I Was the Supporter of a Popular Dungeon Streamer, but the Power Harassment Was Too Much, so I Quit. I’m Useless Anyway, so It Shouldn’t Be a Problem, Right? Huh? The Views Are Dropping Like Crazy? - 39-40

Chapter 39: Iizuka’s Conclusion

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I used to think that I was born a winner. My father was a former top athlete, and my mother was an announcer. After retiring as an athlete, my father established a solid position as a TV personality, while my mother continued to thrive on news programs, variety shows, and music programs. We had plenty of money, so plentiful it could rot and by the age of five, I already knew the taste of crab and caviar.

I had excellent athletic talent, excellent grades and… Well, I also had decent enough looks. Basically I had no rivals wherever I went. With tons of connections in the entertainment and sports worlds, I could choose any path I wanted. After entering middle school, my lust became uncontrollable. I went after all sorts of girls. Classmates, teachers, high school girls (JK), college girls (JD) , washed-up entertainers or athletes hoping to ride my parents’ coattails. There were a few incidents that caused me to get in trouble, but my parents’ influence managed to hush everything up.

The strong were forgiven for anything. By middle school, I understood the true meaning of the survival of the fittest. But dipping into alcohol as a middle schooler was a mistake. A reporter snapped a photo, it spread, and I dropped out of middle school. My past behavior came to light, and after being shuffled between various schools, I ended up being sent to the Labyrinth City.

In the Labyrinth City, past records didn’t matter. If you had strength, you could rise to the top. My parents convinced me that if I earned the title of a former Seeker, I could live well again outside. And so, I came to this city, albeit gingerly. Even in this city, I was undeniably a strong one. Blessed with powerful OOPArts and magic, I quickly became a B-rank Seeker.

Strength was justice. If you were strong, anything was forgiven, especially in this city.

Supporters and weak Seekers flocked to me, hoping to bask in my strength. I toyed with them all, men and women alike. 

If you’re strong, you can do anything. Yes, strength is the absolute justice!!

I used to think that a born winner was someone like me. The strong were forgiven for anything. Strength was justice. In conclusion, I wasn’t wrong.

“Ah, ga—ugh…!?”

The man kept hitting me over and over again. His face devoid of any expression, almost like a doll. I wasn’t allowed to do anything. No counterattacks, no apologies—nothing. It was a completely one-sided violence. I was just being beaten to the pulp.

My throat was crushed, making it impossible for me to voice my surrender.

Scary… I’m in pain… It hurts… help me.

Those voices echoed in my head.

But they weren’t mine. They belonged to the countless weaklings I had tormented until now. Their voices, at last, reached me.

“Ha, ah… gah! Aah!!?”

If you’re strong, anything goes. 

That fact held true, but… My only mistake was in my self-evaluation. I wasn’t… A strong person. I couldn’t win against him. I knew for sure that I would never be able to win against him.

No! Stop! I’m going to die! Please! Anything but that!!

My voice began to merge with the voices of the weak.

“Aah… K-aah!!”

Even if I tried to run, I was dragged back and beaten again. Even if I lowered my head, I was kicked upward and beaten again. It would’ve been better if he actually enjoyed beating me. In that way, he would release me after he was bored. It would’ve been better if he actually felt pity for me. In that way, he would forgive me if I groveled. 

However…

He was neither. He was hitting me out of obligation. A fist with no emotion behind it. An unending barrage of violence—until, at some point, the sight of Hamura relentlessly beating me began to blur… Into the image of myself.

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Chapter 40: An Easy Victory

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Not yet. Not enough.

After being sent flying, Iizuka dropped to his knees in a dogeza kneel, but I could still see that murky, vile malice deep in his eyes. I knew it. He might be remorseful now, but once his wounds healed and the situation allowed, he would do it all over again. Maybe he wouldn’t target me or Kisaragi anymore, but he would find someone else to control under him. And so…

I had to break him… I had to break him to the ground. His ego, his sadistic urges… Everything…!

“Aah!? Nh-… N-…!!”

Just as I started moving toward Iizuka again—

“That’s enough.”

A female guild association member, likely having arrived via transfer crystal, stepped in between us.

“Move away. He hasn’t lost his ability to fight yet.”

“He has. The match is already decided…”

Iizuka clung to the woman’s back.

“You don’t understand. You have no idea how evil he is…! If we don’t break him here, he’ll hurt someone else! He definitely will!!”

“This person’s spirit is already broken!!”

“He’s just faking it! Can you take responsibility for his future evil then? If he hurts someone again, will you take responsibility for it!?”

“I-If you go any further, your guild will be declared the loser in this match!”

Just like Iizuka, fear was clear on the association member’s face. Seeing that frightened expression brought me back to my senses.

“…I’m sorry. I understand. I’ll stand down.”

I glanced at Iizuka. He flinched and shrank behind the association member’s back. After beating him this far, I could only hope he had truly learned his lesson… The association member activated the transfer crystal, withdrawing with Iizuka in tow.

“Haah…”

I closed my eyes and let the tension drain from my shoulders.

“Calm down… The guild duel isn’t over yet. I need to put Iizuka out of my mind for now…”

I took deep breaths, forcing the blood that had rushed to my head in fits of fury to settle.

“I should go help Isshiki-san.”

Just as I turned on my heel….

“Looks like it’s over on your end too.”

Isshiki-san emerged from the ruins, completely unscathed.

“Yeah. Seems like I won.”

“An easy victory.”

Isshiki-san held up a V-sign with her fingers. She seemed unusually bright. Her usually expressionless face actually glowing with satisfaction.

“So that just leaves that Ul guy, huh?”

“We should be careful. The air around that man was anything but ordinary.”

“I agree. He gave off that same mysterious aura as Abisu. It would be best if we could link up with Riku somewhere before we run into him.”

At that moment, a brilliant light flared in the distant sky.

“That’s Riku’s…!”

“【Blinding Bullet】…”

Isshiki-san and  I exchanged glances, then nodded at each other. Without any hesitation, we took off toward the light.

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