Quick Step

「Skill 'Quick Step' is activating」

With a burst of accumulated power, I dash forward, clearing the distance between me and a nearby archer in the span of a single second.

"…?!"

The archer looked surprised, flabbergasted by my sudden increase in power.

My muscles and bones were being enhanced much more than before, the mana that I wielded being used much more effectively and efficiently than before. My ability to utilize mana had already been enhanced by 「 Assimilation」and 「Absorption」, but with the addition of 「Attunement」, I could clearly feel the added effects of my attributes and magic.

It felt nice, to say the least

Having my entire body harmonize and work in a constant and steady rhythm was nothing short of breathtaking; all of these new experiences made me feel more in tune with my body than ever before.

The beast brought up it's bow in response to my drawn blade in an attempt to block my blow. I pay it no mind, instead focusing even more mana on the blade of the silver sword.

Mana swirls from my the inner depths of my being: originating from my heart, traveling to my shoulder, connecting with my arms, moving to the center of my palm, before finally being transmitted into the hilt of the sword and into it's blade.

The blade exuded a somewhat dark glow, before immediately disappearing like a fleeting dream. It felt wrong and right at the same time, like I was doing the steps in the correct order, with the right materials, and the right equipment, and yet I was still met with failure. This could only mean one thing:

I was missing something

The failed blade met the archer's wooden bow. Steel met wood, and it was not hard to imagine the outcome of such a situation.

A brief scream tore from somewhere.

The archer's arm glowed for a second, the lines on the beast's arm illuminating for a brief moment. The beast had failed.

The blood-soaked silver blade cut the wooden bow cleanly in half, the momentum of my mana-enhanced strike resulted in a sword of blinding speed.

The beast fell, his chest being cut open in a clear and visible line. The archers and mage did not gave a mount, fortunately; I did not have to deal with any unnecessary trouble.

「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」

I take a hurried step to my side, barely dodging a swing from an incoming blade. My assailant looked at me with eyes filled with clear contempt and fury; he was clearly not pleased with what I had done to his – what I assume to be – companions.

The Night Beast had a shortsword just like me, along with a wooden shield strapped rather than held on his other hand.

His mount was different from the others, it had scars all over it's body, some scales even being of a different color entirely. It looked experienced, the numerous scars on it's faded out scales telling a tale of suffering and trials to obtain strength.

The rider was the same, beneath his leather armor lay a huge scar just barely visible through the gaps in his armor. He wore a steel helmet in complete contrast to his lower appearance, creating a sort of incongruence to his otherwise noble look.

I ready my blade, prepared to the battle about to commence. The incongruent knight did the same, hatred burning clearly in his eyes.

「Skill 'Quick Step' is activating」

"…!!"

Then, I was upon him.

The knight flinched, quickly changing positions and trying to better respond to my sudden burst of speed.

He brought up his shield first, opting for a defensive response. With another activation of 「Quick Step」, I was immediately by his side instead of the front where I had chosen to attack him.

"…?!"

The mount reacted before the beast, quickly turning itself around in response to my change of trajectory. The knight acted confused for a second, then immediately adjusted itself.

At least – it seems – that they didn't seem to be too used to each other

Being able to adjust one's plans according to the situation and the team's reaction is an essential part when it came to being in group, whether that would be battle or something completely different like cooking. It was this one aspect of teamwork that I hated among many, while I knew it would be difficult and lack any kind of real reward, I continued to silently hone this skill. That is why I could say with full confidence:

These two are not a match for each other

While they would be able to handle themselves decently by their own, it was a completely different discussion when it came to working together.

The knight, albeit confused, immediately readied his sword and shouted something. The beast groaned in response, but followed what I assumed to be an order from the knight regardless.

「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」

The knight's mount dashed forward–albeit slower than me by a small margin when using 「Quick Step」.

The knight swung his sword from above, sweeping down in an attempt to cut me down.

I resisted, of course, bringing my blade up and further enhancing the 「Reinforcement」 I had cast on myself. Along with this surprise blow came the immediate feeling of my mana being reduced to levels below what is currently acceptable.

My mana was essential to me more than ever before. With the recovery of my magic circuits still currently underway, I could not use even half of my currently available mana if I wanted a swift recovery.

This meant that I would have to fight with 「Reinforcement」 in a low level or I would run the risk of further injury.

It was a pain, sure, but it was a pain I was willing to deal with.

Sparks flew as our swords clashed against each other. The beast was not only leaning it's weight against me, but the knight was also using 「Reinforcement」 to increase his power.

A pain indeed

As I internally grumbled and complained about my current predicament, another explosion resounded from across the pit.

At the same time, a giant dark shadow crashed against the knight and his mount.