Chapter Text
Subaru was doing his usual goofy shenanigans, then he fell like a bum. Looking back, nobody was there.
Bumbaru felt abandoned, he had no friends anymore, he FELT like everyone had outgrown him emotionally.
He went home, confused and hurt emotionally. He was left behind, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to keep going, if it was even worth it anymore.
Subaru slumped down on his bed, closing his eyes, he let exhaustion take him.
Next morning was a morning like any other, Subaru got ready for school and headed for the door.
His vision swam awkwardly as he stepped forward, he tried to blink it back. He opened the door and stepped out, expecting the soft doormat to meet his feet, instead he was met with a bright light and the feeling of something solid under foot.
The light dimmed out, and Subaru froze, the air was different.. clearer, without any refined chemical sub-tone. It smelled faintly of baked goods and a natural, grass-like scent. His eyes weren’t met with the boring modern houses of his hometown, but with buildings that looked much older, but still lively.
His eyes locked on a passerby, he was neither man or animal, a mix of both. He looked around once more, he rubbed his eyes, he thought that he was maybe still dreaming.
Wandering around the streets of this unfamiliar place, he suddenly heard some commotion down the street, his gaze snapped upwards instantly. There it was, a carriage with a large, lizard-like creature pulling it, was about to run over a pedestrian.
He was already wondering what this place was, he thought that maybe, he was a main character in this world, and his curiosity got the better of him. He wanted to test his theory out. He dropped to one knee extending his hand forward and yelling,
“Go, magic!”
Nothing happened, instead, a knight stepped in and swooped the pedestrian out of harm's way.
“Guess I can’t use that yet..”
Subaru mumbled, looking at his hand. He quickly dismissed it and started wandering again.
He found himself sitting in an alley, phone in hand, he was trying to find some signal, but this place looked like one of those fantasy anime he’s seen. He put his phone down with a sigh.
The shuffling of footsteps made him look up, three figures in tattered rags entered the alleyway, one was a lanky, thin man, one was bigger with more volume, and then there was this small man, with a height that seemed very childlike.
“Well well.. What do we have ‘ere?”
Asked the thin, dumb looking guy.
“Oh.. is this like the part when it's going to be revealed? I'm like.. super OP or something?”
Subaru asked, getting a weird look from the dumb looking trio.
“Huh? What are you talking about, kid? We’re going to rob ya!”
The lanky man responded angrily. Subaru stood up, a small smile forming on his lips.
“Yeah, I figured it would be something like that..”
He murmured.
“You guys are the first thugs I have to clear to get stronger.”
He shuffled closer to them with a confident stride. He stopped about a meter away from them, extending his right hand.
“Im the Strongest Existence, Subaru Natsuki, the pleasure is all yours.”
Subaru said, a cocky smirk playing on his lips. It made their blood boil.
“You’re a cocky little one,”
The lanky man grumbled, the grip on his knife tightening.
“Aren’t ya?!”
The lanky man slashed upward, and Subaru managed to react just in time to not get cut at any vital points, but he still got slashed on his right shoulder.
Stumbling back, his expression was pained, and he spoke.
“Hey! That’s not a way you treat someone introducing themselves!”
He yelled, holding his right shoulder.
“Now you've done it… The Strongest Existence will wipe the floor with you! You don’t get to cut me like that!”
He barked, before noticing their fearful expressions, he pulled back, confused.
“What? What's up with that look? Did you soil your pants?”
He asked, mocking them, and he enjoyed doing so. Watching their fearful faces, it brought him a sense of intense pride and confidence.
“R-Run!”
The lanky man said while he turned away, stumbling as he fled, the other two followed right after, and Subaru barked another insult.
“Yeah! You should run! Cowards!”
He said, a smile returning to his face.
“What a bunch of weaklings.”
He mumbled turning around, he jumped back in surprise the moment he saw a figure standing right behind him.
“DUDE! What the hell?!”
He yelled, his hands coming up in a fighting stance. Before he lowered his guard slowly. In front of him stood a taller boy with red hair and fancy clothes, a sword was on his hip.
—This must be something sort of important person—
Subaru thought, looking the boy up and down.
“You gave me a scare there. Where did you even come from?”
Subaru asked, grabbing his slashed shoulder again. The figure spoke.
“I heard some commotion and decided to check it out, I was on patrol actually.”
He responded, his hand was gripping his sword's hilt tightly.
—This boy… Who is he? And most importantly… Why is the sword reacting to his presence?—
He thought, his gaze locked on Subaru.
“Patrol?”
Subaru asked, raising an eyebrow, was he some sort of policeman?
“Yes, my knightly duties include going on missions and patrolling the capital of Lagunica.”
He responded, he didn’t seem distraught or nervous, although he was panicking a little inside.
“Knightly duties? You are a knight?”
Subaru asked, leaning in closer to hear better.
“…Yes, my name is Reinhard van Astrea, just your ordinary knight.”
Reinhard responded, a small smile forming on his face.
Subaru stepped closer, extending his hand, ready to introduce himself again, but Reinhard stopped him by raising his hand in a vague gesture.
“No need, Subaru Natsuki, I saw your whole interaction with those convicts.”
Reinhard said, and Subaru stepped back, a little surprised. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off with a small,feminine gentle laugh coming through the alley. The shuffling of steps filled the air.
Subaru turned towards the sound, three girls were walking down the alley, two of them looked almost identical, dressed in maid outfits, the only way to differentiate them was their hair color, one had a red, almost pinkish tone, while the other had a light blue tone. The third girl was a little shorter with brown hair and a fancy attire.
“It was nice meeting you Subaru, but I have work to do.”
Reinhard said, already walking out of the alley. Subaru had no chance to say anything before a loud gasp broke through his confusion. The brown-haired girl was standing right in front of him, checking on his shoulder wound.
“This is a deep wound.. Oh my.. Rem, please come check this out.”
The brown-haired girl said. The blue haired girl, Rem (), set down the basket she was holding, and moved towards Subaru, her nose scrunched up for a moment, and her brow furrowed angrily.
“…Mhm… yes, I see. Now what, Petra?”
Rem asked, turning her head towards the brown-haired girl, Petra ().
“’Now what’? Help him ofcourse!”
Petra responded, her cheeks turning a little rosy.
“…Alright…”
Rem sighed heavily, extending her hand towards the wound, it began glowing with a light blue light, healing Subaru’s wound, all while he was too confused to even speak.
Petra stepped back, looking over her shoulder and towards the other girl, standing still just a few meters away. As if Petra knew that she would say something.
“If it was up to me, I wouldn’t help him, I mean, just look at him.”
Ouch, that one stung, what does she mean ‘just look at him?’ That’s really rude.
“Come on Ram, we can afford to help a stranger, can’t we?”
Petra asked, and Ram only huffed angrily.
“W-Wait wait.. Where did you three come from?”
Subaru asked, finally finding his voice, their eyes all turned to him.
“…We were taking a shortcut, nothing else.”
Ram responded, her voice flat and bored. She looked constantly angry.
—That slash really got me, but this Rem girl is healing me. Guess I’m not OP… yet—
Subaru thought, piecing together what happened, those three dumdums didn’t run away because of him, but because of Reinhard, it felt like a massive blow to his pride.
—Oh hell no, I'm the one people are going to fear, nobody will be better than me!—
He thought, a small smile forming on his face.
“He’s smiling like an idiot, an absolute pervert, can't you keep your eyes to yourself, pervert?”
Ram hissed, clearly displeased with his distant gazing. It snapped Subaru back to reality.
“What?! I'm not looking at anyone!”
He said, his voice filled with anger and shock.
“Stop moving.”
Rem mumbled, still healing his shoulder, before finally pulling her hand away.
“Can we go now, Miss Petra? We shouldn’t waste any more of your precious time.”
Subaru was so confused, he felt like he was being completely ignored, just orbiting outside their consciousness.
Quick steps came down the alley, too quick, a figure ran past Ram, knocked Petra over and the quickly dashed away and up onto the rooftops. Everything happened too fast, and it was too late to stop it already.
“Miss Petra!”
Rem chirped, quickly coming over to help Petra up.
“Ouch.. Who was that?”
Petra checked her pockets and froze
“It's gone..”
Everyone went silent, except for Subaru.
“What’s gone?”
Petra looked towards Ram, ignoring Subaru for the moment being.
“That girl took the insignia! We must chase after her!”
Petra said, her voice was alarmed and Panicked, Rem and Ram moved, fast, too fast, they dragged Subaru along, he owed Petra now, so he better pay his debt.
“You're coming along! We have to catch that girl!” Ram hissed as they quickly went in the direction of where the girl ran off to.
The following events were what can only be described as absolute strokes of luck. Somehow, asking around and using their deduction skills, they were able to locate where the insignia is supposed to be sold at, they were walking through the slums now, going towards the place where the deal was supposed be made.
As they neared the old, rundown building, a weird feeling of fear settled over Subaru, it was a creepy place, and he didn’t even have the chance to know what’s going on, he was just dragged along by these women.
They stopped before the doors, before slowly opening them. The inside was dark, too dark, like the place had been abandoned for years, they all stepped inside, and Subaru didn’t have a good feeling about this. The sun was already setting, it has been a few hours since the insignia has been stolen.
“H-hey.. Shouldn’t we like.. not go into creepy places?”
Subaru asked, looking around, these girls were very intense, they were glaring and squinting at the darkness. Then Subaru heard something, or rather, sensed something was very wrong. A soft gasp left someone.
—I swear to God these side characters are so stupid!—
Someone pointed toward a large dead body of an old looking man, his jaw was completely gone, blood was everywhere, the metallic scent only hit them now.
The shadows moved, as if swallowing them whole, more blood started spraying, Rem had fallen to the ground, her neck slashed around her artery, in the next moment, Ram doubled over, stabbed in the stomach by a figure that was moving way too fast.
Petra didn’t even have time to say anything and her throat was slashed, Subaru was panicking, trying to get away, but a sudden sharp pain in his stomach made him double over and fall..
The figure stood over him, leaning down, a sensual and mocking laugh left their lips.
“Aww… I thought you would last longer than this… Guess I was misled~”
Another laugh left her, she mocked him again, her voice was growing distant.
“Oh.. Did you just piss yourself? That’s adorable~”
Subaru died slowly and painfully his eyes watering at the edges, why was he dying? What was going on? He was the main character.. the main character doesn’t die!
He opened his eyes, only to be met with the same street he was on when he first arrived here, in this unfamiliar world.
“W-what..?”
He whimpered, looking down at his stomach.. the pain was gone, but it felt like it was only a few moments ago he was holding his own insides, trying to keep them in. Everything felt so surreal… too impossible.
Then, the commotion again, the same carriage, the same pedestrian, the same knight even. That made him even more confused.
“How am I.. back here..?”
He whispered, looking around with wide, traumatized eyes, he felt like he was going to throw up, but instead, he moved back to that alley, somewhere where he wouldn’t be looked at weird for throwing up.
He stumbled back into the alley, holding onto the wall, he sat down at the corner, trying to catch his breath from this mind shattering experience.
“This is fucking messed up.. what’s going on? How am I alive..?”
He asked himself, his hand remained on his stomach..
“This is… This is…”
The loud shuffle of feet woke him up from his traumatized state, he looked up, it was the trio of convicts again. Subaru had a conclusion before they even spoke. He died, and came back, he respawned. He was immortal.
“Well well.. What do we have ‘ere?”
The surge of confidence inside of him was nothing like before, it was greater, and it filled him with this sense of extreme superiority.
“Oh… Yeah.. yes! That’s it!”
He said, his face brightening up.
—By that logic.. This must be like a game… and I must be the player! Now I just have to wait for Reinhard to arrive to scare them away, I don’t need to fight low level thugs like them.—
He thought. He shot up excitedly, and the convicts gave him weird looks. He walked towards them, extending his hand.
“Ahem. Hello, Im the Strongest Existence, Natsuki Subaru, the pleasure is all yours!”
He declared even louder this time, he saw the lanky man tighten his grip on his dagger.
“You’re a cocky little one...”
The lanky man grumbled angrily, his muscles tensing.
“Aren’t ya?!”
The lanky man slashed towards Subaru, but he evaded it with much more ease, not getting slashed this time.
“Missed! Man, you’re bad at this!”
Subaru mocked, kicking the lanky man in the abdomen, before taking a few steps back.
“I told you im The Strongest Existence, so back off you low lives!”
He was enjoying mocking these people, they were escaped convicts, so he had no reason to be nice to them. He saw that scared expression again, it was turned towards him now, and then it got even more scared. That’s how Subaru knew Reinhard had arrived.
“And this is Reinhard, and ordinary knight.”
He said, a cocky smirk on his lips, stepping aside and pointing at Reinhard behind him, he peeked at where he was pointing, and Reinhard was actually there. He was right! Everything was playing out as it did before! This was all.. Like a game! And he was the player!
“R-run!”
The lanky man commanded, he turned and ran as fast as he could, and the other two followed shortly after.
“…That was interesting. Hello there, Subaru Natsuki.”
Reinhard said, extending his hand.
“I belive I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you yet.”
He added, his other hand was gripping his swords hilt, and it tightened. Subaru reached out to shake Reinhard’s hand.
“You maybe don’t know me, but I know a lot about you.”
Subaru responded, shrugging as he shook Reinhard’s hand. After a second or two, they both pulled their hands away.
Subaru looked back expectantly, any second now, those girls would come trough.
The sound of shuffling steps and that same soft laugh rang out, as the three girls emerged once more, Rem, Ram and Petra, all of them.
—If everything is the same.. then that person at the house.. they must be the boss of this chapter! I must beat them in order to progress!—
Subaru thought excitedly, he gave them a little wave.
“Hello there girls! Going on a shortcut?”
Subaru asked, and Ram’s brow furrowed, Rem’s nose scrunched up unpleasantly once again, and Petra’s eyebrows raised for a fraction of a second.
“Hm..? Who’s this brute talking to us?”
Ram asked, her voice indifferent, aggressive even.
“Ram… Don’t be so rude..”
Petra said, her cheeks heating up slightly.
“Its okay, Miss Petra. I expected a response like that.”
Subaru said moving closer, he extended his hand towards them.
“Im The Strongest Existence, Subaru Natsuki! At your service.”
He said with that cocky smirk of his, Ram scoffed angrily.
“Don’t shake that brute’s hand, Miss Petra, he’s way below you-“
Petra softly shook Subaru’s hand, a small smile forming on her lips too.
“Nice to meet you, Natsuki Subaru.”
She murmured, looking up at him trough long lashes, before looking away. Subaru looked back at Reinhard, who was about to turn away.
“Reinhard, Bro. Don’t go yet, alright?”
He said, taking a few steps and reaching out to stop him.
“Im on patrol, Subaru, I cannot simply leave my post.”
Reinhard responded, but Subaru wasn’t deterred.
“Trust me Reinhard, It will be worth it.”
Subaaru responded, looking back at the girls for a moment.
“Just stay for a minute or two… Lets talk, you and me.”
Subaru said, waiting for that girl to appear again to steal the insignia. He knew she would come, after all, this was all like a game, and this was the first mission. To defeat whoever it is that killed them.
“…Hmm… Well I suppose I can spare a few minutes. Its just patrolling after all.”
Reinhard responded, nodding slowly, before suddenly the quick steps come trough the alley again. Subaru turned around, his eyes narrowing in a knowing way.
The figure moved fast, really fast, around Rem and Ram, and right towards Petra.. Reinhard was going to react but Subaru threw himself forward, intentionally one second too late, making Reinhard’s own decision lag behind too.
By the time Reinhard reacted, he could only catch the falling Petra, the theif was already gone, Reinhard was ready to pursue them, but Subaru quickly placed a hand on his chest, stopping him.
“Hold on Reinhard! No need to rush, I know exactly where she’s going! Just follow me!”
Subaru declared, getting weird looks from all four of them.
“She stole your insignia, Didn’t she, Miss Petra? Don’t ask questions and follow me!”
He went to grab Petra’s hand, but Reinhard stopped him.
“Hold on Subaru, you’re coming on us too quick. Slow down.”
Subaru wasn’t counting on his much resistance.. what a nuisance.
“Reinhard, you have to trust me on this one, Really trust me, they’re going to try to sell of the insignia at the slums, I just know it! It’s a gut feeling of mine!”
Subaru seemed so sure… Reinhard’s gaze flicked towards his sword. The sword was reacting to Subaru’s presence too… Maybe he did know something. More than just something.
“Are you sure about this Subaru..? I mean.. You seem to know a little too much, are you sure you weren’t mislead by some false information?”
Reinhard asked, his brow furrowing.
“Reinhard… Dude, you HAVE to trust me.”
Subaru responded, he looked towards the girls, towards Petra, she looked like she was going to cry, she lost her insignia. Ram was skeptical, very skeptical, Rem was still not looking in Subaru’s direction.
“Miss Petra… You don’t really trust this… this… brute, do you?”
Ram asked, but Petra quickly composed herself.
“Subaru seems trustworthy, if he’s friends with Reinhard himself then… I guess we can trust him.”
Petra responded shyly. Ram sighed, shaking her head then she looked away.
“Your call.”
She grumbled, before shooting a glance towards Subaru.
“So were going to the slums then..?”
Rem chirped while looking at Petra, who was currently calming her nerves.
“Mhm.. seems so..”
She murmured, nodding, she just wanted to get her insignia back.
“Alright then, everyone follow me! You too Reinhard!”
Subaru said, flashing them a smile full of teeth. He turned around and set out of the alley.
“Umm.. Subaru? The Slums are the opposite direction..”
Petra spoke up, and Subaru froze.
“Ahh, Yes, ofcourse! I was just pulling your leg!”
Subaru said, immediately changing directions to go the correct way. Now they could really set out on their epic quest to defeat their murderer!
They walked trough the Royal Capital, and into the outskirts where the slums lay. He lead the way, chest puffed up and full of confidence.
“We’re nearly there, come on!”
Subaru gestured with his hand for them to pick up the pace, Reinhard wasn’t having any problems keeping up, But Petra was a bit shy about this whole thing.
“Barusu, was it? I hope you know I will personally strangle you if anything happens to Petra, so you better keep her safe.”
Ram said, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Subaru. Subaru looked back a little alarmed, strangle him? That was harsh.
“Its Subaru, and Im very well aware, thanks for the heads up.”
Subaru responded, as they neared the old rundown loot house.
“Barusu.”
Ram murmured, and Subaru just sighed, shaking his head, he stopped infront of the loot house, it didn’t look that imposing like last time, they made it here about three hours sooner, so everything was still bright.
“Alright so, Reinhard! You’ll wait outside and out of sight! We don’t want to scare anyone off with your presence.”
Subaru explained, pointing at Reinhard while keeping his other hand at his hip.
“Very well then.”
Reinhard nodded, placing his hand on his sword.
“Petra, Ram and Rem, You should hide somewhere where Reinhard can see you while I go inside and negotiate.”
Subaru said, giving the three a thumbs up while winking at them with a smirk.
“You don’t get to order us around, Barusu. We can do whatever we-“
Ram didn’t get to finish her remark, Petra cut her off.
“Alright Subaru.. I trust you.”
Petra said softly, nodding. Ram gave her a strange look, then sighed in defeat.
“Also, my safe word is avocado! So, it would be appreciated if you came to help me a little, but its not like I need your help or anything, I’m the Strongest Existence after all!”
Subaru said, placing his hands on his hips and puffing up his chest. He was feeling so confident it was rubbing off onto them.
“Alright everyone, Go find your spots, I’m going inside to negotiate!”
He declared, watching Reinhard move somewhere off to the side, and then watching the girls hide near some old building.
“What the hell is an avocado..”
Someone muttered.
Subaru took a deep breath.. and then he turned towards the building and walked forward. And while he was walking up the steps to the porch, he felt a weird surge of aura coming inside him.
Subaru shuffled towards the door, and knocked, walking inside. The darkness wasn’t present this time, instead, there was a small girl sitting on a bar stool, and behind the counter was a large, old, dark-skinned and muscular man. Their gaze drifted towards Subaru, and he immediately announced his arrival.
“Hello! I’m The Strongest Existence, Subaru Natsuki! And I am going to buy the insignia!”
His voice boomed across the bar, and the blonde-haired girl on the stool raised an eyebrow.
“I thought someone else was coming.”
She said, tilting her head in confusion.
“I thought you were supposed to be a woman.”
She added her voice carrying a little confusion. Before the old man spoke.
“It’s different person, Felt.”
He said, shaking his head. He let out a low huff.
“Hello there, Subaru Natsuki, this is Felt and Im-“
He was cut off by Felt, her voice a little more excited.
“Old man Rom! That’s HIS name!”
She said, her voice playful, she seemed loose for a thief.
“Yeah, I guess you could call me that.”
Rom responded, his voice gruff as he chuckled.
“Come sit down, kid.”
He said, gesturing at the stool next to Felt. Subaru expected a lot more skepticism, but to the people in the slums, money was all that mattered. He walked towards the counter, sitting down on the stool.
“So, you wanna get down to business?”
Felt asked, tilting her head slightly, a small smile formed on her lips as she waited for his answer.
It was in that moment Subaru realized, he didn’t have anything valuable on him. This was going to be much harder than anticipated. What could he say?
“Uhm… Yeah, sure.”
Subaru responded, trying to quickly think of something, maybe he could show them something from his world? It could count as something valuable… but what?
“So, what’s your offer for the insignia?”
Subaru froze, again. He didn’t know its worth, and they both were waiting for his answer.
“Are you new to this? You just state your offer. It’s simple.”
Rom said, leaning in closer, but Subaru didn’t HAVE anything to offer, except maybe the slingshot in his back pocket… and his… His lighter. He could show them his lighter!
“Oh, yeah! I have something to trade for the insignia!”
He quickly reached into his back pocket, pulling out his lighter. He placed it on the counter.
“This… Is a… umm… lighter. It lights stuff on fire.”
Rom leaned in closer to inspect the object.
“So… some sort of fire Metia? That’s worth at least 10 holy gold coins.”
Rom spoke, leaning straightening up and crossing his arms over his chest.
“Maybe even fifteen, that’s how much you’d take for an insignia like that.”
He added, looking towards felt for a moment, Subaru wasn’t sure if they would take the lighter or not.
“If that’s not enough... I have this too.”
Subaru said, pulling out his phone and placing it next to the lighter on the counter.
“It’s another Metia, it can capture moments in time and store them for later. So, you can remember them.”
Rom’s eyes narrowed, then widened once more, he looked towards felt with a more pleased expression.
“That’s a good offer Felt, think about this…”
Felt stared at the two Metia, before the sound of footsteps disturbed her thinking. Someone had arrived, and Subaru knew exactly who. The boss of this chapter, the one he was supposed to beat.
The door opened slowly, a good-looking woman with dark hair and a cloak with some sort of purple fluffy hood stepped through, her eyes immediately locked on Subaru, then, on the items on the counter.
“I didn’t know there were any other buyers. Well then, I guess I’ll just have to match his offer then.”
She said in that elegant, creepy voice Subaru heard when he was dying. She walked inside, closing the door shut behind her, she sat down at a table.
“I’d find it much more comfortable if we discuss our deal here.”
The woman said, smiling faintly at Subaru, waiting. He grabbed his things from the counter, before He hesitantly moved towards the woman. He sat down at the table, a bead of sweat coming down his forehead.
“Before we get to buying the insignia, let me ask you… Why do you need it?”
The woman asked, resting her head on her hands and tilting her head slightly. Subaru had to think of something to say.
“Uhm, I just need it… It’s nothing too crazy.”
The woman raised an eyebrow.
“No-one just ’needs’ an insignia like that, there is always more to it. Why would you offer two Metia for one insignia then? If it’s nothing too crazy, you shouldn’t need to overpay…”
She said, trailing off, trying to see a crack in Subaru’s exterior.
“It seems like a waste of perfectly good metia… And it seems like you were desperately trying to buy if before anyone else.”
That’s where she was wrong, Subaru wanted the insignia, but he also wanted to defeat this woman.
“…That’s not entirely true…”
Subaru responded, calming his nerves by stretching the conversation out.
“I actually have my own plans with the insignia, so don’t question me alright?”
The woman was taken aback momentarily, his own plans? How interesting.
“Own plans you say… Hmm… Cannot argue with that logic.”
She responded, nodding slowly.
“I’ll offer twenty holy gold coins for it then.”
The woman brought out a pouch, placing it on the table. Felt’s eyes widened instantly, she was already closer to the table.
“…I offer the two Metia.”
Subaru responed, bringing his own items out, the woman let out a small laugh.
“Oh... so whats the total on that... twenty-five? Thirty? Isn’t that a little too much? And it seems like pieces of junk to me, so I doubt its worth that.”
Subaru thought angrily, his eyes narrowing. The woman mocked, her voice smooth and elegant. But her words still made Subaru angry.
—Pieces of junk? It took me a long time to aquire these! This woman is… I swear to God I’ll do something to her if she doesn’t shut up!—
Subaru thought angrily, his eyes narrowing.
“Hey, its not pieces of junk! I worked really hard to get these things, so watch your mouth!”
He snapped, his brow furrowing.
“I’m just trying to get this insignia to get this whole mission over with, so stop being such a douche and leave already, you’re not getting it!”
Subaru said, standing up, he felt angry; by mocking his things, she was inherently mocking him. He didn’t like being mocked, he was the Strongest Existence after all.
“Hmm…? What mission?”
Subaru’s anger turned into fear. Mission? He totally busted himself!
“I can almost remember you saying you were doing this for your own plans… or maybe… you lied?”
This woman was onto him now; she licked her lips slowly and sensually.
“Well… It seems like we won’t get anywhere with bargaining, so let’s resolve this like real adults.”
What did that mean…? Subaru didn’t have much time to react, she grabbed the pouch and kicked the table over within a fraction of a second, he fell onto his back, his things scattering across the floor as he quickly scrambled to stand up.
His eyes locked on the woman, now armed with a dagger, Felt had tensed up, pulling out her own weapon, and Rom reached for his club... this was turning into a real fight now. But Subaru was determined to try to do his best alone.
“Hmm...? What’s wrong? Why are you all glaring at me...? Wasn’t it obvious from the start? I wouldn’t have let you live even if you sold it to me.”
The woman said in a low purr, she let out a chuckle afterwards. Subaru felt colder now, he was sweating, he remembered the pain that she inflicted on him when he died for the first time.
“Oh yeah...? Well let’s see you actually follow up on that promise!”
Subaru called out, his fists clenching, he was ready to fight… Ready to beat this boss.
The woman moved, she was fast, very fast, she attacked felt, the sharp cling of metal make your eyes snap towards felt, she barely managed to parry the attack, tumbling over the counter backwards.
Rom swung his heavy club, aiming to hit the woman in the side. The woman jumped over his swing with a graceful leap, she dodged his next attack, and the next, then she struck back, and Rom nearly cutting into his side, but he was quick enough to dodge her strike.
Felt recovered while Rom fought the woman, and then she went in to fight too, the two of them pressed the attack trying to run her into a corner, but the woman was far too agile, and Subaru felt useless.
—I’m contributing nothing to this fight! I’m practically useless! Even that old guy is fighting, I’m not getting outclassed by them, not in a MILLION years!—
Useless? Subaru? Those two words don’t go well together in his mind. He valuted over the counter, grabbing a sword from the wall and rushing in, he would be damned if he got outdone by some thin girl!
The woman unsheathed her other dagger, and the dynamic shifted instantly, Felt was kicked away and flew through at least 2 tables, Rom’s club was sliced into three pieces, and he nearly got his throat cut, and now she was toying with Subaru.
Swing after slow swing, Subaru was forced to parry each one with his zero knowledge of swords. He was going to die if he didn’t call for help… He should call for help... it was getting heated.
—Im the Strongest Existance… Subaru Natsuki... I don’t need help!—
He thought, barely avoiding another strike as he tumbled over a table, he quickly kicked it toward her, but she split it in half using her daggers, she dropped low, getting ready to lunge, then she rushed in for the killing blow.
—The stomach!—
Subaru knew she would go for the stomach, he went purely on reflex, and actually managed to dodge her strike. He planted his foot and kneed her in the face while she was still recovering, actually making her nose bleed.
“Hah! I knew you were all talk!
Subaru mocked, but the woman kept smiling, enjoying this.
“Wow, interesting for a little boy. I guess I have to actually start trying...”
—Wait… Not even that strike was serious?!—
Subaru panicked, and the moment the woman moved, he yelled.
“AVOCADO! AVOCADO!”
The woman was about to slash his abdomen. Until the entire side of the building burst open. The hard meaty thwack of something hitting flesh and the blur of clothes said it all, Reinhard was here, he dropkicked the woman sending her flying trough the counter slamming through on her way towards the wall.
“Oh… What’s this...? I knew you would have an ace up your sleeve, boy.”
The woman said, picking herself up, she looked at the clearing dust, and there he was, the majestic, the tall, the goat himself, Reinhard van Astrea, one hand on his sword, his clothes flapped in the wind, even though there was no wind.
“Let’s go Reinhard! Thanks for the assist!”
Subaru said, trying to cover up the fact that he nearly pissed himself five seconds ago.
“No problem, Subaru.”
Reinhard said, standing there, completely still. Subaru picked himself up, raising his sword.
“No need for that, Subaru, pass me the sword, I’ll finish this.”
Reinhard added, lifting his hand. Subaru paused, what? Reinhard will finish this? That wasn’t a part of Subaru’s imaginary made up script.
“I’m sorry, I think you just said you’ll finish this?”
Subaru asked, and Reinhard only nodded, keeping his hand extended, waiting for the sword.
“I advise you to step back.”
Reinhard said, waiting for the hilt of the sword to meet his palm.
—There is no way he expects me to hand over my sword! This is my boss fight!—
Subaru thought, his grip on his sword tightening.
“Oh my… It’s really the legendary Sword Saint… mhmm… Reinhard van Astrea. I ask you to not hold anything back against me.”
The woman purred, stepping up onto the counter, she spread out her arms and looked down at Reinhard.
“And you are the Bowel Hunter, Elsa, aren’t you?”
Reinhard responded, as Subaru stared at him, dumbfounded.
—Sword Saint? That sounds… epic… I thought he was some basic knight!—
Subaru thought, he was confused, he thought Reinhard was just another knight, apparently, he was some sort of sword saint.
“Someone’s educated… I like that in a victim.”
Elsa said, licking off the blood on her lower lip.
“Come on Subaru, the sword.”
Reinhard said, waiting for the sword to meet his palm.
—Why is he pretending he can’t beat her...? But if you insist on holding back Subaru, then let me handle this.—
Reinhard thought, as Subaru reluctantly handed him the sword, the moment it met his palm, Elsa struck, the sharp cling of metal rang out, as Reinhard parried her slash from the left effortlessly.
Elsa moved to the side throwing out a chair and slicing it mid air as an distraction. She dashed behind him, trying to attack him from a blind spot, but Reinhard simply turned around and parried that too.
Elsa kept striking from different angles, hopping around the room, but nothing seemed to get to Reinhard, he kept parrying everything perfectly. She was getting more excited by the second.
“This sword won’t hold much longer… Subaru, keep yourself out of harm’s way, I’ll just have to finish this.”
Reinhard said, parrying another blow, then another. He suddenly moved, left, right, like a blur, his fist connected with the left side of her ribs, sending her flying! She recovered mid-air, she swung her arm, throwing out one of her daggers.
WOOSH!
The dagger steered around Reinhard, flying right towards Subaru by sheer accident, Subaru dived out of the way, but he still got slashed in the side..
Elsa landed, skittering back across the wooden floor. Reinhard raised the sword.
“Alright then, Lets get this over with. I’m not going to be too rough with this, but I have duties to fulfill!”
Reinhard exclaimed, as the mana in the air began starting to be pulled towards him. The air became thick with energy, as a near translucent aura formed around him. The sword began to glow. Brighter and brighter.
Elsa stood still, knowing there was no dodging this attack. The light became blinding.
The explosion that followed made Subaru realize he wasn’t even close to being OP. Reinhard had blown up half of the loot house, and the quickly shuffles of people brought him back from his surprised state on the ground.
“Subaru! Are you okay?”
A soft voice rang out, Petra was at his side, checking on his wound.
“Rem... Over here! Please help Subaru!”
Subaru watched Rem walk over, her nose scrunching up as she kneeled next to him to heal his wound.
“It’s nothing too serious; I just got nicked…”
Nicked was an understatement, a massive understatement, the blood was thick and dark, he had a deep gasp in his side.
“We might need to bring you somewhere safer.. You’re losing a lot of blood!”
Subaru, being an overconfident youngster, simply covered the wound with his hand, and stood up, wincing slightly.
“First...”
He said, walking over to the unconscious felt, he reached into her pocket, pulling out the insignia.
“Your insignia, Miss Petra. Intact and in one piece!”
He said, puffing up his chest, but he couldn’t keep up the posture for longer than half a second because of the pain in his side. He walked over with a limp, handing it over to her, Petra’s eyes were wide with gratitude...
“Wow… you actually… I mean… that’s great... Thank you, Subaru, I owe you.”
Subaru had ’beaten’ the boss. Although he didn’t really do much, except for screaming ’avocado’.
“Yeah... You do, but that’s nothing to worry about. Now can someone catch me...? I think I’m fainting.”
Subaru said, slowly falling over. Petra helped him to the floor, as Rem came closer once more to heal him.
“…Subaru, I ask you to keep still, if you want to live that is.”
Rem said, looking at his wound.
“We’ll probably have to transport him to the manor, Miss Petra, we’re already behind on our schedule, we should move right now.”
Rem said softly, while Ram kept quiet.
“Barusu is a lucky brute. To gain the favour of someone like Petra is no easy task.”
Ram said, not even looking at him.
“Ram... Please, be respectful, he actually did know where the insignia was. Without him, I would have never found it.”
Ram scoffed, but she couldn’t argue with Petra any longer, she had a solid point.
“I still don’t belive him.”
Ram said, huffing angrily afterwards.
“Nobody is forcing you to, Ram.”
Petra said, turning her gaze back towards Subaru.
“…Subaru has no evil intent.”
Reinhard spoke up, his hand resting on his sword.
“I would have known if he did, I can sense such things. Be at ease, he isn’t a threat to you.”
Reinhard added, looking down at Subaru’s half lidded, nearly unconscious eyes.
“I must take my leave now...”
Reinhard said, before he was cut off with a quiet grunt, Felt was getting up, and Reinhards eyebrows shot up, he walked over to her in a few quick strides, grabbing her by the wrist.
“You, how old are you?”
He asked, raising an eyebrow, as their conversation faded into the back of Subaru’s consciousness. He closed his eyes, knowing he had beaten the boss.
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