Only I Am A Reader

Neither Leo nor Arthur were that vengeful, but the Sword Demon's presence in his life was simply too much. It all felt too far now, but this antagonist's influence on him started even before Arthur was born. Arthur's parents had become test subjects, dying when they tried to give him a different life. Even when he was trying his best to be happy as an orphan, he was still haunted by his past.

The Arthur in the novel was ignorant once he fell back into the researchers' clutches, but the current Arthur shared Leo's knowledge as a reader. He knew what he would have become if not for Leo's intervention. His old fate was that of a toy made to satisfy the Sword Demon's curiosity, one that would be tossed away in the end.

While Leo was the one in control, Arthur was already a part of him, a part that he agreed with. Although the 'Sword Body' and his special physique were great bonuses, they were things that were forced upon him. If the Sword Demon felt indignant at the fact that his 'toy' stood up to him, Arthur had all the right to be furious at this hateful antagonist! This was the only 'justification' he needed!

"You think you are the only person who has the right to be angry?"

Leo's strike made the Sword Demon realize the danger that he paused. The difference between the 11th stage and the 10th stage wasn't as simple as a one-stage difference, but it was close. Though this 'monster' might have been his idea, it seemed like he underestimated him, the heaviness of the strikes and the versatility of his 'weapon' made him a bad match at close combat.

His arm was already 'healing' under the support of his Breath. However, as a Sword Practitioner whose Breath was particularly leaning towards combat power, the progress was too slow. What was just a fun battle had turned into a duel of life and death!

"You asked for this!"

The Sword Demon immediately cut his connection to the next volley of flying swords on his own, gesturing with his palm as propelled another one from the swords around him. He wanted the numerical advantage to distract Leo before cutting him with his own hands!

"Nice try!"

shiing!

Leo's fingers individually 'swordified' for more range. Twelve swords were a lot. However, he had already grasped the speed of the flying swords earlier so he could set the pace even without retreating. One sword was aiming for his neck, but Leo didn't even bother dodging, rather, he directly bit into it!

Crunch!

Despite being further alerted by what he saw, the Sword Demon didn't pause his plan either. Since Leo's neck was hard to reach, he pierced forward, attempting to stab his heart!

Swoosh!

The Sword Demon stab didn't connect, he couldn't afford to let it do so! If the 'Sword Sense' granted by the Progenitor Sword's domain had been a second later, his own head might have been pierced!

"Did you forget about me?"

An angry Ray was already speeding towards him. He had precisely thrown the steel sword in the ground the moment he saw the Sword Demon moving. What made the Sword Demon speechless was that the sword had still been coated with Sword Breath even when it left Ray's hand. Moreover, the sharpness in it was far from being something that a 9th stage 'Swordsman' could produce!

Ray had only received hints about this when he conversed with the Progenitor Sword's sword spirit, but seeing the Sword Demon perform the technique so many times, the protagonist had already done what he was best at, 'stealing' skills in the middle of the battle!

"You probably shouldn't have neglected him either…"

The Sword Demon's battle experience was incomparably rich. However, he was currently battling two freaks that common sense didn't apply to, he simply couldn't keep up with the battle's tempo!

Shicckk!

He still managed to raise another volley of flying swords to stop the speeding Ray, but Leo was still on the move. Thoroughly using his right 'Claw Sword' this time, the Sword Demon's right forearm flew into the air!

"Gah!"

The pitiful antagonist couldn't even spare a moment to exclaim his pain, still parrying Leo's other hand with his intact arm. For an otherworldly overlord that believed to have the continent playing in his palm, he was in quite a miserable state…

"Sorry, but… there is no final form for you."

Originally, this battle would have been drawn long enough for the Sword Demon to 'advance' just when he was about to die under Ray's sword. However, Leo could never let this happen.

Against a Sword Demon at the so-called 12th stage, Leo would practically lose his combat effectiveness. At that point, the only one who could face him would be Ray, only… even the protagonist couldn't do it at no cost!

Regardless of the fact that it would leave Ray in an unknown state that the author even refused to divulge as a sort of an 'open ending', Ray's own 'final form' could only be reached through the sword spirit's sacrifice, which went against Leo's plans.

Keeping the Progenitor Sword in one piece was Leo's second reason for killing the Sword Demon, so how could he let it get damaged in the end. Besides… Ray was practically his 'brother'. Even as an edgy protagonist who would always make a comeback, a part of Leo didn't want to see him suffer.

"Ha!"

Under the heaviness of Leo's 'Claw Sword', the suppressed Sword Demon let go of just one flying sword that was around Ray, desperately raising another in hope of successfully stabbing Leo or at least gaining some distance. However, the sword was immediately met with another sword throw from Ray, striking the sword away.

Splikht!

Without any further suspense, Leo's right arm directly penetrated the Sword Demon's chest, making its way through to his back. With one simple motion, the battle had finally reached its end!

[ Plot change confirmed. Legendary event occurrence has been detected… ]