Only Weapon Master

“Thank you for applying to our company ……(omitted)…… You have been accepted to the VTuber duo group at VT… Huh?”

Oh.

What? I got in?

I definitely didn’t feel that the atmosphere was so good for me during the interview…

Hmm… Ah! Maybe those people were deliberately putting me down to establish dominance…

That’s it. That’s it!! They deliberately put me down for gaslighting and to make me compliant according to their taste and turn me into a slave… Sshup. Is that not it?

But still. Well…

As long as I get to Seoul, does it matter how I get there?

Hu

Huheh

Huhehet!

Ah. I can’t stop laughing hehe

After receiving the text message about being accepted as a VTuber, I put my phone in my bag, gathered my kendo uniform and protective gear, and headed to the kendo hall.

Perhaps because my mood had brightened due to the acceptance notification.

For the first time in a long while, I thoroughly enjoyed kendo, which I had been doing without motivation as a routine because I had no worthy opponents since returning to Earth.

“Head! Head! Wrist! Hiyaaa!!”

“Aargh!! Ah! Stop! You crazy girl, it hurts, it hurts! The match is already over!!! Ack, can someone stop her…!”

Ara’s opponent, who had been subjected to her heightened tension, loudly requested those around to stop her from bombarding mercilessly even after the match had ended, but.

“Wow. Ara is finally showing her true skills. Master. Kiyah!! It’s really reassuring to see a kid who said kendo was boring getting into it like this.”

“Khee~ That’s it!! That’s K swordsmanship! Ara, faster and harder!!”

The master and coach were only admiring Ara’s swordsmanship, and the surrounding members intentionally ignored the voice asking for help.

“Thud thud! Ara-style Swordsmanship First Form! Half Kill!”

“Aaaah!!”

The members all had the same thought inwardly while hearing the voice requesting help.

-As long as it’s not me.

After expressing her joy at the kendo hall for the first time in a long while, Ara entered the café that Reina had set as the meeting place.

A combination of a ponytail and red hair sitting in a corner seat but still noticeable.

She walked straight to the person who anyone would think was Reina.

“Reina, I’m he-“

“Kyaa!! We both got accepted!! Heheh”

As soon as I started greeting her, Reina grabbed my hands and jumped up and down, expressing her joy about both of us being accepted.

I looked at her fondly as her actions were truly cute.

Hmm~

Reina is quite young. Smiling brightly and jumping around for things like this.

You’re saying I’m not like that?

Huh.

18 years on Earth, 34 years in the otherworld.

A total of 52 years, me? Smiiiling briiightly? Lol

Kal(喝)!

Such lowly behavior doesn’t befit me, who defeated the Demon King, brought down the Heavenly Demon, and is a heavenly lord…. blah blah blah

“Ara, the corners of your mouth are turned up”

“Heh”

What 52 years, f*ck. I’m feeling so good hahah.

I thought I had released all the joy about being accepted—by unilaterally beating my opponent—at the kendo hall, but I guess not.

These days, life suddenly feels more vibrant and dopamine is bursting..huhuh

Hu..

If only I had properly tasted this joy

when I was a man….

[Before Kang Ara’s Otherworld Summoning.]

Before going to the otherworld, my life was so terrible that I couldn’t call it good even as a joke.

When I was young, my father, who had a traffic accident instead of me, was fired from the factory while limping on his left leg, and my mother became the head of the household, working at a restaurant until dawn, so I barely saw her face two or three times a week.

I strongly felt that the cause of this environment was my fault.

If I had properly checked for cars when crossing the crosswalk, my dad wouldn’t have had a traffic accident in my place and both his legs would have been normal. Then mom wouldn’t have had to work until dawn.

My parents said it wasn’t my fault but.

Well. Is that really true? Aren’t my parents just saying that outwardly while inwardly blaming me? I had nightmares every time I slept with such thoughts. Every day… every day…

Maybe because of the nightmares? I was sharp and cold like a finely honed knife to others except my family.

Perhaps because of that personality. As soon as I entered middle school, I became an outcast and was bullied by a group of bullies.

Before being bullied, couldn’t I have looked around a bit and made the effort to get along with peers?

Me having room for peer relationships when I was in a state with no leeway?

Ha. F*ck all that.

I didn’t have the luxury or privilege for such friend games.

Because no one could take away my guilt. This is my karma. It’s karma that I have to carry until the day I die.

I killed my emotions at school. Became a clown at home. I endured day by day.

Endured.

‘It hurts.’

Endured..

‘It hurts..’

Endured.

‘……’

Ignoring the voice saying my heart was in pain.

That day was no different from any other day.

After finishing school, I was being dragged into an alley, being spat on and having others’ saliva all over my body, being slapped on the cheek. I was playing the role of an emotional trash can for the group of bullies.

Having been bullied by them for a month without showing any reaction, perhaps they found it boring, or got tired of playing with their toy.

They gradually crossed the line.

At first, it was insulting remarks about my dad.

‘Since your dad is disabled, does that make you a disabled bastard? Lol.’

However, I couldn’t say anything. Because it was my fault that my dad ended up like that. Because I was the problem.

But

‘Hey, what’s the tastiest thing at the place where your mom works? Sshup. Ah! Is your mom the most delicious?─’

I can’t take it anymore.

Those f*cking animal bastards, I couldn’t bear the pain of my ears rotting from the sexual harassment-filled insults that came out of their open mouths.

With my eyes rolling back, I swung my fist at the bastard in front of me, then picked up a wooden stick lying on the street and swung it, processing each of the assholes who rushed at me one by one.

Not caring whether they lived or died. Swinging with killing intent.

I didn’t hesitate to swing the club towards the opponent’s head, and I wasn’t ashamed to hit their genitals.

Whether cowardly or merciless, I beat the group of bullies like I was going to kill them, and as I was beating them, just when I thought it was all over

A hand landed on my shoulder, and I was subdued with my neck wrapped around a thick arm, suspended in the air.

Startled in that moment, I struggled.

“Hey hey, relax, relax. You’ll get hurt that way.”

At the mature voice of a middle-aged adult, not a peer, I slowly relaxed. When I relaxed, that person also released me, and I could properly recognize him.

That’s right. That person was the kendo master who I, now a woman, am still attending classes with.

An ordinary person would have ignored the fight among students, or just held up a smartphone saying it was VTube or Reels material, not even pretending to stop it.

But he approached me, who was holding a blood-stained stick, and brought up a topic that didn’t match the situation.

“Friend, would you like to learn kendo?”

The master, who clearly had presbyopia, and I were obviously not in a position to be friends, and with kids groaning and collapsed around us, I felt that the master’s level and approach were different for bringing up such a thing in that situation.

I asked if kendo costs money, what he saw that made him tell me to do kendo, if it was a scam.

My voice, full of resentment that should have been directed at the kids who bullied me, was directed at the innocent master, but with a hearty laugh, he said

“Pay me back later!”

“Thinking you become strong because you’re holding a weapon is a misconception. If there are more than 10 kids collapsed around you, and you achieved that result single-handedly with a club you don’t use in daily life, isn’t it worth a try, don’t you think?”

“As for it being a scam… well… it’s hard to explain with words. Hehehe, ah, actions speak louder than words. Friend, follow me.”

He didn’t mind the various aggressive questions and answered each one sincerely.

When I unconsciously followed him and entered the kendo hall, just seeing how the members greeted him friendly.

Yeah.

I thought he was cool.

Unlike me, who was darkness itself just by existing, he seemed to shine.

Unlike me, who harmed my family.

Because he gave warmth to people who weren’t his family.

For the first time, I felt inferiority, embarrassment, and shame.

I just cried there with my head bowed, and the master soothed me while patting my head.

I told the master that I would come back tomorrow. Tomorrow, then returned home and kept pacing in front of my dad.

“What’s wrong?”

Maybe my constant pacing seemed strange? Dad expressed his curiosity affectionately, and at such affection, I could only bite my lip tightly.

How…

How. Can you do that?

Why. Does it not bother you..?

Even though I’m your child. How can you still smile so kindly at the child who ruined your life?

I held back the tears that were about to escape, clenched my fists, and said.

“…Sorry… Dad. So… hic… sorry… sniff”

Ah. My eyes are getting hot. I can’t control my emotions. I thought I was quite skilled at killing my emotions by wearing a mask, pretending to be okay, pretending to be happy in front of my parents…

In the end, I couldn’t even say what I was going to say.

Whether my throat was choked and it wouldn’t come out, or because I was disgusted with myself for trying to say I would do something while looking at my dad’s thin left leg that was injured because of me.

While I was crying alone, a voice came from my dad’s direction.

“Son. Stop crying”

” ….sniff….hic..”

Though it might have been confusing for him to suddenly see his child crying in front of him, Dad told me to stop crying in a firm tone, then said, ‘Son. Keeping it inside all the time will make you sick?’ and pulled my hand to sit me down beside him.

Hearing those words, I slowly started talking one by one… one by one with my head bowed, slowly opening my mouth.

‘Dad, your leg is like that because of me, don’t you hate me? I feel so sorry about it that I can’t face you… sniff’

The guilt-ridden story I wasn’t going to tell.

‘I was bullied at school too, sniff. And today I fought with the kids who bullied me. Ah. But I won…hihi’

The school-related story that a normal adolescent child wouldn’t have told in front of their parents.

‘But someone saw me fighting with them. That person told me to try learning kendo. Said I seem talented. Said I don’t have to pay now….’

The story I was originally going to tell.

As I slowly revealed one by one what was inside me, my body and mind became lighter. For the first time. No, for the first time in a long while since I was young, I felt refreshed.

Dad’s expression changed constantly as he listened to what I had kept inside, and he spoke kindly.

‘Son. Dad had no idea you were thinking like that, even in his dreams. And Dad’s leg is fine! I’m not that uncomfortable walking~ And getting fired from the factory was because Dad couldn’t do the work…’

He laughed cheerfully and alleviated my guilt.

‘These bastards who deserve to die! How dare they to our handsome son. Yes, son, well done! A man should win! Good job. Dad is so proud of you.’

More angry than anyone but also agreeing with the violence I committed like a close friend.

‘This father is lacking, so I was worried thinking I couldn’t let our son do what he wanted. Kendo, huh. Yes, try learning it. I’m so happy that my son has found something he wants to do. Haha. And I’ll make sure to give you money. It’s a benefactor who recognized my son’s talent, we can’t take advantage of their money too~’

He looked at me with warm eyes and supported what I said I wanted to do.

Our father and son duo continued talking for a very long time without stopping as I revealed what I had kept inside. Until the time changed to the next day, we only ended our private conversation when mom returned home.

“Honey, I’m home~”

“Mom’s home!?”

“Oh my! What’s the occasion for you two to be up at this hour~?”

Mom was surprised to see both of us awake at 3 AM, but perhaps because the whole family rarely had time to see each other face to face due to her working until dawn, she seemed to be in a very good mood.

“Haha. Well~ Ah, aren’t you hungry? Should we eat some ramen for old times’ sake?”

“I’m in!”

“What’s with ramen at this hour..Ara has school tomorrow. Hah… Ah, fine, let’s eat. Do you want eggs?”

Mom stopped the nagging she was about to do, caught up in the father-son atmosphere, and asked us in the living room if we wanted eggs in it as she put a pot filled with water on the stove in the kitchen.

“Of course we should~ Son!! With ramen?”

“…Eggs, right. Hihi.”

Dad looked at my face as he said eggs should definitely be added to that question, and I also expressed agreement with a smile.

Truly… truly for the first time in a long while since I was young, I was so glad to feel this warmth.

Whether because the group of bullies was embarrassed that many of them were beaten by me alone or because they didn’t tell their parents, they didn’t bother me after that. Whenever I encountered them, I would growl like I was going to kill them as the insults they directed at me came to mind, so they ran away on their own. Idiots, tsk.

Ahem. Anyway, after pouring out my situation to Dad, I gradually opened my heart and spent time going to the kendo hall.

Like that, I gradually brightened up, and as my kendo skills, which I learned late, improved rapidly, on the day I was heading to the kendo competition venue!

-Bang!

Yeah, I got isekai’d.

“Ara, what are you thinking about~?”

Ah. Sulky expression. Ah, how annoying..

“Just. Thinking about the past.”

“Eeh..”

Inainaya. Could you not look at me like an old man^^?

Well. Although my depressing past has been diluted because the goddess changed history and a lot of money appeared, helping my family live comfortably. Hmm

Still, the goddess being annoying remains the same… I should have beaten that stupid goddess with my scabbard before coming back.

In Goddess Nibiru’s residential space

“Achoo”

Sniff. I wonder who’s talking about me… Gods don’t catch colds, but I’m feeling a chill…

Hmm? It’s a call.

Who could it be?

“Hello..?”

— Nibiru, it’s been a while, haha

“Oh! Grandpa~ It’s been a while. Hehe”

— The reason I’m calling is not for anything else. ……(■■■■) …… That’s why I called.

After listening to the proposal from the Earth’s god—Jesus—Nibiru fell into deep thought and as a result.

“Hmm. Well, I think it would be fine?”

She expressed her agreement.

— Haha, that’s a relief. Then please include video attachments of the geography of your world and the enemies she fought. When it’s done, I’ll give you some of my divine power! Haha

“Hehe, it’s okay, thanks to you, my world is fine. And”

“I’m always grateful to her. I’ll consider sending it to me too as a reward when you’re done!”

— Haha, thank you. If you need help, contact me like before~

“Yes~”

Ara has no idea what we’re doing. Hehe.

I wish I could meet her again. It’s a bit scary, but..heh

Ah..what is this? Suddenly my mood got bad.. Sshup.

“—n. Ara, are you listening to me?”

—ring

Hmm, my skin feels prickly from the gaze.

“Yeah.”

I don’t know what she said, but let’s just nod for now.

“Reeally? Then what did I say~?”

“….Let’s have dinner at our house today.”

“Ugh! We were talking about our VTuber activities. What? Dinner? @%*%@%@?%!@%?”

How annoying..

“You thought it was annoying, didn’t you? Grin-grin-“

“Uh… you? Sorry. What were you talking about?”

After apologizing and calming Reina down, I listened attentively to what she was saying.

So to summarize.

Naming the VTuber duo group

Character concept

These two were the core points.

Well, names, we have plenty of time.

And for concept.. yeah

“I’ve already thought of a concept.”

“Eh. That’s a lie, Ara doesn’t decide on such things in advance.”

Miss Ina knows me too well.

Well, it’s not wrong, but. I answered by shrugging my shoulders.

Because it’s not fun if you know in advance.

The duo group name would be decided later by vote at the company with something awesome, and they expected us to provide opinions too, so I didn’t worry about it.

With the mindset that Reina would take care of it, I erased it from my mind, and we left the café

Each to our own home…

To home..

“Mother~ I’ll help you, hehe”

“Oh my, thank you~ It would be so nice to have a daughter like Reina~”

“Hehe~”

?

“Reina, aren’t you going home?”

“Hmph. I don’t know, since Ara said to have dinner at her house, that’s why I’m here~”

Ah. So you’re still holding onto that..

Hah. I’ll let it slide because she’s both petty and cute.

“Ara, set the table~”

“Yes.”

“Tsk~ Our Ara is a daughter but has no aegyo, which makes Mom so sad..”

“I agree with you, Mother. Heh”

-Snicker

Oh my. She’s my biological daughter, but look how well they get along. Makes me jealous.

Tsk. But still..

It feels warm today for some reason.

“Huh? Ara smiled!”

“I didn’t. Let’s just eat.”

“Eeh.. Ara is a liar”

Thank you.

Damn goddess.