3 Chapter 3: Luck and Return By Death!
Same place, same street and very same man who is selling fruits, Makoto, yet again, opened his eyes to see himself in this place.
His head curled, eyes shrunk while in the same time opened wide resembling that of a dead fish. He touched his body, hugged it, as if trying to sooth the pain which was calmed long ago.
He felt that he was burning, he thought he died, he wanted to shed tears but he was unable to.
"Hey, lad, ya buying something or not?"
Even this time looking at man Makoto said nothing as turned himself towards the opposite direction.
He saw a distant white figure moving forward in midst the mass of people.
His eyes lit as he saw the girl, it was the girl who saved him in his very first day, it was Satella.
He ran towards her with a smile, he didn't know why but he was happy to see her, he was glad that she was okay and not dead like he thought her to be. His anxiety from burning down was replaced by the happiness of seeing this girl being completely okay.
"Satella-san!"
He screamed towards her. He didn't knew why he needed to exclaim her name like that but it was what his heart wanted.
"Satella-san, I am glad that you are okay, I-I thought...I thought…"
He would have continued if not for the gaze the silver-haired girl threw at him.
Anger in her eyes as she pierced thew boy with her eyes.
"What did you just call me?"
"S-Satella-san?"
He stopped.
Something was wrong, she looked at him as if she didn't knew Makoto.
By the time, people started gathering around them as were throwing their own disgusted gazes at the boy.
*Slap*
"Satella is the name of the Witch of Envy, how dare you call me with this taboo of a name." The girl exclaimed.
Makoto's right cheek reddened from the power of the slap he received as he with rejected eyes looked towards the girl and the displeased crowd.
People who happened to overhear Makoto and Satella looked at the boy in disgust.
"You went too far, boy!"
"That's not even funny."
"What a scoundrel."
Their whispers gathering together were hurting Makoto.
Did he suffered this much only to be slapped this hard? It kinda pained him.
"I-I see, s-sorry…"
He whispered.
As tried to stand up only to notice a feint shadow pass through Satella grabbing away her insignia.
The girl hurriedly looked at her pocket as her treasure was really gone this time.
She looked at Makoto with even more distrust and anger.
"So it was your plan to steal my insignia…"
She said in cold tone.
Boy's heart sunk even further as he saw the very same white robed girl run after the thieve.
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.
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"What a hassle…"
Makoto was sitting in the very same corner he met with Satella.
He was unaware of the reason of why this girl slapped him or why she didn't remember him.
"Well,well,well…"
A familiar voice rang through the alleyway as Makoto was able to quickly recognize the owner of the voice.
The trio who tried to rob him yet again started to walk towards his direction. With the slim guy leading them on.
Makoto sighed as stood up.
He was already tired of seeing this guys.
"I don't know what you guys expect from me this time but please just leave me alone."
He simply walked past them only to feel the sharp pain on his back the instance he did that.
"Ghk!?"
His head slowly turned as he saw a dagger being stabbed onto his back.
The trio had despaired faces as they saw the boy hurl in pain while collapsing to the ground.
"What did you do!?" One of the hooligans exclaimed towards the slim guy.
The said slim guy shook in fear as his hand trembled.
It was an accident, he didn't expected Makoto to just walk by like that.
As they boy struggled to stand…
*Stab*
Another painful stab was launched at him.
"Wh-What are you doing!?"
"W-We should finish him off, what do you think will happen when the guards will arrive here!?"
The trio being in rush started to run screaming something about guards coming this way.
Makoto's eyes were slowly closing up.
"I am...d...dying...again?"
He closed his eyes.
Darkness.
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.
"Hey, lad, ya going to buy something or not?"
Makoto was back to the fruit seller again.
His eyes were wide as he slowly placed his hand on his back.
There were no wounds.
"Say mister…" Makoto carefully looked towards the man. "How many times did you see me this day?"
The man scoffed at Makoto.
"Are you nuts? It is the first time I am seeing you, so are you going to buy something or not?"
Makoto wanted to laugh, he wanted to laugh badly at what was really going on.
All this time...he died so much and yet he was alive. This idea was crazy but it was the most accurate one.
"Actually I have no money with me, Mister." He exclaimed proudly with a smile.
The man's face curled in anger.
"Than what the heck ya doing here, brat!?"
Makoto smiled widely.
"I don't have money now, But when I will have them I will definitely buy a lot of Appas from you Mister!"
The man didn't know what to say but sighed.
"You better do, penniless brat." He said with a smile.
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.
.
This theory was crazy but regardless it was right.
"All this time when I died...when I thought I was a goner…"
His face was a mix of surprise and fear in one.
"It might be crazy but...Every time I die...I return back."
A name popped out in his mind a name 'Return by Death'
He wasn't exactly sure what to feel about it. On one hand this ability had a lot of good things about it but on the other hand…
The whole idea of dying was already that scary to him but to think that he can return to past once he is dead...it was definitely a disgusting and fearsome ability.
He half sighed.
"Well, odds are little to none so I don't have much to lose...or maybe I have much to lose considering that life is a precious thing, no?"
He was eaten by dilemma. The possibility of him going to his greed and living a perfect life using the knowledge from his previous life was already canceled as he remembered Felt's and Rom's smiling faces. If he was going to leave everyone than who would save them? Surely miracle happens but not in this case.
He was scared to face Elsa again but he still wanted to save people.
"I know that I am no hero but…"
Everyone's dying faces popped in his mind as he wanted to vomit just by the thought of this happening.
"I will definitely save everyone this time."
His tone was determined, he just needed to proceed forward.
His mind at ease he stepped up only to see three familiar faces again.
He sighed.
"You guys never give up do you?"
Makoto wasn't a type of person to get upset over little things but seeing people who killed him made him a bit angry, especially when you were killed by being stabbed to the back out of all places.
"You sound like you know us." The short guy snorted looking at Makoto.
Luckster just sternly looked at them as cleared his thoughts.
He remembered his previous death and how scared this guys were upon mentioning guards.
Makoto concluded that despite the difference in culture and world there should be at least some group operating as police.
He inhaled the air as started to scream as if it depended on his life.
"Guards!!!" He screamed intensely. "Please save me, dear guards! My life is in danger!!!"
"What the fuck are you doing!?"
"Guaaaaaards!!! Please! I am about to be molested!!!"
"Calm down, hey, stop!"
Their face getting the shade of fear Makoto wanted to continent screaming for help if not for the slim guy getting out his daggers again.
"Stop screaming like a bitch unless you want your guts wide opened."
"I am sorry but something like stabbing me or even burning me doesn't scare me anymore" He was lying, of course it did scare him.
Slim guy was just about to dash at cocky brat before him if not for a calm voice being echoed through the alleyway.
"I guess three versus one is not a fair match."
Standing atop in white uniform there stood a red haired man with a golden sword hanging on his waist.
Trio's face paled as they saw the man in his attire.
Makoto, too, rest his gaze on a man.
"Th-This Red hair and a sword…"
"Don't tell me it is…"
"Reinhard Van Astrea, the Sword Saint!"
Their faces being as pale as snow the man in question had a small chuckle.
"Unless you want to fight me, I would recommend to leave this boy alone."
The trio at this point just gave up as ran away.
"That's clearly not worth it!"
They said running away with their feet sparkling on the way.
Makoto could just stare at the man awestruck as he saw how scared were those guys. If three people are scared of one man it must mean he is far stronger than them compared.
"Y-You really saved me out here…" Makoto chuckled scratching his cheeks as bowed down.
Man in question, Reinhard, as those hooligans named him, smiled waving his hands.
"No, please raise your head." The man smiled. "I just did the thing that every knight would do."
The man had a little sparkle near him.
Makoto covered his eyes from the shine of the man's smile.
"But still you saved me Mister...umm...it was Reinhard right?"
"Hm? You don't know me? Wait, come to think of it your fancy clothes could mean that you can be from outside of Lugunica, right?"
"W-Well you can say that I don't belong in here."
Reinhard smiled, he was the type of person who was interested in knowing more of an outside world given his status, it was impossible fit to do.
"Thanks Mr. Reinhard if not for you I would be dead so I, Naegi Makoto, is really grateful to you."
"They were simply scared of two people, you and me."
Makoto wanted to laugh.
"As long as I would like to agree I am not really a person good with fights nor someone of strong physique…"
Reinhard narrowed his eyes.
"I would say you are more talented than you look."
Oh how badly he wanted for Reinhard's words to be true.
"Talent, huh?" Makoto looked up the sky, how much of a talent..no..rather what kind of an actual talent did he had? Luck? He believed that it was actually bad luck rather than good one.
"You seemed like you were in hurry Naegi Makoto, did something happened?"
"Please call me Makoto, Reinhard-san."
"But if I will do it, it will seem like we are friends, I couldn't bring myself to call someone as great as you a friend."
Makoto looked at the man in a bit confused look.
"I am by no means great and why not call me a friend? I mean I will be glad to have a good person like you as a close friend if all." He smiled with genuine smile.
Reinhard looked upon the boy for a brief moment as just smiled himself.
"Than I will be more than grateful to call you, Makoto, a close friend of mine."
Reinhard extended his hand forward with a smile on his face.
Makoto offered his own hand managing a firm handshake.
The red-haired knight wasn't sure why, but his very soul wanted to be close to the boy he met. At first glance his ordinary self didn't caught an eye but upon closer look he saw a hidden gem in the boy, surely a strange thing to think of upon meeting someone for the first time but what Reinhard knew of, was the fact that he never missed on judging the person and what his said judgment told about Makoto was the thing that this boy's soul was as pure as a snow.
"Reinhard…"
Makoto suddenly raised a question...no, rather he wanted to ask Reinhard for help.
The boy looked towards the knight with a hope in his eyes, maybe if someone this strong will help him he will be able to stop Elsa, but he stopped.
Felt and Rom were also strong but they lost, so what kind of outcome it will be if Reinhard will die too? Makoto's heart sunk as he imagined how his new friend will die by the hands of the witch who killed him several times.
"Actually never mind...was glad to meet you..b-bye."
His face was full of worry, Makoto hurried towards the slums confusing the red-haired knight.
'The face he made…'
Remembering the frightened expression of Makoto, Reinhard with a worried look headed towards the direction the boy went.
Something seemed off and he was sure of it.
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"Felt's lair will be that way be sure to go straight and then turn left."
Makoto while on the way towards the slums decided to ask for the direction where Felt's lair was.
His plan was simple, head to Felt and convince her to sell the insignia to him saving both her and old man Rom.
"Thank you very much for this information…I don't have anything to repay you with, but one day I will be sure to repay your kindness."
The man laughed Makoto off.
"Don't fret about it, I was glad to help."
With that in mind Makoto headed towards the direction which was shown to him.
His face was determined and his thoughts were clear this time.
*Bump*
But considering his luck he tripped on the way.
By bumping to the person who was going towards the opposite direction they both fell with Makoto groaning in pain.
"Wh-What happened…" He wondered trying to stand up.
*Squish*
His hand sunk on something soft as he tried to stand.
"M~"
He heard a feint moan under him as he looked down on what he was holding.
His face paled and reddened as he saw a smugly smiling woman with dark hair and violet eyes.
"Whaaaaa!"
He jumped up all flustered.
"Ara~? So young and full of energy aren't you young man~?"
He was trembling, the flusterdness was long gone from his face as he saw the woman near him.
Elsa.
"Why are you so quite, hm~?" She swiftly moved towards him. "You seem so scared and flustered...like a little lamb~"
Her eyes were scary as she was piercing him with her gaze.
"I don't sense malice from you yet you are angry aren't you? Surely not because you fell, right~?"
Makoto felt like his tongue was gone, he wanted to say at least something but it was risky, the woman beside him was merciless enough to kill him without a second thought.
"I was just trying to say sorry for bumping to you so s-suddenly."
"Really~? Than I am sorry as well, cute lamb~"
She shortened the distance even more with her lips about to touch his very own lips.
"While I find you cute and interesting, sadly I can't leave my duties…" She half pouted as turned away from him. "I will be off but before leaving I will advice you one thing...don't show your enemies your disgust, plus it don't suit you~"
With that she left going to the distance.
Makoto trying his best to quench the piled up fear sighed in relief.
"Th-That was close…"
Despite the circumstance Makoto was aparalleled of the way Elsa calling him little Lamb. Did he looked that weak and vulnerable in her eyes?
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Reaching Felt's lair Makoto looked around it in shock.
"Is it even p-possible to live in a place like that…?"
It was just several woods glued together rather than a place someone can call home.
"I would say it is possible and that it is a bit rude to enter without permission."
Makoto recognized the voice who said those words in his back as with a smile turned towards her.
"Hey Felt-"
Only to be met with angry look and a sword pointed at him.
"Why the hell do you need me and what is the reason you came here to steal my goods!?"
Slashing her sword towards Makoto the Luckster barely dodged as the girl continued to press on.
"W-Wait I just wanna talk!"
"Spare me your bullshit thieve!"
Clash
Clash
Clash
Makoto was barely dodging her slices as was slowly going back.
Finally he entered the place where Felt was sleeping as girl aimed for his neck, the boy fall down with her sword cutting the rope which was holding the construction.
"W-Watch out!"
The luckster exclaimed pulling the girl towards himself embracing her and protecting from the wooden pieces falling on her.
Crash.
The construction crashed with Makoto flinching in pain. That would definitely leave some scars on his back.
Looking down he smiled at surprised Felt.
"I-I am glad you are okay."
He smiled standing up and giving her a helping hand.
The girl's cheeks were that of the shade of red.
Makoto's smile was pure and innocent while Felt avoided to look towards him.
"Wh-What are you smiling here for!?" She asked still red.
Makoto chuckled.
"Just I am really glad that you are unhurt, Felt."
"Addressing me so casually? Do I even know you?"
"I would say you knew me? No, actually you will know me?" He wasn't sure how to put his words correctly but guessing from Felt's reaction it didn't bothered her.
"So what's the reason you wanted to talk to me? So you know no matter that you saved me or not I won't hesitate to cleave your head off, ya got me?"
She pointed her weapon towards the Luckster again.
"Alright Alright! I swear I didn't even thought of harming you just care to listen, ok? I just want to offer you a deal, that's all!"
Felt looked at him with a confused smile.
"Wait so you wanted me to steal something? Why didn't you told me earlier?"
"L-Like you would listen!"
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"Aha! So you want me to sell you this insignia?"
Makoto nodded his head.
"Speaking frankly, yes, I do."
"Eh? But why?"
Makoto scratched back of his head.
"I wish to return it to it's owner."
Felt's mouth fall off.
"Huh??? Are you nuts? If what you said is true and this item of yours does actually costs more than 20 Holy Coins than why not run off and leave a life full of luxury?"
While this thought did crossed his mind he didn't wanted Satella to suffer, knowing that he can help he didn't wanted to neglect this chance.
"You know, this insignia belongs to friend of mine, while she doesn't remember me or might be despising me I still can't leave knowing that I can help her."
"…" Looking at his face up close he really did seemed kinda cute, Felt thought to herself but not like she will say it out like that.
Seeing his feint smile Felt blushed again.
"Ahhh, fine! I will sell you the insignia just let's reach old man Rom's warehouse!"
Makoto looked at her in disbelief.
"W-Wait you are serious!?"
Felt looked sideways.
"Don't misunderstand if your Metia costs more than 20 or even 30 Holy Coins than I would be a sore loser to not claim the deal, okay!?"
Makoto didn't cared for any of that as hugged the blonde haired girl as strong as he could.
"Really thank you, Felt, you are the best!"
Felt's face became deep red.
"Wh-Wh-Wha-What are you doing you moron!?" Her face fully red she bit Makoto's shoulder.
"Gyaaaaaa!?"
The boy screamed in agony.
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"Indeed, this metia might be priced even higher than 15...uh...actually 20 holy coins. The boy ain't fooling you."
Felt looked at the said device in disbelief.
"Can't believe this thing is really that expensive."
Makoto victoriously smiled.
"Does that mean I can take the Insignia?"
He was impatient to get this job done, after all if the insignia will be taken he will kill both rabbits with one bullet preventing Elsa from killing Felt and Rom and Satella getting back her treasure.
"Yes you can...go and do whatever you wish with it."
Felt said in a bit of pity that the boy was leaving already, in fact for some reason she wanted him to stay and so she looked towards Rom with pleading eyes of her.
The old man himself wanted the boy to stay, he felt an urge to protect the boy like he was protecting Felt.
"Hey."
Old man called out for the boy.
"Why don't we celebrate your victory, huh?"
Makoto rubbed back of his head.
"I don't want to bother you and s-"
Suddenly he was interrupted by a knock.
"Th-This...dammit she is already here!?"
Makoto's face took rather a dark shade as he looked towards the door.
"What's with you all of a sudden?" Felt asked the boy confused.
"W-We need to run, quickly!"
He started to push Rom and Felt towards the opposite direction towards the back door.
"Hey, why should we run in the first place?"
"Felt is right what happened to you all of a sudden?"
Makoto shook his head.
"The person who came is a merciless woman, she will kill us without a second thought!"
Makoto sounded scared and Rom felt that in the boy's tone.
The door was finally opened.
"I am not so cruel to do it, you know?"
Makoto looked back ready to see Elsa but what he saw surprised him even more.
It was Satella instead of Elsa.
"Huh?" the luckster confusedly groaned.
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Cliffhangers are bitches, right?
Well ngl I had fun writing this chapter.
Also yesterday one of the readers pointed out the reason why Makoto will be dying regardless of his luck which was actually a brilliant idea.
Olatudobem: His luck, theoretically, should be killing him so that he gets the best possible ending, and doesn't end up as a "What If" route, since most are full of anguish and pain.
Holy shit ngl that makes allat of sense so yeh his luck prevents him from fucking up the universe and route he is in.
