I'm the Only One With a Different Genre - Chapter 48

Chapter 48 – Such Wounds Shouldn’t Really Be A Big Deal, Should They?

‘What should I do?’

Honestly, the man was right about everything he said. Without the demonic sword, I was completely useless.

‘But to whip out the demonic sword right now would be a bit…’

The Gargantua is optimized for killing and absorbing blood, not quite understanding the concept of sparing a life. Hence, I was reluctant to draw it.

T h is w a s c o p ied f r om ki n g m t l.o r g
‘What if I accidentally killed them?’

They were gladiator slaves, not just ordinary swordsmen, which meant they had owners. If I killed them carelessly, who knows, I might have to compensate with money.

‘Maybe I should just pretend to fight and lose?’

Though it was a bit upsetting, no other decent plan came to mind. With that thought, I picked up the sword.

“You’re asking for a duel, right?”

“Who are you talking back to?”

“You were, so I thought I could too.”

Why did he expect me to use honorary language when he didn’t? Unlike Bianca, who had brought the gift of the top floor, his unwarranted rudeness was irksome.

‘Maybe it’s time to draw the demonic sword… No, let’s save that for when I’m really angry.’

While I was considering my options…

“Die!”

“…!”

Before even assuming a ready stance, the man suddenly charged. It was a surprise attack, unbecomingly cowardly for what was supposedly a ‘duel’.

Thwack!

T h i s w a s c o p i e d f r om kin g m tl . o r g
His sword struck right at the pit of my stomach with precision.

“As expected, a total idiot.”

The man sneered as he swung his sword to the side. I could feel a rib breaking and being pierced through.

“Kuhuk, cough cough!”

Blood gushed out as my lungs were punctured. But the volume was a bit excessive.

Swoosh, splat!

“What, what the hell?!”

The slave retreated as blood poured out like a faucet at full blast, his earlier arrogance fading.

“Bluagh.”

I vomited out all the blood that had filled my mouth. Wiping around my lips with the back of my hand, I commented casually.

“Ah, got blood all over my clothes.”

“What, how are you still standing?!”

The man’s eyes rapidly moved between my upper body and face. Not just him, even the slave spectators, seated at a safe distance, were shocked into retreat.

“…? I can stand, so I’m standing.”

***

“What the… Are you an undead or something?!”

Sweat beaded on the man’s face. Undead, the immortal beings who may lose control and attack at any moment, were monsters no one would want to die from.

“Eeek!”

In a fluster, the man lifted his sword high, aiming to slash Lian’s shoulder this time. It passed through the shoulder and sliced into his left chest.

“Haugh, haah… This time for sure—”

Grasp.

“…?!?!”
T his w a s c o pi ed f r om k in g mt l . o r g

“Could you pull out the sword now? Or, are we going to continue fighting like this?”

Lian remained calm, grabbing the part of the blade lodged in his body and lifting it. The man was utterly confused.

Thi s w as co p ie d fro m k i n g m t l. or g
“Eeya—”

As I yanked the sword free from my shoulder, the man’s face went deathly pale. At that moment, one of the slaves from a distance came running.

“Eat this!”

Flash!

He presented something about the size of a palm—a brooch. A bright white light poured out towards Lian.

“This brooch, it’s filled with sacred power!”

“To use such a rare item…”

“Nothing’s too precious for a friend!”

While they were solidifying their friendship, an unwelcome voice from an undead sounded.

“Wow, my wounds are all healed. Thanks!”

“…?!”

“…?!?!”

Clang!

The sword-wielding slave dropped his sword and began to back away.

“Oh, don’t come closer!”
T h i s w as c op i e d f r o m k i n g mtl . o r g

“Eeek!”
T h is wa s c o pi e d f ro m ki n g mt l .o r g

Humans inherently fear the incomprehensible. To them, Lian was the embodiment of that fear. An existence that wouldn’t die even when stabbed, standing casually, and coolly pulling out blades lodged in its body—not to mention immune to sacred power!

Lian’s current state was fearfully nightmare-inducing, covered in blood and sporting a chilling grin.

Incapable of overcoming their visual and mental terror, the slaves collapsed to the floor, scrambling to escape.

T h i s was c o p ie d f r om k i n gm tl .o rg
“Please, spare us!”

“Monster… A monster!”

In an instant, the sparring ground was deserted. Alone now, Lian scratched his chin and looked down at his own state.

“Eesh… And I don’t have many clothes to begin with.”

There was no way he could return to Iris looking like this. Left with no other choice, Lian decided to go after the slaves who had fled to get some clothes. Winning the duel meant it was only fair to take something in return.

But if there was one thing Lian had forgotten—it was how others might perceive him. He was only worried about how Iris would see him, not considering the impression he would make on the other slaves.

Thus, Lian found himself walking the corridors, still dripping with blood, sword in hand.

“Gasp..”

“Gasp!”

The people on this floor had seen countless bodies and monsters’ corpses. Yet, the reason they cringed and recoiled was because Lian looked like a serial killer out on a rampage.

Those who were cowering the most were the ones who had witnessed his recent match. Having seen the terrifying scene of slaughter, they were already paralyzed by fear without Lian having to do a thing.

‘Don’t make eye contact.’

‘What kind of killing left that much blood on him?’

‘He didn’t have a drop on him after the match, did he?’

‘Gasp, so it’s not the item that made him strong. He carries a normal sword around.’

As this unintended misunderstanding deepened, Lian finally found the room of the fleeing slaves. Asking another slave, he quickly located it.

Knock, knock.

He knocked on the door where he presumed a slave would be. There was no answer.

“…? Is nobody there?”

That would be inconvenient. What to do?

Considering this, he knocked on the doorknob once more. At that moment, the handle turned smoothly. It seemed that the door had not been locked.

‘They must be inside since they said they would be. I’ll just go in and ask; maybe they didn’t hear the knock.’

With the other party already being rude, Lian did not hesitate to open the door and enter.

‘This room can fit such furniture?’

He took in the far more furnished space compared to where he stayed with Iris. Of the two rooms, one was closed, and the other open. A peek inside the open room revealed it to be empty. Only one room was left.

‘They must be in there.’

Lian strode purposefully towards the closed door.

Knock, knock.

He knocked, out of courtesy, ready to enter regardless of a response.

Bang, thud! Crash!

Just as he was about to turn the handle, a loud noise came from inside. Lian immediately turned the knob and entered.

“Hiiek, hiiieek!”

A silhouette covered in blankets was screaming and fleeing to the corner of the bed. It seemed to have knocked into a shelf in its panic, scattering several objects onto the floor.

Thi s w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n gm tl .o rg
“Please, save me!”

“…?”

Lian, from head to toe covered in blood and with a sharp sword in one hand, dropped blood from its tip, appearing to be a murderer who had burst into the room post-slaughter.

“Weren’t you the one from the sparring ground earlier?”

“No, no! That’s not me!”

The slave frantically shook his head in denial.
T h i s w as c o p i e d f r o m k i n g mtl .o r g

‘Wrong, is it?’

Lian’s eyebrows twitched in puzzlement, and the man immediately tucked his head down on the bed, crying out.

“Yes, yes, that’s me! It is… it is!”

“Ah, then I have a favor to ask.”

For a moment, the man envisioned Lian snarling, “I’ll take your life soon enough!”

“I’d like to use your bathroom—”

“Please, just spare my life!”

Their words intermingled in the air followed by a brief silence.

“I don’t need your life, just want to use the bathroom.”

“Oh, feel free to use it!”

Lian profitably made use of the man’s bathroom and even took some clothes.

***

‘Oh no, I’m late. Really late.’

Ever since I returned from Bianca’s, Iris disliked it whenever I stepped away for even a moment. Of course, if unavoidable and I asked her to wait, she would quietly do so, cheeks puffing up in the meantime.

‘Yet, it’s a relief that she’s showing more responses and seems to have desires now.’

Grinning broadly, I arrived at our place.

“Iris, I’m back.”

Usually, Iris would rush to greet me with a hug, but today, she sat motionless on the sofa. As I approached, she finally looked my way.

“Did something happen, Iris?”

“…”

Iris silently reached out, timidly holding onto the hem of my shirt.

T h i s wa s c op i e d f r o m k i n g m t l . o rg
“Different clothes…”

“Ah, these are lent to me by someone I know.”

“…”

For some reason, Iris seemed downcast. Was it because I was late?

“Sorry, Iris. I’ll be home quicker next time. Did you feel lonely all by yourself?”

“…”

Without a word, Iris clutched my clothes more tightly. She seemed about to say something, lips nearing a smile, and then hesitated, closing them firmly.

‘Could it be…’

I pondered over Iris’s behavior, thinking deeply.

‘Is she worried about following Bianca to the top floor?’

I couldn’t think of any other reason for Iris to suddenly make such a face. I recalled Bianca’s offer.

‘Well, it’s pretty hard to send her with a shadow that bites people randomly.’

How should I explain it so Iris won’t leave?

***

While Lian grappled with his thoughts, Iris had recalled events that had transpired just before.

Lian didn’t return even after the match was over, so she left the room against his advice to wait there. For Iris, it took quite a bit of courage.

Wandering aimlessly, eventually, she began to smell blood—pungent and strong. Like one enchanted, Iris found herself drawn towards the source of the scent.