Surviving These Unfair Scenarios [LITRPG - DIMENSION HOPPING]

The Coliseum skybox buzzed with renewed tension. Angela, Kazue, Katya, and Moyan stood watching, their faces a mix of profound shock and growing apprehension while the score, [Noob Reapers: 2 - D/W/N/O: 2], now blazed on the main screen. The realization that Magnus had used an SSR-class Plot Device to re-enter the fight, defying the very rules of the Coliseum, sent a chill through them. Kazue, her eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and mounting dread, voiced her confusion.

"How did he use a Plot Device that affects the game?"

She asked, her voice trembling slightly. Angela, with her brow furrowed in a deep frown, sighed.

"We weren't cautious enough."

She admitted, her voice tight with self-reproach.

"I knew there were special options to customize Coliseum matches, but I never delved into them in depth. That's totally on me… I am certain that when they said 'anything goes', Plot Devices were included, which is incredibly dangerous."

"Why?"

Kazue pressed, her fear giving way to a desperate need for understanding.

Angela's gaze hardened as she looked back at the arena, where Magnus now stood as a looming shadow.

"Because there are Plot Devices whose sole function is to bypass system rules in specific instances, like in the Coliseum."

She explained in a low voice.

"They can allow you to automatically win a match, or even transform a duel into a 1-versus-5 battle. We can only hope that was the extent of what that man had up his sleeve. If he has more, we are in serious trouble."

Her words cast a long, ominous shadow over the upcoming fight. Kazue's face paled. She looked at her trembling hands.

"I… I don't have any Plot Devices to use."

She whispered, a wave of helplessness washing over her. Her mind raced, desperate for a solution, and then, after a moment, a flicker of memory struck her head. She did have one! The one she had won with the voucher in the casino, the [I Just Want to Be You (L-rank)]. But as she recalled its effect of transformation, she was unsure how to use it correctly, how it could possibly help her against Magnus? The implications of its power, its ability to become another person, swirled in her mind, confusing her more than offering a clear path.

Finally, the inevitable moment arrived. Her vision blurred, and the familiar sensation of transport enveloped her. She materialized onto the polished dark stone of the Coliseum arena, standing alone, her gaze fixed on the colossal figure of the enemy team leader. A nervous tremor still ran through her, a faint shadow on her usually bright face.

The automatic announcer's booming voice echoed through the vast space, filling the arena with its resonating pronouncements.

"Welcome, esteemed users, to the fifth match of our best-of-seven wager!"

The voice thundered.

"On my left, from the formidable team 'Noob Reapers', we have their unparalleled leader, Magnus Thorne, returning to the arena!"

His name resonated with renewed weight, carrying the implications of his terrifying abilities.

"And on my right, from the 'No Name' team, we present Kazue Rima!"

A system screen materialized above the arena, its glowing text announcing the familiar rules for the match, identical to the previous bouts.

As the countdown began its inexorable descent, Magnus Thorne's wide smile widened further, a gleam of predatory amusement in his eyes. He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that filled the silent arena.

"Don't you worry, little girl."

He boomed, his voice laced with a condescending playfulness.

"This will be over quickly. I'll finish this fast so the wager can finally conclude. No need to prolong your suffering, or my enjoyment of it."

His words were a clear dismissal of her power and a boast of his absolute confidence.

Kazue offered no verbal response. Her nervousness was a palpable presence, yet she forced it down. Her hands rose, and with a familiar shimmer, her two mechanical gauntlets, the bulky 'Enhanced Steamgear Knuckle' on her right hand and the sleek 'Atomclad Fist' on her left, materialized onto her arms. She settled into a low, defensive stance, her gaze fixed on Magnus, her mind racing to anticipate his first move.

The match began.

The man wasted no time with pleasantries or probing attacks. He launched himself forward with terrifying speed. His [Gravity Well Gauntlet] pulsed, unleashing localized pockets of fluctuating gravity that threatened to pin Kazue down or throw her off balance even as he charged. Simultaneously, he manifested a [Phantom Blade Dance], dozens of ethereal, razor-sharp blades shimmering into existence around him, translucent and deadly, attacking Kazue from every conceivable angle in a complex, unpredictable pattern that filled the air with their silent, slicing hum.

It was his standard opening, the same one he did with Drake. Then, as these blades closed in, Magnus unleashed a scorching [Solar Flare Incineration], bursts of searing solar energy erupting from his palms, aimed to engulf Kazue. Yet, in the very next instant, he activated an [Abyssal Chill Aura], dropping the air around him to absolute zero, causing a frost field to bloom across the polished arena floor and sending waves of bone-chilling cold to his target.

Kazue was immediately overwhelmed. Her body, nimble and agile, but not as much as Drake's, moved with desperate speed. She dodged, she twisted, and she rolled, narrowly avoiding the worst of the brutal onslaught. The immense force and unpredictable nature of Magnus's attacks, amplified by their sheer volume, forced her onto a constant, desperate defense. She tried to find an opening, a counter-attack, but the barrage was relentless. She could not find an opportunity to even approach, let alone land the consecutive hits required to activate her [Lightning Duke's Knuckle Technique], which depended on building up multiple successful strikes. The idea of striking ten consecutive blows against Magnus, who moved with such chaotic power, seemed utterly impossible.

The man continued his relentless assault, his colossal form a blur of motion as he unleashed the full, bewildering array of his abilities. He would manifest his [Arcane Rune Scribe] skill, quickly tracing glowing, complex runes in the air with his massive fingers. These intricate symbols would then either explode into sudden, fiery traps as Kazue stepped near, or solidify into transparent walls to obstruct her escape. Drake, still very exhausted but watching from the skybox, clenched his fists, his body tensing with every near-miss.

Magnus would sometimes manifest his [Vampiric Drain] skill, creating shadowy tendrils that reached out from his body, attempting to siphon Kazue's vitality and energy directly. The girl would feel a chilling sensation as her very life force subtly tried to drain, forcing her to expend valuable energy to resist the effect.

Kazue continued to dodge and weave the best she could, her small body moving with a frantic speed, but she was receiving damage. Glancing blows from the [Phantom Blades] sliced across her arms, leaving thin, glowing lines that burned. The extreme cold from the [Abyssal Chill Aura] caused her muscles to ache, subtle frost forming on her skin, and the intense heat from the [Solar Flare Incineration] made her eyes water, blurring her vision. She gritted her teeth, pushing through the pain, but the disadvantage was clear. Magnus presented an immediate and overwhelming superiority, his sheer versatility and raw power forcing her to respond to threats she barely understood.

As Kazue desperately sought a way to counter the overwhelming assault, her mind raced. She needed Kurayami… She needed her loyal companion to match Magnus's sheer speed and scale, so she reached out with her will, attempting to activate her Soul Pact. But just as the energy began to coalesce around her, Magnus reacted.

"I said no summons!"

He roared, his voice filled with a triumphant malice, and he raised his arm, unleashing a [Resonance Disruptor Wave]. A wave of raw, chaotic energy pulsed outwards from him, designed to disrupt the skill activation. The wave slammed into Kazue, directly targeting her nascent summoning. The energy around her flickered, threatening to dissipate, but then, a message from the system blazed across the arena air, overriding Magnus's interference.

Magnus's triumphant roar died in his throat, replaced by a gasp of genuine surprise. From a swirling vortex of shadows and electric energy that erupted from the arena floor, a colossal white tiger materialized. This was Kurayami, the Voidshadow Abyssal Tiger, with its fur bristling with latent power and its massive frame radiating an aura of fierce loyalty. Its eyes, glowing with intelligence, fixed on Magnus with a predatory intensity.

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Kazue leaped onto Kurayami's broad back without hesitation, her small form finding familiar comfort on her mount. With his summon beneath her, her combat potential surged, her agility amplified by the tiger's raw speed.

Mounted on Kurayami, Kazue's movements became a blur of astonishing speed and agility, allowing her to easily evade Magnus's barrage of attacks. The tiger's massive paws pounded the polished arena floor, moving with lightning swiftness in a white blur, darting across the vast space. Magnus unleashed concentrated bursts of solar torrents, but Kurayami would pivot instantly, its body twisting, dodging the searing flames by mere inches. The spectral blades that swarmed them were met by the beast's swift, powerful swatting paws, or simply bypassed by their impossible velocity. The [Gravity Well Gauntlet] continued to pulse, but Kurayami's momentum, coupled with Kazue's quick weight adjustments, allowed them to cut through the distorted fields with minimal disruption.

"Faster, Kurayami!"

Kazue shouted, her voice filled with renewed determination, and her fear replaced by the exhilaration of the chase. She steered Kurayami with subtle shifts of her body, guiding the giant tiger through the chaos of Magnus's elemental attacks. They became a synchronized unit, a blur of white and gold, constantly evading the worst of Magnus's onslaught.

Finally, after a series of dizzying evasions that left Magnus roaring in frustration, Kazue felt a surge of confidence. This was her chance to retaliate, to show him that his overwhelming power was not absolute. Magnus unleashed another furious barrage of solar flares, a massive torrent of fire aimed at them.

"Storm Titan Howl!"

Kazue roared with her voice ringing with power. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with an immense volume of air using her [Heavenly Demon Breathing Technique]. Then, with a guttural roar, she expelled a swirling tornado of pure wind from her mouth. The wind tornado, immense and powerful, slammed into the incoming fire skill… Instead of being consumed, the wind instantly absorbed the searing flames, transforming into a towering, roaring vortex of fire. The new fire tornado, now a blazing inferno, surged across the arena as a monstrous column of pure destructive energy, aimed directly at Magnus.

The team leader widened his eyes in surprise at the unexpected counter and responded instantly. He unleashed a full-power [Abyssal Chill Aura], projecting a massive wave of absolute cold directly at the incoming fire tornado. The freezing aura slammed into the blazing vortex. A deafening explosion of displaced air and rapidly condensing steam erupted, a colossal burst of white vapor that consumed both the fire tornado and the cold aura. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the arena, a sudden, blinding cloud of steam and mist filling the entire space.

"Not bad."

Magnus grunted, his voice a low rumble and a hint of genuine appreciation in his tone, his eyes fixed on the dissipating mist.

Suddenly, from among the swirling vapor created by the explosion, Kazue and Kurayami burst forth, with the girl's eyes fixed on Magnus. They had used the chaos of the explosion as cover, closing the distance in an instant. The man had his wide smile momentarily gone; however, he reacted immediately, raising his 'Nullheart Blade' to intercept their charge.

Kurayami met the obsidian greatsword not with evasion, but with a terrifying counter. The colossal white tiger lunged, its enormous jaws snapping shut around the black blade. The sound of hardened steel meeting monstrous fangs echoed through the arena. The tiger's immense strength, amplified by its own [Electric Ki Generation] and raw physical power, held the black blade firm in its grasp, preventing the man from moving it.

Magnus's eyes widened in genuine surprise, a rare flicker of shock crossing his face. His massive sword was held fast by the mere beast of a literal newbie. This momentary astonishment, this break in his overwhelming confidence, was all Kazue needed. With Kurayami's jaws still clamped on the 'Nullheart Blade', holding Magnus in place, the girl seized the opportunity. She activated her [Enhanced Thunder Piercing Hand] with her right gauntlet; it hummed, and a small, piercing drill of pure, crackling electricity formed at its tip. With a powerful thrust, she slammed her electrified hand directly into Magnus's chest.

His [Stone Skin Fortification], while immensely powerful against physical attacks, offered no protection against elemental damage. The raw, concentrated electricity pierced his hardened skin, sending agonizing shocks directly through his nervous system. He convulsed, his body arched, and his muscles spasmed violently from the high-voltage electrocution. Kazue, without releasing the contact, pulled her sparkling electric drill back. Immediately, she and Kurayami darted away, their forms blurring as they created distance, leaving the man stunned and visibly suffering.

Magnus roared, a mixture of pain and frustration, just before he inexplicably caught on fire due to the girl's [Burn the Witch!] skill. He tried to extinguish the supernatural fire with his chill aura, summoning blasts of absolute cold onto himself, but the flames merely flickered, absorbing the cold without diminishing. He rolled on the arena floor, trying to smother the inferno, but the fire clung to him relentlessly. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of agonizing burning, even when it had passed only a few seconds, the flames simply dissipated, having run their course.

Magnus lay there for a moment, panting heavily, his massive chest heaving, a sheen of sweat covering his body. He pushed himself up, his face grim, his eyes narrowed.

"That… that actually hurt!"

He rasped, his voice still hoarse with residual pain. Kazue, watching from a safe distance atop Kurayami, let out a triumphant laugh.

"I knew it!"

She shouted, her voice ringing with satisfaction.

"I use elemental attacks too, so I know that when you use them and learn them, you eventually gain resistance to them!"

Her body and Kurayami's fur crackled in unison with Electric Ki.

"But you, with your [Make it Fair!]... you use them without having to go through that process of adaptation! So you never gained that elemental resistance!"

But instead of being mad or humiliated, Magnus just began to laugh.

"I admit that is something I did not account for... I suppose that is the price for not having to adapt. When this is over, I will acquire all the elemental resistance skills from the store. Thanks for the information."

Back in the skybox, Angela was just a little push to pulling out her hair.

"Did… Did she really lecture her enemy on his weaknesses?! Why?!"

Kurayami, with Kazue still mounted firmly on its back, began to unleash a barrage of raw, crackling electrical energy, sending bolts of pure lightning streaking across the arena. Kazue, immune due to her [Electric Resistance] passive skill, sat unfazed atop the massive tiger. Meanwhile, Magnus, his wide smile now gone, was finally forced to acknowledge the threat directly.

He began to dodge the bolts, his massive body surprisingly agile as he weaved through the crackling electricity. But the constant barrage was relentless, forcing him to move and to concede ground. He finally let out a low chuckle, a forced sound that held no mirth, his previous amusement gone.

"Alright, girl."

He rumbled, his voice strained.

"The game is over. I apologize for underestimating you, but this is as far as you go."

He then activated his ultimate elemental skill, [High Plasma Manipulation].

The air around Magnus crackled not with mere electricity, but with an intense, searing blue light. Raw energy, superheated to a plasma state, surged from his body, forming into terrifying, controlled streams of pure, ionized power. This was electricity in its purest, most concentrated form, a fundamental force that outclassed any lesser electrical current.

Here, in the hierarchy of elemental powers, Magnus's plasma held absolute superiority over Kazue's standard electricity or Kurayami's Electric Ki. As the man unleashed torrents of plasma, shaping them into massive, arcing bolts, searing whips, and concentrated beams, the girl and tiger found themselves struggling. Their own electrical attacks, though powerful, were simply overwhelmed, absorbed, or redirected by Magnus's superior manipulation. His plasma always prevailed, forcing its way through their defenses.

Kazue and Kurayami were struck repeatedly by these terrifying plasma attacks, the immense electrical current shocking their bodies. Though their electric resistance mitigated some of the damage, it was not total immunity, so they still suffered electrocution, their muscles spasming and their movements growing sluggish with each strike.

In a desperate gambit, Kazue, still mounted on Kurayami, saw a fleeting opportunity. Magnus had overextended a plasma blast, leaving a momentary opening in his otherwise impenetrable defense. She moved with blinding speed, guiding the tiger in a wide, deceptive arc, bypassing his counter-attack, and launched her own concentrated electrical attack directly at Magnus.

She knew he wasn't immune to elemental damage itself, so if she could land a direct hit, without having her energy clash with his superior plasma, it could affect him. However, Magnus, narrowing his eyes, understood her plan. He anticipated the attack, and a predatory grin spread across his face. Before Kazue's electric bolt could even reach him, he materialized four 'Thor's Lightning Rods' that slammed into the arena floor around them, forming a rough square. These items were metal rods, similar to antennas, that instantly drew the electrical attack from Kazue, redirecting it in mid-air.

The bolt arced sharply, harmlessly colliding with one of these rods, which acted like colossal lightning rods, absorbing the energy and dissipating it. Magnus laughed, a booming, triumphant sound that filled the arena.

"Sometimes, luck is on my side, too!"

He boomed, his voice laced with amusement.

"I didn't expect to run into someone who used electricity in such a delightful manner. And these little toys?"

He gestured to the lightning rods.

"I acquired them precisely for this!"

As he spoke, a massive torrent of his own plasma, raw and seething, surged from his hands. It struck one of the lightning rods, but instead of dissipating like Kazue's attack, it passed through it, channeling its immense power. The plasma then surged from that rod to the next, and then to the next, gaining potency and size each time it passed through, a terrifying conduit of destructive power.

The now colossal, supercharged torrent of concentrated electrical energy, amplified by the lightning rods, surged directly towards Kazue. She tried desperately to evade, guiding Kurayami in a desperate, last-second maneuver, but it was useless. The plasma beam was too fast, and it inevitably reached them, slamming into both with devastating force. The damage suffered was brutal. Both fell to the ground, their bodies spasming violently, their limbs completely numb from the sheer electrical shock. Kazue's body convulsed, her mechanical gauntlets sparking erratically. Kurayami whimpered, its massive body trembling, unable to move.

"This is it!"

Magnus roared, his voice triumphant. He immediately manifested his [Phantom Blade Dance] skill, dozens of ethereal blades shimmering into existence, hurtling towards the incapacitated Kazue, intending to deliver the final blow. The girl's body was completely numb and couldn't move, so she could only squeeze her eyes shut, clenching her teeth and her fists, bracing for the inevitable impact. But before the spectral blades could impact her, a massive, white form surged forward.

Kurayami, with its body still trembling from the plasma shock, impossibly, rose. With a desperate surge of loyalty and raw power, the giant tiger leaped, interposing its massive body between Kazue and the incoming attack. The ethereal blades tore through Kurayami's form, passing through its essence, causing immense and agonizing damage. The tiger roared, a sound of profound pain and defiance as it managed to protect its master, shielding her from the lethal assault. However, the damage was too much, and Kurayami's form flickered violently. Then, with a final, desperate whimper, the summoning dissolved. The mighty tiger disappeared, having sacrificed his last bit of power to save Kazue.

The girl's eyes snapped open. She saw Kurayami vanish and felt the sudden absence of its powerful presence, her fists clenched in silent fury. Magnus merely laughed, a loud and triumphant sound that filled the arena. Kazue's mind raced, a frantic torrent of thoughts… What to do? Her body was still numb, but she could still think about something… She had the Plot Device and the 'Rose of a Thousand Truths' from Moyan. She remembered its vague description:

But what did that even mean? It made no sense to use it now; she didn't even know what it did. Her only option was the other Plot Device, the one she had won: [I Just Want to Be You (L-rank)]. But to become whom? The image of Brunhilde, elegant and impossibly powerful, flashed through her mind. She was the most powerful person Kazue could think of, but would it be enough? Sadly, there was no other choice.

But then it happened… Before Kazue could activate her Plot Device, a familiar voice, ancient and resonant, spoke directly inside her head, its words echoing with the same profound power she had heard in the previous scenario. It was the very same light that had once shown her a world filled with elemental might during her dire double battle alongside Li. Now, that voice, a resonant hum that vibrated directly within her mind, reached out, not with a command, but with a question, a subtle invitation.

"Kazue."

The voice murmured, its tone calm and infinitely patient, yet carrying a palpable weight of ages.

"Are you finally ready?"

A warmth, both comforting and unsettling, spread through her consciousness.

"Ready to accept the offer I made you?"