Chapter 49: The Bee’s Rhetoric: A New Era of Power

49 – My Hands Feel Idle

Before the start of the semifinals, the arena’s audience vividly imagined the battles to come.

Despite the gruesome rumors of a female combatant slaughtering her way to the arena,

what appeared before them was far from monstrous.

A young woman with flawless, radiant skin, her straw hat pulled low, exuded an allure so enchanting it stirred their desires.

“She’s built to be admired.”

“Wow, I want to rip those clothes off right now.”

“Is this a combat slave or a concubine slave?”

“The prince sure has refined taste.”

“Well, you have to respect his eye for slaves.”

Though her beauty was undeniable,

the audience had expected something else entirely someone standing at a towering 8 cheok (approximately 2.66 meters),

weighing 600 geun (360 kg), and with the strength to dismember bodies with ease like a human butcher.

A fearsome, almost beast-like woman, not an unparalleled beauty.

“Judging by her looks, this seems like that big beast’s doing.”

“Did such a monster even exist before?”

“She doesn’t seem to be from around here.”

One of the spectators, a 3-meter-tall Wendigo, with a menacing appearance, stood out.

The crowd speculated that the bastard prince had stolen credit for the Wendigo’s achievements and ,

spun the stories into myths about the Silent Swordswoman to protect his beloved slave.

At the very least, they reasoned, her grip on the sword was competent enough that she wouldn’t die pathetically.

This half-hearted expectation, however, was intertwined with a darker hope.

Beneath her bloodstained martial garb,

they imagined her enticing flesh being exposed by the depraved monkey demon right before their eyes in broad daylight.

The match began.

A demon charged recklessly, but the swordswoman’s movements transformed completely.

In an instant, her blade executed a single technique of three rapid thrusts.

The demon’s body darkened with bruises, swelled grotesquely, and burst like an overinflated balloon.

The shocking, unbelievable outcome left the entire audience in stunned silence.

“It wasn’t just a rumor?”

“What was that just now?!”

“A sacred relic! That sword must hold some legendary heritage.”

“This is giving me chills.”

“If it’s the bastard prince’s inheritance from the Demon King, it’s not surprising he’d have at least one extraordinary weapon.”

“A bastard prince, huh? Guess he has at least one trump card to put that kind of divine weapon in the hands of a mere human woman.”

According to the logic of demons, no human could achieve such strength.

But the undeniable fact was that she had annihilated her opponent in a spectacular fashion.

The demons rationalized the contradiction by attributing her power to the extraordinary sword she wielded.

This sentiment was shared even by the winners of the other semifinal match.

“The prince’s slave holds an extraordinary sword. What shall we do, my lord?”

“I have a plan. Unlike the brash son of the Demon General, we followers of the Demon Queen must rely on cunning.”

In the tournament arena, the tension climbed as the finals approached.

The list of opponents drew a deep furrow onto Maga-nom’s face.

“These are dangerous adversaries. Unlike the brute-force faction under the Demon General,

the Demon Queen’s followers excel at concealing their plans and using deception. They’re skilled in the art of cunning combat.”

“Didn’t that loathsome monkey, the one my mother exterminated, use deceptive abilities to catch her off guard?”

“That was simply because the Demon General deployed the right subordinates.”

” It wasn’t as if the monkey itself devised the schemes. But the Queen’s followers… they strategize personally.”

At the mention of cunning demons, the Silent Swordswoman locked eyes with Maga-nom.

He let out a wry smile, shrugging his shoulders.

“There was a time I considered aligning myself with the Demon Queen.”

” But clever schemers are always the most treacherous. I left before I could be ensnared in their plots.”

“Do you know anything about this opponent?”

“The One-Eyed Demon. They’re rumored to be the conductor of a demonic orchestra,

wielding a baton while sporting wings of a bee. I’ve heard a tale or two about them, albeit secondhand.”

For the first time, fear flickered in Maga-nom’s eyes.

This was unsettling. Even against the Boogeyman, Maga-nom had always been brazenly sarcastic, yet now he showed weakness.

This shift in his demeanor made the Prince and the Silent Swordswoman tense, their focus sharpening as they listened.

“Those invited to the orchestra’s performances are said to have their emotions manipulated by the music, heightened to an unnatural degree.

Ultimately, all of their feelings are drained away, consumed entirely by the demon.”

“That’s heinous. Many demons prey on humans, but this level of cruelty is rare.”

“It’s said that humans and half-demons, left as emotionless husks, become obedient slaves. ”

“They’re either conscripted into the orchestra or sold to other demons.”

The demonic orchestra.

Its conductor—a figure with the wings and antennae of a bee—wore a pirate-like eyepatch and carried a baton,

dressed impeccably in a formal suit.

Beneath the dignified appearance and neat demeanor lay an aura of sinister malevolence, impossible to detect at first glance.

“And now, the finals shall begin—!”

“Announcer, may I ask for a brief pause?”

“Eh? Is there an issue?”

“The purpose of this tournament is to determine a victor. However, not all matches need to be decided through combat. ”

“If permitted, I’d like to suggest a surrender.”

“Ooooh, a bold provocation! Proposing surrender before even engaging in battle!”

The arena erupted into cheers, with the audience and spectators expressing their exhilaration.

“Hehe, baby bee mommy for the win!”
“Wait, are there two mommies now?”
“I’m so happy right now.”
“The ultimate trial: Bee Woman vs. Mommy Swordswoman.”
“Wow, how are both sides so stunning?”
“Mommy Swordswoman is definitely prettier, though.”
“But Bee Woman’s assets are… well, you know.”
“‘Assets’? You’re all hopeless slaves to lust!”
“Don’t you dare shame us for it!”
“Whichever side wins is my mommy now.”
“Surrender already!”
“Wow, the speed of that surrender suggestion is insane.”
“What is this, a ‘Who Can Surrender Faster’ competition?”

Amidst the deafening cheers, the Prince’s eyes remained fixed solely on the Silent Swordswoman.

‘What will you do?’

As if the question hung in the air.

[Interaction Options]

1. Let it be. (Start Debate)
2. It’s not worth hearing. (Start Match)

There was confidence in winning through battle.

While Maganom criticized the enemy’s cunning, allowing them to speak could offer insight into their thought process and tactics.

[1. Let it be. (Start Debate)]

The noisy arena fell silent as the bastard prince raised his hand, drawing everyone’s attention.

He granted the opportunity because there were words he couldn’t say himself, but the prince could.

Though no one expected him to throw out such an intense statement:

“Let’s hear whatever worthless nonsense you’re about to spew. Go ahead, bark, you lowly wench.”

• Wow, hahaha.
• That’s some serious shade!
• I thought he’d be gentle because everyone keeps calling him “Mommy’s Boy,” but it’s just for the Mute Swordswoman, huh?
• A man who’s warm only for his queen.
• Is this what it takes to truly be called “Mommy’s Prince”?

Even the modern viewers, who thrived on provocative entertainment,

couldn’t help but be impressed by such sharp mockery. The yokai in the audience grew even more excited.

The Bee Woman, though publicly insulted and ridiculed, elegantly lifted her baton.

Twirling it with a flick of her wrist, she performed an elegant routine, capturing attention.

“I thank the prince for his broad-mindedness. Let us then discuss a truth we’ve all been ignoring.”

Despite the humiliation and lewd comments, she maintained a composed, solemn expression.

Her faintly vibrating wings gave the impression of a growing seriousness.

“The Yokai Realm is on the brink of destruction. At best, we may last another year. At worst, it could collapse next month.”

An uncomfortable truth.

The end was approaching for the Yokai Realm.

“Slaughter, destruction, reproduction—acts we’ve indulged in for the emotions they bring us,

have driven us to a point where there is nowhere left to vent these desires. ”

“The end is inevitable.”

The audience of yokai fell solemn, even somber.

“Is all this destruction happening because of some mistake we made? ”

“Is it, as the rumors claim, a divine punishment for the queen poisoning the Yokai King?”

Boldly, she voiced the conspiracy theories surrounding her mistress, the Yokai Queen.

“No. We all know the truth. ”

“There is someone who stole the precious treasures of the Yokai Realm, robbing us of any chance to revive our home.”

With rising emotion, she pointed to the culprit.

“It was the Great Yokai. After the death of the Yokai King, he revealed his true colors. ”

“He exploited and destroyed our homeland before fleeing to the Human Realm.”

The Great Yokai.

Previously mentioned in connection to the Executioner of the Corpse Hill and the Melting Forest Yokai Sage,

he was suspected of being the mastermind behind the massacre of half-yokai.

“As infuriating as it is, he is a strong yokai.”

” Those who follow him are stronger than any of us left here in the Yokai Realm. The treasures he took are no ordinary items either.”

While acknowledging defeat, she refused to surrender to despair.

“But will we remain in this arena, dwelling on unattainable revenge while indulging our petty desires? Is this really how we accept our end?”

Her growing anger spread to the audience.

The yokai and half-yokai, once filled with apathy and despair, now resonated with her words.

“No! We must unite. These wasteful battles must end. ”

“Every yokai here must gather, and every treasure we possess must be brought together. ”

“Through the queen’s portal, connecting to the Human Realm a path only the Yokai Queen can provide we must punish the traitors and reclaim what is ours.”

Her speech ignited the crowd’s rage.

Instead of lamenting the inevitability of destruction, their emotions now turned toward the yokai in the Human Realm.

“For this noble cause, I humbly ask, Prince. ”

“For the sorrow and revenge of all abandoned beings left in the Yokai Realm please lend us your strength.”

“……!”

“I implore you to forfeit this tournament and join our army. Deliver your treasures to the queen.”

As her lengthy speech concluded, the audience erupted with their own cries.

[Forfeit!]
[Forfeit!]

As if it was the only righteous path.

If you reject this proposal, you will be considered another traitor,

one who refuses to join in the vengeance against the betrayers who have turned their backs on all of Yogye.

The words of the bee-woman’s silver tongue manipulated the entire arena,

swaying the hearts of all the monsters of Yogye, turning them to her and the Monster Queen’s side.

• “Epic!”
• “The era of Marx is over. Now it’s the era of the bee!”
• “Momma Jo! Momma Jo!”
• “Taking advantage of the chaos, Momma Jo haha“
• “Isn’t the Silent Swordsman’s sword just a basic item?”
• “That weak sword with no special effects, just trash, right?”
• “Wait, could it be a hidden item with secret powers?”
• “20?” “Really?” < (Eom Gildong) donated 100,000 Won!> “Even after trying every experiment, it still looks like just a trash sword.”
• “Wow, Eom Gildong’s watching too!”
• “If you want to catch up with the Silent Swordsman, you gotta watch the live broadcast haha“
• “Still watching with the viewers?” < (Eom Gildong’s Home Loan) donated 50,000 Won!> “Even though you’re not broadcasting yourself, you’re here watching.” < (If you want to get your girlfriend back, play Ring Fit) donated 50,000 Won!>
• “Seriously, you’re causing me stress with that Silent Swordsman talk.” <(Eom Gildong’s Skin Fibroblast Cell) donated 50,000 Won!> “Why do you keep making me angry? Please relax by collaborating with the Silent Swordsman.”
• “Haha, what’s up with all the names?”
• “Wow, I’ve heard of the vicious Eom Gildong, but this is next level.”
• “The Daeo Swordsmen are nothing compared to this guy.”
• “What the heck, who are those scary guys?”
• “At this rate, Eom Gildong’s fashion sense will make it to the 9 o’clock news haha” <9(Eom Gildong’s Fashion Sense, Mocked on 9 o’clock News) donated 100,000 Won!> “Did you call for me?”
• “Haha, who just changed their nickname?”
• “The timing is epic haha” < (Eom Gildong) donated 10,000 Won!> “Why are you donating in someone else’s stream? Come donate in my stream!” < (Eom Gildong’s Refrigerator Sleeping Cucumber Cake) donated 10,000 Won!> “You’re not broadcasting yourself, but you’re here watching.” <(Gildong, Mom Doesn’t Believe in You, Don’t Fight) donated 100,000 Won!> “If you’re mad, go find the Silent Swordsman and ask for money haha just blindly donate here.” The shockwave of the speech was so powerful that even the hidden fans of Eom Gildong swarmed out and donated, pushing the limits of the situation with their outrageous support. Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the game was tense, unlike the continuous laughter in the chat room.

2. [Player Mode]

“I’m sorry, Mother. I should have done something to stop it, but it has become a dangerous situation.”
Hae Eung Eung shook her head. She didn’t expect such a powerful rhetoric.

What she had thought was just an attempt to gauge the enemy’s tendencies turned into an opportunity that the bee-woman used perfectly.
“Was it the difficulty adjustment at play?”
Perhaps if it were another player, the impact of the speech wouldn’t have been as powerful as it is now. Thinking this way gave a bit of relief.
After all, it was a crisis that had already happened. If it’s her fault, there’s nothing that can be done.
With that mindset, a little peace of mind settled in, and she became aware of her hand, which wasn’t holding a sword.

• “The Silent Swordsman looks dumbfounded.”
• “He’s just standing there in shock.”
• “Why is he looking down at his hand?”
• “Looks like he’s debating whether to kill everyone.”
• “Oh!”
• “Sorry, Grandpa… I promised I wouldn’t summon again…”
• “Hell’s Cleaver haha“
• “That’s a sword of hell, isn’t it haha sending them all to hell, maybe the Silent Swordsman is gonna start slaying monsters nearby?”

During this time, the Silent Swordsman was speculated to perhaps draw his sword and start attacking monsters.

• “?
• “?
• “?
• Look at that crazy woman.”
• “Our team’s losing and she’s still enjoying it!”

The viewers had no idea what the V-sign meant, but the bee-woman, calmly amidst the tension, gave it off like it was nothing.

She had adapted to this.

The atmosphere that painted her as the villain, forcing the opponent with righteous words, was just another part of her strategy.

“I tried, didn’t I? Not as bad as the infamous Zhuge family of the Martial World, though.”

This was no big deal, and she made it clear that such small threats were nothing to her.

The monsters of Yogye, having built their history, had no idea of her own.

The martial world achievements, bloodbath massacres, the battles, the grand schemes—nothing had been as dangerous as this.

And that was why she could maintain her calm and composure, giving a subtle V-sign.