Vol. 1 Chapter 5 – Posture

SEKIHYO—Sekihyo, an action game featuring sword combat in the Warring States period, where you control a grizzled old man who’s like a hybrid of a ninja and a samurai.

It belongs to the so-called Die-and-Retry Game genre, but compared to other games in the same genre the company had made previously, its major selling point is its nimble movement.

In particular, the system of defeating enemies by breaking their ‘Posture’ rather than depleting an HP gauge was revolutionary, bringing players the tension of actual sword combat.

Whether she knew this fact or not, Asahi-san pointed at the title with a smile.

“…That one’s pretty difficult, are you sure?” (Reiya)

I attempted a warning out of kindness.

Die-and-Retry Games, just as the name implies, are out to kill the player relentlessly.

Even Mob Enemies possess high killing intent, and getting surrounded by several can often lead to a swift death right from the early stages.

Bosses, especially, are extremely difficult to defeat on the first try.

Overcoming them might require dozens of attempts, sometimes even reaching triple digits.

Moreover, the problem is that despite being so masochistic, these games are highly addictive, making you not want to stop midway.

It’s commonplace to keep retrying “one more time,” “one more time” after losing to a boss, only to realize the sun has risen.

And if you stop without winning, you end up unable to think about anything but the boss fight at school or work.

The rhythm of parrying the enemy’s attacks constantly plays in your head, you feel the urge to perform a Shinobi Deathblow on people walking around with their backs carelessly exposed, and so on…

It’s a hardcore game with numerous reports of it interfering with daily life.

“Yeah, I know. I’ve played quite a few from the same company’s series, but I haven’t played this one yet, so I was thinking I wanted to try it.” (Hikaru)
“O-Oh… You’ve played the others…” (Reiya)
“Yep, Damenzu Soul… and I think I finished all of Daiku Soul too. So it’s totally fine! Actually, this might be a genre I’m pretty good at!” (Hikaru)
“If that’s the case, well… feel free…” (Reiya)

I launched the game on the PC and handed her the controller.

“Alright! Let’s do this! Aiming for a no-death clear!” (Hikaru)
“Isn’t that a bit too tough…?” (Reiya)

I watched her play, offering a calm retort from the side.

First, the opening movie played on the screen.

Right from the start, a bloody slaughter between samurai in the Warring States period unfolded.

A normal high school girl would probably react here with, ‘Ugh! Gross! Let’s play Keda Mori!’, but—

“Ooh…! It’s Japanese style…!! Super gritty, it’s already amazing at this point~!” (Hikaru)

Her eyes sparkled, embodying her name, Hikaru (Light).

Even the way she held the controller somehow started to look practiced.

“Ah, I can move! Let’s do this!” (Hikaru)

And so, the opening finished, and it finally became time for the player to take control.

Alright, let’s see what you’ve got…

I sat back in the gaming chair with the condescending air of a spectator.

There are broadly three ways to enjoy a Die-and-Retry Game.

First is the initial playthrough, tackling hardships without knowing left from right.

Next is the dedicated repeat playthrough, savoring every corner of the world while feeling your own skills improve.

And finally, the arms-crossed smug enjoyment playthrough, watching someone else’s first attempt from on high, having already understood everything about the game.

Today, I shall enjoy that third method from the best seat in the house.

“Hmm, hmm… Moves more crisply than the Souls-like games.” (Hikaru)

Following the tutorial instructions, Asahi-san smoothly progressed through the early part of the story.

She certainly seems to have some aptitude, but how long will that confidence last, I wonder?

“Build up the Posture gauge… I see~! So defending is also attacking! Wow~! This feels great~!” (Hikaru)

She quickly grasped the game’s basic systems, swiftly defeating the Mob Enemies along the path.

“Speaking of defense becoming offense, other series had Parry too, but having it built into the basic system like this is really innovative~. It really feels like sword fighting, so fun~. Isn’t the person who thought of this a genius?” (Hikaru)

As usual, she started talking slightly faster when it came to games.

However, I expected her to die a few times by now, but she’s surprisingly good.

Contrary to my expectations, she reached the first boss fight in no time.

Akina Genzaburou—commonly known as ‘Gen-san’.

He has a name like some carpenter, but he’s exceptionally strong for the first boss you fight.

His attacks take a huge chunk out of your character’s health in one hit, while your attacks, conversely, deal only minuscule damage.

Moreover, at this point, you have no effective skills and few healing items, making victory extremely difficult.

“Hah! Hoh! Jump… Attack! I think I’m getting the hang of it.” (Hikaru)

Asahi-san shouted along with her character’s movements.

…Isn’t she, like, ridiculously good?

On the screen, the character she controlled deflected the boss’s attacks and chipped away at his health whenever there was an opening.

Actually, this boss is a type of Losing Event, one you don’t originally need to defeat.

So, in a normal first playthrough, you’re supposed to lose without being able to do much of anything, but…

“Mmm~… This guy’s tough… What’s with having two health bars right off the bat~…?” (Hikaru)

She had gone beyond putting up a good fight and was actually pushing him back considerably.

Could it be she’s hiding the fact that she’s played it before…?

If so, for what purpose?

To get back at me for trying to smugly enjoy her first playthrough?

No, no, she surely doesn’t have that kind of personality.

Then, why is she so good? As I pondered this again, I remembered something.

The fact that she isn’t just a normie, but also a hardcore Physical Elite.

Things like winning a national tennis tournament, or her rank in the junior domestic rankings.

Even without direct interaction, her fame had reached even me, lurking at the bottom of the sea.

And tennis is a sport where palm-sized balls fly back and forth at speeds exceeding a hundred kilometers per hour.

Meaning, she’s brute-forcing her way through a Memorization Game with dynamic vision and reflexes…!?

As I shuddered at this realization, Gen-san fell at her hands.

“Yay! I won!” (Hikaru)

Oblivious to my shock, Asahi-san innocently rejoiced in her victory.

However, it was the moment she threw both hands high in the air out of sheer joy.

The momentum lifted the clothes she was wearing, thoroughly exposing her bare abdomen to my sight.

A toned waist, an ideal athlete’s physique with just the right amount of fat.

Cute girls really do have cute belly buttons, huh.

It lasted less than a second, but the impact was like that of a Perilous Attack I failed to avoid.

“Hey, hey! Did you see!? Wasn’t I amazing!?” (Hikaru)

As I stood stunned by the unexpected event, Asahi-san turned around and spoke to me.

Her face bore the same wide smile she wore when she was at the center of everyone in the classroom.

“See… No, I didn’t see! I didn’t see anything!” (Reiya)

I definitely wasn’t thinking, Sekihyo-style, that her Posture looked like it had about three bars.

“Eeeh! Why didn’t you watch!?” (Hikaru)
“W-Why…? You normally wouldn’t stare so intently at someone playing…” (Reiya)
“No, no, actually, I’d rather you watched more closely.” (Hikaru)
“Seriously…!?” (Reiya)
“Of course… Ack, my arm got cut off even though I won! Why!? That’s cheap!” (Hikaru)

It was only when the protagonist on the screen suffered a surprise attack from a projectile, just like me, that I remembered she was talking about the game.

‘Don’t call me cowardly.’

‘No, that is cowardly…’ I muttered internally, hiding my bright red face.

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• Posture: I remember this is one of core mechanic in Sekiro, where if you don’t do it correctly, basically get rekt.
• Shinobi Deathblow: Must be related to finishing move in Sekiro.
• Damenzu Soul: Should be referring to demon souls.
• Daiku Soul: Should be referring to dark soul series.
• Souls-like games: Referring to the genre inspired by the Dark Souls series.
• Parry: A standard gaming term for defensive move that deflects or blocks an opponent’s attack
• Akina Genzaburou: I’m not sure which one they refer to since I don’t play sekiro.
• Perilous Attack: Referencing the specific unblockable attack type in Sekiro indicated by a red kanji warning. I watch my friend died many times when this text showing.