Fake Regressor Apocalypse

Ruins (2)

Following the command of the System, I could see the blue rays of light in my retina had already formed an image of arrow coming straight towards my right arm.

Dodging the attack by side-stepping a bit, and jumping to the left, my lips curled upwards subconsciously as I saw the arrow flew past me and struck on the floor, bringing up some stones.

[ The best way to react: Left turn 50 degrees, Horizontal Slash! ]

The system instructed again.

Following the System's instructions, I dodged another arrow, and sent a horizontal slash, deflecting the arrow that was about to pierce my abdomen.

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A few minutes later.

" It can't go on like this "

I was resting in another safe zone. Applying healing potion on my injuries.

At first, the co-ordination between me and the system was going smoothly, and I was dodging arrows one by one, but as the number and speed of arrows increased, my reaction time after listening to the command of the system wasn't sufficient enough and some arrows were able to hit me, before I could even properly react.

However, this wasn't the only shortcoming I found, I realised that if I allow the system to directly send every instruction to my brain, then although it would increase my reaction speed, but I myself would become dull.

No matter how good the system was, I can't be too reliant on it, or I will not be able to develop myself.

I knew the dangers that awaits me in the future, and without developing myself in every realm, I wouldn't be able to even stand against those monsters.

For example, the system needs data to analyse and create a plan, but if someone who I don't know anything about came to fight me, then I would be helpless against them if I were to rely on the System alone.

So, No Matter how tough it is. I must utilize everything and improve myself.

But this doesn't mean that I would not use my System.

That would be stupid of me. The system would be one of my trump cards. Whenever I am in a pinch, I could always use it.

I know I would be hurt, but I also knew that only by getting hurt would I be able to improve myself, and if I don't put myself in danger, then my skills won't improve at the pace I want them to.

After walking for such a long time in this passage, I also noticed that the traps followed a certain pattern.

I have somehow understood the patterns of these arrows, as their mechanism isn't that complex.

" They first try to kill me in one shot, then they go after my limbs one by one, then they go randomly just to injure and tire me out, and at last, this all is repeated with more intensity then before. "

Still, the quantity and the speed of the arrows at this point wasn't something I could handle alone with my senses.

" Guess, its finally the time to use it ".

The superpower I got from the Regressor.

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[ Velocity ]

Description :- This super-power allows the user to control the velocity of anything within a certain radius of the host by a certain multiple.

- The amount depends on the host's body talent rank. The higher the rank of the host, the higher the multiple and radius.

- Currently the host can control the velocity of anything within 1 metre radius by a maximum multiple of 2 (+) or (-).

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The only reason why i haven't used this superpower till now was because of the mental and magical consumption it has.

Velocity is different from speed.

Speed is the time rate at which an object is moving along a path, while velocity is the rate and direction of an object's movement.

Put another way, speed is a scalar value, while velocity is a vector.

For example, 50 km/hr (31 mph) describes the speed at which a car is traveling along a road, while 50 km/hr west,  describes the velocity at which it is traveling.

So, I can't just increase the overall speed of my body, but I have to take note of the direction too, because every part is moving in a different direction, which could create a contradiction.

To control the velocity of something in a 1 meter radius isn't as easy as one might think, and with the consumption of mana it becomes even more difficult to maintain it for a long time.

Especially, when so many arrow are coming towards me, it gets tough to concentrate on each one.

However, I realised that instead of decreasing the velocity of arrows one by one, I could focus on increasing the [Velocity] of my certain body parts, which would also decrease its consumption.

If i had been a C rank Slayer, then it would have been much easier for me to use this super-power, but at this point, I have to overwork my brain to calculate and change the direction and speed, time to time, while simultaneously concentrating on the arrows.

But this was also the only way for me to get it done, improve myself, and not be overly reliant on the System.

Healing my wounds once gain I stood up and got ready to move forward.

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The traps had to be a combination of multiple devices. Sensors captured someone approaching, cogwheels spun to measure direction, and finally, the loaded steel arrows were shot out.

' Because of the darkness, it is impossible to see the steel arrows coming. But since the cogwheels activate before they're let loose, I need to listen to the sound of the cogwheels spinning. It's the only way I can find the location and direction of the steel arrows. '

However, it likely only took a few seconds for the cogwheels to spin and then the steel arrows to be fired. The sound it made was also very soft.

And, that brief moment was all I had to find the trap's location.   

Perhaps it was a simple process, but it was impossible to execute without very fine senses and reflexes. Luckily, I had good senses and with [ Vector ], I can fill the space for some reflexes.

I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds around me. It wasn't too hard to concentrate since I was used to it.   

I tried to concentrate on all the tiny sounds, but it was difficult to isolate and identify one sound among the different noises. 

~Plop. Plop!

I heard water dripping from the ceiling. 

~Rattle.!

~Clink.!

I heard the soft sound of steel arrows being loaded into the traps. I also heard a lot of other noises in the passage, picking through each one slowly. 

A long time passed, then I heard a squeaky sound that seemed to come from a rusty object Creak.

 'That's it!' 

It was definitely a cogwheel. I opened my eyes and threw one of my daggers from the storage ring to that side.  

~Puck!

~Crunch.!

The dagger struck deep into the ceiling, and soon, a broken mechanical device and steel arrows fell.  

'Yes! I can find them.'

My eyes sparkled. Although, there were downsides to reducing my other senses and only focusing on hearing, the important thing was that I now had a way to go through the passage.

Walking cautiously, heightening my senses to the maximum and focusing the [ Vector ] on my Right hand and legs to activate it anytime, I moved forward slowly.

However, despite my slow steps, I managed to get to the place where the next trap had been set up.  

~Swish!

Steel arrows shot out once again.

'Right shoulder!'

I had already heard the sound of a cogwheel and turned my body sideways using [ Vector ] , by measuring the direction of the trap and the trajectory of the arrow. 

~Puck!

The steel arrow narrowly missed my shoulders and embedded into the wall.

"Yes!"

I clenched my fists.  

Certain that my plan would work, I did not delay any further and moved onto the next spot. 

~Swish!

~Swish!

~Swish!

~Swish! 

'Four.'

Each arrow was aiming for a different body part:

'My temple, heart, abdomen, and knee.'  

I dodged, turning my head to the side and taking a step forward at the same time. The arrow aiming for my thigh flew past my leg and struck the floor.

At the same time, I used the flat of my sword with [ Vector ] to block the arrow streaking towards my abdomen.  

~Clang!

" This was atleast a D- rank attack "

The sword trembled, producing a melodious sound. My hand was hurting from the impact, but the thrill filled me with adrenaline.  

 

'Just as I thought.'

I had a satisfied smile on my face. It took a considerable amount of time and training to boost one's ability, but it was different during a life and death situation.

'I can gain experience as long as I exert myself. There can't be any other place like this.'

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~Swish! Swish!

Fifteen steel arrows flew at me, more than the usual number. This was because I had deliberately activated more traps by running in zigzags.

Each arrow came from a different angle and at a different speed. Previously, it would have been impossible for me to dodge them.

But after getting in sync with my [ Velocity ] and senses, it was the best thing ever.

" HAHAHAHAH "

The thrill, the rush of adrenaline.

This was the life, to move, to hit, to dodge every arrow with a hairs length.

Today, I found what real fun was.

~Clang! 

I swung my sword to strike an arrow in front of me and spun around, stretching out my empty hand to catch another arrow passing by my chest.

As I completed my rotation, I swung the arrow to deflect another one heading towards my back. Then, I raised my left foot and kicked another arrow that was hurtling towards my ankle. 

~Clang!

Although my movements needed many words to be described, they took place in a split second. It was something beyond what Slayers of my rank were capable of.

I'd been driving myself into increasingly dangerous situations out of sheer impatience. I had come to a point where I didn't have to consciously search for the arrows and immediately located them with my developed senses. Also, my increased mastery of [ Velocity ] made it easy to dodge them.

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Finally,

I stopped running when I reached the end point.

A black iron gate stood before me, that i knew i could open just by a push.

The arrows stopped and silence permeated.

However, I didn't pay much attention to anything else and checked the time.