Sword Art Online-Encroaching Shadows

Chapter 44

"When the fighting breaks out, throw me."

"Excuse me?" Jayce stared at Argo oddly.

"What? Think I'm too heavy or something?" Argo crossed her arms angrily and Jayce quickly held his hands up while shaking his head.

"No, nothing like that, but I don't understand why."

"Agility type players rely on pinpoint precision and raw speed to overcome foes. You already know that activating sword skills engage the systems motion control right? Your character goes through the motions of the sword skill, assuming you don't cancel out of it, until it's finished." Argo explained as she hopped up onto the bar counter.

"Sure, I get that, but what does it have to do with throwing you?"

"Speed my friend. Just trust me and I'll show you when the time comes. Stand beside me here and when I give the signal put your hand under me and push as hard as you can." Argo grinned while watching the other people in the tavern taking up their positions.

"Alright, I'll go along with it."

"Oh, and no funny business like thinking you can get a quick handful." Jayce rolled his eyes while the girl next to him laughed. She had to be higher level than either him or Jemza. Whatever she wanted he was willing to concede if it helped survive the night. Living the life of a solo player meant she understood survival more than most. Considering she was also the foremost player clearing quests and exploring the floors made her irreplaceable.

Halfway over the counter Jayce watched now as Argo twisted her body midair so that she corkscrewed sideways. The brown cloak she wore fluttered wildly behind her once she adjusted her spin so that she now flew headfirst towards the nearest Blackhood Assassin. Once his feet hit the ground on the other side of bar, Argo threw both her arms forward, lights racing along the edges of her weapons and impaled the claws into the chest of the assassin. Her momentum drove the man to his back, the two sliding along the floor while Argo remained atop. Without waiting a moment further she tore the claws free and crossed both her arms in front of her chest. In one swift motion she threw her arms wide cutting across the man's throat.

She was efficient and brutal in equal parts. It made Jayce shiver briefly after seeing her initial strike. He was wrong to assume she couldn't hold her own in combat. She was every bit as capable as a pure combat oriented player. Argo said she didn't fight on the front lines with the other players who cleared the first floor, but she was most definitely the same caliber. This was what a front line player looked like. Someone who worked tirelessly to perfect their skills and talents while staying ahead of the pack. If she could be this devastating alone, how powerful were the rest of the front liners when grouped together?

The thought nearly cost Jayce his life and he had to twist his body awkwardly to dodge the hatchet aimed for his neck. The moment of surprise created by Argo was gone now. His focus shifted away from the curly brown haired girl and diverted solely to the man in front of him. The axe blade skimmed through the air once more as Jayce backpedaled out of reach. He raised the blade in a downward angle while pressing his left hand against the flat of the blade. The hatchet reversed momentum and came again sparking against <<Silence>>. Once the two weapons were locked together Jayce ducked slightly and turned sideways stepping forward into a shoulder charge that pushed the man back.

<<Silence>> glowed brightly and the games motion assistance kicked in. Using the sword skill <<Slant>> forced the man to parry at an angle that left his flank open. The weapons clanged loudly and as the skill completed he quickly dropped the blade lower and activated <<Horizontal>>. His sword drew a clean red glowing line across the Blackhood Assassin's hip staggering him. The hatchet slashed wildly making Jayce step away giving some room between the two.