GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 31.3: Perturbation Vector

The crowd erupted, the sound shaking the arena walls.

The eastern team's dagger wielder, Jana, immediately broke wide. Her twin blades glinted as she circled for the flank, intent on darting past the swords to reach the back line.

But the western team's bow user, Sylwen, tracked her perfectly. Arrows hissed one after another, forcing Jana into sharp sidesteps and quick rolls. Each shot denied her approach, the relentless pressure stalling her advance.

She flicked one shaft away with her dagger, but every heartbeat spent dodging was ground she couldn't gain.

Behind their respective frontlines, both casters had retreated to safe distances. Merin eased backward, her staff rising as water coiled into shape. Opposite her, Renn extended his arms, fire curling around his hands in gathering light. Neither struck immediately; both built their spells, the tension between them thick enough that even the audience hushed.

Vel leaned forward from the benches, eyes narrowing. The center locked down, the flank denied, the rear bracing. The bow's holding the dagger back. They're buying time for their caster.

Tomas groaned. "Too fast—I can't keep track of them."

Celia said nothing. Her silence taut with the same nerves as the fighters below.

In the center, Eldon and Marcus exchanged a flurry of strikes, parries, and counterattacks. They moved with such focus that they might have been alone in the arena, their blades singing through the air as they tested each other's defenses.

"They're completely in their own world." Celia noted, her eyes following their movements.

Jana suddenly changed her rhythm. Her daggers spun in her grip as she invoked her Art, her feet glowing faintly as her movements grew lighter and faster.

Vel leaned forward. "That's a dagger art."

She glided through Sylwen's arrows, slipping past the shafts with sudden grace, and closed the distance in a heartbeat. Steel flashed, silver arcs crossing for the strike that would end it.

But just as victory seemed certain, Sylwen sprang upward in an acrobatic leap that left Jana lunging at empty air. Unable to halt her momentum, Jana stumbled forward.

While still airborne, Sylwen's bow was already drawn.

Two arrows flew in rapid succession, loosed midair. Jana caught the first on her dagger's edge—but the second buried itself in her leg, the charm on her belt flaring to simulate the wound.

Sylwen landed light a step away as Jana staggered.

From above, Janos's voice thundered with delight.

"EXQUISITE!"

"Did you SEE that, ladies and gentlemen? The infamous 'Twin Strike' bow art performed flawlessly by Sylwen Wyvell! Such precision while airborne! Such TIMING! This young lady clearly has been practicing her craft!"

The crowd roared, half in shock, half in wild approval.

Janos's voice surged again, carrying over the cheers. "And poor Jana Farlight! Caught by surprise despite her impressive 'Feather Step' technique! What a SPECTACULAR exchange of abilities we're witnessing!"

Jana winced as the charm's glow faded, the illusion of a deep wound flickering across her leg. She forced herself upright into a defensive stance, daggers still in hand, expecting Sylwen to press her advantage.