A little grammatical errors here and there but hopefully you enjoy~ Any comments or opinions are greatly appreciated:)

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Chapter 4: Its Only Life

It had gone noon, but the sun merely smoldered sullenly on Keisuke's eyes. However for Keisuke, what permeated in that light was not heaven or hell. It was the same exact forest that he mysteriously winded up to from before.

"Haaa...n."

Keisuke swallowed hard. He just had a vision of his gruesome death after all.

He reached to his left ear, and it's there.

He reached to his back, and there's no wound.

"Nightmare?? No..."

Keisuke struggled to his feet and observed his surroundings. The same bed of leaves, the same trees that surround him on all sides, everything else is there. Keisuke was positive that he died. His death relieved him of that pain. Surely this must be a joke, yet he know what he felt is real.

Before he died...

"Bluaaagh..!"

Keisuke involuntary vomited after recollecting the recent events in his head. Just before he was plunged into total darkness, he felt it. Her scream, her warm blood, and her internal organs. Everything circled inside Keisuke's head. Going round and round.

Keisuke had the dry heaves, crawling on his clothes, and the sour taste of his own vomit filled his dry mouth. His hands are shaking, searching for something to grab a hold to. Looking for someone that will answer all of his fearsome uncertainty. Yet those hands quickly changed into fist.There is only one way for Keisuke to find out if everything else that occurred was indeed a dream.

"I have to see her again."

Keisuke took his bloody blazer off, and wipe his mouth clean with it. The plain white long sleeve he wore inside is also soaked in his own blood. Blood that came from the fatal injuries that were inflicted by that psychopathic woman. The woman who is strikingly similar to his dead childhood friend.

"Was it her who dragged me in here?"

Keisuke discarded his blazer, and moving on, he passed through the same sunlit clearing. Fanned by the wind, his face felt the gentle breeze, and the very same breathtaking sight unfolded in his eyes. At the very center of this forest is a gigantic tree that made others look tiny. It was far, very far away from him, yet it still obstructed his view, giving Keisuke the conclusion that it was gigantic. No matter how many times he saw such a sight, it would never be deemed normal in his brain. For after all, no such thing exist in his world.

Keisuke trod softly, but the only sound he heard was the whispering of the wind through the leaves. He walk and walk with no sense of direction, hoping to find something that could lead him to that clearing; the place where he met the girl. No accidents occurred this time, as Keisuke was aware of his surroundings.

As if it was bound by fate to meet again, he came upon the very same patch of herbs that inflicted him hell last time.

These damn wicked herbs .

Keisuke's mouth was flooded with saliva, so he made use of it. He spat on the wicked herbs, grabbed a few and slid them on his pocket, and snickered away.

The forest is indeed beautiful, yet the dangers surrounding it is surreal. After trampling over the herbs, Keisuke realized that he was nearing his quarry. Exhaustion has started to bother his thoughts, but he persevered. Nightfall came and he finally reached the same natural forest clearing; with a small crystalike lake from before. However, the girl is nowhere to be found.

"Did I miss her?"

Certainly, that was not the case. In his previous memory, Keisuke fought death by eating those wicked herbs. After cheating his way outside of hell, he passed out and when he awoke, it was already morning. Seeing there was a time lapse, Keisuke indulge himself with the lake water to replenish his lost energy.

He stripped fully naked and used the lake as his personal bathtub. The lake water is cool and soothing. Warm or cold, it makes little difference once you sank into it.

"Ahhh... I could stay here forever."

If only someone could explain the dysfunctional nature of events that just transpired.

---First, I was killed by the doppelganger of my childhood friend?

---Second, I was killed by that monster, along with that elf looking girl.

---Third, both of these deaths led me to that side of the forest?

Keisuke thought of the endless possibilities while gazing upward at the skies. He clenched his hands into fist, cursing his weakness. What if he didn't intervene? Will the results differ if he just waited? Because of his uninvited chasm, he endangered both of their lives. Such thoughts were swirling in his mind when he suddenly heard something move.

Shuru... Shururu...

It was faint, but Keisuke heard something move in those shrubbery in front of him.

Keisuke hurriedly donned his undergarments and pants on. Little by little, a silhouette of a woman came across the moonlight. Just when he was finished zipping his pants, a horrifying shriek bothered the entire forest.

"Iyaaaa--!!"

"Oi! I'm supposed to be shouting here!!"

Keisuke panicked, so he immediately went after the shrieking girl. For a half naked man to chased after her, the girl thought Keisuke was a pervert. No other explanation needed to be said. It didn't even dawned in Keisuke's mind that he could understand her. Instantaneously, Keisuke grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer.

"Look, I'm not dangerous."

Keisuke gently spoke, although with his arms entangled around the girl's waist, his words meant different.

"W-What do you mean?!"

"Why are you so violent?"

"Maniac!"

The girl stomped on Keisuke's feet, and gave him a headbutt.

" Ow! " Detaching his embrace from the girl, Keisuke flinched away to rub his somewhat broken nose. The girl did a few back flips away from him, and her eyes flared, glaring at Keisuke in disgust.

"I didn't expect to find a pervert in these parts!"

"Wait..."

The girl drew her knife and pointed it towards his direction and started mumbling some words that are similar to a magic incantation.

"He who governs lightning, let your power gather through my fingers... Lightning bolt!!"

Wind accumulated on the girl's hand, and soon became an electric current that flew towards him!

But after witnessing the very same magic last time, its more than easy for Keisuke to avoid. He leap to the side and rolled, hiding himself behind the bushes. Her spell hit the tree a little ways behind Keisuke, toasting the trunk to cinders.

"You violent woman!! I got here first!!"

"What do you mean you got here first?! This forest is part of our territory human!! How dare you enter and pretend you don't know?!"

Territory? Human? Keisuke was intrigued.

Nevertheless, being referred to as a human left a bad aftertaste in his mouth.

"Can I get myself dressed first and then I'll explain?"

"Hmph! I'll wait over here then."

After their silly argument, Keisuke peeked on the shrub's gaping hole, and noticed the girl was missing. Hiding somewhere, waiting for him to drop his guard.

However, there's no choice but to exposed his naked self to danger, or he might catch a cold. So he proudly jogged towards his clothes, and hurriedly donned his bloody shirt.

"Haaa..."

As soon as Keisuke blew a sigh of relief, a dangerous being loomed behind him, accompanied by an eerie sharp object, grazing his throat. He wanted to scream and freak out, yet this sharp dagger pointed at his neck is preventing him from doing so.

"Depending on your answers, the consequences can be dire," she murmured enticingly.

"...I don't know." Keisuke swiftly replied.

"Oh really?"

She slid a foot towards Keisuke's, and use that force to hurl him down the ground. The girl stepped on his chest and kicked his face with her boots, causing Keisuke to groan painfully.

"Kuagh!"

Seeing Keisuke whimper wasn't enough, she pressed her foot down. Her emerald eyes are shooting him some dubious glances.

"You expect me to believe your lies?"

"...Yes."

To Kesuke's simple response, it irk her nerves. Because with his slitted eyes, the girl thought Keisuke was merely playing around. Lightly tapping his face with her leather boot, she directed his gaze towards hers. Giving Keisuke that icy cold glare. Meaning that if he lie, it would mean his death.

"I- I was just going home from school and somehow or the other I met this girl who is the spitting image of my childhood friend..."

"Go on.. Continue.."

The girl urged him to continue his story, her leather boot slowly sinking onto his chest made Keisuke reply right away.

"What's more surprising is that they even carry the same name, but I knew it was impossible to be her since she already died three years ago. I attended her funeral and saw her coffin entombed underneath the earth myself... And now after three years, she appeared before me again, only to kill me in cold blood. For sure I thought I died, however for some reason, I woke up stranded by myself in this forest. I wandered and looked around and that's how I ended up meeting you..."

Seeing there is no reason to lie, Keisuke honestly told her what has happened to him so far. Whether or not he was able to persuade her is unknown, but her violent expression gradually softened. Her eyes widened in surprise, like she couldn't believe what she just heard. Especially when he told her that he supposedly bled to death and a crazy girl around his age is out to take his life.

"Are you telling me to believe that you just mysteriously ended up here unknowingly??"

"That seems to be the case. If you look at my chest, there's no wound, yet I know I was stabbed here multiple times."

Keisuke unbuttoned his shirt and led the girl's attention to where that psychopathic woman stabbed him. Curious, the girl slouched down to him, almost to where he could feel her skirt and thighs.

"Impossible... There's so much blood and yet..."

Her soft fingertips gliding through his naked skin is driving him wild. Keisuke's like a pervert in overdrive, but he can't show it because it'll lead to his instant death. Thinking to himself that he should just enjoy that ticklish feeling while it last.

"Well?"

"...There's no trace of anything at all!"

It didn't took her that long to reach the same conclusion as he did. Her face loosened, although for some reason, she's still on top him.

"Hmph! Who knows, maybe you're just playing tricks on me."

Even though the truth lies clearly to her, she still doesn't want to believe Keisuke. Its because she has no basis for such explanations, and Keisuke appeared as a pervert, those thoughts were clouding her judgement.

" Haaa... Whatever I say, you won't believe me, right? "

Keisuke let out a sigh for he do not know how, or what else to say to prove his innocence. His gloomy expression didn't escape the girl's attention, and she suspiciously stared into his eyes again.

Damn.... Its like she's seeing through my soul when she looks at me like that.

"You know, you're a bit of a snob.."

Keisuke had not intended to say it, it had just slipped out. And now it was uttered, and he regretted it, as he sense the girl bristle.

His words gave the girl a pause. "I most certainly am not!!"

Keisuke reached out and took her arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that seriously. You're not a snob."

The girl fell silent and look at Keisuke with trembling eyes.

Groowwwl!!

"Wha--"

"Shep!"

The prowling of the beast in Keisuke's stomach broke their gazes in an instant, and the girl fell on his lap. That instant, Keisuke felt something soft, and his desires reacted on impulse.

"Eh... Something is poking me..."

"No No!! Don't look!!"

She wanted to glance behind, to see whatever's poking her, but Keisuke alarmingly put his hands on her back and drew her closer.

"Huh? Why..? N-No... Why are you even touching me?! Lecher!!"

"Please, let me just calm down."

Keisuke brought her so close they could feel each other's breath. Seeing her up close, Keisuke couldn't help the sudden burst of emotions inside him.

"Ehh.. Ehh.. Ehhh!!!" The girl screamed her lungs out.

Keisuke held her tightly, stroking her hair, as if he was touching someone familiar. Finally, everything connected in his mind. Time did rewind to that point, before their deaths. That someone gave him this second chance, a gift given to be used, and if he denies it, there is no turning back. And if he do nothing, the same events would just unfold again.

"I promise to save you this time."

"....."

Eventually, she quieted inside his possessive embrace. To the girl, Keisuke's words were ambiguous, but something inside her says that he isn't lying. Her head naturally found comfort on his chest for a reason she could not properly describe. In the end, she's just a very gentle girl in contrast to her usual self.

"".....""

Pressing her tender warmth, and her delicious scent clung to his nose, Keisuke was definitely stimulated.

"You seem like you know me... Have we met before?" The girl hesitantly inquired.

"......."

Tracing his voice in the depths of his moist throat, there is nothing. It felt distant and immediately, a new trouble arose in his mind.

"It was so long ago you probably don't remember."

Keisuke instantly lied. To inform someone of their death, who would believe such things? Rather, he'll just arouse unwarranted suspicion-- Is what Keisuke deduced. But at that very instant, the girl's cheeks flushed with that high color, which told Keisuke that she was angry.

"Hmph."

Standing up quickly while brushing the dirt of her clothes, she walks towards the direction of her horse; who was ignored for quite some time now. Keisuke followed afterwards though it required him a tremendous amount of effort just to stand still.

"Wait! Where are you going?!"

He unexpectedly grabbed her hand out of surprise.

"W-Why do you even care??"

Her face flustered while she tries to hide her embarrassment. As if predicting her weakness, Keisuke couldn't contain his grin.

"Umm, please just answer."

"The town..."

If I think about it, she's probably gonna take the same road towards that monster.

And why is a monster as dangerous as that close to town?

If your beginner forest spawns a monster lord, the game would be broken.

As long as I could redirect her somewhat.

"Oh, I haven't ate anything since yesterday.. Perhaps you have some food to spare?"

"L-Let go of my hand first.."

She pleaded with a weak voice, refusing to look at Keisuke.

"Only if you say yes."

"Y-Yes.."

After hearing her reply, Keisuke clasped his hands together and lowered his head to appease her.

"Tsk." She clicked her tongue in annoyance, but Keisuke didn't look. "I can't believe this."

"Please."

There was no hint of shame in his voice. Even if he have to throw away everything, Keisuke would do anything to save her. And that means shaming himself is nothing.

"Ugh.. Gather some branches for firewood and I'll make some food."

"Yes ma'am! "

Albeit reluctantly, she still agreed, so Keisuke quickly dragged his feet outside of the clearing to gather some firewood.

"Anyhow, I should swiftly gather this firewood before that girl changes her mind."

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The girl prepared some dinner and the two of them started eating side by side on this dark log, although with a single meter distancing them away from each other.

Now, Keisuke is silently watching her eat...

In his hand is a bowl of soup, unknown soup that tasted wonderful, but he shudder thinking just what kind of meat is involved.

"What are you looking at?"

The girl gave Keisuke an odd look after realizing that he was staring. Keisuke paused while gazing at her, mesmerized by the way she handles her food.

"Nothing..."

Nothing, except for the fact that watching her eat was the most erotic act he's ever seen in his short life. Her lips rounded in a luscious pucker as she bit neatly into the fresh vegetable she pierced with her fork.

Hallelujah!!

"Cough!! Cough!!"

Keisuke choked a little, unconsciously slurping his hot soup and swallowed. It was flaming hot, but his taste buds didn't care. He sat uncomfortably on the log, while his thoughts were filled with vegetables and pinkish lips.

"Don't jog the log, stupid." She protested.

"It's Keisuke, just to let you know."

"Keisuke, idiot, pervert, liar, it means the same to me." The girl mockingly replied, avoiding eye contact with Keisuke.

Keisuke thoroughly enjoyed his food, giving him that very pleasant feeling that warmed his heart. But no matter how much he tried to sway his mind, his thoughts were reminded of those blistering moments before their deaths.

I promise to prevent those from happening. Even if I have to drew cold blood myself.