Only I Am A Reader

'Ken Tsurugi, no. Ray is finally here…'

Although he did need to move to recover from the 'rust' he gained after being grounded to bed for a whole week, Leo didn't really need to walk as far as to leave town. His real reason for his little trips out was none other than to see the main character that he expected to arrive soon.

Formerly known as Ken Tsurugi, an edgy name that could be basically translated to Sword Sword, now carrying the name of Ray, the protagonist was as 'dazzling' as one would expect, regardless of how unclear his figure was.

However, as Leo's eyes lay on him, his head hurt a little, revealing conflicting thoughts within…

Arthur, who Leo thought had completely become one with him, was showing longing. He on the other hand was having mixed feelings. Admiration, pity, envy, even longing.

As one addicted to reading, forced to accept the pains that it brought him alongside joy, Leo couldn't help but have some sort of attachment to the protagonist. Even if he were to disregard his second persona's feeling, Leo couldn't ignore what he himself felt about a character he had once self-inserted into!

Although some readers often mocked 'self-insertion', it was one of Leo's main coping mechanisms to bring more joy than pain. Just by looking at the main character he felt slightly liberated.

Ever since he found himself within this world crafted by words of fantasy, Leo found the things that he had been searching for one by one. Starting from the disappearance of his addiction, to feeling similar joy for every action. Experiencing life as a truly normal person with all of its joys. Now, he even got to meet the character he once resonated with, elevating his thought process.

'Was this what I lacked?'

Looking back, it wasn't even a month since he arrived here, but Leo felt like he had grown a few years' worth…

'Hmmm?'

Coming out of his trance with a clear mind, Leo observed the three figures, finally noticing the expensive carriage that was behind them. It was obvious that they couldn't have arrived that fast on their legs, but why did they dismount now?

'Ah, as expected of the protagonist…'

Due to the binocular's limited range, Leo only realized the reason now. Just opposite to Ray and his company, a few dozen men wearing glaring wolf emblems that were recognizable even from this far were blocking their path.

'I did plan this, but the protagonist's plot magnet is really fearsome…'

[ A Normal event has been adjusted. Plot adjustment confirmed. ]

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

"Well well well, if it isn't the kid who relied on his trashy morals to destroy our guild!"

A slim man who had no defining features walked from within the crowd of the armed men. Although he seemed like a nobody, he was actually the vice-leader of the Fanged Wolves' branch guild. A sinister smile appeared on his face as he observed the trio before him.

Despite the kid being the source of their main guild's destruction, he had only done so by relying on the Empire's laws. Even the team that clashed with him only reported that he was barely stronger than them.

As for his companions, the girl beside the kid looked as weak as a falling leaf, and the black-roped man was just a stealthy assassin, now that he was walking out openly, he proved no threat either.

"We were originally going to slaughter your 'home' to draw you out, but it's great that you came on your own. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth that you exterminated another team of ours, but I will make it up by letting you watch what we planned to do with your own eyes."

They were on their way to find out the reason behind their advance team's delay considering the important 'item' that needed to be secured for their backers. However, now that they stumbled upon the kid, the vice-leader understood that the team was likely to have been annihilated considering what they were supposed to do.

'Great.'

Luckily, the boy didn't act smartly like he did last time, revealing himself rather than hiding to strike at the proper moment. The vice-leader felt lucky to have managed to get rid of the hidden danger to their plan.

"I was really sure that what I did would be enough, but I was naive. Once again, I made a mistake that almost cost me the lives of those who I cared for."

On the other hand, Ray stood still as he looked at the man with clear eyes, his hand clenching on the handle of the katana attached to his waist.

"Ho? Are you regretting screwing with us at last? Too bad, you should have done so long ago. Get him."

Unaware of what was about to befall him, the vice-leader mocked the young man as he nonchalantly ordered his capture.

"Being lenient with those who deserve death was a mistake, I'm no judge, but the Fanged Wolves shall cease to exist by my sword."

Perhaps due to his speech that exuded a great 'edge', flashes of sword-shaped light started to gather around his body, seeping into it as he slowly drew his sword.

'He is…'

Sspatt!

The legs of the two men who were first to walk towards him froze in their place, a clean-cut forming on their necks as a pair of heads slid down to the ground…

Thud.

'...breaking through?'

Unable to comprehend the situation, the vice-leader froze as he stared at the phenomena taking place. The young man was supposed to be barely a third-grade sword breath user, but the power he displayed was that of…

Before the featureless man managed to collect his thoughts, he felt time freezing as his view descended. Only when his face met the dry grass did he understand that he had also met his end.

Even though no screams resounded, a merciless slaughter was carried out as the ground was dyed red, highlighting the lonely figure of the young man as he sheathed his sword, untainted by his victims' blood.

Entranced by a great sense of familiarity, the young man felt warm as his eyes appeared completely lost.

"Ray…?"

Having patiently waited a few minutes, the girl couldn't help but call out to the young man who stood there in trance, worry apparent on her face.

"...Let's go back."

Coming out of his trance, Ray calmly walked towards the carriage as if he had just taken a simple walk.

"You aren't going to visit them?"

"No, only more incidents like this will result if I show my face here. Besides…"

[ To this world's protagonist,

I know you have been having a hard time deciding what to 'do' as of late. However, I regret to inform you that the wolves you had stomped are yet to be done.

Danger is looming for your 'home'. I will do my best to fend them for now, but you will have to correct your fault for the sake of their survival

- Your friendly Reader ]

Remembering the message that he received, Ray was once again lost in thought. Wondering about the sender and his ambiguous words...

"We need to finish the job this time."

Hearing Ray's words, the black-robed man expressed his great agility as he walked through the bond of blood, dragging out the only survivor of the slaughter who purposely got off with nothing but a hilt strike to his neck.

"Hm?"

Just then, Ray's head turned back as he stared at the horizon. He had definitely sensed something, but…

'A tree?'

"Is there something wrong, Lord?"

Taking one last look at the lonely tree, Ray had an indiscernible feeling. However, he could only turn his head back, dismissing his thoughts.

"It's nothing, let's get going."

As the horse carriage started marching in the opposite direction, a small figure walked from behind the tree, staring at the carriage in return....