NOVEL NEXT Ch. 33
Chapter 33
"An armament that deviates from all norms, like White Meteor's GodAccel—an item whose rarity is ∞ (Infinity). That is the ∞ Arts. It's also called the Ultimate Weapon. A divine artifact with only four owners in the entire game. The leader of Yggdrasil left the team in order to master the ∞ Arts."
"You can't use ∞ Arts in Rank Matches, after all. So practicing with it is impossible there."
If that's the case, then it makes sense why she quit the team.
"And those of us who remained moved on to selecting the next leader."
"Leaving the team wasn't a problem in itself. She properly fulfilled her role. The real issue was choosing the new leader. Every single one of the remaining four declared 'I'm the one most suited to be leader.' That's how it went."
"Four? Isn't a team only three people?"
The way she phrased it made it sound like there were five including the leader.
"C-rank and below are three, B-rank is four, and A-rank is five. In the end, we argued endlessly and went our separate ways."
"If only Sheena-chan had supported Tsubasa back then, the other two could've been persuaded. So the disbandment was Sheena-chan's fault."
"If you put it that way, if you had supported me, everything would've ended amicably."
"Sheena-chan is pushy, gives zero explanation, and is hopeless at communication—there's no way she could've been leader."
I can't deny the pushy part.
"Did you know, Shiki-chan? Apparently this kid has no friends in real life. She once asked her leader, 'How do I make friends?'—so adorable, right?"
Dangerous. That crossed a line. Sheena-san's smile vanished.
"I think I was more suited to leadership than someone trying to turn the team into an idol group."
"Ah, whatever, let's stop. This argument is pointless," Tsubasa-san cuts it off, giving me a sidelong glance. "Let's get to the main topic, Shiki-chan."
Main topic...? We weren't at the main topic yet?
"Sheena-chan mentioned it briefly earlier, but B-rank teams have four members."
"You can't possibly—!"
Tsubasa-san grabs my wrist and forcibly taps "End Call" on the window, cutting off the call with Sheena-san.
"Quiet kids should stay quiet. —Hey, Shiki-chan, want to join Tsubasa's team?"
"Join Tsubasa-san's team...?"
"Yeah! Tsubasa's team will almost certainly rank up to B next Rank Match. That opens one new slot. That slot is for you. Tsubasa will put your talents to good use."
"N-no, but I'm on Sheena-san's team..."
"Tsubasa can protect you. Tsubasa will protect you, and you'll shoot the enemies. With just that, Tsubasa's team will have no enemies."
Admittedly, our combat styles do seem compatible. But,
"I'm sorry!"
"Eh? No? Why?"
I press my index fingers together.
"I... idols and stuff are a bit... I have zero aptitude... frilly outfits... don't suit me... though I kinda want to try..."
"Idols? Ah, um, that's old news! Tsubasa isn't trying to make an idol team anymore, okay!?"
"Plus, Tsubasa-san stands out a lot... I'm terrible at drawing attention..."
"Well—nothing we can do about that! B-but Sheena-chan gets plenty of attention too, you know!?"
"U-um, sorry. Actually!"
I summon my courage and voice my true feelings.
"I! Got completely wrecked by Crimson Wings the other day! I want to shoot every last member of Crimson Wings!!"
"!!?"
"So I'm sorry! Tsubasa-san is my enemy!"
Alright! I did it! I said what I needed to say!
"—Or so it seems,"
Huh? Sheena-san's voice from behind... She's right behind me!?
"Early arrival."
"I hurried here to hunt the thieving cat."
Sparks fly between the two.
Facing each other, the bad atmosphere is palpable.
"My, who knew Shiki-chan had such burning pride? And Sheena-chan rushing to a teammate's aid? You must really like her♪"
"Yes. She's a diamond egg surpassing the golden one. I'll say it plainly: Shiki-san's talent exceeds both mine and yours. Undoubtedly."
Hey, now!? Why provoke her, Sheena-san!?
"No way. Tsubasa could beat Kurenai-chan and Len-chan even two-on-one."
"Perhaps. If we were the same level."
"? What do you mean? You're always so vague, Sheena-chan."
"She entered the last Rank Match at level 11."
"...Huh?"
"And even now she's only around level 20."
"!?"
Tsubasa-san opens the system screen to check my level.
"No way... a beginner? How many days since you started the game?"
"I started on the 28th, and today's the 31st... so day four."
"Then in the Rank Match you were only on day three!? And it took Kurenai-chan and Len-chan together to beat you?"
Tsubasa-san's face twitches, then instantly switches to a radiant smile.
"You... Tsubasa wants you after all!"
"Mgya!?"
Tsubasa-san hugs me. Despite being a machine, her soft chest envelops my face.
"Stop, please."
Sheena-san grabs Tsubasa-san by the collar and pulls her off me.
"Give it up. She's a gem I found."
"Just because you met her first."
Tsubasa-san shakes off Sheena-san's hand.
"Well, whatever. Tsubasa wanted Shiki-chan as a teammate, but she'll be interesting as an enemy too."
"Tsubasa-san..."
"You saw Tsubasa's ironclad defense, right? Wonder if you'll ever break through it~?"
Tsubasa-san turns her back to us and walks away.
"Looking forward to the next Rank Match, you two. Tsubasa will crush you♪"
Tsubasa-san hops onto her shield and slides down the gold-crystal slope like a snowboard.
Shinkai Tsubasa... leader of Crimson Wings. On top of her, Kurenai-san and Len-san, who defeated me before, are in that team. I'd assumed Kurenai-san was the ace—what a miscalculation. To think someone stronger than Kurenai-san exists.
Still, I'm thrilled.
Formidable foes are worth shooting. Even against Tsubasa-san, I'll bring her down for sure. That iron wall, that invincible defense... I couldn't ask for a better opponent.