章節 62: Sanguine VR program (2)

The wolf has been reduced to flesh ribbons and Kent advances further into the bloody basin. The style looks good I have to admit but he isn't using the sanguine boost at all!

His attack depends completely on sharpness and speed. He must be using his prediction skill to tell where the monsters will go.

However, that isn't the way of the sanguine swordsmen. We have to bathe in the blood of our enemies while igniting our own to get stronger. All he does is use the ten percent stat boost to help his own style.

His skin becomes red as the leftover energy is expelled as heat instead of being used. The drawback of this skill will hit him much harder if he keeps this up and he'll likely fail to keep using sanguine boost throughout the program.

With little choice, I once again press the button to activate the speaker. How do I tell him that he is doing it wrong? I'll just pretend to be Navi.

"Our data shows that you aren't using the sanguine boost skill as intended. You are resisting its correct execution while only using the stat boost. Please note that the program's efficiency will be compromised by such actions."

<That's not how I sound!>

I ignore Navi yelling in my mind and see if there is any reaction from Kent. He seems to say something but there is no sound transmitted to the screens.

"You wouldn't hear him anyway. The sounds of battle would drown out his voice. Do you think I don't know that? That's what he said. You should learn to lipread."

"What now? If he doesn't use it the right way there is no chance of him leveling that skill."

"That's the difficulty of devising a program. If the skill isn't used as intended everything collapses. Take it as a lesson and move past it. More importantly, I've never seen this kind of build before. A swordsman who relies on predictions, mesmerizing and hidden blades to hit his target."

"Hidden blades?"

"Don't you think it's weird how the wolf didn't dodge the energy swords? The way he moves the sword combined with the ones following creates a mesmerizing pattern and the moment he swings the energy swords are hidden behind the real one. Dodging what you can't see is one of the hardest things to do, especially since the energy swords carry no killing intent."

"Sure it's a new fighting style but if the prediction goes wrong he will be in trouble, won't he?"

"Think about it, even if he actually misses he can just keep moving and try again. The strategy is a novelty. We will have to think of ways to counter it especially if it's used by high-level people."

"Isn't he already considered high level?"

"No, by our measures high-level entails both a level above 100 and a few skills that have already evolved."

"So basically a super-elite adventurer like master Oden."

Or maybe father. Navi clearly heard my mental comment but stays silent. With nothing else to distract myself, I look back to the screens where Kent is cutting down monsters left and right.

The monsters' parameters are set to match the user so it shouldn't be this easy for him to win. Most monsters fall with one strike and the ones who survive are met with another swing.

Kent's movements are incredibly smooth and fluid. But his breathing becomes more and more ragged. His face is red as a tomato and he looks to be suffering from the heat.

After a few more monsters he stumbles and takes a second to restore his balance. The redness from his face fades and his breathing stabilizes. He's given up on using sanguine boost and is now fighting on while enduring the effects of the skills drawback.

He's already getting exhausted by the monsters and by the time he reaches the crimson bear he is once again breathing raggedly. Not from a skill's effect but simple stamina use. He tries to use the same strategy as usual but the crimson bear just tanks the hit and swipes at him with a paw.

Kent is hit in the side and smashed into the ground. His form dissipates into swirls of red as he is ejected from the VR space.

"He's a glass cannon, took down all those monsters in one or two hits but got downed in the same way."

"Have you seen the parameters of the bear? That thing is programmed to be stronger and way tougher than it is fair."

"You seem awfully worked up about that bear."

"Why don't you try getting killed by a blasted bear every night! I just want one dreamless night! Is that so much to ask?"

"Now, now. I'm sure you'll kill that crimson bear in no time once you raise your blood magic to level three. Speaking of which, I found a place where you can fight as much as your heart desires."

"Really? Did you get permission? When can I go?"

"Suddenly you are so excited. Well, before you can enter the battlefield you will have to talk to the owner. You'll be meeting the dungeon master of Colosseum madness, emperor Vespasian. Try to be nice."

I hate meeting important people. Can we just skip the meeting?

"No can do. Vespasian wants to meet you so that meeting is a condition for you to enter the dungeon. If you decline you will have to stay here."

"Fine, I give up. When will this meeting take place?"

"Whenever you are ready. Vespasian is always bored or plotting something new so he will meet you the moment you come. He doesn't seem to sleep based on a schedule but more to fight his boredom."

"Then I'll go there right away!"

"I thought you would say that. I'll take care of Kent. He doesn't seem especially disappointed with the results so maybe I can get him to try again. If he became a return customer that would be great!"