"I can't... I absolutely can't fall here..."
Natsuki Subaru gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand up. The blade swung rapidly through the air, creating streaks of cold light.
Suddenly.
"Screech—!"
A piercing shriek cut through the air. A black giant rat with a wingspan of nearly two meters dove down, its sharp beak glinting menacingly, aiming straight for Natsuki Subaru's temple.
"Can't dodge it..."
In that life-or-death instant, Natsuki Subaru's thoughts became unusually clear.
Perhaps it was because he clearly knew he possessed the Return by Death authority granted by the Witch of Envy.
So, at this critical moment, Natsuki Subaru instead felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
He subconsciously thought that once the Return by Death ability was triggered, and he returned to before the event, he would definitely find a way to change this desperate outcome.
It's actually very simple, isn't it?
Anyway, he had the Return by Death ability, just like saving in a game. Death, to him, was not fear, but rather a turning point that could bring hope.
But, was it really like that?
In Natsuki Subaru's peripheral vision, Rem's pale profile suddenly appeared. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, her appearance carrying a pitiable fragility.
"To break three plates just washing them, what an astonishingly clumsy oaf."
"Please don't misunderstand, I'm not helping you. If you can't finish your work, Rem will also be troubled."
"Rem is merely following sister's orders to supervise you."
"Subaru's trouser cuffs are a bit long, they still need adjustment."
"With Rem here, please rest assured..."
Scenes of him and Rem together these past few days flashed through Natsuki Subaru's mind.
This Rem...
How could I... let her down...
How could I die in front of Rem!
If she saw me in this pathetic state!
She'd definitely laugh at me until the next loop!
"Are you kidding me!!!"
With a roar from Natsuki Subaru, the black blade suddenly erupted with an unprecedented, brilliant light.
"Swish—!"
The blade arced upwards from below, smoothly drawing a perfect curve.
Immediately after.
Pfft!
The giant rat's massive body was instantly split in two in mid-air, its purplish-black internal organs scattering like raindrops.
[Experience +88]
[Level Up...]
Although leveling up did not restore his injuries, Natsuki Subaru could clearly feel the power surging within him. His nerve responses quickened, and his five senses became exceptionally acute.
"Kill all these Mabeasts, protect Rem, and ensure she suffers no harm!"
Natsuki Subaru's movements became even fiercer. Fighting desperately amidst the Mabeast horde, this single thought filled his mind, causing every strike to erupt with power beyond its limits.
"Roar, roar, roar—"
The Mabeasts' howls of pain rose and fell, but Natsuki Subaru's offensive grew increasingly ferocious.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Rem slowly opened her eyes. Her vision, initially blurry, gradually sharpened, and what came into view was the dark, starry sky.
"This... where is this? I remember I was in the forest looking for the children and the missing puppy... Then, I was bitten by the puppy... Was it a Mabeast?"
Thinking this, Rem tried to prop herself up, only to find she couldn't even muster strength in her fingertips.
The weakness and dull ache brought by the curse spread through Rem's body. Every breath felt like swallowing shattered glass, her throat was painfully dry, and she could barely form the simplest syllables.
"Clang—!"
"Roar—!"
The harsh sound of metal clashing pierced the night, followed by the Mabeasts' mournful roars.
Rem's ears twitched slightly. This sound was...
With difficulty, she turned her head. In Rem's blurry vision, a familiar figure was twisting and turning amidst the Mabeast horde.
The black blade cut through the night sky, bringing with it streaks of blood.
"Cough... Hah..."
Natsuki Subaru's heavy panting was interspersed with the Mabeasts' howls. His left arm hung limply, but the dagger in his right hand still waved frantically.
Every slash was accompanied by splattering blood, some from the Mabeasts, some his own.
"Subaru... is fighting! For... whom?"
Rem's pupils dilated slightly as she watched Natsuki Subaru suddenly turn and cut down a Mabeast pouncing in her direction.
"Don't you dare... come near her!"
The black-haired youth's hoarse roar was exceptionally clear in the night wind. Rem's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
That always joking, never serious black-haired youth was now fighting alone, bathed in blood, amidst the Mabeast horde.
His clothes were already tattered, countless wounds oozing blood, yet he still wielded the black blade, cutting a bloody path through the Mabeasts.
"Why..."
A complex emotion churned in Rem's azure eyes.
She had never seen anyone fight so desperately for her, even at the cost of their own life.
"Subaru..."
As this name escaped Rem's lips, a strange palpitation suddenly struck her heart.
That feeling was like something breaking through the earth, carrying a scorching heat.
Hotter than gratitude, heavier than guilt, more private than respect, deeper than a bond...
"This thing... what is it exactly?"
Perhaps it was an emotion deeper than gratitude, quietly growing in the blue-haired maid's heart.
The darkness brought by the curse surged like a tide, and her consciousness began to fade.
In the last moment before falling unconscious, her hazy vision still reflected Natsuki Subaru's tall figure, fighting bathed in blood.
Subaru's back... why does it feel so reassuring...
......
Natsuki Subaru slaughtered his way through the Mabeast horde, the black blade in his hand transforming into a deadly cold light. Every swing brought a rain of blood and gore.
"Beasts! All of you, go to hell!"
A fierce killing intent flashed in Natsuki Subaru's eyes. His figure, instead of retreating, advanced, actively charging into the Mabeast horde.
[Experience +101]
[Experience +143]
[Level Up...]
[Experience +124]
[Experience +106]
......
On the system panel, experience point notifications flashed continuously, and level-up messages appeared frequently, but Natsuki Subaru had no time to spare them any attention.
"Can't retreat! Not a single step! Rem and the others are still behind me..."
All distracting thoughts had vanished from his mind, only a single conviction supported Natsuki Subaru.
He had to kill these Mabeasts as quickly as possible. Every second delayed meant more danger for Rem, Petra, and the others.
As time passed.
The surrounding area gradually became piled high with Mabeast corpses.
And Natsuki Subaru's injuries also grew more severe. His black uniform was long soaked in blood, making it impossible to tell if it was the Mabeasts' or his own.
A deep, bone-visible wound on his left arm gushed blood, and a gash on his right leg tore through the muscle, every movement bringing excruciating, heart-tearing pain.
"Ugh...!"
Another strike beheaded a Mabeast, hot blood splattering on his face.
Natsuki Subaru's dagger-wielding right hand trembled violently. His aitchbone was raw and bloody, blood dripping down the hilt.
________
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