Chapter 386: Encounter

<Takao Itsuki POV>

I broke out in a cold sweat.

[————-You've gotta be kidding me.]

After being teleported, the first thing that came to my mind was meeting up with Elder Sister.

No, well———- actually, my priority wasn't necessarily meeting up with her.

It was also crucial to meet up with someone with an important role in this battle, like Munin.

Moreover, according to the information, sounds in this labyrinth don't travel far.

I thought about shouting loudly to test it out, but decided against it.

Putting aside Vysis, there's a high chance that the Divine Servants are wandering around.

Both Elder Sister and I are allowed to act on our own judgment.

However, I don't think I could handle a Divine Servant without Elder Sister.

Yes———-

[......Encounter, information expansion, fly mask...... No information, information expansion, encounter......]

Because I don't think I could handle them, I wanted to avoid a solo encounter with a Divine Servant.

(......This guy...... isn't an opponent I can handle without my skill.)

[<Lightning Shifter———-]

——-Crackle———-

<One> was already activated.

Currently, I can maintain a minimum "supercharged state" with One activated.

This became possible due to the Skill's level-up.

In short, it's like a standby saving mode that allows quick activation.

The reason it was already activated was to increase my movement speed to expedite the meetup.

The armored warrior holds out their two hands.

Thereupon, two katanas were manifested in their two palms.

Then, the Divine Servant holds the nodachi-like katanas in his hands.

[———- ......See, enemy, kill, ......, Kill, enemy, see......, ———-]

(This armored warrior's appearance and way of speaking...... This Divine Servant must be that Yomibito. To think I'd run into a Divine Servant right after entering the labyrinth...... but———-)

Having encountered one, it can't be helped.

I activated <One>'s acceleration ability and moving at high speed———-

[————Unlock Two.]

Lightning struck.

The lightning hit Yomibito.

I confirmed that a part of the surface of their armor was damaged. However, it wasn't a level of damage I could call significant.

(Two's lightning only caused that much damage......)

Moreover, Yomibito showed no signs of dodging.

(Could they have gauged my attack's power......?)

With the high-speed movement from my skill, I dove into a nearby passage.

(It would be great if I could meet up with someone who can fight this one......)

But if I ended up encountering an ally unsuited for combat, I'd have to protect them.

I moved through the passage and arrived at a wide-open space——— a room.

(But in any case, fighting with this one by myself———)

The room was empty.

Even with our ordering sequence, could it be that our transfer locations were farther apart than I thought?

If I moved around thoughtlessly here, I might end up even further apart from them......

(Since sound hardly travels, whether to move or stay put based on the situation...... is surprisingly tricky. I mean, this area...... should be the Eastern District of the Royal Capital. In that case...... The castle is in that direction.)

There were three passages in this room.

[ ! ]

Yomibito appeared from one of the three passages.

[......Information confirmed, chant, lightning, Itsuki Takao, chant, lightning, information confirmed......]

(This guy, they came out from a different passage than the one I used......!? Considering the distance, it should have taken a detour...... It should've traveled a further distance than I did...... The heck, even with that body, it's that fast......!?)

[————!?]

Three meters to my left and right———-

Like setting up an ambush, two floating cylindrical pillars appeared without warning.

The thick cylinders, each resembling a singular battery.

These pillars on my left and right rapidly closed the distance between each other.

Thereupon, like magnets pulling towards each other forcefully, the two cylinders attempted to sandwich me———- trying to crush me.

GIIIIIIN———!

The pillars collided with a harsh, metallic sound.

However, I had already escaped the danger zone with One's high-speed movement buff.

Small electromagnetic sparks crackled in the wake of my shoes skidding across the ground.

(......I heard about that ability. There's no sign of it appearing, but if I stay alert, I can evade the crushing pillars with high-speed movement. Still, thinking about it again, this is quite a troublesome ability. If my situation stays like this———-)

The floating pillars appeared on either side again.

I escaped with high-speed movement once more———- but......

(Kuh...... I knew it!)

At the direction I evaded to......

I found Yomibito waiting in an attack stance.

Avoiding the pillars meant my escape route became somewhat predictable.

A heavy sense of anxiety and dread settled in my gut.

(Against those katanas...... with this rapier......? No, I should use my skills———)

[......——-Shifter> ——— <Unlock———]

(No, wait———- should I use <End> here? If I can finish this in one strike———-)

Even though I haven't thought of a winning strategy——— or even an opening to use it?

At that moment, I remembered Elder Sister's words:

"In your case, overthinking can sometimes be a bad habit for you."

......That's right.

I shouldn't overthink.

I should keep things simple, just observe the enemy.

Look——— and see.

If I see clearly enough......

The best move will naturally reveal itself———-

I threw my rapier.

Charging it with <Two>, I accelerated my rapier.

My target...... was their eyes.

However, Yomibito easily deflected the rapier with its sword.

But the moment their katana made contact with the rapier———-

Lightning coursed through Yomibito's entire body.

I had electrified the rapier with Number Two, causing it to "conduct electricity".

Yomibito's movements slightly slowed, creating an opening.

The deflected rapier broke but———

(I can do this...... Creating an opening isn't impossible.)

Just like switching railroad tracks, I slightly blasted <One> under my feet, killing the inertia and changing my trajectory. This should ensure my evasion———

[———-, ......., laughable, ......, laughable, ......———-]

( ! So fast——)

Despite its massive body...... Yomibito immediately adjusted its position and closed the distance in an instant.

That wasn't just physical ability.

This Divine Servant's reactions, no...... their judging speed——— even its thought process were fast.

As they caught up to me......

[<Lightning———]

(———This won't do! ——-! This is bad...... With their speed, <End> won't make it in time———-)

I was sent flying.

However———- before I slammed into the manifested wall, I regained my balance, landing on the wall with my feet.

Then, I lightly pushed forward, landing softly on the ground.

[Haahhh...... Haahhh......]

What had sent me flying just now———- was a sudden gust of wind.

In other words......

[Sorry about that. I wasn't sure if I could blow that thing away due to its weight, so I used <Wind> to blow you away instead.]

There's only one person who can wield the Unique Skill <Wind>.

Seeing her appearance, I nearly burst into tears.

[————-Elder Sister!]

A wind that blew away all the negative emotions within me surged through my heart.

<Afterword>

This may be a bit early, but the anime version has started airing and streaming in some areas.

I'm very pleased if you are enjoying the anime adaptation of "Failure Frame" now that it has finally begun. For those in regions where it hasn't started airing yet, or those who don't have access via subscription or rental services, please wait a little longer.

Incidentally, I also enjoyed watching the first episode. I plan to share my thoughts in a later activity report (since it seems it might be quite a lengthy one), ideally highlighting some personal points of interest. However, before that, I want to say one thing here: this anime adaptation is a result of the efforts of many people. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again.