[May 4, 11:30 am, in the real world]
The sunbeams of the late morning intertwined with scented streams of breeze, carrying the essence of grass, the sound of children's laughter, the footfalls of runners and their pets and the falling leaves of the public park's trees.
With bowls of ice-cream scoops in their palms, the trio enjoyed the summer heat, recalling Dan's debut, the rewards they obtained, the plans for the next login, the stealthy escape from Poachers and admirers alike and the great creamy splurge funded by Dan himself.
With lingering flavors evoking peace of mind, the trio blanketed themselves in happiness, until King jumped away from the bench in panic.
His eyes glued to the screen of his Slab, unable to process the contents displayed, eventually knelt down in shock, Seiza style. On the ground. Amidst the visitors.
Dan and Jun picked him up and dragged him to the bench, frantically checking him out. Worried, they searched for Kinuhime's phone number, until King stood up, adjusting his glasses.
The cousins almost lunged at him out of joy, but they were stopped in their tracks when they sensed something unsettling from him.
"Dan-san, is this you?" King asked in a calm, stern and scary voice, showing his Slab. It featured Dan's fight yesterday, as a video edit circulating in the player forum.
"Hey, that's me! I like this, even if it's a bit cringey." Dan couldn't help but smile bashfully, as the edit glorified his fight.
"#instantkarma, #serveshimright, #beefcakesupremacy, hahaha, this one takes the cake!" Jun giggled, pointing that brand out.
"We're so going to die..." King let out a sigh, curling inward to resign to his fate of doom, to which the cousins retorted it as a delusion.
"I don't know why you're overreacting like this. It's not like this... guy, kid... whatever-- is the son of a bigshot or anything, right?" This warranted the quietest and most aggresive art portrayed on Kingumo's mask, featuring a cracked skull of an eagle floating in the cosmos, housing Irk and Disbelief in its sockets, with white pulsars of Irritation radiating the nasal apertures and the beak blending with the darkness.
Jun pursed his lips inwards, cursing his inner self for his loose mouth, yet again.
> "Which one?"
>
> "The vice-head of the Homeowners Association."
"I'm sorry, what? I thought it's the Prime Minister or someone higher." Dan's jovial chuckle made Kingumo realise the cousins are nothing but immigrants at the end of the day. They wouldn't know about the current affairs of the archipelago. Even if they did, they wouldn't give a thought about it.
"Of course... how did I forget?" King sounded really frustrated about their sense of ease. "Listen, what I told you yesterday is but a fraction of this district's history. The paupers here are shareholders. Shareholders! Now, guess how much the district associations earn and manage."
"They are rich enough to create a country from scratch. And still have more to spend for personal stuff I don't wanna think about." Jun hypothesised.
"Exactly. Also, the people here uphold familial piety more than money. So, once they harbour grudges, they won't let go, even if it costs their inheritance."
"So, like, this place is basically a playground for the rich-- nah, what's that word...?" Dan massaged his head, searching for the right word.
"Plutocracy?" Jun suggested.
"Yeah, that one!" Dan's eyes lit up.
"You... could say that, Jun-san. In a way." King agreed with a shrug. "And it doesn't end just there. Making an entire clan their slaves for generations is nothing but a tiny investment for a long-term entertainment. The crazy ones, they'd make colonies out of their enemies. That's how ruthless and underhanded they can be."
"Haa... all I can get from this is we stirred up the hornet's nest, thanks to this guy." Jun surmised his judgement, while implying Dan's fault with his thumb.
"Hey, who'd have known that punk is an elite? Doesn't he know that clothes make the man? Huh, teens these days..."
"Excuse me, aren't you teens too?" King's question drew loud bursts of laughter from the cousins, which in turn, drew the public's attention.
"Oh, boy, never have I heard a joke this good!" Dan struggled to drink his ice-cream, as his body shook due to the giggling.
"Hey, you need to clean your goggles more. Do we look that young to you?" Jun's comment rekindled Dan's laughter, almost spitting out his creamy drink.
"Judging by your attitudes, you don't strike to me as adults though. Jun-san was nothing more than a child in the game, whereas, Dan-san is a toddler charged by Cetus. No offense." King clarified.
"None taken!" Dan grinned. "By the way, you're still too stiff and formal. That changes today! From now on, call us Onii-san!"
King got flustered after hearing this. His voice was barely clear whenever he called them by their names. But now, he feels like dying out of embarrassment over this order.
"Yeah, I wanted to tell you this for awhile. Look at Tamako-san. She's your age and yet, she has nicknames for us. But she's pretty cheeky and defenseless around guys, so I'm a bit worried." Jun added.
> "Can't agree more with you there, but she knows it herself. And she can handle herself just fine. You don't worry, Jun-san."
>
> "Easier said than done. After all, she's my soon-to-be protège."
>
> "Oh! No wonder she kept addressing you as Sensei."
"Really?" Jun smiled.
"Yes, though Hadaka-sensei is a bit weird, in my opinion. What do you thin-- Jun-san? Hello?"
All King could see is a pitiable figure, curling inside his hoodie. He was sure he heard grinding teeth. Dan patted his back for consolation and shook his head in disappointment towards King, implying his insensitivity.
"Don't tell me, he's the one who wrote Purple--" Dan's big palm closed King's mouth before he uttered more and his frenzied stare deterred him from trying to speak.
The shameful past, buried once more.
"Well, Mako-chan used to talk about it for hours on end. So, it kind of stuck with me. But I must say this, that one-shot was horrible. I'll never understand her sense of appeal." King sighed in regret, for conjuring up the awkward atmosphere.
"We appreciate it. I feel the same too. But the past is in the past. Let's talk something else." Dan veered the conversation on-track, reminding King of the unfinished business.
"Wait, Dan-san! What do we about Bankoji-san?"
"Who's that?" Dan tilted his head in confusion.
"The punk, I mean, the one you threw. His name is Bankoji Sadaite, whereas the mullet-head is his best friend, Jiigumi Gen." King revealed their names.
"What else? We pummel him in-game. If that's not enough, we'll pummel him again in the open. As much as he wants." Dan declared with frankness, earning a fist-bump from a still disheartened Jun.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"I can't believe you're the one advocating violence, Dan-san..." Danōki shrugged indifferently. "Just do me a favor and leave me out of this, please."
"Okay, fine then. Let's go, Jun. ...Jun? Hey, bro, wake up." Dan nudged him gently but Jun didn't move an inch. He shook him with less force, but to no avail.
King noticed Jun's Slab and inspected it. The displayed content filled him with so much horror that he startled Dan with his yell.
"What's it now? You've been overreacting too much these days, you know." He remarked but King ignored, mumbling incoherently.
"Of all the duelists, why her...?!"
"Her?" Dan looked at the Slab, displaying a live broadcast of Jun's duel.
He was thrown around like a torn rag by his opponent, a rabbit, who is gazing at him with scornful lilac eyes. He was not given a moment of rest, breath or thought.
He was utterly helpless, barely defending himself from his opponent's incessant barrage of attacks.
This sight made Dan worry for his cousin, to the point his words aren't coming out properly.
"W-w-who's she?"
"She... she's known by many titles. The World's Strongest Duelist, the Hefty Herbivore, the Bane of Carnivores, the Apex Predator Candidate, the Bloody Bunny... She. Is..."
----------------------------------------
[May 4, 11:45 am, Duel Mode]
[Jōbun/Junkitsu's POV]
Haaaaa.....
It hasn't been a minute since I joined this duel and I'm rolling around the dirt like a ragdoll. At this rate, my half-empty health bar will end up completely empty.
Not to mention, this Rabbit woman means business. She's not giving me time to even create a string of thought. She's heartless, I tell you.
Last time I checked, bunnies are supposed to be cute, meek and fluffy. Guess I could never look at them the same way, ever again.
"Time-out, please! Time-out, time-ou--wooaahhhh!" That was close! If that punch connected, I'd be broken into smithereens, just like the boulder beside me.
Alright, it's not safe anywhere near her. I'm not staying here any longer!
...
'[Burrow Pounce]'
Oh ho... this is interesting. So, if I apply certain elemental affix to particular skills, their effects would be different. In some cases, they'd be amplified or stronger on a new level.
For this skill, Earth Aura did the trick. Must note it down.
...
Great, I bought some time. It's only a matter of time before she finds me underground. Well, after she searches this entire Forest of Stones, that is. Good luck on catching me.
Now, let's see what this match is all about.
.....
'Great... a fight to the death... no time limit...' For a Lvl 12 PvP player, this stuff is pretty unfair. Just because I got used to strong people doesn't mean I should be pitted against them. Let's not forget that my opponent is a Lvl 40 Lapine Leg-breaker!
'Ugh, my body's sore just thinking about it...'
To my understanding, this is not any random duel, but rather a Themed one. It's like a Story Quest, with a few tweaks, I guess.
Second, apart from the duel modifiers, there is a seperate category of 'Player Modifiers' attached on the fighters, enhancing and emphasising the essence of Themes.
Third, with these modifiers, the line between advantage and disadvantage is blurred. This means that the tide may turn at any time. Anybody can win.
'So, in other words, it's Chaotic, Unpredictable and Mercurial. As an author, I love this!' This mode know to simulate great odds equally on both sides. Now, that's how you create grounds for realistic fights.
So, these are my modifiers:
[Natural Predator: Great physical capacity but skills' power is greatly diminished]
[MacGyver: Skill count is limited to one]
[One-tail: Aura capacity is barely minimum]
[Endangered: Susceptible to more damage]
Wow... this is a unique stack of odds. Especially the last one. No wonder why I was hurt more than I expected.
On one side, I'm practically destined to get my butt kicked. On the other, I'm the only predator standing in her way, with the responsibility to re-educate the law of the jungle.
Obviously, I'd pick the second option of putting her in her place. But the 'how' is what matters here.
Hmmm... striking her solar plexus is the best shot to stop her in her tracks. Her midriff is pretty much real estate, so let's try that. The ogling was worth it...
'...Huh?!' Ogling? Worth it?! What the hell?!
Okay, let's calm down. I need another plan...
Got it! The plan is to subdue her with seduction!
"...Whaaaat?!" That's sexual harassment! I, I, I can't believe it! What am I thinking?!
Deep breaths, deep breaths, deep breaths. Come on, me. This is serious. My life is at stake here. What should I do...?
"I'll play with her navel..."
.....
"UUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH!!! Yuck! That's the most disgusting thing I've ever said!" Impossible! What is wrong with me today? What is with my intrusive thoughts and-and-and my erotic obsession with that rabbit?!
Is this what they call 'love at first sight'? Nah, that can't be. It doesn't exist. Periodt.
It's also neither a crush nor an infatuation. My feelings are too carnal to be either of those things.
Aha! This is... Lust! Yes, I feel lust... for her...
"What the fuck?! Why the fuck am I lusting for her?! I only know her today and she's nothing but a killing machine!" There's no way this is normal! Certainly not!
"Found you." "Aaahhhh!"
When did she get here? How long was she behind me? How much did she hear?
> "How much did you hear?"
>
> "Heard about what?"
"Never mind, forget about it." Phew, she just came here, huh. I'm safe...
"Okay, though you really need to keep your libido in check." So, she heard everything, I see. Welp, seppuku it is, but that can wait.
"You have no business talking about my libido. First of all, who are you? Second, my forearms are this close to getting fractured, thanks to you!"
"Well, it's not like they're broken, so no need to whine about it. Put an ice pack on it or something..." So callous... "...and as for my name, there is no necessity to know for. You're gonna lose after all."...and so arrogant!
Well, no need to get riled up and- wait, riled up? Me?
...This is new...
Well, I can ask King about this later, but first, time to find a way to put her in her place.
"Yeah, right... that's what the honey badger said this morning. Before his mouth was chock-full of my knuckle sandwiches."
"Oh~ how scary~, so what? I would break his jaw ten times if we had a match. You ain't that special, dude." Well, so much for intimidation. Seems like I don't sound convincing enough. But whatever.
"Right back at ya, brat. You ain't special either, so why not put a lid on it and fight?"
"Brat? Me?? Get your eyes checked, old man! I bet you won't able to reach 100 years to complete your penance, haha!" Oh, a roast battle? Well, two can play at that game.
And just like that, a bout of playful banter with the obnoxious rabbit began. So much so that we forgot the match entirely. Jokes and compliments went hand-in-hand, with bellies tickled with roasts and insults, and lungs wheezing in and out with snorts and chuckles.
Without my awareness, I started to wish for this moment to never end.
"I haven't had this much fun in ages... You're a funny guy, you know?"
Wow... is this her actual voice...? It's so sweet and gentle. She does have a soft side, after all. Good to know!
> "Haa, you're making me blush... I'll take your word for it."
>
> "Now, with all things settled, are you ready to die by my hand?"
.....Is she for real?
> "Great job ruining the moment, dummy. I thought we're having somethi-"
>
> "I'm gonna stop you right there, dude. Did you forget that you're my enemy?"
>
> "But I-"
"No buts. You're nothing but a stepping stone for my quest. Nothing more, nothing less. Hope you understand~." That's cold. Where did the sunshine go?
> "Hold on, what did I ever do to you?!"
>
> "You did nothing. It's just... I'm going through a tough time right now. Friendship, relationship... it's pointless in the meantime... wait, that came out wrong! All I'm trying to say is-"
>
> "It's alright. You're going through a break-up, shit hit the fan, life's not so shiny after all, yadda, yadda, yadda. Just another heartbroken maiden crying out her woes..."
>
> "What?! No, I'm single--"
>
> "Tsk, please, no need to explain. I won't pry further. Just be glad you didn't lose your chastity. Or did you?"
"That's it, you asshole! Let's see if you can yap once I'm through with you!"
Jeez, what gives? She doesn't have to be that hostile. It's not like I said something wrong, but anyways...
"Ahem, alright, suit yourself. I'll get this duel over with one punch. Bring it on."
With a barbaric grin, she ate up my taunt and took a stance. "You're dead."
Whistle This killing intent... She's got some spunk! I like this woman!
At some point, our duel was on fire. Unbeknownst to me, I started to get... mesmerized. It felt like I'm dancing a duet with her.
I enjoyed the dance-fighting for a couple of minutes until I decided to fulfill my promise. But I overlooked an important detail: my modifiers.
Since I'm playing the part of a predator, as I should, my stats are modified accordingly, including my strength. And it was increased by a large margin.
The result is a counter-backhand, inadvertently served as a rabbit punch, driving the Rabbit into the ground. Face first.
"Oh my god, are you ok?!" I was scared for her life and our future friendship, for it might end before it even began. And my fears came true when I touched her back.
Bloodlust swept over me as I tried to rouse her awake. Fear made me jump away from her, about a mile away. At that moment, our roles got swapped. I became a prey.
I am the prey now.
The Rabbit simply rose from the sunken ground, dusting off her body. She turned about slowly, her lilac eyes lightened with lividity.
Her stance and posture changed to a dangerous form, poising for a chase.
The idea of a rabbit steadying itself to hunt is pretty absurd. But it is precisely what's happening right now.
From this situation, I've learned an important lesson: 'Bosses don't own phases'.
[To be continued]