GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 31.3: Perturbation Vector

Behind him, Hileya leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowed in concentration.

"She overcommitted," Celia whispered, almost to herself. "Left herself no way to change direction once the archer moved."

Vel was about to respond when Janos's voice boomed across the arena.

"What an extraordinary sight! Both casters have completed their preparations simultaneously!"

Vel's attention snapped back to the arena.

Merin, the water mage, now stood with arms extended, dozens of ice shards hovering in the air before her, each one glinting menacingly in the sunlight. Across the field, Renn had conjured multiple fireballs that spun in a perfect circle around him, gathering momentum for their eventual release.

Both casters seemed to have the same target in mind—the opposing sword users who were still locked in combat at the center of the arena.

The spells launched simultaneously. Fireballs streaked across the arena toward Marcus, while ice shards shot toward Eldon's position.

As if sensing the imminent danger, Eldon and Marcus broke apart with impeccable agility.

The audience leaned forward with fascination, Vel included, seeing how the two swordsmen came up with their own approaches.

Marcus planted his feet and drove his blade into the sand. The earth trembled as stone and packed soil rose up around him, shaping into a solid wall that curved into a defensive shell.

The wall shuddered as the fireballs exploded against it, ripples spreading across the stone with each impact. The barrier held, though its surface cracked under the strain.

Eldon took a different approach. As the ice shards approached, his glowing blade became a blur of motion. With incredible speed, he deflected each projectile, sending them harmlessly into the sand.

"MAGNIFICENT!" Janos shouted, practically bouncing with excitement. "Two completely different defensive techniques, both executed to perfection! The discipline of Gaia Barrier from Marcus Valenne, and the legendary Tempest Counter from Eldon Traft!"

While the sword users recovered from their defensive displays, Jana seized the opportunity.

Despite her simulated injury, the dagger wielder sprinted across the sand, sand spraying with each step as she charged straight for Renn in the back line, the fire caster.

Vel nodded slightly, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Very good timing sense. She's making use of the chaos."

Sylwen, the bow user, seemed momentarily caught off guard by Jana's sudden change in targets. She fumbled with her quiver, notching an arrow a beat too late.

The arrow cut through the air, chasing Jana's path. But just as it seemed about to strike, Jana performed a maneuver that drew gasps from the crowd.

With both daggers crossed, her body twisting in a way that seemed to defy physics.

"That's her signature move. Viper's Guidance." Celia exclaimed.

Indeed, Jana had somehow managed to caught the shaft not to cut it, but to spin it off-course. The projectile now soared directly toward Renn—her intended target and Sylwen's own teammate.

Renn's eyes widened in horror as he saw his ally's arrow heading straight for him. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the friendly fire. Sand sprayed up around him as he tumbled.