＜Infinite Dendrogram＞

Episode XXIII Luke VS Hugo

□ Past Lucius Holmes

It's my past and present.

I was born in London, England.

My family was not a bourgeoisie, not a nobleman, nor a poor man.

But it was never normal (...) either.

My father is an interest management specialising in unsolved cases - detectives.

My mother is a burglar specializing in art - a thief.

I was born between a detective and a thief.

That's not a joke or anything. It's just a fact.

My father was a famous detective who solved unsolved cases while the protagonist of reasoning novels, and my mother was a female thief who crept the world over her crotch while films and classical novels.

Each other's lineage has been detectives and thieves for generations.

I hear that the family name Holmes was changed by my father's great-grandfather when he started his detective career as the world's most famous detective.

Where the two like water and oil met, married and got a son named me is now an eternal mystery.

Once upon a time, I asked my father, "Mother, don't you catch me?" I asked, "because detective work isn't about arresting criminals, it's about revealing the truth," he returned. I wondered if that was what it was.

It should be noted that my mother stole art and, if she loves it, returns it within a month. In one way or another, there was a high percentage of deliveries to the police rather than to the owners obtained by illegal means.

Apparently stealing, not money, is an end in itself, "Thieves are a job to steal, not sell," he said. To be honest, I didn't think the thief was a job.

We both loved our own work and were immersed so we didn't really have all three of our families together.

They both realized I was young because I was such a talented and active parent.

- Lucius has a talent for breaking.

Insight, observation, imagination, dexterity, motor nerves, appearance.

It's talent as a detective, and as a thief.

I inherited both of my parents' talents and said that I was expressing them in a way that exceeded them, and all my parents were pushing my heartbeat.

Now, as mentioned, my parents, who were keen on their family business, think.

- This talent is a shame.

- I would love to develop my talent as a detective (a thief).

- But I can't help but wish my beloved wife (husband).

So they made a suggestion.

Each other educates me in turn. [M]

My father uses methods of observation, lip reading, languages and customs from all over the world, and the human psyche.

My mother gave me the manipulation to remove the trick, find people's blind spots, and attract and manipulate others.

And the two of us worked out a plan for basic learning and body building.

It was a decision from an early age that I was taught those techniques.

However, I was never told to become a detective or a thief in the future.

I have been told many times since I was a child to think for myself how to live, although I will develop my talents.

At the time I was teaching this kind of technology in the first place, I was being narrowed down to detectives or thieves, but happy or unhappy or I didn't suffer from it.

Now I can calmly look back on my life, but if I am educated that way from the moment I feel good about it, it is “normal” and becomes my standard.

Most importantly, we know that our standards differ from those of the public, thanks to common sense, sociology, and the "universally accepted values in the country” included in the education of English talent.

I understood that my condition was never normal (...).

Still, I guess I was firmly my parents' child when I came to the idea that 'my house is normal with that, and in front of someone with other values, we just have to work it out so that we can talk'.

That's how I was educated in 10 years of brilliance since I was five years old, absorbing almost all of the skills my parents could have.

He also studied on his own and should have outdone his parents in his total abilities at this point.

Adults in five years.

"What kind of future am I choosing then," he thought, arrowhead, something happens.

- My parents died in a plane crash.

When we were rarely both out abroad, we were contacted that the plane had crashed.

I'm saddened by my parents' death, and I'm like, "Is that how those two die?" and even thought calmly.

I didn't want to deny the reality, but assuming my parents' abilities, it seemed like I could get out safely even if the plane fell.

But the next day, news arrived that several children in parachutes and lifejackets were protected at sea.

All the kids were on that plane where my parents died.

"My tall uncle and beautiful sister parachuted me," the kids said in interview footage on the news.

That convinced me. [M]

Apparently, those parents wagered more on the possibility of keeping the kids alive than on their own escape on a falling plane.

Even for me. There was also a desire to give priority to the preservation of self-life, but at the same time there was a little pride in my chest.

The thought of respecting my parents, who were able to act on it, caught my heart.

For some reason, though there were zero tears.

◇

After the death of my parents, I took a breather after finishing tidying up. [M]

The methods of various procedures were also taught by my parents, so I can continue to use the land, manor and property without any problems.

I could live with myself until I died, but I couldn't have done anything.

Yes, I..., I...?

"Ah."

So I noticed.

Finally...... I noticed.

That I am now - that I have nothing future visions.

My parents taught me everything and I was praised as a genius... and this was the first time I realized something stupid.

I brushed my arms according to my parents' teachings, my parents loved me, and I felt comfortable with such a life... I had not made any choices myself at once.

It all went through the rails laid by my parents, and I have lived through the challenges my parents put out.

So... you haven't experienced the act of choosing your own way of life (...).

None of the coming futures were “any” and not “now”.

I vaguely thought I had a choice for the future.

But there were no guidelines for me right now.

I lived passively in my parents' love, and I had no future.

"Me, how do I live?

It's like just one person was thrown out in the middle of the wilderness.

There is water.

I have food.

I have a compass.

I have the wisdom and ability to survive.

But... I just don't know where I'm going.

I don't know what's out there, either east or west or north.

I don't know what to do, even if there is something.

Extremely lost.

I'm lost, but I can't choose.

Oh, this shouldn't happen.

If I stay like this, I'll be the last one... to just live.

I calmly wandered off, "Well, what shall I do?"

◇

I decided to fish the two private rooms wondering if my parents had even left me any messages.

Even after the death of his parents, he ignores them, although he also feels he heard from within blaming himself for asking his parents for where he was going.

I searched my mother's room first.

... My mother's room was planted with a trap that burned all the rooms and obliterated the evidence when I made one wrong step.

Although I could have taken it off, I thought it would have been a major incident if the house had been manned, like other personnel.

I just had work tools in my mother's room.

There are no artwork.

Well, I didn't even think it was in a room with a burning trick, but I read my mother's diary, and now she doesn't have a single item in stolen condition.

If my mother had a piece of art that she hadn't returned yet, it would have helped because I was about to have to return it.

Or if so, were you able to say that it was good to find the next thing to do?

Strongly speaking, anything but work tools... is about a hand-knitted sweater that was about to be made.

And my father's room.

This one had no particular trap or anything but normal keys. Although there is no normal trap.

And I immediately realized. That there are objects unfamiliar to my father's desk.

That was headgear-shaped electronics.

"... Is this from < Infinite Dendrogram >?

I know the existence of that game as general common sense.

It is famous for its “real” dive-type VRMMO, which is popular worldwide.

I didn't have time to play with training and learning, and I wasn't interested because I only played games and chess with my father.

"Was Dad playing?

I wondered if I had time to play, even though I would be busy with detective work and my education from time to time.

Leaving me looking for something first, a single letter fitted in my father's desk drawer.

At first, I thought it was a will or something addressed to me, but I read it a little bit and realized it was a letter delivered to my father.

Though I tried to stop reading it, I saw the letter < Infinite Dendrogram > in the text that looked chilly, so I was curious and kept reading it.

Apparently my father had received a request from someone anonymous about a game called < Infinite Dendrogram >.

In short, it was "I want you to explore the secrets of this game".

Apparently, in the context of this game, someone who suspected there was some sort of conspiracy was asking my father to investigate it for a lot of money.

It should be noted that some letters appeared to be from the sender of this when I was sorting out mail at a later date.

Condolences to my father and withdrawal of requests, advances, etc. were written that I wanted them to be received as they were.

Apparently, my client was a disciplined person.

Anyway, I had my father's console before me.

The kind of game my father, who was a famous detective, would ask me to "find out the truth".

Very interesting… most importantly, the desire to “choose” arose.

I was wondering if this was a newly shown path before I lost my way.

"The only thing complaining about this game..."

- < Infinite Dendrogram > offers the new world and your own possibilities

... that's a predictable word.

No word would be more appealing to someone who gets lost in the destination.

And now at this point, someone... I guess myself.

"Then let me offer it to you"

A new world.

"I wish you could show me at all"

My possibilities.

"... shall we do it"

That's how I got headgear in my father's study - into the world of Infinite Dendrogram.

◇ ◇ ◇

□ Dueling city Gideon West Gate [Woman] Luke Holmes

"Motor Slash"

"VAMOOOOOOOOOO!!"

The Ice Maggie unleashes the slaughter used in the previous match with his left hand, and the opposing Marilyn intercepts him with his physical attack skill, Trihorn Upper.

- Next, a quick draw of a large firearm on your right, grenade firing.

Babi, Little Flare.

"Rika!

"Huh."

A grenade collides with Babi's lesser fire attribute magic just after it was fired.

The impact of the explosion damaged the muzzle.

Attacks by targeted firearms are not possible in the future.

- Next, step in right leg, cut up by left blade

"(Liz, move)"

No words are uttered and it is retained in the mouth as a slight vibration that occurs over the throat.

If Liz is close to me, she can communicate well enough with the oscillations that transmit her bones, so that helps.

Though the best thing is Babi who can work together just because he thinks with his heart.

……

An invisible blind spot. Liz plays the ground like a swollen tibia and Achilles tendon from my back.

The recoil that hits the ground jumps backwards from one body to the next, dodging the blade.

Jump straight to an untraceable position before landing.

- gap, right rear, for two seconds

"Marilyn, attack"

"VAMOOOOOOO!!"

"Mm-hmm, gloomy"

On the verge of Marilyn's assault hitting, she turns around and takes the blade of both hands as a shield.

Sometimes, however, the escape distance was insufficient, and the damage was trace.

"It's hard to do. It's like prefetching this move... No, you are. '

Correct.

Being a mechanical mannequin, the range of motion is easier to understand than that of the human body or organism.

I can see better than I did when I had an air war with Audrey.

“Dynamic observation” that reads how they move… was taught by either my father or my mother?

"Yeah. You don't come in hypersonic combat like a speed-specialist super position, and you don't get invisible."

"Huh, give me a mouthful like you fought a super position"

You fought.

I failed miserably ten times.

But thanks to that guy who moves at an unlikely rate on Earth, the "kinetic observation” was more accurate than before.

"If you keep going like this, you're at a disadvantage..."

"Right. The enhanced skills that you would have in [High-Level Pilot], combined with the specs of < MaginGear >, are high. But it only stays in reinforcing the subdragon class"

Then even Marilyn, a subdragon, can resist it to some extent.

Babi, who acquired a wide variety of skills in "Drain Learning" at the hunt the other day, aims at the gaps he made.

Babi's possession skills exceed fifty, although most of the monsters at the level we can hunt have.

If it's just a number, it's comparable to Marie in the super position.

I can't get through the influence or [charm] of the person being in Magingear, so I can only be targeted.

But that way, if you avoid an attack that targets me, only then will there be a gap in the target again.

Even if they dodge most of the attack, the opponent must target me first.

Because Babi is my Embrio, and Marilyn is my squire.

Defeat me and it will all be over.

It's like a peeling steeple myself.

So Liz is not turning it around to attack, but letting it focus on my evasion aids.

Keep it hidden from your opponent because some hands are after you.

"If we keep going like this, this one will do its best first..."

The target wins the specs as a stand-alone person, but when combined with "motion observation” and our total strength, they are not the ones who can still win.

But the problem is...

"But... how long can you stay in this Hellgate without freezing?

- That the tip is already [frozen] from my left arm elbow.

…………

That is indisputable, the dozens of ice statues here - the same attack that would have struck the Master more than I did.

What's more... Audrey also froze about half as soon as I got it out, so I immediately pulled it back into the jewel.

The range of this [frozen] is widening slightly to say that I will also become an ice statue.

It's not spreading with jitters in seconds.

Once every few decades to hundreds of seconds, the range of frozen at once is widening.

First from the wrist first, then the middle of the forearm, then to the elbow.

The range of freezing in one go is about the same, but the intervals are sparse.

A second [freeze] has occurred 39 seconds after the first [freeze] and a third [freeze] 130 seconds after the second [freeze].

The maximum common number is 13.

I wonder if that 13 seconds makes sense because the skill name "Hell Gate", and the story Ray told me about the other guy, "Embrio", is Coquitos.

Why does 13 seconds make sense?

That's right, babi. Because Coquitos in Dante's divine song is the lowest frozen hell of a traitor's fall, where Judas, the 13th disciple of Christ and the worst traitor in the Christian world, is being punished.

Though also because I was sitting in the 13th seat at the last supper just before I betrayed Christ.

Besides, the number 13 is ominous in the Christian community.

"Hmm, bad luck then. What is it?"

At least you don't get along well with me right now.

"... Phew"

If you keep going like this, "sooner or later” is a winnable formula.

But... I freeze before I do, and I can't reach "any time".

Then this one needs to cut the trump card (...), but this Hellgate is the problem.

Shortly after I cut the trump card...... I could be ice pickled all over my body like everyone else in this ice statue.

Then... let's uncover the secret first.

"(Liz, I concentrate a little on thinking, so focus on dodging and defense. If they don't even see you, I'll leave you to it)"

With the vibrations transmitted to my body, I knew Liz had responded.

Soon afterwards, my body jumps to the right and to the left as Liz moves.

Shaking, but not a problem with thinking.

Okay, let's think.

It is still pale ice that stands out in the eye-catching circle of vision.

It's a frozen ice statue.

There is one thing that bothers me about that ice statue.

That's a still face across the ice.

From that look on their face...... they are frozen before they even realize they have been attacked.

It's the first time, the whole body.

When that happens, there are four different degrees of [frozen]...... no, there are three.

Half-frozen Audrey in one go with me, one by one. Progressive [Frozen]

All the ice statues with all the ice pickles on their bodies. [Frozen] of the whole body in an instant.

And things like Babi and Marilyn... [frozen] that don't.

By what means are we identifying the subject and changing its power?

If you don't know the terms, you're at risk. I can't use that, and sooner or later my whole body will freeze.

Only the person they choose isn't eligible, and everything else freezes?

Denial. That would be weird if Babi and Marilyn and Liz hadn't frozen either.

Only humans freeze?

Denial. Audrey is also frozen.

Then the higher the level or status of the opponent, the more powerful?

That doesn't explain the difference between Marilyn and Audrey of the same size.

Or power changes due to randomness?

denial. These are not due to randomness.

If you're a skill in letting your luck freeze at random...... you can't use it to defend your stronghold very well, and you can't use it to fight a large number of strong men.

There is always some regularity and legality.

"Ooooooo!!"

"Oh."

< Magingear > scratches Marilyn and Babi's offense, shakes up the blade to the right and approaches me.

Oh, they're packing the distance the moment they jump. I knew you couldn't read without directing me. I have no choice.

Liz seems to be willing to increase the strength of the mock site on the court and endure it, but think about the power estimate and Liz's defensive posture, as well as my own HP and END...... I guess I'll die at 7: 3.

You have two seconds before you are attacked.

There's nothing I can do.

Then let's think in those two seconds.

so that it can be struck open when it survives.

"Mo"

Let's change the direction of thought.

The name and skills are not irrelevant.

Just as Mr. Ray's God of Heavenly Punishment (nemesis) specializes in counters and Marie's rainbow (arcane shell) emits multiple colored bullets.

"-"

Then it's their name.

The name of his opponent, Embrio, is Coquitos.

“River of mourning" in Greek mythology.

“Iced Hell" at the bottom of Hell in Dante's Divine Song.

"Ta"

The latter is the subject's motif due to the current situation and the Hellgate's skill name.

It is hell that judges the heaviest “betrayal” in divine songs, and hell that freezing demon kings continue to bite down traitors, starting with Judah.

Now, what if besides the multiple-count of 13 seconds and icing, you're also affected by that name?

"-"

For example, it has a disproportionate effect due to the betrayal.

Then also the reason Audrey, who was originally [Gardranda] 's horseman, is the most damaging of us... denial.

Then I can't explain it to the Ice Statue.

Not all of them are a bunch of bright blue traitors, either, Judas.

"S"

Then karma values like hell.

Not visible for < Infinite Dendrogram > status.

But does the hidden status that measures and reflects the backlog of bad behavior in the old game also exist in < Infinite Dendrogram > to refer to it?

Denial. Then the damage difference is still not correct.

Like traitors, not everything gathered here accumulates more karma than freezes in an instant.

"La"

Obscure. In what hell, and with what, betrayal?

Whatever betrayal exists as something that can be explicitly stated......

... an explicit number?

"Huh."

I know.

The figures exist.

It applies to the concept of betrayal, and it can also be arranged in order of strength and weakness of effect.

"Si"

Understood.