Chapter 820: December 1?th: Two-Sword Style Does Not Equate to Dual Blades
◆
"Fuhahahahahaaah! Even if you shoot magic cutters from your dorsal fin, in the end, it's just magic! In the end, you're just a Fish! Did you think you could beat the triple synergy of a Mammal feat. a Mammal + the Sea Devouring Sword!!"
I had thought from a while back that they were cr... that their thought processes leaned a bit toward the barbaric, but as expected of those who received Survival's tutelage, the members of the Dress-Up Squad were intentionally creating "holes" leading into the ocean within this undersea colosseum to draw monsters in or cause rapid "natural deaths (referring to dying by natural threats)." They're out of their minds.
That said, being able to encounter monsters under relatively easy conditions that would normally require fishing from a boat or free-diving deeply into the ocean could certainly be called an advantage.
Having quickly collected the materials from the "Fin-Slasher" I took down underwater, I hurried back into the undersea colosseum before I started experiencing dyspnea.
"So this is what the two-sword style means, got it?"
"i don't understand a single thing from top to bottom."
Hey now Wimp, that's a bit...
"Isn't she lacking something?"
"Affirmative: it is insufficient."
"w-what is..."
""Intelligence.""
"Yeeeaah," Saina and I high-fived. Meanwhile, Wimp quivered. As for what we were doing... this was a progress check on the Dress-Up Squad, or rather, the Wimp Strengthening Plan I had originally commissioned from Survival, along with a little "lesson".
......
............
"What? You went with the two-sword style too?"
"what about it... is that bad?"
"No, not really? As long as you can output DPS, you could wield spoons for all I care."
It seems Wimp had chosen dagger-sized dual blades. Considering I've been a two-sword style user from the time I started this game up to now, I can act a little high and mighty and claim to have strong opinions on the subject.
And so, I decided to observe Wimp's movements in a sort of mock battle just to see, but.........
"Wimp."
Flap-flap-flap (The sound of the salmon head flopping).
"what is it?"
"I think you should drop the dual blades."
I never intended or felt like losing right from the start given Wimp's level and stats, but even factoring that in, Wimp's compatibility with dual blades was just too terrible.
"are you trying to say i can't master them... because i'm weak?"
"No? You're moving well enough to at least call yourself a warrior... hmm,"
I see, she has certainly managed to learn what the Dress-Up Squad taught her. But rather than an issue of good or bad technique, isn't this fundamentally a matter of suitability?
"Wouldn't you be better suited for the two-sword style rather than dual blades?"
"......huh?"
Dual blades are a two-sword style where you hold two swords, but the two-sword style doesn't necessarily mean dual blades. It might sound like one of those tōnchi riddles, but quite seriously, this is the truth. At least in this game.
"Dual blades operate on the premise of wielding two swords, right? The two-sword style is different...... The two-sword style means holding different weapons in each hand, having a means of attack in both hands."
"i don't really get what the difference is."
"Can't be helped...... I'll give you a little demonstration."
............
......
......And so, having blown away the Slashard—which looked like a relative of the Mud Digger—that picked a fight with me without even flinching at my Scar, I turned toward Wimp, who had been watching the scene through a glass window in a corner of the colosseum, and said a single sentence.
"So this is what the two-sword style means, got it?"
"i don't understand a single thing from top to bottom."
Hey now Wimp, that's a bit...
"Isn't she lacking something?"
"Affirmative: it is insufficient."
"w-what is..."
""Intelligence.""
Yeeeaah. Flap-flap-flap.
Now then, since Wimp looks like she's about to throw a tantrum soon, shall I give her a serious lesson?
"Listen up, okay? Dual blades means you have two swords, and you combo the synergy between those two...... Simply put, if even one sword goes missing, the 'dual-blade fighting style' collapses at that very moment."
While gripping the Sea Devouring Sword in one hand, I opened and closed my other empty left hand as I spoke to Wimp.
"This is also two-sword style."
"......are you making a fool of me? you're not holding anything."
Hehehe...... That right there is the difference between the two-sword style and dual blades. It seems the Dress-Up Squad is indeed teaching Wimp how to handle dual blades quite thoroughly, but character-setting preferences hold less value than flavor text in the face of efficient character building.
If they have the aptitude, a macho guy can be a healer and a dainty fairy can be a tank; that's what being a gamer is all about. And Wimp's aptitude truly shines in the "two-sword style."
"No, you're wrong. The two-sword style means 'holding a means of attack in each respective hand'. This is a two-sword style holding a sword in the right hand and a 'fist' in the left."
The naming "two-sword style" has its bad points too...... Dual blades involve combining two swords held in both hands to perform "sword techniques," while the two-sword style is a "combat style" that fights utilizing the weapons held in each respective hand.
There's no need to hold a sword in both. For example, a gun, a short wand, a fist...... even a shield is a two-sword style in the broadest sense. A player's strength differs completely depending on whether they understand this or not.
"Listen up Wimp, even that poison of yours that's like medicinal detergent can act as an eye-gouger if splashed in the eyes. Even if your right-hand weapon is sealed, you can slam your left fist into that bastard...... Don't let yourself be blinded by a single tactic. Using your two arms for just one thing is an option, but you should allow for far more possibilities."
Single-minded devotion isn't bad, but the two-sword style can make single-minded devotion "one of your options" as well.
"......so, what does that mean?"
"It means don't just be satisfied with swinging two swords around; learn to use a one-handed sword, two-handed sword, empty-handed brawling, poison hands, and whatever else across the board."
Summary: We will be increasing the volume and density of your training.
Perhaps having understood that, Wimp's already pale face grew even paler.
"Rest easy, Wimp! I've got free time too, and there are plenty of guys here well-versed in all sorts of battle styles!"
"i-i'm fine just being a dual blade user..."
"Ahahahaha."
Flap-flap-flap.
"Um......"
Just then, one of the Dress-Up Squad members who had been watching from a distance timidly spoke to me.
"Yes?"
"Ah, well, at this point I'm not going to ask about that salmon mask? that looks suspiciously fresh, but......"
Currently, my head equipment was the Head Mask of the Richman King Salmon......... which, it turned out, could be upgraded using materials I had inside Inventoria (materials I had almost forgotten existed myself), so I had Bilac quickly upgrade it for me, and I was now equipped with the "Wealthy Salmon King Mask".
It granted an effect that extended underwater action time—the effect right before actual underwater breathing—and this salmon mask, looking even more lively and bouncy than before it was upgraded, along with my new skill, allowed me to advance into the new battle stage known as underwater combat.
".........Honestly, since Bomber Bu... I mean, since Tsuchinoko-san went through the trouble of using the Chalice, I was kind of hoping to see your face if possible...... Heheh........."
".........I see?"
I glared fixedly at the Dress-Up Squad members with the gaze of a salmon that was steadily regaining its vitality. Most of the members averted their eyes or started whistling, but for some reason, a few of them gave me a thumbs-up with wide smiles.
"Object heads are totally okay!!"
"If it's object heads I prefer inorganic ones, but this is fine too!"
These guys......... Just as my resolve to never take off this salmon head under any circumstances grew even firmer, and right as I decided to deliver a solid uppercut to every single one of them, a resounding scream stopped everyone in their tracks and drew their attention.
"It's done......! It's doooooooooone!!"
"What is?"
"The fundamental theory!!"
That's not exactly a phrase you expect to hear from someone about to start sewing.
"fundamental theory?"
"Yes, indeed. The 'Takerie' I previously worked on was a maid outfit equipped with the highest class of long-term combat support functions conceivable at the time, completed through the synergy of accessory placement, size, and fabric materials sewn together in ratios discovered through thirty-four trials, further enhanced by proficiency in sewing magic. However, as the months passed, with the unlocking of hidden highest-tier jobs and the deepening understanding of magical... no, mana particles, production classes were forced to advance to a new stage........."
"If you're going to recite a tongue-twister, go stick your face in the ocean surface over there and do it. So, give me the quick conclusion. What does your patron-sama need to do?"
"I need you to provide a few materials. First is the highest grade of Lapisteria Star Crystals you can find───"
"I've got some. I used up almost all my First-Magnitude ones making cloth, so it'll mostly be Second-Magnitude, but if you want Third-Magnitude or lower I can pull them from Inventoria."
".........A-Ah. This many Second-Magnitude ones is plenty...... Yes. Next, a Particle Circuit Construction Manipulator purchasable in the Leviathan───"
"Connecting to Leviathan Online, purchasing... It recommended I buy a Particle Observation Head Unit along with it, do you need this?"
"Patron-sama, I will lick your shoes."
"I can wash my own shoes, so no thanks."
I replied with a salmon-faced smile redolent with the fresh scent of the rocky shore and purity. Flap-flap-flap.
Author's Afterword
You see... because the slender limbs unique to Pioneers, which exude a slight languor, are moving around in starting gear that is practically underwear, when he rises from the water surface, you can see the tightening movement of his abs dripping with water droplets... Heheh. (I really wanted to ask, "Why not wear a competitive swimsuit?", but I swallowed my words upon remembering how Survival, who had previously suggested wearing a school swimsuit, was glared at with eyes that seemed to be looking at something not of this world. Instead, a lonely chuckle leaked from one of the Dress-Up Squad members) (If only his head weren't a salmon...) (The body only "shines" precisely because it's an object head) (This guy, directly into my brain...!?)
Comments
Post a Comment