found myself back in front of the fruit vendor's stall, but the world around me suddenly blurred. Images of unbearable violence flooded my mind , my severed head, my lifeless body collapsing in a pool of blood.
The vision was so vivid and brutal that bile rose in my throat. I leaned forward, hands on my knees, struggling not to vomit over the exposed apples. The vendor placed his hand on my shoulder, his face splitting into an expression of mild concern. He handed me an apple and a glass of water. I greedily drank the cool water, feeling my spirits clear. I thanked the man with a shaky nod, then fled down the aisle at a run.
"It wasn't real... It can't be real..."
I whispered as I ran, my heart pounding against my ribs. I hoped with all my might that it was just a nightmare, a hallucination. But a part of me, a terrified part, knew it was true.
I reached the alley faster than last time. My heart leaped as I saw Subaru sitting on the cold ground, his gaze filled with a terror I knew well. He stared at me, his eyes resting on my head as if he expected it to fall off at any moment. I crouched down beside him. The heavy silence was broken by his trembling voice.
Subaru: "Are... are you dead?"
There was no judgment in his question, only confusion and fear that echoed my own. The word "dead" was so simple, yet it weighed like an anvil.
Me: "...."
He waited, his entire body rigid with anticipation.
Subaru: "Please answer. I need to know."
The truth spilled out of my mouth, as brutal as my previous decapitation.
Me: "Ye...Yes, I died. But you know what happened, don't you?"
His eyes widened, his breath caught. He looked as though he was questioning his own sanity.
Subaru: "Yes... I saw... I saw your head being decapitated. I saw your body collapse and you drowned in your own blood... It was... it was horrible."
A chill ran down the back of my neck as he described my death with such clinical precision. Our eyes met; an unspoken bond was formed between us—that of death and return.
Me: (A bitter laugh escaped me, mixed with a rush of relief.) "What luck! I genuinely thought I was going crazy, the only one with memories. So, this is the cheat we received, huh? Dying and coming back. A bloody rebirth in the game."
Subaru: (He flinched, the word "game" visibly affecting him.) "It's not a game. It's... it's real. The pain was real."
Me: "Of course the pain is real, idiot. But the fact is, we have a second, or a third, or a fourth chance, apparently. So, tell me, what did you do before you ended up back here?"
The three figures blocked the entrance to the alley. They were the same thugs, their carnivorous grins even more menacing than I remembered. The fear that had paralyzed me last time was swept away by a wave of cold rage and determination. There was no way I was dying a second time, much less letting Subaru die alone. Anger overcame fear.
"Not this time," I thought, my jaw clenched.
I attacked the smallest one without thinking. My kick, purely instinctive, caught the thug in the head, knocking him unconscious. At the same time, Subaru charged clumsily at the tallest one. I ran toward the thinner one, who was beginning to draw his two knives. My fist slammed into his face with unexpected force.
Meanwhile, Subaru managed to overpower the taller one, whose arrogance quickly turned to panic at the sight of his friend lying motionless on the ground.
Subaru: "How about that, Mr. gangsta? Not so proud now, huh? Get lost, and don't you ever come back!"
The big guy carried the unconscious small thug and fled with his comrade.
The adrenaline gave way to immense relief. We collapsed against the wall, breathless but victorious.
Me: (I nursed my sore fist, a nervous laugh escaping me.) "Damn it, I'm alive! And I'm not a coward!"
Subaru: (He panted, a shaky smile on his lips.) "That was... that was awesome! Like in a video game, but... real!"
I wanted to savor this victory, but Subaru jumped up, his face illuminated by a panicked glimmer of hope.
Subaru: "I have to find Satella! I owe her so much!" he exclaimed, starting to run.
Me: "Wait! We need to take it slow!"
I followed him, my muscles aching with fatigue. When we reached the main square, I saw the scene unfold as in my fragmented memory Emilia was pushing Subaru away with harsh words. Then, Felt arrived, her small, spry figure, and stole Emilia's badge.
Emilia: "So that was your plan? You staged the whole thing just to steal my badge?"
Emilia's words shattered what remained of Subaru's pride. He hung his head in shame. I ran to him, my heart clenching, and grabbed his arm.
Me: (I addressed Emilia, my tone apologetic.) "Ma'am! I am so sorry for his behavior... He's not himself right now, I assure you he has a fever!"
Subaru: (He looked at me, confused.) "What are you talking about?"
Me: (I whispered a brutal warning, squeezing his arm tighter.) "Play along! You lost her, don't try to justify yourself here!"
The situation threatened to explode. I pulled Subaru toward a nearby alley, away from prying eyes. He leaned against a wall, his face contorted with sadness and confusion.
Subaru: "She doesn't remember me... But why? I was a hero!"
Me: (I pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing. I had to explain the obvious.) "Listen, Subaru. I think after you died, you reset the world. You brought things back to your save point."
Subaru looked at me, his eyes wide.
Subaru: "How... how do you remember everything, then?"
Me: "I have no idea. Maybe I have a power too. A cheat power. But I have no idea how to use it, or even if I control it. I just remember the script and the pain of being decapitated."
Subaru was silent for a moment, his mind racing. Suddenly, a smile lit up his face. It was terrifying how quickly he could switch from horror to juvenile enthusiasm.
Subaru: "I'm going to call my power "Return by Death!"
Me: (I nodded, amused by his ability to coin such a cheesy name for such a cruel mechanism.) "It's a nice name. But... don't tell anyone else. There might be a penalty if anyone other than the two of us knows. Be discreet."
He thought for a moment, the excitement tempered by the warning. His eyes fell on me, filled with a new determination.
Subaru: "Then, let's go get Satella's badge. I know exactly where she went!"
He grabbed my hand and started running.
(JUMP IN TIME...)
The closer we got to our destination, the more the appearance of the city deteriorated. The classic, well-maintained medieval houses of the commercial area were slowly replaced by damaged, rickety, barely stable buildings. Children, too thin and visibly marked by hunger, wandered in the alleys. The few adult inhabitants we saw quickly hid inside their houses, wary of our presence as strangers. The air, heavy with the smell of spoiled food and dirt, was thick.
I slowed down, the shock nearly tripping me. In my first life, these scenes were just background dressing in a series. In the first loop, I was too focused on my own survival and the "script" to truly see the misery.
Me: (I walked slowly, my voice low and full of disgust.) "Subaru... in the last loop, I hadn't noticed how much the inhabitants of this place were suffering. I only saw bad background textures."
Subaru, who was still absorbed in his thoughts, desperately searching for a plan for the insignia and the negotiation, was jolted out of his contemplation. He began to scan the surroundings, becoming aware of the environment for the first time.
Subaru: (He stopped abruptly, his eyes widening at the sight of a small girl in rags.) "Wow... I didn't remember it being so hard. I only remembered the thugs and the fruit vendor. Is this the reality of this world?"
Me: "We're spoiled brats, Subaru. Even if we're in an isekai world. Look closely. People are terrified. They're not afraid of demons, but of hunger, and maybe of people like us, who look like they have something to steal."
Subaru: (He pursed his lips, guilt visible on his face.) "We have things to do, Trizz. But... when all this is over, if I manage to earn some money, we have to do something for these people."
Me: "Let's focus on Felt and Rom for now. The less we linger here, the less chance we have of running into people who want to kill us."
Subaru nodded, his determination tinged with a new seriousness. He still looked like an idiot, but now, there was weight in his gaze.
(JUMP IN TIME...)
We arrived at the massive, dark, and uninviting door of Old Man Rom's Loot House. It was an entrance that only opened to those who knew the secret code or signal.
Me: (Inner thought): Damn it. Even though I'm an Isekai who knows future events, this world nerfed me. I have memories of key scenes, written dialogues, but nothing about the entrance codes! I'm not even a complete game guide!
I swallowed. I had to improvise.
Me: (I forced a nervous smile, turning to Subaru.) "Subaru! I have a plan. Kick the door with all your strength, don't hold back! Make some noise!"
Subaru looked at me, utterly confused, pointing his fist at the thick wood.
Subaru: "What?! Are you serious? You want us to look like burglars! Why don't you kick it, by the way? We're supposed to be discreet!"
Me: (I placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to look like the most thoughtful person in the world.) "No! Kick that damn door because... uh... because you're the more well-built one of the two, and also because with my plan, Old Man Rom will listen to you more if he's already angry. It's reverse psychology!"
Subaru stared at me, clearly skeptical of my "reverse psychology," but he didn't have a better idea.
Subaru: (He shrugged.) "Pff. If a giant fence kills us, it's on your conscience, 'Master of Plans'!"
He stepped back a few paces and unleashed a loud, violent shuto kick on the wooden door.
Rom: (A voice like thunder echoed from inside, making the wood vibrate.) "WHO DARES BREAK MY DOOR! Felt, are those your creditors again?!"
The door swung open to reveal the imposing silhouette of Old Man Rom, his face red with anger. But before he could insult us, I quickly intervened.
Me: "No, Mr. Rom! We're not creditors, We've come for the insignia that a young lady stole!"
Rom squinted, his gaze sliding toward Felt who was standing behind him, clutching the incriminating object. The use of the word Metia (a term Re:Zero's world sometimes uses for magical objects or relics, referring to Subaru's flip phone) seemed to intrigue him.
Rom: "A Metia, you say? Come in. But no trouble, I'm expecting a client."
We entered. Felt, sitting on a stool, exhibited Emilia's insignia. Subaru pulled out his flip phone. Rom took it between his massive fingers to examine it in the trembling candlelight.
Rom: (He manipulated it, incredulous, then his eyes widened slightly.) "This isn't low-level magic... Girl! Felt! Do you realize this... this Metia could easily be worth twenty Holy Gold Coins if it's a real foreign relic?"
Felt: (Her eyes shone with greed.) "Twenty Gold Coins! Rom, we have to take it!"
Subaru: (Tugging at his sleeve.) "No, Rom! It's not for sale! It's for trade! For the insignia!"
Rom: (He sighed heavily, placing the phone down.) "I'd like to, kid. But I have an agreement. The insignia is promised to the other client for ten Holy Gold Coins. I can't break my word."
Me: (I intervened, my throat dry.) "What if we wait for the client? You could compare the offers. We're willing to pay more, if we can..."
Rom: "That's the only solution. You'll wait. The other client will have the right to increase her offer if she wishes."
I nodded, but my heart was pounding. Unlike Subaru, who didn't understand the stakes, I knew who the other client was and why she wanted the badge. The tension was overwhelming. I knew the name that was about to walk through that door.
Me: (Inner thought): Ten gold coins versus my severed head. If I had twenty, we'd already be out of here. Damn Elsa.
Me: (Inner thought): Oh well. The next loop will be the one. I'll just avoid dying foolishly this time. I need to get out of Elsa's reach when Subaru makes his hasty move. I have to survive so I can guide him for the next reset. When that fool Subaru talks about giving the insignia back to its owner (Emilia), Elsa will slice him up. I have to be the last one standing.
I moved away from Subaru, discreetly retreating to a corner of the room, near a pile of crates. The goal was to avoid being Elsa's primary target when Subaru, with his ill-placed sense of heroism, revealed his intention to return the insignia.
Rom, Felt, and Subaru waited in strained silence.
Someone knocked on the door. The knocks were light, almost polite, contrasting sharply with the loud entry we had orchestrated.
Felt: (She rushed to the door, looking excited.) "It's her! My client! But I didn't give her the code..."
She opened the door.
Elsa entered.
Tall, slender, with black hair and a too-wide smile that didn't reach her eyes. Her black dress and two curved blades, the kukris, exuded an invisible but intense danger.
Her dark purple, piercing eyes scanned the room. They rested on the giant Rom, on the small Felt, then on the clumsy high schooler, Subaru. But, to my growing surprise and horror, they lingered far too long on me.
Me: (Inner voice): What does she want with me! Subaru is the one she should be attacking, not me! She's never seen me before! Is it my stress?
I froze, trying to look like a simple piece of furniture. Fortunately, Rom, the giant fence, broke the silence.
Rom: (He cleared his throat, regaining his gruff demeanor.) "So, you're the client. Ten Holy Gold Coins for the insignia. That's what was agreed upon."
Elsa smiled, a slight, overly graceful movement. She slowly advanced toward the table where Felt kept the insignia and Subaru's phone.
Elsa: "Yes. Ten Holy Gold Coins. That's what I offered."
Rom: "I have a problem, Miss. These two young lads..." (He gestured to us with a thumb, forcing me to swallow hard.) "... arrived with an object. A Metia from abroad. I've valued it at at least twenty gold coins if it's a genuine relic. They propose trading it for the insignia."
Felt, her eyes gleaming, nodded eagerly.
Felt: "Yes! The Metia! It's a fairer trade for the badge!"
Elsa stopped in front of Rom, her eyes briefly still on me before settling on the phone Rom pointed to.
Elsa: "A Metia..." (She let out a low, melodious laugh that sounded horribly false.) "Twenty Holy Gold Coins. That's a generous offer from these young men."
She pulled a small leather pouch from her sleeve. The clinking of the gold coins inside was distinct and heavy.
Elsa: "However, I already offered ten. And I only want that insignia. Money, for me, is just a tool. The agreed-upon price is ten coins. But if the issue is the offer, I can certainly go up to..."
She paused, throwing me another look that pierced right through me. I felt fear paralyze me. "Why wouldn't she leave me alone?"
Elsa: "... twenty Holy Gold Coins. For the pleasure of the transaction."
She placed the pouch on the table.
Rom: (The giant scratched his beard, uneasy.) "Twenty Gold Coins! That's what I said! So Felt, you have your price!"
Felt: (She leaned in, hesitant, torn between the unknown treasure and the ringing gold.) "But... the Metia! Rom, if it's worth more..."
Subaru: (Seeing the hesitation, he darted forward, grabbing the insignia. The speed of his move caught everyone off guard.) "Accepted! The Metia is very good! You have the money (Metia), we have the insignia. Transaction concluded!"
Subaru put the insignia in his pocket and started running toward the door.
Elsa: (Her voice stopped him. She didn't move, but her smile stretched slightly.) "Wait, young man. Before you go, I have a question for you. Why does this insignia matter so much to you? Is it to keep it for yourself?"
Subaru stopped, straightening up. He looked at the floor of the Loot House. Honesty and altruism, his two major flaws in this world, resurfaced.
Subaru: (Proudly, head held high.) "Absolutely not. I'm not a thief. I'm going to return it to its owner, the beautiful silver-haired girl who lost it!"
The atmosphere was knife-edge tense. Subaru had just announced he wanted the badge to return to Emilia. Elsa's smile froze, her gaze instantly turning icy.
Elsa: (Her voice was a whisper, filled with a subdued disappointment.) "Return it. How dreadful. That's not what interests me."
She moved. No, she didn't move, she struck. A monstrous speed, a black arrow. Her kukri knife flashed, aiming for Subaru's abdomen.
Rom: "Look out, kids!"
Old Man Rom, faster than one might expect, interposed his massive arm. His huge club slammed across, clanging against Elsa's blade. The shock resonated like thunder. The air filled with shattered wood and the piercing sound of clashing metal.
The room erupted into chaos. I quickly backed away against the crates, far from the center of the fray. Felt, her eyes wide, tugged at my sleeve.
Felt: (She tried to reassure me, but her voice was trembling.) "Don't worry! No one can beat Old Man Rom! He's incredible when he's angry!"
She didn't get a chance to finish her sentence.
Rom, the giant, let out a cry of pain. In a fraction of a second, Elsa had slipped under his guard and slashed him. The floor turned red. Rom collapsed heavily, his club falling with a dull thud. He wasn't moving.
Subaru: (He recoiled in horror, Rom's body sprawled out before him.) "Rom!"
Elsa stood up, unharmed. She grabbed the glass of milk lying on the table, emptied it, and then, with a movement of inhuman speed, smashed it against the table. The sharp edge of the glass became an extension of her blade.
She turned toward Felt.
Felt: (She screamed in terror.) "Rom! No!"
Elsa gave her no chance. She cut through the air and sliced the small figure with surgical precision and monstrous speed. I didn't hear the scream. I only saw the movement.
Entrails spilled onto the floor with a dull sound. Felt was cut in half, her small torso split open to reveal her organs.
Hot tears streamed down my cheeks, mixed with the bile rising in my throat. I looked at Felt's bowels spreading across the wood.
That's when I knew my death was inevitable. I had seen this scene in my nightmares. I was reliving the horror.
Elsa, the glass knife in hand, approached me, her bloodied footsteps echoing on the floor. Her smile was that of a predator, twisted by the pure joy of murder.
Elsa: (She stopped in front of me. Her voice was excited, almost loving.) "The whimpering... it's magnificent."
She ignored Subaru. Her eyes, shining with madness, were fixed on me.
Elsa: "Your eyes have shown fear ever since I saw you. You knew what was coming, didn't you? It's magnificent!"
She threw Felt's dagger, now useless, straight at me. I raised my arm to shield myself.
Subaru: (He rushed forward, hatred in his eyes.) "DON'T TOUCH MY FRIEND!"
Subaru, in a flash of instinct, picked up Rom's club. We attacked together, fear in our stomachs, hearts pounding.
Me: (I screamed.) "Get out of here, Subaru! RUN!"
Subaru: "No way I'm leaving you! WE'RE KILLING THIS MONSTER!"
We threw clumsy, desperate blows. She dodged our attacks with deadly grace. She wasn't trying to finish us quickly. She toyed with us, wounding us without killing us, to prolong our fear.
Elsa: (She laughed softly, dodging Subaru's club.) "How adorable! Two little lambs trying to play lion. I like your little game."
She struck me with the hilt of her kukri, throwing me off balance. She wasn't aiming for vital organs. Not yet.
Then, she approached me, the glass knife raised. I thought I could dodge, but it was the same mistake as in my first death. I watched the tip of the glass sink into my stomach. The pain was an excruciating burn, a tearing sensation.
I watched my stomach open, blood spurting, my entrails spilling onto the floor. The horror was total, the despair absolute.
Me: (I coughed up blood.) "Shit... damn it..."
Subaru watched my body being emptied of its substance. His face was twisted with hatred and distress.
Subaru: "TRIZZ!"
The world blurred. The light went out, and I fell back into darkness. My second death.
END OF CHAPTER III