Duel City

**Duel City** is the seventh episode of the Infinite Dendrogram anime.

## Plot

As a line of carriages traverses along a path through a canyon, someone sitting atop one of the carriages pulls out a flyer and stares at it, deep in thought. They are distracted by the appearance of a young boy attempting to climb onto the carriage and join them. After helping the young man up after they slip, the individual, addressed by the young man as **Xunyu**, comments on how early the young boy has woken, though he replies that it isn't nearly as early as Xunyu. While slightly offput by how obsequious the young man, known as **Cang** is being, Xunyu quickly notices something is wrong and tells Cang to get down. Cang is surprised when a bullet falls in front of him, neatly split into two. At a rock outcropping over looking the carriages populated by a small group of people, a young woman with a sniper rifle apologizes for having missed. A young man with red hair refute her statement, saying that the bullet was blocked. When asked by the young woman how that is possible, he opines that they are dealing with a Superior Job from Huang He. Undaunted by his supposition, the young man, known as **Eldridge**, the King of Burglars and the owner of Goblin Street boasts that he will crush the meddler. After activating the skill **Greater Takeover** in order to attack Xunyu once they are in range, he turns his attention back to the carriages only to find that Xunyu has disembarked. While surprised by this, Eldridge suddenly begins spouting blood from his orifices. Amidst the screams of his clan members, Eldridge looks back at Xunyu, only to find him grasping his heart. Belatedly realizing that he is the one who has been robbed, Xunyu crushes his heart, giving Eldridge the death penalty. The sniper quickly picks her rifle up to counter-attack, only for Xunyu to disappear from her scope and appear in the outcropping. She and the other members of Goblin Street try to attack, but Xunyu, mocking them for the slow response, spins and slashes them all into fine pieces. She snorts, thinking that perhaps she shouldn't expect much from the kingdom's Superiors.

Back at their inn in Gideon, a decidely dirty looking Ray Starling ruminates on the specifications of the **Grudge Conversion** skill of his Grudge Soaked Greaves. Nemesis, who is cleaning herself off in the bathroom nearby notes that the skill is handy, saying that she believed Silver's **Wind Hoof** was only good for flying, and that she can't believe combining it with **Grudge Conversion** could lead to *that* result. Ray complains about the mess it caused and notes that he cannot use that combo in town, with Nemesis agreeing that it would only get him on the wanted list. Ray then asks Nemesis to hurry up and let him clean off, reminding her that they'll be late for their meetup with the others. Nemesis, now lesiurely relaxing in a tub tells Ray that a man who cannot wait on a woman bathing is not long for the world.

Dining at their usual restaurant later on, Nemesis asks Marie Adler how to get stronger in order to someday get revenge on the Superior Killer. While Marie seems unsure of how to respond, Ray chimes in, reasoning that since Marie has been playing longer than him, she should have some ideas. Marie concurs at that, stating that she has been playing Dendro for a year since she has been out of work. When Ray asks if she's okay with that, she dodges the question and asks Ray what he believes his weaknesses are. Ray replies that his range is too short and that the tides of battle can quickly turn on him if Nemesis' skills don't work. Marie agrees, also stating that Ray lacks speed and toughness and that he should raise those stats, stating that is all the advice she can give him. Ray pushes back, disbelieving that is all he can do. Marie tells that while that of course isn't everything, but he will have to do either in order to get stronger. Ray enquires as to the option of focusing on STR, and Marie retorts that he'll die due to a lack of AGI and END, and while STR is great and all, it won't save him if he is soft and slow. Sipping at her coffee, she adds that the Superior Killer is said to have a AGI focused Superior Job and that raising either his AGI or END is essential if they want a rematch. She also mentions that real life skills like painting and martial arts are reflected here as well. Upon hearing about martial arts, Ray's thoughts turn to his brother, wondering if that goes for him too. She continues by telling him that his Embryo's ultimate skill will play a large role. Upon Nemesis' show of interest, she elaborates, explaining that the ultimate skill is an Embryo's strongest skill, named after the Embryo itself and reflecting the Embryo's unique characteristics. When Nemesis thinks about her own ultimate skill, Marie tells her that the ultimate skill can only be learned when an Embryo is high-rank. Ray then asks Marie if her Embryo has its ultimate skill, and Nemesis remembers that they have not even seen her Embryo. Marie, clearly nervous, tells them that her Embryo is called **Arc en Ciel**. With Ray excitedly noting how cool that name is, Marie's nervousness increases as she slowly tries to explain what kind of Embryo it is. The conversation is interrupted by the appearance of Rook Holmes and Babylon and Marie, clearly relieved, offers to buy them some food and runs off. While Nemesis and Babylon eat some sandwiches, Marie presents tickets to the upcoming Clash of the Superiors, stating that the last of the Gardranda reward money was spent for this. Ray, seeing that Figaro is one of the competitors, asks who his opponent will be. Marie replies that he will be facing Xunyu, the Master Jiangshi, the Master ranked second in the Huang He's duel ranking. Smiling at their obvious excitement, Marie proposes meeting up at the stadium. Ray agrees and when asked where he will be going, replies that he will be collecting his rewards at the Adventurers Guild. He asks Rook what he will be doing and he replies that he will be consulting with Marie about something. When Marie looks surprised at this, he leans over and whispers something in her ear that visibly shocks her. Ray asks them what they're up to and Rook tells him it's a secret.

At the Adventurers Guild, Ray is at a loss as he stares at a large pile of money on the table, thinking that eighty million lir for defeating the Gouz-Maise Gang is way too much money, with Nemesis saying that the reward was enhanced by a bonus. Ray states that they can't take all this money themselves and he needs to find Hugo Lesseps to share the money with.

Out on the streets of Gideon, as a band of monsters play instruments led by their conductor, Ray runs into Shu Starling, who is again being mobbed by a large group of children. Shu greets them and Nemesis says that she feels like it has been ages since they met. Shu gently tells the children that he has to go now, offering them candies as they disperse. Shu offers to take them to a cafe and catch up when Ray notices a small porcupine like creature still attached to Shu's head. A young blue haired woman walks up and apologizes, saying that her Behemoth has troubled them. Shu then tells Behemoth that her ride is here, only for it to continue clinging to his head. The young woman sternly tells Behemoth to let go, and she glumly obeys, jumping into her arms. After receiving some candies from Shu, they walk away. Nemesis, seemingly disquieted by the pair tells a curious Ray that she must have been imagining things, since the young woman clearly had an Embryo with her. As the Behemoth and the young girl walk through Gideon, she asks if Behemoth is satisfied, to which she replies in the positive. The young woman says she's happy for her, as she wanted to hug Shu since she found him cute and hopes that her other goal will be fulfilled, and hopes that the kingdom's Superiors will be strong, which Behemoth eagerly agrees with.

At a cafe, Nemesis is enraptured by her cake, while Ray asks Shu if he is in town to watch the Clash of the Superiors. Shu confirms Ray's guess, saying that he is here to see his buddy Figgy fight. Surprised by the nickname, Ray asks if the two are friends while Shu asks if Ray has also come to see the match. Ray shows Shu his ticket, who is impressed to see that it is a box seat. Looking closer, Shu is surprised to note that he and Ray will be in the same box. Nemesis is surprised that coincidences like these do actually happen, while Shu looks under to observe Ray's greaves, impressed that Ray has gone on quite the adventues since they last met, stating how rare it is for a rookie to meet two UBM's so soon after starting. Shu reminisces on how he and Figaro ran into two UBM's soon after they started, when they got lost in a certain field together. Ray inquires if they teamed up to fight the UBMs two on two, and Shu replies that they split up and dealt with them one on one. Ray, recalling that Shu began playing the game since it launched, thinks to himself that Shu must have been amongst the first Masters to become MVPs. Curious, he asks Shu how many hours he logs into the game daily. Shu tells him not to worry, saying that he makes sure to eat three meals a day, take baths, go to the toilet and exercise, to which Ray retorts if that means he is spending the rest of his time here. Shu cuts the conversation short, remembering that he has a prior engagement and leaves, saying that he is eager to meet Ray's friends later. After he leaves, Nemesis asks what Shu does for a living and Ray tells her that he won an overseas lottery and used the money to buy some apartment buildings and lives off the rent income. He then elaborates further on Shu's multifaceted past as a child actor, martial arts world champion and university teaching assistant. Stating that Shu's past is indeed crazy, Nemesis goes for her last slice of cake only to see it going down Cocytus's throat as she jauntily greets them. While Nemesis complains, Ray asks after Hugo, who soon arrives with his usual grandiose style, saying he is thankful to Ray and God for seeing him again. Ray replies that he is the one that should be thankful, and tells Hugo they have something to talk about. As they talk over coffee, Hugo expresses surprise that the bounty had gone so high. Ray proposes divvying the reward but Hugo refuses his share. After seeing the look on Ray's face, he jests that Ray isn't happy with that to which Ray agrees with, offering to give him half. Hugo counters by saying he will take half of that half, which Ray reluctantly agrees with. As they divide the money, Hugo remarks on Ray's lack of greed, telling him that he could have easily kept this from him. Ray's vehement refusal to lie to a friend surprises Hugo and he falls silent. Ray then asks him if his okay wearing that outfit, as he believes it to be the Dryfe Imperium army outfit. Hugo corrects him, saying that it is the official outfit of Pilots from the Triangle of Wisdom so he will be fine. Ray wonders aloud why Hugo joined Dryfe in the first place, and Hugo tells him he was invited by the same person who had him join the Triange of Wisdom. Curious about Ray's battle against the Revenant Ox-Horse Gouz-Maise, Hugo asks him for the details. When Ray finishes his story and Nemesis polishes off her food, Ray gets up to leave for the match. He asks Hugo if they'll be going as well and upon his tentative agreement, hopes to see him there. As they leave, Hugo gives Ray a mysterious warning telling him "It's west". After they leave, Cyco asks Hugo if that counted as leaking info and presses an unsure Hugo on if he dislikes the plan. Hugo reaffirms his desire to see *his* plans to fruition along with his desire to protect women in distress. When Cyco points out the antimony of it, he agrees stating that is why he leaked info to Ray but will obey orders otherwise. Cyco tells him that she is with him, which he is very grateful for.

In Altea, a bedridden Cang apologizes to Xunyu for being unable to watch the match. Xunyu tells him not to worry and to take it easy while a flustered Lan Meihai peels him an apple. Cang asks Xunyu if they shouldn't be on their way to Gideon, with Xunyu remarking on the late hour. An attendant bursts in as Xunyu opens a window and picks up a surprised Meihai. Reminding Meihai not to bite her tongue, Xunyu tells the attendant to close the window behind them and disappears while Cang bids then farewell.

On a rooftop overlooking Gideon, Dr.Flamingo, tells the prime minister of Dryfe over a communicator that there has been a change of plans, since the Queen of Beasts has refused to participate due to the first princess not being in attendance. While admitting that losing the imperium's strongest is a blow, the forces he has left which include some defectors can handle the situation, giving it a 90% chance of success. When asked on the chance of success should an unplanned Superior intervene, Flamingo puts it at 50% and scoffs at the prime minister's surprise at this high number, asking them who they think they are speaking to and bragging that they can easily handle a few tweaks to the plan here and there. Telling the prime minister to pray for their success, Flamingo cuts the call and while gazing down at Gideon's main stadium, muses that he still has his favourite and wouldn't be surprised if their Embryo kills every Master in Gideon.

Inside the stadium, a young girl in gothic clothes fights a a young woman dressed as a pirate, with a furious exchange of various skills. A spectating Ray and Nemesis are in awe of the high level battle, and Marie tells them that they are both Master with sixth form Embryos, **Juliet** the Fallen Knight and **Chelsea** the Great Pirate. Ray is curious about Juliet, whose job is in the same grouping as his, though he believes her gear to be creepy, something an incredulous Nemesis tells him he of all people has no right to criticize her. While Ray is oblivious to her meaning, an excited Marie shouts that they are about to decide the match. The two activate their ultimate skills, and Marie explains that Juliet's ultimate skill, Hraesvelgr, is a dark/wind mixed attribute magic attack and that Chelsea's ultimate, Poseidon, summons molten gold. The resulting crash is so forceful it can be seen from outside the stadium, and in the end, Juliet stands as the winner. While Ray is amazed at the power of ultimate skills, he notices his brother downstairs and goes to see him.

Unable to find him downstairs, Ray goes to a more deserted area where he hears Shu's voice, telling Figaro that the guy from Caldina and Dryfe's King of Beasts are here. Figaro is flattered by the attention and Shu tells him not to let his guard down, as he noticed something odd in town and there are some strange people around. Turning the corner, Ray sees Shu and Figaro, dressed in a lion costume speaking. Shocked speechless by the sight, he says nothing when Nemesis follows him and lets out a giggle which gives them away to the two.

In Figaro's dressing room, Ray asks Figaro why he was wearing a costume and he replies that he can't even walk around town unless he does due to his popularity. Staring at Shu who is lounging in a nearby sofa, Nemesis expresses surprise that they are close enough friends to cosplay together. Shu interrupts Figaro as he is about to respond and gives Ray a *Telepathy Cuff* an item that allows for telepathic communication between friends, having forgotten to give it to him when they met earlier. While Ray obseves the item, Figaro tells Ray to bet on him, since he will definitely make a profit from it. Ray agrees, and Shu tells Ray to go ahead, since he has some things to talk to Figaro about.

After the door closes behind them, Figaro asks Shu if he hasn't told Ray who he is and Shu brushes that off, telling Figaro that while he told Ray he'll definitely win, from his point of view his chances are 50% or lower. Figaro agrees, since his opponent is one of Huang He's strongest four, the Huang He Si Ling and expresses interest in watching the match himself. Though Shu tells him to get a hold of himself, Figaro replies that it will be alright, since battles that set his soul ablaze are why he plays *Infinite Dendrogram* and he'll win with all he is.

## Characters

* Xunyu
* Canglong Ren Yue
* Eldridge
* Neeala
* Ray Starling
* Nemesis
* Marie Adler
* Rook Holmes
* Babylon
* Veldorbell
* Shu Starling
* Behemoth
* Leviathan
* Cocytus
* Hugo Lesseps
* Lan Meihai
* Mr. Franklin
* Juliet
* Chelsea
* Figaro

## Trivia

* This episode was originally scheduled to be released on February 20, 2020, but was delayed due to production issues arising from the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.