Jobless Reincarnation X Tensura: 《THE ANOMALY》

Chapter 2: Predetermined World.

Over there, you failed.
Over here, you will fail, again.
Just stop, Rimuru Tempest.
You cannot fight fate.
------- ????, K420.

It didn't take us long to get back to where we left the girl, who was currently screaming her lungs out.

The blanket I had used to cover her up was crumpled to the side as the girl kept screaming and screaming. Her eyes were unfocused and she didn't even notice our arrival.

Is this a panic attack?

“Do something.” Orsted spoke.

Normally, I would argue with him, but I could tell he was completely clueless about the current situation.

And honestly, I don't think anyone going through a panic attack would like to see his scary eyes.

I nodded and walked over to the suspected Japanese girl. I knelt down in front of her, but she still didn't notice me.

Her hands were flailing around, as if looking for something familiar to grab on to.

“Hey, calm down.” I said, trying to sound as soft as I could. But my words didn't get through.

I've never had to help someone through a panic attack before, so I wasn't surprised I wasn't doing well.

My perception of time slowed as I engaged Thought Acceleration to its fullest, trying to come up with something.

I found nothing.

“This is pointless…” I murmured as I turned the skill off. 

I laid my hands on her shoulders, attempting to ground her to reality. Her body was stiff, tense. It felt like just the slightest application of pressure would crush her to pieces.

I don't know how effective this would be, since her new reality is what was scaring her so much.

“Hey, listen. I understand how you feel, I know how it feels to be ripped from your home, I know how unreal all of this is. That's why I can tell you, it'll be fine.”

These words were empty, honestly.

Who am I to tell her it'll be fine? Me, who doesn't even know what to do with himself anymore.

But it seemed to be working, as I noticed that she was finally looking at me.

Then I asked.

“What is your name?” When I asked this, her body relaxed and it didn't feel like she was going to snap under my fingers anymore.

“Shizuka, Nanahoshi Shizuka.” She answered.

Her voice was hoarse from all the screaming, but I heard her loud and clear.

“Nice to meet you, Nanahoshi.” I smiled at her.

Then she fell unconscious, most likely from exhaustion.

I looked over at Orsted, he hadn't moved during the entire thing, staring at me like a hawk.

Did he think I'd do something bad to her? How caring.

“What?” I asked.

“Get some rest, we leave at dawn,” he said before turning away and walking over to the stump he had used as a seat earlier.

“Huh…” What's this guy's deal?

I looked back at Nanahoshi before covering her again with the blanket.