Beyond M-Eclipse: Easy Mode LIVE

———Karra———

…Now is this too on-the-nose? Standing in the rather empty part of the park… which is most of it, due to yesterday’s incident.

I still didn’t pick up on any big energy reading yet, so it seems like this guy isn’t even around to take the bait.

…

Yeah. Maybe that’s-!?

“RAAAAHHH!!!” Right on fucking schedule!?

*Dash* *Evade*

Suddenly a massive power reading spiked up out of nowhere, and if I didn’t pick that up I could’ve gotten crushed like a grape! The initial assault thankfully missed, but that was a close call.

“You really didn’t hesitate, big guy.” I can’t help but remark, trying to remain cool.

This guy is massive, standing at at least 7 feet tall. His dark red hair is long and wild, and has large dull yellow horns growing out from the sides of his head. His red eyes are glaring at me with quite malicious intent. As far as clothing goes, just a large red robe over a tight black bodysuit that makes it pretty clear how jacked this guy is. Also a mask, for some reason.

…Is he gonna say anything or-

*Dash* *Evade*

-Guess that’s a no! Seems like this guy is intending on beating me up. I would like to know what the hell this guy’s problem even is, but he’s not gonna listen unless I beat him down myself.

Thankfully his attacks while fast are rather easy to avoid. There isn’t much thought put into them so they’re quite easy to read.

*Swing* *Evade*

With the speed these attacks are going, I can tell that they’ll hurt a lot if they connect.

*Swing* Evade* *Crack*

…Did that punch just send a tree falling? Yeah, there’s no way I’m testing my luck to see if I can tank it.

*Swing* *Leap*

I jumped a few feet away as he tried to swing his arm at me. Sorry, I think it’s best for me to get the hell away from you.

“[Thundershock]!” Unfortunately it doesn’t look like simple punches and kicks will work, so I have to resort to this. Grit your teeth, this is going to hurt a bit!

*Zap*

…It doesn’t have any effect!?

*Dash* *Leap*

That wasn’t my strongest spell, but it’s still rather shoc- surprising. I guess I should’ve expected someone with high of a power level to know how to use it, instinctively or otherwise.

This is going to become a tired routine quickly if I don’t come up with some sort of plan. With his durability even my strongest spell might not be enough to take him down, if he even lets me charge it up.

*Dash* *Evade*

At the very least, he doesn’t seem to be all that interested in throwing out spells. Those would have covered enough area that it would be impossible for me to dodge.

*Leap* *Sizzle*

I jumped up high into the air and began charging up a powerful spell. Let’s see if you can tank… Wait, change of plan.

“[Icicle Spears]!” I shouted as I changed the spell at the last moment, throwing out multiple spears made of ice towards the giant brute from up high.

*Crack* *Evade*

He either shattered them with his fists or chose to avoid them. It seems like he instinctively chooses to not take those head-on.

“RAAAH!!!” He screamed out loudly again as a large burst of flames appeared out of his body.

“Tch!” You’re going to scorch the damn park down you musclehead! This isn’t looking good. I changed from using fire spells to ice ones because I feared this might happen.

*Grab*

“Huh?” What is he doing? Is he-

*Creak*

He grabbed an entire tree out of the ground! Oh crap!

*Dash* *Swing* *Leap*

He’s using an entire tree as a weapon! That’s going to be harder to dodge than his fists alone. Maybe I should actually use-

*Swing* *Slam* *Crash*

“Agh!” He took a second swing while I was still in the air and sent me flying. Thankfully my defense was still up, otherwise I might’ve actually passed out from the mere act of getting hit, let alone crashed into the nearby bench.

…This is gonna be fun when I have to explain myself to the authorities.

*Throw* *Leap*

Not the best tree throw he could’ve done. That was pretty easy to-

*Leap*

“[Explosion]!” I yelled out after seeing him jump towards me, trying to catch me before I could touch the ground.

*Boom* *Tumble*

“Oof!” That was close. He almost caught me with those two big hands. I got caught up in my own spell, which wasn’t ideal. At least the force behind it pushes the two of us far apart.

“Grrr…” I could hear him loudly grumble as he stared at my rather poor form. He doesn’t seem all too bothered by my attempts at offense so far. I need something a bit more deadly to deal with him.

“Ack!” My legs are really hurting from being forced to run and jump around, as well as taking the brunt of landing from pretty tall heights.

*Crackle*

Whatever! At this point it’s probably best for me to go out in the blaze of glory!

“[Plasma Cannon]!” I shouted before firing a quick energy beam towards the giant brute! “Wither already!”

*Boom*

Well with the smoke now obscuring my view, it’s a bit harder to tell what’s going on, but his power reading hadn’t sharply declined or anything, so it doesn’t seem to be all that effective.

…Wait. Why is he moving around aimlessly in the smoke… Does he not…

*Spark*

In that case. I’m going to spam energy attacks now. If he’s just going to stand there then-!

*Boom* *Boom* *Boom*

And this last one for good measure!

*Leap*

“Ah!?” He ran through the smoke, having figured out where I was. But it’s a little bit too late! “[Explosion]!”

*Boom* *Tumble*

“Argh!” That was a way stronger version of the spell I did earlier, so it still did some painful recoil even though he wasn’t quite as in-my-face the first time around.

…He actually seems to stop moving for a bit. Maybe that spell actually did something? It’s hard to be too sure.

“Ugh!” At the very least, I am all tuckered out physically. I still have mana in reserve, but my body as a whole is at its limit.

*Wee-woo* *Wee-woo*

Huh? Police siren… Ah crap! I guess that fight did attract some attention.

…Wait. Where did the power reading go? Did that guy flee? He must’ve. My reading on him disappeared very quickly, he must’ve made a run for it.

That bastard! He’s really leaving me here to take the fall despite being the one who started it!

*Grab*

“Huh?” Suddenly someone carried me in a… Is this a bridal carry!? Wait, who is-? “Wiina!?”

“You were quite reckless back there.” She remarked as she stared at me… I think this is the most critical look she has given me up to this point. “Anyway. Let’s get you somewhere safe to rest.”

“Why are you here?” I couldn’t help but ask as she started floating up while carrying me.

“With all the loud explosions and smoke, who wouldn’t catch sight of your scuffle.” She explained. I guess that fight must’ve caught a lot of attention and worry. “Let’s get out of here, unless you want to be in jail for a while.”

“Nah, let’s not go there.” I said with a chuckle. I really don’t have much energy to do much else. “...Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She said as she carried me somewhere, flying in the air far above the buildings. “...So. I assume that was the guy who assaulted the three friends of yours?”

“He fits the description. Who else is he supposed to be?” I rhetorically answered.

“Certainly a risky fight to take, the gap in strength is quite high.” She remarked as we finally landed back down to the ground and into a building… Wait. This is the school’s infirmary building. She finds us an empty patient for me to rest. “Now then, let’s put you to bed… The damage to the body isn’t too bad… Hmm…”

She then took off my shoes and socks before laying me down. It’s nice to see her be so visibly concerned. Still, I didn’t expect her to use the school facility so casually, it’s not really meant to be used right now, right?

*Shine*

Warm light surrounded me, and my whole body started to feel numb yet pleasant. It looks like she’s casting a healing spell on me silently.

“Alright then. That should be a good start…” She muttered. “Hmm… It doesn’t look like anything is in too dire of a state to need surgery or other intense operation. You just need some rest before going back home.”

“Thanks.” I muttered out as I am starting to feel a bit drowsy. I was already tired from the fighting and all the punishment doesn’t help, so getting a nice bed just makes my body want to shut down for a while. “I’m sleepy…”

“Take a nap if you want to.” She quickly replied. Guess I’ll do… just that…

…

…

———Jeff———

“Did she seriously go- Ow!” My ribs!

“” Useph quickly reprimanded me. “”

“” Kenni chimed in. “”

“” Orrel remarked. “”

“” Useph muttered, sounding rather pessimistic.

“” Kenni meanwhile seems to have an entirely different picture. “”

“I don’t think the gap between us and Karra is that big… right?” I feel like she does have a head-start, but surely not enough to outpace three of us combined.

“” Kenni explained using game terms.

“” Orrel asked.

“” She confidently answered. “”

…Does she really need to bring that up?

“” Useph pointed out, clearly still in the camp that she’s in big trouble.

“” Kenni jokingly said. We really have no idea. “”

“Could be better, honestly.” I can’t help but be a bit bitter. “They didn’t let us drink the health potions because they’re ‘not tested’ or whatever, jackasses…”

“” Useph said with sympathy. “”

“...I’d rather not talk about it.” I said with a sigh. It’s my parents covering for it anyway, so it’s not like I have an accurate number, just know that it’s unnecessarily high.

“” Kenni remarked… Yeah. Those would be rather valuable, wouldn’t it. Not an instant-recovery but anything that doesn’t cost going to a hospital is more than enough.

“” Orrel remarked.

“Probably too much to talk about, even.” I said, mainly because it sounds too complicated to talk about.

“” Kenni said with a small laugh. “”

“Would be nice to be certain about that.” I said, not wanting to feel so worried. I wonder how Jass is feeling, last time Karra got in deep trouble it’s pretty clear how hard he took it. “Anyone know where Jass is?”

“” Kenni quickly replied. I know he’s not one to talk much, but usually he leaves a text message or something. “”

“” Useph jokingly suggested.

“” Orrel meanwhile seems to seriously consider it. I’m on the side of it being true. I mean what else would he be doing, go read more comics and manga?

…Actually it might be that, but something tells me it’s not that simple.

*Beep*

…Huh?

“” Suddenly Karra’s voice rang out in the voice chat.