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Over the Infinite Chapter 22 Part 2

 

「They used to call me ‘a monster that grows stronger in battle’… that’s about me. The evaluation in the Labyrinth City praises my strength, it’s not belittling.

…Maybe you guys are the same. I missed that part in my assessment. No, maybe it’s something more. You’re ‘monsters that grow even faster than me.’ Let’s battle, considering that you are of that caliber. 」

That’s a cruel joke. We’re already battered and bruised here. The only one with full HP is Yuki.

「Let’s start the next minute then. 」

「Spread out!! 」

Arsha rushes towards us like a bullet, aiming for me again.

Her approach is very similar to the start of the match…

 

―――― Action Skill ((Whirlwind Formation)) ――

 

The technique she uses is the same as before.

But I can’t step in. Something is different. Something inside me is screaming to run away.

Even though I should just jump over it like I did at the start, an alarm won’t stop ringing in my head.

No good. If I step into this, it’s over!

Something like a bolt of lightning runs through my body, convincing me to backstep away from danger.

 

―――― Skill Chain ((Spiral Formation)) ――

 

Trusting my instincts, which have saved me many times before, I backstep away, but the spear’s slashing attack, extending further than expected, follows me.

The spear shouldn’t extend like that! Is it some kind of magical staff?! What are you, Sun Wukong?!

[1. TL Note: Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, is a legendary figure and a main character in the classic Chinese epic novel “Journey to the West.” He is portrayed as a powerful monkey with supernatural abilities, including the ability to change his size, multiply himself, and transform into various objects and creatures. Sun Wukong wields a magical staff, the Ruyi Jingu Bang, which can change its size at his will.]

I didn’t have enough distance to escape! The only choice is to receive the spiraling spear with my sword as a shield, and I was blown away. No, rather, I was sent flying.

This is ridiculous. Why am I being blown away just by receiving an attack? I fully defended with my sword, didn’t I? This isn’t just some strong wind, it’s like a typhoon!

Arsha wouldn’t overlook me in such a state. She’ll definitely follow up.

Because I already feel her presence within my ((Evasion)) range… No, that’s not it!!

It wasn’t Arsha approaching, but her spear.

The crimson spear, spinning like a gyroscope, hurled through the air. It was the same one she had been wielding moments ago.

She’s throwing her spear now?!

I can’t avoid it!!

「Gaaahhh!! 」

I manage to reorient my body mid-air using ((Mid-Air Posture Control)) and ((Mid-Air Evasion)), but still, the crimson spear rips through my back, taking a large chunk of flesh with it into the sky.

It wasn’t a direct hit, but my HP is now in the red zone. Not just my HP, but my physical body is in critical condition. A large portion of flesh and skin from my back has been torn away.

Her attacks must view our HP like flimsy paper.

Most of her attacks penetrate our HP like critical hits. It’s absurd.

I’m thrown to the ground without being able to brace myself properly, but I can’t afford to lie down and create an opening.

Using the momentum from the bounce, I forcibly stand up.

It’s not over yet. I won’t fall. I can still stand. I’m used to this level of pain. Endure the physical damage. As long as there’s HP left, the match isn’t over yet.

Arsha, having thrown her spear, should need a replacement weapon.

If it disappeared into the sky, it can’t be retrieved… wait, that’s strange. Why does she still have that spear?

In Arsha’s hand is the same crimson spear, the one she had from the start, the one that just tore through my back and disappeared into the sky.

My dumbfounded expression must amuse her, as she smiles, seemingly enjoying herself despite being in the middle of the match.

「It’s quite interesting, isn’t it? Even if I throw it, it comes back like this. This spear, right?! 」

She smiles but doesn’t show any opening.

Trying to catch her off guard, Yuki attacks from behind, swinging her swords.

「Nguuuh!! 」

Yuki stops the spear with her two cross-held small swords but can’t completely kill the momentum.

No, that’s wrong. Yuki wouldn’t rashly attack without thinking in such a timing.

Her aim must be a hit with the ((Clear Hand)). It must be ready.

Then, it’s time to attack!

「Sarges!! 」

I call out to Sarges, not even sure of his position.

But Sarges, who has been training with us for so long, should understand my intent to attack… He understands, right?

 

―――― Action Skill ((Dragon Stamp)) ――

 

Where did he come from? Sarges launches a stomping attack from above.

Although the attack is dodged, Sarges’ ((Dragon Stamp)) destroys the arena floor.

The destruction is reminiscent of the Minotaur’s axe blow.

The shattered stage causes Arsha to lose her balance for a moment.

Yuki and Sarges don’t miss even this brief opening. I also rush to the spot.

 

―――― Action Skill ((Rolling Sobat)) ――

―――― Skill Chain ((Cyclone Sobat)) ――

 

Sarges unleashes a two-hit spinning kick.

Arsha receives the first ((Rolling Sobat)) with her spear shaft and prepares to counter the second ((Cyclone Sobat)).

Just swinging her spear casually, she precisely captures Sarges’ approaching leg.

Her natural actions seem to surpass even skill-boosted attacks. Does she no longer need skill speed adjustments?

 

―――― Action Skill ((Fast Blade)) ――

 

To stop her, Yuki strikes from behind Arsha, unleashing the fastest slash we have at present.

Although successful in interrupting Arsha’s attack on Sarges, even Yuki’s ((Fast Blade)) is stopped by the thin shaft of the spear.

 

―――― Action Skill ((Parrying Kick)) ――

 

But then, Sarges launches a kick aimed not at the wielder but at the spear itself, finally creating a significant gap in Arsha’s ironclad defense.

「Now’s the time!! 」

 

―――― Action Skill ((Poison Edge)) ――

 

「Eh!! 」

 

The strike comes not from Yuki, but from a completely different direction.

Unexpectedly, the invisible hand holding the ((Cobra)) lands a hit on Arsha’s arm.

Whether a critical occurred or not is uncertain, but if it inflicts poison, that would be extremely lucky.

Well, unless she’s a scout with cat-ears and dressed in everyday clothes, she’s likely prepared for poison.

But undoubtedly, damage has been dealt. Though minuscule, this is the first damage.

「It’s not over yet!! 」

 

―――― Action Skill ((Rapid Rush)) ――

―――― Action Skill ((Magnum Straight)) ――

 

Yuki and Sarges launch a follow-up attack. Yuki’s dual swords strike four times, and Sarges’ bullet-like fist attacks Arsha.

Although the ((Clear Hand)) caused a slight damage, Arsha is unimpeded by it. Yuki’s four strikes of ((Rapid Rush)) are all deflected, and Sarges’ ((Magnum Straight)) misses its mark.

But finally, I arrive to launch another attack.

「Take thisss!! 」

 

―――― Action Skill ((Strike Smash)) ――

 

My ((Strike Smash)) was also blocked by the solid handle of the spear and couldn’t reach its target.

…But at least, I’ve stopped her in her tracks.

「What!? 」

Yuki, having thrown aside his (Cobra), seemed to have caught Arsha’s ankle with his ((Clear Hand)). No, I can’t see it.

With a slip, Arsha’s stance is disrupted.

Now’s the chance. The situation Yuki has taken control of and crafted is our greatest opportunity so far!

 

――――Skill Chain ((Power Slash)) ――

 

My ((Power Slash)) finally caught Arsha.

Slipping past the spear’s handle and glowing, my sword definitely reached Arsha’s body.

I’m sure the damage isn’t significant.

But I made it count! Such an opportunity won’t come again. Strike now!!

「Sarges!!! 」

「Yes!!! 」

 

―――― Skill Chain ((High Power Slash)) ――――

―――― Action Skill ((Tornado Kick)) ――

 

My further assault hits. Following that, Sarges’ signature move ((Tornado Kick)) is launched at Arsha.

His spinning kick, twirling in the air, is blocked by Arsha’s spear, but that’s not the end. The real deal is next!!

「Here we go!!! 」

Sarges jumps into the air, using the handle of the spear as a stepping stone.

His seemingly needless mid-air rolling creates doubt about what’s coming next, successfully making Arsha cautious.

Sarges, floating in the air, is like a phoenix. His silhouette, backlit, casts a shadow over Arsha.

 

―――― Skill Chain ((Purge)) ――

 

With a flash, as if feathers scatter from wings, Sarges’ clothes burst off.

 

“Narration”

Sarges’ ((Purge)) is a deadly technique that involves stripping off all his armor and morals, stirring up shame, and explosively enhancing his physical abilities!!!!

The ultimate masochist, by stripping, heralds the arrival of the strongest pervert right here!!!!

 

Arsha, perhaps shocked by the half-naked man revealed through the gaps in the mysteriously narrated and obscured view, freezes like a statue.

「Uoooooooh!! 」

 

―――― Skill Chain ((Flying Body Press)) ――

 

「Hy-Hyaaaahhhhhh!!! 」

Arsha’s scream of absolute shock.

The half-naked man’s lunging attack seems to have an effect, as she is overwhelmed and crushed.

「Good! 」

「Not good! Keep going!! 」

Urged by Yuki, I launch further attacks.

「Nooo! Pervert! 」

「Obuh! 」

But Arsha, in a half-crazed state, swings her spear wildly, sending Sarges flying.

 

―――― Action Skill ((Whirlwind Formation)) ――

 

What was supposed to be a turning-point strike, Arsha releases ((Whirlwind Formation)), forcibly regaining her posture.

Damn, our trump card…