Archive Of Potentialities.

Re:Slime --- Chapter 1.

Chapter 1

Subaru did not have a lot of confidence in himself, especially after his encounters in the new world.

He floundered, he flailed, he stumbled and he died.

Subaru had died three times.

He wanted to laugh about how stupid it was, he wanted to mock himself for being the sort of man to waste three lives. It was funny, but though he wanted to laugh, he couldn't.

Why was he still here? Why did he think it was wise to face off against the danger than a man like him would be wise to run from?

He claimed it was to repay a debt, to save the one that had once saved him. Delusions of grandeur built on the promise of a dying breath.

Couldn't he just run away? Hadn't he done more than enough?

He had died, he really had. It was painful, terrifying, excruciating, embarassing. So, couldn't he leave it all behind?

Such thoughts were at the back of Subaru's mind as he drove himself to the limit to barely stay alive, his foe all the while delighting in the sight.

He thought those thoughts, he thought of giving up, but Subaru Natsuki would never act on them.

He had died, but he had also seen others die. He had come to recognize he was not a protagonist, a hero who had the power to dream arrogantly of saving everyone. But he could not help himself from wishing it all the same.

So, embraced by the music of his enemy's deranged laughs, pathetically, unwaveringly, he danced a dance of futility.

It was evident, he could not win.

He would die again, and he would return again.

Return by Death, resetting the world.

.....but the world had long grown tired of being reset.

..

..

..

The loot house was now in ruins.

Subaru had cuts all over his body that brought about a searing pain every time he moved a muscle. On his arms, his legs, his back, and even a few on his neck. His precious gray tracksuit had been stained with blood.

"Gh...! It hurts!"

This time, just like any other time, he was helpless.

Elsa—a woman draped in back, wielding a dagger and agility not possible for a human.

It was easy for Subaru to imagine her as a boss in a video game, an overwhelming enemy he had to defeat in order to progress the story line. And as much as he wanted to ambush her while she was focused on the white-haired elf, all he could do was watch.

After all, this was no video game.

There were no safety systems, nor friendly fire protection. If he attacked recklessly, he'd get himself hurt from the attacks of his own ally. While game developers carefully balanced mechanics to ensure fairness, reality did not offer such mercy.

Simply put, Subaru Natsuki didn't stand a chance.

He was too weak.

The elf continued to summon a barrage of ice spells that were easily evaded by Elsa, while Subaru kept his eyes peeled for any sort of opening.

He'd already learnt from his previous loops that being a brave idiot never ended well.

"I'm growing quite tired of this game already," Elsa remarked, effortlessly deflecting another icicle from the elf. "Do you think you can entertain me?"