Chapter 01 - The Beginning of the Rational Monster's Transmigration
"This is a world without martial arts or magic. Technological development is only at the level of 2015 before the transmigration. Those favored by the world are basically a group of high school protagonists from slice-of-life anime, and in a few years, space rifts will be torn open to deliver a 'grand gift pack' of an invasion from the Abyss.
And now you're telling me that I am the new Alaya of this world.
You found me, a transmigrator, by accident just as you were about to collapse. You have dissipated your own consciousness and handed all your energy over to me, hoping I can take care of the children in your stead'?
Holy mother of... are you kidding me?"
Inside the Alaya space, Kawata Osamu tremblingly reached out and took off his glasses. They hit the instruction manual with a sharp thud.
"I've really been transmigrated. Isn't this just making me a sacrificial funerary object? Even a complete Alaya couldn't think of a way out, so what can I do... wait, maybe I actually can try something?"
The suicide note left by Alaya explained three points:
Its energy is omnipotent on this planet—whether it's controlling the internet, creating life, advancing technology, initiating a spiritual recovery, or forging divine artifacts. However, the higher the level involved or the wider the scope covered, the more energy is required. The "Children of the World" are not the Children of the World because they are favored by it; rather, "even in such an ordinary world, their hidden will, potential, and possibilities make the world move in spite of itself, causing it to unconsciously pay attention to them."
They receive attention not just from Earth, but from the Universe itself; therefore, there is much that can be exploited. If the "Great Cosmic Power" within these Children of the World could be triggered, coupled with the power of their emotions, it is hard to imagine what might happen.
Because the Abyss is approaching, this planet has unconsciously attracted many other worlds to its vicinity, and the spatial barriers are growing thinner. If it weren't for the fact that Alaya's remaining energy was so scarce it couldn't even break a thin spatial barrier, it might have tried to randomly pluck a world to act as a shield.
Regardless, any world is a mortal enemy of the Abyss—the Abyss is the antithesis of all living things. No matter how tyrannical a world you pull over might be, it's still better than facing the Abyss alone.
Many fictional works known to Kawata Osamu in his past life were actually real extraterrestrial dimensions. Information from these dimensions drifted across different universes and, by chance, entered the minds of so-called authors.
Synthesizing these three pieces of information, Kawata Osamu's eyes lit up. In an instant, he found a chance for survival—he had to pull other worlds over. And not just one or two, but enough in quantity and combat power to resist or even counter-kill the Abyss!
"Spending energy to use brute force to break spatial barriers is the most foolish course of action. If I can get the Children of the World to cooperate actively and exercise their full subjective initiative, then..."
Looking at the meager energy remaining, Kawata Osamu hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth. Protected by energy, his divine sense began to sweep through relatively close worlds, catching scattered fragments of information drifting from them.
He was suddenly taken aback: "These names... so familiar. This is..."
It was an anime he had seen—a world with a backward system, extremely cruel, yet exceptionally powerful. The male protagonist there had once been highly controversial, but at this point in time, that protagonist had not yet appeared.
Kawata Osamu didn't have any prejudice against that male protagonist, but for the sake of this world, he had to cuckold him!
Recalling that anime carefully and making slight modifications, Kawata Osamu withdrew his divine sense after a short pause and began to infiltrate the global network.
"Don't let me down—Hikigaya Hachiman!"
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Dusk, inside a convenience store.
Looking at Yukinoshita Yukino as she stepped into the store, Hikigaya Hachiman froze for a moment. He hadn't expected to run into her just going out to buy something; for a moment, his thoughts were complicated.
Several days had passed since he resolved another troublesome Request for the Service Club—following Hayama's hint by confessing to Ebina Hina himself. Lately, being with Yukinoshita felt suffocatingly uncomfortable.
'Just pretend I didn't see her and slip out quietly.'
Before his internal plan could be executed, he blinked. Yukinoshita Yukino, looking startled and staring with wide eyes, was already gazing straight at him.
"Gulp..."
"Yo..." Hikigaya Hachiman's awkward greeting was just about to be forced out.
Suddenly, the television in the convenience store flickered. The screen jumped several times, switching channels beyond the control of any remote, and several lines of mysterious text appeared.
[Does the existence of life belong only to this tiny Earth?]
[Ordinary days are gifts thanks to innumerable Miracles.]
[The link has already arrived—this utterly ridiculous world!]
At the same time, televisions, computers, and mobile phones all over the world switched to this unknown channel. On the screen, Hikigaya Hachiman appeared prominently.
"..." Yukinoshita Yukino hesitated for a moment.
"Did you secretly go to film some TV drama, Hikigaya-kun?"
Hikigaya Hachiman was dumbfounded.
"No way! I mean, what on earth is this thing?"
[As the sun sets, Hikigaya Hachiman takes a step forward with a lonely expression. Inside the convenience store, Yukinoshita Yukino lowers her eyelids with a look of sorrow. She seems to have something to say, the words hesitating on her lips, until finally, she looks up and chases after him.]
[And at that exact moment, Hikigaya Hachiman's figure suddenly vanishes, leaving no trace behind.]
"That convenience store... isn't that right here—?"
Hikigaya Hachiman's face stiffened. He and Yukinoshita Yukino looked at each other, both speechless.
Modern technology couldn't possibly forge a recording this smooth and flawless, and there couldn't be a second Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Yukino in this world.
On the screen, the scene shifted.
[In a previously empty spot, Hikigaya Hachiman abruptly appears, yet his presence causes no surprise or observation from anyone.]
[On an unfamiliar street, Hikigaya Hachiman, holding a plastic bag, turns his head to look around. Surrounding him are bizarre, massive beastmen making various noisy sounds. These languages were not any speech found on Earth, yet he suddenly understood them.]
["Eh... another world?" After a brief moment of surprise, Hikigaya's dead-fish eyes gradually sharpened. He frowned and, without a word, silently retreated. With his head slightly bowed,
he crouched by the roadside, scanning with his peripheral vision, listening to everything around him. He did his absolute best to keep a low profile, moving as fluently as the most skilled secret agent—he was remarkably calm to the extreme!]
Watching this sequence of operations, Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't help but begin to doubt himself: "If such an accident happened, I really would likely do that... Could it be that this is really broadcasting the future?"
Weak yet Powerful, the Beginning of a Legend
Above the sky of the Re:Zero timeline, a screen of light spanning the entire continent and stretching across the world gradually shifted from a blank void into reality. It was so magnificent, so vast, that it compelled every sapient being to look up in shock and awe.
In this instant, countless knights drew their blades, a multitude of mages stood ready, and even the "World's Strongest" Sword Saint, Reinhard van Astrea, found it difficult to maintain his composure.
"What is this thing?"
"Is it an attack from another country, or the Witch Cult?"
"No, that's not right! No single person should possess this level of mighty power!"
Unmoved by the will of the panicked masses, the mirror-like blank screen began to solidify, manifesting a faint physical presence. After a brief blackout, it began to synchronously broadcast a video the likes of which had never been seen before.
「On a street in the royal capital, a man dressed in strange clothing suddenly appeared. His pupils constricted sharply, his entire body displaying an instinctive stress response, yet he returned to a state of calm within two seconds.」
「The man nodded slightly, his tone seemingly enlightened. He quickly assessed the current situation, murmuring with complex emotions: "Another world... transmigration..."」
The screen in the sky was boundless, yet when people focused their eyes, the scenes reflected in their vision appeared to be normal size, not hindering their viewing experience at all.
"Oh my, right on the eve of the Royal Selection, such a bizarre turn of events occurs. This is truly an unprecedented upheaval."
"Could it be a warning created by the Divine Dragon?"
Unlike the knights who were simply worried about the nation and the people due to the sudden change, the candidates for the throne all raised their eyebrows. Casting aside other concerns, they began to watch the broadcasted video with rapt attention.
Though they did not recognize the specific term "transmigration," by combining it with the context, even the simple-minded Emilia could roughly guess a meaning close to the truth.
They all recognized that street. Furthermore, based on the background details, the time this man in the screen appeared was likely very close to the present day.
「The man took a deep breath, observed his surroundings for a while, found a few shops, and pulled out coins to inquire about making a purchase. He learned that in this kingdom, his coins were effectively waste paper.」
「He walked along the road and sat by a bridge. He appeared dazed, but in reality, his eyes were alert, constantly committing to memory the contents of the conversations of the passing crowd nearby.」
「Subsequently, he walked to a secluded corner and pulled out an object he referred to as a 'cell phone.' His brow furrowed. Upon confirming he could not contact his friends or family through this 'metia,' a momentary flicker of emotion appeared, but he suppressed it with startling speed.」
「The man's hunger and fatigue were very apparent. He shook the bag in his hand, took out a small amount of food from it, sighed, and put it back: "While I don't know what the nobles here are like, based on what I've seen so far, these exquisitely packaged biscuits and instant noodles definitely exceed general luxury goods. Bartering them should yield enough food to sustain me for much longer."」
「'Tap, tap.' Uneven footsteps echoed from a dark corner.」
「Three thugs with mocking expressions laughed: "It's a fat sheep," "Hand over all your valuables obediently, and we'll let you get lost in peace," "Don't even think about resisting."」
"..." The faces of the people in the Royal Capital turned grim.
Among those living in the capital, aside from the high-and-mighty nobles, there was almost no one who didn't recognize these low-life thugs. Now that this screen spanned the heavens, the sight of the three of them shamelessly extorting and robbing was losing the Kingdom's face in front of every other nation on the continent!
When those above wear an expression of iron-blue rage, those below know exactly what to do—from this day forth, these three brothers would be saying goodbye to this world.
「"Robbery?" The man muttered to himself. "Three people, one of whom is particularly strong. No... based on my experience, these kinds of local hooligans probably carry a small knife or dagger to scare people. I have almost zero chance of winning."」
「"Can't hear what you're mumbling, but since you know you can't win, hurry up and do as told!" Just as the thugs' intimidation ended, a figure leaped over walls and rooftops, stopping between the four of them while catching her breath.」
「"Is this... reinforcements?" The thugs hesitated.」
「The blonde, athletic girl tilted her head, and just as she was about to clarify, the solitary man's calm voice rang out, devoid of any filthy intent to drag someone else down with him: "Regrettably, I don't know her."」
「The girl who had intruded understood the situation. She laughed and patted the man's shoulder, nodding: "Yep, that's right. I'm busy, big brother. Stay strong and survive!"」
「"Phew..." The thugs breathed a sigh of relief, then burst into laughter. "Hey, hey, what a moron. You finally met someone so agile; if you had cried and begged her for help just now, maybe you could have come out unscathed. But whatever, continu—"」
「"The ones whose brains are broken... are you guys, right!" The man's decisive voice contained strength.」
「"Friends, parents and children, husbands and wives... even with such intimate relationships, would they necessarily lend a hand in someone else's moment of peril, let alone a stranger who is a mere passerby?"」
「"If I could survive by discarding my dignity, I wouldn't mind kneeling to her at all. But that person clearly had zero sympathy for me, so why waste this small, precious amount of body heat?"」
「"If I encountered a robbery in normal times, I think I would hand over all my money; as long as I survive, it's fine. But unfortunately, these things are my final supplies. If they are stolen by you, I might have no guarantee of survival."」
「"Disliking trouble, disregarding dignity, lazy and selfish—Hikigaya Hachiman is that kind of person... However, even someone like me knows when it's time to go all out."」
「"What are you rambling about, you brat—Gah?!"」
The man who announced his name, Hikigaya Hachiman—whom everyone could undoubtedly see possessed an extremely frail body—swung his weak fist under the gaze of every sapient being in the world, striking an enemy three or four times stronger than himself!
Excluding the surprise of the first attack, in just a few seconds, his advantage from the sneak attack turned into a massive disadvantage. His entire body was subjected to heavy counter-blows from the three thugs; he was bruised and swollen, and blood flowed from his flesh.
However, stumbling and incredibly weak, Hikigaya Hachiman's gaze remained resolute. He lunged at the weakest of the three—attacking, attacking, attacking—attacking with reckless abandon!
This weak man possessed an indescribable strength!
The Encounter
"Oho, this kid is quite something," Puck remarked, having slipped out at some unknown point to offer his critique.
"He's so weak, yet he has the courage to face them head-on."
"That's not right though, is it, Puck?"
A flicker of pity brushed through her innocent, kind eyes. Emilia pursed her lips, anxiously watching as the man calling himself Hikigaya Hachiman sustained more and more injuries from the beating. She offered a rare rebuttal: "He clearly can't win... why doesn't he just run away?"
"That's exactly where this kid is brilliant. You wouldn't understand, Lia," Puck said, shaking his head with a sigh. "My praise for him isn't just because he has guts."
Puck continued with a rapid-fire analysis: "This young man was suddenly displaced to the Royal Capital by some unknown power, wandering alone in a strange world. One can only imagine his hesitation and anxiety. Even though he's kept his cool for this long, if that pent-up irritation isn't vented, it'll burn him out from the inside... He's using these enemies as an outlet, Lia."
At this point, Puck paused, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"Most importantly, while he says he doesn't want outside help, it's obvious he was worried about the girl passing by. He didn't know if she could beat those thugs, so he intentionally spoke up to cut off any chance of her helping him and getting dragged into it.
In that regard, his personality is very close to yours, Lia. That's the biggest reason I've taken a liking to him."
"Puck!"
A wave of embarrassed annoyance washed over her. Emilia turned her head away as if in a huff, refusing to listen to any more of Puck's explanations, and focused intently on the contents of the light screen.
「"You brat, just die!"」
「The lead thug whipped out a dagger and lunged. Hikigaya Hachiman finally had to dodge, but the person he had been attacking earlier was already nearing unconsciousness—a sight that made the remaining two wary.」
「"What's wrong? Not coming at me?" The bruised and swollen Hikigaya Hachiman was still provoking them.」
「The enraged thug leaped forward, aiming a fist at his head. Hikigaya Hachiman met the move with stillness, his right leg snapping up like a whip. Trading injury for injury, he took a hit
to knock down the second man, leaving himself staggering and nearly collapsing to the ground.
「The leader roared and thrust his dagger forward. Hikigaya Hachiman was in no position to dodge; he had already prepared himself for the absolute worst in his mind.」
「"All of you, stop right there!"」
「Accompanied by a burst of freezing ice, the two men froze in place. Before the thug could even see clearly, the dagger in his hand was encased in ice and his wrist was injured.」
「"A-a magic user?" he stammered in terror, cold sweat pouring down his face. Not daring to stay for another second, he grabbed his two companions and fled in a panicked scramble, like a beaten dog.」
"What a lovely voice."
"Yeah, truly. I wonder which noble mage saved that kid. So powerful, and with such a sweet voice—she must be a real beauty!"
"Who would've thought we'd get to see the face of such a kind-hearted mage!"
Praise and wonder erupted from the streets. A great many people had developed a favorable impression of Hikigaya Hachiman, and these loud compliments naturally reached Emilia's ears.
A shy blush rapidly spread to the tips of her ears. She twisted her fingers together nervously, her mood difficult to describe.
"Ah, it's Lia's voice," Puck said, sounding a bit caught between laughter and tears.
He had just been thinking that with the Royal Selection about to begin, his daughter would only stand a chance if she had subordinates with a mindset like Hikigaya Hachiman's. He hadn't expected the two to have an encounter in the very next moment.
「Long, flowing silver hair, magnificent violet eyes, and exquisite, flawless features that were both glamorous and youthful. Her skin was snow-white, and she wore a forced expression of indifference, yet the heartfelt concern she felt betrayed her completely.」
「"That's enough. Fighting is not something to be encouraged!" The girl, who could make someone fall in love at first sight, spoke words that were somewhat baffling. "I'm not saving you, mind you! My power just happened to leak out while I was passing by. Please don't get the idea that you should thank me. Ugh, you really did get beaten up quite badly..."」
"That appearance! Hey, you've got to be kidding me?"
"Isn't that a Half-Elf?"
」
"How could a devilish Half-Elf be so kind? It's definitely some kind of plot. Pretending to be a good person—it's honestly pathetic!"
In an instant, the praise that had filled the continent turned into shock and then, without any logical transition, into insults and rebukes.
The people essentially ignored the girl's beauty and her undeniably kind actions. Simply because of her status as a Half-Elf, they re-evaluated her from an angel to a demon.
"Lia." Puck looked at his daughter worriedly, his tone turning fierce. "I'm going to go slaughter them!"
"Don't!"
In a corner of the Royal Capital's streets, feeling this malice with absolute clarity, Emilia bit her lip lonely, her slender fingers gripping her sleeves. "...You can't hurt people over something like this, Puck."
The shyness of being seen by the whole world on the light screen was, at this moment, completely driven away by sadness and gloom.
Puck sighed, flew to the top of Emilia's head, and helped cover her ears. "Then let's ignore these fools and just focus on the screen, Lia."
「Hikigaya Hachiman tilted his head, wearing an expression of pure wonder as if he had discovered some peerless treasure. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could make a sound, he suddenly lost consciousness and began to collapse.」
「The girl, who was pretending to be cold, was startled. Dropping her facade, she rushed forward to catch him.」
「"We still have official business to take care of, Lia?" the cat spirit Puck popped out.」
「"I know, Puck, but..." The kind girl hesitated for a moment.」
「"Fine, fine, I get it. Sigh." Puck helplessly increased his size, taking Hikigaya Hachiman from the girl and using magic to perform some basic first aid to stop the bleeding. "I don't know healing magic, so this is the best I can do. Now, can we—"」
「"No!" the girl said firmly. "Leaving him here alone is too dangerous. We should at least stay until he wakes up."」
Every expression and gesture was fluid and natural, without a trace of hypocrisy.
Being featured on this strange light screen was something even the most powerful mages couldn't have predicted, so the people couldn't use that as a reason to doubt her.
"Could it be... that this Half-Elf is actually... really kind?" someone couldn't help but say.
"...How is that possible?" the dissenters replied, though they sounded much less certain.
Involuntarily, the voices insulting the girl on the streets grew a little thinner.
Different Treatment, No Lies
The convenience store was deathly silent.
By now, through various online channels, people across the entire Earth had seen this video. No one still thought this was some hacker's prank or a special marketing stunt for a new anime.
Without a doubt... this was the prophecy of the future regarding Hikigaya Hachiman's transmigration to another world.
Numerous politicians and businessmen stared with wide eyes, scanning every second of the footage without pause to record every detail of information about this otherworldly realm.
Yukinoshita Yukino, however, didn't have such grand, strategic thoughts. She simply stared blankly at the video, then turned her head to look at the Hikigaya Hachiman standing right beside her. Endless regret erupted within her all of a sudden, catching her completely off guard.
If not for this video, her current chance encounter with Hikigaya Hachiman would have been the final thread of their fate.
"I actually..."
She murmured, a sense of bitterness and grievance welling up as a few tears uncontrollably spilled out. She was terrified by the "what ifs."
Yukinoshita Yukino stared intently at Hikigaya Hachiman. Her fingers, white as scallion stalks, reached out with all her might to clutch the hem of his clothes. She wanted to say something, but she was still far too embarrassed.
Hikigaya Hachiman's heart was pounding.
For the moment, he didn't know how to respond, so he simply pretended not to notice.
「"We've wasted a lot of time, Lia. The thief has probably vanished without a trace by now."」
「"Once he wakes up, I'll find my things properly... Hm? Puck, look!"」
「There was a slight pain in several parts of his body, along with a sense of emptiness after overexertion. Strangely, he didn't feel the exhaustion and agonizing pain he had expected. A surprised Hikigaya Hachiman slowly opened his eyes, only to find the giant-sized Puck providing him with a lap pillow.」
「"Yo, kid, you're awake?" Puck said with a beaming face, though his tone held a hint of hidden dissatisfaction.」
「"Full disclosure," Hikigaya Hachiman immediately stood up, felt his body, and let out a sigh of relief. "I'm currently all alone and penniless; I likely have no reward to offer in return for saving my life."」
「Emilia smiled nonchalantly, while Puck licked his paw, the claws on it suddenly seeming much sharper.」
「"So..." Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly bowed deeply, sincere and earnest. "Please allow me to offer my most heartfelt thanks... Although it is the most meaningless of things, truly, thank you."」
「Emilia's smile instantly froze. A conflicted expression flashed across her face for a split second before being replaced by a huffy, petulant look. She admonished him quite bluntly: "Do I have to spell it out for you? Listen here, I didn't save you on purpose, you didn't even..."」
"No way?!" Countless people across the continent were dumbfounded.
"That Half-Elf... is she actually that kind-hearted?"
"Hey, you Half-Elf lapdog!" someone shouted impatiently. "She said herself she wasn't saving him. Where's the kindness in that?"
"You idiot!"
A fruit stall owner immediately grabbed him, looking at him with utter disdain.
"That Half-Elf clearly doesn't want Hikigaya to feel obligated to repay her or feel guilty, so she's intentionally slandering herself—Tch, forget it. If you can't even see something that obvious, talking to a fool like you is a waste of time!"
"This..." The stubborn passerby went silent in shame. It wasn't that he couldn't see it; he just didn't want to accept it.
His mindset currently represented the majority across the continent. It was hard to reverse it instantly; at most, they would stop speaking ill of Emilia.
「Hikigaya Hachiman paused for a moment, then it clicked. He had already seen through how pure and kind this girl was, so he immediately chose a different approach: "I see. But actually... dressed in clothes like that, you're rich, aren't you? I'm homeless right now. If you don't mind, could you shelter me for a while? Just food and a place to stay is fine."」
「"Huh?" Puck had no idea why this man was being so thick-skinned. He felt a sudden urge to assassinate the guy to prevent his daughter from being swindled.」
The audience outside the video were just as filled with doubt as Puck. Were these demanding words truly something the previously decent Hikigaya Hachiman would say?
「"Consider this your employment of me, and that would be my salary. As for my job—"」
「"I heard everything; you're tracking a thief, right?" To gain their trust, Hikigaya Hachiman intentionally showed a confident smile. "Miss... you probably don't have any good leads, do you? I'm certain I can find them."」
Whoosh—
What kind of people are these?
As the realization dawned on them, the audience outside the video felt a wave of speechlessness.
Whether it was that girl or this man, both were incredibly awkward beings. Moreover, both were considerate of others to a degree that transcended normal kindness.
One was willing to slander herself for the other's sake, while the other, upon realizing her kindness reached such heights, forcibly changed his words to play the part of a degenerate who doesn't know how to repay a favor, all just to satisfy the girl.
This was truly...
「"Hoh-ho~" Puck raised an eyebrow and suddenly said something whose subtext Emilia didn't catch. "I can generally sense a person's true attitude, you know."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman paused. Afraid the girl would understand, he quickly tried to fix the leak: "Then you should know that I really intend to sponge off you rich people. I'm a scoundrel through and through."」
「"Mm-hmm, yeah, sure, you're absolutely right." Puck giggled. All his previous dislike vanished into thin air, and he became quite amiable toward Hikigaya Hachiman. He then finalized the decision: "Agree to it, Lia. We don't really have a plan right now anyway."」
「"Eh? Um... okay." Trusting Puck, the girl nodded. She reached out her pure, flawless, white hand. "Then I'll be in your care, Mr..."」
「"Hikigaya. Hikigaya Hachiman."」
「Giving his name, Hikigaya Hachiman—who had remained composed even when faced with thuggish robbers—was now quietly breaking into a cold sweat. He stared at the girl's palm, hesitating. He endured the urge again and again, but in the end, he did not reach out to respond or shake her hand, as if he didn't dare to dream of such a thing.」
「"My name is..."」
「The girl bit her lip, the words hesitating on her tongue. She was pure, yes, but wasn't it suspicious for a man to appear on her path, be saved by her, and then immediately ask to be her mercenary?」
「She looked at Puck, who seemed to be in a good mood, and fell silent for two seconds.」
「With an unreadable emotion, she spoke in a soft, quiet voice:」
「"Emilia... I am the Half-Elf, Emilia!"」
Strategist, Setting the Trap
「"Half-Elf?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman wore a blank expression, unable to fathom why Emilia specifically mentioned her identity. Just as he was about to brush it off, fragments of memories flashed through his mind.」
The camera angle shifted, showing a blurred scene—a confrontation between Hikigaya Hachiman and a beautiful black-haired girl who seemed no less stunning than Emilia. However, the vision quickly cut back from his inner world to reality.
「"Sorry, I came from a very distant place. Does 'Half-Elf' have some special connotation in this country?"」
「 'This is a trial to break through one's self and move forward...' Hikigaya Hachiman's expression gave off such an impression.」
「In this unfamiliar world, facing the gentle and kind Emilia who had extended a helping hand without condition, he couldn't bear—and felt he shouldn't—deceive her. He actually modified his twisted personality slightly, choosing to speak directly.」
"..."
In the convenience store, this inquiry from his future self gave Hikigaya Hachiman a massive shock; he was practically dumbfounded.
His "riddle-loving" personality was actually undergoing a revision at a time like this?
It was truly incredible. He had thought he would never be able to change his nasty, distorted temper for the rest of his life, but... it was also logical. Facing a savior as unique as Emilia, if he still maintained his usual foul style, Hachiman suspected he would want to strangle himself—because that version of him wouldn't be worthy of standing before her.
"It really is... the future me."
Hikigaya Hachiman's heart was filled with a myriad of emotions. He lowered his head, only to see a sight he had never witnessed before.
Yukinoshita Yukino's entire body was tense. Her fear and regret had long passed; now, her eyes were fixed on the Half-Elf in the video with an intense, burning focus. Her expression was extremely peculiar—as if she were part identifying with her, part longing to be her, and besides that... quite wary.
At some point, her fingers clutching Hachiman's hem had moved further, touching his elbow through his sleeve.
Hachiman didn't dare entertain any superfluous thoughts. He would never be so narcissistic as to think Yukinoshita had fallen for him under the stimulation of the video. Surely, at most, it
was out of "Club President" camaraderie—upon learning he might transmigrate, she was expressing her condolences.
「"Eh? —Eeeh?!" Instead of the cold glares and insults she expected as an innocent puppy about to be slaughtered, Emilia was met with nothing. She was at a loss; her magnificent violet eyes contained a sudden, heart-thumping joy.」
「"Where are you from that you don't even know this? Lia's race and appearance easily cause people to make pointless associations with the Jealous Witch, Satella. Those fools, tch!"」
「Puck had no interest in giving a detailed history lesson. After a brief explanation, he changed the subject: "What's the plan for finding the thief?"」
「"In other words, Emilia is not considered noble here?" Hikigaya Hachiman asked first.」
「"She's noble enough; she technically has the authority to command commoners and a few knights. But that would only make people harbor resentment toward Lia. If you want to take that route, it won't work."」
「"I'm so sorry," Emilia said, her face flushing red. "I'm holding us back."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman froze for a moment, staring straight at the blushing girl. Anyone could see that in this moment, his heart had skipped a beat.」
Only the Emilia inside and outside the video lacked this realization.
「"Then, please help with the next steps, Puck. Emilia doesn't need to show her face; just wait for my good news." Hikigaya Hachiman entered work mode, looking very serious. "Do you have a specific description of the thief?"」
「"Blonde hair, looks a bit malnourished, a lean girl around 14 years old. She can run on walls, she's very fast and agile. Her clothes are..."」
「Once Puck finished the description, Hachiman already had a rough draft in his mind: "I've seen this girl. It's a small world; she didn't look like a thief."」
「"As long as the item is recovered, it's fine. There's no need to hurt that child." Fearing that he or Puck might use cruel methods to finish her off, Emilia hurried to state her stance.」
"I really... I... Augh!"
Felt slapped her forehead and scratched her hair, her face burning.
"Stealing is one thing, but stealing from someone that kind... No, no, I definitely can't do this job!"
She had actually been prepared to make her move today. But putting aside the fact that Emilia was so nice to a thief like her, now that she was on this screen showing the future, how could
she possibly succeed? Becoming famous under the eyes of the entire continent—the loss was just too great.
Felt grit her teeth: "Next time that client comes, I'm going to extort her for a fortune! Because of her commission, the knights will probably be coming to arrest me any minute now!
Right, right, I need to get out of here fast... Old Man Rom, let's find somewhere else to hide for a bit!"
Beside her, Old Man Rom nodded in agreement: "I'll pack our things."
「"My plan is... try this. Your evaluation of this food is related to my strategy."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman held up his bag, which contained biscuits, instant noodles, and a few snacks. He opened one and gave samples to Puck and Emilia, receiving heartfelt praise.」
「"I see, I see~" Puck explained to his daughter. "Are you going to spread a bounty on the streets using these exquisitely packaged, delicious-tasting foods? Rewarding informants who reveal the thief's identity or hiding spot? It is indeed a simple and effective method."」
「"Those three thugs were trembling at the sight of you two. I deduce that mages hold a prestigious upper-class status in this country. With you, Puck, following me, it reduces people's suspicions about whether my food is poisoned."」
「"You brat, you don't think every mage is as kind as Lia, do you?"」
「"Quite the opposite," Hikigaya Hachiman revealed the ruthless certainty beneath his scheme, looking particularly cold. "It's better if the commoners revere or fear mages. That way, whether they want my food or not, in order to appease the wrath of 'me, this mage,' someone will inevitably offer up intelligence."」
"It's not exactly sophisticated, but it's effective. Inferring from a tiny amount of information in just a minute or two to create the most direct, fast 'Open Scheme'... Lia, my opinion of him has gone up again~"
Puck marveled, clapping his paws.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing how much of an asset he becomes to you in the future."
Yo, You're Blushing
「"Felt, the famous thief of the slums, possesses the Divine Protection of Wind and has an excellent relationship with a Giant named Old Man Rom. Most of her thefts are to fulfill commissions for a fee, and items can be recovered with a ransom... for now, can we consider this a gang operation? At the very least, there will be two enemies."」
「Consolidating the intelligence, Hikigaya Hachiman's intent was clear. Puck patted his chest and said: "A Giant and the Divine Protection of Wind? They might barely hold their own against an average mage, but against me and Lia, that's just a pipe dream."」
「"Is that so? Then I'll leave the fighting to you two. I'm just an ordinary otaku; I can't interfere."」
"An ordinary otaku?!"
A large group of people hanging out at a karaoke bar couldn't help but spit in disdain. Tobe, Hayama, Miura, and Isshiki Iroha were speechless. Tobe even felt a bit terrified: "Hey, hey, hey, so Hikigaya is actually that smart... Did I offend him a bit before? You've got to save me, Hayato!"
Yuigahama Yui's eyes shimmered, giggling one moment and looking worried the next. She clenched her fists and stood tall with her chest out.
"Hehe, I knew Hikki was amazing a long time ago!"
"Yukinoshita-senpai is already an insurmountable hurdle. Yuigahama-senpai, do you really think you can be more charming than this Emilia?" Isshiki Iroha curled her lip, subtly adding insult to injury.
"Uh..."
Yuigahama Yui froze, refusing to answer the question. She escaped by pulling out her phone: "A-Anyway, where is Hikki right now? We need to go see him first—"
「"The only reason we can fight is thanks to this intelligence. I should be the one saying it: thank you for your hard work, Hachiman."」
「As soon as Emilia finished speaking, her face turned to one of surprise. She looked at the frozen, suddenly bright-red Hikigaya Hachiman, wondering if he had suddenly fallen ill. She took a small half-step forward, raising her hand to touch his crimson cheek.」
Swoosh—
「Like a startled bird, with unprecedented speed—faster even than when he was brawling with the thugs—Hikigaya Hachiman retreated several steps in a series of thuds. His mouth hung open as if he wanted to say something, but even that last bit of strength had vanished.
His face was so red and his heart pounding so hard that, for a moment, he didn't dare look Emilia in the face.
「"Eh?... Ah!" Emilia was at a loss, pulling her hand back as if she'd been shocked. Though bewildered, she immediately apologized: "Did I do something extremely rude to you? Sorry, um... Puck, do you know what kind of taboo this is?"」
「"Mm-hmm, who knows~? Kid, your heart is unexpectedly pure, even though you're so ruthless when looking at reality."」
-
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"He's smart and decisive, but with such a huge weakness, it would be too easy to target him." The unflappable Ayanokouji Kiyotaka appeared disappointed; he had thought the other was a talent worth noting.
The sighing evaluation was very low. Horikita Suzune, the only one in the class who knew Ayanokouji was not simple, heard him and nodded. A faint sneer for Hikigaya Hachiman curled the corner of her mouth, her disdain washing away her previous recognition of his maneuvers.
-
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-
"Ugh... someone just let me die already! Being a high schooler who gets so excited he looks like he could die happy just because a beautiful girl calls him by name—he doesn't even have the guts for physical contact. People are going to mock me for this for the rest of my life, aren't they?!"
"Pfft... Uh-haha..."
The worried Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't help but lean over slightly, covering her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents as she glanced at the boy beside her who wished he could sink into the floor. A few rustling giggles still escaped.
Hikigaya Hachiman's scalp tingled; he felt a sudden urge to run out and immediately transmigrate to another world: "This is a total disgrace!"
Fortunately, though Yukinoshita was laughing, her left hand still firmly and unyieldingly gripped his sleeve, as if declaring: 'No matter what happens, I will not abandon you.'
'Dammit, wake up, Hikigaya Hachiman! Stop being so narcissistic!'
」
「On the way to the slums, Hikigaya Hachiman walked with a somewhat hunched posture. After realizing Emilia would occasionally check on him out of curiosity, his back gradually straightened. Many of his bad behavioral habits were corrected under the restraint and infection of mysterious emotions.」
「The two walked side-by-side. Emilia showed no discomfort or look of disdain toward him, yet he was intentionally or unintentionally distancing himself from the girl, creating a gap.」
「"...?" A confused Emilia tilted her head slightly. Her pitter-patter footsteps quickened, and in an instant, she was back by Hachiman's side. "Since this area openly harbors thieves, there might be robbers or murderers. It's better if you stay close to me; otherwise, if something happens, I might not make it in time to protect you."」
「"Ah... ah..."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's breathing grew labored, as if he were about to run out of air. His eyes stared straight ahead at the road, and his limbs began to move irregularly; he had forgotten how to walk.」
「"Lia, it seems that keeping some distance from him might actually be safer for him."」
「"What are you saying, Puck? How could that be?" Emilia remained inseparable. Since the other party had entered the slums specifically to help her, she was determined to protect him.」
「This stubborn girl was too pure. She seemed to have no idea what a stunning, world-class beauty she was, nor how immense the attraction of her appearance was to a male of the right age.」
「Puck gave a helpless wave, responding to the gaze for help projected by Hikigaya Hachiman with a look that said, 'I did my best.'」
「"Can you tell me about the basic situation of this wor—your Kingdom, Emilia?" A desperate Hikigaya Hachiman used official business to divert his mental state.」
「"So Hachiman really isn't from the Kingdom of Lugunica? You must be a traveler from somewhere else."」
「The girl, who showed nobility in every frown and smile, had no aristocratic airs in her speech or personality. She was very happy to be of service to this semi-stranger, describing the basic information of this country in full detail—about the invincible Sword Saint, the Council of Sages, the Knights, commoners, nobles, and the upcoming Royal Selection.」
「It wasn't that she had a low IQ or lacked suspicion and vigilance toward others; it was because the things she was saying were known to the whole world. You could find out by asking any random passerby.」
「Doing his utmost to treat the 'Hachiman' spoken in the girl's beautiful voice as a hallucination, Hikigaya Hachiman memorized a vast amount of intelligence. He finally gained a basic, complete understanding of this world.」
False Sophistry
「Hikigaya Hachiman, who didn't know a thing about secret codes, stepped aside. Emilia's gaze sharpened, and her magical ice brandished, smashing the gates of Old Man Rom's warehouse into smithereens.」
「"Young people these days are getting more and more unruly." Stepping out from a cloud of dust, Old Man Rom was covered in muscle and carrying a spiked club. Despite his age, he looked like someone not to be trifled with—aggressive and imposing.」
「"You're Old Man Rom, right?" Hikigaya Hachiman followed his instincts and hid behind Emilia's back, attempting a rather timid persuasion to surrender.」
「"Felt stole something of ours. We've been to Felt's living quarters, but she hasn't returned yet. I heard you two have a good relationship. If you're willing to surrender and wait for her to return and give back what she stole, we won't do anything to you."」
「The spiked club slammed into the ground with a thud, creating a crater. Flaunting his martial prowess, Old Man Rom looked at them like sworn enemies. "Hehehe, if you want your lost property back, be honest and pay the ransom to buy it back. Showing up empty-handed and threatening this old man—is this your attitude?"」
「"The item belonged to Emilia in the first place, and you have the nerve to demand a ransom with a straight face? Your skin is thicker than mine!" With a powerful mage like Emilia backing him up, Hikigaya Hachiman, who usually acted cowardly, spoke with newfound toughness.」
「"Hehehe, if things get stolen, it's because you didn't look after them properly. Do you think lost items grow legs and hop onto Felt themselves? This is the result of her own hard work, her way of life—she works so hard just to survive. How could people like you, high and mighty with nothing to worry about, understand our helplessness!"」
「Old Man Rom grit his teeth, expecting the other party to fire back with a sharp rebuttal. Instead, Hikigaya Hachiman nodded in deep agreement at that moment, leaving Emilia and Puck utterly confused.」
「"Yeah, you're right," Hikigaya Hachiman said approvingly. "A person's first priority is to ensure their own survival. So, if someone is about to starve or freeze to death and resorts to robbery or theft, while it's still a crime, the law usually shows leniency and turns a blind eye wherever you go. 'My life' comes before anything else. I agree with that completely. Tch, however..."」
「His tone shifted suddenly, carrying a faint, heartfelt rage—an overwhelming dissatisfaction that surged like a tsunami crashing against Old Man Rom.」
「"Walking through these slums, I have indeed seen many people who can't get enough to eat or wear, people who are distressed just to stay alive—but those people definitely do not include you and Felt!"」
「"By now, I have a rough idea of what so-called 'Divine Protections' are... Possessing a near-miraculous talent like the Divine Protection of Wind, are you really trying to tell me Felt couldn't find a single job to support herself?"」
「"With her talent, finding work wouldn't be hard, would it? Even so, she chose to make a living through theft. I don't know the specific reasons, but she committed theft despite being capable of survival. That is a filthy fact that no amount of sophistry can wash away!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's voice rang out with conviction. How could he not feel angry?」
「Back then, when he publicly rebuked Sagami, it was to fulfill Yukinoshita's request. On the surface, it looked like he was making a sacrifice, but in his heart... it felt damn good to scold her!」
「He possessed a sense of justice too; he was usually just too lazy to deal with filthy matters and lacked the power to do so.」
「If he could rebuke Sagami for Yukinoshita's sake, then naturally, for Emilia—who had saved his life—he could stand up and refute Old Man Rom's fallacies!」
「"This..." Old Man Rom was left speechless. Hikigaya Hachiman sneered, drawing a final line in this clash of values: "That's how it is. Don't let him mislead you, Emilia."」
「"Oh my, I was wondering why you, a kid who didn't talk much before, suddenly had the leisure to preach logic. Were you actually worried Lia would be too sympathetic toward them?" Puck teased with a wink. Hikigaya Hachiman ignored him, crossing his arms and turning his face away, pretending he hadn't heard a word.」
「Emilia didn't know whether to be touched or annoyed. She was indeed very kind, but she wasn't so kind as to sympathize with a thief, especially since what was stolen was such an important item.」
「"Hehe... fine. This old man can't out-talk you lot; let's settle this with our hands then. I, for one, will never hand Felt over to you!"」
「"Hachiman, get back!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman scrambled back over ten meters. When he looked back, the two-meter-long spiked club had already smashed several large craters into the ground with a thunderous roar.」
「Emilia remained calm. With a wave of her arm, magic elements whipped up a sky full of flying ice spears that pierced Old Man Rom's flesh, spilling waves of bright red blood into the
air. Her combat performance was composed; her white robe and sleeves fluttered sharply as she moved.
「"How... how..." Like a painter who chooses to drown himself after seeing the ultimate piece of art, Hikigaya Hachiman's throat tightened. That magnificent figure was deeply etched into his pupils, a fluttering heartbeat growing more and more active.」
「He felt a profound sense of dejection and gave a self-deprecating sneer. "I really am... useless."」
「"Give up, I don't intend to hurt you."」
「The combined combat power of Emilia and Puck was undeniably overwhelming. The surrounding ice spears completely sealed Old Man Rom's movements. His Giant lineage, which was a brilliant advantage against other enemies, was now an utter humiliation; precisely because of his massive size, he became a living target. He took too many hits from too many angles to fight back.」
「This well-intentioned offer of surrender was highly credible. Just as Old Man Rom weighed his options and was about to stop fighting, a startled voice suddenly came from nearby: "Old Man Rom—!!!"」
「"What have you... done to Old Man Rom?!"」
「A voice filled with gritted-teeth hatred approached rapidly. Before Hikigaya Hachiman could react, his arms were suddenly twisted and flipped with a crack. A blade was pressed against his neck—Felt, whom he had met once before, had taken him hostage!」
「"Let him go!" Emilia shouted in a panic, only to be met with, "Get away from Old Man Rom first! If you have a problem, take it up with me!" Felt recognized her, the owner of the stolen item.」
「Cold sweat broke out on Hikigaya Hachiman's forehead. It would be a lie to say he wasn't afraid, but the dejection in his heart was more intense than the fear. "It's one thing to be useless, but to be a burden as well..."」
「"What are you mumbling about? Shut up!" The blade against his neck lightly nicked his skin; Felt's attitude was far from polite.」
「"Lia, time's almost up," Puck squinted. "What should we do? Should I go for a big move to settle this?"」
」
Sacrificing Life for Righteousness
「Emilia's pupils constricted as a wave of intense fury surged within her. Even when her insignia was stolen, she had merely been anxious; yet, the moment Hikigaya Hachiman's throat drew blood, a terrifying aura erupted from her like a crashing tidal wave.」
「She was not so foolish as to withdraw her attack on Old Man Rom; instead, she increased the intensity, surrounding him from all sides with dense clusters of ice spears radiating a bone-chilling cold.」
「'If anything happens to him, prepare to be eternally separated from this close elder of yours!' Her exceptionally tense expression telegraphed this threat loud and clear.」
「Emilia, who seemed slightly frail and simple-mindedly cute when interacting with Hikigaya Hachiman, could be just as decisive when she needed to show a cold hand.」
「"Dammit... do you not care about this person's life?" Felt was also on edge, her heart filled with alarm.」
「Puck, having lived a long time, knew exactly what the consequences of showing weakness in this situation would be. He gave a light chuckle: "Oh my, we should be the ones asking you that. Do you want to watch your Old Man Rom perish on the spot? I advise you to be cautious regarding something you'll regret for the rest of your life."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman was dazed, a burning sense of intense shame surging in his heart—someone like Emilia could remain calm and fight even in the face of a life-and-death crisis, while he was not only so scared his limbs were cold, but didn't even have the strength left to stake his life on a gamble. He was simply too much of a waste.」
「'At least... I can't become a drag on her!'」
「Emilia mistakenly thought his direct gaze was a silent condemnation of her and became flustered. However, in the next second, the words that reached her ears made her heart tremble.」
「"Hahahaha! Ridiculous, truly too ridiculous!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman actually burst into laughter, completely disregarding the fact that his life was held in Felt's hand. He wore an extremely mocking expression, filled with a nonsensical sense of superiority. "I'm the one you caught, so what right do you have to tell her to stop? Have you ever seen a noble lord hesitate in fear of damaging the vase just because of a servant? This is why low-lifes are low-lifes; your logic is truly absurd!"」
"This... this guy, isn't he afraid I'll kill him with one stroke?"
Even though the one being mocked was the version of herself in the video, the real-life Felt still clenched her fists tightly.
"His goal was to provoke the you of that moment. If you had killed him, he might have actually thanked you instead."
Old Man Rom, who was packing his bags, spoke with deep emotion, his eyes gradually glowing with a look of approval. "What a fine lad. To repay a debt of gratitude, and so that young lady could win and reclaim her lost property without being held back, he was willing to throw his life away in a meaningful way... We were wrong, Felt. Whether by reason or sentiment, we truly shouldn't have taken this job."
"......Yeah." Felt, her emotions complicated, struggled to acknowledge this fact.
Acts like "sacrificing one's life for a cause" only exist in history books for most people. After all, Hikigaya Hachiman had said himself that "'my' survival is the first priority," yet it was the same man who spoke those words who acted in the exact opposite manner. It was hard not to be moved.
-
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"Waaaaah, so cool! If I were trapped in a similar situation one day, would the President have this kind of resolve for me? Ahhh, just thinking about it is so cool, President!"
Under the speechless gaze of the maid Hayasaka Ai, Shinomiya Kaguya indulged in frantic internal fantasies before immediately shaking her head violently: "No, no, that day must never come! I don't want the President to ever fall into such a dangerous position!"
At the same time, Hikigaya Hachiman's phone was almost ringing off the hook—calls from the authorities, his parents, classmates, and Yuigahama. Ultimately, he rejected the rest and picked up the call from his sister, Hikigaya Komachi.
"Onii-chan, you big idiot!" Komachi's voice was full of sobbing. "You scared me to death! I thought you had already transmigrated. Honestly, with all that 'hero saving the beauty' or self-sacrifice stuff, couldn't you think about Komachi? What if Komachi never gets to see you again!"
"Ah... um... yes, yes. That, Komachi, stop crying first. Look, nothing happened to me, right?"
The embarrassed Hikigaya Hachiman acted very humble, enduring the barrage of concern from his sister. The warmth in his heart was like the sun radiating light, bright and brilliant.
"Mhm, don't worry. Since I know that walking out of the convenience store might lead to transmigration, I'm staying right here in the store. I have no interest in going to another world. Emilia... even without my help, she's completely capable of dealing with Felt and Old Man Rom."
"Hehe, that's good then. I was worried sick!"
Komachi wiped away her tears and broke into a smile, laughing mischievously. "But it's really great. Even though it hasn't happened yet, Onii-chan's reliable and heroic qualities have been certified by everyone in the world. Out of billions of people, there must be at least a few beautiful girls willing to be my sister-in-law, right?"
"!!!"
Listening in from the side, Yukinoshita Yukino shivered for an instant as fear crawled through her entire body.
It was true; no matter how many flaws Hikigaya Hachiman had, billions of people knew him now. Could they really fail to find a few beautiful girls who liked him?
"I was here first..." Without thinking, Yukinoshita Yukino's palm was no longer satisfied with just a sleeve. Moving a step faster than her shy and reserved thoughts, she directly grabbed Hikigaya Hachiman's hand.
Both of them froze.
Hikigaya Hachiman hesitated to speak, stammering, "Yukinoshita, you..."
The two made eye contact, their gazes sweeping across each other's faces. With a jolt, both realized that the other had faintly sensed something.
Their previous minor conflicts, and even the pretentiousness rooted deep in their souls, loosened under the pressure of an unexpected external force and vanished into nothing. The wall separating the two was suddenly struck by a hammer, becoming teetering and unstable.
"No, it's nothing..." Yukinoshita Yukino's face was flushed red. Sensing Hachiman's equally shy reaction—the way he wasn't used to holding her hand—she gave a soft huff and proactively gripped it even tighter.
"Ah, uh, okay..."
In this situation, the two, who had become quite inarticulate, didn't even have the courage to look at each other. They simultaneously turned their identical beet-red faces away, their voices as faint as the buzzing of a mosquito.
"Don't mind it, this is just..." Yukinoshita Yukino still wanted to make an excuse, but the image of Emilia's peerless beauty and Komachi's point from just now flashed through her mind. The words reached her lips but she forced them back down. "...Just watch the video."
"...Yeah."
Hikigaya Hachiman was also curious about what kind of person Felt actually was and whether she still had a conscience. If she could have an epiphany, it would actually be good for all four of them.
「It wasn't just Felt; Old Man Rom and Emilia, everyone paused for a moment, falling into a brief state of shock.」
The First-Sight Kill is Unavoidable
「"Aren't you afraid of death?" Felt's head buzzed, her face twisting into an expression of sheer disbelief.」
「"With a high-class funeral offering like you who possesses a Divine Protection, I can die in peace. Let us welcome the coming rest together." The more dire the situation, the calmer Hikigaya Hachiman became. His steady tone, which completely masked the turbulent storm in his heart, successfully deceived Felt.」
「"You bastard...!"」
「Felt grit her teeth so hard they creaked. At this point, Old Man Rom had faintly given up resistance. He knew he had provoked an enemy he couldn't afford to cross, and at the same time, influenced by Hachiman's mettle, he was beginning to believe the claim that they only wanted to recover the lost item.」
「"This old man's life isn't worth worrying about." He panted heavily, choosing not to voice his subjective thoughts. "Whatever choice you make is up to you... with the Divine Protection of Wind, you are the one in control. Don't let your eyes be blinded, Felt."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's heart was breaking. He was good at acting tough, but this old man was the real deal.」
「He masked his staggering lack of confidence with a breezy smile: "That's right, think carefully. Old Man Rom's life or death is entirely in your hands. Don't do something you'll regret."」
「"Let Hachiman go and give me back the insignia. I can overlook your crimes."」
「Emilia's generous conditions timely shook Felt's resolve. "Shut up... dammit! Argh, why should I trust you?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, pretending to be leisurely, immediately mocked her: "If we really intended to harm you, do you really think your Old Man Rom would still be alive right now?"」
「"Guh..."」
「"I-I get it... I'll throw the insignia to you. Just get away from Old Man Rom, or I'll kill this guy!"」
「The moment those words left Felt's snarling mouth, all four people present—and Puck—breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief. The gazes they exchanged softened slightly from "mortal enemies" to something a bit more human.」
「Ting—」
「The second the insignia was tossed into the air, Emilia's attention was almost entirely drawn toward it. Puck split half his focus to guard the two who hadn't yet surrendered. In that moment of collective relief, everyone believed the battle was over and peace was at hand.」
「"Oh my, that simply won't do~"」
「Until, accompanied by the sudden whisper of a reaper, a rift appeared in Emilia's noble white robe. She was disemboweled; her entrails and blood spilled from the wound like a surging river.」
「Plop.」
「Emilia, Dead!」
"BOOM!!!!"
The temperature of the entire street plummeted as if turned into a frozen wasteland. Puck, who usually looked like a smiling, easygoing cat, clenched his iron fists, his face turned a ghastly shade of blue.
"She—dares—!!!"
"This..."
Emilia was also completely stunned. A sense of shock and horror enveloped her; she never imagined she could die so easily.
"Puck, calm down! This is something that happens in the future!"
As the people around them began to sneeze from the cold, Emilia regained her senses. Though still terrified, she immediately cupped Puck in her palms to comfort him gently.
"Ah, I'm trying..." Puck's eyes were filled with murderous intent, looking to permanently sear the killer's details into his memory.
The uproar wasn't limited to the deceased's side.
"D-Dead? She's just dead like that?"
The normally dignified Crusch Karsten was slack-jawed. Her political cultivation was peerless, and she rarely lost her composure.
But now, her hand trembled, and her cup shattered on the floor. Tea splashed onto her shoulder and chest, but her eyes were filled with nothing but blank confusion.
"I... this... this—is this even logical, Ferris???"
"I... I don't know either, nyan?"
Master and servant stared at each other.
Was this a joke?
Margrave Roswaal lacked neither strength nor funds. As the backer supporting Emilia, had he really not sent a single expert to protect her in the shadows? She was just... assassinated by a sneak attack?
Yes, Crusch admitted the attacker was incredibly fast, but for an attack of that level to result in an instant kill—where was your guardian? Do you not have any life-saving treasures? At the very least, isn't Puck rumored to be an exceptionally powerful Great Spirit?
This was beyond absurd. If not for this video, no one would believe that a candidate for the Royal Selection could be eliminated before the competition even officially started.
"I really..." Crusch hesitated, caught between a sob and a laugh, feeling utterly ridiculous. "Given Roswaal's support, I thought that even if her chances were slim, she would at least have the capital to compete on the same stage. I considered her a rival worth watching!"
What on earth was Roswaal doing to "support" her? He gave her nothing!
It turns out that while everyone in the Royal Selection is a tiger or a lion, Emilia was just a husky who wandered in. If it weren't for this screen showing the future, everyone would have kept thinking this husky was a mighty wolf.
"We can cross off all backup plans targeted at Emilia."
Crusch waved her hand listlessly and sighed. Ferris suppressed a giggle, looking quite cheerful: "That's a good thing, nyan~"
「"Emilia—"」
「"Hehe, don't be in a hurry. It'll be your turn soon."」
「Dressed in alluring, revealing clothing with a lithe figure, the attacker held a kukri blade that was still dripping with blood. More terrifying than a wild beast, Felt recognized her: "Great, it's you! You're the one who hired me to steal the insignia. You saved Old Man Rom, so I won't charge you for..."」
「Her voice cut off abruptly.」
「Thud.」
「Old Man Rom's entrails spilled across the floor. His eyes went dull, and he stopped breathing immediately after.」
「"Why?!" A shocked and enraged Felt fell into the same state as the teeth-grittingly furious Hikigaya Hachiman.」
「"From the very beginning, I never intended to let any witnesses live," the attacker said, elegantly licking her lips. "Ever since you accepted my commission. Hehe, though the standoff was actually timed perfectly. Otherwise, taking this girl's life would have been quite
troublesome. Completing the task extra well... I'm sure my employer will provide a larger commission."
「Clang!」
「The sound of clashing blades danced in the air. The two females accelerated rapidly, turning into two blurry streaks of light that the average human eye could barely distinguish.」
「"Can she win?"」
「Just as Hikigaya Hachiman spoke, a blood-sprayed figure collapsed, losing all vitality.」
「"Oh my, I'm so sorry. If it were that poor Half-Elf, she might have had a chance to beat me. I've disappointed you. Now then, you're next~"」
」
Witnessing the Changed Future (Part 1)
「"Who are you?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman was incredibly tense, cold sweat pouring down his back like a waterfall. He did not bow or beg for his life; instead, carrying a look of hatred and unwilling resignation, he glanced at the broken, rag-doll-like form of Emilia. Then, manifesting a strength greater than he had ever shown, he raised his fist toward the attacker slowly approaching him.」
「"In honor of the fine show you let me enjoy," the attacker said with a captivating smile, "I am the Elsa Granhiert, the Bowel Hunter."」
「A flash of blade light, a sudden glint of cold steel.」
「Without any suspense.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, Dead!」
"Ah..." Hikigaya Hachiman's expression was extremely subtle, his eyelids drooping, the corners of his mouth pulled down in a look of deep distress.
"Don't blame yourself," Yukinoshita Yukino said, comforting him while simultaneously looking away from the video. Four bloody deaths were far too stimulating for her. "It's not your fault. Even without you, that Emilia girl would have very likely ended up there anyway. And..."
She murmured, "And, with or without you, it makes no difference."
To dispel any impulsive thoughts Hachiman might have about running out of the convenience store and transmigrating to warn Emilia of this future, Yukinoshita Yukino unleashed her long-unused, full-power "poisonous tongue," stating the powerless facts.
Ignoring someone in need of saving was certainly not her style, but the prerequisite was that they could be saved, rather than just throwing another life away for nothing. That other world was simply too dangerous for Hikigaya Hachiman.
Yukinoshita, suppressing the torment of her conscience, sincerely hoped Hachiman would stay on Earth, but before she could get an earnest reply from the boy...
The content playing on the video caused the level of her conscience's torment to instantly skyrocket seven or eight-fold!
「Zzz... crackle...」
「Darkness met the eye—endless darkness that could blot out the sun and destroy the world. It was a darkness so profound that even a single glance felt like falling into an inescapable abyss.」
Screech—
Reinhard van Astrea, the world's strongest Sword Saint and "child of the world," who always appeared composed and graceful regardless of the enemy, now wore a solemn expression. His hand uncontrollably moved to the hilt of the Dragon Sword.
At this moment, he felt a threat capable of defeating him!
Despair... dread... an indescribable horror!
Across two worlds, save for the most steadfast of the elite, everyone—including Hikigaya Hachiman and even Shirogane Miyuki—felt their bodies go stiff. The massive pressure was almost suffocating.
A pale-faced Julius Juukulius drew his blade, yet that heavy oppression refused to dissipate... Would a dragon soaring through the heavens care about the posturing of ants on the ground?
"It's not enough, not nearly enough. To speak of being the 'Finest Knight' is utterly laughable!"
Roswaal, the Bowel Hunter, the Council of Sages, the Eight-Arms, Crusch—the powerhouses at the top of the world's combat hierarchy and the wise ones at the top of its knowledge—understood the implications of this darkness far more than the trembling, wailing masses below.
Even though Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's physical condition was top-tier for a normal human, he was no different from anyone else before this pressure, finding it difficult to breathe. Conversely, on his usually calm face—which in reality was bored by everything—there appeared...
For the first time in his life, an excitement that was difficult to mask with acting, much like Chu Xuan first entering the God's Dimension!
「Zzz...」
「The camera abruptly cut away.」
「Bright sunshine, a bustling city.」
「A stunned, dazed, and utterly incredulous Hikigaya Hachiman stood on the streets of the Royal Capital.」
「"This is... ugh..." He reflexively clutched his stomach, but his skin was flat, without a single trace of injury.」
「"How is this possible?"」
「The arrogant ground dragons on the street, the soldier saving the playful child, the fruit stall, his own position. Hikigaya Hachiman clutched his head, squatting on the ground with a furrowed brow. His racing thoughts and excessive calculations caused his brain to overload.」
「"This is... no..."」
「Despite his mature mind and top-tier IQ, encountering an event as earth-shattering as rising from the dead—even more so than transmigrating—left Hachiman speechless and lost in panic and confusion for a good while.」
「His gaze sharpened as he calmed his thoughts. As if desperate to prove something, he stumbled toward the alleyway in his memory. After wandering for a bit, he quickly ran into those three thugs again.」
「Before their mocking extortion could even leave their mouths, Hikigaya Hachiman, desperate for evidence, leaped up and kicked the tall one. Before the man could strike back in rage, Hachiman nimbly reached out and felt his pocket.」
「"As expected..."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman murmured, connecting all the clues.」
「"The position of the hidden dagger is exactly the same as in my memory. The size and style of the dagger are identical. All three of them act like they don't know me. Most importantly, that scene of the soldier saving the child—the déjà vu is too strong..."」
「"Did some mutation occur during the transmigration? Or is some mastermind in this world investing in me? No, no, that's not the primary contradiction right now."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman looked up blankly at the sky and exhaled a heavy, turbid breath.」
「"Three possibilities. First: precognition, but the probability is low. That feeling was too real; I truly felt the pain of my stomach being sliced open."」
「"Second possibility: someone healed me in time and intentionally set up... but that theory is too elaborate and the reasoning is insufficient."」
「"Third possibility: the most fantastical, yet conversely the most likely. Phew—after I died, time rewound... and I am the only one who possesses the memories from before the rewind!"」
A mountain-toppling roar of shock erupted!
A clear, logical self-analysis. Every word and sentence struck everyone, leaving them staggering, mouths agape, eyes wide.
"So... so this isn't the video just replaying?"
It was like Mars colliding with Earth, a miracle among miracles.
"Time reversal, huh."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka settled on this possibility instantly.
"So far, this video hasn't shown anything unnecessary—or rather, nothing unrelated to Hikigaya Hachiman. That segment of darkness was extremely abrupt and inexplicable, breaking the 'related to Hachiman' rule. However..."
"However, if that darkness granted Hikigaya Hachiman the ability to 'Return by Death,' it all makes sense."
Horikita Suzune, finishing his thought, felt an incomparable shock in her heart, accompanied by jealousy and envy.