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Volume 8 Chapter 1 Part 5

Translator: Kell

But if you modify a spell to defeat an opponent with one blow, not allowing for any counterattack, then using it is worth it. There’s a big difference between a spell that requires two shots to kill a target and a spell that requires only one shot—you don’t give them a chance to fight back.

In the case of Sight Distortion, I used Ether Hack to greatly increase its range, but also reducing its effect to the minimum level.

The distortion of vision caused by this spell is not noticeable even to me. However, in long-distance sniping, the distortion can cause errors of several meters. As a result, the enemy kept missing their attacks.

Because the distortion is so miniscule, it’s difficult for the enemy to notice the cause. If they take their time to look at the surrounding scenery, they might be able to see that their vision is distorted, but it’s not easy to stay that calm when you’re in the middle of a battle with an enemy in front of you.

I used Fast Shield to make it seem like it was the one causing their shot to curve, which in turn, makes it more difficult for them to realize that it was their vision that was distorted. You could say that all the moves I’ve made so far were to keep them from noticing this.

Nevertheless, if I do it over and over again, the enemy will eventually notice the distortion in their vision. That’s why I turned off Sight Distortion for a moment earlier and mixed in some physical evasion. There was a risk of failing to dodge, but just by doing this combo once, the enemy would think: ‘There’s a possibility that he can’t continue using the spell forever.’

If they assume that all their attacks can be interfered with, the enemy will do everything in their power to counter it. They will rack their brains to figure out why their attack curved, and it’ll only be a matter of time before they realize that their attacks are not curved, but that their vision is distorted. If by making them think twice, I can delay even one Ether Cannon from being fired, it will have been worth the effort.

“Magic Wing. Fast Shield.”

I take flight again and activate my defensive magic. I moved sideways a little to make it harder for them to aim, but mostly I took the shortest route to close the distance.

They were now only less than 500 meters away, close enough for a long-range attack. That only means they’re within reach, though. Doesn’t mean I can actually hit my attack. Just then, an Ether Cannon landed a meter away from me.

“So close…”

It was probably not a coincidence that the distance of the impact was getting closer and closer. So far, I’ve been applying Sight Distortion to my enemies, except for when I evade an attack on my own. The power of the Sight Distortion had not changed.

With the level of distortion constant, the farther the distance, the greater the error in shooting. An error of one centimeter at a one-meter distance will increase to one meter at 100 meters, and to ten meters at one kilometer. This is why their attack missed so badly in the beginning.

The distance between me and the enemy was much shorter than it was when I first used Sight Distortion. If I want to, it’s easy to adjust Ether Hack to increase the distortion of the enemy’s vision.

But the greater the visual distortion, the easier it is for the enemy to notice it. The level of Sight Distortion that the enemy is currently experiencing is one that even I wouldn’t notice.

If I was hit with that spell right now, I probably wouldn’t even realize it myself. It’s possible to indirectly ascertain the cause of the problem through a missed shot, but even if I knew that my vision was distorted, I would probably not even notice the distortion itself. The distortion is just that weak, and that’s why I’ve been able to deceive the enemy until now.

At this point, although the enemy does not notice the Sight Distortion, an Ether Cannon may just hit me normally anyway. My only choice is to increase its effectiveness at the risk of it being noticed.

“Magic Wing.”

First, I cast my flight spell. This is probably the time when the enemy is least likely to notice the visual distortion.

“Ether Hack.”

Making sure that the enemy’s gaze is following me, I activated Ether Hack to alter the property of Sight Distortion. Anyone can notice a distortion if the object in their field of vision remains stationary, but if their eyes follow me while I’m in flight, it’s harder to notice. My spell ended and I landed.

If the enemy is aware of the distortion of their vision, they will make a move such as slapping himself in the face or activating a magic spell that removes status effects. Either action will dispel Sight Distortion easily.

“Fast Shield.”

I cast “Fast Shield” while carefully observing my opponent’s movements. If the enemy is still unaware of the truth, they may fire another Ether Cannon just because their accuracy was gradually increasing. However, if they notice the Sight Distortion because I increased its effectiveness, the next Ether Canon will fly straight at me at a timing I wouldn’t expect.

The enemy shot another Ether Cannon. Their vision distorted by the increased effectivity of Sight Distortion, the spell landed a short distance away from me.

“It’s not the spell that curved!” one shouted. “The problem’s our vision!”

“Vision? Magic that disturbs the senses?!”

The enemy pulled something out of their pocket and drank it. It was probably some kind of anti-status effects potion or something.

I don’t know what the quality of the potions in this world is like, but even the inferior ones will be more than enough to dispel Sight Distortion. Now, Sight Distortion will no longer work on the enemy. But letting them waste one shot just now was worth it.

“Magic Wing!”

The Magic Wing I cast quickly closed the distance between me and the enemy. Along the way, I cast one buffing spell after another.

“Enhance Field, Berserk Field, Flame Field, Flame Enchantment, Flame Over Enchantment.”

When I had finished casting all the buffing spells that I could cast without extending incantation time, my Magic Wing ended, and I landed—about fifty meters in front of the enemy, within range of Steam Explosion.

From here on out, it’s my turn.