Case Files of Secret Society holoX (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 23: Time is just an abstract construct

 "Deus' ability is stopping our sense of time!!!" I shouted.

And then, I crushed a crystal with my left hand. Even though I didn't blink, a barrier already appeared in front of me and a bullet was lying in front of it.

"Damn it!" Deus growled.

Luckily, Koyori gave me some enchanted items to work with. The crystal I used contained a strong barrier magic that would last for fifteen minutes. While skilled mages could dispel it, Deus didn't use any nullification or even magic-alteration on his bullets.

Why?

But now wasn't the time for that.

Sakamata threw more knives but Deus clicked his tongue and started shooting at them. Her knives were heavy and while she put on her mask, Sakamata's skill was greater than a master's.

And yet her knives' trajectories were altered when Deus' bullets hit them.

I see.

That's why he modified his GL-33's muzzle velocity. While his rate of fire was slower, he didn't need to shoot that many bullets at once in order to kill his targets.

To prove my point, he fired his gun again and hit Sakamata's shoulders and even her forehead. His marksmanship was too good. If Sakamata didn't use Enhancement: Steel Body, she would've been dead already.

I had no idea why he wasn't using the standard method in dealing with Enhancement Magic but I was too relieved to care.

However, I knew this situation was bad.

Deus disappeared again while Sakamata tried to take out more knives. But just like before, he avoided her attacks while hitting her again with bullets.

At this rate, the situation will become bad for us.

"Are you running out of knives, little girl?" he asked.

Sakamata took out two knives and held one in each of her hands.

When it came to normal fights, Sakamata had the advantage with her knives. However, she would have trouble against an opponent like Deus who could stop our sense of time.

After throwing her weapons, Sakamata sprinted towards the nearest knife on the ground. But like I expected, the knife was gone and put in a farther place. Deus continued disappearing and appearing as the knives were getting even more spread out.

"This is... why knives are im... practical compared to... bullets", he panted.

His body was slightly swaying and I could hear his shaky voice being distorted by his voice changer.

Why was he panting like that?

No...

That wasn't the question I should ask.

The thing I had to figure out was how to help Sakamata. Her Enhancement: Steel Body wouldn't last forever and Deus was waiting for that moment. As long as he didn't let Sakamata have a chance to fight back by using his ability over and over again, he could win...

In other words, this was a battle of endurance.

Deus looked like he was tired from stopping our sense of time but he had the advantage with his weapon. Sakamata's knives were running out but her mana should still be able to last her for a little longer.

He would win if he just let the battle drag on like that while he minimized using his ability. Even I would agree that he had the upper hand.

At least until a certain girl's voice shouted.