"What?!" Subaru acted like your question was outrageous. Of course, you didn't know for sure that he'd died yet, but Subaru himself took a while to figure it out in the anime.
Sol's eyes scanned Subaru's face, looking for the tell-tale signs of a 'bad trip'—the thousand-yard stare he'd seen on many gonks in Night City who had seen too much. The phantom sensation of Elsa's blade across his own gut was still there, a sharp, cold itch.
"Never mind. Just know that you can tell me crazy stuff like that. If you aren't messing around, I'll believe you." Sol let go of Subaru's shoulder, his posture returning to a deceptive, relaxed slouch.
Subaru didn't respond immediately. He was staring at his hands, his breathing shallow. He's probably still stuck on me asking if he died, Sol thought. In my world, death is usually a one-way trip unless you're a high-tier Arasaka suit with a Soulkiller backup. Here? Things are... different.
"Wait... is that why it's day again?" Subaru mumbled, his voice trembling. "Is that why my wound is gone? Did I really... die?"
After saying that, Subaru's eyes rolled back and he collapsed. This immediately drew the attention of the surrounding crowd.
Gosh dang. I can't seem to catch a break, Sol thought, rolling his eyes behind his calm expression. I keep getting public attention because of this kid. In the slums, attention is a death sentence.
"Don't worry! He's just a little dehydrated. Too much sun, not enough water!" Sol exclaimed to the crowd, putting on a rehearsed, friendly face. He threw Subaru's arm over his shoulder and dragged him into a nearby alleyway—the same one as before.
He set Subaru down and leaned against the wall, checking his internal systems. The Sandevistan is fully charged. Vision is clear. But if I died... and now I'm here... that means Subaru is the anchor.
So, if Sol was right, Subaru had already died. If he'd died, then that meant Sol probably didn't have Return by Death. If he did, he should be able to remember what happened before. Actually, maybe he did have it—maybe he had to be the one that died first to remember?
Eh. Who knows? I'll eventually find out if I'm a ghost in the machine or the lead dev, Sol thought sarcastically.
After a few minutes, Subaru finally awoke. He sat up, shaking his head. "Sol... I know that this sounds crazy, but I actually think that I might have died."
Sol nodded, his face unreadable. "I know. And besides, I don't care if it sounds crazy. We're in a fantasy world, kid. Physics is a suggestion here, and apparently, so is the afterlife."
Subaru gulped. "By the way, how did you know that... I died?"
Sol had already come up with a response. In Night City, you never told the whole truth if a half-truth would buy you more room to maneuver. "Well, you looked like you'd seen a ghost. Or like you were experiencing a serious neural glitch. I've seen that look before."
"What do you mean?! I didn't even react much other than losing my hearing!" Subaru was experiencing a mix of frustration and confusion.
"Why don't you tell me about how you died?" Sol changed the topic, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone.
Fortunately enough, Subaru obliged. "Well, this is the second time that I've been here. The first time, us two went around town and accomplished nothing, but then we got jumped by some ugly looking thugs. Then—" Subaru paused, and his face became calmer. "Emilia and Puck saved us. By the way, Emilia is a really cute girl, and Puck is a cat spirit."
Sol noted that Subaru used Emilia's real name instead of 'Satella.' Something shifted, Sol noted. The variables are already changing.
"And it turned out that this little blonde girl—her name was Felt—stole Emilia's insignia. So, once we learned about that, we wandered around until we finally arrived at the slums, where Felt lived. And then we went to the loot house where..." He squirmed, obviously uncomfortable. "...where we died."
Subaru's face reverted to a mask of pure terror. Interestingly enough, the curse—or whatever was governing this world—did not react when he said that he died.
Maybe he can't be affected when he tells me about his ability... but what good would that do except for counseling him? Sol thought.
"So you died, and then you returned to a specific point in time from before you died, right?" Sol asked, trying to keep his tone clinical.
"Yeah, I think that's what happened." Subaru thought for a moment. "You know what, I'll call this ability Return by Death."
Nothing happened. No black hands, no freezing of time.
Well, this just about confirms that I have an ability that is connected to the witch. I just don't know what it is yet, Sol concluded.
"That's a cool name, but don't tell anybody about it," Sol warned, his mercenary instincts flaring. "Information is currency, and an ability like that is a jackpot. Keep it between us."
Subaru nodded. He was still visibly shaken. Despite this, Sol decided to keep talking. "By the way, I can't remember what happens when you die, so we need a code word. Something that lets you tell me you've looped without making us look like we belong in a psych ward."
"Well, if you can't remember, I guess that you would have a different ability or the same ability but different requirements," Subaru mused.
Sol nodded. "I thought the very same thing. Whatever my ability is, we definitely don't have a good clue so far. By the way, if you ever restart after I unlock my ability, let me know."
This gave Subaru an idea. "Hey, I think that I just came up with a good code word! What about 'redo'? I can tell you that I've had to 'redo' a certain amount of times, and nobody would think that we're lunatics!"
I have to give him credit, Sol thought, that's actually a solid plan. "Yeah, I like that. If you use that word, and I don't have a memory about this discussion, I'll be able to figure out what you're talking about."
Sol put his right hand on Subaru's back. It was about time he gave him some advice so he didn't shatter his psyche. "Subaru, your power is—"
"If you don't wanna get hurt, then cough up whatever you've got!"
Interrupting them was none other than the same three thugs.
"How in the world did you find us again? Sure, this seems to somehow be the very same alley that we came to before, but—" Subaru was cut off.
"Shut up and give us your stuff!" The guy in the middle drew out his knife.
Sol didn't move. He didn't reach for the Sandevistan. He knew exactly what had to happen. He looked at Subaru, then toward the entrance of the alley.
"HELP! WE ARE GETTING ROBBED! THIS GUY HAS A KNIFE!" Sol bellowed, his voice carrying with a projection he'd learned from managing street crowds in Heywood.
Everybody—including the thugs—covered their ears, not expecting him to shout like a madman.
Well, since Subaru's already met Emilia, I guess I should yell and hope that Reinhard hears this. The only way that we can defeat Elsa is if we have some serious heavy-hitters with us, Sol thought.
A few moments passed. The thugs laughed. "Heh. You had us worried for a second. And now you'll pay!"
As they were about to step forward, two voices called out at the same time.
"That's enough."
"Stop now!"
On the opposite ends of the alleyway were none other than Reinhard van Astrea and Emilia.
Sol's eyes darted between the two. The girl was a high-tier magic user, but the man... the red-haired knight... Sol's internal sensors were screaming. Threat level: Immeasurable. That guy isn't just 'strong.' He's a living nuke in a suit of armor.
The thugs gasped. "Red hair..." "A knight's sword with scratches made by dragon claws..." "Can it be..."
Together, in unison, they said, "Reinhard, the Master Swordsman!"
Reinhard smirked. "It looks like I don't need to introduce myself. To be honest, I think that nickname is a bit much for m—"
"Fck this sht, I'm out!" The thugs ran away, sprinting toward the end Emilia was standing at.
She was caught by surprise but regained her composure. "I hope that you haven't forgotten about me! As long as I am here, you th—"
They ran right past her, not even stopping to look.
"Thank you so much for saving me! I was sure that I was a goner there..." Subaru was the first to thank them.
Sol, on the other hand, was analyzing this new turn of events. How did Emilia and Reinhard just arrive at the same time? They never appeared together in the original cycle. My presence... or maybe my shout... shifted the timing.
"It is no problem," Reinhard started, his voice calm and noble. "So there is no need for thanks. It is my duty as a knight, even if I am on break, to aid the people of Lugunica."
"Well," replied Subaru, "I still admire your act of selflessness and bravery. And as for you," he turned to Emilia, "thank you for coming too. Not many people would come if they heard a cry for help, and you're not even a knight!"
"W-well, it's the right thing to do..." she started to fidget.
Puck materialized at that moment. "Of course. Lia here also needs some help. Have any of you seen a person running away with an insignia?"
Reinhard's eyes widened, but before he could say anything, Subaru started talking. "Actually, there was a little blonde haired girl that ran past us just a few minutes ago, and she was holding something. I couldn't really tell what it was back then but now I'm pretty sure that it was your insignia."
Sol stayed silent, knowing it was a lie—Felt hadn't come this way because of his shout—but he didn't correct Subaru. Let him steer for now.
Emilia ran up to Subaru. "Really?! Is there anything else you can tell us?"
Before Subaru could reveal too much, Sol stepped in. "Well, we know the general direction she headed and her description. If you would allow us, we'd like to help you recover your property. My name is Sol."
"Wow, Sol, I really appreciate your offer, but I don't know if I can accept it. I don't want to be a bother to you and—"
"Subaru. My name is Subaru," Subaru corrected, grinning.
"Of course. You probably know this, but my name is Reinhard."
Subaru, acting the part of the clueless out-of-towner, said, "Nope. Sorry, but I've never heard your name before today."
Reinhard looked genuinely surprised. "Is that so? Where do you live? I'm pretty sure that just about everybody knows about me. This is only the second time that someone hasn't recognized my name."
Subaru quickly launched into the cover story Sol had invented in the previous loop—the small village, the different writing system, the 'shut-in' chores. Reinhard seemed amazed.
"You may be in an even worse situation than I am," exclaimed Emilia.
"Nonsense. Aren't you rich? That insignia seems like a rich people kind of thing to lose," commented Subaru.
"No. I'm broke, just like you."
Reinhard looked like he was about to say something, but he refrained. Sol caught the look. This guy knows who she is. Or at least what that insignia represents.
"Well then, why don't you introduce yourself? Everybody's already introduced themselves except for me and you." Puck nudged Emilia. "By the way, I'm Puck!"
"I-I'm..." Emilia hesitated. "I'm Emilia."
"Nice to meet you Emilia." Subaru smiled. "Now, why don't we find this insignia of yours?"
Puck nodded. "Of course! I don't sense any malice from Sol or Subaru, so why not."
Reinhard stepped forward, his cape fluttering slightly. "If you don't mind, Miss Emilia, I would also like to help. I know that an insignia is irreplaceable, so I would like to help you recover it."
This shocked Emilia. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I am." He then looked at Sol. "You said that you saw the thief, correct?"
"Yes, that's right," Sol replied, his analytical mind already calculating their odds with a Master Swordsman on the team. With this guy, even Elsa shouldn't be a problem. We might actually survive the Loot House this time.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's find that insignia!" With this, Reinhard started walking out of the alley.
Everybody followed, and Sol faintly heard Subaru whisper, "Round 2, here I come!"
Sol fell into step behind them, his eyes scanning the rooftops. Round 2, he thought. Let's see if this world's version of a 'Master Swordsman' can handle a Bowel Hunter.