"Technique of the Fastest"

***"Technique of the Fastest"*** is the 2nd chapter of the Didin Fragment story, as well as the first chapter to include a man vs. man fight.

## Summary

For more summary information, see Crusher vs. Gombit, Zanara Witch Saga, and Artifact Supersaga.

It is the day after Crusher defeated the Maryfin. He is spending the entirety of today at Aeranfalli Lake, fishing in order to stock up for the winter that was right around the corner, and Crusher knows the winters in northern Maine were no joke. Crusher observes the nature as he fishes, and admires the beauty. Later that day, he goes into town to sell some of his additional fish to Pamella in order to get some money. While walking home, a crowd has gathered at the corpse of the Maryfin, where animal control is attempting to clean up the mess while keeping the people back far enough to do their work. Crusher notices that at the center of the corpse was a golden-black cuboidal artifact with a light glow, a Didin Fragment. He doesn't know what it is, and decides to take it back with him in order to investigate. He finds it odd that a monster would be holding an artifact out of all things.

Back at the Mighty Inn, Crusher is sitting at his desk where he observes the Didin Fragment under a microscope, while scouting out geological textbooks to find any artifacts that may resemble it, but to his surprise there is nothing about the given artifact in any of the books he had in his possession. While Crusher observes the Didin Fragment for small details that could lead him to the origin of the artifact, a shorter goblin figure is lurking in the forest on Asurfan Hill, observing the Didin Fragment from afar. During sunset, Gombit scouts out the Didin Fragment, tracking its unique energy signature, and would arrive at the Mighty Inn. Gombit knocks on the door, to which Crusher comes out to help him. Gombit states he is lost and just needs to warm up for a bit inside of his house. Once invited in, Gombit locates the Didin Fragment, takes it, and runs out the door as fast as he can.

Crusher pursues Gombit, but Gombit is the fastest individual Crusher had ever had to chase. Gombit tries using his bow, but to little avail. When they catch up the two exchange blows for a bit. Crusher uses his Tara nom Zomsu martial arts once again, believing it to be the best fit for the fast and cunning individual. Gombit uses his martial arts, the Red Rabbit Style, a martial arts style created for those that emphasize speed. Once Crusher catches up, he uses the Leg Bomb technique to push Gombit to the ground, then tries to follow up with the Downward Bullet in the hopes of defeating Gombit there and then. Gombit gets up before the technique can be applied, and uses the Arise of the Marsh Turtle to paralyze Crusher's leg in place for the moment, then uses the Dance of the Four Oxen to push Crusher back. Crusher closes the gap between the two and uses a Rapid-Fire Breaking Charge to retaliate against Gombit's rapid fire.

Gombit quickly runs away from Crusher, and encircles him through the trees. Crusher keeps his attention on the position of Gombit. Gombit easily jumps from tree to tree, using his Nimble Boost to jump long distances. After Gombit encircles him four times, Crusher loses sight of him, and Gombit uses this chance to attack Crusher from behind him. He uses the Porcupine Punch technique, but it seemingly did nothing to affect him. Crusher tells Gombit he cannot be hurt on his back, and that all attacks to his Iron Back do zero damage. Upon being stunned at the immense durability of Crusher, Gombit is hit with a Breaking Charge and a Trombone Kick, which launches him into a tree. And upon being finished with a Downward Bullet, Gombit surrenders, giving the artifact back to Crusher.

Crusher inquires with Gombit on why he intended to steal the artifact. Gombit lies and says he thought it looked nice. Crusher asks him how he knew where the artifact was, to which Gombit replied that he just saw it in his house while relaxing there. Crusher can tell he is lying, and inflicts pain onto him to emit a truthful response. Gombit tells Crusher that he had heard of a special artifact that dropped from monsters that he could sell for a lot of money, saying that he needs the money in order to have a witch undo a curse on his sickened son. He says his son was out playing in a field with his friends when a witch came out of nowhere, and told them they were trespassing, and inflicted a curse upon his son that gave him a great sickness. Gombit says that he's begged the witch to undo the curse, but she refused each time, telling him that she would only do it if he had forty thousand dollars to give her. Crusher says he'll do him one better, and they'll go to the witches' castle and have her remove the curse with force. Gombit asks how that is possible, but Crusher simply says he will figure it out. Gombit tells Crusher what a good person he is, and also says that he does not deserve Crusher's help after what he tried to do to him. Crusher responds that it's not a big deal, and cryptically, he says he used to be just like him.

## Appearances in Order

### Characters

* Ryu Crusher
* Pom
* Mifiti
* Pamella
* Maryfin *(deceased)*
* Bobby
* Rachap
* Gombit
* Jelt *(mentioned)*
* Samri *(mentioned)*

### Locations

* Maine
	+ Aeran
		- Pam's Ham and Spam
		- Hortsfield Square
	+ Brovolian Hills
		- Asurfan Hill
			* Mighty Inn
		- Aeranfalli Lake
		- Caspanoan Hill
		- Dacabon Castle *(mentioned indirectly)*

### Creatures

* Human
* Blue Gill
* Battle Borne Bass
* Tangi Sunfish
* Brattlemouse
* Red Monkey
* Blue Monkey
* Red Carpisian Snail
* Maryfin *(deceased)*
* Bishemin
* Cyan Goblin
* Green Goblin *(mentioned)*
* Witch *(mentioned)*
	+ Zanara Witch *(mentioned)*

### Techniques

**Ki** *(unnamed) (used indirectly)*

* Energy Signature Identification *(unnamed)*

**Martial Arts**

* ***Red Rabbit Style***
	+ The Fastest *(unnamed)*
	+ Arise of the Marsh Turtle
	+ Dance of the Four Oxen
	+ Nimble Boost
	+ Porcupine Punch
* ***Tara nom Zomsu***
	+ Leg Bomb
	+ Downward Bullet
	+ Breaking Charge
		- Rapid-Fire Breaking Charge
	+ Trombone Kick
* ***Orambi*** *(unnamed)*
	+ Iron Back *(unnamed)*

**Magic** *(mentioned) (unnamed)*

* ***Curse*** *(mentioned)*
	+ Curse of Reinindes *(mentioned) (unnamed)*
	+ Curse Removal *(suggested) (unused) (unnamed)*

### Items

* Schlagenheim
* Bandalbrot
* Crusher's Backpack
* Yate
* Didin Fragment
* Crusher's Microscope
* Gombit's Bow

## Narrative Impact

* Crusher obtains his Didin Fragment.
* Crusher meets Gombit.

## Trivia

* Red Rabbit Style was a last minute decision added to make Gombit's character more interesting.