I Don’t Want to Die as a Mob in My Second Life! ～A Story Where I Kept Training from Inside the Womb and Ended Up Being Mistaken for a Monster～ - Chapter 36: Mock Battle Begins! Hang in There, Hebizuka!

Chapter 36: Mock Battle Begins! Hang in There, Hebizuka!

“…Hinosuke? Mr Hinosuke?”

“What is it, what is it?”

“What is it, what is it—no, don’t play coy. Seriously? What’s with the name ‘Cursed Steel: Hellbird’?”

I’d like to be admired as a good person, you know?

A weapon with a more justice-like name would be great, thanks.

“That weapon name screams villain…”

I mean, come on. I spent my first life as a mob; I don’t want my second life to be as a villain.

I want kids to look up to me and play ‘Let’s Pretend to Be Kanata!’ or something.

“Oh, so Kanata the Boss, you’re into the whole justice thing, huh?”

“Of course I am.”

“Even though your hands are better suited for punching than holding others, and your mouth is more fit for hurling insults than talking about love?”

What kind of nonsense is that!?

“Stop treating me like a bio-weapon. I’m trying to be a likable person here.”

“You? A likable person? What for, exactly—ohhh.”

Hinosuke suddenly stopped, as if realizing something. Then he grinned at me. 

What? What’s that look supposed to mean?

“Ah, I see it now… Boss’s next ‘big plan.’ It’s all coming together.”

What plan?!

“Well, whatever. Live your life however you want. Like I said before, whether it’s ‘Ouma Shiranui’s peaceful reign’ or ‘Kanata Soranaki’s chaotic era,’ I’ll just forge weapons as long as they’re needed.”

What’s this ‘Kanata Soranaki’s chaotic era’ nonsense? 

I’m not planning to start anything like that!

“Hahaha! Honestly, an ideal world would be one where two great leaders clash… That’s when weapon demand skyrockets!”

Hinosuke laughed as he said this.

“Thanks to Kanata’s arrival, old man Ouma’s also started showing a new side of himself. Looks like I’ll be able to forge some excellent weapons. I’m grateful to you, Boss.”

…Yeah, I’ve thought this for a while, but Hinosuke’s sense of ethics is a bit… off.

Well, no surprise there. He’s the next head of Muramasa, Japan’s top weapon manufacturing group. It’s the organization that’s been making tools of violence longer than anyone else in the country.

“Kanataa! Hurry up and get over here! What are you slacking off for?!”

As we chatted, Professor Moyoko’s voice boomed through the announcement system, rushing me along. Yeah, yeah, I’m coming

“What are you doing, selling drugs?!”

I’m not selling drugs!

“You’re the worst kind of delinquent! Leave you alone for a second, and you’re bound to cause trouble! You’re probably making shady deals with an arms dealer right now!”

I’m not…

…Wait, am I?

“Looks like Moyoko the Mini-Granny is getting impatient. Go on, get moving, Boss.”

“Forget the weapon’s name; there’s no time anyway. And calling her Mini-Granny is pretty rude, don’t you think?”

She’s not a mini pig, after all…

“She’s the top instructor at the Spirit Conductor Academy! The teacher for every Reisoushi!”

“Not for me. I never attended the academy.”

Wait, what?

“Muramasa kids, you see, aren’t allowed to leave the forge for the first 18 years of their lives. They’re isolated, so they don’t develop emotions toward people and are made to craft weapons nonstop.”

“So, you’re basically raising arms dealers?”

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In the center of the field, a large outline had been drawn with white chalk at some point.

That was going to be the stage for the mock battles.

Surrounding it were the exam takers, their companions, and—

“Oh! Ladies and gentlemen watching at home, take a look! It’s Kanata Soranaki! Kanata Soranaki has arrived!”

—A TV reporter, flanked by massive cameras and crew.

Wait, what? You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Oh, Kanata, you’re here. Is that case holding your weapon?”

“Yeah, I got it from an arms dealer.”

“Wait, you were actually talking to an arms dealer?!”

“Never mind that—why are there TV cameras here? What’s going on?”

The Reisoushi exams are supposed to be conducted in secret.

Partly to protect information from falling into the hands of Mediums, but more importantly—because in the second half’s mock battles, kids bleed. Sometimes, people die. That’s not exactly TV-friendly.

But of course, the public is always fascinated by the idea of watching the future stars of the Reisoushi world in real, brutal combat.

“No one told me about this! (Even in my previous life, the exams were never televised!)”

What on earth is going on?

When I asked, Moyoko frowned deeply and let out a groan before explaining.

“Well, you know, that whole ‘softball explosion in the sky’ incident you caused? The TV stations barged into the Spirit Conductor Agency headquarters, demanding to report on what happened.”

“That’s…”

“They claimed they weren’t interested in filming the exam itself, only the ‘incident site.’ But of course, if the exam just so happened to appear in the corner of the shot, it’d cause a buzz, right?”

That’s a sneaky move.

Well, it doesn’t hurt to try, I suppose. The TV stations probably knew their request was ridiculous but went for it anyway.

“The deal was that they could air it during late-night programming, after some editing.”

“What?”

“But then that fool Ouma declared, ‘Go ahead and openly film the mock battles.’ And now here we are…”

Moyoko gestured at the cameras with a bewildered expression.

Are you serious right now? What’s Ouma even thinking?

“Ah! I just made eye contact with Kanata Soranaki! P-Please be careful, viewers—looking directly at him might burn away your reason! Should we consider adding a mosaic for the broadcast…?”

Am I some kind of indecent material?!

“And that’s the story. From here on, the mock battles will be televised. Ugh, this whole exam has been one unprecedented mess after another!”

Moyoko looked utterly exhausted.

She’d probably drained most of her spiritual energy during the Killing Stone reformation. I felt bad for her.

“—Hey, you fox hag!”

At that moment, a voice rudely interrupted.

“Quit wasting time talking to that monster and give the start signal already.”

The one speaking so arrogantly was my brother, Michio. Even with cameras around, he didn’t bother changing his attitude. Honestly, that’s impressive in its own way.

“F-Fine, I’ll do it. …Ahem—The mock battle exam will now begin.”

Moyoko adjusted her demeanor. 

Climbing onto the shoulders of a black-suited agent to make herself more visible, she addressed us clearly.

“The rules are simple. Use your Spirit Arts and unleash them on your opponent with all your strength. If the quality of every technique reaches at least D-rank, you pass.”

The second half of the mock battle wasn’t about winning or losing.

It was about evaluating performance as a Reisoushi. Even if you lost, as long as you demonstrated skill, you could pass.

“There is no giving up. Assume you’ve been captured under the Charm Crafting Canopy and fight until you’re on the brink of death.”

Her voice turned sharper, and some of the kids listening turned pale, fear creeping onto their faces.

“There’s no place for weakness among Reisoushis. If weaklings are sent to the battlefield and devoured by Conceptual Spirits, the enemy might absorb their spiritual energy and evolve.”

That’s why—

“This is a sorting process. Those who can’t meet the standard will end their journey here. …If you’re afraid, step down now.”

Some of the children looked ready to raise their hands at Moyoko’s final words, clearly wanting to back out.

But their accompanying parents forcibly pushed their hands back down.

―Backing out out of fear would shame the family.

Many of these parents had come precisely to ensure their children wouldn’t flee.

“Alright, looks like everyone is participating… But we’ve got an odd number this time. Normally, we’d choose someone capable and have them fight twice.”

“In that case!”

Before she could decide, someone raised their hand with an air of exaggerated confidence.

“Allow me, Shagana of the Hebizuka family, heir to its name, to take on that role!”

The one stepping forward was a smug-looking rich boy.

Wait, isn’t that the guy who tried to rig matches with Yamada and Tanaka earlier? So, his name is Shagana.

“Oh, you’ll take it on? Well, fighting twice does give you two chances to show off your skills…”

“No, no!”

Shagana shook his head theatrically.

“What is it then?”

“As the saying goes, ‘time is money.’ Rather than fighting twice, wouldn’t it be more efficient if I fought two opponents at the same time?”

“What?!”

Moyoko was shocked.

The other examinees were equally startled, and the TV reporter jumped in with excitement: “Ohh, what a bold statement from the young heir of the Hebizuka family!”

“Are you serious about fighting two opponents at once? I mean, we’re already running behind schedule with all the chaos.”

“I’m dead serious, Lady Moyoko, the esteemed Special-Class Reisoushi. I, too, wish to demonstrate my abilities and rise through the ranks, just like you!”

Shagana’s eyes gleamed with ambition.

Ah, I see. Depending on the exam results, top performers could be assigned as Second-Class or even Provisional First-Class Reisoushis right from the start.

He’s aiming for a fast track to success.

“In exchange, I have one condition,” Shagana added with a smirk.

“And what’s that?”

“I’d like to be allowed to choose my opponents.”

So that’s his game. He’s planning to pick Yamada and Tanaka, no doubt.

“Hmmm… Wait, Hebizuka heir. Normally, opponents are decided randomly as a rule…”

Moyoko hesitated, but then, with a sigh of resignation, she nodded.

“Fine. Choose whoever you want.”

“Excellent!”

“Honestly, I’m too tired to argue, and it’s not worth the hassle. Besides, whether your opponents hold back or not, the focus isn’t on winning or losing. It’s on your individual skill. If you’re lacking, you’ll simply fail.”

“Oh, come now. Please don’t make it sound like I’d ask anyone to go easy on me. That’s quite unfair.”

Shagana replied with a mock expression of distress.

But Moyoko’s eyes were cold as she looked at him.

She might appear like a three-year-old, but she’s lived for 300 years. She’s seen enough of the darkness in the Reisoushi world to know exactly what’s going on.

“How laughable it would be, wouldn’t it? To rig a match and still fail due to sheer incompetence.”

“Gah…”

“There have been plenty of families who tarnished their name that way. And today, the matches are even being televised. So, tell me—do you have the resolve to face ruin?”

“Tch, you fox hag…! Ah, no! I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I’m glad to have your approval!”

Shagana’s face twisted briefly, but he quickly covered it up with a polite facade.

“Then—Yamada! Tanaka! Face me in battle!”

““Understood!””

Shagana called out confidently, summoning his lackeys, the duo of mob boys. He was clearly brimming with overconfidence, fully expecting an easy win.

However—when the two stepped forward to answer his call…

““Thank you for selecting us, Lord Hebizuka!””

“Wha—huh? Who…?!”

Two radiant, commanding young men appeared, exuding a strong aura. It was as if Yamada and Tanaka had gone through a complete evolution into strikingly handsome, spirited individuals.

Who are these guys!?

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[Tips]

Broadcast Ethics:

In the year 2030 of the Sacred Era, broadcast ethics have become quite lax.

It’s not uncommon to see live broadcasts of battles between Reisoushis and Conceptual Spirits, like the infamous clash involving the giant [Hihiirokane].

As a result, it’s not unusual for the evening news to feature the bloody injuries or lifeless bodies of Reisoushis.

Reisoushis do not have the right to refuse being filmed. From the moment they earn their qualification, they become modern-day real-life heroes—where even their deaths become part of the spectacle.

Those who perform well, like Ouma Shiranui, gain admiration, and their weapons are turned into profitable merchandise, such as the “Deluxe Absolute Steel: Judgment Wolf” toy line.

But those who disgrace themselves—such as fleeing from an enemy in tears—suffer greatly. They face harsh criticism, online harassment, and often see their families ruined.

That said, broadcasting severe injuries involving unqualified children is still a no-go.

For this reason, mock battles have typically not been televised. However, with permission granted this time, the TV crew seems to have adopted a “just slap a mosaic over it” attitude.

In a world where Conceptual Spirits appear daily, bringing death and chaos, society’s sense of ethics has grown rather loose.

Incidentally, adding a mosaic for Kanata is also under consideration.

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