Chapter 13: withheld

 Robin's talent for battle

"Hey, I said progressive, not incremental" (Gemril)

“ROAR!” (Automaton)

After roaring and making the whole place tremble, my eardrums cry for help, and Gemril looking at me with shining eyes, I put myself in position for the fight.

The Automaton begins with a punch that has as much strength contained as Pangu cleaving open heaven and earth. I’m probably going to be squashed even if only the wind of this attack hits me, so I instantly double-jump; first up and and manage to dodge the attack from the 6-meter tall Behemoth that is in front me, and then kick the air to propel myself forward, landing on the giant’s right shoulder. 

Boom! I attack his head twice while the automaton steadies himself, but soon after I jump up, dodging the palm that was heading for my chest. While propelling in the air I catch a glimpse of the giant holding his right shoulder with his left hand, and as I stop going up, the giant retracts his hand, preparing to catch me while I'm falling down. 

Not if I can avoid it! 

I double jump in the direction of his head, landing right on the scalp and just as his right hand is about to catch me, I jump down and grab him by the neck with one hand, hanging there with sword in hand. I begin my barrage of attacks, which without the proper footing and wind up don’t do much, so I drop that idea and propel myself towards the Automaton’s right side, going in between his hand and shoulder.

I land in front of the giant just as he steadies himself, he looks completely enraged at the ‘fly’ that was dancing around his head. I decide to for another round, for which I run towards him as he now uses both hands to try and catch me. I dodge his left palm with a sidestep, and right before his right hand is going to squash me, I jump up once to dodge, and twice to land on his face.

“I got you now” (Rob)

I say as I smirk, before lunging the sword inside his right eye—

“AWOOOOO!” (Automaton)

Critical-hit! the Automaton leans back as he brings his hands to himself, while I jump to land on his scalp.

The Automaton begins to move from side to side so with no other option I jump down and wait until he calms down.

After half a minute the Automaton brings down his hands, at which moment I notice his eye is done for. It is now closed, hopefully, permanently so this makes the fight easier for me.

With his right eye destroyed I decide to do the smart thing, I aim for that side! I run straight towards the Giant Automaton, Closing in as quick as the wind and I jump!

The Level 3 changes strategy, this time he opens his mouth to try and bite me— this guy sure is desperate!

Using the fact that he can’t see things on his right side, I effortlessly double-jump to stop my movement, which makes his head move past my body. Having dodged his jaw, my body is now at his eye-level, opportunity which I make use of by poking his left eye! 

“ROOOOOOOAR!” (Automaton)

Is it me, or is this fight getting easier as time goes on?

“How— you’re improving faster than the difficulty is rising, who are you!?” (Gemril)

The Automaton, having lost his sense of sight squirms in pain while I safely land on the ground— and here’s the problem, I don’t actually have the means to completely destroy this guy.

Oh, I know!

I run towards him, and jump, and jump once more!

“Over here, you idiot!” (Rob)

“ROOOAR!” (Automaton)

Haha, you fell for it!

he tries to punch in my direction, but with no sight of me, there’s no way you’ll hit me!

The Giant misses his attack, and his extended arm is right below me. I land on his limb and propel myself using it as a base.

“This way, moron!” (Rob)

“GROWL!” (Automaton)

Ah, there we go.

“!?” (Automaton)

As the Raid boss tries to hit me in the face while being completely blinded by the rage and pain, he steps outside the arena.

Thanks to the rules set by Gemril previously, as soon as his foot lands outside, the Level-3 turns off and so he begins to fall.

Boom!

“...You won the third round” (Gemril)

“Oss!” (Rob)

“Who are you!?” (Gemril)

Gemril? Why is he screaming at me?

“Are you okay?” (Rob)

“How did you hide your strength!? it shouldn’t be possible for you to be so nimble!” (Gemril)

“I— I have no clue what you’re talking about” (Rob)

Gemril stares intently at me as if trying to discern whether I’m lying on not, before sighing and shaking his head.

“Ha-ah, Forget it, Forget it. After a thousand years of wait, you’re the best seed I’ve seen. Master is already gone so who cares about who you are” (Gemril)

“As long as you pass the five levels I’ll be free, and I will finally get to rest” (Gemril)

“Rest? what will happen when I pass five levels or more?” (Rob)

“You will find out when you do so, just focus on the test. you have 4 minutes left to rest” (Gemril)

4 minutes later

“Ready? Begin!” (Gemril)

Boom! Boom! Boom! this time three Obelisks blow up, and as per usual the fragments float mid-air before emitting light and reforming.

Hmm? this time the fragments do not reform into a massive beast— rather, it’s a humanoid figure about my height, that looks like a mannequin with no discerning facial features, with a scarf made of stone on his neck fluttering to the wind that comes from somewhere unknown. after he finishes materializing he holds his fist towards me, and after half a second, more and more pulverized pieces of the obelisks begin to converge, before forming a—

“Fighting glove?” (Rob)

“You should be careful of this one, It was specially made to battle against medium range melee fighters, category in which you and your sword falls into” (Gemril)

Gemril is helping me?

“Thanks!” (Rob)

After saying that the Level 4 enters a fighting pose, before skipping left and right to begin his tempo. I for my part hold my sword in the way I was taught in the academy when against these types of enemies— left foot and fist in front, right foot and the hand holding the sword at a 45-degree angle. 

Boom! 

Fast!

The level 4 instantly closes the distance and—

Boom!

I Fly backward, surprised my chest isn’t caved in, and after a short period of time, my body strikes against the only obelisk left in the arena.

After rebounding against the obelisk I quickly stand back up and look in the direction of the Automaton, he’s— he’s surprised? his fists are down and his upper body is leaning towards my body as if examining the state I am in.

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“I was right about you” (Gemril)

What? what does he mean?

“You did not even realize, did you? right as his fist was going to destroy your heart you subconsciously decided to jump backward, dodging the brunt of the attack” (Gemril)

I did that!? no wonder I didn’t receive much damage.

“Let’s go!” (Robin)

I say, and the Level 4’s response is to get back into his fighting stance.

He rushes towards me once more, but this time I am prepared, so as the fist is coming towards my chest, I quickly use my left hand divert his fist outwards, before plunging my sword toward him.

Clang! 

The attack was too shallow…

The Level-4 backs away once more, astonished once more.

on my side of things, I am a bit disappointed, as, without the proper foothold from having to divert the attack, my sword failed to make considerable physical damage, but I can see it did have an effect on my adversary’s psyche.

By the way…

“Does this Automaton have some sort of intelligence? He seems more… aware of everything?” (Rob)

“Uh? Ah, yeah— Along with the raise in difficulty they also have more ‘intellect’, although since they are not actual ‘living’ beings, the system doesn’t pick them up” (Gemril)

“I see. Well then, let’s have a good fight!” (Rob)

in response to my words, the Level-4 nods and puts himself into his usual pose or so I thought—

after skipping left and right twice, he stops and after a short period of time, ‘pondering’, I assume, he raises his left hand into the usual fighter’s pose, while his right hand is arced down, making a 90-degree angle.

he begins to move his right arm left and right like a pendulum— what is this fighting style… is it to make it easier for me to fall for a feint?

Here he comes.

As he closes in, I decide to go on the offensive as I feel a creeping sense of danger coming from the Automaton. His left fist gets into motion but is quickly retracted, Luckily, I already read through his strategy, so I know his right hand will— Ugh!

Bang!

He lands an attack on my left shoulder which makes me take 3 steps back, This guy is smart!

He skips up and down, I’m not sure if he’s joyful at having landed a successful hit or he’s going to change strategies again, but it’s better for me if I don’t underestimate him.

Hiya!

I take 4 steps towards him and slash diagonally from bottom right to upper left, which he dodges by taking a step back, and once my attack is past him, he goes in to land the counter attack on me— you fell for it!

I continue to rotate my arm, having my sword act as a rapier, having it continue to arc, moving it past my left shoulder and hitting him right in the neck!

Clang! having made use of both my force and his, and the attack landing on a critical part of his body, the Automaton seems to be badly hurt, as he’s stepping back holding his neck. his legs are bent, I assume from the pain, and it doesn’t look like he’ll recover soon.

Sorry pal, but I still need to win once more after this!

I rush towards him, and the Automaton moves his head, level with the ground straight at my face as if looking pleadingly at me. 

“Sorry!” (Rob)

I say as I put all of my weight on my right shoulder and tackle the level-4, resulting in his body flying across the arena and landing outside.

“It’s my win!” (Rob)

“Yes, nicely done” (Gemril)

As the Level-4 splits up and reform the 4 obelisks, I sit down to wait for my next opponent.

“So why do you want me to succeed all of a sudden?” (Rob)

“Well… I’m tired— Of this place, doing nothing but fiddling around with these guys, day after day after day and nothing else. I can’t go outside and let’s be honest, you’d probably kill yourself after being trapped in here after a measly hundred years but alas, I can’t even do that” (Gemril)

“That’s… is there any way for you to come with me?” (Rob)

Gemril looks questioningly my way and says

“Why? I can’t be of help to you, and the price you’d have to pay to take me out would be enormous to the current you” (Gemril)

“I can actually take you out with me? what do I need to do?” (Rob)

“Uh… you have to get an energy generator like the one which powers this place up, but more compact. you may be able to buy one somewhere in this world, but I have no clue where” (Gemril)

“I see. then, why don’t you wait for me? I’ll take you out on an adventure in the future” (Rob)

“But… why would you do that?” (Gemril)

“Eh, I feel like you’re a cool little guy. After all, you stayed loyal to your master for a thousand years after her death” (Rob)

“That’s… not it. the only way for me to be ‘alive’ was listening to her. Even now, if I want to rest I have to find a proper successor. I’m not loyal at all—” (Gemril)

“Then, how about this: I will let you out if you teach me how to make Automatons, even if they’re not as good as the ones in here” (Rob)

Gemril lowers his head and appears to think for a while before raising his head to look at me, and eyes shining he says—

“Alright! we have a deal, then. But first you must win against at least the Level-5”  (Gemril)

“Bring it on!” (Rob)

2 minutes later

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

This time the four Obelisks explode all together, and along with the explosion, the whole arena trembles in excitement for the fight that will come next!

The first half of rubble cyclone together to form another humanoid figure. This time my adversary is two heads taller than me, quite literally too, since he has two heads and four arms—

“Woo!” (Automaton)

The rest of the rubble comes together above the level-5’s head, before splitting into four equal parts which converge to form—

“It’s falchions this time, Huh” (Rob)

Huff… 

I exhale to bring myself to calmness, and this time I go for a swordsman’s 2-handed sword stance, with my knees slightly bent and the tip of the sword pointing at an angle towards the ceiling.

“Let’s go!” (Rob)

The Level-5 answers by running towards me with his four arms pointing back, his upper body leaned forward, and when he reaches a distance of five meters, he jumps up and brings the 4 swords towards me. I raise my sword to block and— heavy! his attack is so heavy I have to kneel so I don’t lose my sword. 

“Hiss!” (Automaton)

I Push up with all my might and successfully drive the Automaton away, after which I stand up, while the Level 5 takes four steps back. we stare at each other before I go first this time.

I run towards him and raise my sword, Hacking with it while aiming for the guy’s head. He employs two swords to block and after our sword make contact, he brings the other two to try and impale my ribs. I use the force of our impact to jump back, avoiding both swords which miss me by a hair’s length. After having jumped back I go for broke before the Automaton can recover: I jump up and somersault in mid-air, and kick-off the air with the tip of my sword pointing towards the guy’s chest.

He blocks it!

The Automaton employs his four swords to block my hit and cancel its force, while also pushing me back, bringing us both back to square one.

Alright, let’s try this!

I Jump once more, but this time instead of going towards him diagonally, I jump so that I stop ascending right above the Automaton, after which I kick the air and attack once more!

This time the Automaton can only try and block with his two upper arms. they’re obviously not as strong as four, and he seems to have a hard time canceling the force from my hit. he kneels on the ground but before he can attack me with his two free arms I release the force of my hit and land behind the kneeling Automaton, after which I land a kick to his back which makes it fly away towards the edge of the arena.

Got it!

But as if to make me eat my words, the Automaton uses the two lower Falchions to stop himself, by sticking them into the ground. 

“Hah… you having four arms makes this so bullshit” (Rob)

In response to my words, the Automaton Stands up and shakes his shoulder, ‘That’s for you to deal with’ he seems to say— Cheeky cunt.

Not wishing to extend this fight any longer, I rush him and Cleave him horizontally, which the Level-5 blocks using both swords on his left side. 

Hah, you fell for it!

I sneer in my mind as drive the remaining force in my hit upwards, leaving his left side’s guard open. As quickly as I can, I kick the ground with my left foot, propelling myself 20 centimeters off the ground, before using my right foot to kick against the air directly behind me, and then using my shoulder to tackle him on the left side of his chest.

“!?” (Automaton)

My last attack pushes him just enough for him to step into the air and fall to the ground right outside the arena. I’ve won!

“You… you win!” (Gemril)

“Yup, thanks for the test, It has made me learn many new things!” (Rob)

“Heh, you’re a good seedling yourself, I’m surprised you could think of that last move” (Gemril)

“Where did you learn to double jump?” (Gemril)

Hmm… I first saw it when the Oni employed it, but I guess I ‘learned’ it a bit later, in the desert?

“Right outside this place, in the desert” (Rob)

“The desert outside? is that where you live?” (Gemril)

“Uh, no? I got there just earlier today, just some hours before we met” (Rob)

“...What the hell are you!? you’re using it like an expert already!” (Gemril)

Is it that amazing? I just have to imagine the battlefield as a three-dimensional space, not that hard.

“Uh… I'm just a puny human, nothing else” (Rob)

“Hmph, whatever— Congratulations” (Gemril)

“I am! Bring it on!” (Rob)

Wait, what?

“Congratulations?” (Rob)

“Yeah, you’re all done. I use my authority as the administrator of this place to approve of you as the successor of the Lightbearer. stages 6 through 10 are a repeat of the other 5, but being controlled by me and having the stats of them multiplied by a factor of 4. But since I approve of you, that won’t be necessary anymore” (Gemril)

Really? that’s great, then. 

“Ugh…” (Rob)

I say as I drop to the ground. with the fighting over, my body starts to cry for help while tearing itself apart. I feel like I will pass out any minute now.

“Hold on a second, I’ll patch you right back up” (Gemril)

He says, as blue light begins to gather around him, which forms into a ball of light which he then throws towards me—

“Warm…” (Rob)

My strength is coming back to me, and after I’m back to my peak I stand up and following that, I jump up and down to check the state of my body.

“Thanks for that, you saved me a lot of trouble by doing that” (Rob)

…

“Gemril?” (Rob)

He doesn’t look that well…

“I’m— fine, just a little bit tired. Come with me, I’ll bring you to the treasure room” (Gemril)

“Well, okay then” (Rob)

Treasure room! Woohoo!

I follow Gemril towards the wall opposite of the entrance, and once we’re right in front of it, he pushes his hand forward against the wall, after which light begins to gather into the palm of his hand.

Creak…

The wall splits up, revealing an opening on the wall, behind which there’s a dark corridor.

After the wall stops opening up, the corridor lights up thanks to torches on both sides which emit a blue light. Apparently, it doesn’t use fire but something else—

“Let’s go” (Gemril)

After following Gemril into the now lit corridor we stop in front of what seems like an average door. Gemril pushes on it and as soon as a small opening reveals itself, a golden dazzle is emitted—

“holy shit!” (Rob)

Gemril finishes opening the door and when I look inside all I can see is—

“So many things!” (Rob)

“Of course, what do you think my master is!” (Gemril)

Gemril says as he puffs his chest up and points his nose towards the sky.

“Come in” (Gemril)

Gulp!

“Alright, let’s see… This, this and this. Oh and this one too” (Gemril)

In front me, there are four items: A sword, a shield, a set of armor and a helmet.

“These ones should be good for you” (Gemril)

“What about the rest of the stuff in here?” (Rob)

“Hah? you’re the successor, not the master of this place. you can have the rest of this stuff once you become a full-fledged honorary Lightbearer, and the master of this place” (Gemril)

“Honorary Lightbearer?” (Rob)

“Yeah, because the Lightbearer is a race on its own you obviously can’t become that, which leaves us with only the honorary title, once you’ve mastered some of the more important techniques of the light bearer, and I mean ‘mastered’ not just ‘learned’” (Gemril)

“That— how long is that going to take me!?” (Rob)

“Uh… I forgot for a second you don’t live for that long. Oh well, with your talent it shouldn’t take that long, 50 years or so?” (Gemril)

“50 years!? there’s no way I can wait for that long!” (Rob)

“Well, it’s your choice if you don’t want the treasures, but these four objects is all you’ll get. hell, I even included you the Armor and helmet, which you shouldn’t be able to get unless properly beating the 9th and 10th levels” (Gemril)

I sneer as I say

“You say it like I wouldn’t be able to beat them, I was doing extremely well, wasn’t I?” (Rob)

His eyes become small slits and finally, he sighs

“Fine! take this, too” (Gemril)

He says as he hands me a necklace…

“Thanks!” (Rob)

After that, I and Gemril leave the treasure room and go back to the arena.

“Come with me for a second” (Gemril)

“?” (Rob)

I follow Gemril to the left side of the arena, and again this time, Gemril places his palm against the wall, after which the wall opens up, but instead of darkness this time what comes out of the small opening is blinding red light. After that, I can feel an immense pressure assaulting me, one which makes me feel as if it were to disintegrate me if I were to get any closer.

I back away, before asking Gemril

“This is?” (Rob)

“This is the Nucleus, the thing that powers everything in this place” (Gemril)

“Remember the pressure you feel right now. If you ever find anything like this in the outside world, and also, if you’re strong enough to attain it, bring it here and I’ll leave along with you” (Gemril)

“Got it!” (Rob)

Just how strong will I need to be before I can handle something like this?

“Well then, off you go” (Gemril)

“Right. Then, I’ll see you later” (Rob)

“Sure… I will wait for you here for 150 years, after that, I will just assume you either died or forgot about me” (Gemril)

“That— don’t! if I fail, I will leave it to a teammate of mine, he’s a dragon and thus lives for a lot longer” (Rob)

“I refuse. if you fail to come by that time I will rest for all eternity, it’s been long overdue, anyway” (Gemril)

“Gemril, you…” (Rob)

“Forget it, forget it. I’ve lived for long enough, even if it wasn’t the most exciting life, it was still a life. even if I’m not a real living being, I was lucky enough to be able to have a consciousness” (Gemril)

“...” (Rob)

“Just go, I hope you won’t forget about your promise! and even if you do, you still have to come back and get the rest of the treasure room, don’t you?” (Gemril)

“Right, I will certainly come back, and I will take you on an adventure!” (Rob)

“Goodbye...” (Gemril)

“Robin, that’s my name” (Rob)

“Goodbye, Robin!” (Gemril)

“See you later, Gemril!” (Gemril) 

Chapter 13: Robin's talent for battle