Chapter 1

If one accepts an unknown element exactly as it is, it becomes fantasy. If one fears and avoids it, it becomes horror. If one analyzes it and performs a thought experiment on how it affects the world, it becomes sci-fi.

On the other hand, there are cases where the elements themselves define the genre. If there is a mystery and a resolution, it is a mystery; if there is love and romance, it is a romance.

If elements determine the genre, then what becomes of a story that possesses elements of multiple genres?

If both romance and mystery exist, it can become a romantic mystery. If one analyzes unknown elements while weaving in love and romance, then a romantic sci-fi genre is also possible. Yes, a hybrid of genres is possible. In fact, it could be said that among stories of all ages, those that do not possess elements of multiple genres are the ones that are rare.

While the “primary” genre can be identified depending on where the focus is placed, it is safe to say that a clear “categorization” of stories has been impossible since the classical era.

However, there are combinations of genres that are incompatible or difficult to hybridize.

For example, sci-fi and fantasy, or horror, which have different approaches to their elements.

The same applies to the combination of mystery with fantasy or horror. This is because, despite mystery being a story of “solving,” incorporating elements of “accepting” or “avoiding” into it leads to a predicted functional failure.

—Josef Tiss
From “The Labels Known as Genres”

“Fiction is basically all fantasy, isn’t it? Märchen (German for fairy tales), fairy tales,” Mike began his rebuttal. “It’s different from reality.”

“Hey now,” I cut in, surprised. “Even non-fiction is fantasy. The moment it becomes a story, everything is fantasy. We unconsciously create stories as we live. We are living the fantasy known as reality.”

“Is that your opinion as a psychiatrist?”

“No,” I shook my head vigorously. “That is my opinion as a writer.”

—Qualible Quabatta
From “The Death of a Rabbit”

“I cannot believe it.”

The old mage’s voice failed to hide his agitation, which was unusual for him.

The two relatives of the victim stared wide-eyed in silence.

“This is…”

The young genius, renowned for their sharp wit, also covered their mouth as if enduring the shock.

The middle-aged man who was usually arrogant and the lady who never lost her composure were both aghast.

Me, my companions, the students, the teachers, and the outsiders—everyone rejected the scene before our eyes as unbelievable.

We stood frozen in the room, surrounding the girl’s corpse.

None of us could accept this development, this sight, as reality.

But among them all, I was the one who found the scene before me the most unbelievable.

Because this was an impossible crime. No one had noticed it yet, but this was a perfect impossible crime, the kind that often appeared in mystery novels.

In this world of swords and sorcery, an impossible crime?

An incident that should never have been possible.

No, that wasn’t right.

I was supposed to have been acting under the assumption that it was possible.

It had simply happened.

At the worst possible timing.

The interior of the room, which was supposed to have been sacred, white, and unstained, was defiled with blood, and the girl’s corpse had no head.