A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 2 - Part 5

It took me several seconds to process the fact that Rem was dead. When I did, terror shook my body with a premonitory chill, the same chill I'd felt when I was first killed.

It is said that when you're in a life-or-death situation, your instincts take over and your emotions come out, exposing your true self.

At that moment, all I wanted was to run and save myself. In fact, that's exactly what I did, carrying Meili with me through the trees.

"What was that?! Is there a murderer here?! Mister, let me take care of him!"

"Silly! Rem is dead! There's no way you can do better than her!"

As I reached the 100-meter mark, my body began to run out of energy, and my lungs were on fire, as were my legs. I'd never cursed my lack of fitness more than I did then.

"Haa... Haa... Shit, it can't be!"

I had to let go of Meili and pushed her to keep running without me.

"Go and ask for help..."

But she ignored me. She was a rebellious pup raised by the beasts and trained by Elsa. There was no way Meili would obey my command.

Instead of fleeing, he summoned the remaining mabeasts and sent them to find the person who shot the arrow. However, the assassin struck again much sooner than he could have imagined.

"Ah!"

Meili let out a small gasp as another arrow whizzed by from somewhere nearby, piercing her small torso in the same place as the arrow that killed Rem. I assumed that was where her heart was.

"NO, MOTHERFUCK!"

With a mixture of panic and fury, I screamed as I watched the little girl fall. Silence reigned throughout the forest, interrupted only by the whisper of the wind.

Knowing I couldn't run away, I decided to try to identify or recognize some trait of the killer to gain information about him (or her). But I wouldn't be able to do that if the bastard killed me from a distance, like he had done to Rem and Meili.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH! COME AND SHOW YOUR FACE! DON'T BE A COWARD, LOOK ME IN THE EYES IF YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME!"

I didn't have much hope for such a crude strategy, but to my surprise and delight, I soon saw a figure emerge from the shadows. It was wearing the typical cultist costume and holding a crossbow. Judging by its physical build, it appeared to be a man.

"So you're one of them, huh?"

"..."

"Someone like you isn't supposed to be involved in the story, much less in the second arc. Who are you?"

"..."

The guy didn't make a sound as he raised his gun, pointing it at my body.

"Then you won't say anything." I sighed in frustration at not being able to find out anything more. "Next time I'll be prepared to deal with you."

I looked him in the eye as I told him, even though the disguise covered his face. My voice and hands trembled with fear. I wasn't ready to die, even if I had done it before.

I didn't want to, but there was no choice, and that was what bothered me the most. Knowing I was completely powerless in this situation.

A second later, the arrow struck my chest, piercing my heart and killing me almost instantly.

***

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

I instinctively screamed as a horrible pain hit my chest, but the transition was so quick that I apparently let out my scream on the bed in the mansion's guest room, scaring a pair of twin maids.

"Dear guest?!"

I let out all the air I'd been holding and focused on catching my breath, slowing down my breathing to calm the frantic beating of my newly alive heart. Nerves left me drenched in sweat.

"I'm sorry, I had a nightmare." I lied again, as usual, since apparently lies were an indispensable part of my life in this world. "My name is Leandro. What are you two called?"

They both exchanged a worried look, but then relaxed a little and bowed to me.

"My name is Ram and I am a maid at the mansion of Marquis Lord Roswaal L. Mathers."

"My name is Rem and I am a maid at the mansion of Marquis Lord Roswaal L. Mathers."

"You guys really take being twins seriously..."

As I was interacting with the sisters, the door opened and Emilia walked in.

"I see you've already met Rem and Ram. How are you feeling?"

"Much better now that I see you... Wait, I didn't mean that! I mean, it's not like I'm lying, but I don't want to sound like a stalker saying things like this when we've barely met..."

Nah, just kill me again. I want to start over so I can say a better line.

"Sister, sister, the dear guest seems to be a creepy guy."

"Rem, Rem, the dear guest has many mental problems."

"It wasn't necessary to say it." I covered my face, embarrassed. That damn romantic impulse with Emilia wasn't even natural. I couldn't help it, and it made me incredibly nervous every time I was with her.

Trying to distance myself emotionally from that embarrassing situation, I thought about the mysterious murderer. Everything pointed to him being from the Witch Cult, but I'd never seen or heard of such a character before. He carried a crossbow and was able to kill Rem, even though he caught her off guard, but still...

"This is bad. The second arc wasn't supposed to have this much difficulty jump. An enemy like that is going to make things very difficult for me... How am I going to defeat him? Or rather, could I defeat him?"