I prepped myself the next day. I’ve already decided to leave this cabin and head to the outside. I need to track the others down as soon as possible and find a way for us to return. Right. I can do it now. I’m strong enough.

I dress up, wearing a simple long sleeved T shirt and some pants. It’s all they gave me, so I treat it as precious resources. My school blazer is already in tatters and unusable, so this’ll do.

I pick up the sword I got from Miras san, sheathe it and leave the cabin. My makeshift satchel version two is back and I’m already ready. I walk down the cliff on top of which the cabin is , heading for the direction where there are no mountains. The exit. I need to find a way to some big city and begin my search there. Shizuka… I hope she’s fine.

Oh by the way, don’t misunderstand. I have absolutely no romantic feelings towards Shizuka. She’s like my little sister, since she’s so clumsy and unreliable. From a young age, I was the one who helped Shizuka out, so for me, she’s in every sense except blood relations, my clumsy little sister.

I reach the entrance of the forest. I feel a bit nervous, since I had a near death experience here. Last time, Miras san saved me. But from now, I’m on my own. And I know my strength is enough. The potions and elixirs that Miras san used on me improved my physical condition greatly, so I could take on at least 3 wolves one by one without tiring out.

I head out, cautious of everything around me. Since I lost an eye, I made it a regular practice to close my eyes and depend on my hearing to fight, so I can manage somewhat even if I’m attacked from a blindspot.

It’s been 2 hours since I set out, and Miras san did not come to say goodbye. I don’t know the others anyways, so they won’t go out of their way to come and bid farewell to a total stranger like me.

I’ve been heading through the forest, with the humongous exit as my target. I’ve encountered a few monsters, but I just avoided them, since needless fighting would just slow me down. I keep heading in and then I hear it.

Water. The noise of water gushing with great force. I feel a familiar sense of déjà vu. I head to the noise, and track it down. It’s the river. The very same river, on whose banks I spent my days desperately trying to survive. But I’m different now. I’m confident I can do much better than last time. Ah? That tree looks a bit familiar.

I approach the banyan like tree and observe it. There, I spot it. My make shift rope ladder. I look up and see my vine hammock too. It’s mostly withered though. Haha. I feel nostalgic.

I leave behind the base and continue on towards the exit. As soon as I get to another one of the clearings, something occurs. A ripple passes through the surroundings. Weird. What just happened?

I keep advancing, cautious. I need to keep my guard up. And I hear—

*pitter patter*

--Footsteps.

And from the thicket emerges-

Shizuka.

Huh? How? How did Shizuka get here? She’s here? Meaning everyone got teleported here too?

“Ah! Aaaaaah!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka. That airhead. She looks shocked at seeing me, as if she found a ghost. Immediately , she starts crying. Bawling, more like. She keeps crying and hits me on the chest, snot and tears running down her face.

“ Uwaaaah. Id wab sooooowwww scawwwwyyyy!!!” (Shizuka)

Geez. This idiot is the same as always. So clumsy. I pat her head, trying to make her feel better.

“Shizuka? Where did you come from? How did you find me?”(Yuuya)

She calms down and wipes her snot on my shirt. This girl…

“I…. I was teleported to this biiiig kingdom. And then the king like old man started talking about killing demons and stuff—“

Well to sum up, she underwent the cliché storyline development and was asked to defend the continent against the demon’s onslaught. But Shizuka got scared, and needed a great deal of consolation to calm down it seems. After that it seems she started searching for me, and the other guys went to subjugate the demons. She started searching around and got a clue that a guy who looked like me came to this forest, so she used the tracking skills she obtained to find me. What a desperate girl.

“There there, you did well.” (Yuuya)

“Un! Ehehe” (Shizuka)

She calms down and starts talking about all the stuff that happened in the kingdom, and showing off her skills. She does seem strong, but she needs to be much stronger here. Because the monsters here—

“RRRRRRR”

The ground rumbles. My heartbeat quickens. I know that rumbling. I was made oh-so familiar with it. And when I turned, it was there. The embodiment of my fears. The green turtle. Just like before, it had a thick brown shell with a bonsai like tree growing on it’s back. It edged closer, with the ground shaking with its every step. It’s just like before. I feel the fear . My arms have already turned to lead, and I can’t move anymore. The turtle roars and stomps the ground. Just like before, those oppressive walls grow out from the earth.

“ Yuu-nii?! It’s a turtle! It’s using magic! Wh-what is it gonna do?!!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka seems panicked. Of course she would. That beast was the embodiment of despair.

“Yuu-nii! Back off, I’ll save you!” (Shizuka)

Yelling so, she kicks off and rushes towards the turtle. I can’t move. Fear overrides my senses. I want to help her, but I can’t. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.

She attacks the turtle, drawing her rapier like sword, and plunging it into gaps in the turtle’s shell. The turtle scream at every attack. Good. It seems she can win—

“GURYAAAH!!”

It yells and swats her aside. The huge paw accurately hits her chest and she’s sent flying. She crashes into the wall and sinks down. The turtle moves towards her, and opens it’s mouth. The all too familiar scene unfolds again. But I couldn’t even move. It takes Shizuka’s head in it mouth …. And bites down.

“Ugyaaaaaah!!!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka’s yell resounds in the forest, and the birds fly away. A few moments later, blood splatters. Her head crushed, the headless body of Shizuka falls down.

She died… Shizuka … died….

“No…No…. No…NOOOOOOOO!!!!!” (Yuuya)

Yelling so, I rush at the beast, drawing my sword. I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you

The words resound in my head, and all I can think is of killing that damned turtle. I rush at it and…

A spike pierces through my heart.

“Ugh- Cough” (Yuuya)

I cough up blood.

“Haaah…Haaah….” (Yuuya)

Such a pitiful end… I couldn’t even avenge Shizuka… So powerless…. I think so as my consciousness fades away….

“Uwaaaaaaaaahh!!!!! Id wab sooooooowww scawwwwyyy!!!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka beats her little fists on my chest. Eh. Why… why am I back here? Is it …reincarnation? Is that my special ability? Great!

“Shizuka. Let’s move away from here. It’s dangerous.” (Yuuya)

I pat her head while saying so. She looks bewildered at first, but then understands and nods. We move away from the clearing and head deeper into the forest, away from the direction the turtle was going to come from. As soon as I feel relieved—

Another turtle. This one comes running and rams at me full speed. I can feel a few of my ribs breaking.

“Yuu-ni! Are you okay?!” (Shizuka)

Drat. Of course not idiot. But that’s not the time for this. This time will be different. I’ll fight with her and protect her. We will survive.. Yes… We will!!

“Cough…” (Yuuya)

A strong sense of déjà vu and despair enters my mind. Shizuka’s headless body lies on my lap, and another earth spike pierces my chest. No good huh. If I get another chance, definitely—

“Uwaaaaaaaaahh!!!!! Id wab sooooooowww scawwwwyyy!!!” (Shizuka)

Great. This time. This time for sure.

“Yuu-ni! It’s some kind of turtle!”

Saying so, she rushes in.

I can’t take it… Shizuka… She’s dead…. One more try….

“Uwaaaaaaaaahh!!!!! Id wab sooooooowww scawwwwyyy!!!” (Shizuka)

Another chance. I’m sure… I’m sure I can do it….

I crash onto my knees, breathing heavily. It’s impossible… I can’t do it… I’m too weak… It’s the 123rd time already…. Shizuka… She died … Her head….. I can’t take it…. Please… don’t …..Not again…. I can’t take it anymore…. I can’t watch this anymore……. Please…just let me die….

It’s the 1132nd time now….I don’t even feel anything now, Despair and fear clouds my mind. I’m weak… Hopelessly weak… I can’t save Shizuka… I… wish I was stronger…. I wish I could protect her…… This cycle.. it’s hell… I can’t take it anymore….

“Yuu-nii….” (Shizuka)

“Uwaaaah!!” (Yuuya.)

I yell out in fear. Her head. Shizuka head. Half broken, covered in blood. Her pink hair dyed red in her blood. It’s talking to me…. It’s eyes are filled with contempt.

“ I’m sorry…I’m sorry Shizuka… I couldn’t even save you…..” (Yuuya)

I sob, I cry. I can’t take it. I’m truly too weak. Hah. What was I thinking. I could protect Shizuka? Don’t kid me…. I’m just a weakling….

“Yuu-nii … Why are you so weak? …. Why didn’t you protect me?” (Shizuka)

My head hurts… My heart hurts… Her question destroys me… Tears flow uncontrollably… Even I’m despaired with my weakness….Why…WHY AM I SO WEAK?!!!

“Why are you so weak Why are you so weak Why are you so weak Why are you so weak Why are you so weak Why are you so weak Why are you so weak Why are you so weak Why are you so weak”(Shizuka)

Arggghhh!!!! Stop it!! I can’t take it anymore!! Just let me out! Let me die!! Please!!

Slowly… Realization dawned on me…. What I’ve been doing from the start is wrong… I shouldn’t give up. I’ll depend on my ability. I’ll reincarnate again, and then I’ll get stronger. Strong enough to protect Shizuka. Strong enough to protect everyone important me. I need to get stronger!!

The world cracks, and the cracks spread. It shatters like glass, and a figure enters my vision.

The forest is dark but I can see her clearly. Her silver hair billowing in the wind, her golden eyes staring down at me.

“I ask you again… Yuuya Nakajima. Do you want to get stronger?” (Miras)

Hah. Is that even a question? In order to protect Shizuka, in order protect the things important to me, I’ll even slay god if I have to. But for that I need strength.

“Please… teach me how to get stronger….” (Yuuya)

“Very well. Yuuya Nakajima , from now, you are my,Miras Arisbell's disciple” (Miras)

Ah… That’s right… This person saved me… Even now….I’m truly indebted to her…..

My consciousness fades away as I renew my determination.

I need to get stronger.