2

After that bold declaration, the room fell into a tense silence. Felt, the little pickpocket with more fire than fear, raised a skeptical eyebrow. Rom—still looking like the bald, back-alley cousin of Hagrid—shifted his weight beside the counter. I folded my arms and let out a long, theatrical sigh, as though the universe had just handed me a half-solved jigsaw puzzle with coffee stains on it.

Somewhere deep inside me, the part that once vaguely resembled a merchant whimpered and died a little, watching my companion stumble face-first into negotiation like a toddler into traffic.

In a normal shop, sure—ask straight, get an answer, probably still get ripped off, but at least you walk out with something wrapped in a paper bag. This? This was back-alley business with criminals. You never show your cards, not even if your hand's all aces. And the glint in Felt's eyes told me she knew it too.

She placed a hand on her chest—right where I suspected the precious little trinket was nestled.

"How do you know I stole an insignia?" she asked sharply, eyes narrowing. "I doubt the client blabbed, and I only just lifted it. Not the kind of thing you'd overhear by accident."

Ah, the criminal's poker face. Quick on the draw, and quicker to sniff out a setup.

Subaru, ever the embodiment of disaster in slow motion, winced. "That was way too fast, wasn't it? Ugh, I'm so damn careless!"

I resisted the urge to facepalm.

"You really can't negotiate if you fold the moment someone raises an eyebrow," I muttered, loud enough for her but not the entire room to hear. "You crumbled like day-old cake."

Felt blinked, the suspicion slipping slightly from her face. Her curiosity flared again. Oh she heard me? Her hearing range must be big.

"So, you're here to buy it? That's rich. You're not with the woman who made the request, are you? Some rival bidder?"

Subaru scratched her cheek, trying to recover. "I mean… yeah, I guess you could call her that. A rival. But there's a whole mountain of weird in between that word and the truth."

"I don't get it," Felt shrugged. "But honestly? Don't care."

She chuckled dryly, then reached into her clothes with a thief's practiced subtlety and pulled out the object of our delightful little drama.

The insignia. A small, ornate thing with a glowing red gem that pulsed like a heartbeat. It dangled from her fingers as she swung it carelessly, flaunting it like a fishhook baited with trouble.

"I'll sell it to whoever pays best," she said, grinning. "Though that lady might be pissed if I ghost on the deal."

I took a step forward, gently nudging Subaru behind me—gracefully, like one might ease a small dog away from an incoming carriage.

"Okay. Hear me out." My voice was calm, pleasant—almost cheerful.

But the smile didn't quite reach my eyes.

"How about you hand it over… or we beat you to a pulp and take it? No fuss. No drama. Who you gonna complain to, eh? The guards? A royal knight? Come on."

Felt's expression darkened like a cloud swallowing the sun.

"Bastard," she spat, the hostility flashing back into her eyes like lightning. Old Man Rom's grip on his club tightened, the thick veins in his forearm pulsing like warnings.

Me? I reached for a rusty fork lodged in the warped countertop. I didn't raise it like a weapon—no, no. Just held it, like a man choosing cutlery before dinner.

"Whoa—hoah! Absolutely not!" Subaru shoved me back with surprising force. "We are not robbing the thief. If we do that, they'll be the ones on the moral high ground, not us."

I raised an eyebrow, brushing imaginary dust off my coat. "And I'm a firm believer in tit for tat. Call it moral symmetry."

"Not this time." Subaru stepped forward with a sheepish smile. "Forgive my friend—he gets a little too aggressive when negotiations start leaning crooked."

She drew a steadying breath, then fixed her eyes on Felt.

"I'm offering an item worth more than twenty holy gold coins. I'd like to use it to purchase your insignia."

Felt's eyes flicked with interest. "Hmm. That'd certainly pay me back for the trouble… But your rival's offering that much too, you know?"

"Yeah, right," Subaru shot back, too fast. "The deal with that bitch was ten holy gold coins. Too much greed's gonna kill you one of these days, you know? Seriously."

Felt froze mid-smirk, eyes narrowing. "And how exactly do you know that?"

I sighed. Long, drawn-out, and utterly exhausted. Here we go again. She'd done it. Used knowledge she shouldn't have, knowledge from another loop—again. My face met my palm.

With casual flair, I reached out and bonked her lightly on the head.

"Ow—what was that for?!" Subaru snapped.

"That's for breaking your promise," I said dryly, playing a concerned face. Then I turned back toward Felt and Rom, letting out a performative groan. "She swore she'd keep her Divine Protection under wraps."

"Divine… Protection?" the three of them echoed—Subaru in confusion, the other two with the wary tone of people hearing a loaded term.

Even though I did not know about this world, I should thank LN Historian because of his TikTok videos I got a fantastic idea running in my head.

Hopefully that Witch of Envy don't merk me for it.

"Yes, of course. How else do you think she got her hands on something worth twenty holy gold?" I gave a theatrical sigh and rubbed my temples like an overworked tutor explaining magic to a rock.

"Subaru here is blessed with what's known as the Divine Protection of Oracle. The name's a bit on the nose, I know—but yes, it's exactly what it sounds like."

"Bullshit!" Felt slammed her palm on the table. "There's no way this chick sees the future!"

Subaru's expression deflated like a popped balloon. She let out the kind of sigh that said everything is ruined, the cake is a lie, and I've just been nominated for a public execution. Then—

Smack. Smack.

She slapped both her cheeks, snapping the room to attention.

"You want a prophecy?" she growled. "Fine. Here's your prophecy."

She pointed straight at Felt, her voice trembling and furious.

"Your buyer? Her name's Elsa Granhiert. Also known as the Bowel Hunter. In a few moments, she's going to walk through that door. She'll take the insignia. Then she'll chop off our limbs so we can't run. And then—she'll slowly cut open all our bellies, one by one."

The room went deathly still. You could hear the dust motes settle in the silence.

Then—

CRACK!

The door slammed open with a splintering thud.

Subaru's face went pale. She shook like a leaf in a typhoon, then threw herself into my arms.

"We're going to die!" she wailed. "She's going to kill us! Oh my god, we're going to die!"

"—Kill you?" came a cool, annoyed voice. "I wouldn't do something that drastic… without warning."

Everyone froze again.

But the woman who stepped in wasn't Elsa.

She had silver hair like moonlight and a sour expression like someone had just stepped on her favorite cat. Dressed in white and purple, regal and cold.

It was the half elf we were looking for.

"Thank goodness you're here… You're not getting away this time."

Felt wordlessly backed away at the sight of the silver-haired girl—the Half Elf.

Felt had a mortified expression as she retreated, and her lips warped in annoyance.

"You really are a stubborn woman."

"You're quite impertinent for a thief. I won't hurt you if you hand it over quietly," the Half Elf replied coldly.

While Felt seemed to be grinding her teeth, the Half Elf's voice sent a chill through the room. The temperature dropped. I could feel it. Literally.

My Aura instinctively flared before settling back down.

"Oh, you must be the half-elf who helped Plum," I called out, trying to ease the tension while Subaru froze like a statue beside me. Strange—wasn't this the girl she'd been looking for?

"How do you know Plum?" the Half Elf asked, her eyes never leaving Felt.

"I saw you when you returned him to Kadomon. We were actually searching for you too—my friend here knew you'd been robbed and wanted to help," I said plainly, relaxing my posture while everyone else tensed like bowstrings.

"The boy's not lying… but that girl behind him is super nervous," said the floating grey cat, now hovering near Subaru and me.

"Hello! Never seen a real talking cat before—it's an honor," I said with a wave, genuinely impressed. This place had no shortage of surprises.

"Enough chit-chat."

Felt had already crossed the center of the room, steadily backing away toward the rear. The Half Elf smoothly blocked the path to the door and raised her hand toward all of us.

Magic began to form in her palm. The air crackled faintly, ice particles swirling as the room grew colder by the second.

Even the shadows on the floor seemed to stretch away from her as the temperature dropped. Her magic wasn't just ice—it was presence. Weight.

"I have but one demand. Return my insignia. It's important to me."

Six icicles floated in the air. Their tips weren't sharp—they were blunt and heavy, like frozen clubs rather than spears. If one of those hit directly, it would be like getting struck with a sledgehammer of pure frost.

I glanced at them, assessing the threat. More lethal than bullets? My Aura could tank bullets… but this?

I grabbed Subaru and once again pulled her behind me.

"…Old man," Felt called out quietly.

"I can't move. You picked up something troublesome, and now someone even more troublesome has come after it, Felt," Rom muttered.

He clutched his club—but his arm trembled. His grip shifted, tightening and loosening like a man weighing his chances and not liking the answer.

"The fight hasn't even started and you're giving up?" the thief barked.

"I wouldn't back down if she were just some mage," Rom answered calmly. "But this one's… trouble."

His grey eyes narrowed, locked onto the icicles—and the girl who conjured them.

There was caution in that stare. And something else.

Reverence. The elves were mythical or the very least respected here it seems if going by old man's reactions.

"These kids were right, Felt. You really did steal from someone important. Someone who could call the Royal Guard with a snap of her fingers. You really can see the future…"

"What do you mean, see the future?" the Half Elf asked, brows furrowed in confusion.

"The future where we all die if we don't move fast," I said grimly. "The person who hired the thief? She's no ordinary client—she's a very dangerous assassin."

Just as Subaru turned to glance at the door—

A shadow crept up behind the Half Elf like spilled ink. Silent. Hungry.

"Puck! Block it!" Subaru screamed, her voice breaking.

A silver glint surged toward the girl's throat—

Crack.

The blade was stopped cold, slamming into a sudden magic circle that shielded her neck.

"Puck…" she breathed.

"That truly was by a hair's breadth," the spirit replied, peeking from her hair and humming with pride.

He floated out like a lazy wisp of fog, his expression smug but alert, scanning the shadows as if this sort of assassination attempt was just another Tuesday.

"Right in the nick of time. You saved us," he said, glancing at Subaru.

"A girl who can see the future. A thief. A boy with a fork. A giant. And a spirit," said a new voice, smooth as silk but with venom in the undertone. "You're a spirit, yes? Fufufu… Wonderful. I've never killed a spirit before."

The beautiful black-haired woman stepped into the room, curving like water around furniture. In each hand, a kukri gleamed—wicked and curved.

"I want that," I whispered. "That's my national weapon."

"Hey, what's this about?!" Felt snapped, stepping forward.

She pointed at Elsa and pulled the insignia from her bosom.

"I thought your job was to buy the insignia. Turning this place into a slaughterhouse wasn't part of the deal!"

"Purchasing the insignia was my job," Elsa replied smoothly. "But now that the rightful owner's here, negotiations are off."

Felt's cheeks flushed with rage—but Elsa's cold smile drained the fight right out of her.

"I'll massacre everyone in here, then collect the insignia at my leisure," the Bowel Hunter said with a soft, motherly lilt—as if she were offering bedtime milk, not murder.

Her eyes never blinked. Her expression never shifted. That smile was carved from bone.

"You couldn't do your job properly," she added with a tilt of her head. "It's only natural you'd be cast aside."

"—!"

Felt winced—not from fear, but something deeper. Betrayal. Humiliation.

Her head snapped toward Subaru. "Holy shit. You're Oracle."

"Yeah. Like I said—we're all gonna die," Subaru muttered. "So glad I could prove it."

Strangely enough, Subaru looked Elsa dead in the face—and glared.

"Is it really that fun to pick on little girls?! You damned bowel-loving sadist!! And what the hell was with that dramatic timing?! Were you just waiting outside for your cue or what?! I was starting to think things might go smoothly—and then bam! You jump in like a boss fight cutscene! You're terrifying! I didn't even want to meet you again! Just how many horribly painful, cry-yourself-to-sleep memories do you think you've given me?! If I had a coin for every time I got sliced up by your damn knife, I'd be a millionaire! …Okay, slight exaggeration!"

Elsa blinked, then smiled slowly—like a cat watching a mouse that had finally learned to squeak.

"…What are you saying? Did you see a future where I tore open your skin? Was it… exciting for you, as it was for me?" She licked her lips. "Now that you've shared your prophecy, I feel oddly compelled to make it come true."

She laughed—slow and breathy, as though intoxicated by the scent of Subaru's fear.

"Grrr…" Subaru growled, then spun to face me. "Winter! Bring out that fire sword of yours—we're stabbing this bitch!"

"…What fire sword?" I blinked at her. Completely serious. Like, genuinely—what the hell is she talking about?

"The one you got from your Gacha! Don't play dumb!" she snapped, zero sarcasm in her voice.

"Subaru, I don't have a magic fire sword!" I hissed back. "Why do you think I'm clinging to a fork like it's Excalibur?!"

Did I pull some legendary weapon from the Celestial Grimoire and forget? No—just Aura and Mirror Alice. There was definitely no flaming katana in my inventory.

Our frantic bickering echoed in the tense room like we were in the middle of a comedy skit—which, judging by everyone else's blank stares, was basically what it looked like.

Elsa, of all people, actually let out a soft sigh. Of exasperation. Which somehow made her even scarier.

"…Stalling complete! Do it, Puck!!" Subaru suddenly yelled.

"That was magnificently awkward," replied a cool, aloof voice. "Guess I'd better live up to your expectations."

The air snapped. Ice shimmered.

As Subaru stomped her foot, Puck responded—and Elsa instinctively looked up.

Sharp icicles had appeared—surrounding her from every direction. Not six. Not ten.

More than twenty.

The air turned sharp with frost. The room felt like it had dropped ten degrees in a breath.

"Seems I haven't even introduced myself, young lady," Puck said, voice laced with a chilling calm. "My name is Puck.―Remember that name in the afterlife."

Then, with a single motion—

Elsa was engulfed in a blizzard of razor-sharp ice.

The icicles crisscrossed mercilessly, filling the room with white mist and wrapping the black-cloaked figure in freezing wind.

So that's the power of a spirit… Damn. That's some scary shit.

There were about twenty icicles—each one a lethal spear. If even one landed, it'd mean certain death. But—

"Is she finished?!" asked the man who looked like Hagrid's long-lost cousin—Old Man Rom.

"Right, there's a bad flag—!!" Subaru ducked instinctively, shouting.

Even though we'd all managed to shut up for once, the bald Hagrid just had to say something at the worst possible time.

And like fate had been waiting for the cue—

"―I was prepared, you see. I quite dislike its weight, but it was the right decision to wear it."

Cutting through the white smoke, Elsa emerged—alive, unbothered, and terrifying. Her black hair danced behind her as she moved.

She brandished her kukri knife and advanced with terrifying grace. Not a scratch on her. The only change was her missing cloak—underneath, she wore the tight black outfit we'd seen before. She looked like she'd just finished a warm-up stretch, not survived a murder-blizzard.

"Don't tell me it's that thing where you take off weighted clothes and suddenly move faster?!" Subaru shouted.

"It's Isekai logic, not Dragon Ball Z," I muttered beside her.

Elsa chuckled softly. "That would be fun. But no—my cloak had a spell woven into it. One-time magic nullification. Looks like it just saved my life."

She explained it like she was sharing fashion tips. Then, without missing a beat, she dropped into a low stance and lunged—kukri gleaming.

Her target: Emilia. And Puck, who had just unleashed that frozen hellstorm.

The blade's path was true—aimed straight for Emilia's heart.

I was about to react, raise Aura to block—but before I could move,

"You'd do well not to underestimate a user of the spirit arts," came Puck's voice. Cold. Confident. "We're rather frightening when you make enemies of us."

A multilayered wall of ice bloomed instantly, stopping Elsa's strike dead.

"That's so cool," Subaru and I muttered in unison.

More icicles burst forth in response, this time smaller but faster, piercing the ground where Elsa had been an instant before.

Puck hovered near Emilia's silver hair, waving his paws like he was conducting a symphony of death.

"They're splitting offense and defense—it's two-on-one." I noted, watching the rhythm unfold.

"That's what makes spirit users dangerous," Rom muttered beside us, voice low. "One handles the offense while the other covers defense. Switch 'em up as needed. Some stall while others prep powerful attacks… It's why they say on the battlefield—'If you meet a spirit user, drop your weapon and run.'"

Subaru nodded slowly, her admiration showing. "So basically, in a one-on-one? You're screwed."

"By the way," she added, glancing at Rom, "what are you planning to do, old man?"

"I'll look for an opening to help the elf girl. She seems more reasonable than the other one."

"Waitwaitwaitwaitwait! Don't even think about it!" Subaru panicked. "You'd just get your right arm and throat ripped open if you go in! Stay back!"

Rom flinched—clutching his neck and arm like he'd just been preemptively attacked in another dimension.

"Don't be that specific!" he groaned. "But… I shall wisely heed the Oracle's warning, milady."

Was that a bit of admiration in his voice?

"Oh, now you respect me?" Subaru huffed.

But even with the odds against her—even stripped of her magic cloak—Elsa's movements had transcended common sense.

She twisted her body like a serpent, crawled along the floor with eerie grace, even ran along the walls at times. If none of those worked, she'd strike the ice itself—shattering it with precise, brutal cuts.

She didn't need quantity. She had quality—and her blade danced like a predator.

"You handle yourself well… for a girl," Puck muttered, eyes narrowed.

"Hey, that sounded sexist as hell," Subaru snapped.

Even Puck seemed grudgingly impressed by Elsa's god-tier combat instinct.

Hearing the compliment, Elsa smiled brightly—even in the middle of the chaos.

"Oh my… It's been a while since anyone called me a 'girl,'" she said, voice tinged with nostalgia.

"Most of my opponents might as well be babies to me. But you? You're so strong it's almost… pitiful."

"It's quite the honor to be praised by a spirit," Elsa replied. Genuinely flattered, she swung her blade in a wide arc—scattering the ice around her like snow.

"At this rate, won't they run out of MP and lose?" Subaru asked, picturing a reversal of offense and defense. A long fight would definitely tilt things against them.

"She means Magical Energy," I added automatically for Felt and Rom.

But Rom just shook his head.

"No need to worry about Lady Oracle — and even less about a spirit user running out of mana in battle."

"No need to worry…?" Felt tilted her head, frowning.

"Unlike magicians, spirit users don't rely on the mana inside them. They draw power from the world around them. As long as mana flows through the air, the land, the very atmosphere… a spirit user doesn't run dry."

"Sage Mode," I muttered, nodding. "That's some Naruto-tier efficiency. Infinite juice."

Rom gave me a confused side-eye but rolled with it. "However," he continued, "a spirit's time in the corporeal world is limited. Once it vanishes, the situation can change in an instant."

And then, as if the gods cued it perfectly, Subaru clutched her head like the sky had fallen.

"Crap, that's right… It's almost five, isn't it?!"

"Why? What happens at five?" I asked, already not liking the answer.

"Something bad. Very bad. Look at Puck," she replied grimly.

"Ahh, this is bad. I'm getting drowsy. Actually, I was fighting in my sleep just now," said the tiny cat-spirit, yawning like a fuzzy menace.

"Puck! Get it together!" Subaru yelled.

"…Hah! I'm up! I'm awake! I'm definitely not sleeping!"

Dude sounded exactly like me trying to convince my mom I hadn't hit the snooze button four times already. Classic.

Puck's ears drooped as he swayed. Emilia, with him resting on her shoulder, visibly tensed up.

Elsa, still bloodied but smiling like a kid on Christmas morning, pouted at the sight.

"Just when it was getting good. And now you're not even paying attention… how cold."

"That's the problem with being a popular guy." Puck winked at her. "The ladies just won't let you sleep. But staying up too late is terrible for your skin, you know?"

…Okay. I'll say it. Cat's got game.

Then Elsa bent her knees to leap.

Anticipating it, Puck smirked and spoke softly,

"How about we put an end to this? You must be tired of the same old tricks by now."

"―My leg."

Suddenly, Elsa stumbled — her balance completely off. She caught herself with her hands just before she hit the ground.

We all blinked in disbelief. Elsa, the walking murder machine, had just tripped.

Her right foot was frozen to the floor.

Tiny shards of ice, accumulated over time, had formed a subtle trap. A hunter's patience.

"I wasn't firing randomly, you know," Puck said, a sly grin on his feline face.

"…So you've caught me, is that it?" Elsa's tone dipped into amused surrender.

"Call it the difference in experience," Puck replied. "Take a nap. You've earned it. Good night."

Puck's tiny form suddenly began radiating power. He lifted his arms, striking a ridiculous but somehow badass pose.

Then came the light.

Pure, devastating mana. Not ice, not snow—just raw force. Bluish-white and blinding, it exploded through the room like the wrath of winter incarnate.

"That's Kamehameha!" Subaru and I screamed in sync, cheeks squished together, fangirling like idiots.

The energy swept across the loot house, slamming into the walls and vaporizing the cheap wooden door. Everything inside — crates, chairs, even the counter — was frozen solid in an instant.

If anyone had been caught in that blast, they'd be nothing but a popsicle.

But…

"You're kidding me…" Felt whispered.

"I'm afraid not," Elsa chuckled, breathless. "Splendid. I thought I was going to die."

She should have. But there she stood — barefoot and bleeding.

Blood pooled beneath her, steam rising where it met frozen floor.

Her right foot was sliced clean across the sole. She had cut herself free.

"I almost took off the whole foot," she said cheerfully. "Bit of a rush job."

Puck, fading, sounded almost impressed. "Even so, that has to hurt."

"Oh, it does. Wonderfully so. I feel alive."

And then — because she was an unhinged goddess of death — Elsa pressed her bleeding foot against a chunk of ice, searing the wound shut with a crack and a moan that made everyone in the room flinch.

The ice shoe scraped as she tested her weight, grinning ear to ear.

She didn't even flinch.

"This should do. A little stiff, but serviceable."

Yeah. She was completely nuts. Gorgeous, deadly, and nuts.

"Puck, can you keep going?" Emilia asked softly.

"Sorry. I'm really sleepy now. I underestimated her. Used too much mana. I'm out."

For the first time, the proud cat's voice wavered.

He shimmered faintly, body breaking into motes of light.

"I'll manage," Emilia said. "Thank you."

"If you're in danger… call me. I'll come. Even if I have to wring the last drop of your Od to get there."

Moved by her voice, Puck faded. Gone.

A moment of silence. No one celebrated.

And yet…Every single person in that room lamented his retreat, but the one who was most disappointed was,

"―Aah, he's gone. How terribly unfortunate." Elsa sighed.

She raised her blade, ice crackling under her feet, and advanced again.

Time for standby mode to end. If I didn't step in now, Subaru's prediction or her last loop might come true.

"Okay, that's enough."

I pushed the Aura out. Golden light flickered across my body—the familiar sensation hitting like an adrenaline-fueled massage. Muscles relaxed yet ready. Time slowed to a crawl, then snapped back to speed as my senses sharpened.

In that one beat, I snatched the insignia from Felt and vaulted onto the table.

"Hey, you thief!" Felt shouted.

"You don't have any right to say that to others," Subaru shot back, then glanced at me.

"Hey Elsa! You looking for this?" I called out, twirling the insignia between my fingers like a coin in a bet with Death.

"Oh… are you going to give it to me like a good boy?" Elsa cooed, voice dipped in silk and bloodlust.

"No! Don't give it to her or you'll be a very bad boy!" Emilia snapped. At least now they'd stopped trying to kill each other and were all looking at me.

"Winter, don't do something stupid," Subaru muttered. "This was going good for once—well, except for the fire sword."

"Oh, I'm not gonna be a good boy… nor a bad boy." I grinned, heart pounding. "I'm going to be something much, much worse."

I tossed the insignia high. Everyone's breath hitched.

Then I jumped—midair somersault—and chomped it out of the air, landing beside Emilia with a loud, smug gulp.

Everyone stared at me like I'd just eaten a nuclear warhead.

"Now it's really in my belly. Looks like mission failed, Elss," I smirked, brain already cooking up a ridiculously dangerous plan.

"Not quite…" Elsa purred. "I'm the Bowel Hunter, after all. And what a wonderful present—you've given me both my prizes at once." Her voice dripped arousal as she moaned and lunged.

She was a blur. Skipping past Emilia, kukri glinting, headed straight for my stomach.

Even with my Aura, I could barely track her. I knew, no matter what—attack, block, dodge, crouch, backstep—I'd end up spilling guts on the floor.

So I did the only thing left.

"Mirror Alice!"

A rip in space cracked open between me and Elsa. From the ripple, another Elsa burst through, mirroring her exact strike—but with double the force.

The doppelganger vanished in a flash—but not before her attack collided with the original.

A sharp, wet crunch.

Real Elsa's chest caved in under the blow. Blood geysered as she flew back into the cupboard, hitting it so hard the entire thing collapsed. The ruined wood and broken shelves crashed down on top of her with a sickening crunch.

"That's the problem with obsessed people." I grinned. "They don't stop to ask why I'm handing over their prize on a silver plate. Works every time."

"HOLY SHIT! What kind of magic was that?!" Felt shrieked.

"You could've done that the whole time?" Subaru gawked.

"I'm really glad I didn't attack earlier, kid…" Rom muttered, visibly shaken, eyeing the pool of blood soaking the rubble.

"You really shouldn't have," I nodded. "I can reflect any attack with double the damage. Would've crushed your own skull like a tomato."

"Thanks for the image, kid. Don't know what a tomato is, though." Rom shuddered.

"You—!" Emilia stormed over and yanked my ear. Hard. I swear I saw stars.

"I NEED that insignia, you nincompoop! Get it back—vomit it out right now!"

Owie. My poor ears. Why am I crying? I'm a grown-ass man.

"Blergh!" I opened my mouth and spat it out.

"I didn't swallow," I said tearfully. Aura prevents damage, sure, but doesn't numb pain. And constant pain—like your ear being pulled like it owes someone money? Still very real.

"Oh gods, I didn't mean to make you cry!" Emilia panicked, waving her hands like she could shoo the tears away.

At least she wasn't hostile anymore.

"Okay, this time it ends well, that's all well… for sure," Subaru said, visibly relieved, eyes looking ten years younger.

"Here." Subaru wiped the drool (ew) off the insignia and handed it to Emilia, who cradled it to her chest like a lost puppy.

"Thank you so much. You can't imagine what this means to me."

"Guys, not to ruin the moment but…" Felt pointed at the rubble. It was vibrating.

"Oh no. She's not down," Subaru barked, dragging both me and Emilia backward.

"She's still alive after all that?! What the hell is she made of?!" Felt cursed, visibly freaked.

"Felt, you're the fastest. Run to the city—find the redheaded knight. He'll believe you, and he will help," Subaru ordered, deadly serious.

"Fuck no! You really expect me to just run away?!"

Felt's red eyes locked with her, angry and defiant.

"That's exactly right. Turn around, tuck your tail in, and run. Hell, that's what I want to do!" Subaru barked, getting in her face. "This place is a violent hellscape, and I don't wanna stay in it a second longer than I have to."

She patted her blonde head, then took a breath.

"But you're fifteen. I'm eighteen. That makes me the adult. So we go with the plan that gives you the best chance to survive. Obviously."

"W-What are you even— Don't screw around, you were shaking like a leaf five minutes ago!" Felt snapped.

"Yeah, and now I'm not! That was then, this is now! I've got about five seconds of courage left before I piss myself, so run already!"

I grinned and joined in. "If it helps, I'm also stronger than I look. I did more damage than Puck—no offense—and she's already too injured. It's gonna be a one-sided beatdown. Trust me. Just go."

Suddenly the rubble exploded, chunks of wood flying as Elsa barreled out with an unhinged laugh. Bloodied. Limping. Eyes manic. But still very much standing.

"Now! GO, FELT!!" Rom roared, swinging his club at her.

Elsa barely dodged.

"―!!"

Jolted by the shout, Felt rocketed forward, riding the wind itself. She hit top speed in a single step, blurring past shattered ice and rubble toward the entrance.

"You think I'll let her?!" Elsa hissed, chucking a knife from point-blank range.

"Oh no you don't." I stepped in the way, letting the kukri strike my chest. Aura flickered—took the hit. Not lethal.

"It's mine now!" I shouted, whipping the aura-touched fork at her like a goddamn shuriken. It flew like a comet and stabbed her right in the foot.

She screamed.

Wait—moaned.

…Fuck.

"You're already injured, and there's three of us now. Just give up," Subaru said, somehow finding a rusty-ass sword from somewhere. She pointed it at Elsa, firm.

"Looks like all those cringey bamboo sword days are about to pay off," she muttered.

Elsa didn't reply. Just laughed—long, hard, and absolutely fucking deranged.

Like this was the funniest joke in the world.

Roll: None.

Started legend of Subaru the Oracle + 100CP

Seriously injured Elsa +200CP

Secured the Insignia +100CP

TOTAL: 700CP.