Chapter 6:

(A/n: Eating Guo Kui while writing this… hehe, just like I said before..... Hope you enjoy reading it, hehe.)

Anran glanced at the ever-growing line of people waiting to take a photo with him. Initially, it was exciting to play the role of Raiden Shogun and see people's reactions, but as time went on, he started to feel mentally drained. His posture remained flawless, but inwardly he was starting to feel overwhelmed.

He let out a subtle sigh, maintaining his composed demeanor. Alright, this will be the last one. I need a break.

A girl approached, eyes sparkling with excitement. She was cosplaying as a character with striking red hair, adorned in a vibrant outfit that looked vaguely familiar. As she stepped forward, she spoke up eagerly.

"Teacher! You're Teacher Suyi, right?"

Anran blinked, a bit taken aback."You know me?" he asked, still maintaining Raiden's calm tone.

The girl grinned. "Yes! I'm Seeya_Up_Der! I was in your stream yesterday!"

Recognition dawned on Anran, and he allowed himself a small smile. "Ah, I see. Thank you for supporting me," he replied, his tone softening slightly.

The girl's eyes lit up with delight. "No problem! Your stream was amazing! I never thought I'd see you here, though. You really look like the real Raiden Shogun!"

Anran took a moment to study her costume. "Let me guess—you're cosplaying as Tria from The Business Is Closed Due to the Tyrant Parents, correct?"

The girl gasped, clearly impressed. "Teacher, you know about that manhwa too? It's pretty niche!"

Anran gave a small nod. "I'm familiar with it. Your portrayal is quite accurate."

They chatted briefly, exchanging a few words about the manhwa, before Anran agreed to take a picture with her. As they posed, Seeya_Up_Der held up a peace sign, while Anran maintained his regal expression.

"Thank you, Teacher Suyi! Your cosplay is seriously next-level!" the girl said, beaming. After giving him a quick wave, she hurried off to join her friends.

Watching her retreating figure, Anran let out a slow exhale. He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or embarrassed to be recognized.

Sensing his fatigue, one of the event staff approached with a respectful bow."Miss Raiden—"

Anran cut in smoothly. "Suyi. That's what people call me online."

The staff member nodded. "Ah, yes. Miss Suyi, would you like to take a break? We can arrange a private room for you to rest."

Anran gave a small, gracious nod. "That would be appreciated."

The staff guided him to a VIP room, a small but comfortable space with plush seating and a table stocked with bottled water. Anran sank into the chair, feeling the tension leave his shoulders.

The staff hesitated before speaking again. "Miss Suyi, are you planning to participate in the cosplay showcase later?"

Anran considered the question briefly. "Perhaps. It depends on whether I feel up to it."

"Understood. If you decide to join, just let us know." With that, the staff member left to continue managing the event.

Just as Anran was about to take a sip of water, a familiar screen popped up in his vision.

[New Side Quest Generated: Recreate the famous Raiden Shogun scene—"Now, you shall perish!"]

[Reward: 1 Character Card]

Anran couldn't help but snort at the rewards.

"Wow, system, you're being generous today. I take back what I said you're not just a weird cat system."

Then he read the details again.

"Wait... famous scene? You want me to do the booba sword?!" Anran exclaimed, suddenly realizing what the quest entailed. He groaned, burying his face in his hands.

"I take it back you are a cat system!"

The system prompt flashed again, almost as if mocking him.

He look at the reward again.

"A character card, huh? Fine... I'll gladly accept it. But seriously, the booba sword?"

Anran shook his head.

Anran sat in the VIP room, staring at the system prompt with an exasperated look on his face.

“System, you actually expect me to make a sword appear from my chest? How am I supposed to do that?”

[Host just needs to place your hand on your chest.]

Anran furrowed his brows. “Wait... You’re telling me that if I just put my hand here”—he placed his palm on his chest—“and pull, a sword will appear? Pfft, you’ve got to be jok—”

Halfway through his motion, Anran froze. A metallic glint caught his eye. In the center of his chest, half of a glowing, ethereal sword had materialized, arcs of purple electricity dancing around the blade. The sword’s imposing presence made the air hum with power.

“...What the hell?!” Anran whispered, eyes wide in disbelief.

Cautiously, he pushed the sword back, and it vanished as if it had never existed. He hesitated, then pulled again—sure enough, the Musou Isshin sword reappeared, accompanied by that unmistakable crackle of electro energy.

Speechless, Anran repeated the motion a few more times, his brain struggling to process what just happened.

“No way... Did I just pull out the actual Musou Isshin from my chest?”

[Our products are of the highest quality—you won’t find them in any store.]

Anran’s eyes narrowed at the system’s response. “High quality? This thing isn’t just high quality—it’s the real damn thing! Why didn’t you mention that earlier?!”

[System assumed the host understood after stating that you “transform” into Raiden Ei.]

Anran clicked his tongue. “Yeah, you said ‘transform,’ but I thought it was more like a cosplay gender change, not a full-on reality shift! You’re a coser system, not some top-tier transformation device!”

Despite his earlier annoyance, realization began to sink in. He wasn’t just wearing a high-quality cosplay; he had literally become Raiden Ei complete with her abilities and weapons.

Anran glanced to the side, where the Engulfing Lightning polearm leaned against the sofa.

Hesitantly, he picked it up, surprised by how naturally it fit in his grip.

He gave it a cautious swing, and the weapon cut through the air effortlessly. The weight distribution was perfect—no, more than that. It felt like the weapon was an extension of his own body.

He couldn’t help but sigh. “Damn... If this system could do male characters too, I’d be cosplaying Kamen Rider by now. Just imagine... transforming and posing—ugh, that’d be awesome.”

He let out a resigned chuckle, resting the polearm against his shoulder.

“Well, I guess I can’t be too greedy. This system’s way more powerful than I expected... Sorry for underestimating you earlier.”

[Host is being creepy. System is concerned about potential contamination.]

Anran rolled his eyes. “Screw you.”

------------------------------

The host of the cosplay event stood at the center of the stage, a bright smile on his face as he addressed the restless crowd.

“We’ve seen some amazing cosplay today!” he announced, his voice amplified by the microphone.

“Thank you to everyone who participated and showcased their creativity!”

Despite his enthusiastic words, the audience barely responded, their anticipation palpable. Many of them glanced around, murmuring to one another. The host couldn’t help but notice the tension.

He cleared his throat. “Now, I know you’re all waiting for one final performance.”

The crowd erupted, shouts and cheers merging into a chaotic chorus.

“Raiden Shogun! Where is she?!”

“Bring out my wife already!”

“Shut up, old man! Show me my queen!”

The host chuckled, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “Alright, alright! It seems our star of the show has captured more than just your attention.” He exchanged a quick nod with one of the event staff by the stage, confirming that everything was ready.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the host announced, his voice dropping to a dramatic tone, “the one you’ve all been waiting for!”

The stage lights suddenly cut out, plunging the hall into darkness. The crowd buzzed with confusion, some even cursing under their breath.

“Who turned off the damn lights?!”

“Hey, I can’t see anything!”

Then, amidst the murmuring, the rhythmic sound of high heels clicking against the floor echoed from the back of the room. Heads turned, and a hush fell over the audience as they spotted the source.

From the far end of the hall, Raiden Shogun no, The Raiden Shogun walked gracefully toward the stage. The crowd instinctively parted, giving her a clear path. Even in the dim light, her regal figure and commanding presence were unmistakable.

A few spotlight beams slowly aligned, highlighting her presence as she approached. An ethereal glow of violet electricity danced around her heels, leaving faint arcs on the polished floor. The haunting, powerful melody of Judgment of Euthymia swelled through the speakers, amplifying the gravity of the moment.

When she reached the stage, she didn’t climb up like everyone else had before. Instead, with a single, graceful leap, she landed softly on the platform, the hem of her elaborate garment billowing elegantly. The audience gasped, captivated by the fluidity of the motion.

Standing tall, Anran now fully embodying Raiden Shogun swept his cold, unyielding gaze across the sea of faces. A tense silence lingered, as if time itself had bowed to her presence.

Then, in a voice as steady as thunder, she spoke.

“Let all bear witness—lightning does not ask for permission, nor does it falter. I am the Raiden Shogun, and this moment is mine.”

The declaration sent a shiver down everyone’s spine. Some could feel goosebumps prickle their skin, but instead of fear, their eyes sparkled with exhilaration. It was as if the Electro Archon herself had stepped into reality.

A wave of cheering erupted, the crowd going wild.

“Step on me, Raiden Shogun!”

“My queen! My wife! Notice me!”

“Please take me as your disciple!”

Anran kept his expression stoic, maintaining the cold, commanding aura that defined Raiden Ei. Internally, he could barely suppress a smile. This was the response he had hoped for absolute immersion.

With measured poise, he slowly raised his hand, signaling the crowd to quiet down. The noise gradually subsided, leaving only a few murmurs of excitement. He felt the energy of the room shift, all eyes on him.

The crowd’s anticipation had reached its peak. After Raiden Shogun’s commanding declaration, the entire hall seemed to hold its breath, waiting to see what she would do next.

Anran, fully immersed in his role as the Electro Archon, reached for the Engulfing Lightning strapped to his back. With a fluid motion, he unsheathed it, the violet blade shimmering ominously in the low light. He took a few steps forward, his every move graceful yet purposeful, as if the weapon was an extension of himself.

Without warning, he began to move, twirling the polearm in a series of precise arcs, each swing calculated and controlled. The fluidity of his movements mirrored those of Raiden Shogun from her character demo... flawless, deadly, and mesmerizing.

His voice, calm yet authoritative, resonated through the room.

"Only through eternity are you closest to the heavenly principle."

As he swung the weapon in a wide arc, purple electricity crackled from the tip, tracing a bright line in the air before vanishing. A faint outline of the Electro Mitsudomoe symbol flickered into existence before dissipating, leaving the audience spellbound.

The onlookers gaped in awe, murmuring among themselves. They couldn’t believe the level of craftsmanship and effort put into what they assumed was a meticulously crafted cosplay effect. The staff, equally amazed, exchanged glances, wondering just how much money Anran must have spent to create such realistic visual effects. Little did they know that it wasn’t just clever prop work it was an actual ability granted by the transformation.

"Lightning is eternal," Anran intoned, his tone unwavering. "The world is but shadow."

With another sweep of the polearm, a flash of purple lightning arced forward, leaving a faint afterimage. The Judgment of Euthymia theme swelled to a crescendo, perfectly syncing with his movements. His footwork, his fluid spins, the precision of each strike it all mirrored Raiden Shogun’s in-game animations with uncanny accuracy.

After a series of intricate maneuvers, Anran halted, planting the Engulfing Lightning’s tip against the stage floor. He closed his eyes, allowing a moment of stillness. Then, slowly, his voice softened.

"Fantasy can only survive with an underlying reality..."

As the music built up, he opened his eyes, revealing an eerie violet glow that seemed to pulse with power.

"Reality is the stillness buried deep beneath the illusion."

He placed his hand over his chest, and the room seemed to darken as arcs of purple energy crackled around him. Anran could sense the crowd holding their breath, captivated by the display. With deliberate slowness, he began pulling his hand away from his chest.

Gasps erupted as a blade the Musou Isshin emerged from his chest, its ethereal glow casting eerie shadows. Lightning gathered around the sword as he drew it completely, gripping it firmly. Anran angled the blade so that the glowing weapon partially obscured his left eye, giving him an imposing and otherworldly presence.

His voice, colder and more solemn, cut through the tension.

"This is Eternity.... Torn to Oblivion!"

He raised the blade high before bringing it down in a swift, precise motion. The air itself seemed to shudder as a massive Electro Mitsudomoe appeared momentarily, its violet light bathing the entire hall. Anran continued the demonstration, swinging the sword with precision, arcs of energy lighting up with every movement.

The audience could only watch, transfixed, as the final strike sent a surge of energy across the floor, a brilliant purple afterglow etched into the ground. The Musou Isshin flickered, then slowly faded, the electro energy dissipating.

Turning his back to the audience, Anran maintained the regal poise of the Electro Archon. In a low, solemn voice, he spoke the final line.

"Waking world, you seem woven from the stuff of dreams."

He took a few steps away, each movement graceful and dignified, before glancing back one last time.

"All shade fade away."

For a moment, the hall remained silent, the audience too stunned to react. Then, like a dam breaking, a thunderous cheer erupted.

“AAAAH! A REAL RAIDEN SHOGUN!”

“PLEASE MARRY ME!”

“STEP ON ME, MY QUEEN!”

“SHE’S PERFECT!”

Anran continued walking offstage, maintaining his stoic demeanor. He could still hear the crowd’s ecstatic roars as he reached the edge of the stage, where one of the staff members gave him a thumbs-up, still visibly shaken by the performance.

As he left the stage, Anran couldn’t help but let a sly smile slip.

"Character card hehe"

(A/n: I’m going to stop updating any fics for the next two weeks. Today or tomorrow might be the last update for a while. Something came up in real life, and starting from May 15th, I’ll be really busy. I might still post something if I get the chance, but I can’t make any promises.)