Black Smoke.

Subaru looked at Crusch as he spoke. "Knight ready".

Crusch moved as she showed him a spaal kingdom of knights, these were all the knight in Lugunica who came too help, even the newly retired ones where there, behind them were Mage's, as leading them was Roswaal, in a different side was Meili and her Amry of Mabeast as with her was Elsa and Cecilus, as he looked at each of the night were divided, Archery were out as far as possible, then was the Calvary, then in a different side was more magic users.

Subaru then spoke. "If didn't know what is going I would say Lugunica is going to war".

Ferris, standing beside Crusch, let out a sigh. "Honestly, that's not too far from the truth, Subaru. If this goes wrong, we're looking at a war not just against a kingdom, but possibly against something even worse."

Subaru took a deep breath. Yeah, no pressure, right?

Looking at the assembled forces, he couldn't deny that this was one of the largest mobilizations in Lugunica's history. The sheer number of knights, mages, and warriors—even the retired ones—was a testament to how serious the situation was.

Then there was Meili and her army of Mabeasts. Even if some people were still uneasy about working with creatures that had once terrorized villages, no one could deny their usefulness. Cecilus, standing at the front with his ever-present grin, looked more excited than anything else.

Subaru turned toward Roswaal. "Any updates on the Yin magic preparations?"

Roswaal chuckled, his painted face barely hiding his intrigue. "We have prepared as much as possible, buuuuut~ whether it will be enough to deal with this 'Black Smoke' is another question entirely, Subaru-kun."

Subaru clicked his tongue. "Figured as much. We'll just have to adapt on the fly, as usual."

He turned back to the army, his voice cutting through the air.

"Alright, listen up! This isn't just about saving Reinhard and Halibel. If we fail here, it's not just one kingdom at stake—it's everything. So no matter what happens, we will win. We have to."

A wave of agreement swept through the crowd, knights banging their weapons against their shields, mages raising their staffs, and Meili's Mabeasts letting out roars of approval.

Cecilus grinned and placed a hand on Subaru's shoulder. "Now that's the kind of speech I like to hear. So, when do we start this party?"

Subaru exhaled sharply, looking toward the horizon.

"Now."

With that, the army of Lugunica began its march toward the battlefield, where the Black Smoke awaited.

They were going too battle field, as they are making the way too the forest then the ground rumbles.

Felt eyes wident in horror as she recognise it. "Not it can't be".

As then giant Black Smoke like arms came out killing most of there forces as Julius then cut an arm that was going too kill Priscilla. "What the hell, an ambush".

[Daphne then spoke in Subaru head. "Tell everyone too run know"]

Subaru looked at everyone as he Spoken. "Everyone Run".

The battlefield turned into pure chaos. Screams filled the air as the massive black smoke arms tore through the ranks, crushing knights and mages like they were nothing. Blood and magic explosions mixed with the darkness, creating a nightmarish scene.

Julius barely had time to pull Priscilla away as another arm shot toward them, slamming into the ground with enough force to leave a crater. "Damn it, what is this thing?!"

Felt's breathing was ragged, her fists clenched. "It's the—! No, it's worse than what I thought!"

Subaru didn't need to hear more. Daphne's voice had already given him the answer—this wasn't something they could fight head-on. Not yet.

"I said RUN!" Subaru screamed, his voice cracking with urgency.

Cecilus, still grinning, slashed through a black arm with terrifying speed, but his expression quickly soured. "Oh? Now that's a problem. It's regenerating."

And just as he said, the black smoke reformed instantly, twisting and reaching for more victims.

Roswaal's eyes sharpened as he floated above the battlefield, trying to analyze the entity. "Thiiiis is beyond what we expected, Subaru-kun!"

Subaru bit his lip, knowing full well what he had to do.

"Roswaal, take the mages and retreat! Meili, get your Mabeasts out of here! Everyone else, fall back now!"

Priscilla, usually one to scoff at retreating, narrowed her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she grabbed Felt and started running. Julius and Ferris covered the rear, slicing apart any approaching tendrils.

Elsa smirked, but even she knew when to cut her losses. "I'd rather not die here, so I suppose I'll listen for once." She grabbed Meili and dashed off, Meili's beasts following in a frenzy.

But as Subaru turned to run, a massive shadow loomed over him.

A hand. A gigantic hand made of black smoke, descending right toward him.

His mind went blank. He couldn't move.

[Daphne then spoke again, her voice distant. "Return By Death… has been updated."]

CRASH.

Subaru took a deep breath, his body still trembling from the sheer terror of his death. The black smoke's attack replayed in his mind, over and over, like a nightmare on loop.

He looked around—the familiar white void of the Hanging Garden greeted him, the space where he met the Witches each time he died. He turned his gaze toward Daphne, who was lazily swinging her legs in her coffin-like contraption, while Echidna stood nearby, arms crossed.

"The hell was that?!" Subaru snapped, his frustration spilling out. "It didn't just attack me—it went straight for Priscilla too! It wasn't just rampaging, it knew who to go after!"

Echidna sighed, placing a hand on her forehead as she glanced at Daphne. "It looks like Daphne's first creation has become much more intelligent than before."

Daphne giggled, her voice eerily playful. "Hehehe, I only made it to eat, but… looks like it learned over time."

Subaru's stomach twisted. "Wait—so you're telling me that thing wasn't always this smart?"

Daphne tilted her head, as if thinking. "Mmm, it shouldn't be. It was just supposed to consume everything in its path, but maybe… maybe it started to remember things? Hehehe, maybe it remembers you, Subaru~."

Subaru felt a cold sweat forming. "You're saying it knows who I am?"

Echidna's expression turned serious. "If that's true, it means it's actively learning from every encounter. It's no longer just a mindless monster—it's adapting, strategizing."

Subaru clenched his fists. That meant every death, every failed attempt, would only make it stronger. If he messed up again, the next time it wouldn't just ambush them—it might predict their entire plan.

He gritted his teeth. "Then I can't afford to die again."

Typhon's voice chimed in his mind. "Big Brother, you'll have to be really careful this time!"

Minerva, appearing suddenly, stomped her foot. "Idiot! You already died once! You can't just brute-force this! You need a plan!"

Subaru groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, yeah, I know! Damn it… this just got way harder."

Echidna tapped her chin. "Well, I might be able to offer a little help, but… you know the price."

Subaru narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

Echidna smirked. "A front-row seat to your suffering, of course."

Subaru exhaled sharply. "...Fine. Spill."

Echidna's smirk widened. "Then listen carefully, Subaru-kun. Because this time… you're playing against a monster that's just as cunning as you are."

Satella then spoke looking at him. "No, only you and we will remember the death, the black smoke will remember noting, and don't listen too Echidna she might love you, but she also likes too see you suffer".

Few minutes later

[Return By Death Actived]

He was return back in the time when the plan was being made.

Julius exhaled sharply. "We need a strategy that guarantees victory. No unnecessary risks".

Subaru looked at his hand as he made one more mark, as he looked at Felt. "Felt quick question, when you first encounter the Black Smoke with Reinhard in the slum, did it um attacked Reinhard Specifically".

Gareth then spoke as he looked at him. "Yes I remember what happened this morning, when we ran with felt the smoke only covers Reinhard and Halibal, after that it stopped".

Subaru then spoke as he sighed, he needed way to get this information clear with out sounding like he made up. "Which means it a lot smarter then we thought".

Everyone in the room turned to Subaru, their expressions shifting from concern to alarm.

Julius narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Subaru exhaled sharply, trying to piece his thoughts together. "I mean that the Black Smoke isn't just some mindless monster. When Felt and Gareth first encountered it, it specifically went after Reinhard and Halibel. That's not random—it's targeting key figures."

Crusch frowned. "You're suggesting that it's acting with intent? That it knows who to eliminate?"

Subaru crossed his arms. "Think about it. In our last plan—" he paused, correcting himself before slipping up, "—if we charged straight in without a proper strategy, it would have wiped out our forces immediately. It's not just reacting—it's planning."

Priscilla smirked, twirling a strand of hair. "Hoh? A creature of mere smoke, capable of cunning? How delightful. If true, then it means we have an opponent worthy of my presence."

Felt, however, looked uneasy. "Then how the hell do we beat something like that?"

Subaru tapped his fingers against the table. "We rethink everything. We need to bait it. If it has priorities—like going after Reinhard—then we use that against it."

Cecilus, who had been silent, suddenly grinned. "You mean… a decoy?"

Subaru pointed at him. "Bingo. We give it exactly what it wants—or at least, what it thinks it wants."

Julius nodded. "If we could manipulate its focus, it could give our forces a chance to strike at its core—if it has one."

Roswaal, who had been listening quietly, chuckled. "Oho~? An interesting gambit. But are you certain it will take the bait?"

Subaru's expression hardened. "It went after Reinhard first, right? If it sees him again, I'm willing to bet it won't be able to resist."

The same amour of army was made the same formation, the only difference they were going using a different path, as Cecilus, the reason was simple, it took Reinhard and Halibal first and now both of them are missing, the similarity these two has are they are Swordmen and are in top 5 strongest, Ans Cecilus is the 3rd strongest, as then trh ground shake as Cecilus speed out the way as Black Smoke like arms came out

Ding!

[Chance of dying 87%]

Subaru then shouted. "Knew it attack, try and free Reinhard and Halibal".

The battlefield erupted into chaos as the Black Smoke surged forward, its tendrils lashing out like living whips. Cecilus, moving at lightning speed, dodged effortlessly, his sword flashing as he severed one of the tendrils—only for it to reform instantly.

Julius and Crusch directed the knights, repositioning the army to avoid being immediately overwhelmed. Meanwhile, Roswaal unleashed a barrage of high-tier magic, his flames searing the smoke but failing to disperse it entirely.

Subaru gritted his teeth. "It's smart. It's adapting. It already knew Cecilus would be next."

Ding!

[Chance of dying 82%]

Elsa and Meili, leading the Mabeasts, attempted to attack from the flanks, but the Black Smoke shifted, avoiding unnecessary fights.

Felt clenched her fists. "Damn it! It's still focusing on the strongest first! Where the hell is Reinhard and Halibel?!"

Subaru's mind raced. Think, think, think! If it took Reinhard and Halibel, then…

"It's trying to absorb them!" Subaru shouted.

Cecilus, now in mid-air, shouted back. "Then we better cut them loose before they get digested!"

Julius nodded, his sword glowing. "Subaru, can you track them?"

Subaru hesitated—then clenched his fists. "I have a hunch. We need to go inside the smoke."

Crusch's eyes widened. "Are you insane? That thing—"

"—Isn't a mindless beast. It's not killing recklessly. It's targeting." Subaru took a deep breath. "I'll go in. I need a small team. If we can reach Reinhard and Halibel, we might turn this fight around."

Cecilus landed beside him, grinning. "Count me in. If those two are inside, I'll drag them out myself."

Julius sighed. "This is reckless… but necessary. I'm coming too."

Subaru nodded, then turned to Priscilla. "You're a half-Yin mage. You might be able to counter whatever magic is keeping them trapped."

Priscilla smirked, flipping open her fan. "A royal such as myself shouldn't be bothered with rescue missions… but fine, I shall grant you my assistance."

With the plan set, the small team charged toward the heart of the Black Smoke.

Ding!

[Chance of dying 76%]

It was still too high for Subaru's liking.

Subaru was calling for order, as he told Cecilus, Julian and Priscilla too attack the arm, as the archer attack the other side, as he then told Elsa and Meili too attack the flank, as Roswaal, Beatrice and Shaule hit him too keep in distractied, as the main group went inside of the Mabeast then they heard a voice

"YOU ARE THE PROBLEM".

Ding!

[Chances of dying 89%]

Subaru eyes wident as he spoke. "Why did it go up".

As dark spoke like spear went into his body, as the other tryed too help he was then attack by dark spoke like best.

[Return By death actived]

Subaru opend his eyes in the hanging garden as he didn't even scream. "I see".

Satella approached him, concern evident in her voice. "Subaru… are you okay?"

Subaru exhaled slowly, rubbing his face. "Not really, but I'm getting used to it." He sat up, glancing at Echidna. "Alright, spill it. That thing just called me the problem. What the hell does that mean?"

Echidna sipped her tea, her expression unreadable. "It means what it said. To the Black Smoke, you are the biggest threat."

Daphne giggled. "It's funny, right? It's learning~ Every time you restart, it adjusts. Now, it's figured out you're the problem."

Subaru's fists clenched. "So now it's prioritizing me?!"

Sekhmet yawned. "Mmm… not just prioritizing. It knows you always come back. If it removes you… no more resets."

Subaru went silent. His stomach felt like it had dropped into a pit.

Echidna continued, "If the Black Smoke fully understands your nature… Subaru, you may not get another checkpoint."

Ding!

[Warning: Entity is adapting. Risk of True Death increased]

Subaru stood up, his mind racing. "Shit. Okay. New plan. I can't keep brute-forcing this. If it's treating me as the problem, then we need to use that."

Satella placed a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful."

Subaru took a deep breath and nodded. "One more time."

[Return by Death Activated]

—

Subaru woke up back at the planning table, exhaling slowly. Alright, time to gamble.

He turned to the group. "Change of plans. I'm going in alone first."

Everyone immediately protested.

"Subaru, that's suicide!" Julius shouted.

"Are you stupid?!" Felt yelled.

Subaru raised his hand, cutting them off. "Listen. It knows I'm the problem. It's going to focus everything on me. That gives you all the best opening possible."

Roswaal's eyes narrowed. "You're suggesting a distraction."

"Not just a distraction. A setup." Subaru smirked. "While it's busy killing me, you guys figure out what the hell is keeping Reinhard and Halibel inside. We need them. If I buy you time, you get them out."

Crusch folded her arms. "And if you die?"

Subaru looked at as he spoke. "I won't"

To be continued

Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones and enjoy