I'm focused entirely on maintaining the dodging technique, biding my time and waiting for the single most opportune moment. The golden chance that will allow me to 'There!' I cancel [Kami-e] and slap his arm away at the wrist. A clenched fist rockets forward and smashes into the center of Killers face with enough force to loose a mans teeth.
70 Damage! (1,516/1,810) -5 HP! My opponent staggers backwards and I take a half-second to shake out my stinging hand. 'Jesus! What is that damn helmet freaking made of! Question later! [Soru]!'
I blitz towards Killer while he's still in recovery and slide under the quick slash he throws out. I use my leg to sweep his, flipping his body horizontal, 'Try this one!', and then use my hands to position myself into a donkey kick.
A combination force of both legs crashing into his chest while simultaneously firing off a [Geppo] finally gets a sound out of my opponent as I can actually hear his mouth wrench open. 'Combo move bitch!'
255 Damage! (1,261/ 1,810)
Previous strikes I had landed had been enough to stagger the pirate. Or even take him off his feet. This one though. This one sends him flying. His airborne body is flung down the street where he tumbles through the dirt before finally using his scythes to drag himself to a stop.
Ideally, this would be another great moment to keep the pressure on, attack him before he's ready. Unfortunately... didn't fully think through that [Geppo] enhanced kick.
The thrust of [Geppo] while my feet were up at an angle has sent me sliding away with my face in the dirt. It seems every time I start to forget this is a gag universe the powers at be find some way to forcibly remind me. I raise my head and spit the gravel off my tongue. 'Blegh. Yuck. Gonna have to be more careful before attempting that again.'
Alert! Your opponents status has changed to [DETERMINED!] Killer is now serious about taking you down. He is receiving +27% to STR and DEX.
I turn my head around to see Killer on one knee and rising back to his feet. 'Well that's a bad sign. Not sure If I want to go in unarmed again.' The 'Massacre Soldier' streams forward for the umpteenth time and I draw a new sword from the [Inventory] to meet him.
Things went considerably poorer this time.
-185 HP!
Blood erupts from my arm as my cheap weapon snaps in the middle and his scythe digs a gash across my forearm. 'SHITSHITSHIT' I pull a dodge roll to the left to avoid the follow-up, nearly tripping over the still fresh corpse of Ludwig the stall owner who's body is still lying in the road. A twinkle of light glints off the arming sword he died wielding and -after another dodge roll- I snatch it from his grasp. 'Sorry buddy. Gonna borrow this real quick!'
I can hear the whirling of Killer's scythe behind me. There's little time to think. Even less to plan. With both hands on the hilt I swing the heavy sword behind me blindly, putting all the strength I can into the blow.
[Adrenalin Rush] Activated!
STR (135 +70%) → (229.5) The extra strength is a godsend, batting the pirates weapon away and throwing him way off kilter.
I use the three second reprieve to backpedal for just a little distance and place myself into a defensive stance. My new weapon is up, ready for the next round, but Killer is uncharacteristically motionless. Not rushing in for the first time since the fight started. His head tilts behind the mask and peers curiously at the scythe I just knocked away.
There's a fragment missing. A tiny chip that cracked and fell away where mine had met his.
"I see," he speaks for the first time, his voice ringing with an odd reverberating quality from beneath the mask. "That sword is dangerous in the hands of someone capable. I should've noticed it's quality before."
'The sword..?' My eyes briefly flick towards the weapon I procured from the fallen merchants body. '[Observe]'
Kugizume (Meito)
One of the worlds unknown number of Wazamono Grade Swords, Kugizume was originally forged by a master blacksmith in North Blue, but was then stolen by a thief in the night. Ever since, like many other named swords, it has changed wielders numerous occasions over the decades and has seen battle on every Blue in the ocean. As a Meito, Kugizume is far sharper and stronger than normal blades, only being matched or outclassed by other equal-ranked or higher-ranking Meito. Alert! You've encountered a named blade! +1 LUK!
LUK (42) → (43)
"Heh...well would you look at that." I smirk under my breath.
I take two quick slashes with the blade, getting a feel for its weight. It's definitely a smidge bulkier than what I'm used to, though considering my current situation I wouldn't exactly say that's a bad thing.
Killer experimentally cycles his damaged weapon a few times, testing to see if the crack propagates. The results apparently meet his satisfaction because both weapons spin to life and the 38 million Beri man preps a stance of his own.
I can see his legs tensing. His face is hidden but It's not hard to tell what he's thinking. He's showing caution due to the sword and the heightened strength I displayed. 'Well if you're not coming to me...[Soru]!'
A great red flare flashes into being over the town, distracting us all and aborting my technique before it begins. "Killer!" A muffled voice comes from somewhere on my opponents person. There's just enough of an odd timbre to the sound that I can make the mental connection that it's origin is a baby Den-Den-Mushi. "We need to go! It's the captain! He's...he's hurt bad!"
Killer regards me for a moment and I can see the physical tension in his posture. The inner war telling him to ignore the giant retreat signal in the sky and stay here to finish what we've started. But just as quick he leaps away onto a low awning and vaults from there onto the roof of a store. A few seconds later he's gone from sight entirely leaving me alone with the Meito in my hand.
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