Capítulo 261: -257- Never attacked?
"Clang——!"
At the instant when the clear sword resonance echoed, Rozen was left stunned.
No, it should be said that he was left awestruck.
When he was stuck in a state of rigidity due to dealing with the Kobold trooper, he had been struck by the rapier wielder's sword technique from behind. In that moment, Rozen recognized the origins of the technique being used.
It was the first basic skill of the rapier — "Linear."
By setting the "Rapier" skill in a skill slot and using a rapier as the weapon, this sword technique would be the first to be learned by rapier users.
And this technique was quite straightforward. Just as its name implied, the user placed the rapier at the center of their body, added rotation, and thrust forward in a straight line, creating a simple sword technique.
Although the damage of this technique was not high, its speed was quite astonishing.
Precisely because of this, the rapier wielder managed to execute the technique before Rozen's rigidity ended and successfully hit him from behind.
If it were any other sword technique, Rozen's rigidity from using the one-handed sword's initial basic skill, "Slant," would have certainly ended before the opponent's technique was completed, allowing him to react immediately.
However, in this moment, the "Linear" that the rapier wielder employed showed a qualitative transformation.
Seeing the glint of that rapier flashing toward him, Rozen could only think of one thing.
—"Shooting Star."
Yes.
Shooting Star.
It was a sword technique akin to a Shooting star.
The orange-named rapier wielder unleashed this technique with movements, speed, and finesse entirely different from just before. She turned this sword technique into something resembling a shooting star, allowing the rapier to surge forward with astonishing velocity.
That speed was easily twice as fast as before.
In this world, Rozen had never seen a sword technique this swift, nor had he witnessed one as beautiful.
It was evident that this wasn't a technique that could be accomplished solely with system assistance.
The opponent had undoubtedly combined their own motion commands to enhance the technique's speed.
As a result, the rapier's blade resembled a streak of light, leaving a beautiful trajectory as it illuminated the dim labyrinth and dashed toward Rozen's chest.
Compared to just before, the difference was like night and day.
As Rozen's mind flashed with a hint of inspiration, his body momentarily froze.
Counterattack?
That was impossible.
If it were before the opponent initiated the technique, Rozen might have been able to do so. However, with the technique already in motion and its speed astonishing enough to amaze him, Rozen could no longer manage a counterattack, let alone evasion or defense.
Nonetheless, Rozen wasn't afraid at all. He simply gazed quietly as the opponent's rapier, like a shooting star, raced toward him.
Then...
"Whoosh...!"
Amidst the faint sound of air being sliced, the rapier with a pink sword technique effect light brushed past.
It grazed Rozen's body and landed less than five centimeters away from his ribs.
That's right.
This astonishing strike had missed.
However, it wasn't that Rozen had dodged it. The opponent had deliberately aimed off target.
"You..."
The rapier wielder held the stabbing posture, seemingly surprised and perplexed. She slightly raised her head and gazed at Rozen.
Only then did Rozen finally get a clear look at the opponent's appearance.
The opponent had a slender figure, and their build was relatively petite. They wore a dark red leather long-sleeved shirt along with lightweight copper chest armor. Below the waist, they donned fitted leather pants and knee-high boots. However, their entire body was covered in tattered and ragged marks, giving them the appearance of having endured long journeys and extended outdoor activities. They exuded a sense of being weathered and worn.
As for the opponent's facial features, they couldn't be discerned due to the long hooded cloak that covered their entire body. The hood of the cloak even concealed their head, rendering their face invisible.
Such a player stood before Rozen, brandishing a rapier.
However, the orange marker above the opponent's head stood out conspicuously, and the yellow HP bar at the side also entered Rozen's field of vision, causing his eyes to shimmer slightly.
At this moment, the opponent spoke again.
"You... Why didn't you dodge...?"
The rapier wielder appeared puzzled as she made this inquiry.
And from beneath the hood of their cloak came a voice of a very melodious and pleasant young girl.
Combined with the breathtaking strike that resembled a "Shooting star," Rozen was certain.
This person was the very beautiful female player Argo had mentioned to him.
However...
"You just attacked me a moment ago, and now you're asking why I didn't dodge. Doesn't that seem a bit strange?"
Rozen looked directly at the opponent, speaking these words with a hint of playfulness.
Yet, these words prompted a reaction from the opponent, who seemed to bite her lip.
"...So you're also the same as the others." The rapier wielder spoke in a hushed tone.
Such words, if spoken by anyone else, would likely be met with confusion, right?
However, Rozen knew what the opponent was trying to convey.
"'I never attacked you' — that's what you're trying to say, right?"
Rozen calmly voiced these words, causing a slight raise of the eyebrows beneath the rapier wielder's hood.
In contrast, Rozen broke into a smile.
"It looks like you're more surprised, but instead of just being surprised, you should be more curious about how things ended up like this, right?"
That's what Rozen said.
"Anyway, come with me for now. Otherwise, you might get 'caught up' again, won't you?"
Rozen's words were swift and quick, and then he sheathed his weapon and walked away to the side.
His decisive actions, with his back turned to the rapier wielder, seemed to tell others that Rozen wasn't worried at all about being attacked again.
"..."
The rapier wielder fell silent.
"Gu!"
On the other hand, Rainbow Butterfly tilted its head, seemingly unaware of what had transpired. Nonetheless, it flapped its wings and followed Rozen.
"That is..."
Only at this moment did the rapier wielder notice Rainbow Butterfly. With a hint of surprise in her eyes, she hesitated for a moment before following.
The two humans and one butterfly left the scene together, allowing the area to return to silence.
Not long after, a group of players appeared.
"Did we let her escape...!?"
"Darn it!"
"Don't let her get away!"
"Keep chasing! She must be up ahead!"
"Go after her!"
The players shouted in anger, heading forward in pursuit.
These players had no idea.
In an inconspicuous corner, a pair of eyes was watching them, filled with madness and murderous intent.
...
Labyrinth Area, 19th Floor.
In a hidden location within this floor, there was a space that resembled a cave.
The entrance to this space was blocked by a stone, with only a narrow passage that could accommodate a single person. Even if a player leaned against the stone, they wouldn't notice this place unless they carefully examined it. The entrance led to a concealed space that remained unseen.
"This is a hiding spot for a mini boss. The opponent's story setup is an escaping Kobold Leader. Unless you're lucky, you won't be able to find this place. Currently, only I who have slain that boss know about it."
Rozen brought Rainbow Butterfly here and sat on a rock. He turned his head to look at the rapier wielder who followed.
"Alright."
Rozen smiled warmly.
"Let's have a talk."
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder