"It's okay, Kanna."
She turns to me, her eyes filled with concern.
"Whatever happens, remember that I love you," I say sincerely.
"W-what do you mean, Strauss? Is what she says true?" she asks, on the verge of tears.
I don't answer.
I don't know what will happen, and if I'll be able to continue the charade.
But I know this is not the time for explanations.
Looking into her eyes I say: "Professor, they want to kill me, and they won't stop. But I want to live, and I'll fight with everything I have."
"I'll do everything I can to survive."
She doesn't know how to respond.
A little further ahead, the mountain of muscles addresses the woman who wants to kill me.
"I believe you, Deedee. I trust you more than I trust myself. I'll help you." Gulihelmus has made up his mind.
"Thank you, Guli. I knew I could count on you," the green-haired woman responds with a smile.
[CONJURE EQUIP]
The detective, still enveloped in the golden aura, summons her equipment.
Instead of regular clothes, she now wears a complete medium-light armor.
Even from where I am, I can see the splendid finish and the brilliance of the metal.
Then, her magical bow appears.
Guli also conjures his equipment.
Although more minimalistic and essential than his companion's, it is still a well-crafted light armor.
The man wields two spiked clubs.
Judging from the armor and weapons, I hypothesize that he is a barbarian, an offensive class specialized in dealing as much damage as possible, disregarding the damage received.
All of this equipment is magical gear obtained from dungeons.
They are determined to kill me.
I am about to face professionals.
With a quick scan, I ascertain that I am up against two level 3 individuals, respectively an A-rank Ranger and a B-rank Barbarian.
It's like scaling Everest.
"Stop, guys! I beg you!" Kanna pleads.
"Professor, don't get involved," I say to her, maintaining composure.
I am a villain, but I'm not so trashy as to exploit this woman to protect myself.
I have my pride.
This will probably be another cause of my downfall, I bitterly think.
But there's no time to reflect.
I take the enhancing potion from my bag.
I drink it all in one go.
I throw the empty vial on the ground.
Okay, let's do this.
Deedee nocks her bow, ready to shoot.
"Buddy, move, or I'll hit you too," the policewoman's tone is unwavering.
"I won't move!" Kanna Merfal is determined to shield me.
"If you harm the professor, I won't forgive you," I declare sincerely.
"Think about yourself, you son of a bitch!" Deedee insults me.
I can't face them directly, but I also can't let Kanna shield me.
Suddenly...
Deedee jumps really high.
Can a human jump that high?
While in the air, she releases an arrow.
I cast [HASTE] on myself.
*SWISSHH*
I narrowly dodge the first arrow.
I can't confront an archer in open ground.
I flee.
I run.
I cast [SHARE SKILL] to access Luysia's spells.
While running, I cast [BLESS].
Next is [PROTECTION FROM POISON].
*SWISHH*
An arrow whizzes past me.
"Run, coward! I'll kill you mercilessly, just like you killed those men!" Deedee vows.
[BLESSED ARMOR]
[BLESSED WEAPON]
I cast them in succession.
I have to use all my buffs.
I spot a secondary entrance to the school building.
I run towards the entrance.
I enter the building.
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Yes, always describe the skills. Votes: 53 55.2%
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No, just describe the new skills. Votes: 22 22.9%
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No, never describe the skills . Votes: 1 1.0%
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Create glossary entries in which skills are described. Votes: 18 18.8%
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I don't care. Votes: 2 2.1%
yes, but put them in spoilers.
that way you can add the info without bothering those that care more for the flow of the story
It seems like a good solution, in fact, I've already tried to do it in this chapter. The result doesn't satisfy me 100%, but it can be a good compromise.
This is really bad. The setting and the fight is too big and in the middle of the campus... It's not believable and seems disconnected from the world as a whole. I can't imagine a fight like this going unnoticed and what is the end goal for the detective and her buddy? To become murderers? Even if the kill him, they won't be able to justify it. I really don't lie how this fight took place and NO bystanders where around. It doesn't make any kind of sense at all.
Then we have to look at the fact that an A rank missed so many shots, against our dear Strauss. That's not believable at all...
First of all, thank you for the valuable critiques! They are essential to help me improve.
I probably didn't convey it well, but the battle is very hectic and takes place in a few minutes.
The point of view is in the first person, through Strauss's eyes. I didn't write that there are no witnesses. There are certainly witnesses. But in the adrenaline rush, Strauss is focused on evading the pursuers. Classes are over, and it's night, so the inside of the building is empty.
Even if there is someone, seeing such a situation, I wouldn't get involved for sure and would call the police. I've shown the motivations of the pursuers, but probably didn't explain them well in writing.
In the upcoming chapters, they will be further expanded and explored.
As for the missed arrows, it's not easy to hit a moving target that has enhanced itself with doping substances and magic.
@MatchaChocolate69 I think the gap is a bit too wide for doping to close. l especially against ex ventures.
Being an archer and missing so many shots against a panicked scrambling opponent seems really odd. Moving targets are I imagine nearly everything she shoots. She is part of the department after all.
I think she acts like maybe a c rank here? Or Strauss is far stronger and that hasn't been conveyed well? And the duos level seems really low for veterans.
@MatchaChocolate69 I re-read the setup for the fight, and it takes place right after classes end, and he is in the courtyard. He calls the professor for, AFTERNOON tea. Their would definitely be people around, at the very least other staff.
I just can't see the endgame here either. If the detective is so sure he is the culprit, why not just stay back and investigate? Why does she go all vigilante justice?
It truly soured my expectation. The fight seems contrived to meet a specific end.
@Chaddts Might be due to the hero seed? That's when things truly started escalating, not sure if that is clouding her judgement?
Plus, based on what's happened previously, it sounds like paladins, heroes, etc almost have carte blanche to some degree. Combine that with Strauss being a F-ranked orphan and basically considered the dregs of society and disposable, the certainty she's getting from her OP skill, and the fact she hated her job anyway, I don't think it's that much of a leap.
End game would be: Kill the demon who is spreading drugs and killing students, and gain evidence of demon status during the fight as Strauss is forced to reveal himself. Even if she can't gain the evidence, at most face disciplinary procedures, and either get off scott free because of hero status/"will of god"(?) or lose job which she hated anyway. After all, nobody is going to make a fuss over a F-ranked orphan-suspected-demon.
@s0 he wouldn't even be in school if the law somehow just "doesn't" apply to him. F-rank or not, nothing shown in the society shows that much rank disregard. I get high rankers are needed, but I also imagine, high rankers going out of control is not allowed. The news would eat it up, and reputataion and trust with the masses is required.
Also, such a high ranker shouldn't have trouble killing him at all. And their levels are really low for ex ventures.
@Chaddts There's a difference between the law applying to him in theory and in practice, just like in the real world. It's been made clear that this world isn't exactly based around equality, and it wouldn't be difficult for the death of an F ranked orphan to be swept under the rug, even with witnesses. Also, this isn't just about "high rankers", this is about a hero, ie, a being chosen by god, in a society centered around religion.
Regardless, she believes that Strauss will reveal himself and his powers as he's being forced into a corner. In her mind, there is little or no risk - the evidence will present itself and she'll be vindicated.
"Kanna, as soon as I try to kill him, you'll see the true face of this son of a bit*h."
@s0 I agree with you and also regarding the level point made by @chaddts the level required by our mc jumped from 3500 to 10,000 from level 1 to level 2 and even mc had to do a lot of crimes to get that experience which normal people don't get that's why they are only level 3 and ex ventures