In this new world, "Highlights" are decisive and significant moments in a character's life. These are moments when their courage, determination, or inner strength are highlighted in an extraordinary way. When a character performs an action that exceeds the limits of their usual abilities, overcomes a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, or makes a decision that changes the course of their destiny or that of others, it can trigger a "Highlight."
These moments are often marked by dramatic events or exceptional challenges. When a character reaches a Highlight, it unlocks a new special skill or improves an existing one. These skills may be related to the situation that triggered the Highlight, or they may be a manifestation of the character's growth and development throughout their adventures.
[Item Name: Reflection of Fury
Type: Special Skill
Rank: A
Evolution: None
Description: This skill allows its user to gain superhuman strength and resistance, inspired by the rage of their opponent.
Attributes:
- Damage: ???
- Defense: ???
- Mana: ★★★★ | 4 stars
- Resistance: ???
! Warning: This skill only works if it can identify an opponent. Therefore, the opponent must necessarily be stronger than you.]
[Item Name: Bull's Perception
Type: Special Skill
Rank: C
Evolution: None
Description: This skill allows its user to detect the Minotaur's movements and intentions with increased accuracy, allowing them to anticipate its attacks and react more quickly.
Attributes:
- Damage: 0 stars
- Defense: ★★★ | 3 stars
- Mana: ★★★ | 3 stars
- Resistance: ★★ | 2 stars
Warning: This skill is limited, only working on the Minotaur.
Item Name: Athena's Shield
Type: Special Skill
Rank: C
Evolution: V1
Description: This skill allows the user to create a protective barrier around themselves.
Attributes:
- Damage: 0 stars
- Defense: ★★★ | 3 stars
- Mana: ★★★ | 3 stars
- Resistance: ★★ | 2 stars
! Warning: Overuse of this skill may cause fatigue.]
Ishikawa carefully observed the notification window that had appeared in front of him, revealing three new special abilities: "Reflection of Fury," "Excessive Perception," and "Athena's Shield." His gaze quickly scanned the descriptions of each of these skills, seeking to fully grasp their implications.
"Reflection of Fury," he mused, pondering the hidden meaning behind those words. It seemed to be an ability that allowed one to turn an opponent's strength against them, to use their own rage as a formidable weapon. It was a promising thought that resonated with the determination pulsing through his veins.
The second skill, "Excessive Perception," also caught his attention. Already imagining the possibilities offered by heightened sensitivity, Ishikawa envisioned the details of the battlefield revealing themselves in a new light, every movement of the enemy anticipated with crystal clarity.
As for "Athena's Shield," its name evoked divine protection, an impenetrable barrier erected by the goddess of wisdom herself. Ishikawa mentally visualized this defense, picturing a solid bulwark against his enemies' assaults, an ultimate safeguard in the most critical moments.
After assimilating the nuances of each skill, Ishikawa quickly devised a strategy to integrate them into his existing skill set. He knew that their judicious use could mean the difference between victory and defeat in the trials to come, and he was determined to make the most of them.
As the fog of the labyrinth engulfed the battle, Ishikawa rose with renewed resolve. Despite the throbbing pain pulsing through his battered body, he prepared to face the Minotaur again, determined to fight to the end.
Activating his special ability, "Bull's Perception," Ishikawa felt a new energy wash over him. His senses sharpened, allowing him to detect the Minotaur's every movement and intention with increased precision.
As the Minotaur charges again, its horns glinting in the fog, Ishikawa prepares to dodge its attacks with disconcerting ease. He moves with fluid grace, avoiding each blow with pinpoint accuracy.
But rather than retaliate, Ishikawa deliberately chooses not to counterattack. He dances around the Minotaur, dodging its attacks with impressive agility, but refusing to return blow for blow.
Each dodge seems to enrage the Minotaur further, his roars of frustration echoing through the dark corridors of the labyrinth. His rage burns like a raging fire, fueling every move he makes.
Yet Ishikawa remains unperturbed. He continues to dodge with disconcerting ease, his sharpened senses allowing him to predict his opponent's every move with supernatural precision.
But as the fight reaches its climax, the Minotaur cracks. His rage becomes uncontrollable, his madness consuming him from within. He unleashes his full power, his muscles taut as piano wires as he launches a devastating punch toward Ishikawa.
Just as the Minotaur was about to strike Ishikawa with his fatal blow, Ishikawa whispered in a soft but confident voice, "Reflection of Fury."
The Minotaur's blow struck Ishikawa with full force, sending him flying through the labyrinth in a whirlwind of dust and chaos. But despite the violence of the impact, a confident smile spread across Ishikawa's lips, revealing his unwavering determination.
Catching his landing with impressive agility, Ishikawa rose with the grace of a cat ready to pounce. He felt energy bubbling up inside him as he gathered momentum, his muscles contracting with formidable strength.
Like a swimmer about to dive, Ishikawa charged at full power toward the Minotaur. Each of his steps lifted the earth beneath his feet, creating clouds of dust in his wake.
When he was within range, Ishikawa swung his fist with lightning speed, determined to inflict as much damage as possible on his colossal opponent. His fist struck with surgical precision, the impact echoing like thunder in the stifling air of the labyrinth.
The Minotaur roared in pain at the impact, its massive body reeling from the force of the blow. But Ishikawa gave it no time to recover. He followed up his attacks with impressive fluidity, his movements becoming almost poetic in their execution.
Each blow carried the weight of his contained fury, each movement calculated with deadly precision. The Minotaur, disoriented and destabilized, desperately tried to defend himself, but Ishikawa was like a relentless tornado, giving him no respite.
The fight reached an epic crescendo as Ishikawa continued his relentless assault, his fists becoming projectiles of destruction. The Minotaur, cornered and desperate, seemed to stagger under the force of the blows, his resistance weakening with each strike.
As the Minotaur seemed to stagger toward death, Ishikawa whispered one last word in a low, almost inaudible voice: "Roar."
Suddenly, a war-green aura burst forth around him, enveloping him in a luminous halo. And as if emerging from the darkness, a Minotaur identical to the one they had just defeated appeared behind Ishikawa, but this time in holographic form.
With an authoritative gesture, Ishikawa pointed his finger at the Minotaur, like an emperor commanding his army. The holographic Minotaur, obeying the silent command, advanced toward its living counterpart, its eyes glowing with a sinister light.
With a bloodcurdling roar, the holographic Minotaur lunged at its real counterpart, its sharp horns glinting in the flickering light. In a flash of movement, it brought down its horns with deadly precision, finishing off the dying Minotaur with a fatal blow.
The Minotaur, defeated, collapsed to the ground, its breathing slowly slowing until it stopped completely. Ishikawa stood tall, towering over the scene with an aura of power and triumph.
Then, as if suddenly sated with his power, the green aura dissipated, and with it the holographic Minotaur. Ishikawa remained alone, a solitary figure in the dark labyrinth, his victory total and absolute.
Miura, impressed by Ishikawa's crushing victory over the Minotaur, rushed over to congratulate him. However, instead of receiving the congratulations with gratitude, Ishikawa noticed a dark gleam in Miura's eyes, a shadow that had not been there before.
Feeling disturbed by this enigmatic look, Ishikawa took a deep breath before addressing Miura in a calm but firm voice.
"Miura," he began, his eyes fixed on his companion's, 'I think it's time you told me the truth about this mission business. Don't you think?'
Miura, trying to play innocent, shrugged slightly, his face displaying a feigned expression of ignorance.
"I swear, Ishikawa, I don't know anything about it," he replied in a falsely innocent tone. 'That's just what the notification told me. I didn't even know it would happen that way.'
However, despite Miura's words, Ishikawa could sense a hint of unease in the air, a palpable tension that lingered between them.
Ishikawa pressed on, his voice tinged with slight frustration as he confronted Miura with determination.
"You said at the beginning that we had to complete a mission to get out of the labyrinth, but now we know that was all just a pretext. The real mission was to defeat the Minotaur, wasn't it?"
Miura's eyes averted for a moment, betraying his unease as he abandoned his role as the innocent party. Finally, he revealed his true intentions, confessing to Ishikawa that he had indeed orchestrated everything from the beginning.
"You're right, Ishikawa..." he finally admitted, his tone betraying a certain resignation. "I lied about the nature of the mission. It was all a plan I devised with the help of my group."
As Miura's words echoed through the air, a mysterious glow appeared, signaling the Minotaur's disappearance. In its place, a magical thread emerged, unfurling before them.
[-Link of the East-
After defeating the Minotaur, a magical thread will guide the victim to the exit of the labyrinth in which they are imprisoned.]
Miura wasted no time discussing further with Ishikawa. Grabbing the magical thread, he used it as a guide to quickly find the exit of the labyrinth. His mind was already turned to another concern: Bun Chokan.
"I don't have time for you anymore, Mr. Savior," he said to Ishikawa, his voice tinged with mockery.
Without waiting for a response, Miura rushed outside, following the magical thread with almost feverish intensity. For him, the outcome of this trial was more than just a matter of survival. It was a confirmation of his strategy, an ultimate test of his ability to manipulate events to his advantage.
"If Bun didn't survive the Minotaur, it will mean that my plan has succeeded!"