Only I Am A Reader

The battle deciding the fate of the world... Had finally come to an end!

Every single Martial Artist that stood on the battlefield at the center of the flat plains fought for their own reasons. Some only fought for their lives after their pride prevented them from deserting, some others still chose to run in the end only to die.

However, the majority were still Martial Artists that wanted to rid the world of the monsters, they wanted Murim to go back to its old image. The place where they could fight for power and resources, the place where they could do good once in a while and be praised as heroes in contrast to their completely selfish counterparts.

Part of this majority did actually wish good for the normal people who suffered from the constant threat, but the true face of Murim was always more ugly than it looked. Just like any other reality or world, most people sought stagnation, to return to their old position and the rights that came with it, regardless of how better things could have become if they took a step in a different direction.

'Having the perspective of an outlier is weird.'

One of the few things that Leo thought of during his constant fight in the battle that lasted for a whole three days was how this close meeting with the end could change things, but he couldn't help finding it funny.

If he was given the choice to start this war or not for the sake of change, he would have chosen not to start it. However, as something that was out of his hands, he felt that this flattening destruction caused by the monsters was indeed the perfect foundation to start a better Murim...

A Murim that was less barbaric, one where even the rights of the weakest could be guaranteed, something closer to actual civilization. Instead of that, every Martial Family and each Sect were hurrying up to rise back to their pedestals once again, to take control and have the say over the weak.

And this was exactly what made it funny, Leo once believed that this was some sort of twisted hypocrisy, but he wasn't that much different. In the end, he was once a reading junkie who only found comfort in escapism and thought explorations.

Although he might have tried other hobbies to get off reading or at least lessen its intensity, it didn't seem that much different from an excuse. At times he looked at his reading addiction as if it was projected on him by an outside influence, but wasn't he as a person the one that wanted to stagnate in his reading phase that made him the most comfortable?

In reality, he wasn't that much different from the various leaders of Murim. If he didn't get the chance to transform his addiction to its current form, he would have probably been reading rather than exploring other possibilities.

One's perspective was truly what defined the situation. It could allow a reader to understand the complications of the matter, just like it gives him the chance to be patronizing towards the 'evil' or the 'self-interested' characters.

In fact, a changed Murim where actual strength wasn't everything didn't seem like much of an upgrade. Perhaps 'political power' would be the new denominator of that strength, but normal people might not have a better life as a result, especially in a world where the strength of martial arts and nature was readily available...

Wouldn't it be better to either change the perspective of those who are already in power or just grow into that position and become the affective influence itself?

One still had to work his way through problems and try to solve them, but hypothetically judging everything wasn't the way to do so, and radical solutions weren't the way either. No matter how simple, every structure could never be built correctly in one day!

Unfortunately...

'The fact that I'm having these thoughts means that...'

Someone was already set up with the same idea that popped up in Leo's 'civilized mind', and he was aiming just for that radical solution methodology.

'The trouble is just starting.'

`~~~`~~~`~~~`

Screech!

Spreading its wings to glide down, a brown-feathered hawk let out a cry as it landed on the hands of a Martial Artist dressed in blue robes.

"Th-they did it! The Monsters have been exterminated!"

Just a few days ago, no one was even sure about the news that the Heavenly Strength Society had shared, but thanks to the reports occurring mid-way during the battle, the rest of the world could be said to be on its toes, hoping that their compatriots could stop the final invasion and practically save the world.

"No more cracks have been opening for the last two days!"

"Monsters are going into hiding!"

Thankfully, news of the defense force's success quickly flooded the place. In South Edge city built around the Southern Edge Sect, there was even evidence supporting the fact that this was the end of the invasion being reported around.

Considering that the source of the reports was trusted, it didn't take long before the atmosphere turned completely festive. It was possible that more cracks would still open later, but no one could deny that they had dodged a bullet thanks to the extermination of the world-destroying army!

Whether it was the Martial Artists that stayed around to stop any potential monster attacks and guard the sect, or normal people taking shelter under the Southern Edge Sect's banner, everyone broke into a celebration. While this might not make their old lives easier, it at least wouldn't make them even worse.

"Go! Let's hurry up while they are distracted!"

Luckily enough for the people sneaking around the city, no one was interested in their suspicious movements as they tried to slip into the sect's perimeters. Everyone was focused on the highlights of the day, and that was exactly how the next threat after monsters began its emergence. Only, this time, it was selective.

The fate of Murim was truly changing with the end of the battle of the centuries...