Chapter 1
I.. was a demon lord in my past life. I remember this fact, but I don’t remember who I was.. Nor what I did. I only know that the demon lord did horrible things.. Did I really kill people? Did I really slaughter families, burn villages, and rape women..? I only know what I’ve heard from villagers, and family. All I remember is.. I want to be a hero, this desire is deeply engrained in me.. And the fact I was the demon lord. These thoughts plague me.. How can someone want to be good when they committed so many horrible acts?
…
It was about 3 months ago, I woke up in an arena after having been stabbed and killed by the person against me. I suppose I grew up in a small town, and moved towns to fight stronger fighters, and hone my skills. I don’t know how I woke up, but I suddenly had these memories of being the demon lord, I think maybe I’m crazy? But I’ve never felt so certain something was true..
“I’m on my way to gain the title of sword god like the great hero!”
I must atone, for my past life, I have to be a hero! Is that why? Or is it desire? I can’t even tell..
“S-so.. no matter what the hell you say, I’m going to the final match! Just because you tell me to drop out, doesn't mean I will! You say I was stabbed in the chest but the wound has already been healed, do you understand?” He says.
“Y-yes but we have no idea how! The nobles watched you get stabbed, their pissed! They think you might be cheating.” Says a taller, more built man.
“Tsk.. then I’ll fight them too! I need this money! I didn’t cheat!” He shouts.
My name is.. Its now.. Kabuso.
“B-but!”
“Now now.. Hah- let the boy battle? He’s twenty years old, its normal to have a death wish around that age, especially when your family consists of prostitutes and slave workers..” A bearded male with a long black fancy robe glares down at Kabuso.
“Tsk-.. I’m gonna win this you hear!? Then I’m gonna get my payment from you and you’ll regret mocking me and my family.” He glares back intensely.
My mother is beautiful, its a shame she has to do indecent things for nobles to earn money for the house.. And my dad.. He was forced to become a slave, mom and me haven't seen him in years.. I hate this awful world..
Kabuso feels tears in the back of his eyes burning. “Uck-” He turns and walks into a room to prepare for the next fight.
The arena is entertainment for nobles, usually its only slaves that fight, but some weirdos join in for fame, or for money, its a slaughter fest.. You only enter if you have no intention of keeping your life, that’s just how the world works, it can’t be helped. Me though? I have no intention of dying.. The winner is always someone who’s cheating, illegally using magic and although I can’t use magic at all.. I will find a way to cut them down.
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“Are you ready!? For the final match! First we have Kabuso, the young prodigy, the second fastest man to ever earn the title of sword master, earning it at nineteen years old! And on the other team, a slave.. Going by the name Goodie, everyone applaud!” The announcer says.
I’m sorry.. I truly feel bad for you. I can’t lose, but you.. You were probably an honorable person, now degraded to being a slave who cheats in arenas for his master, going by a ridiculous alias your master forced you to.. Gh-!
“And begi-”
Kabuso leans forwards, grabbing the handle to his blade. In one lunge, he flashes towards his enemy, closing the distance drastically in no time at all. The ground beneath his feet cracks as he launches himself.
“E-hh!?” The slave panics and begins discreetly casting a spell. Before he ever begins chanting the words, Kabuso closes the distance and plants his feet into the ground, swinging a powerful blow to the slaves neck.
Huh!?
He see’s a small magical barrier block his blade. “You..” He twists his body and kicks the slave, doing a backflip off of him to create a distance so he can form another plan.
A barrier around his neck huh? A barrier that strong can only be placed on one part of the body, they really guessed I’d swing there?
Before he can find a new plan, the slave starts running towards him and swings a blade.
I have to bloc- no!
He quickly leaps to his left, rolling out of the way. The ground beneath the slaves sword swing cracks. “Blessings of strength must feel real damn nice huh?” Kabuso teases.
Barrier around neck.. Blessing of strength, most of the human race only has the mana capacity to hold one blessing at a time.. So its safe to say no speed blessings.. Which means-
Kabuso lowers his head, staring at the ground. Soon, he gets into a stance, prepared to block a blow. “Come on man, you aren’t scared right..? You’re even cheating, come at me.” He says.
“Huh? I.. I’m sorry.” The slave mumbles.
I know.. I’m sure a real swordsman like yourself would never want to stoop the level of cheating.. I will.. Save you from this life.
His eyes trace up the ground to the slave, with a merciful yet cold gaze. The slave sprints towards him, raising his greatsword with a large swing, as he swings down, Kabuso swiftly swings his katana up to block the blow.
It will shatter.
The blades collide with an ear piercing sound, but Kabuso’s sword suddenly cracks and shatters.
“Honor..” Kabuso mutters. He reaches forwards, stepping to his left to dodge the greatswords swing. His hand snatches a fragment of the blade out of the air. He feels a sharp sting across his fingers as he grips it and jabs it into the slaves chest..
Drip… Drip… gush, the blood begins pouring.
“Gshck-.. Ahhhgh! Damn.. it hurts..” He falls to his knees, looking up to Kabuso with a thankfulness hidden deep in his eyes, making Kabuso surprisedly step back.
Farewell.
“H-..” The slave attempts to follow swordsman tradition, trying to say it back. “On..or..” He collapses to the ground, bleeding in puddles.
“W-whoa.. What a battle!” The announcer yells. The sound of a cheering crowd blurs to Kabuso’s ears.
Scumbags.. All of them.. What's so fun about watching men slaughter other men? This guy could have been talented, he could have been a Hero.. he..
“Well well well! Hahahah! Kabuso was it? I’m sorry I doubted you.. Very, very, nice work..” The nobleman from earlier approaches, handing him a bag of golden coins. Clearly suspicious that Kabuso might be cheating. “I wonder how you managed to win that.. Fairly.. Very interesting.” The mans eyes shimmer a greedy orange.
Kabuso looks back, with the eyes of a dark green forest. “Yeah, I wonder.. Maybe your mages just sucked?” He whispers. “Thank you so much for the reward! It means so much I could be here today!” He loudly cheers in front of the crowd.
The nobleman glares back. He stands up tall next to Kabsuo, letting him have his moment of victory. “Congratulations.. I hope you will provide more entertainment next time.. Oh by the way, tell your mother I said hello, Charla right? Mm.. she was nice..” His mumbles very quickly infuriate Kabuso but he deals with it.
I can’t believe it..
After that, he returns home..