I’m the Only One With a Different Genre - Chapter 64

A special match.

This match was a stage prepared only for a select few. The arena wasn’t devoid of spectators, but a protective barrier made it difficult to see the action. Most of the audience took this time as a break and vacated their seats.

“This is something… I never imagined.”

“I imagined it, but didn’t know how to set the stage.”

Angsho sneered at Totojen’s powerless words.

“Yes, that seems to be the case…”

Totojen stared vacantly at the arena.

“It’s a pity Bansook isn’t here to see this.”

“Why would you recall such a stupidly dead man? Don’t ruin the taste of this entertaining stage with such distasteful talk.”

Totojen nodded in agreement. Bansook, who had been mentally broken and acting powerlessly like an old man of his age after being subjected to terrible torture and brainwashing by Lian, was eventually butchered by a servant who had been his right-hand man. One night, the servant, apparently having come to his senses after seeing Bansook’s dumbstruck state, cruelly slaughtered him and fled.

There was no more shameful death than being killed by one’s own slave. Angsho detested even mentioning the foolish Bansook. He was embarrassed by their past when they were known as ‘brothers.’

“This is the difference. The difference between that idiot and me. I have created the ultimate stage, while he stupidly lost and died.”

Angsho’s expression was more venomous than ever as he scorned the deceased Bansook.

“Now, let’s watch the stage leisurely.”

“Yes. That would be best.”

Totojen’s voice, which seemed to have aged rapidly because of Lian, regained its vitality.

And so, the match began.

***

“What is this?”

[ Hmm? This mist is undoubtedly Rediaholsun. ]
‘Rediaholsun? What’s that?’

As I questioned inwardly, the Demon Sword immediately replied.

[ It’s one of the common toxic mists in the demon world. If you breathe it in, you’ll perceive everyone around you as an enemy, even if they are an ally. ]
‘That’s incredibly dangerous. But why is it here? We’re already each other’s enemies. There are no allies.’

[ Indeed. ]
‘Is there no other function?’

[ Well, it has a slight exciting effect? It causes a state of arousal, making you rush towards your opponent. ]
‘So that’s what it is.’

[ It’s also excellent for obscuring vision. ]
‘You’re right. I can’t see anything in front of me.’

While conversing with the Demon Sword, I stepped out, my sword hanging loosely. Something the size of a fist flew above my head, swaying. It seemed to be something like a camera.

I was warned not to break it since it was incredibly expensive. There were several layers of protective magic on it, but my sword was so powerful that I had been warned several times.

“Let’s cut down whatever enemy there is and enter.”

Muttering to myself, the Demon Sword vibrated. My hand shook naturally.

[ No! Don’t go into the stage, I mean, the match so quickly! You can’t! You mustn’t! Let me shout at least three skill names, and lines too..! ]

The Demon Sword, which had abruptly discarded its solemn image and became like a child throwing a tantrum on the floor, was laid beneath my gaze.

“Ah, alright. I’ll let you.”

[ Three skill names, and shouting lines too…? ]
“That’s all you, right?”

[ Of course! ]

When I agreed as if I’d comply, the Demon Sword floated up. I became someone holding a sword straight.

“Okay, calm down a bit.”

With those words, the Demon Sword relaxed. It seemed pleased, vibrating softly.

‘It’s been a long time since you were in a match.’

The Demon Sword had been complaining [What’s the use of blood if I can’t use it!], indicating how long it had been since it had been in a match.

‘Let’s be careful not to make any mistakes.’

That thought in mind, I headed towards the center of the arena.

Kwoong, kung, kwooung!

As the sound of my heartbeat gradually quickened, as if the effects of excitement were true, I blinked slowly, feeling like I had overdosed on caffeine.

In the distance, I could sense something approaching.

[ Now, hand over the control, partner! ]

I immediately gave control to the excited Demon Sword, and my body automatically took a stance. The position was different from when I had grown tired of the spear or when I had destroyed the training ground. The sword in my hand was a longsword.

[ Krhhrhr, I have arrived! ]

It was funny to see the Demon Sword blurt out whatever came to mind in its excitement, despite having planned to say this line or that one. I considered pointing it out but decided to just let it play.

[ So, who is the enemy! Come out and face Gargandoa’s -… ]

Chang!

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of light appeared before my eyes. Suddenly, my body turned, and the Demon Sword blocked a sharp attack.

Chang, chang –

In the swift exchange of blows, Lian caught a glimpse of his opponent’s face.

“What the hell..”

The face, with a half-shaven beard, caterpillar-like eyebrows, buttonhole eyes, and 3 cm long eyelashes attached to them, thick red lips smeared with lipstick.

The gold hair, which was likely a wig, a square chin, and a round body that would make Ottugi cry seemed like brothers.

The crowning touch was the brown coat reaching down to the knees and the bristly hair on the exposed legs.

A string of curses rose to my throat.

‘Why the hell is that crazy crossdresser here!?’

Crossdresser Man.

The person before me was a pervert who used to show up regularly when I was in high school. Though my school was co-ed, his targets were always male.

Bodies of the opposite sex are mosaic-censored, but not those of the same sex. What does that say?

‘I thought I would definitely slice that bastard up.’

Memories of yelling “My eyes!” flashed through my mind. The thing he was holding with a creepy laugh was a long purple eggplant.

I lost my reason at that moment.

‘Gargandoa, kill that bastard quickly!’
[ What? But… isn’t that a ▉▉? Are you sure? ]
‘What did you say?’
[ Is it okay if it’s a ▉▉? ]
‘I can’t hear the first part clearly?’

Chaeang -, changjang.

Though the swords were clashing too fast to be seen, I was able to continue the conversation calmly since the Demon Sword was the one moving.

[ Ah, is it mental interference? Must be because of the Rediaholsun. Wait, you shouldn’t be affected by just Rediaholsun? Something’s off. ]

The Demon Sword mumbled to itself and then told me to wait. Around it, blood-red light began to swirl. The red light spread from the sword handle to my hand and soon encompassed my entire body.

“Uh?”

At the same time, the pervert in front of me transformed.

“Iris?”
[ Yes, that’s your sister in front. I was asking if it’s okay to kill her. ]
“Wow, that’s not good! Don’t kill her, no matter what!”
[ Well, that’s easy enough. ]

If it was the Demon Sword that had just fallen here, it might not know, but having consumed the blood of hundreds, thousands daily, it was a simple task for the Demon Sword to subdue Iris.

***

Iris realized that her body felt heavier than usual. She thought the thick mist around her might have influenced her, but it wasn’t just the mist.

Iris had taken up a sword for Lian, and her lineage as a hero reacted, allowing her to harness a vast amount of holy power. But now, her sword was pointed at Lian.

Even if she wasn’t aware of it, the holy power that had surged to protect the one she wanted to guard failed to serve its purpose the moment she extended her sword towards him.

That’s why she was utterly beguiled by the mist.

“Huff, hrr…”

Iris roughened her breathing as she glared at the person in front of her.

A man in a plain shirt, with leather armor over his heart, knee-high boots, and roomy pants, was holding a longsword, grinning wickedly.

…He was a merchant from a slave shop where she had briefly stayed in the past.

He unleashed cruel violence on the slaves. He didn’t stop punching and kicking until his anger was satisfied. The slave merchant didn’t stop there.

He dragged out children who seemed to be friends and tormented them in front of each other. He asked if they would take the beating for their friend, and if they agreed, he beat them until they were nearly dead.

The only reason he got away with damaging his ‘products’ so much was that he was the second son of a huge trading company, and the dying slaves were kept alive with cheap potions.

Later, when other slave merchants took care of the slaves, the effects of the potions wore off, and the slaves died in droves. Since the responsible slave merchant had to compensate for all of it, the reckless slave merchant rarely had to pay.

Iris had not been there long, but she vividly remembered those terrible days. The first ‘friend’ she could call hers had died at that man’s hands.

If her reason had been functioning correctly, she would have realized that the ‘dead man’ could not possibly appear before her. However, Iris’s reason was more than half paralyzed by the toxic mist.

An unusual heat filled her head, and her breathing became harsh. Her eyes, bloodshot and red, fixated on the man’s sword.

“I’m going to kill you…”