Chapter 36: The End of the Sanctuary
When Subaru woke up, he instinctively began dry-heaving.
Then, slowly, he used the wall for support and stood up.
Sunlight streamed in from the entrance of the nearby ruins.
As he gradually regained his composure, memories of everything that had just happened came flooding back.
For some reason, when he remembered that he hadn't signed the contract in the end, Subaru felt a vague sense of frustration.
"Well, whatever. There shouldn't be anything in the short term that absolutely requires Echidna's power anyway."
For some reason, Echidna's final smile popped into his mind, making Subaru shiver involuntarily.
"Is it just because it's too cold in the cave?"
Rubbing his shoulders with his hands, Subaru headed for the exit.
The dazzling sunlight made him dizzy, and he instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes.
After a few moments, he adjusted to the brightness and looked up at the sky.
Ignoring the black, finger-like spectral hands reaching out toward the heavens, Subaru estimated the time—it had only been about half an hour in the real world.
"Amazing... no, this is totally black magic-level tech. But it's almost noon—better hurry back."
Remembering Garfiel's behavior from the previous loop, Subaru quickened his pace.
After several dozen minutes, he arrived at the village gate and ran into Otto, Garfiel, and Frederica, who were just about to go look for him.
Garfiel radiated visible hostility, but thanks to Frederica's presence, the worst-case scenario was avoided.
Subaru safely returned to the village.
The next day, Subaru looked haggard.
In fact, the whole hunting party did—the entire morning had passed without spotting a single decent prey.
"Granny Ryuzu... Are you sure no Witch Cultists have invaded?"
Looking around at the eerily quiet forest, as if Witch Cult members were hiding in ambush, Subaru once again asked the Ryuzu riding on Garfiel's back.
"Kid, how many times do I have to tell you? The Sanctuary's barrier is still fully intact."
Following Ryuzu's staff, Subaru looked up at the clear blue sky.
It was such a beautiful day, which made everything all the more terrifying.
After all, the attacks from Sloth had never stopped.
Even if Sloth was "resting," there should have been at least a couple of Fingers attacking. But today—there was nothing.
"You're being annoying. Witch Cultists, Sin Archbishops, whoever—if they show up, I'll just—OW! Granny...!"
Garfiel suddenly froze, then slowly set Granny Ryuzu down.
"Everyone, stay alert."
Otto, who had kept his Blessing of Clairvoyance active to search for prey, suddenly clutched his head and shouted.
The earth dragons started growling, issuing warning cries.
"Awoooooo!!"
At that moment, Garfiel let out a massive roar after taking a deep breath.
"What's going on?" Subaru asked as he approached Otto while remaining vigilant.
"The Blessing responded to... something's voice. They're crying out 'Hunger.'"
The forest rustled, and then a girl with light red hair came running out.
"Miss Ryuzu?"
Subaru reflexively turned back to confirm Ryuzu was still with Garfiel—then observed this sudden second Ryuzu.
She stood frozen in front of them, eyes lifeless.
Subaru realized this wasn't the same Ryuzu he had met in the previous loop.
"Garfiel, what the hell is going on?"
"I know what you're thinking, what you want to ask—but there's no time to explain. Things are worse than I thought."
From the bushes, figures started emerging—one after another—until there were eight Ryuzu look-alikes in total.
"I didn't want you guys to see this if I could help it," Garfiel muttered bitterly.
"So you're saying it's already bad enough to call in your trump cards, huh?"
Subaru stared at the girls.
Though they looked exactly like Ryuzu, they didn't give off the feeling of being people. It was like looking at eight identical dolls.
Subaru poked one of their cheeks—it felt exactly like Ryuzu's.
"Clones…? Are these because of Echidna? But why so many? And why only Ryuzu?"
"Subaru, kid—cool it with the weird comments in public."
"You're one to talk! That just makes people misunderstand more!"
Subaru shouted and moved away from the Ryuzu clone.
"Sorry to interrupt your thinking—but looks like they've arrived."
Beside Subaru, Garfiel's arms bulked up.
Unlike last time when he transformed into a full beast, now only parts of his body changed.
"Partial beastification?"
"Unlike Sis, I can't keep my mind if I go full beast. But like this—it's enough."
He pointed at the Ryuzu clones.
"Granny's different. These sentries are hollow on the inside. Still, they've got decent combat ability, and they can follow orders. They'll create the openings."
Just as he finished speaking, Subaru spotted it: a rabbit, normal-sized, but with long horns on its head. If it weren't stained with blood, you'd mistake it for a cute little animal.
Without hesitation, Subaru swung his whip—and watched in shock as it was bitten clean in half.
"The Great Rabbit?!"
"What's so 'great' about it?!"
Subaru quipped as he slashed with his sword, slicing the rabbit in two.
Though easily dispatched, Subaru became uneasy—but the next moment, when more and more rabbits emerged from the bushes, his doubt vanished.
Human flesh, earth dragon scales, even steel armor—none could withstand the Great Rabbits' razor-sharp teeth.
They devoured everything at terrifying speed.
This wasn't hunting—it was pure feeding.
They didn't care about counterattacks.
They didn't care about losses.
This suicidal battle strategy had allowed the Great Rabbits to survive for 400 years, thanks to their grotesque reproductive ability.
"Split" might be more accurate than "breed."
Subaru watched in horror as a Great Rabbit gave birth to a baby right after eating its dead comrade, and within seconds, the baby grew into a new adult.
The self-destruction of the eight Ryuzu clones allowed Subaru and his ragtag team to barely make it back to the now-deserted village.
The bloodied survivors stared as rabbits began crawling out from inside the houses.
"Guess this is the end for me, Gar-bo," said Granny Ryuzu.
"Don't joke around, Granny. Are you telling me to run? I could leave anytime if I wanted—but I won't. I'm the shield of the Sanctuary."
Garfiel's voice came out in broken pieces.
His battle-hardened body was no match for the Great Rabbits' teeth.
Even the healing granted by his Earth Spirit Divine Protection couldn't keep up.
Yet, covered in blood, the boy still smiled.
"Let's show them a thing or two."
Fueled by desperation, or perhaps knowing there was no other option, Subaru and the others shouted in unison to fire themselves up—only to be swallowed by the white wave.
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