When Subaru opened his eyes, narrowly escaping death once again beneath the suffocating presence of Satella's shadow, a faint shaft of light shimmered overhead — like the ghost of dawn piercing through the night.
He tried to push himself up from the cold stone ground. Pain lanced through his limbs, but it was dulled, like the echo of a scream long past. A numbness clung to his body, like frost burrowing deep into bone, refusing to melt.
His lungs heaved against a pressure that wasn't quite physical — more like a lingering reluctance of his soul to return. Air came slowly, as if it too had to be wrestled back from the grip of death.
But his heart... his heart beat. Sluggish. Uncertain. But alive.
"I'm back..." he whispered. His voice didn't echo, swallowed by the alley's damp silence — yet to Subaru, it was louder than any shout. A declaration not of triumph, but of endurance.
He slowly lifted his head.
A narrow, moss-coated alleyway stretched before him. The air was thick with moisture, and droplets of water slid rhythmically down the stone walls, merging into small rivulets that kissed the cracked pavement. Each droplet echoed faintly, painting the silence with their subtle rhythm.
Underfoot were patches of dark soil and shattered bits of broken brick. Even the coldness of the stones, biting through his pants, felt familiar — intimately, uncomfortably so.
"This place..." he muttered inwardly. "It's where it all began. My first step into this cursed fairy tale."
His brows furrowed. A shadow of unease crossed his face. Memories flickered—chased, beaten, murdered. Again. And again. And again.
Suddenly, a soft chime rang out, followed by a glowing, translucent screen that shimmered into view before his eyes. Its blue-white light cut through the gloom, a foreign presence in the earthy, gritty alley.
Natsuki Subaru
Age: 17
Titles:
• Visitor from Another World (Active)
• ???
Current Soul Coins: 00
Authorities:
Return by Death (Passive) → Upon dying, Subaru returns to his previous checkpoint; memories are retained.
Limitations:
• Losses from the previous checkpoint cannot be undone.
• Checkpoint cannot be manually changed.
• Subaru cannot speak about this authority; attempts will summon the "Witch's Hand" to intervene through his heart.
Resonance by Death (Passive) → Upon dying, Subaru copies a specific ability from the entity that caused his death.
Limitations:
• Repeated deaths by the same entity increase resonance proficiency.
• Each ability has a natural cap; overuse may cause cognitive or physical instability.
• Certain abilities may prove too complex for Subaru's mind or too powerful for his body, resulting in loss of control.
Gate: Repaired by Flugel
Primary Affinity: Yin (Dark Element)
Current Weapon: None
Main Quest: Find a job at Roswaal Manor
Reward: Choose one weapon from the shop
Bonus Reward: +10 Soul Coins
Side Quests: • Activate Resonance by Death for the first time
Reward: +5 Soul Coins
Subaru stared at the screen for a long moment, then sighed through his nose.
"Yup. Definitely like an anime now. Just missing a menu theme and a snarky narrator."
He tilted his head and squinted at the floating numbers. "Soul coins, huh? Guess I'm broke here too."
After a beat of silence, he shook his head, dusted himself off, and stood up fully.
"Meh. Not worth stressing about. Emilia-tan's out there somewhere. And I've got business to finish."
A grin crept across his face — lopsided, tired, but real. He took his first step forward.
The alleys of the capital stretched around him like a maze of memory. Every wall, every twist of path, every puddle felt like a breadcrumb from his past. It was a haunted trail, littered with mistakes he swore he wouldn't repeat.
As he rounded a sharp corner and ducked beneath a crumbling stone bridge, déjà vu bloomed in his chest.
"If this is the same day... then I should be—"
He stopped.
Three figures blocked his path. Grimy clothes. Hungry eyes. False bravado.
For a moment, time seemed to pause, as if even the world was waiting to see what he'd do.
Subaru's expression didn't falter. He raised one brow and gave a smirk, almost theatrical.
"There you are," he muttered like greeting old coworkers.
The tallest of the trio stepped forward. The skinny one, mouth twisted into a sneer, jabbed a finger at Subaru.
"Hand over all your cash and we'll let you go, no trouble. Sounds fair, yeah?"
[DING!]
A bright notification flashed before Subaru's eyes:
[Quest: Repel the Thugs]
Reward: +5 Soul Coins
He didn't even blink.
"Again with this crap," he muttered. His tone wasn't afraid. Just irritated.
He'd died too many times to be scared of amateurs. No anxiety. No hesitation. Only grim resolve.
He flexed his fingers.
"Sorry, boys. Not in the mood. Got someone way more important to find."
He took a single step forward — and the thugs felt something shift in the air around him. As if death itself had brushed past.
"Damn it... A forced event," Subaru muttered, cracking his neck.
The fight was about to begin.
Before the words even finished leaving his mouth, he lunged forward—a blur of motion driven by instinct and adrenaline, every limb guided by a sharp, visceral intent. His full-body right elbow slammed into the skinny thug with a sickening crunch, the kind of sound that resonated deep in the ribs.
The man let out a strange wheeze, a high-pitched gasp that was more air than voice, before crumpling to the ground like a puppet with its strings severed. There was no resistance in his fall, only surrender.
The shorter, more muscular thug bared his teeth and let out a guttural roar, launching forward with all the weight of a boulder crashing downhill. His fists were clenched, his eyes bloodshot with panic and rage.
Subaru didn't flinch. Instead, he ducked low, slipping beneath the man's arms like water flowing around a rock—smooth, inevitable. In a fluid, almost theatrical motion, he flipped over the thug's broad back. The world seemed to slow as he twisted mid-air, his landing precise and silent. Before the brute could even turn, Subaru's fist slammed straight into his face.
The thug's knees buckled. His body spun awkwardly before collapsing like a felled tree, eyes blank, senses scattered.
"No matter how big you are, a punch to the face always works," Subaru thought, his lips twitching into a grim smile. There was a strange, offbeat humor to it all—fighting like this, winning like this. Almost surreal.
The last thug, wider and taller than the others, blinked in shock, hesitating for a fraction too long. Subaru's body moved on its own. He spun, harnessing momentum, and delivered a brutal, whip-fast kick to the man's chest. The impact resounded with a hollow thud, and the thug soared backward, limbs flailing, crashing into the wall with a sound like a bag of grain hitting stone.
Silence settled. For a moment, all Subaru could hear was his own breath.
He exhaled slowly, tilting his head as if listening to some inner echo. There was a strange satisfaction humming beneath his skin—a primal thrill that curled at the edges of his mind. These were feats he never imagined himself capable of. He had always been the weak one. But now...
He looked down at the unconscious bodies sprawled around him and smirked with quiet triumph.
"Hmm... I doubt they'll mind if I borrow a few things," he muttered, stepping over one of them and crouching down.
His hands moved deftly through their pockets, collecting whatever seemed remotely useful. "Seventeen gold coins, five silver... Oh?"
A glint caught his eye. Beneath the skinny thug's side, half-hidden in shadow, a polished dagger lay like a forgotten treasure. He picked it up slowly, marveling at the blade's craftsmanship. It felt cool and solid in his grip, balanced. Comforting, in an odd, dangerous way.
Just as he turned to leave, someone passed by.
A blur of movement.
Blonde hair. Light steps. Swift and practiced.
He barely registered her presence before she had already moved several paces ahead. But in that fleeting second, she turned her head slightly and threw a glance his way—sharp, alert, as if scanning his soul.
The image etched itself into his mind.
A name rose like a whisper in the back of his thoughts: Felt.
And just like that, as if the world itself was nudging him into place, Subaru braced himself.
Time was moving again.
Before Emilia could arrive, he worked quickly. He grabbed the three unconscious thugs, dragging them to the side and propping them up against the wall like sleeping drunks. The illusion wasn't perfect, but it would do. He dusted off his clothes, straightened his posture, and breathed out.
Then he waited.
But waiting didn't help. The storm inside him only intensified. His heart beat faster, pounding in his ears like war drums. Every second stretched too long.
And then—
She appeared.
Her silver hair shimmered under the dim alley light, each strand glowing like liquid moonlight. She looked almost ethereal. But it was her eyes—those deep, searching violet eyes—that struck him hardest. They darted anxiously, scanning the surroundings, heavy with worry.
She stepped into the alley with hesitation, each movement betraying her tension. Her voice was taut, fragile. "Where is she?"
She wasn't asking him.
Floating beside her, Puck's form was barely the size of her shoulder. The little spirit looked uncharacteristically solemn.
"I can't feel him, Lia... I'm sorry."
Emilia shook her head, and for a brief moment, her composure cracked. Her hands clasped in front of her, trembling slightly.
"No, it's not your fault," she said softly. "Don't blame yourself, please."
Then her eyes landed on Subaru.
And in that moment, the world narrowed.
A sudden stillness swept through him. A quiet awe. Why does she always look this cute? Every single time? The thought came unbidden, ridiculous even, but it clung to him.
"Hey, you!"
Her voice sliced through the quiet—clear, commanding.
Subaru flinched. It wasn't his name, but it might as well have been. It was the first time she spoke to him in this life.
He scrambled to answer, his voice dry. "Y-yeah?"
She stepped forward, the urgency in her movements sharpening her presence. "We're looking for a blonde thief. She stole a very important gem."
Subaru paused. The memory of that fleeting figure—Felt—was still vivid. Her movements, the agility, the precision—like a fox in the night.
He swallowed. "If you mean a blonde girl... she jumped over that wall just a moment ago."
Emilia exhaled, troubled. Her shoulders slumped slightly as her hands reflexively tightened.
"Do you know who she is? Or where I could find her?"
Subaru shook his head, slowly. His voice was honest, worn around the edges.
"I'm sorry... I only arrived in this country a few hours ago. You're the first person I've met."
There was a flicker in her eyes then. Not distrust. Something softer. Something curious.
And then, something shifted in him—an unfamiliar, overwhelming urge. A need to protect. Irrational, maybe. But real.
He stepped forward, offering more than just words.
"If you'd like... I can help."
Puck moved closer, his little eyes narrowing. His voice lowered to a murmur near Emilia's ear.
"He doesn't seem to mean harm... but the miasma of the Witch is strong. Be careful, Lia."
Emilia didn't respond. Her gaze lingered on Subaru's face—searching, questioning.
She said nothing, but something unspoken passed between them.
And the air felt heavier than before.
She had made up her mind.
A quiet voice echoed in her heart, faint yet firm — a whisper not from outside, but from the deepest part of her soul: "This time... I'll trust my instincts. Even if it's foolish. Even if it hurts."
She turned her eyes, shimmering like moonlight through snowfall, toward the boy beside her.
"Why would you want to help me?" she asked softly, her voice nearly drowned by the hush of the wind. There was uncertainty beneath her words, a trembling edge forged from loneliness.
"I'm... a silver-haired half-elf," she continued, almost to herself — a confession, a burden spoken aloud.
In Subaru's eyes, something flickered — a glimmer, not of shock, not of rejection.
It wasn't fear. It wasn't judgment. It was simply—acceptance. Pure and unfiltered, like sunlight cutting through a cloudy dawn.
"Why not?" he said gently, a smile tugging at his lips, soft and warm. "Let's go find her."
Emilia blinked. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. Her chest tightened in a way she couldn't name.
Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, warmth blooming there before she could stop it.
"W-well then... thank you for your help," she murmured, the words feeling strange yet comforting in her mouth.
Subaru scratched the back of his head, suddenly bashful. "Ah, how forgetful of me. We haven't even introduced ourselves yet, have we?"
His eyes lit up with a spark of sincerity. "May I ask your name?"
There was a beat of silence. Emilia hesitated. Her gaze drifted into the void, her thoughts spinning like snowflakes in the wind. Then her lips parted.
"I... I'm Satella."
Puck, invisible to most and rarely silent, let out a soft, troubled sigh. "Lia really is terrible at picking fake names..."
Subaru didn't flinch. Not even a twitch. He simply bowed slightly, as though greeting someone of royalty.
"I'm Natsuki Subaru. But you can just call me Subaru."
Puck floated closer, casting a protective shadow over Emilia, his tiny form bristling with caution. "I'm Puck! Nice to meet you, Subaru."
But beneath his cheery voice was an unspoken threat. His narrowed eyes said what his words did not: "Stay away from my daughter."
Time passed. The sun dipped ever so slightly behind the rooftops of the city. The golden light grew dimmer.
Subaru walked in silence, his thoughts storming quietly within.
"We could start with the street vendors in the slums. Someone always knows something, for the right price," he reasoned internally.
As they neared the edge of the slums, Subaru's steps slowed. His shoulders stiffened, his breath catching ever so slightly.
The air was thick — heavier here — saturated with the scent of old smoke, of decay and despair. The past clung to this place like mold on stone.
It was the smell of desperation.
His eyes scanned the familiar broken stalls, the sagging roofs of shanties, the hollow gazes of people who had long forgotten hope.
It hadn't changed. Not in this loop. Not in the last. Not even across timelines.
A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
"This is where it all started, isn't it?"
The thought came unbidden, curling around his spine like a serpent. A whisper from a nightmare he could never fully wake from.
He remembered.
The dirt beneath his feet. The tension in the air. The weight — that unbearable weight — of knowing something terrible was coming. And knowing he couldn't stop it.
The suffocating helplessness.
"We went to the vendors before," he recalled. "Someone talked... after a bit of coin. I should've pushed harder. I should've known more."
His fingers curled tightly at his sides. This time, he had no excuse. No veil of ignorance.
He had already lived this.
He knew what was coming.
And he refused to let it play out again.
He turned to Emilia, forcing his muscles to relax, softening his voice into something close to a smile.
"We could start with the street vendors in the slums," he said aloud, echoing his own past words.
"Someone always knows something… for the right price."
His voice was even. Calm. But inside, every nerve in his body was on fire.
"She didn't question me last time. She trusted me. And this time... I can't fail her again."
He met her gaze — those eyes, both ethereal and haunted — and his expression gentled.
"Satella… forgive me," he whispered. The name felt fragile now, like glass — beautiful, sharp, and full of old guilt.
"But while Puck and I go check with the vendors, why don't you consult the spirits? Puck's a spirit, so maybe you can talk to others too. You might learn something we can't."
Emilia blinked, caught off guard by the thoughtfulness in his words.
It was like before — but different. Subaru wasn't speaking from fear this time. He was thinking. Planning.
He was walking the same path — but with new eyes.
"This time, I won't just follow fate," he vowed silently. "This time, I'll reshape it with my own hands."
Emilia nodded, slowly, a spark of admiration flickering in her chest.
"Y-yes. That actually makes sense. Thank you for the idea," she said, her voice steadier now.
Puck, ever watchful, gave a small nod: "Alright, Lia. I'm going with Subaru. We won't stray far."
Subaru repeated, almost without realizing: "Lia, huh?"
The air turned still — unnaturally so.
Puck stiffened. Emilia froze, her breath catching in her throat.
Puck was first to speak, eyes narrowing into playful denial: "Lia? Who's Lia? Don't know anyone by that name, right, Satella?"
Emilia laughed, but it was thin. Forced. "R-right. Definitely not."
Subaru observed them, something unreadable behind his eyes.
"That nervousness… is kinda adorable," he thought with a faint grin.
But beneath that smile, his mind sharpened.
"So that's a secret. And I just peeled back a tiny piece."
The game had begun again. But this time, he wasn't a pawn. He was learning the board.
As Emilia went to commune with the spirits, Subaru and Puck made their way to a narrow side street lined with faded banners and smoke trailing from food stalls. The midday sun cast long shadows, and the chatter of the crowd provided a lively background hum.
Subaru smiled as they approached a street vendor's stand, the scent of roasting meat and spice thick in the air. "Hey there. How's your day going?"
The vendor glanced up, his face weary, eyes half-lidded with indifference. He frowned sharply. "Say what you want, pay, and leave. Got it, kid?"
Unbothered by the vendor's gruff tone, Subaru kept his voice casual and friendly. "We're looking for a blonde girl. Was seen running through here earlier. Small, quick, maybe looked like trouble."
The vendor shrugged, uninterested. "Don't know her. Bad memory."
Subaru raised an eyebrow, then reached into the pouch he had taken from the thugs earlier. He slid two gold coins across the counter, their shine catching the vendor's eye.
"Maybe this will help jog it."
The vendor's expression shifted like a mask melting off. He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Head straight down the back road. There's an old tavern The man in charge there goes by Rom."
Subaru nodded, hiding the fact that he already knew that detail. But getting people to believe you were clueless had its advantages. "I already knew that... but building trust with real info is part of the game."
He straightened up and added as if remembering something, "Oh, and... can I buy two cloaks? Preferably ones that don't draw attention."
The vendor grunted, opening a wooden chest beside him. He rummaged through rough cloth until he found two dark hooded cloaks. "Got two. Five silver."
Subaru paused for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly. If I killed this crook, I'd save five silver. But fine... A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He handed over the coins and took the garments with a silent nod.
He returned to Emilia, who had just finished speaking with the spirits. Her gaze lifted as he approached.
"Satella, we've found out where to go. But first... you need to hide your identity. Wear this."
Emilia blinked in surprise, her silver lashes catching the light. She glanced at Puck, who floated by her shoulder, then gave a small nod.
Wordlessly, she accepted the cloak and pulled it around herself. Its deep color dulled the glow of her hair, shadowing her face. From ethereal beauty to plain wanderer, the transformation was effective.
Subaru turned, motioning forward. His steps were calm, deliberate, and his shadow stretched behind him—long and slow like a waiting tide.
Puck floated close to Emilia and whispered, "Lia... there's something strange about this boy. I feel uneasy inside."
Emilia's eyes stayed on Subaru. Her voice was soft, yet filled with certainty. "But Subaru... he seems kind. Truly. A normal person wouldn't help us like this."
Puck frowned, narrowing his gaze thoughtfully. Subaru... are you a pawn of the Witch Cult? Or just a fool who doesn't even know the Witch's name?
With a tired little yawn, his fur fluttering in the breeze, Puck murmured, "Lia, I'll rest inside the crystal for now. If anything goes wrong... wake me."
Emilia nodded gently. "Okay, Puck. Stay safe."
A glimmer pulsed within her pendant. With a shimmer of light, Puck disappeared into the crystal, and the air around them grew slightly colder, emptier.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. The streets twisted into narrower alleys where fewer people tread. The stone buildings became older, leaning in on each other with timeworn fatigue.
Eventually, the tavern emerged from the misty afternoon like a relic. Wooden, cracked, and crooked, it looked like it belonged to a different time.
Subaru paused at the entrance. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and knocked three times on the worn wood.
A narrow eye appeared through a slit in the door. Rom leaned against the frame, his bulky arm crossed over a chest thick with muscle.
He opened his mouth to demand something, but Subaru raised a coin pouch, shaking it ever so slightly. The jingle of gold filled the silence.
Rom grunted, stepping aside. "People with coin don't need a password. Get in."
Subaru offered a smirk as he stepped inside. "Where I come from, they say money opens every door."
Emilia followed silently. Her eyes roamed over the interior—low-lit, hazy with smoke, and scented with stale beer and old wood. It wasn't welcoming, but it was private.
The tavern was empty except for a few scattered patrons, hunched and quiet.
Subaru approached the bar, his steps echoing faintly on the creaking floor. He leaned forward and spoke.
"I'm looking for a blonde girl. My employer said there'd be a jewel delivery here today."
His tone was even, controlled, but it carried weight. Like a man used to being taken seriously.
Then, the back door creaked open.
A short blonde girl stepped in with a casual swagger. Her eyes scanned the room quickly—sharp and assessing. When she saw Subaru, her lips curled slightly.
"Took you long enough to find me," she said. Her voice was soft, but laced with challenge and mischief.
Emilia tensed. Her fingers twitched, gathering mana instinctively as she began to raise a spell—
But Subaru reached out and gently touched her wrist. "Easy… she's not a threat. Not right now."
He stepped forward, facing the blonde girl directly.
His voice became firm, all humor gone. "I've been assigned to retrieve the jewel you stole today."
From his pocket, he produced a coin pouch. He held it aloft for a moment before letting it fall to the counter with a weighty clink.
"Fifteen gold coins. That's my offer."
Silence took over the room. Even the air felt still, like it was holding its breath.
The game had officially begun.
Felt hesitated for a moment.
The allure of money flickered in her eyes like a reflection of greed—sharp, hungry, and calculating. "Fifteen, huh? Well… maybe," she said, her voice tight with feigned indifference.
Her fingers drummed against the wooden table, a rhythm born of impatience. "But I've got another buyer. They'll be here soon. Whoever pays more gets it."
A chill ran down Subaru's spine. He clenched his jaw, eyes narrowing slightly.
"This unease... why does it feel so familiar?"
Just then— The door exploded inward with a deafening crash. Wooden shards whirled through the air like deadly snowflakes.
A shadow crossed the threshold.
Tall. Slender. Cloaked in something darker than night. Her figure moved like water, like smoke—like death.
Eyes glinted in the darkness, twin blades of malice focused on everyone in the room.
Elsa the Bowel Hunter.
Felt jumped to her feet, fury flashing in her eyes.
"Hey! Ever heard of using a door like a normal person!?"
Subaru turned slowly.
His breath caught.
His eyes landed on Elsa's face— That face, with its chilling beauty, carved into his memory like a scar.
That familiar, twisted beauty.
The elegance of death itself...
Her revealing dress was woven with subtle menace. Each fold, each gleam of fabric, more a taunt than attire. Beneath its soft movements lurked death.
He couldn't see the hidden daggers, but his body remembered them—their kiss against his ribs, the slicing agony they brought. His hands twitched instinctively.
He had felt them… far too many times.
Elsa's steps were soundless. Like a cat approaching a bird too stunned to fly.
She moved with grace, each step a dance, each gesture rehearsed to perfection.
"Hm? Another buyer? So it's an auction, then," she said, her voice like warm velvet, hiding razors beneath.
She sat at the table with disarming ease.
Her smile stretched across her lips, slow and deadly. A flower blooming on a frozen battlefield.
Subaru fought to steady his breath. Each inhale burned with tension.
Showing fear in front of death… was a fatal mistake.
"Yes," he said flatly, masking his panic with carefully measured calm. "My employer sent me to acquire the jewel from Felt."
Elsa tilted her head, her interest piqued. "How curious… and who might you be?"
Subaru's mind spun. A beat passed. Then another.
He forced a crooked smile. "I'm Natsuki Subaru. And this girl beside me is my dear little sister… E-tella. And you are?"
Elsa winked, the gesture both playful and predatory.
"Call me Elsa. Just… Elsa."
Felt, clearly bored of the drama, threw up her hands.
"Okay, now that everyone knows each other… can we get to the selling part already?"
Elsa and Subaru exchanged a glance—a quiet clash of will hidden behind masks of civility.
Rom groaned from the shadows, rubbing his forehead.
"I've already made my offer," Elsa said, her voice honeyed and indifferent. "Ten gold."
Felt turned to Subaru.
"And yours? Still fifteen?"
Subaru stood taller.
"Fifteen gold," he confirmed, without a trace of hesitation.
Felt's eyes danced, caught between temptation and tension.
She turned to Elsa, her expression unreadable.
Elsa shrugged. "Sorry. My employer only gave me ten. That's all I have."
"Ah," Felt murmured, her voice softening. A hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes—but it didn't last.
Subaru's eyes met Rom's.
In that silent look passed a warning: "She's too calm. Too detached. Something's off."
Felt rolled her eyes and finally extended the gem to Subaru. "Well, I guess it's yours."
He stepped forward slowly and accepted it, the cool weight of the jewel heavy in his hand.
He slipped it into his coat pocket.
Yet… the feeling of victory was hollow. A silence settled over the room like fog.
Then, Elsa rose.
Not abruptly. Not violently.
Smooth. Inevitable.
A dark shimmer passed over her face—like a mask slipping off.
"How unfortunate," she said. "But… according to my deal, if I can't buy it—I must take it by force."
The air thickened.
She raised her hands slowly, like a conductor about to begin a symphony of screams.
Twin daggers slithered from the folds of her back—long, elegant, merciless.
They caught the light and devoured it.
The room's temperature plummeted. Even the fire in the hearth seemed to shrink away.
Subaru's heart pounded. Loud. Too loud.
"This is it," he thought. "This is the end. Again."
Elsa lunged.
A blur. A shadow given purpose.
She darted toward the exit—toward Subaru and Emilia. Subaru saw it from the corner of his eye. Time stretched. He acted without thinking.
He shoved Emilia through the doorway, his voice lost in the wind. Then, with trembling resolve, he reached into his coat.
Two daggers met his palms.
They were crude. Stolen from thugs. But now they were threads tying him to life.
He took a stance. Not perfect. Not poised. But ready. The daggers weren't elegant.
But they would be the first cry against death. And Subaru would make them sing.
Elsa's blades sliced through the air like vengeful spirits, gleaming under the dim flicker of lantern light, cutting arcs of death through the corridor. Every motion she made was fluid and cruel, like a predator savoring the hunt.
Subaru met her strike with a clumsy but determined block, arms trembling from the force, his dagger shaking in his grip. Steel clashed against steel—sparks erupted, and the narrow corridor echoed with ringing metal— and in that moment, time held its breath.
Was it luck?
Even Subaru didn't know. Maybe it was just... pure, primal instinct, fueled by the terror of death. His heart thundered in his chest like war drums, his breaths sharp and uneven, as if the air itself refused to cooperate.
Then—he noticed something strange.
Elsa only had one dagger in her hand.
It took Subaru's brain a second to register the anomaly. And then a wave of cold panic climbed his throat, icy fingers gripping his spine like chains.
He slowly turned around. His mind resisted the truth— but reality offered no mercy.
Elsa had already thrown her second dagger… and her target was—Emilia.
Time collapsed into a single point of agony. Sounds muffled. The air thickened, pressing down like heavy iron. Subaru's eyes locked onto Emilia's body—slumped, vulnerable.
Her silver hair spilled over her shoulder like moonlight, and from her chest, Elsa's dagger protruded— a cruel monument of violence, like a final sentence carved into her heart.
In that moment, Subaru's mind shattered like glass. The past... repeated itself.
And again—
he was too late.
All those memories—
the streets they had walked,
the way she would laugh behind her hand,
the quiet moments she smiled without knowing he was looking,
the gentle 'thank yous' spoken under her breath,
the way she held onto his sleeve when nervous,
the hopes they'd shared, even unspoken—
flashed before his eyes, each one a blade cutting deeper into his soul.
The girl he loved had died in front of him once more. And Subaru... again... could do nothing.
"EMILIA!!!"
His scream cracked the air, a ragged howl of heartbreak, the desperate wail of a soul tearing apart. He lunged forward—just wanted to reach her, to touch her, to pull her back from the brink.
But— a burning pain lit up his back.
Sharp. Cold.
Death itself.
He looked down. Elsa's dagger was buried in his gut, the blade disappearing into him like a serpent returning to its den. Its hilt was slick with blood.
His trembling hands gripped the blade uselessly, blood flowing like a river over his fingertips.
From behind came that voice... as real as the fear it carried.
"I'm so excited to open you up and see your insides. Please don't disappoint me, Natsuki Subaru."
Elsa's tone danced between delight and madness, her words sweet with poison.
Subaru's body was failing, each muscle locking in place, each nerve screaming— but one will alone kept him moving.
"I have to reach Emilia…"
His knees gave out. He fell.
But he crawled—
hands digging into the blood-slick floor, each inch a battle, each breath a fight against the void pressing in.
Toward the girl he couldn't save.
His shaking fingers touched her cooling hand, her skin pale, still, and far too quiet.
His bloodstained lips parted. His voice was but a breath.
His voice cracked. His lungs refused him. His eyes burned with tears that wouldn't fall.
His eyelids grew heavy. The world blurred. The tavern dimmed to shadow.
Death came again.
But this time… something was different.
The air trembled. Mana stirred around them—like an invisible storm had begun to circle. The air crackled, alive.
A pressure built in Subaru's chest— not crushing, but awakening— a force rising from within.
Then warmth. And then— something more.
From the deepest corner of his shattered mind, a whisper echoed. Velvety. Dark.
A loving requiem.
"I love you."
And then—
[Return by Death – activated.]
But this time, he wasn't alone.
From within the shadows, another voice rose. Elegant. Cold. Like the void itself was speaking.
"It's not over, Natsuki Subaru. This is only the first act…"
Subaru's eyes flickered open— a faint purple glow burning within, like a command whispered from the depths of an unseen throne.
From within the darkness… a new power was calling.
A new self. A new destiny.
But this time, he wasn't alone. Not anymore. Not ever again.
The story of his suffering was far from finished— and the tale of his resolve… had only just begun.