Within the Loops

Subaru opened his eyes again and felt the familiar stone floor beneath him.

It was cold. Hard. Real.

His breath was ragged, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

His heart pounded with the echoes of the nightmare he'd just witnessed.

"If I had reached out… maybe…"

His own whisper reverberated in his mind.

Emilia's lifeless body, Puck's tearless rage, and the world…

sealed in ice.

But in this loop— this would not be the end.

He stood up.

His knees trembled, but his eyes were steady.

"No matter what… I have to defeat you."

[1st Loop]

Rom's hideout was once again thick with tension.

Elsa glided through the shadows—her eyes full of death, her body like a dancing dagger.

Subaru knew what would happen, step by step.

But this time…

just protecting Emilia wouldn't be enough. Elsa had to be stopped.

[Mana Blade – Active]Subaru's daggers glowed with a blue pulse.

As the mana vibration spread, Elsa's gaze snapped toward him.

"This time," he said, his voice calm but trembling beneath the surface.

Elsa grinned.

The same madness in her eyes.

Feral. Vile. Beautiful.

And then she lunged.

Blades clashed.

Elsa's attacks were even fiercer than in previous loops.

Subaru deflected a few strikes, but—

A slash.

A stab.

A mistake.

Subaru's defense crumbled.

Elsa's dagger plunged into his abdomen.

Then—

She aimed for his heart.

"Was that all?"

Elsa sighed as she admired her bloodstained blade.

Subaru, drowning in pain, made his final decision.

He channeled all his mana into his dagger.

Uncontrolled energy erupted into an explosion.

The mana surging from his chest shook the surroundings.

And Subaru's eyes…

went dark.

[Return by Death: Active]

[2nd Loop]

Back to the beginning again.

Subaru was almost getting used to it.

But…

the pain never changed.

The weight in his heart only grew heavier each time.

This time, he took precautions.

He warned Rom early.

He gave Emilia time to prepare her magic.

By the time Elsa arrived… everyone was ready.

The battle began.

But this time, it was organized.

Subaru's movements were sharper.

His daggers, deadlier.

Himself, angrier.

[Mana Blade: 28%]

[Advanced Dagger Technique: 16%]

When the screens appeared, Subaru's chest burned with hope.

But Elsa still…

danced between steel and sorcery.

One strike.

One misstep.

His foot slipped.

The rotten wooden floor betrayed him.

Elsa didn't miss the opening.

She targeted Emilia.

"EMILIA!!"

Subaru screamed.

But now…

it was too late.

"Tch… Next time."

He didn't wait any longer.

He drove his dagger into his own heart.

[Return by Death: Active]

[3rd Loop]

This time, Subaru acted smarter.

He hid Emilia behind the shadows.

Only Subaru and Rom were visible in the room.

When Elsa stepped inside, all that greeted her was a trap.

The plan was in motion.

Subaru attacked.

Rom swung his axe.

This time…

Even Elsa began to struggle.

And finally—

Subaru managed to land a cut.

A tiny scratch.

On Elsa's face.

And in that moment…

Elsa laughed.

Her eyes gleamed as she wiped the blood with her finger.

"First blood…

How sweet."

Then… she vanished.

Like a shadow.

Like death itself.

Subaru felt her breath behind him.

Cold metal pressed against his back. His breath caught.

He couldn't even utter a word.

[Return by Death: Active]

[4th Loop – Strategic Alliance]

This time, Subaru thought differently.

He couldn't fight alone.

He brought Felt into the plan.

Her agility might be the one thing he needed against Elsa's dance of death.

The plan was clear.

Subaru would distract from the front; Felt would strike from the shadows.

Elsa's blind spot—no matter how narrow—had to leave an opening.

And the moment came.

While Subaru's blades kept Elsa occupied, Felt moved in with her dagger.

For just an instant—

Victory seemed within reach.

But Elsa…

Without hesitation, she twisted her dagger.

A single motion—swift as a whisper.

Felt's leg was slashed open.

Blood spilled onto the floor.

"NO!"

Subaru screamed.

The fury inside him snapped.

He swung his daggers wildly, attacking, roaring.

But Elsa used his reckless rage against him.

One counterattack…

ripped through Subaru's chest.

[Return by Death: Active]

[5th Loop]

This loop… ended much faster.

The moment Subaru stepped into the tavern, his eyes darted straight to the shadows.

He scanned every possible hiding spot—every place Elsa could lurk.

A flicker above him—

A tremor in the darkness.

Before he could even draw his dagger…

"You… are interesting."

A whisper brushed his ear.

Then… A cold sensation.

And darkness.

[Return by Death: Active]

[8th Loop ]

Elsa was… slightly puzzled.

Because Subaru's eyes held something new.

Familiarity.

With pain.

With death.

With starting over.

In this loop, Subaru's dagger grazed Elsa's wrist.

Her right hand trembled—just slightly.

[Mana Blade: 29%]

[Advanced Dagger Technique: 21%]

Elsa didn't hesitate.

She gripped her own blade between her teeth.

And struck.

Subaru… hadn't foreseen this.

Cold steel pierced his gut once more.

And the world… faded to black.

[Return by Death: Active]

[12th Loop]

This time, Subaru spoke less.

His hands, not his tongue, would do the talking.

The fury still burned in his eyes—but it was no longer scattered...

now a weapon locked onto its target.

He was ready for Elsa's lethal grace.

[Mana Blade: 47%]

[Advanced Dagger Technique: 26%]

His movements had sharpened.

Not defense… but converted offense.

With every strike, Elsa's rhythm fractured.

For the first time, a flicker of unease crossed her gaze.

And then came the moment—

Elsa retreated.

"A first…" she whispered.

"To face prey that truly threatens me."

A spark flared in Subaru's eyes.

As mana surged through his veins, his hand tightened around his dagger.

At his fingertips… he felt something new.

Not the blade recognizing him, nor him recognizing the blade—

but the two recognizing each other.

[Mana Surge – Trigger Detected]

→ New Skill Unlocked: Phantom Edge (Passive)

→ Effect: Repeated deaths against the same foe have honed reflexive adaptation.

Subaru's dagger… was no longer just metal.

It had become instinct.

It shifted course before clashing with Elsa's blade.

Like a shadow…

Like a phantom strike.

Leaving no trace, yet tracing her.

Elsa couldn't deflect it.

A gash on her chest.

Real.

Blood.

And Subaru…

had finally drawn blood.

But he didn't stop.

He'd caught the scent of victory.

As Elsa fell back, Subaru pressed forward.

Rom supported from behind with his axe.

Emilia's magic was primed—shards of ice orbiting her, ready to strike.

Even Felt lunged in.

"Let's tear this witch apart!" she roared.

No fear left in her voice—only fury and resolve.

Elsa, for the first time…

fled.

She threw herself through the window.

Vanished into the shadows.

Subaru staggered, drunk on triumph.

Collapsed to his knees.

His chest heaved.

Breath tangled in his throat.

"This time… did she… really run…?"

His hands still trembled.

But inside, a small bud of hope had sprouted.

Then—

Cold steel kissed his throat.

His eyes widened.

A whisper… seeped from the darkness behind him:

"Did you think I'd let you have the finale?"

Elsa had returned.

From the black.

Silent.

Flawless.

A single strike to his neck.

No scream. No defense.

Just cold.

Just silence.

And dark.

[Return by Death: Active]

[14th Loop]

Subaru paused just before entering the tavern.

He raised his hand slightly, scanning the translucent screen that materialized before him.

Cold blue light washed over his face.

The information was achingly familiar—yet somehow foreign.

Natsuki Subaru

Age: 17

Titles:

• From Another World (Active)

• ???

Current Soul coins: 13

Authorities:

-Return by Death (Passive)

Subaru returns to the last checkpoint upon death; memories are retained.

Limitations:

• Cannot revert if specific losses occurred at the previous checkpoint

• Checkpoint cannot be manually altered

• Subaru cannot speak of this Authority; attempting to do so triggers the "Witch's Hand" to interfere with his heart

-Resonance by Death (Passive)

Upon death, Subaru copies a fragment of an ability from the entity that killed him.

Limitations:

• Repeated deaths by the same entity increase the copied ability's synchronization rate

• Each ability has an upper limit; exceeding it causes side effects

• Copied abilities may not be fully compatible with Subaru's mind or body, leading to control issues

Skills:

Name: Advanced Dagger Technique

Type: Passive Ability

Current Sync Rate: 35%

Effects:

— Instinctive mastery of dagger combat

— Reflex enhancement

— Potential to evolve sub-techniques

Name: Mana Blade

Type: Active skill

Current Sync Rate: 55%

Effects:

— Coats daggers in mana, increasing sharpness

— Can pierce enemy defenses

— Enhances dagger durability and mana conductivity

— Mana efficiency improves with proficiency

— Critical damage potential scales with mana output

Name: Phantom Edge

Type: Passive Skill

Current Sync Rate: 10%

→ Can preemptively sense enemy openings during weak moments

Gate: Active

Primary Affinity: Yin (Dark Element)

Soul Compatibility: 80%

Current Weapon: Twin Daggers

Main Quest:

Meet Emilia and become her knight, just as before.

Quest Reward: A weapon of choice from the shop

+10 Soul Coins

Subaru stood frozen before the screen.

The shimmering light held him in a trance, his inner voice eerily silent.

He'd lost count of how many times he'd died.

How many times he'd burned, broken, collapsed.

Yet here he still stood.

Still making choices.

Slowly, he reached toward the screen.

"With the 10 Soul coins I've earned from my deaths...

I want to upgrade Advanced Dagger Technique."

[Ding!]

[Advanced Dagger Technique] +50%

Current Sync Rate: 85%

Subaru narrowed his eyes at the numbers.

A mental note clicked into place.

"So each coin grants a 5% increase..."

The math was simple.

But the weight behind it—that was something else entirely.

He took a deep breath.

Tightened his grip.

Closed his eyes.

Elsa's dagger. Emilia's falling body. His own choked scream.

All of them had been converted into Sigils.

"I'll invest all remaining coins... into Phantom Edge."

[Ding!!]

[Phantom Edge] +15%

Current Sync Rate: 25%

The screen dimmed.

Data solidified.

The cold light faded.

But the heaviness in Subaru's chest remained.

"I need to be sharper..."

"I need to feel it.

Understand it.

Sense death before it takes me."

He turned toward the tavern door.

One final exhale before his hand touched the knocker—

Emilia, who'd been watching Subaru's silent deliberation, tilted her head.

"Subaru? Aren't we going in?"

A beat of silence.

His gaze lingered on the worn wood of the door.

"Yeah… this loop ends here."

His voice was quiet. Absolute.

He believed it.

The door creaked open.

Everything unfolded just like the first loop—

but Subaru was different now.

His instincts screamed that Elsa was already inside.

Maybe lurking by the door... or worse, woven into the shadows. 

Then, without warning, she stepped forward.

The others hadn't even noticed her.

Yet Subaru felt her presence in his marrow.

"Eavesdropping is rude, Elsa."

At his words, everyone turned to face the newcomer.

Emilia, Rom, and Felt saw her for the first time.

Subaru smirked.

But there was no comfort in it.

"Felt, your client's here. Shall we start the auction?"

Elsa took a single step—then slid into the chair beside Subaru.

This time, she didn't smile.

"I don't know you.

Yet you seem to know me very well."

Subaru met her gaze.

Cold.

Open.

Familiar with killing.

"Well enough... Bowel Hunter Elsa."

Elsa stood.

In one motion, her daggers appeared—a dance of fingers heralding death.

"You know too much.

Which means... I'll have to remove all of you."

Her bloodlust wasn't just words now. It was substance.

Subaru moved too.

Drew his twin daggers.

he turned to Emilia.

"Tella, back me up with ice magic from behind!"

Emilia was already ready.

Spells trembled at her fingertips.

Rom gripped his axe.

Felt pulled a short blade from her pocket.

A heartbeat of silence—

Then battle erupted.

Subaru locked eyes with Elsa.

Flooded his body with mana.

Something stirred inside him.

Not fear.

Preparation.

Elsa's daggers glowed violet.

Subaru's gut twisted.

"She's using mana now... This loop just got serious."

He struck first.

Twin blades flashing.

[Mana Blade – Active]

Every step echoed a death he'd suffered.

Every move, the fruit of memory.

First strike: Elsa blocked.

Second strike: a deep gash split her left arm.

Blood sprayed.

Elsa frowned.

"So you're no ordinary prey..."

Subaru didn't answer.

Attacked again. Elsa countered.

Daggers clashed. Sparks flew.

Clang! Clang!

Subaru's breath grew ragged.

Each blow drove him back—

but he didn't stop.

A slash bit his right shoulder.

A stab grazed his thigh.

He kneeled.

Blood soaked his pants.

Pain seared his vision.

He stood.

"Not done yet!"

He flooded his body with mana.

Pushed to the brink.

And then—

"Now.

Focus.

You will feel it."

[Forced Upgrade Detected]

→ Ability Evolution: Phantom Edge → Phantom Drift (Passive)

→ Effect Unlocked: Can now anticipate enemy reflexes during vulnerable moments.

He felt Elsa's intent to retreat before she moved.

His dagger lashed out.

Not at empty air—

at where she'd be.

Swish!

The blade carved deep into Elsa's abdomen.

She leaped back.

Breath uneven.

Blood trickled from her lips.

"So you really... can hurt me."

But Subaru was spent.

Vision blurring. Knees shaking.

Body at its limit.

Elsa went still.

Her eyes flicked to the window behind Subaru.

She smiled.

That mocking smile.

"This isn't a battle anymore...

It feels like a game. And I... love games."

She lunged for the window.

Rom swung his axe—but Elsa twisted midair, evading.

Then—

"Drop the dagger, Bowel Hunter."

A voice, cold and clear.

Subaru knew it.

Fiery red hair.

The Empire's strongest.

Reinhard.

Elsa froze.

Her expression shifted.

A flicker of unease—gone in an instant.

"Ah... the Sword Saint.

Not sure if I'm glad to see you here..."

Reinhard didn't speak.

Took one step. It was enough.

Elsa cast Subaru a final glance.

The game in her eyes was over.

But not the story.

"We'll meet again... Natsuki subaru."

She melted into smoke, vanishing down an alley.

Reinhard gave chase.

Subaru remained kneeling.

Blood poured from his shoulder, leg, hands.

Not his body—

sheer will kept him upright.

Emilia rushed to him.

"Subaru!!"

He heard her.

But it was distant.

So distant.

His vision darkened.

Tongue parched.

"Did I... do it...?"

The last thing he heard:

Felt's panicked scream—

"GET A HEALER!!"

—and Reinhard's fading footsteps,

racing against silence.