Catgirls And Dungeons (Yuri)-Chapter 263 - 263: My trick!

Right now, I have two problems:
First—I still can't see Eris.
I mean the real Eris, not the dozens of afterimages darting around me like mischievous ghosts. My perception has improved a lot during training, sure… but not nearly enough. And if I can't even track her, how the heck am I supposed to land a hit? It's impossible!
Second—even if by some miracle I do spot her—my attack would still be too slow. She'd react instantly, slip behind me, and bonk me with that cursed fish weapon before my swing even leaves my shoulder.
So I need a way to not only figure out where Eris is… but also land a hit she can't dodge.
There's only one answer:
I need something unexpected.
Something sneaky.
Something that will catch Eris completely off guard.
"Come on, Felicia! What are you doing? Giving up already?"
Eris's afterimages swirl around me, each one wearing that smug little grin that makes me want to scream.
But I stand still, breathing in slowly, pretending to focus.
"Watch me, Eris! I'm gonna enhance my senses and catch up to you in no time!" I declare with confidence I absolutely do not have.
"Oooh?" Eris perks up. "Interesting! So you think you can see my movements now?"
"Of course!" I lie smoothly. "I'm super focused. No matter how fast you move, you won't trick me again."
"Hmmmm…" Eris hums, clearly unconvinced.
But that's fine.
Because what I'm about to do is perfect.
And if it's Eris… she will fall for it.
I close my eyes, pretending to dive into deep concentration, then—
"AHA! FOUND YOU!" I shout, even though I still have no freaking idea where she actually is!
Without hesitation, I lunge at one of the afterimages, wooden sword raised high!
However, this time, there's a big difference—I secretly make a small, subtle move to make it look like I'm fumbling on accident.
Twirl!
It's harder than it looks, but I manage it:
I step on my own tail with my right foot!
And just like that, my balance is gone!
"AAahh!" I yelp as I topple forward, arms flailing.
"Aaaa! Eris, HELP MEEEE!"
But Eris is so stunned she doesn't react fast enough!
So I face-plant straight into the grass.
"EURGHHH!!"
I groan.
That… actually hurts a bit.
And I'm a tiny bit offended she didn't catch me, but whatever.
The plan is still on!
"Felicia, are you alright?!"
Eris shouts, rushing over. All her afterimages vanish in an instant, leaving only the real her, who, of course, is standing on the complete opposite side from where I pretended to attack!
Perfect.
"Uwaah! My ankle! It b-broke!" I cry dramatically, even adding a little wobble for effect.
Eris looks even more panicked now.
Everything is going perfectly according to plan! Huahahaha!
My fall looked awful, so of course she'd worry!
And the moment she kneels beside me, her hand reaching out to inspect the "injury"—
I shoot up and grab her wrist!
"Gotcha!!!"
Eris's eyes widen in shock.
She realizes instantly that it's a trap—
But too late!
I twist sharply and launch a close-range kick at her, swinging with all my strength!
And somehow—somehow—she still manages to catch it with her other hand.
But that's fine.
Because now that I've latched onto her, I'm not letting this chance slip away!
I still have one more free hand.
"Face my wrath, ERIS WILDFANG!" I roar, pulling my fist back.
"FELICIA PUNCHES!!!"
MUAHAHA!
Both her hands are occupied—there's no way she can stop this now!
Victory…
IS MINE!!!
****
However…
Whooosh!
My punch—
MISSED?!
Because somehow—some impossible, reality-breaking reason—Eris still reacts in time, twisting her body into an angle no normal creature should survive, dodging me like she's made of rubber and smugness!
And then…
I see it.
Her grin widens.
Her head tilts back.
Her eyes gleam with evil intent.
Oh no.
OH NO!
I know exactly what she's about to do—
and I have zero way to defend myself!
No…
NOT THE—
THWACK!
Eris's forehead SLAMS into mine with explosive force, a shockwave blasting the grass flat around us!
I'm sent flying like a ripped kite, rolling and rolling across the field like a tumbleweed on fast-forward before crashing into a patch of crimson flowers— upside down, legs in the air, world spinning, stars exploding in my vision.
"WAAAAA!!! HUHU! Eris… you're sooo meannn!!!" I cry, pouting.
But Eris stands there with the smuggest, most victorious grin, like she didn't just nearly crack my skull with a nuclear headbutt.
"Wahaha! That's what you get for trying to cheat!" she declares proudly.
RRRRRRGGG!
I puff up like an angry balloon, cheeks blazing as I pout at full power.
"Though I must say," she continues, strolling over, "that was some pretty good acting! You almost fooled me for a moment."
She offers me her hand and helps me up.
"Hmph!" I huff, still glaring.
But… now I'm curious.
"H-how did you know I was faking?"
I mean, I thought my acting was PERFECT!
"Well," Eris says softly, "you may be stronger and faster now, but you're still my silly Felicia!"
And then, while I'm still glaring at her. she leans in and—
Smoosh!
A kiss lands right on my forehead!!!
Then comes a small, caring whisper.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you much?"
AAAAA!!
Now I don't even know whether to stay mad or burst into flames from embarrassment!
This Eris—she's way too smooth for her own good!
Grrrrr…
"W-what do you meannnn? Tell me how you figured it out now!"
"Haha, alright, alright!" Eris smiles.
And then, she proceeds.
"Well, first of all, you weren't actually focusing when you said you were. Your breathing was still too light, and your heart rate suddenly spiked. So I figured you were lying about something." Eris taps her finger against her lips, thinking back. "And then, the second reason… hmmm."
"The second… reason?"
"Well, I just thought, if it's you, then faking a trip to bait me is exactly what you'd do! Because there's no way you can beat me fair and square, hahaha!"
"AAAA! ERISSS!"
This girl! I can't believe her!
One moment she charms me, the next she teases me into oblivion!
I throw a flurry of punches at Eris again, but of course, she dodges them with ease!
"Oh? You still want to do this?" Eris steps back a little, grinning.
"Yeah! And I'll show you—I can beat you fair and square!"
"Alright!" Eris answers.
With a swift flick of her foot, she kicks the fish sword up into the air and catches it smoothly, resting it across her shoulder in a perfectly smug pose.
Meanwhile, I steady my stance and breathe in deeply.
Alright.
No more cheap tricks.
This time, I'll give it everything I have.
I'll make sure Eris never underestimates me again!!!