Yet again, Subaru stood in the middle of the town, holding a grocery bag as crowds of people passed by.
He was pissed.
Using the same method as before, he retrieved his sword, securing it in the holder on his hip.
He walked to the slums, heading to the same location early. When he entered, two people stared at him. Without a word, he walked to the right wall, leaned against it, and crossed his arms, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
The golden-haired girl, Felt asked, "What are you doing here?"
Subaru didn't reply, staying focused on his mission.
The old man, Old Man Rom, approached him and warned, "If you're planning trouble, I suggest you leave."
"The person who was going to buy the insignia you stole," Subaru said, locking eyes with Felt, "will kill both of you. She's the Bowel Hunter, Elsa Granhired, or something like that. I suggest you leave. I'm here for her head."
Old Man Rom and Felt sensed the seriousness in his tone.
But then the Bowel Hunter herself appeared out of nowhere, sitting casually on a chair.
"You must be an investigator," Elsa said with a smirk. "But I'm hurt you didn't pronounce my last name correctly."
Subaru drew his sword, ready to kill her. He rushed forward, thrusting at her face but she effortlessly leaped and landed on top of the blade.
Then, in one swift motion, she sliced his head in two, killing him instantly.
The world began resetting again...
Subaru stands right in the middle of the town yet again.
The pain reemerges; the feeling of his head being split apart is excruciating.
Every single sensation returns: the memory of being sliced, the burning pain as blood pours from his head.
The pain lingers in his mind, even though the killing only lasted a split second.
But he doesn't have time to dwell on the hurt. He remembers why he is doing this in the first place, anger.
Shaking it off, he proceeds to get his sword back by selling his flip phone. He heads directly toward the slum, returning to the same location.
This time, he enters the building and leans against the right wall, staying silent even as the two inside question his presence, noting his noble-like appearance.
When Elsa reveals herself, Subaru pulls out his sword and rushes toward her.
Elsa smiles, deciding to entertain Subaru just as she did before, prolonging the fight.
Subaru launches a vertical slash, which Elsa parries. However, this time, his stance is solid. He follows up with a thrust, forcing Elsa to kick the sword upward and backflip away.
But Subaru keeps a firm grip on his sword, stepping forward and thrusting again this time striking her back.
The only reason it lands is because she's jumping around, playing with her food.
She quickly moves back, avoiding a deeper wound. Still, she is surprised that Subaru managed to hit her.
Because of this, she instantly speeds toward him, killing him without hesitation.
Resetting again...
Subaru took a deep breath to calm himself.
"After all of this, I'm gonna take your life," Subaru muttered.
Then, he grabbed his sword and returned to the slums to face Elsa alone.
Again. Death by decapitation.
Subaru woke up once more in the middle of the road, the phantom sensation of decapitation lingering. He massaged his neck.
'I need armor,' Subaru thought.
First, he retrieved his sword, then sold his clothes for gold, purchasing gear better suited for combat. Among his acquisitions were a gambeson, brigandine, and forearm guards.
Despite the added protection, he died yet again this time by his own sword, as Elsa turned it against him.
Upon waking once more, Subaru resolved to be more analytical, pinpointing his mistakes.
But he was killed again.
And again. Death by concussion.
Again. Death by disembowelment.
Again. Death by blood loss.
Again. Death by a dagger driven straight into his skull.
Each death sharpened his mind, forcing him to analyze every failure, strategize his approach, and seek a way to win without outside help.
By the 40th attempt, he had refined his routine: securing his sword, selling his outfit for extra gold, and investing in a modest set of armor. His bartering skills were improving he was getting saucy with his salesmanship.
Sitting in an alleyway, back against the wall, he stared at the sky.
'There's no way I'm winning like this.' Subaru accepted the harsh truth he couldn't overpower her as things stood.
"Wait… magic?" He smacked his forehead for not considering it sooner. "I'm an idiot too focused on the mission."
Renewed by the realization, he decided to incorporate magic into his strategy.
'I have Yin Magic, if I'm not mistaken.'
When the three thugs reappeared, they took one look at Subaru's armored appearance and fled.
"Better to practice in battle," Subaru muttered, believing real combat would accelerate his learning.
With that, he headed to the slums, entering the same building. Felt and Old Man Rom eyed him warily his attire now resembled that of a royal guard.
Just as before, Subaru waited for Elsa's arrival. When she appeared, he drew his sword and advanced slowly.
Elsa chuckled at his attempt.
Subaru rushed forward with a horizontal slash, forcing Elsa back. He followed with a thrust, which she parried before flanking him but Subaru anticipated her movement.
Elsa grinned, amused by the knight's resistance. She lunged, her speed overwhelming, but Subaru adjusted his stance, blocking the slash aimed at his ribs.
Seizing the opening, he sidestepped and whipped his sword toward her neck.
She intercepted with her left dagger, halting the strike.
The difference in their abilities was still too vast.
Her grin widened until Subaru uttered: "Shamak!"
Mana surged violently through his gate, conjuring a cloud of black smoke that robbed Elsa of her senses though she could still feel her body and the ground beneath her.
Using the distraction, Subaru swung for her neck but she blocked at the last second, slipped inside his guard, and drove a dagger through his chin.
Death.