A moment later, Tsukuru woke back up in the VR Pod.
As he looked up, he saw the lid of the VR Pod opening.
As Tsukuru got out, he saw Quinn's Pod next to him open up, as well.
Time continued to pass on the military base, and another day came and went.
The group of roommates got up, showered, got dressed, and headed down to the canteen.
They would then head off towards Del's Homeroom, and then to their individual combat classes.
Afterwards, Quinn and Tsukuru would head immediately to the VR Room and went an hour.
It was like clockwork.
Almost an hour later…
Quinn slammed his fist into his opponent's back, executing a Hammer Strike.
The student's eyes widened, as he felt his body explode with pain.
Instantly, he collapsed to his feet.
A System message popped up in front of Quinn.
[25 Exp received. Exp: 785/800]
Seeing the message, Quinn smirked.
'Almost there.' He thought in satisfaction.
Not only was Quinn quickly gaining Exp, but he also felt that he was getting the hang of his abilities more and more.
He knew when the right time to activate his Flash Step was.
He also had learned how to combine his Skills, so he would be able to disappear and reappear while using the Hammer Strike.
It was currently Wednesday.
Just two more days until the Portal Outing.
And he would be ready.
***
At that same time, within Duke's office in the second-year building, a group of first years had been called in to speak with him.
Standing at the very front was Earl, the Level 4 first-year under Mono's thumb.
And it was a fact that he deeply resented, and took out said frustrations out on Peter at every opportunity.
"I've made sure that the room will be empty tomorrow." Duke replied, his hands clasped. "You have a 10-minute gap while the security cameras are down for 'maintenance'. I want you to get rid of them during that time."
Earl nodded.
"Yes, sir." He replied. "You can count on me."
A viscous smirk crept across Duke's face.
Duke snapped his fingers.
Immediately, a second-year Sergeant stepped forward.
In his hand, he held a tray.
On the tray was a few Beast Crystals, as well as a Skill Book.
"You should be able to reach Level 5 with that Skill." Duke replied. "Keep up the good work, and they'll be more."
As Earl and his group left, Duke's smile widened.
'Vorden Blade…and Quinn Talen.' Duke thought, fury surging through him like an inferno. 'You have both been a HUGE thorn in my side. But after tomorrow…I'll never have to hear your wretched names EVER AGAIN!'
Sergeant Dillon stood behind him.
"Are you sure this is wise, my General?" He asked. "Those two…they're Hikiko Tsukuru's closest friends, if the reports are accurate. Isn't this like…poking a sleeping bear?"
General Duke turned back, and shot Sergeant Dillon a death glare.
"Shut up, I know what I'm doing!" He growled.
Duke then turned back around.
"Maybe after hearing about his friends'demise', he'll learn what happens to those who…step out of line!"
Forty minutes prior…
In the "Battle Arena" of Tsukuru's System, Tsukuru decapitated the first out of the three Hobgoblins that had appeared alongside the two Dark Elves he had just killed.
Instantly, a System screen popped up in front of him.
[You have killed a Hobgoblin. 5 XP received. XP: 1600/1600.
You have Leveled Up. You are now Level 6. XP: 0/3200.
You have received 1 Stat Point.
You have received 1 Summon Point.
Your Elite Pawn Grade Haunted Knight has received 1 Pawn Point. Pawn Points: 3/15.
Your Pawn Grade Harpie has received 1 Pawn Point. Pawn Points: 3/5.
Your Pawn Grade Dark Elf has received 1 Pawn Point. Pawn Points: 1/5. ]
Tsukuru smirked, and continued on his onslaught.
Time passed, and he continued mowing his way through enemies.
Eventually, when he only had around twenty minutes left in the VR Pod, Tsukuru dropkicked a Swarmer, sending it flying.
It let out a scream of pain as it flew, before exploding into pixels moments later.
A System message appeared in front of Tsukuru.
[You have killed a Swarmer. 1 XP received. XP: 136/3200 ]
Despite the "congratulatory" System message, a deep dread filled Tsukuru.
Because he knew what came next.
The Minotaur.
And sure enough, he then heard the sound of electronic interference.
On the far side of the platform in front of him, pixels began to appear.
The pixels clustered into the massive, humanoid shape of the Minotaur.
In a flash of light, the Minotaur fully manifested.
The Minotaur smirked down at Tsukuru, and began to step forward, her heavy stomps making the whole arena shake.
Tsukuru grit his teeth.
He activated his Ability in both hands.
The sound of electronic interference could be heard, and pixels began to appear in his hands.
Each group of pixels clustered together into the shape of the Intermediate-Tier Knight Sword.
When the two swords fully manifested, he felt a flood of Beast Energy surge through him.
A System message soon appeared.
[Intermediate-Tier Knight Sword [x2] equipped. +14 Strength.
Strength: 32]
Tsukuru let out a roar, and dashed towards the Minotaur, arms out at his side.
Once he was within 5 feet of the Minotaur, he activated his Video Glitch Skill.
The sound of electronic interference was heard, and his body began to break down into pixels.
He then glitched out of existence.
Seeing him vanish, the Minotaur came to a sudden halt.
As she heard the sound of electronic interference behind her, she snapped her head back, expecting him to come jumping down from above again.
However, at the same time, Tsukuru appeared behind her at ground level.
Tsukuru swung both swords with all his might at the Minotaur's left leg.
However, he was only able to create shallow cuts.
It was like trying to cut down a heavy oak tree with an unsharpened axe.
'Damn it!' Tsukuru muttered in frustration. 'Just how thick is her skin?!'
At the same time, the Minotaur felt a stabbing pain in her ankles.
However, it was the same feeling one got from a bug bite, like from a flea or a mosquito.
Tsukuru's eyes widened, as he saw the Minotaur lift her left leg up, and bend it forward.
"Ah, shit." Tsukuru muttered.
Instantly, the Minotaur slammed ber foot back like a bucking horse.
The massive hoof collided with Tsukuru's face, and sent him flying backwards.
In his vision, he saw his health meter decrease by roughly 20%.
Tsukuru went skidding across the concrete platform like a skipping stone in a lake.
Eventually, he came to a complete stop.
When he did, Tsukuru then got back up.
Tsukuru grit his teeth in frustration, as he held his face, him still feeling intense pain.
It was then that Tsukuru heard a "whizzing" noise.
Looking up, his eyes widened to become pinpricks.
He saw the Minotaur's greataxe flying towards him, the whole thing spinning like a wheel and looking like a giant buzzsaw.
Immediately, Tsukuru crossed his two swords in front of him.
The two swords impacted with the spinning greataxe.
Tsukuru felt an intense pressure, and he soon found himself being pushed back from the greataxe's momentum.
As Tsukuru continued to block the greataxe, he could see cracks beginning to spread across the blades of his swords.
As they did, he felt the Beast Energy leaking out of him.
Tsukuru let out an annoyed snort, and activated his Video Glitch Skill once again.
His body broke down into pixels, and he vanished.
With him no longer resisting against the greataxe, it continued to spin through the air.
It eventually came to a stop near the border of the platform, the axe blade embedding itself in the concrete.
Tsukuru reappeared a few feet to the right of where he had teleported from.
As he did, a System message popped up in front of him.
[Durability of the Intermediate-Tier Knight Swords have been compromised. Strength Boost has been decreased. -3 Strength. -3 Strength. Current Strength: 26]
"Damn it!" Tsukuru muttered.
He then heard the platform begin to shake.
Looking up, he saw the Minotaur rushing towards him like a raging bull.
Tsukuru clenched his teeth, and charged towards the Minotaur.
The Minotaur then wrenched her left arm back.
Once they were within close proximity, the Minotaur drove her giant fist hard into Tsukuru's gut.
Instantly, Tsukuru felt the wind being knocked out of him.
The Minotaur pushed forward in her attack, performing an uppercut.
Immediately, Tsukuru found himself being sent flying through the air.