Only I Am A Reader

"So what if you can restrict my 'Sword Control'?"

The Sword Demon momentarily thought about ending the battle as soon as possible. However, as if he was under something's influence, he decided to see the limits of this deviant of nature. Using the 'supplies' that the collapsed army of guards provided, another dozen swords rose and flew towards Ray.

While he acknowledged that Ray's sword technique was more than just skillful, as a person who merely practiced a basic foundational technique like 'Universal Sword Breathing', his body was strictly still that of a normal human. Even if his skill could keep up, his body wouldn't be able to.

"That's useless."

Back into full battle mode, Ray threw away the normal steel sword he was using as his fist started to turn red. In a matter of seconds, a dark red liquid flowed out as if blood was being sucked out of Ray's hand, mesmerizingly forming into an elegant longsword.

Sishw! Swish!

The sword glowed with sanguine Sword Breath, dancing in Ray's hand, striking the flying swords immobile. Rather than moving his arm to react, Ray's sword did everything. The bloody sword's form seemed to be nothing more than an illusion, deconstructing and forming to intercept the dozen swords whole!

"Fascinating! You were already abnormal to destroy my technique, but you even managed to refine a Vital Essence Sword despite lacking the relevant method! You are too interesting to be killed!"

'The antagonist's syndromes are acting up as well…'

Leo was seriously analyzing the situation. Just now, the Sword Demon was infuriated that he wanted to off both of them to restore his peace of mind, but his attitude transitioned to that of interest out of nowhere, this was only something that could happen in a novel. Watching it in person was very 'educational'.

It wasn't that this novel was especially trashy about it, it was just how a big portion dealt with the final battle, stretching it and providing the main character to show his own 'final form' only to end up triumphing against the unreachable peak symbolized by the antagonist.

Most importantly, the Sword Demon almost had nothing to worry about. Despite wholly draining his Sword Breath by using Extreme Sword Flight to break through the Empire's lines of protection in mere minutes, his link with the Progenitor Sword that already started the harvesting process basically granted him an unlimited reserve. Time was on his side, the more that passed the higher the chance was for him to win, it was a confirmed success as long as he advanced even one stage!

"We will see who dies first."

Turning his sharp gaze at the Sword Demon, Ray was already stimulating the battle in his head so he could proceed. Ever since the Sword Garden Trial's incident took place, his training had only grown harsher.

He wasn't sure about the origin of the sanguine sword that Jade brought back, yet he felt extremely familiar with it. Over the last year, he had completely focused on the sword that seemed to be made just for him, figuring out the magical abilities that it hid.

"If that makes you show your full potential, then why not?"

Shuaa!

Without any further delay, an intense battle between 'swords' ensued. The swords on the ground made it so the Sword Demon had a similarly large reserve of tools, while Ray's Vital Essence Sword never seemed to tire. In the meantime…

Thud!

Leo no longer had any plans to watch, a protagonist versus antagonist battle was even more silly to observe in real life. Even as a reader, such scenes usually made Leo scroll a bit faster while wishing the nonsense would end soon. Now that he was 'present', he could personally make it so!

Launching himself at the Sword Demon while he was using the maximum number of swords he could control on Ray, Leo's had smoothly transformed within seconds. After months of training, such an action no longer required either time or focus.

"You should have stayed still, I already lost interest in you."

Even if he couldn't control additional swords, the Sword Demon was still able to propel the closest one to him into his hands. Unlike remotely controlled Sword Breath, the one that surrounded the sword made Leo's mind glare in alarm. It didn't matter how strong he currently was, if he got hit by that, his life would likely be lost.

However, Leo hadn't spent his time playing either. Rather than practicing his Swordsmanship, the thing that Leo focused on during his stay in the Evil Sword Jungle was his Close Quarter Combat. He retracted his 'feint', dodging before delivering his real attack!

"It's blatantly obvious that you did."

Splishhh!

Leo's leg had already risen to the Sword Demon's neck, being caught off guard. He barely managed to dodge, but that allowed Leo's 'Foot Sword' to hit its target, his right arm!

"Uhm… What kind of fighting style is that?"

Even as someone who could use his Sword Breath to protect his body, the protection provided to his body was incomparable due to the incompatibility. He still didn't pause his ranged battle with Ray, but the Sword Demon's expression was unsightly as he held on to his half-dangling forearm.

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

Ignoring the Sword Demon's expositional question, Leo readied himself for the next strike. He didn't participate in the battle to stand by and watch the epilogue in order to satisfy the main quest's possible condition, he wasn't here to show the power of brotherhood either. Without a doubt, Leo was here to take the Sword Demon's life!

Unlike Ray, Leo wasn't someone who acted on what he believed to be righteous, wanting to kill the source of the Swordsmen's distress, he wasn't even sure if that made the Sword Demon in the wrong either. However, he also wasn't just Leo the reader, he was also Arthur the scapegoat, his fight with the antagonist was personal, and he was going to see it through!