For a few seconds, everyone remained silent, but soon their mouths began to move. Although I couldn't hear the whispers clearly, I could imagine the content of their conversations.
The citizens radiated fervent hatred towards me, filling me with excitement. I was used to this, but today, this hatred seemed to reach a different level; they seemed to want to annihilate me just with their glares.
"It can't… It can't be an abomination representing us!"
"Get out of here, you monster!"
"Go away! Go away! Go away! Go away! We'll never accept you as one of us!"
"I hope you die by the hands of the fearless!"
They had no idea how their words of hatred strengthened me. To me, who was born amidst hatred, these expressions were almost compliments. However, today I would express what I truly felt.
"Shut up, you insignificant pieces of shit! I don't care what you say. To me, you can all die. I couldn't care less about you. The only reason for my existence is to eliminate the demons and exterminate the fearless. That's what keeps me alive, you repulsive humans."
"Shut up, you monster!"
"You should be grateful to live here!"
"Is this how you thank people?!"
"You ungrateful wretch!"
"You should be thankful for still being alive!"
Seeing the agony on their faces was a gratifying sight, something I hadn't felt in years. I released the feeling I had carried for so long and felt good about it. It was an overwhelming sensation, and I couldn't contain myself. I started laughing deeply and couldn't stop…
"Lhiahahahahahahaha! Lhiahahahahahahaha! Lhiahahahahahahaha!"
"This monster has gone mad."
"We should kill him right now!"
"Yes, let's deliver justice with our own hands."
"Let's, together we are stronger!"
"Yes!!!"
As they all agreed with each other, five unarmed men advanced toward me. The announcer, seeing the situation, fled. I stopped laughing, stared at them, and said:
"Do you want to die?" I asked with a sinister smile.
"Shut up, we're going to kill you!" one of the men retorted.
It might seem like I was evil, but I had my convictions, and I wouldn't go around killing indiscriminately. Of the five who attacked me, I limited myself to fracturing some bones. I approached the one who was still on his knees, groaning in pain. The others were unconscious, but that was my choice.
"How does it feel to have broken bones? It hurts a lot, doesn't it?" I said with a sarcastic smile.
"You bastard! Arrgghh!" The villager replied, in a lot of pain.
"Wait, I didn't hear that correctly," I crouched down and brought my face closer to his, "Say it again!"
"You dam…" Before he could finish the sentence, I slapped him across the face.
"Oops! I didn't hear it right and accidentally hit your mouth! Hahaha!"
One of the guards nearby took advantage of the situation and approached slowly from behind, but I could sense his murderous intent. The wretched guy wanted to kill me.
"If you want to kill me, at least try to hide your bloodlust."
"You need to die for the greater good of all!"
She swung her sword vertically while I was crouched, but before the blade could reach my head, I activated my Speed Iz ability.
"Where is he?"
"Honestly, I'm quite pleased."
"What?"
"That you attacked me first."
She ran toward me and executed the same attack, but I countered and broke her right arm.
"I can still go on," She smiled, "Guards!"
Seven armed guards surrounded me without hesitation. As soon as they approached, the woman adjusted her broken arm, realigning the bone.
"So, what will I do with you now?" I observed around me as I spoke.
"What are your last words, aborted freak?" The woman asked with a smile.
That woman wasn't just a simple guard; she was the commander of the city's protection force, a position whose only superior was the leader. The color of her skin, hair, clothes, and eyes radiated red. Everything about her evoked blood, and that's how my mother died.
'I will never forgive you!'
— Speed Iz!
Soc! Pow! Sock! Zump! Bum!
In a matter of seconds, I delivered a series of blows to the seven guards, and they fell to the ground. I deactivated my ability and then looked at the red-clad woman with a wicked smile.
"And now, Carmine, what are your last words?"
"It can't be, it wasn't supposed to be like this," She lamented, desperate.
I slowly advanced toward her, and with a malicious smile, I said:
"Karma tends to be Carmine!"
In agony, the commander imbued her sword with flames and made several slashing attacks in my direction, but with my speed, these sword cuts seemed like child's play.
"Die! Die! Die, you freak! Die once and for all!"
"Is it with these arms that you take lives, Carmine? Soon, you won't need them anymore."
I disarmed her, took her sword, and cut off her right arm. She fell to the ground, desperate, with blood gushing from the wound.
"Haaaaaaaggghhhhhkkiiiiyyaaaa!!! My arm!!!"
"Don't worry, I won't kill you," I approached her left ear and whispered:
"I'll humiliate you!"
I tore her clothes off and left her exposed before the public.
"No! No! No! Please! No!!!" She cried and begged for mercy.
"Why hide? Looks like you won't need that arm," I broke her left arm and tore her underwear.
I held her by the neck with my left hand and presented her to the audience in her vulnerability.
"Is this your heroine?" I asked with a wicked smile.
"Someone, someone, help me!" She cried sadly.
Everyone watched in horror at the scene. Most of the population had gathered, hoping that this would be the day they got rid of a demon, but no one expected this outcome.
Seeing someone so important being humiliated in that way left them terrified. I approached Carmine's right ear and whispered:
"Do you think I don't know? What you did in the past, huh? I know it was you who poisoned my mother, and I'm truly grateful for you attacking me. It made me so happy!"
"Please, don't kill me!"
"Don't worry, I won't kill you."
Then, I threw Carmine to the ground.
"In the end, your humiliation was already planned by me!" I looked down, fixing my eyes on Carmine with disdain as I spoke.
Next, I looked at the crowd and said:
"If anyone else has something against me, come forward! I'll make their heads roll," I made a cutting gesture with my hand, symbolizing death for those who dared to challenge me.
An intimidated silence hung over the crowd.
"Izumi?"
"Hm?"
"I'll win next time!"
"I doubt it," I retorted.
I turned away and began to march off the stage. I could feel everyone's eyes on me again, mixed with fear and murmurs.