Once again, the world materialized around me, leaving me face to face with the fruit vendor. Nausea gripped me again, but this time it was accompanied by bitter disappointment. My fists clenched, my nails digging into my palms. It was a crushing failure.
Me: (I muttered, my throat tight.) "I failed again. Twice. We ruined everything."
I turned on my heel and walked, staring blankly, toward the alley. Before I reached the entrance, Subaru came running out. Horror and hatred were still etched on his face. He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the scene of our two previous deaths.
Subaru: (He panted, despair in his voice.) "Damn! That bitch is fast and unpredictable. We tried negotiating, we tried running, she massacred us! How do we beat her?"
I couldn't answer. I felt drained, helpless. He stared at me, his piercing eyes searching for a spark of life in me.
Subaru: (He let go of my arm, his tone becoming softer but urgent.) "I know it's hard... We died twice. I saw your entrails spill onto the floor, I know it. But we made a promise to Emilia."
His mention of Emilia triggered a wave of anger in me, not against her, but against Subaru's unwavering naivety.
Me: "What? You made a promise to that girl! I had nothing to do with it! We'll never see her again! We're getting killed for a damn piece of metal!"
Subaru, confused and a little angry, looked at me as if I had gone insane.
Subaru: "You want to let our savior get killed by that woman in black? Let her wander in the slums? She helped us when we were lost!"
Anger rose within me. I was about to yell at him, to reproach him for his naivety, when I saw three familiar figures approaching. They were the thugs from last time.
An idea crossed my mind, a glimmer of hope. I had to do something different. I glanced at Subaru, who was preparing to attack, and shouted at the top of my lungs, trying to give my voice a feminine pitch, though the result was dismal.
Me: (I yelled, my voice cracking, but the volume was there.) "HELP! GUARDS! I'M BEING ATTACKED! HELP!"
The thugs immediately panicked.
Thug 1 (The tall one): "What!? Stop yelling, you idiot! Shut up!"
Me: (I kept screaming, pointing at Subaru as if he were the victim.) "DON'T TOUCH ME! HE'S A THIEF! HELP!"
I kept going, hoping the guards from the commercial area, closer this time, would intervene. But after a few seconds, no one came. The alley remained empty. The thugs started snickering.
Thug 2 (The skinny one): "Haha! You lost your bet, kid! Now no one's going to help you! They're letting us do the cleanup job here!"
The tallest one lunged at me, his fist raised. I didn't think of anything, just the pain of my past deaths. I took an instinctive step to the side, crouching slightly. His fist whistled through the air, narrowly missing me.
And then, I reacted. My fist slammed into his throat with the force of despair. He choked, collapsing while clutching his windpipe.
It was the first time I had successfully dodged and counterattacked. I was surprised and elated.
Me: (A nervous laugh escaped me, mixed with disbelief.) "What? I managed to dodge and counterattack! Great!"
Subaru looked at me, his eyes shining with admiration.
Subaru: "If you can do that, I can do it too! That's called training! We trained by dying!"
Subaru rushed at the two remaining thugs, adrenaline and rage replacing fear. He aimed for the skinny one, but the latter was quicker than the tall one. The thug clumsily blocked Subaru's attack and, with a shove, knocked him down.
I saw Subaru struggling. The skinny thug, already pulling out a small blade, prepared to strike. Without thinking, I lifted a wooden barrel marked with a weight of 8 kg in black ink.
Me: (I shouted with effort.) "Touch him and you're dead!"
I threw the barrel at the thug. He cursed and, instinctively, intercepted the object to prevent it from bursting. This second of inattention allowed me to drop to the ground and retrieve a blade the skinny thug had on his person.
Before the situation could escalate further-the thug preparing to retaliate, Subaru slowly getting up-a calm, deep, and incredibly powerful voice was heard.
??? : "That's enough."
The mere presence of that voice chilled Subaru and me. It wasn't loud, but it carried an authority that demanded obedience. The three thugs froze, then, in an obvious panic, they scattered and fled the alley at full speed, not daring to retrieve their weapon.
The man who had just entered was tall, majestic. He had crimson hair and eyes as clear blue as the summer sky. His silhouette, clad in a knight's uniform, was approximately 187 cm tall.
Subaru, overwhelmed by the man's sheer presence and aura, could barely thank him.
Subaru: (He bowed slightly, breathless.) "Thank you... very much. We... we owe you a huge one."
Me: (I stammered, still in shock from the appearance and recognizing the figure.) "Thank you, um..."
The Man: (His smile was kind, but his gaze remained incredibly penetrating.) "Reinhard."
Me and Subaru: (In unison.) "Thank you, Reinhard!"
Reinhard: "I didn't do anything. When those ruffians sensed they were outnumbered, they preferred to flee."
I knew he was lying. He had scared the thugs off with his aura alone, an unconscious manifestation of his power, but I remained silent. My survival instinct ordered me not to question the strongest man in the kingdom.
Subaru, recovering his wits-and his altruism-began to speak to Reinhard.
Subaru: (He turned to the knight, looking resolved.) "Reinhard, can you accompany us to the slums? No, forget it! If you happen to see a silver-haired woman with elf-like ears, tell her not to come to the slums. I'll bring her her badge!"
Reinhard looked at us, a genuinely confused expression on his handsome face.
Reinhard: "Alright. I will do so if I encounter her. She seems very important to you."
Subaru then turned his attention to me.
Subaru: (He scrutinized me, suddenly worried.) "Trizz... your eyes... they're slightly red. Is that normal? We don't have time. We'll figure it out later."
He grabbed my hand, and we ran out of the alley. Reinhard watched us leave.
Reinhard: (He muttered to himself, an amused smile on his lips.) "What a strange duo... Subaru and Trizz."
(JUMP IN TIME...)
We arrived in the slums, exhausted from running. A familiar, chilling aura, tinged with bloodlust, immediately alerted me. It was the same oppressive sensation that had preceded our two deaths. Subaru, however, felt nothing and ran ahead of me. He stopped dead.
In front of us stood the woman who had killed us twice. Elsa . She had arrived earlier this time, blocking our path even before the Felt's shack.
Subaru tried to mask his terror behind an expression of surprise, but it was useless. The woman looked at us with a friendly, strangely too-wide smile.
Elsa: "Oh, my. Why are boys like you wandering in this place? You might get mugged."
Me: (I felt my heart pounding, but a new, almost euphoric confidence-my burgeoning Pride-forced me to speak. My tone was oddly calm.) "I wonder the same about you. Why would such a beautiful woman wander in such an unwelcoming place?"
The woman in black fixed her gaze on me. There was something predatory in her eyes. I was scared, but my usual fear had diminished, replaced by an almost euphoric vigilance. She ran her tongue over her lips in a slow, seductive gesture.
Elsa: "It's for work, my boy. There's always something interesting to dig up in the corners."
I realized Subaru couldn't sustain this confrontation any longer. I took his hand, and we quickly turned around to leave, focusing on the feeling of malice emanating from her, like a pestilent smell.
Subaru: (He whispered, panicked.) "She's the same woman who killed us in the last loop. Why did she arrive earlier? We made a mistake!"
I looked at Subaru worriedly, but the real surprise was the woman.
Me: "I know, it's strange. But did you notice the two kukri blades she was hiding behind her? Under her black dress? I think she's the one who hired Felt for the insignia and will kill her later..."
Subaru stared at me, puzzled, his face full of questions he held back for later.
Subaru: "How could you notice those weapons? I didn't see anything at all! You're getting weird! You even managed to grab a weapon from the thugs!"
Me: (I pursed my lips, the mystery of my ability exciting me.) "I know. Since those loops, my mind is clearer. It's like I'm more alert. I can sense the bloodlust or anger of others."
I paused, contemplative. This was the manifestation of my mysterious power, even if I didn't know its origin.
Me: "Maybe I've finally managed to unlock my power! Maybe I can break a wall with my hand or fly through the air by casting magic!"
I tried both, to no avail. I instinctively dodged a small plank lying on the ground first, then, annoyed that I couldn't fly, I punched a brick wall. I foolishly injured my hand.
Subaru burst out laughing, mocking me for my stupidity.
Subaru: "So, the great power-unblocker breaks his hand against a wall! Well done , Trizz! 'Return by Death' is good, but 'Break-My-Hand-Against-The-Wall' is better!"
we arrived in front of the Loot House door. This time, I used my new sharpness, straining my ear to detect the code. Nothing. Caution was required. I knocked gently, then, getting no immediate response, I made a decision.
Me: (Whispering to Subaru.) "I don't sense any bloodlust, not yet. But we don't have time. I'm going to risk everything."
I knocked again, harder.
Rom: (Grumbling from inside.) "Come in. But no nonsense, I haven't been paid yet."
Rom let us in to negotiate for the insignia. Five minutes later, Felt arrived, Emilia's badge glittering in her pocket. She looked at us suspiciously, wondering what we wanted. The negotiation quickly broke down. Felt, sensing the object's value, began to show excessive greed.
Felt: (She crossed her arms, looking tough.) "No. The badge is worth more than twenty gold coins. If you don't have at least thirty, I'm keeping it."
Subaru, worried, angry, and frightened by Elsa's approach, began to lose his temper.
Subaru: "But you don't understand the danger! Give it up before it's too late! Everyone's life is at stake!"
TOC TOC TOC
A knock came at the door. It was light and polite. I stiffened, expecting the aura of death, but strangely, I felt no malice.
Subaru, still reeling from our two deaths, screamed.
Subaru: "Don't open the door! She'll kill us! She's already here!"
Felt: (She raised an eyebrow.) "What? But that's a normal knock. She might be here, but she's my client. I didn't give her a special password."
Felt opened the door.
Behind the door stood a girl with silver hair and amethyst eyes. It was Satella/Emilia.
Emilia: (Her voice was composed, though tinged with suspicion.) "I don't intend to kill you. I just came to get my insignia."
Felt, shocked by this unexpected appearance, backed away.
Felt: "You again! You'll never give up, you bitch!"
Me: (I seized the opportunity. My voice became urgent.) "Now, give her the insignia. It's time."
Felt, preparing to refuse, saw ice crystals appear out of nowhere, shimmering around Emilia. It was the manifestation of her power, or that of her protective spirit, Puck, who had appeared on her shoulder.
Felt: (She glared at Subaru and me, fury in her eyes.) "You're together! You set a trap for me!"
Emilia: "I don't know these boys." (She cast a cold look at Subaru and me.) "Aren't you together?"
Subaru and I were stunned and embarrassed. Our clumsy attempt at heroism had just alienated Felt and Emilia at the same time.
We were paralyzed with shame, unable to answer Emilia. It was at that precise moment that my instinct manifested, not as an intuition, but as a violent wave of bloodlust hitting my face, coming from outside.
I had only a second to react. I pulled on Subaru's arm.
Me: "Subaru! DANGER!"
Subaru: (Understanding but still confused, he shouted the first name that came to mind.) "PUCK! PROTECTION!"
A wall of ice instantly rose between the door and the interior of the Loot House. A fraction of a second later, a metallic clash resonated violently against the frozen shield. Elsa had arrived, her blades screaming, but she had been delayed.
She looked at us through the ice, her smile contorting into a grimace of pure excitement.
Elsa: "Oh my. I've never seen the inside of a Great Spirit! It must be as beautiful as entrails!"
She attacked violently, concentrating her assaults on Puck and Emilia. Ice crystals flew everywhere, magical explosions shattering the remaining windows of the warehouse.

I took cover with Felt and Subaru. Rom, the giant, roared in anger at the attack on his guests and rushed at the assassin.
Rom: "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
Elsa dodged all of Rom's club blows with insulting grace. In a flash, she countered, her blade tracing a line on his forehead. Rom let out a groan of pain and recoiled, blood pouring heavily.
I looked at Subaru. I knew my role was to buy time. I couldn't beat her, but I could distract her.
I ran, ignoring Subaru's pleas, to join the fight.
Elsa: (She saw me coming, brandishing the blade I had stolen from the thug. Her gaze lit up.) "Joining the dance, little lamb? Your fear is so delicious."
Me: "..."
I attacked the Woman in Black. She dodged all my strikes, but, strangely, I managed to dodge and counter hers. It was odd. I felt like I could see her attacks in advance, my body reacting on its own, guided by this awakened instinct.
The woman focused on me, her attacks becoming faster, trying to slice me. I was having trouble dodging, but luckily, Puck and Emilia were lending me a hand.
Puck: (His voice was strained. The ice shield was thinning.) "I don't have much time! I have an idea, lia!"
I looked at Puck and stepped back, exhausted. I had to think, and fast.
"Come up with an idea! Puck is going to disappear if you don't hurry!"
My gaze swept the room. I saw four sacks of flour stored, some crates of strong beer, a torch near the entrance, and a damaged tablecloth. A crazy idea, inspired by my isekai memories, flashed in my mind.
Puck used his trump card, launching an intense wave of cold that momentarily immobilized Elsa in a thin layer of ice.
Me: "Everyone out! I have an idea!"
They all looked at me as if I had gone insane.
Me: "Get out! Now! I know how to beat her!"
Subaru, furious and confused, glared at me.
Subaru: "Stop playing the hero! This isn't a game! You're going to get yourself killed!"
I gave him a look of trust, the same one I wanted him to return. He was consumed by worry, but Puck agreed, understanding the gravity of the moment.
Puck: "I don't have much time. Do what you want, as long as my daughter doesn't die."
Emilia: "But... but... I can't leave him!"
Puck looked at her with soft, trusting eyes. Emilia reluctantly agreed and fled with Rom and Felt. Except for Subaru.
Subaru: "Stop! Please, I don't want to see you die again!"
I spoke to him with a tone of trust and hope, knowing my sacrifice was temporary.
Me: "I'm not going to die. Don't worry. Trust me, please. We don't have much time."
Subaru reluctantly agreed.
Subaru: "If you die, come back, and I'll kill you again!"
He left the house just in time. The Woman in Black, still trapped in the ice, managed to free herself and tried to attack Subaru from behind. I kicked a table to counter her attack.
Elsa: (She turned back to me, rage contained.) "You really are annoying, my little boy."
With a confident smile, I ran toward the torch and the tablecloth. But Elsa, quicker, threw a knife at me. I didn't have time to dodge. The blade landed in my foot.
The pain was horrible. Blood was pouring from my wound. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, and threw the torch into the pile of beer and flour.
Me: "Have you ever seen an explosion of Pride?"
Before she could reply, a violent detonation rang out, and the house exploded. Flaming debris flew everywhere. In the distance, the townspeople arrived with the crimson-haired knight.
(A few minutes later...)
I woke up, burned on my left foot and arm. I saw Emilia and Subaru approaching me. I could barely hear the sound, my body in shock. The knight approached me.
Everything went dark. I heard a sad female voice.
"I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love I love him protect my love"
END OF CHAPTER IV AND END OF ARC I