025 God Anubis
He stands at just under 3 meters tall. His entire body is a glossy, jet-black, and powerfully built physique.
He is the originator of the martial art “Soul Strike,” which exhibits high attack power against ghost-type enemies, and is Ms. Iris’s foster parent.
With his trademark jackal head, a loincloth, and golden rings on his limbs, he looks like a pro wrestler.
That is Anubis Niflheim, the master of the Netherworld.
Normally, he would be an object-type entity that cannot be fought, and attacks would be deflected. Yet, Higaki and I boldly challenge him.
“Fire Sword, Flame Dance!!”
A combined technique by two “Fire Sword” users, “Flame Dance.”
In the original game, it’s a special move called a combination attack.
Swordplay by two swordsmen clad in flames, and 16 “Serpent Flames” from Higaki and me.
Anubis uses his limbs to strike, pierce, and crush the snakes that rampage through the audience chamber.
He is a grappler with a whole-body arsenal, using his hands, feet, elbows, knees, and even his head and back.
He is an opponent with ridiculous specs, capable of unleashing a fist wind that can tear skin just by grazing it. However, Higaki and I always make sure one of us is behind Anubis, and we evade his attacks with coordinated teamwork.
“Soul Strike, Deva—”
“Shockwave coming! Jump!!”
“—Crushing Leg!”
He slams his thick thigh into the ground, unleashing a shockwave that spreads in all directions.
The “Soul Strike, Deva Crushing Leg” generates a triple shockwave with a single motion. If you fail to evade even one of them, you’ll be briefly stunned, and he’ll follow up with a barrage of attacks.
We jump up, kick off the wall, and evade the first two shockwaves.
Just as we’re about to jump back from the final wave, a jackal head comes flying through the air.
“Tch!!”
If we land to intercept, we’ll be engulfed by the shockwave, and if we jump to evade, we’ll be attacked by God Anubis. If damage is unavoidable no matter what, we have to choose the option that leaves us with a little more HP.
I immediately jump towards God Anubis. I throw my sword to buy a little time and take a hand-to-hand combat stance.
“You dare challenge me with your bare hands!!”
“If I have enough attacks, I can do anything!!”
Aerial combos are nothing to me. I know the motion patterns from Iris in the original VR version.
If I match the speed and timing, I can withstand it with a Just Guard!
The original game is basically a command battle, but by pressing a button in time with the attack motion, you can activate a “Just Attack” or “Just Guard.”
Activating “Just” grants a bonus that increases attack power when attacking and reduces damage taken when defending.
The reason I remember various motions is because of this, and a player’s skill is determined by how consistently they can activate “Just.”
Of course, in the game era, it wasn’t as intense as the action in reality, so timing was easier, but for what I’m planning to do, I need to be able to withstand God Anubis’s barrage with “Just Guard” alone.
“Soul Strike, Five-Pattern Crossing!”
“Come at me!!”
A right hook, followed by a backhand, a double kick, and a finishing left straight! I know that motion!
We mirror each other’s movements, clashing fists and feet. The circular sparks that appear upon contact are proof of “Just” activation. It doesn’t completely nullify damage, but I managed to survive.
“Higaki!!”
“Seiyaaaa!!”
I’m repelled by God Anubis in mid-air and land on the ground. From behind God Anubis, who is about to follow up on me, Higaki attacks with two swords, including the one I threw away.
The spinning slash, clad in flames from the “Fire Sword,” becomes a vortex of fire, successfully striking God Anubis from the side and sending him flying to the wall.
Then, Higaki stands next to me, catching the sword she throws without even looking and getting back into position.
God Anubis, who was kneeling after being blown away, releases his guard just before being attacked and slowly stands up.
After a few moments of glaring at each other, God Anubis is the first to drop his fighting stance.
“…Indeed, I have seen your power. Very well, I shall accept your proposal.”
“Hah…Hah…”
“Why are you so winded, Aoi? Come on, catch your breath.”
“Hah…Hah…Don’t call me Aoi in front of others.”
“If you have the energy to say that, then you’re fine.”
I had to show my strength to get God Anubis to agree to talk, but I’m glad he seems to have acknowledged us.
The fight, which was at the mid-game level (50-65) in the original game, must have been tough for Higaki, who is at the academy entrance level (Level 40). But thanks to her, I was able to convince God Anubis faster than expected.
I was actually worried that she might be defeated halfway through, but it seems my concerns were unfounded.
Could it be that she’s gotten a little stronger since coming to the Netherworld? Now that I think about it, she did rampage with me in the “Tower,” so she must have gotten a little stronger (Leveled Up).
While thinking about that, I sheathe my many swords and stretch my back.
After that, if I can get my equipment ready as soon as possible, I can start moving. For that, I need the help of God Anubis, the master of the Netherworld.
“Phew…Alright. So, about the weapons, armor, and recovery items I’m about to ask for, I’d like you to provide them.”
“I will prepare them immediately. I will also contact my brethren as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, no, thank you very much. Once that’s done, let’s have a final meeting… Can we start moving by the end of the day?”
That’s right. Just in case, I should search through the books and check if Babi’s motions match what I remember. If I know how he used to rampage in the past, I can probably predict his movements to some extent… maybe.
It’ll probably be mostly the same, but it’s a pain if there are added motions that weren’t in the original game, like Higaki. What was that ninth “Serpent Flame” about? I haven’t forgotten it yet, you know?
“Sakurai Toru.”
“Yes?”
As I was writing down the equipment I wanted from the items available in the Netherworld, God Anubis spoke to me.
Even though he was looking down at me due to the height difference, his presence was more dignified than intimidating. I couldn’t help but straighten up and face him.
“I think of her, Iris, as my own daughter. If I were to entrust her to someone, I would have preferred to entrust her to someone who walks the righteous path. But it is not a person of the ‘righteous path’ who stands here now, but you. Therefore, this must be another twist of fate.”
“Huh?”
“Even if it is a fate that twists like a serpent, I will respect Iris’s will. However, if you burn her with that ‘heat,’ you will meet the same fate as Babi. Never forget that.”
It seems I was lightly dissed while being warned not to make Ms. Iris cry, so I simply nod.
No matter what, my humanity will never fall below Babi Niflheim’s, so it’s not a problem.
So, about this, this, that, and that, can you please get them for me, God Anubis-sama!
“Very well. Rest your body and wait.”
God is truly a god.
With that, God Anubis leaves the audience chamber, where he had dismissed everyone. I could see him giving instructions to his subordinates waiting outside the door.
The figures of Higaki and I, who were left behind, were contrasting. I started swinging my sword energetically, while she was sitting on the floor with her hands on the ground.
“Hey. Where does your stamina come from?”
“This is the Netherworld, after all. It’s all about your state of mind.”
“What do you mean?”
“Unlike the living world, we are just souls here. It’s just that they’ve changed into the shape of our physical bodies from the living world, which are engraved on our souls. Originally, we don’t need food or sleep.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s true for everyone except those who originally belong to the Netherworld, like Iris and God Anubis. And the fuel that moves the soul is mental strength, so as long as you have enough of that, you’re fine.”
Even so, the reason why there are inns, restaurants, and entertainment facilities in the Netherworld is to regulate and restore that mental strength.
It’s a setting that was mentioned in a fan book or something, so my memory is a little hazy, but the fact that I’m moving around without feeling tired seems to prove it.
Man, being able to set both meal and sleep times to zero is the best environment ever. If this were a place where I could get multiple Star Seeds, I might have put off resurrection and holed up here for a while.
“So, you’re saying you’re not tired because you’re overflowing with energy?”
“That’s right.”
“…I’m still incredibly anxious about the situation with my friend’s life on the line. How can you… how can you seem so cheerful?”
“Why? Even you should know what I can put my all into, right?”
I stopped my practice swing at Higaki’s question and answered with a beaming smile, giving the answer that was practically my catchphrase.
The thing I value most, the thing that makes me most motivated in the world. There’s only one thing—
“—Because I can do some serious leveling in this fight!”
Hearing that answer, Higaki sighed and hung her head in dismay.