Rising Reputation & New Friends
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(Note: This chapter is a bit long than usual)
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The next day dawned, and Akito is in another gaming session in EAO
As the eerie mist rolled through the Forest of Bones, a desolate graveyard of twisted roots and fractured tombstones just beyond Astravyr's outskirts. The landscape was crawling with Skelestrikers—undead warriors armed with rusted longswords, their hollow eyes glowing with a faint, malevolent blue.
[Forest of Bones]
[Current Quest: E-Rank - Defeat 10 Skelestrikers]
Hoshigari smirked. "Alright... we've got skeletal wanderers spread out in a loose pattern. Makes this a pain in the ass, but..." He observed their sluggish patrol routes, noting their weaponry. "Just longswords? I've got the reach and—"
He smoothly reloaded Black Barrel, the hand cannon now resting firmly in his right grip and hip. In his left, the PiercingAqua Handgun, its sleek design glinting under the dim light. He gave it a quick spin before locking his gaze on his prey.
"—the firepower."
With a reckless grin, he whispered, "I guess we're going with the reckless abandonment strat, in other words... blast 'em like crazy"
He leapt from the tree.
The wind rushed past him as he plummeted, boots aimed downward—CRACK!
[+10 XP]
[+2 SP]
[+20 Creds]
Direct impact. The unlucky Skelestriker beneath him shattered into bone fragments before it even had time to react.
"That's one."
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The other Skelestrikers jerked to attention, their hollow sockets locking onto Hoshigari as they brandished their swords and advanced.
Click-clack!
Hoshigari's fingers danced over the triggers—three consecutive shots rang out in rapid succession. BANG! BANG! BANG!
[+10 XP]
[+2 SP]
[+20 Creds]
...
[+10 XP]
[+2 SP]
[+20 Creds]
...
[+10 XP]
[+2 SP]
[+20 Creds]
Three Skelestrikers staggered back as the bullets punched clean through their skulls. They collapsed instantly.
"That makes two, three, and four."
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Before he could reload, a fifth Skelestriker lunged from his blind spot—its rusted blade arcing straight for his neck!
TSSSHH!
[Health: 39/40]
Hoshigari twisted, barely slipping past the blade—but not unscathed. A faint gash marked his cheek where the edge grazed him.
"Too close!"
Without hesitation, he flipped his PiercingAqua Handgun into a reverse grip and slammed the butt of the gun into the Skelestriker's skull. He used the Ranger Pistol Skill: Pstol Whip. CRACK!
The undead warrior stumbled—then collapsed.
Hoshigari didn't hesitate. He lined up his sights—BANG! A direct shot to the skull.
[+10 XP]
[+2 SP]
[+20 Creds]
"That's five."
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A metallic clinking echoed from his left, right, front and behind. More footsteps.
He glanced around.
Five more Skelestrikers.
They were already surrounding him.
"A pincer attack, huh?"
They lunged in unison.
Dust erupted as their **blades carved through the air—**but instead of hitting flesh…
…they struck each other.
The swords lodged into the ribs of their allies, their bony bodies clashing in tangled disarray.
Hoshigari wasn't there anymore.
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"With this…"
The view panned upward—he was in the sky.
A quick flashback played, showing how he'd pulled it off.
In a split-second reaction, he had fired a Bouncer Round at the ground with Black Barrel.
[Fired Bouncer Round (49 Bouncer Rounds left)]
The moment the round detonated, the concussive force launched him skyward, propelling him out of the enemy's reach while leaving them trapped below.
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Back to present.
A wide grin spread across his face as he angled Black Barrel downward.
"This… is the epitome of calculated tactical fun!"
The Skelestrikers, still tangled together, struggled to break free.
Hoshigari's grin widened.
"Now give me my just rewards!"
BOOM!
[+50 XP]
[+10 SP]
[+100 Creds]
[Level 1 >>> Level 2 (LEVEL UP!)]
[Ranger Level 1 >>> Ranger Level 2 (LEVEL UP!)]
He fired an explosive round directly into the mass of undead.
A fiery eruption consumed the Skelestrikers in a shower of shattered bone and dust, the shockwave rippling through the field as the last of the skeletal warriors disintegrated.
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A chime echoed in his interface.
-[E-Rank Quest: Defeat 10 Skelestrikers - Quest Completed]-
As he then managed to soften his landing by landing on a fluffy bush below,
[Health: 36/40]
"Yup, EAO, you don't dissapoint when it comes to realistic aspects... and thank god for this bush, haha!"
As he then hopped off the bush and checked his health bar "The fall damage did more than the sword lunge strike, huh? Well, it was only a graze on the cheek... yeah, that wouldn't do that much damage to me"
As he then activated his Fixer Skill: Quick Patch, as glowing green circuits formed on the back of his left hand as he toched the graze on his cheek as it healed and then placed his left hand on his chest and began healing his body,
[Health: 40/40]
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"Yup... this Quick Patch skill is pretty neat! Oh yeah, my rewards!"
As he then checked his Reward screen,
[Quest Rewards]
[Gained - +200 XP]
[Gained - 500 Creds]
[Level 2 >>> Level 3 (LEVEL UP!)]
[Gained - +5 SP]
[Gained - 5 Sticky Slime Rounds]
[Gained - 5 Jiggle Bounce Slime Rounds]
"Sticky Slime Rounds, eh? These'll go great for tactical plays in the future" As he then stretched his arms to sky and then checked is Menu and noticed that he has to get ready for school, as he then began logging out "Alright, good time to end it here for now" As he then logged out.
Yet, unbeknownst to him, in the shadows of a distant tree, a figure clad in a white cloak observed his every move. The name Yukinox hovered above their head as they silently recorded the entire fight before uploading it to the EAO Net.
And just like that, without realizing it, Hoshigari's reputation was slowly and steadily beginning to spread…
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At the school lunch cafeteria...
Akito sat at his usual spot, eating lunch with his friends—Ren, the intelligent and diligent one; Itsuki and Tsubasa, both gaming fanatics; and Souta, the ever-lively jokester.
As Akito enjoyed his meal, he overheard Itsuki and Tsubasa discussing something that immediately caught his attention.
"Yo, Suki! You been keeping up with the latest EAO news?" Tsubasa asked, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Yeah, the Mechanized Mayhem guild cleared the Steam-Vein Dungeon, but they haven't engaged the boss yet. Rank 7 player - Chocl8 and her squad took down the Super Boss Rubber-Mech Giant. That's about it." Itsuki replied casually.
"Yeah, yeah, all cool and all, but—I'm talking about that newbie that everyone's been buzzing about!"
"Which one?" Itsuki raised an eyebrow.
"The guy who soloed the False Starter Quest: Lost Cargo Recovery!"
Akito nearly choked on his food.
"Oh, that guy? Didn't he pick the Ranger class?"
"Yeah! And he intentionally chose pistols as one of his specialized weapons—which is insane because he broke the world record completion time for the quest!"
Akito, now visibly sweating, awkwardly shoved another spoonful of food into his mouth, thinking, "No way… That couldn't possibly be—"
"Oh yeah, what was his name again? Uhh… oh right—HOSHIGARI!"
Akito spat out his food comically at the mention of his in-game name.
"YO, EWW, GROSS!" Souta recoiled in horror.
"Dude, you good?!" Souta asked with a mix of concern and disgust.
"I-I'm fine! My bad, my bad! Just… choked on something!" Akito waved them off, though a bead of sweat dripped from his forehead.
Ren, ever the calm one, handed him a glass of water. "Here, drink this."
"Thanks, Ren!" Akito gulped down the water, all while panicking internally. HOW DID THEY FIND OUT?! WHO RECORDED ME?! Oh, wait…
His mind flashed back to the four spectators from his last quest. Ahhh… It was definitely one of them… He let out a sigh. Guess I'll have to check the EAO Net after school.
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At a school corridor...
Frantically scrolling through his phone while walking through the corridor, Akito found exactly what he was dreading.
"Knew it… Hollow Vale uploaded it… and of course, it had to be a somewhat popular VR streamer… 6,000+ views already? Damn… that means over six thousand people know I exist now…" He sighed.
Distracted, he didn't notice the girl ahead until—
Bump!
"Oww!"
Both Akito and the girl tumbled onto the floor. His phone slipped from his grip, landing right in front of her.
"Why do I keep bumping into this guy…?" Nozomi Nozuki thought, rubbing her forehead. Then, her eyes landed on his phone screen.
Hoshigari…?
Before she could process it, Akito swiftly snatched his phone back and stood up. "Déjà vu… My bad, hehe!"
He extended a hand to help her up, which she accepted. "Again, sorry for bumping into you. That was my bad." He gave a small bow before continuing to leave.
Nozomi, however, stopped him. "Hey."
He turned back. "Hmm? Yeah?"
"What's your name?"
"Oh, Akito. Akito Hoshigane, from class 2-D. Why?"
"Oh… it's nothing. Nice to meet you, Hoshigane."
"Uh, yeah… nice to meet'cha too."
As he walked away, Nozomi murmured, "Hoshigane… Hoshiga… Hoshiga…ri?"
Oblivious, Akito simply thought, "Oh right, I forgot to ask her name… Oh well, maybe next time."
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Later that afternoon—
Akito logged back into EAO.
A bright blue light enveloped his body as his character, Hoshigari, materialized out of thin air.
"Alright... back on! But first off..."
[Available SP: 25]
"Ok... got me 25 Stat Points... What should I start with... Oh! I know"
[+15 SP Added to Luck]
"Then deck the strength to carry heavier Hand-Held Cannon weapons"
[+5 SP Added to Strength]
"Then this time, upping the defense!"
[+5 SP Added to Defense]
Hoshigari crossed his arms, nodded and said "Mhm! Confirm!"
[SP Distributed]
-[Status Attributes (Updated)]-
Vitality: 10
Defense: 12
Strength: 20
Arcana: 5
Perception: 20
Dexterity: 20
Agility: 20
Stamina: 15
Luck: 35
Hoshigari adjusted his grip on his firearm, feeling the weight of his recent success. "Yup, with this, it's bound to get me some quality gear, definitely!" he mused to himself.
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But before he could revel in his achievements, a clash of metal rang out from deeper within the Forest of Bones. The rhythmic, almost desperate clang of steel against steel piqued his curiosity.
Following the sounds, he found himself overlooking a wide but shallow ditch. Two players were locked in a battle against a massive adversary—a towering Greatsword Skeleton Goliath, a known Super Boss that ruled this territory. The two players, visibly struggling, were named Sushi Slice, a Level 5 Samurai Class & Level 2 Enhancer Sub-Class player, and Makidon, a Level 3 Greatshield Tank Class & Level 2 Axe Berserker Sub-Class player.
Makidon, already at dangerously low HP, was kneeling with her silver greatshield raised high, barely holding under the relentless overhead slams of the Skeleton Goliath's massive greatsword. Each impact sent shockwaves through the ground, and her shield arm visibly trembled under the pressure. Meanwhile, Sushi Slice, standing behind Makidon, was desperately using her Level 1 Enhancer Skills: Strength Up & Defense Up, trying to bolster her partner's stats just enough to endure the onslaught.
Hoshigari narrowed his eyes. "A Samurai Enhancer and a Greatshield Battleaxe Tank, huh?" he muttered. They were in a bad spot. Without hesitation, he decided to intervene and help them out.
"YO! THIS DAMN SKELETON GOLIATH HITS HARD AS HELL!" Makidon bellowed, her grip tightening around her shield as another devastating blow landed.
"JUST HOLD ON FOR A BIT MORE!... I'M WAITING FOR AN OPENING!" Sushi Slice shouted back, scanning the monster for any weakness.
"YOU BETTER FIND THAT DAMN OPENING QUICK! MY HP IS GETTING HELLA LOW!" Makidon snapped, her frustration evident as her health bar slowly dwindled each strike.
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Before Sushi Slice could react, three rapid gunshots echoed through the forest. The Skeleton Goliath's skull snapped back as bullets struck, forcing it to momentarily stagger. Then, an explosive round slammed into its face, creating a fiery blast that sent it stumbling backward.
Sushi Slice turned her head sharply. "Huh?!"
Makidon exclaimed in surprise "Woah! Who's he?"
Hoshigari, his Black Barrel Hand-Held Cannon still smoking, leaped down into the ditch, hitting the ground in a crouch before rolling forward. He didn't hesitate. Raising his firearm, he unleashed a volley of explosive rounds, the fiery shells striking the Goliath's frame with pinpoint precision. Each shot forced the towering skeleton to reel backward, its bony fingers desperately trying to block the assault with its greatsword.
As the barrage continued, Hoshigari swiftly moved toward the wounded duo. Without missing a beat, he activated his Fixer Skill: Quick Patch, his hands glowing faintly as green energy coursed through both Sushi Slice and Makidon. Their HP bars began to tick up, slow but steady, and a faint restorative shimmer surrounded them.
Makidon, breathing heavily, blinked as the pain dulled. "What the—Healing? But... it's different from a normal heal?"
Sushi Slice, still in battle stance, took a deep breath. "It's a Fixer Skill. Low-heal, but quick application."
Hoshigari smirked, reloading his weapon with smooth efficiency. "Save the talk for later. Ya'll still need to turn this fight around. Ready to take this bastard down?"
Makidon grinned, tightening her grip on her greatshield. "Hah! Hell yeah!"
Sushi Slice readied her katana, her eyes gleaming. "Let's finish what we started."
The Greatsword Skeleton Goliath let out a deafening roar, its hollow eye sockets glowing with eerie green light. The sheer force of its cry rattled the ground, sending ripples of dust into the air. It was ready to attack again.
Hoshigari gritted his teeth, his mind working rapidly. "Sushi, enhance us! Give me Perception Up & Agility Up. Makidon, give her Defense Up & Strength Up. And for yourself, Strength Up & Agility Up!"
[Temporarily gained +20 Perception Boost & +20 Agility Boost for 5 minutes.]
"You got it!" Sushi Slice responded, slamming a hand onto Hoshigari's back, golden light pulsing from her palm as buffs surged through his body. She then swiftly repeated the process for Makidon and herself, her eyes locked onto the towering skeletal monster.
"Makidon, charge it straight on! I'll flank from the side and target its weak points. Sushi, stay right behind Makidon's charge and strike when I give the signal! Understood?!"
"Understood!" Both Makidon and Sushi Slice responded in unison.
"LET'S GO!"
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Makidon let out a battle cry, gripping her greatshield tightly before activating Greatshield Tank Skill: Reckless Shield Charge. Her heavy armor clanked as she dashed forward with an earth-shaking force, her shield positioned like a battering ram.
The Greatsword Skeleton Goliath snarled and lifted its massive, flaming greatsword, slamming it down in a devastating arc. Makidon braced herself and raised her shield at the last second, absorbing the tremendous impact. The sheer force made her heels dig into the dirt, but she stood her ground.
Sushi Slice, right behind her, seized the moment. Samurai Skill: Gale Slash! She slid beneath the boss's legs in a blur, her katana flashing as she slashed at the skeletal giant's shins. Cracks splintered along the bones as the monster staggered, its balance momentarily disrupted.
But the Greatsword Skeleton Goliath wasn't done.
It let out a guttural growl and lifted its massive right leg before slamming it down with terrifying force, aiming to crush Sushi Slice. She reacted instantly, pushing off the ground and flipping backward just before impact. A massive shockwave rippled out, sending dust and debris flying in all directions.
Makidon found herself once again at the mercy of the relentless flaming greatsword as the boss began hammering down powerful overhead strikes onto her shield. The force of each impact rattled her bones. "Yup! Yup! Ow! Mhm yup! I can—oww!—I can do this all day—Yup! Ow!" she grunted, barely holding on.
Then—a sudden explosion rang out.
A powerful explosive round struck the left side of the Skeleton Goliath's head, sending shards of bone flying. More shots followed, each landing with precise accuracy, tearing into the monster's massive form and heavily staggering it.
Hoshigari, standing at a distance, smoke rising from his Black Barrel Hand-Held Cannon, smirked. "Don't worry about it. Just focus on your HP."
He activated Fixer Skill: Patch Up Circuit. Slamming his foot onto the ground, glowing green glowing circuits stretched from beneath his left foot and surged toward Makidon, rapidly regenerating her health in steady pulses.
"Thanks for the save, boss!" Makidon shouted, quickly repositioning herself.
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Sushi Slice sprinted forward, her blade drawn, determination burning in her eyes. The Greatsword Skeleton Goliath, still reeling from Hoshigari's explosive assault, regained its footing and spotted her rapid approach. Without hesitation, it slammed its massive bony fist into the ground, sending jagged bone spikes surging upward in a deadly wave toward Sushi Slice.
Reacting with razor-sharp reflexes, she weaved through the onslaught, slicing apart any bone spikes that threatened to skewer her. A particularly massive spike erupted right in front of her, forcing her to pivot mid-run. Without missing a beat, she executed her Samurai Skill: Gale Slash again, cleaving the enormous spike clean in half. Thinking quickly, she then flipped the bisected spike with an axe kick, angling it towards the Greatsword Skeleton Goliath, before spinning on her heel and launching a devastating Samurai Skill: Tempest Kick into its flat surface. The sheer force of the kick sent the jagged bone projectile hurtling at the enemy at breakneck speed.
As the projectile rocketed forward, Sushi Slice activated Samurai Skill: Wind Veil Reposition, causing a current of wind to envelop her entire body. She repositioned herself atop the moving spike, riding it like a shooting star. With expert precision, she sheathed her katana, allowing torrents of wind to funnel into the slight gap of the sheath's entrance. The air howled as she was charging her Samurai Skill: Maximum Wind Flow, a devastating damage buff skill.
The Greatsword Skeleton Goliath, sensing the immense threat, roared and raised its massive flaming greatsword high. With an earth-shattering force, it brought the blade down in a desperate attempt to intercept Sushi Slice before she could strike.
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But then—
CLANG!
A powerful impact rang out as a solid force interjected between the flaming greatsword and Sushi Slice's trajectory. Makidon was already there.
"Wha—? Maki?!" Sushi Slice gasped in surprise.
With unwavering resolve, Makidon braced herself and activated Greatshield Tank Skill: Heavy Parry, deflecting the Skeleton Goliath's flaming greatsword skyward in a stunning show of strength. The redirected strike sent sparks raining through the battlefield. Meanwhile, the massive bone spike continued its course, piercing straight through the Skeleton Goliath's clavicle! The monster reeled back, letting out a bone-rattling screech as its body convulsed from the damage.
"Hah… Heh… Don't worry 'bout it," Makidon replied, as she landed back on the ground and then started scratching the back of her head awkwardly, slightly winded from the parry.
Sushi Slice didn't waste the opportunity. Launching off the embedded spike, she unsheathed her katana in a flash, wind currents surging around her blade as she unleashed Samurai Skill: Hurricane Slashes - Maximum!
A tempest of slashes rained down upon the Skeleton Goliath's ribcage. Each strike reverberated through its bony structure, sending deep fractures across its massive frame. The sheer force of the attack sent the colossus staggering backward, a deafening crunch echoing as its footing faltered. The damage was immense.
As Sushi Slice landed gracefully on the ground, she exhaled sharply, adjusting her stance. The air still crackled with residual energy from her attack.
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"YO! NICE STRIKE YA DID THERE!" Makidon hollered, grinning widely.
"Yeah, that was a Maximum Wind Flow charged attack," Sushi Slice responded, sheathing her katana. "Takes a bit to charge, though."
Makidon gave a firm nod. "Mhm! Hella banger!"
Sushi Slice squinted at her, suddenly curious. "By the way... Maki?"
"Yeeeeeeaaaaaah..." Makidon responded, dragging out the word, sensing an incoming question.
"You ARE supposed to be a Tank class... right?"
"Yeeeeeaaaah..." Makidon awkwardly confirmed.
"So... how did you suddenly get in front of me just now?" Sushi Slice pressed, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Makidon let out a nervous chuckle. "Ahh... weeeeeeell~" she trailed off.
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Flashback: Moments Earlier
Hoshigari tapped his temple as he explained his plan to Makidon, who was listening intently. "Alright, since your base speed isn't exactly... high, you won't reach Sushi Slice in time. But I've got a plan."
Makidon slammed her fist into her palm. "Huh! Alright, I'm game! Lay it on me, boss!"
"So, basically, I use a Bouncer Round and shoot you directly in the back—specifically your butt—launching you toward Mr. Skeleton McBig Sword over there at high speed. Got it?"
Makidon blinked. "Uh... y'sure, boss? Like... you sure I should do that?"
"Don't worry! Bouncer Rounds deal no damage!"
"Yeah, but like, what do I do when I get there?!"
"Strike it with your shield! Or your battleaxe! Or something, obviously."
"Wait!"
"Don't worry! I know you can do it!"
"WAIT, WAIT! What about you though, boss?!"
Hoshigari waved her off. "Don't worry your heavy head. Just look up."
Makidon tilted her head. "Huh?! What does that even mean?!"
"Anyways—here we go!" Hoshigari smirked as he fired a Bouncer Round directly into Makidon's backside and another one below her feet, launching her into the air at incredible speed.
[Fired 2 Bouncer Rounds (47 Bouncer Rounds left)]
"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT WAAAAA—"
"Aaaaaaaaand BLAST OFF!" Hoshigari yelled dramatically as Makidon zoomed past, arms flailing wildly, greatshield raised frantically. "AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaa—"
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Back to Present...
"Aaaand that's what happened..." Makidon finished, fidgeting with her fingertips innocently.
Sushi Slice crossed her arms. "Huh... So, where is Hoshigari now?"
Makidon glanced around. "Oh, boss?"
"Why're you calling him boss?"
"I dunno, just feel like it!... Oh! He did say something about looking up."
"Looking... up?"
Both of them tilted their heads skyward in unison—
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Only to see Hoshigari directly high above the staggered, no-longer-enraged Greatsword Skeleton Goliath, mid-air, a charged shot glowing in his hands.
(And yes, he used a Bouncer Round to shoot himself to the air, so...)
[Fired Bouncer Round (46 Bouncer Rounds left)]
"COMET SHOT INCOMING!" he roared, his eyes blazing with exhilaration.
The energy in his weapon surged, crackling with electric-blue sparks as he fully charged Ranger Hand-Held Cannon Skill: Comet Shot.
"NOW... EAT IT!" he bellowed as he fired downward.
The charged explosive round streaked through the sky, a meteor of pure destruction aimed straight at the Skeleton Goliath's skull.
The monstrous skeleton recovered and snapped back to awareness. Its eye sockets ignited with blue fire as it let out a final, bone-rattling roar. Makidon caught its shift in stance.
"Sushi! It's recovering!" she warned, tightening her grip on her shield.
Sushi Slice unsheathed her katana. "Stay ready!"
The Skeleton Goliath raised its greatsword for one last desperate strike—but Hoshigari's Comet Shot slammed into its skull before it could even react.
The impact detonated in a spectacular explosion, the energy dispersing into countless blue, sparking embers. The force shattered the Goliath's skull, sending cracks spiraling down its entire skeletal frame before it finally collapsed into a heap of defeated bones.
Sushi Slice and Makidon stood there, momentarily stunned by the display.
As the embers flickered in the air, they looked back up—just in time to see Hoshigari falling toward them.
He smirked at them mid-fall, flashing a thumbs-up with his left hand. "Nailed it."
Then he faced the ground, switching rounds mid-air. Jiggle Bounce Slime Rounds, loaded. He fired twice at the ground below just before impact.
[Fired 2 Jiggle Bounce Slime Rounds (3 Jiggle Bounce Slime Rounds left)]
The moment he hit the Jiggle Bounce Slime, the gelatinous surface absorbed his momentum, sending him into a smooth, harmless bounce before he landed firmly on his feet. With a nonchalant confident smirk, he rolled his right shoulder.
"Welp, that's that." Hoshigari remarked as he put his hands on his hips as he faced the smoking pile of bones that was supposed to be the Greatsword Skeleton Goliath.
Sushi Slice and Makidon, still standing there, just stared at him, utterly... dumfounded...
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