshikuru being an absolute beast.
"So… shall we begin?" the Guildmaster exclaimed once everyone arrived and they began casting while Takemikazuchi laughed as he now understood what was going on. Technically it was not cheating, for the buffs were being cast before the duel took place, but using Triplet Maximaze Magic for each spell would make the reinforcements last long enough. From all the many spells they possessed, the first one to aid Touch Me was "Haste", simple but essential.
The guild members involved in the buffing process cast spell after spell.
"[False Data Life]! [Holy Aura]! [Harden Steel]! [Reinforce Armour]! [Reinforce Weakening]! [Greater Full Potential]! [Greater Resistance]! [Complete Vision]! [See Invisibility]! [See Through]! [Sensor Boost]! [Heavenly Aura]! [Shield Wall]! [Shielding Prayer]! [Under Divine Flag]! [Veil of Moon]! [Wall of Protection from Arrows]! [Translocation damage]! [Mind Protection]! [Paranormal Intuition]! [Protection from Evil]! [Protection Energy: Electricity]! [Protection Energy: Fire]! [Protection Energy: Ice]! [Regenerate]! [Power of Gaia]! [Elemental Form]! [Undead Flame]! [Body of Effulgent Beryl]! [Body of Effulgent Aquamarine]! [Body of Effulgent Heliodor]! [Mercy of Shorea Robusta]!"
And many more: when they were done, all known defensive spells that could target an ally had been cast on Touch Me. He had never been buffed so much, his stats temporarily soared to incredible heights making it seem like nobody could match him: now, he was the favourite for the upcoming duel.
However, the buffs would still fade over time, unlike the [Fly] amulet Touch Me had in form of a necklace beneath the armour. No magic seal was applied: after all, that would be outright cheating. Had Touch not been able to win quickly, he was given an extra help by his companions to finish Oshikuru once and for all.
For starters, the paladin placed in his inventory the world item True Nought, Guinningagap, as a protection from whatever world item Oshikuru might have. Momonga gave him a Wish-Upon-A-Star-Ring, mostly as a countermeasure to the same one Oshikuru was known to possess.
Then Peroroncino, after grumbling one last time, lent him Houyi's Bow which was gladly received by the paladin: that mighty bow would be a nightmare for any opponent, though he wanted to end the battle using his own great sword. Shifting his feet on the black and what chessboard marble floor, he passed to Touch Me also the main weapon of his most beloved NPC. After seeing that, the Nephilim warrior stopped hesitating and ceremoniously offered his katana Takemikazuchi Style 8.
I'd never let you wield you the weapon I'll use to defeat you someday, but this one I'll allow you to have for today's fight. Don't you dare lose now!
The World Champion also borrowed from Yamaiko her Female Sensei's Iron Fist of Wrath, a huge gauntlet which actually dealt little damage to high-level players but still had massive knockback effects, extremely helpful to get the enemy off his back if need arose. Nishikienrai caressed both Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi before tossing the twin kodachis to Touch-san, who effortlessly catched both; he disliked blades fit for assassination, but accepted anyway as all gifts were welcome to deal with such a troublesome opponent.
Having never been seen using those weapons, though he was perfectly capable of wielding them, it would be a lethal surprise to his opponent, even if Touch Me himself had no full knowledge of the items and skills belonging to Oshikuru.
But now, fear and anxiety were nowhere to be found. Pride and the precious items received by his companions gave him back the usual confidence. No, more than that. I am Ainz Ooal Gown! With that name, I can't be defeated!
"Okay, let's go!" His cry upon completing preparations was as much for him as it was for the group which headed out to meet the fool who had dared to challenge the power of Nazarick.
Duel start
The hell is going on here?!
Oshikuru almost cried out in disbelief as his battle plans were immediately and completely shattered.
It's true that I haven't activated any strengthening and speeding skills yet, but even if he used them all right from the start, silently btw 'cause I didn't hear shit, he can't possibly be this fast and strong!
Not only had Oshikuru been unable to approach his opponent in the way he wanted and anticipated by far, but when he raised Cutter I to block the attack, his arm was blown out of the way and he barely managed to react.
[Activate Skill: Demonic Haste]
He quickly leapt to his left in order to prevent Touch's broadsword from claiming first blood, since it was aiming at his face.
Fiuu, that was a close one!
And it was only the beginning of the storm: after the first blow, a flurry of attacks rained down on the human who struggled to survive, unable to get away or counterattack at all.
Ok, this is bad. New strategy!
Oshikuru tried flying around in order to escape more easily, but quite surprisingly Touch Me was able to counter all his evasive manoeuvres even up in the sky. Going after another member of Ainz Ooal Gown to use him as distraction was out of bounds, even though it would have been fun, so Oshikuru soon decided to return on the ground.
No way this is his real power. Especially in mid-air!
Back to fighting on the perfectly cut green grass, which was turned into a mess, Oshikuru defended himself the best he could (though still getting hit a few times), but the only other thing he managed to do was thinking about the situation.
Could he have always been holding back through all fights up until now? Nuh, nonsense. Then what? Has he spent his whole life savings on cash items just to win this duel? Well, Ulbert did mention he was a rich guy IRL, but I just can't believe it. Also, I can see the items he's wearing, and the few he's got aren't even close to giving him such improvements. What is this sorcery… unless… hold on!
His bad-eye turned from the unstoppable paladin to the members of Ainz Ooal Gown that formed a circle in the sky above them. It focused on the magic casters: broad smiles they had, and very little mana.
Motherfuckers! how dare you interfere! I mean, it's not against the rules to buff your friend before the duel, but this is low… dammit, I should have seen this coming though, they got a habit of devising evil and close to perfect plans. But if you think this is gonna be enough to take me down, you're so very wrong! As soon as all these power-ups fade, it'll be payback time! I'll show you!
Even though Oshikuru started to understand what was going on, that wasn't really helping him. The man could barely keep up anticipating the broadsword for it kept striking as fast as lightning, almost impossible to see and thus even more difficult to catch, so Touch Me kept damaging the samurai's favourite armour, to Oshikuru's great annoyance.
Filthy bug! How dare you ruin my beloved Edo-period battle suit! Curse you! Anger flowed through his digital veins.
Had I been wearing my World Champion armour, I could've even allowed him to land any blow and meet him head-on… how naive of me to think this would be a duel like all others. I kinda want to join Ainz Ooal Gown exactly because of the way they manage to succeed in all kinds of situations… how could I believe this duel would be just a show of my power with my opponent having no chance at all!
Just not to be overwhelmed, Oshikuru had to rely on his long experience in close combat, excellent instincts, extraordinary reflexes and above all the fact that Touch-san was attacking him only with the great sword.
Well, at least he didn't come with another weapon. Makes sense since he always fights with broadsword and shield, but if his friends helped him with all these spells, I wonder why didn't they lend him some more blades and items… although, had he showed up with an equally high-level yet quite different gear, it would have been quite suspicious and I'd have been more on my guard. He must be hiding them in the inventory, waiting for the right moment.
Oshikuru ducked to avoid a blow to his precious helmet and dodged all but one the follow-up attack combination.
Could it be he's just waiting for me to block that damn sword of his with my usual [Reality Scissors]? Well, even if he's not, that'd give him an unmissable chance to get me for good. I haven't tried it 'cause it would be a gamble to accomplish that move against such a fast target, but even if I was successful, it wouldn't be enough to cut off that broadsword, though it'd deal some nice damage. But even at his baffling current speed and with me not expecting it, taking a new weapon from the inventory and using it properly would take too much time…
The samurai uselessly tried to get on his opponent's shield side to catch a break: the paladin moved swiftly and kept unleashing a sequence of attacks.
But of course! The perfect way would be to activate a Quick Change Item and deliver an unavoidable hit using whatever he'd switch that shield with, that's why Touch's wielding it! I can't see if he's hiding that little stick right behind the shield, any normal person shouldn't even been thinking about that possibility!
Oshikuru narrowly avoided the filthy slash that followed a quick feint without interrupting his flow of thoughts.
Yeah, that sounds exactly like what only that devious sonofabitch Punitto Moe could come up with… but I saw through your schemes, you little shit! And since I'm fairly sure that's your plan, I'll play along and ruin it, hehe. See if you like being outsmarted, oh grand strategy of my ass!
He made it unscathed through a combo which would have left no chance of survival even to his Divine Class armour.
How good of me resisting this well all this time activating nothing but Demonic Haste, though it had to be done at the very first move! Well, the three minutes' reload time are just passed, I'm gonna use it again now, just to make sure my signature move and evasion actually works, if I miss I'm gonna get bashed hard here. Let's do this! Now you'll see me turning this around without even trying too hard.
For I am O-o-o-Oshikuruu, O-o-o-Oshikuruu, my-oh, my-oh, he's a demon samuraaai.
[Activate Skill: Demonic Haste]!
And then, he yelled the first words since the beginning of the fight. "[Release Skill: Reality Scissors]!"
Finally! He's been overly cautious, from the little I know I was sure he'd have done it sooner. Well, after the initial shock of finding himself at such a disadvantage, it makes sense to be more careful. But he's fallen right into the trap. Thank you, Punitto-san! This'll confuse him even more, and deal lots of damage too. There's still a long way to victory, but I can see it paved right in front of me!"
Touch Me dropped Earth's Recovery and, as soon as it left his hand, in there it could be seen a tiny little stick that was immediately snapped. Thinking about the Takemikazuchi Style 8 was enough to make it appear instantly. Then the bright katana wrapped in the power of lightning slashed pierced the air heading to his opponent in the blink of an eye.
Feel the power of the God of Thunder! Dramatically thought the Paladin as he unleashed a devastating blow that, also thanks to the active skill [Armour Piercer], was sure to break through the enemy's armour and sink deeply into his flesh.
But it never landed.
For Oshikuru-san graciously did a 180° jump on the opposite side, without relenting his [Reality Scissors] that dealt quite a bit of damage to the broadsword while keeping it stuck. And while Touch Me was losing most of his balance due to having put all his left arm's strength into the thrust he had been so sure to be successful, Oshikuru helped his rival to completely fall with a strong, perfectly timed triple hit from behind. First a knee to the head, immediately followed by a kick the right in the middle of the back and then another kick in the very same spot to the already soaring Touch me.
The Paladin rolled away on the ground, not too far, not too hard and not for long thanks to the shock impact being reduced by the World Champion armour, but it was still a hell of a blow.
Not only for Touch Me, but to all those who had developed an excellent strategy which was not only seen through, but brilliantly countered.
First reaction: shock. Second reaction: more shock. Third reaction: this Oshikuru not only has incredible fighting abilities, but a megamind. I can only hope Touch Me-san doesn't panic or it's over already. Punitto Moe would have started sweating, had he been IRL, such was his fear of Oshikuru.
"Shit!"
"Fuck!"
And similar words escaped the lips of many onlookers. Two of them were equally surprised, but grinned. It was still far from over, but one thing was now clear to everyone: with inferior stats and equipment, this Oshikuru had resisted to Touch me's unrelenting pressure and turned to his favour the presumed glory moment of a warrior whose equals could be counted on the fingers of a hand.
Completely ignoring the commotion above, revealed also by the suddenly shifting shadows on the shattered grounds, Oshikuru mocked his opponent. "Already taking a break, are we? Come on man, this was just a little warm-up. Get back up and fight me!"