"Habit is a monster, for it is opposed to thought. When we make a habit, we stop thinking about what we are doing and just do it. This is extremely dangerous. Although 'good' habits might be more beneficial than bad ones, both are things that should be done away with at the first opportunity." – an imperial philosopher

Alex opens his eyes, the scene that greets them is something he is sickeningly familiar with. Though the figures and the environment had changed, the situation was always the same. Alex, after finally completing his goal, did so again.

'Now that I think about it, it's evening again. And those people seem suspiciously similar…'

Alex continues to punch one soldier in the face, before grabbing his arm. He then continues to knee him in the chest, throw him to the floor, and crush the soldier's trachea with his foot.

'They seem to be weaker… they've never gotten weaker before. Stronger? Yes. Stranger? Yes. But weaker…'

Alex almost subconsciously sprints to the next soldier, who had been gawking in silence, now tries to draw his sword.

He never got the chance.

A stomp to the knees, a knee to the privates, a punch to the face. This was enough to fell this soldier as well.

'If I can get one more before they recover from their shock, then it should make the rest just that much easier.'

Alex glares at a shocked Gerald but shakes his head.

'The soldiers first, that way works.'

Alex sprints at the next soldier just standing there, using the last's head as a jumping block, but the next soldier is prepared with sword drawn.

'Damn it, it seems I took too long. Well, phase 2 it is then.'

Alex then slowly stalks back and takes the sword from one of the downed soldier's belt. As he gets farther and farther from where Gerald, Walter, and Albi are another 30 soldiers follow, swords drawn, following the signal of their commander.

Alex glares at Gerald and then looks at his prize.

'Not the best, but above average.'

Alex then lifts his weapon and gets into a stance he knows will fit a weapon of this length.

'Now, I need to taunt them.'

Alex then looks over to where the other soldiers are, and to where the battle between Walter and Gerald has already begun.

'Looks like I'll need to hurry up.'

Alex never retained muscle from one leap to the next, he learned that around on his 75th loop. What he did retain though was muscle memory, the reason why he was not sure, but even now, he would be able to use a tail if he were to have it. Because of this, he had developed multiple styles that fit different body types, but one thing was common between them. Due to his short stature, young age, and low muscle mass, characteristics shared between all his bodies, his fighting style had developed around flowing around opponents, and bursts of attacks, most of them being 'dirty.' His sword style, if one could even call it that, did not differ that much in this aspect, yet it also developed around having a ready supply of swords.

'Okay, I've got it!'

"You buggers, following a traitor! I bet you didn't even know that he receives twelve times your pay. Poor fools!" Says Alex, causing great confusion among the soldiers.

His time in the loops had done little to improve his taunting skills.

The soldiers, confused with how brutal and then how… stupid Alex was acting continue their steady advance.

'Well… I guess they're close enough as it is.'

Alex then starts walking towards them before spreading his feet at a 125-degree angle and holding his sword directly behind him. This causes even more confusion in the approaching soldiers, this is amplified when the blade is thrown directly at them.

*thump*

Alex holds his hand over his eyes, shading them from non-existent sunlight.

'Looks like I got 3 of them, above average, I guess.'

Alex then rushes them, and picks up one of the swords from one of the corpses, before avoiding to stabs and driving it through the ribcage of the closest soldier.

'26 to go, and in 5 minutes, and cue the monologue.'

"You may have gotten a couple of us, but you will not stand before our combined might," one soldier, with two strips of blue adorning his soldier, says while the rest gather around.

Alex remains silent.

'Welp, that was around a 3/10. Folks these days have no creativity.'

Then chuckles to himself, causing apprehension in the surrounding soldiers, before his face falls back into a solemn mask.

'Phase three it is then.'

Alex then looking at the soldiers smiles, turns tail, and runs.