Defense specialization and advancement.

The next post is on October third.

Kasumi waited for the chance to shift abruptly to offense.

Shin holds a shield. The technique she used against Sally in the previous event—the final cut, the hazy moon—might be blocked.

This skill drastically reduces stats upon activation and disables certain abilities.

In exchange, it delivers high power and speed.

A secret technique usable only in one-on-one combat.

Had Shin not carried a shield, she would have activated it immediately.

“Hah…! Fuh!”

Kasumi twisted her body, swinging her blade to evade the clashing swords.

The primary reason Kasumi could not close the distance was the reach difference.

Additionally, her sword handling had improved since their last encounter.

Realizing she would be worn down slowly, Kasumi struck first.

“Fourfold Slash—Cyclone!”

Four rapid strikes. Shin blocks them precisely with his shield.

The counterattack cuts through, reducing Kasumi’s HP, but she endures.

Crack Sword trades raw power for multiple strikes.

As long as not every blade lands clean, she still survives.

“Seven-Blade Shatter!”

A descending slash from high above, carrying knockback.

Shin blocks it and retreats.

The true strength of this skill lies in dealing significant damage to both combatants’ gear.

Naturally, the enemy’s equipment suffers more, but the backlash to his own weapon is not negligible.

Thus, Kasumi concludes that breaking Shin’s shield before her own HP depletes is the optimal path to victory.

“…Surprising… your attack power’s gone up, huh!”

Shin pulls back from behind Kasumi, keeping her from being driven back.

And.

“Crack Sword!”

Second skill activation.

A new power of Shin, unknown to Kasumi.

Shin’s sword splits further, now twenty blades.

Shin launches a frontal assault with them.

The sudden wall of blades approaching from the front had not been expected. Kasumi takes most of the hits.

Each strike is small. Yet, no time to recover. HP is already at its limit.

“…No choice, then.”

She releases all tension from her body.

“This time, I’ll win!”

The same frontal assault as before closes in on Kasumi.

“Begin Marino Tachi — Void.”

Kasumi’s hair turns white. Her eyes glow with crimson light.

Shin watches, tense with warning.

Shin had lost the last time to this form of Kasumi.

Before Shin’s watchful gaze, Kasumi vanished.

……! Where is she!?

Here.

The voice came from behind Shin.

Before Shin could turn, two arms sprouted from his chest.

Precisely, Kasumi’s arms pierced through his back.

……damn it, again I lose.

Shin dissolved into light and disappeared.

……this time, a draw, no—loss.

Alone, Kasumi murmured.

The skill used just now, like the previous one, carried a cost.

Not a reduction in status.

No—this was a severe reduction in equipment durability.

Her gear, already worn, shattered completely, save for ornaments.

Of course, her blade was lost.

I didn’t expect it to break so completely… perhaps I pushed too hard…

In this state, encountering another player would be dangerous.

Therefore, Kasumi quickly equipped a备用 weapon and used [Super Acceleration] to dash back to the guild.

"Hah... I had cherished it, you know."

Her mood sank further with the loss of her beloved blade.

Five minutes remained before Kasumi’s spirits would rise again upon returning to the guild and receiving a new sword from Izu.

At the moment Kasumi finished her fatal duel with Shin, Maple was walking, scattering destruction.

"Next—this way!"

Finding walking tiresome, Maple climbed onto Shiroppu’s back and flew.

Naturally, she drew attention.

As she neared the guild, a shout rose from below.

[Acid Rain]

Rain that consumed players fell toward the ground.

"Aa-mee-yooh-fu-re!"

After letting the rain fall for a time, Maple confirmed the number of players had dwindled and leapt down to the ground.

“[Predator]”

Players already damaged collapsed after a few attacks from the creature.

“Then, I’ll take the orb.”

Maple checked the map for her next target and left the ruined guild behind.

“Hmm… I’d like to dash with [Cruelty], but that’s not possible yet… It’d be nice if I could borrow Sally’s speed, just a little…”

Such convenience was beyond Maple’s reach at this moment.

At best, she could only hope to carry her.

With Sally still bedridden, there was no telling when she’d be able to do so.

“Maybe riding Shiroppu is still the fastest option.”

Maple moved forward, indifferent to whether she drew attention or not.