39 The 9th World Champion Tournament 8

"This is bad… This is REALLY bad!" Amanomahitotsu repeated, his claws snapping anxiously.

"No shit." Said Ulbert, a hint of concern laced in his usually dry droll tone for his guildmate.

On the holographic screens, it displayed Deus Machina perched atop a building, content to remain as he was, with Warrior Takemikazuchi running through the back alleys. He stopped after realizing that Deus Machina wouldn't be giving chase. The audience watched on as he mutely placed the severed hand over the stump, light blooming from the [Ring of Nibelung] as he used another healing spell. And just like that, the limb was restored and was as good as new.

For the moment, peace settled over the city.

All eyes were on Warrior Takemikazuchi, wondering and waiting to see just what exactly he would do next to get out of such a predicament.

None were more concerned and speculative than Ainz Ooal Gown, with the various members discussing what he could do to possibly turn the fight in his favor.

"He needs to retrieve his sword. There's no other way for him to even think of winning without it." Said Tabula, his webbed fingers steepled together as he sat leaning forward.

"He'll need to find it first, and good luck with that." Yamaiko grunted, her leg bouncing up and down restlessly while she sat.

"Hold on! He still has plenty of skills that he can do plenty of damage with." Peroroncino spoke up.

"Aye. There's no way Takemikazuchi-san's going to take this lying down." Nishikienrai agreed, sitting with his arms crossed. "If he can get in close, then he can turn the tides in his favor."

"If being the key word here." Punitto Moe pointed out. "Machina-san would be a fool to let someone like Takemikazuchi-san free reign to get in close. He's no slouch with a blade either, but he holds the range advantage. There's nothing in Takemikazuchi-san's skill list that can match his ranged attack or even come close to it."

"And that's not accounting for any other weapons or surprises Machina-san might have hidden away." Added Bellriver. "He can attack at range, chipping away at Takemikazuchi-san's HP, fight him up close with greater mobility, or just snipe him with that railgun he got. He has options; Takemikazuchi-san doesn't. Not unless he wants to risk it all and charge him head-on."

"Knowing him, that's very plausible." Bukubukuchagama commented.

"What do you think, babe?" Destana asked, seeing Momomga silent throughout the discussion.

"I'm… unsure." He said, and that pained him to admit.

The guild was divided. The majority of them were of the opinion that he needed to retrieve his sword to stand a chance against Deus Machina. A feat easier said than done. The rest believed that he had the means to seize victory even without his trusty katana, but it wouldn't come easily, not without some very high-risk plays.

Shirou and Touch Me's opinions mirrored the guild's consensus. The virtual magus believed that Warrior Takemikazuchi needed to retrieve his sword to increase his odds of winning. However, this would prove to be a daunting task, with Deus Machina no doubt being on the lookout for any attempt to sneak past him in the direction where Takemikazuchi MK 7 had been thrown. The World Champion believed that his friend and rival had the means to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but the critical question that lingered was how he could achieve this feat without his sword.

Everyone had their own thoughts and opinions, including Deus Machina, who was waiting to see what his opponent would do next and react accordingly.

Hiding in the dark alleyway, with his back pressed against the wall, both figuratively and literally, the true thoughts of Warrior Takemikazuchi belonged to him and him alone.

A whirlwind of emotions swirled within him, but the most prominent of all was excitement.

A toothy grin stretched across his face. The look on his face - it was not one of resignation or frustration, but rather determination.

Despite the odds stacked against him, he hadn't given up just yet.

Like everyone else, Warrior Takemikazuchi faced similar conclusions on what he should do next.

But instead of being bogged down by the seemingly only two options available, he instead decided to make a third alternative.

'When in doubt, improvise!'

[—][—][—][—][—][—][—][—][—]

Minutes passed by in silence as Deus Machina waited to see what his opponent would do next.

Like everyone else, he reasoned that Heteromorph would try and make an attempt to retrieve his weapon. Hence, he took to a vantage point to make sure Warrior Takemikazuchi didn't sneak past him.

Yet, nothing had happened for the last few minutes, leaving him confused.

"Hey!" A faint shout echoed through the air, drawing him out of his thoughts.

He looked ahead, catching an orange silhouette in the far-off distance.

"[Zoom]."

He activated a skill, his vision magnifying.

Warrior Takemikazuchi stood on the rooftop of a building.

The two Players stared at one another from across the battlefield.

With his zoomed-in vision, he saw Warrior Takemikazuchi giving him the middle finger, followed up with a 'come at me' gesture with his fingers.

He then turned and jumped off the side of the building, disappearing from the Player's sight.

Deus Machina frowned, wondering just what exactly the Heteromorph had planned.

There were only two directions for the match to continue. Either Deus Machina goes after him or Warrior Takemikazuchi comes to him instead. And if the samurai was running away, in the opposite direction of where he threw his sword, no less, then that left only one option left for the Automata to take.

With a quick boost, he followed after his opponent.

There was no rush in his movement, keeping to a semi-languid pace as he traveled. He kept a watchful eye and ear for any signs of his adversary. For all he knew, the Bujin might be leading him on in an attempt to juke past him. That, or lead him into a trap.

Even without his sword, Deus Machina would not underestimate a Player of Warrior Takemikazuchi's caliber, advantage or not.

For the audience watching, the holographic screens focused entirely on Deus Machina, leaving the happenings of Warrior Takemikazuchi as a complete mystery.

Hopping from building to building, he found himself entering a different district - an entertainment district, if the stores and surroundings were any indications.

As he traversed the new section of the metropolis, the buildings receded as the street below opened up. All the winding roads led to a massive parking lot, with vehicles of all shapes and sizes parked randomly. A large, expansive mall lies ahead of him. Adjacent to the mall, a towering hotel complex loomed.

He boosted off the building, landing in the parking lot. He casually made his way forward, his eyes darting all around in hopes of catching his surprisingly elusive opponent.

The possibility that Warrior Takemikazuchi might have given him the slip crossed his mind, only for him to catch something out of the corner of his eye.

With a quick boost, he evaded to the side, dodging a spectral spear. The attack obliterated a nearby car, engulfing it in flames and smoke. Alarms blared out from the surrounding vehicles, filling the air with a cacophony of sound.

The attack had come from the direction of the hotels.

'There you are.'

Deus Machina blasted forward, taking to the air.

The hotel complex consisted of three separate buildings, each one tall and slender. These buildings were arranged in a triangular formation. The positioning of the hotel buildings formed three vertices, creating gaps between them that provided access to a spacious courtyard at ground level. This courtyard was the heart of the complex, featuring a stunning fountain at its center that served as a unifying element for the paths leading to each of the three hotel buildings.

He hovered in the center, high in the air, as the three buildings surrounded him.

'Where are you hiding?'

He spun in place, casting his gaze from one building onto the next.

As he performed a full sweep, his audio receptors caught a sharp 'whoosh' sound.

Using his thrusters, he boosted upwards, dodging the skill [Supiasurīarō: Spear Three Arrow]. His head instantly snapped in the direction from which the attack originated.

He looked ahead. There, his eyes tracked a shadowy silhouette running down the long stretch of hallway through the lined windows.

Deus Machina did not know why Warrior Takemikazuchi chose this location, but it was evident that he had a plan. Charging in after him would be playing into his hand.

In that case, the War Machine resolved to end the match right then and there.

Deus Machina tilted forward, his railgun coming to bear. At the same time, all of his thrusters activated, igniting a sea of thruster flame. Brilliant blue electricity crackled as the barrels lit up with energy.

"He can fire his railgun while midair?!" Herohero exclaimed, a shock mirrored by the rest of Ainz Ooal Gown.

"[Kaiser Impact]!"

The piercing bolt punched through the hotel building, vaporizing a good chunk of the main structure. What remained of the hotel was practically ripped from its foundation due to the force and shockwave of the attack, sending debris flying in all directions.

The other two hotels in the vicinity managed to remain standing but were not spared from the destruction either. Their windows shattered into thousands of tiny pieces as cracks and fractures ran down the sides of the buildings, with chunks falling off.

Amidst the devastation, a massive cloud of dust and debris expanded outward, lowering the visibility of everything within the surrounding area.

What Deus Machina employed was by no means complicated nor extraordinary, but the method by which he used it could almost be classified as a secondary technique, so to speak. By overclocking his thrusters, he harnessed the force they generated as a counterbalance against his railgun's immense recoil. This innovative technique enabled him to fire the weapon while remaining mobile, instead of just being anchored to the ground. This granted Deus Machina greater flexibility in his use of the railgun, which made it his true trump card.

However, it comes with the caveat that Deus Machina was left in a more vulnerable position than if he were to use the skill from on the ground.

Power flickered and faded from Deus Machina's frame as his mechanical body expunged bursts of hot, white steam. Gravity swiftly took hold, and he plummeted into freefall, unable to move his body during the eight-second cooldown duration.

The Automata wasn't concerned, believing that the match would be called and he'd be transported back into the arena as the victor.

An assurance that lasted for only a second before he realized that something was wrong.

'Why haven't they declared me the winner yet?!'

Suddenly, something heavy slammed into him, knocking him out of his stupor.

It was Warrior Takemikazuchi!

'How?!' Deus Machina exclaimed internally.

Although he was immobilized, his eyes could still move around. His gaze turned back towards the ruined hotel, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. His eyes widened upon seeing a shadowy silhouette of Warrior Takemikazuchi standing in the air, unencumbered by the laws of gravity. The silhouette flickered and faded away.

"Hell yeah!" Nishikienrai jumped from his seat, fistpumping in the air, much to the confusion of everyone else.

'Thank you, Nishikienrai-san!' Thought Warrior Takemikazuchi.

The maneuver that he used was taught to him by none other than his good friend, Nishikienrai. Besides Shirou and Touch Me, the Nephilim sparred with Half-Golem on the regular. The two often trade ideas and tips with one another following their bouts, with the samurai picking up on a few tricks and advice from the ninja.

As Nishikienrai would say, "There's nothing wrong with winning a fight by beating the crap out of your opponent, but sometimes a little deception is in order."

Having reached the hotel complex first, Warrior Takemikazuchi quickly positioned himself at the remote end of one of the upper floors of one of the hotels. The moment he fired his ranged skill, knowing full well that Deus Machina would dodge it easily enough, he used another skill, [Shade Doppelganger]. This particular skill was taught to him by Nishikienrai himself and was one of the few utility skills in his repertoire. The skill creates a shadow duplicate of the user. It cannot attack, nor could it be used defensively, and it could only carry out a singular action.

The samurai made his shade run down the lengthy hallway towards the other end, intentionally putting it in clear view to draw his opponent's focus.

With Deus Machina's attention focused on his shade, Warrior Takemikazuchi used the opportunity to relocate to the other hotel building adjacent to him. While separated by a gap between them, he managed to leap across to the other side with ease. However, he knew he had to hurry to reposition himself if he wanted to take advantage of the brief window of opportunity that was to come.

When Deus Machina fired his railgun, the shockwave that followed shook the remaining two buildings to their foundations.

Warrior Takemikazuchi stumbled from the tremors, and for a moment, he feared the building would collapse regardless. Thankfully, it held, and he was able to get into position.

From there, he ran, building up speed while also using some skills to boost his speed and stats as he leapt through the broken window frame, catching Deus Machina mid-fall.

Momentum carried them as the two Players slammed through the side of the last hotel on the other side, smashing through several walls before crashing onto a hallway on one of the high-end floors.

Deus Machina could only watch, a prisoner in his own body, as Warrior Takemikazuchi recovered first and ran right at him with his hand outstretched.

He first thought that he was going in for an attack, only for his target to be revealed.

Warrior Takemikazuchi's hand grasped the handle of his HF blade, pulling it out of the sheath.

Just as the crimson katana was pulled free, the eight seconds were up, and Deus Machina immediately burst into action.

He stomped forward, hitting him with a shoulder bash, staggering the samurai. His arm shot out, grabbing onto the HF blade's hilt.

The two Players fought for dominance, pushing and shoving, slamming each other into the walls as they tussled.

Deus Machina briefly managed to overpower the samurai, wrestling his weapon back from his grip and kicking him back.

He swung his blade, only for his swing to abruptly halt and struggle.

Due to their large frames, the hallway they were in was just barely able to contain them. There wasn't enough room for him to swing his blade, leading it to be caught against the wall, the high-frequency blade cutting deep into it.

Warrior Takemikazuchi had no such trouble as he swung with his fist, landing a clean right hook, followed by a swift left hook.

Deus Machina tried to back up to put some distance between them, but Warrior Takemikazuchi wasn't going to let him go that easily. The warrior's arm stretched out, clasping onto a nearby door and ripping it off of the hinges. He hurled it towards the Automata, leaving him with little time to react as it smashed into him.

He staggered backward as wood and splinters covered his vision, further disorienting him.

"Rarr!"

With a roar, Warrior Takemikazuchi charged forward, both his arms outstretched and his hands open. Deus Machina reacted automatically, his own hands opening up and catching his as he halted the samurai's charge.

What ensued was a contest of strength between the two warriors, their hands locked in a fierce struggle, their feet leaving deep indentations on the floor.

The thrusters running along Deus Machina's back sputtered but ultimately didn't ignite.

Another repercussion of his aerial rail fire technique was that it drains the majority of his energy gauge, which powers his quick boosts and thrusters. While they do regenerate over time, the regeneration rate takes time. It was why he was always conservative with his flight and quick boosts, making sure not to use more of his energy than he needed.

He had to be tactical with what he had and needed to make the call to see if it was worth it or not, but he was indecisive.

His indecision manifested as hesitance, which gave Warrior Takemikazuchi the opening he needed.

Calling upon further strength, he won the stalemate, pushing his opponent back as they bulldozed through the hallway and out of the wall.

They fell from a great height, crashing through the roof and stained glass rooftop of the mall adjacent to the hotel. Even as they fell, they continued their struggles. Unfortunately for Deus Machina, Warrior Takemikazuchi won the struggle, leading to him being on top as the ground drew ever closer.

They slammed onto a walkway, with the mechanical Player taking the brunt of the damage and breaking through the floor.

He crashed onto the ground level, his HP dropping all the way down into the mid-yellow. Lying there, he had a clear vertical view of the mall and saw just how high of a fall they fell. The mall was large, with nearly two dozen or so floors that stretched upwards.

His hand clenched, panic shooting through him as he realized that he had lost his weapon.

His optics scoured the surrounding area, desperately searching for his weapon. He found it on the ground, several meters away from him.

Deus Machina instantly got to his feet and boosted towards it.

Reclaiming his weapon, he next looked for Warrior Takemikazuchi, finding the Heteromorph on the walkway on the second floor. He had let go just before they hit the walkway.

"See ya'!" He said playfully, giving the mechanized Player a two-finger salute before taking off.

Deus Machina quickly gave chase, using a quick boost to jump onto the second floor.

They ran deeper into the mall, with Warrior Takemikazuchi in the lead thanks to his head start, forcing Deus Machina to use his thrusters to catch up.

He saw the samurai turn a sharp corner up ahead. He boosted forward, turning the corner in time to find a store kiosk, one of many that populated the mall's hallway, hurtling towards him.

The kiosk slammed into him, sending him flying backward into the large display window of a clothing store and crashing through the interior.

While surprised, Deus Machina recovered quickly and easily enough.

"[Nanomachine Recovery]!"

Pushing the kiosk away, he stood up and used his skill again, storing his HP back to full for good measure.

Exiting the store, he continued his chase. Luckily, he didn't have to search hard for his opponent's whereabouts as he followed the trail of footsteps left behind. It led him to a department store.

Upon stepping inside, he was greeted by an array of colors and fragrances emanating from the various perfumes and colognes on display.

He cautiously made his way forward, into the store, his grip on his katana tightening.

Walking past the various racks and merchandise, he was met with the sight of a pair of escalators situated in the center of the department store. He gazed up towards the open space, observing the escalators connecting and ascending towards the upper floors.

To the side was a crooked sign that had been altered to where an arrow pointed upwards instead of forward as it was originally positioned.

Deus Machina looked at the sign and back at the upper floors.

"[Archer Missile]!"

Firing his fifth [Archer Missile], it launched straight upwards, unleashing its payload against the uppermost floor and ceiling. The entire store shook from the force of the explosions, with dust and pieces of the ceiling raining down.

At the same time, he activated his thrusters and, with a single, boosted jump and thrust, made it to the top floor, using the explosion and smoke to conceal his movement.

Landing, he scanned his surroundings. The entire floor was covered in dust and smoke, but there was no sign of his foe.

Suddenly, something flew out of the sea of smoke.

"[Ignition Blade]!" He used a skill, swinging his HF blade and slicing through whatever it was that was thrown at him.

An explosion of fabrics filled his vision, surprising him.

They fell lazily to the ground, with a few landing on his large frame. In particular, one landed on one of his horns and slide all the down, partially covering up his vision. His hand reached up and pulled it off, allowing him to see just what exactly it was.

It was a pink, frilly thong.

What was thrown at him was a steel display basket filled with undergarments. Hanging off of him from head to toe were an assortment of colorful panties and underwear.

In that moment, Deus Machina's mind blanked out at the sight before him. Reflexively, his other arm reached out and grabbed the other end, giving the thong a stretch.

"Kyaaa! Pervert!" A high-pitched scream ripped through the air.

"Ww-w-wait! It's not what it looks like!" Deus Machina instantly panicked, his normal voice leaking through.

Turning in the direction of the scream, he found no one.

It took him a fraction of a second before he realized what was wrong.

Before he could react, Warrior Takemikazuchi tackled him once again from behind, knocking both of them over the railing and plummeting towards the ground.

Landing with a crash, the two separated.

Deus Machina let out a low growl. This was the third time he found himself knocked flat on his back, and he was getting tired of it.

However, that was a secondary concern compared to what he saw in Warrior Takemikazuchi's hand when he recovered. His sheath.

Emerald's optics widened, his head whipping down to his waist to find that it was indeed gone.

'He must've grabbed it when we were falling…!'

"[Nio Vajrapāni: Benevolent Vajra Kings]!"

Warrior Takemikazuchi used his skill, manifesting the Nio Guhyapada and Nio Narayana, with both Nio wielding electrically-charged vajra swords.

"[Shield Matrix]!"

Deus Machina hastily brought up his defensive skill, defending against the powerful combined lightning attack. It protected his HP, but the force behind the attack flung him deeper into the store, upending display desks, racks, and stands. He collided with a wall, being partially embedded in it.

Through the transparent hard light barrier, the Automata watched as Warrior Takemikazuchi clipped his trigger sheath to his own waist and took off running.

Deus Machina dropped the barrier as quickly as he could, giving chase yet again.

Unlike before, where Warrior Takemikazuchi purposely left a trail of footprints to lead him on, this time he seemingly disappeared once he left the store.

Deus Machina searched for him, running up and down the different paths and traversing the various floors for his opponent.

It took him a few short minutes before he finally found him.

Standing on a walkway on the third floor, it overlooked the center court of the mall. And there, standing out in the open in the middle, was Warrior Takemikazuchi. Curiously, what looked like a collection of long metal pipes dotted the area, stabbing the ground around the Heteromorph.

He wielded one in his hand, a substitute for his sword, as he tapped it against his shoulder.

"`Bout time you got here. I was starting to get bored." Warrior Takemikazuchi called out.

Deus Machina's optics swept the area, finding nothing else out of the ordinary.

The smart play to make would be to use his ranged armaments to attack, especially since Warrior Takemikazuchi was completely out in the open. But considering his track record so far in the match, the mechanized Player didn't place much faith in them.

Deus Machina briefly glanced at his railgun. With his vantage point, he had the seemingly perfect opportunity to end it once and for all. However, he was hesitant.

Warrior Takemikazuchi survived not just one, but both of his [Kaiser Impact]. A feat that very few could boast. They say that third time's a charm, but was he willing to risk it?

After everything he'd seen, it wouldn't surprise him if the Bujin had something else up his sleeve. And there was still the mystery of why he took his sheath in the first place…

Thirty seconds flew by as Deus Machina considered his options.

In the end, he boosted forward, jumping off the walkway and landing at ground level.

To be certain and safe, he'll end the match with his own two hands; that was the decision he made.

Slowly, the mechanized Player made his way over to his opponent.

"Finally decided to stop running, have you?" Deus Machina quipped.

"Indeed. For this is where you will meet your end, my friend." Warrior Takemikazuchi gripped the metal pipe with both hands, taking a basic forward stance.

Hearing this, Deus Machina couldn't help but scoff under his breath. His grip on his HF blade tightened as he took a stance. He figured he'd humor the samurai before dealing the coup de grâce, bringing their match to an end.

The two warriors edged closer, and once in range, they unleashed their skills.

"[Helm Splitter]!"

"[Shift Striker]!"

Warrior Takemikazuchi's skill, [Helm Splitter], landed first, striking with an overhead swing at Deus Machina's head. The metal pipe lit up due to the activation of the skill, but while it may register as a weapon, it was pitiful in comparison to his Takemikazuchi MK 7. The damage dealt was insignificant, matching the strength of the 'weapon' in his hand.

Deus Machina ignored it, landing a clean strike against the Nephilim. He tried to defend with it, only for his high-frequency blade to cut through the pipe like a hot knife through butter, leaving a long gash across his chest plate. His HP dropped into the low green.

Warrior Takemikazuchi discarded the metal pipe and hopped back, his open palms outstretched and grabbing onto two more.

"[Dual Strike]!"

"[Geist Strife]!"

He swung the metal pipes in an X fashion, meeting the Automata's swing. They held their own for half a second before the crimson katana cut right through, slashing down the samurai's left side, cutting through the pauldron, and into his shoulder. His HP dropped into the mid-yellow.

Warrior Takemikazuchi jumped back and threw the two pipes at Deus Machina, which he swatted away easily enough. The Heteromorph reached for a longer pipe, wielding it like a staff.

He swung it, hitting his opponent in the side to no effect. He then attacked with a thrust, an attack that Automata easily repelled using a skill, shortening the metal pipe and landing another blow on him. His HP dropped into the red.

Warrior Takemikazuchi reeled, dropping down to one knee, his neck left wide open.

"Your head is mine!" Deus Machina shouted, holding his HF blade high over his head.

His crimson blade fell, like an executioner's blade, liberating the Heteromorph's head from his neck and bringing the match to a close…

Or at least, that was what he thought.

'Huh…?'

Deus Machina's swing stopped.

He was confused, but the answer quickly revealed itself.

Warrior Takemikazuchi stopped Deus Machina's swing completely by intercepting it. The metal rod pressed against the pommel of the katana mid-swing, its momentum halted by the counterforce being applied from his thrust.

"Word of advice: don't commit too much to a full swing, or else you leave yourself open." Warrior Takemikazuchi said, offering a surprising piece of advice.

Deus Machina quickly pulled back, going in for another swing, but the samurai was ready for him.

With a twirl, he flipped the metal pipe completely, bringing the other end around and up, striking his opponent's chin from below within his blindspot.

Deus Machina's vision jerked upwards, his downward swing continuing sloppily.

Warrior Takemikazuchi discarded the metal pipe as he stepped into Deus Machina's guard. Before the swing could be completed, the War Machine felt a pair of hands grab ahold of his sword arm, and the next thing he knew, he felt his heavy body being lifted up and his vision flipping.

'That's…' Shirou's eyes lit up in recognition at the maneuver his guildmate revealed.

The samurai performed a one-armed shoulder throw, throwing his opponent over and onto the ground and following it up by delivering a brutal kick to the back of the head.

Deus Machina lurched, tumbling in a forward roll as he hastily recovered. His grip tightened, fully intending on using his quick boosts to recover and press the attack. The only problem with that plan was that he felt nothing but empty air between his fingers.

His emerald optics dilated, snapping to his empty hand before snapping to Warrior Takemikazuchi to find his high-frequency blade in his hands. He had disarmed him mid-throw.

'Thank you, Emiya-san!' Warrior Takemikazuch thanked him in his head.

The disarming technique that Warrior Takemikazuchi just performed was taught to him by none other than Shirou. This came about after a friendly duel between them some years ago. It was what the magus used to win their bout. Afterward, the Nephilim asked him if he could teach him the move. He figured that such a technique might one day be useful.

How right he was!

"OH, HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED! IT IS DEUS MACHINA'S TURN TO BE DISARMED!"

"Another one, really?"

"SCREW YOU, SAM. MY JOKES ARE HILARIOUS, AND YOU KNOW IT!"

Deus Machina instantly brought his chain gun to bear. He knew that trying to retrieve his weapon would be more hassle than it was worth. Besides, Warrior Takemikazuchi's HP was low, and he only needed a few more attacks to finish the Heteromorph off.

"[Heavy Bu—!"

"[Senkū]!"

Warrior Takemikazuchi swung, slicing at Deus Machina's forearm, right where the heavy weapon connected to his arm. It was a clean slash, severing it and leaving the mechanical Player bereft of another one of his weapons.

"Rgrhh!" Were it possible, Deus Machina's face would twist into a nasty grimace.

The Automata boosted backwards, firing another [Archer Missile].

"[Battō: Torrential Waves]!"

Warrior Takemikazuchi drew back the blade, sheathing it before drawing the high-frequency katana in an instant. He launched a spherical torrent of crimson slashes that sliced apart the missiles before they even got in range, detonating them and catching the War Machine in the resulting explosion.

The two warriors stood poised at a distance, a moment of reprieve settling after the changing tide.

"She handles like a dream." Warrior Takemikazuchi whistled, appraising the weapon.

He twirled the high-frequency blade in his hand, getting a feel of its weight and deftness. It wasn't too light, nor was it heavy in any area; it was perfectly balanced. His other hand ran down the smooth, crimson surface of the katana, mesmerized by the flicker and crackle of crimson electricity coursing through the peerless blade.

"Does she have a name?" Warrior Takemikazuchi asked, a sense of genuine curiosity bubbling through for the craftsmanship of the weapon.

"...HF Blade Custom #63517." Deus Machina answered after a momentary pause.

"Well, that's a boring name." He said flatly. "A beauty like this deserves a worthy name. How does Crimson Moon sound? Or maybe Blood Veil would be better?"

"Why don't you make your own, and then you can name it whatever you want?"

"You know what? I think I will! Hope you don't mind me taking some inspiration."

Despite the casualness in their banter, tension mounted as Deus Machina's mind raced. He was so close to victory, yet so far away. He needed to do something, and quickly, if he wanted to have a chance at winning.

With Warrior Takemikazuchi's HP in the red, it would only take a few decisive attacks to beat him. However, armed with a weapon again, it more than evened out the odds against him.

Several ideas crossed Deus Machina's mind. He could try getting into melee range and use what other offensive skills he had left to chip away at his opponent's HP. Or, he could use the close proximity to fire his remaining [Archer Missile], even if it meant being caught in the explosion itself. He still had one more usage left of his [Nanomachine Recovery], so he could afford to be reckless so long as it meant Warrior Takemikazuchi's HP dropping to zero first before him.

However, that was going off the assumption that he could pull this off before Warrior Takemikazuchi could blitz him down before he could enact his gambit.

And knowing the samurai's skills and intensity, such a reality wasn't outside the realm of possibility.

The ending of the match was a coin toss, and one that Deus Machina wasn't ready to make.

However, the same couldn't be said about Warrior Takemikazuchi.

"Say, this match has gone on for long enough, don't you think?" He asked suddenly, sheathing the HF blade. "Wh'da say about bringing the first round to a close with a bang?"

Seeing this, Deux Machina was confused.

"Don't look so confused." Warrior Takemikazuchi chuckled. "We both know that you've got only one option left."

He jerked his head, gesturing to the railgun on his shoulder.

"So I say, give it your best shot."

The Automata's confusion only grew.

Warrior Takemikazuchi wanted him to use his railgun, but he also sheathed the HF blade, leaving him seemingly defenseless.

Just what was he planning…?

And then, an errant thought popped into his head.

One so outlandish, so ridiculous, and so absolutely insane that it wouldn't leave his mind. And yet, as he stared, matching the armored Heteromorph's gaze, he realized exactly what his intentions were.

"You… you're insane!" Deus Machina exclaimed, disbelief coloring his words.

"I'd like to think of it as more of a gamble." Warrior Takemikazuchi responded candidly.

"Question is…"

He took a stance, his knees bent, his core centered, and his body pressed forward. His left hand gripped the sheath with his finger on the trigger, while his open right hand hovered just in front of the blade's handle, poised for action.

"Are you game, or not?" He challenged.

The air around them grew heavy with anticipation as a deep, tense silence echoed as the air stilled across the battlefield. The two combatants locked eyes, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

[—][—][—][—][—][—][—][—][—]

For the audience watching, many were left confused by Warrior Takemikazuchi's vague words of challenge and Deus Machina's reaction. Why were they just standing there, and what exactly was Warrior Takemikazuchi planning?

The next ones to figure out what Warrior Takemikazuchi intended were none other than Touch Me and Shirou. And their reactions couldn't be any more different.

"There's no way... Why would he...? He can't be that reckless! He wouldn't…!?" Shirou muttered frantically to himself.

The other competitors in the waiting wings looked at the magus, wondering just what exactly he meant.

"Of course he would." Touch Me let out a subdued chuckle, leaning comfortably back into his seat.

The other World Champions glanced at him, curious as to what the paladin found so amusing. The only one who seemed to have figured it out was ShikiHime.

"No fucking way…" ShikiHime's head snapped back and forth between Touch Me and the screen, adding to the other's confusion.

"Oi! Mind sharing with the rest of the class what's going on?" Duskindal called out.

However, ShikiHime's eyes were glued to the screen.

As the tension between Deus Machina and Warrior Takemikazuchi mounted, the audience grew increasingly restless and annoyed by the prolonged standstill. In the midst of their frustration, scattered ideas began to surface in their minds - some idle, some fanciful - but gradually and collectively, a single idea began to take shape among them.

It was a possibility so incomprehensible that it beggars disbelief, and yet it seemed to gain credibility with every passing moment.

Especially for the members of Ainz Ooal Gown.

The guild members looked to one another, as if trying to reassure the others and themselves of what was to come.

It was no secret that Warrior Takemikazuchi was a risk-taker and daredevil of the highest order, but surely not even he would be that crazy… right?

Surely he wouldn't risk his match and victory on such an insane stunt if he wasn't confident…

Right…?

[—][—][—][—][—][—][—][—][—]

Warrior Takemikazuchi remained in his stance, unwavering and awaiting.

Deus Machina too took a stance, his feet anchored and his railgun leveled solely at the samurai, energy and electricity humming steadily, ready to be unleashed.

They remained as such, reminiscent of a standoff between two gunslingers or a duel between two samurais.

Time was immaterial to them, for all that mattered was their opponent in front of them.

The victor would be decided by what was to come next. The question was: who would make the first move?

Railguns operate on the principle of using electromagnetic force to rapidly accelerate a projectile to high velocities. Its destructive capabilities lie not in any explosive ordinances but rather in the projectile's immense kinetic energy to penetrate through anything in its path. Unlike, say, a laser or plasma beam or an attack made of magical energy, the railgun's projectile was solid and tangible.

Theoretically, the HF blade's high oscillation rate could allow it to catch the projectile. However, the practicality of this idea was highly dubious. Something that seemed plausible in theory and something that could be executed successfully were two vastly different concepts.

Even with the trigger sheath's explosive quickdraw, the railgun was exponentially faster than it. Warrior Takemikazuchi's timing needed to be absolutely perfect; if he was even off by even one one-thousandth of a second, he was dead.

This was the fact that baffled everyone.

What he was attempting was the height of lunacy. Everything was stacked against him, and yet he wouldn't back down.

Deus Machina's composed demeanor conveyed confidence, but inwardly, anxiety and nervousness were consuming him. He was silently sweating, his muscles twitching with tension.

On the other side, Warrior Takemikazuchi was still and mediative. He had his eyes closed to his opponent. Such an action would've been a death sentence, yet it worked out in his favor as it made his opponent hesitant.

For Warrior Takemikazuchi, the world around him ceased to exist as he concentrated solely on the present moment.

The distant, numbing ringing that permeated the air silenced.

He let go of his thoughts, his worries, his excitement, his promise to Shirou, his opponent, everything.

Everything ebbed away, fading into a welcoming darkness.

But within the void, a vivid image began to take form in his mind's eye.

A solitary tree stood tall and proud, surrounded by lush foliage. The soft pitter-patter of rain fell gently upon its branches, trickling down to the ground below.

Beside the tree lay a serene little pond, its surface shimmering with the raindrops that danced across its still waters. A single branch from the tree stretched out over the pond, its leaves rustling in the gentle breeze.

His vision fixated on a single leaf, and as he watched, a solitary droplet of rain landed upon it. The droplet clung to the leaf's surface for a moment, then began to slide, pulled inexorably downward by the force of gravity.

As it slid, he could see the world reflected in its miniature form, distorted and blurry yet still somehow beautiful. Unencumbered by the weight of the world

The droplet reached the leaf's edge. It rested there, for a minute or perhaps no more than a second, he could not say.

With a soft plip, it fell into the pond below in slow motion.

It splashed against the surface of the pond, a single ripple dispersing from the center that stilled the pond.

In that singular instant, Warrior Takemikazuchi pressed the trigger as his eyes opened to the world of the living once more.

"[Kaiser Impact]!" "[Trigger Draw: Raiden]!"

What happened next would remain a highly debated topic within the game until its eventual shutdown.

Many argued that Warrior Takemikazuchi acted first, pressing down on the trigger and spooking Deux Machina into reacting and firing a fraction of a second later. Others claimed that it was Deus Machina who fired first and that Warrior Takemikazuchi had reacted just as quickly in response. The debate over who initiated it first was a matter of mere milliseconds, making it a contentious and arbitrary point of discussion. And then there was the belief that they did it simultaneously, whether it be by a stroke of luck or mere happenstance.

Whatever the truth may be, there was no denying what happened next.

And like a flash of lightning, the outcome was decided in an instant.

Deus Machina's railgun unleashed its piercing bolt. The immediate shockwave that followed shattered all the glass and windows around him as the blast expanded outward.

In a flash of crimson lightning, the blade fired with a resounding bang. The hilt slid into his awaiting arm as his fingers instantly grasped it. In a single fluid motion, his arm channeled the blade's momentum, guiding the slash with precision and speed as he quickdrew.

The slash carried through, catching the projectile as it reached him at the upper end of the high-frequency blade's edge. Due to the extreme speed of the projectile and the quickdraw, there was no resistance as the crimson katana cleanly sliced the projectile in half.

Momentum still carried the two halves forward, their trajectory veering off slightly due to the action of the HF blade.

One half missed Warrior Takemikazuchi's cheek by a hair's breadth. The other missed as well, hitting only the tip of one of his horns and taking a part of it with it. They flew down the hallway of the mall, punching through the various shops and walls and leaving a wake of destruction on their path. Thousands upon thousands of fragments of glass fell from the windowed ceiling, descending like a deadly hailstorm.

The Heteromorph still took the brunt of the direct shockwave. He stood his ground even as the force of the shockwave threatened to send him flying, his feet leaving deep indications on the floor.

Warrior Takemikazuchi's HP dropped. And for a moment, it seemed as if that would be it, until it stopped. Leaving only a mere sliver of health points left.

Everyone, from Deus Machina to the audience and viewers watching and even the World Champions, couldn't believe their eyes.

It was an impossibility. A one-in-a-million chance, and Warrior Takemikazuchi took that one-in-a-million chance and won.

While everyone was left speechless and/or in abject awe, what Warrior Takemikazuchi was feeling was indescribable.

His entire arm was numb and trembled feverishly. His legs shook uncontrollably, threatening to give out beneath him at any moment. His vision was blurred, and his ears rang with the sound of his own heart pounding in his chest. Yet, that was nothing compared to the adrenaline coursing through his veins and dopamine flooding his brain.

It was like a wave of energy that consumed his entire being. He never felt more alive in his entire life than he did in that moment.

Power faded from Deus Machina's body as his emerald eyes flickered and dulled. Steam was expunged from his body as he faltered and stilled.

Warrior Takemikazuchi had eight seconds, more than enough time.

He ran, closing the distance between them in an instant.

"[Slash-All]!"

"[Razor Edge]!"

"[Asura's Slash]!"

"[Brilliant Blade]!"

"[Sunderer]!"

Warrior Takemikazuchi swung the high-frequency blade, delivering skill after skill upon the vulnerable Player. Deus Machina could do nothing but watch as his HP dropped.

Instead of feeling panic or anxiety, all he felt was a sense of acceptance. The moment Warrior Takemikazuchi survived his trump card, he accepted his fate. In the face of what'd just happened, there was no conceivable way he could've possibly topped that even if he tried.

It was clear who the victor was.

Just as the eight-second cooldown duration ended, the Automata's HP was reduced into the low red, and Warrior Takemikazuchi readied the finishing strike.

He pulled the HF blade back, unclipping the sheath and sheathing the katana once more.

Light returned to Deus Machina's optics as the two warriors exchanged one final look.

The trigger sheath fired, and with a clean slash, Warrior Takemikazuchi separated Deus Machina's head from his body.

Oil spurted from the gaping wound. The spark and electricity of the HF blade ignited the oil, setting it ablaze. The fiery halo swept around them, a bright and vivid mix of crimson and scarlet pink flames.

"Damn, GG…" The severed head of Deus Machina managed to say as he fell, giving Warrior Takemikazuchi one last look of admiration before his body shattered into polygons.

"Aye, to you as well." The Bujin responded with equal respect.

The world around him cracked, giving way to blinding white light. He was back within the stadium.

Takemikazuchi MK 7 stood a meter away. He walked over and retrieved it, and only then did the brains of everyone there kick-start back up.

The sound that erupted from the stadium was nothing short of explosive, one that outstripped everything before it. An overwhelming cacophony that drowned out everything else. The audience was screaming with such intensity that their throats ached, yet they continued to scream. Their cheers were devoid of any articulation or purpose, mere primal noises and raw emotions that resonated across the stadium, the town, and even beyond.

Amidst all the pandemonium, the loudest voice belonged to none other than Ainz Ooal Gown. Their members were jumping with unbridled joy, punching the air, and embracing each other in camaraderie as they chanted Warrior Takemikazuchi's name.

"I… I… I don't… Folks, I genuinely do not have any words to say..." Sam stuttered, unable to speak or convey his thoughts about the spectacle they had all just witnessed.

"WELL, I DO. THREE IN FACT. HOLY! FUCKING! SHIT!" Bob added, contributing to the roar of the crowd. "LET IT BE KNOWN THAT WARRIOR TAKEMIKAZUCHI IS A MAN OF HIS WORDS, PEOPLE. NOW THAT'S HOW YOU END THINGS WITH A BANG! THE VICTOR OF THE FINAL MATCH OF THE FIRST ROUND GOES TO WARRIOR TAKEMIKAZUCHI!"

The roar of the crowd accompanied him as he walked back to the waiting wing.

Basking in the stunned awe of his fellow World Champions, Touch Me sat with his arms crossed and his head held proud.

'Well done, Takemikazuchi-san.' He nodded.

"That… That was bonkers…" Shikihime said breathlessly. She sat at the edge of her seat, her hands slowly unwinding from how hard she was clutching the armrest.

Despite the complete disbelief coloring her voice, there was an undeniable hint of excitement and eagerness in them.

"You know, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to take you up on a rematch if you ask." Said Touch Me.

"Don't tempt me with a good time, Touch Me-san." She chuckled, and all could hear the grin in her voice.

Entering the waiting wing, he ignored the attention of the other Players as he walked over to where Shirou was waiting for him.

"Yo~" Warrior Takemikazuchi greeted with a wave.

"That… that was undoubtedly one of the most reckless and stupidest things I've ever seen you do." Shirou said without any preamble.

And that was saying something, considering all the things he'd seen the samurai suggest or do throughout their years together.

"Ah, if it's stupid but it still works out, then is it really stupid?" He countered smugly.

To which Shirou simply grunted, relenting on the matter. It would be extremely hypocritical of him to give his guildmate a hard time when he had quite the storied history of insane and reckless decisions himself.

But it was the principle of the matter!

The near-heart attack he had while watching wasn't worth it.

However, he would be lying if he said that he wasn't both happy and hyped up by Warrior Takemikazuchi's instant turnaround. Reckless as he may be, there was no denying that the Bujin had a flair for the spectacle and knew how to put on a show and make a fight engaging from beginning to end.

Unbidden, a small smirk came to his lips as the two friends joked around.

The first round of the World Champion Tournament concluded.

And many were to follow.

Omake: Alternative Summoning's III

"Servant, Saber. I ask of you, are you my Master?"

Shirou looked at the Saber Servant.

In front of him stood Saber, but not his Saber. No, who he had summoned was none other than King Arthur. Behind the wielder of Excalibur were the other Knights of the Round.

"It's strange." His sonorous voice rang out, surprising everyone that the NPC could speak. "This is the first time I've met you, and yet I feel as if I've always known you. What is this feeling in my chest..."

"It's because I possess Avalon." Shirou answered.

"Avalon?" Arthur muttered, his eyes glancing down at his Excalibur before fixing on Shirou.

"I see... You are my Scabbard..."

A moment passed as the two stared, almost longingly, into the other's eyes.

"Huh..." Yamaiko said. "Didn't know you swung for the other team, Emiya-san."

He turned back to look at his guildmates, confused.

"Swing for the other team? What are you talking about."

Peroroncino fidgeted awkwardly in place.

"Senpai... Um... Well, you said you were the sheath, right?"

"Yes?" Shirou raised a brow.

"And if the other person in the relationship is the sword..."

Peroroncino trailed off.

Shirou stared at him for a few seconds. One could easily imagine and hear the dots appearing and aligning before it clicked.

A sword goes into a sheath.

"W-w-wait! It's not like that!" Shirou sputtered, blushing.

Before anyone else could say anything, the sound of heavy breathing filled the air.

As one, everyone turned to find Bukubukuchagama panting.

Although it was impossible to see it, all could tell that was her face flushed. Rolls of the slime's gelatinousness slime rolled down her body, the equivalent of drool leaking from the corner of her lips.

"King Arthur and Shirou-kun... Steamy BL action... Shirou-kun's a bottom..."

"You bloody slimy lusty bitch!" Mordred exclaimed out of nowhere, surprising everyone. "Just cause you are a puddle, doesn't mean you have to get wet over a married mom!"

"M-mordred?" Shirou looked at the Knight of Treachery.

"No one is getting in the way of me getting head pats and Mother telling me that I am a super special, good boy!"

"For Queen Shirou!" Mordred drew Clarent, rallying the other knights.

The other knight chanted the same cry, drawing their own swords.

"For Queen Shirou!"

"W-wait! D-don't!" Shirou's cries would go unheard as the Knight of the Round charged.

The resulting clash would be fixed and forgotten about pretty easily. However, the ordeal would forever leave a scar on Shirou's psyche and be a source of infinite teasing and amusement from the rest of the Ainz Ooal Gown.

Author's Note:

And this concludes the second fight and chapter. Hopefully, it was an enjoyable read.

As for the tournament arc and the fights to come, I understand many have apprehension regarding how many fights there are, as well as the length. Which, given my track record, is a well-founded fear. Not all the fights will be super technical, and will mainly focus on the spectacle of it all. Namely, making the fight enjoyable to read and unfold. As such, not much will be made in the way of development narratively. The chapters will be packed back to back with action.

Also, I won't be doing every single match between Shirou and Warrior Takemikazuchi. I'll be mainly focusing on the prime tournament matches. Shirou had his match and Warrior Takemikazuchi now has his, to establish himself and have some fun with it.

The next match will be, well, you'll find out in the next chapter.