Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 101: Defeat - The Fate of the Deserving

With a flicker of movement, Daisuke darted forward, his silver hair trailing behind him like a comet's tail. Vesper mirrored his speed, their bodies blurring as they clashed in a flurry of strikes and parries.

In the soft glow of the mana crystals, their daggers wove a deadly dance as they tested each other's skill and resolve. Sparks flew as their weapon's clashed, each strike stoking the flames of Daisuke's animosity even higher.

Suddenly, Magic Chains shot out from several small portals, their golden glow mirroring the intensity of their master's eyes. Before Vesper could be constricted and wrung dry like a wet cloth, he effortlessly cut through the mana-forged restraints with a mocking grin.

"Did you truly think such cheap tricks would work on me?" he scoffed, swiftly weaving through a sequence of hand seals to launch his own counterattack.

Daisuke's eyes flickered from left to right as he found himself suddenly flanked by two Vespers, each charging at him with deadly intent, blades poised for attack. But he didn't panic. Vesper registered his calm demeanor as something entirely different and swiftly advanced to deliver the lethal blow.

"That's right!" he exclaimed with twisted amusement. "Like all the others who've fallen to this technique, just accept your fate!"

CLANGG!

Instead of triumph, Vesper's eyes widened in shock as his opponent shifted his body to intercept the attack coming from the right. As for the other assailant, his strike simply slipped through Daisuke's body like a mirage before he faded into nothingness.

"You!" Vesper hissed, the sparks from their clashing blades highlighting his exasperated expression. "How did you see through my Shadow Clone Technique? That wasn't just a fluke; you knew I was the real one!"

Daisuke's gaze caught his eye—not the hatred and malice they harbored, but the ancient power that lay within. "...Your eyes," Vesper exclaimed, "the color's changed since we last met. Don't tell me! The legendary Evil Eye?"

Daisuke frowned at the man's astute observation.

"I don't know how you managed to acquire such an extraordinary power," he snarled, his face twisting eerily with greed. "But I'll make it mine... just as soon as I've parted your head from your shoulders!"

The man's threat wasn't to be taken likely, but Daisuke's sixth sense had already warned him of the danger long before the ominous words were uttered. As expected, another copy of Vesper silently advanced behind him, his weapon raised to deliver the promised blow.

Time seemed to slow as Daisuke assessed the apparition his dagger was still interlocked with. A three-layered trap, he mused inwardly, dissecting the intricacies of the plan. The first clone was merely an illusion while the second one, despite being considerably weaker, undoubtedly possesses a physical form. It cleverly distracted me by pretending it was real, all while the real body maneuvered himself to deal a fatal blow. Smart, but you'll have to do way better than that to take me down.

Exerting his strength, Daisuke deflected the clone's weapon, sending its arms shooting upwards. With a steely gaze, he aimed his dagger directly at its face, his voice firm with authority as he uttered the incantation, "Magic Missile."

BOOOM!

Employing Professor Bayley's visualization teachings, Daisuke channeled mana through his arm into the tip of his blade. The clone faded into mist as an explosion engulfed its face, rendering it to nothingness.

Unperturbed by the loss of his decoy, Vesper remained focused on his goal, driven by the desire to vanquish his prey and claim a new source of power. With a savage cry, he leaped forward, his daggers descending like a miniature guillotine, intent on delivering the final blow to the vengeful nuisance.