NOTHING CHANGES

*SLASH*

[CURRENT PROGRESS: 9998/10,000]

"Phew..."

Reiji's body fell defeated to the ground and as usual, a pool of sweat around him.

His look was tired, beyond all the physical effort he put into his body, he was tired mentally and spiritually.

'It won't be long now.'

Instinctively, Reiji looked at the clock in the room where he was training.

[2:57 PM]

"J-just t-two more cuts!"

With bated breath and his body trembling, Reiji moved into a fighting stance.

Reiji's muscles tightened little by little, he held his breath slightly for concentration, held the pocket knife with a tight grip, and frowning, Reiji threw two quick cuts.

*SLASH* *SLASH*

'Second position!'

Reiji's body moved forward executing a triangular footwork.

Both of Reiji's hands moved in a controlled manner. Although he had only a knife, the boy's left hand held the air as if it were a weapon.

'Third position!

The Kali Knife could be practiced using two weapons at the same time, and the system forced him to pretend he had an extra weapon to increase his points.

'Fourth position!'

He also had to execute the four universal positions of the Kali Knife to have a point added, and from Reiji's point of view, it was unfair, but it was effective in gaining better control of the technique, so even though he complained, he kept practicing.

'And finally, FIFTH POSITION!'

*SLASH* *SLASH*

"Kuh!" Reiji's body fell forward, but he supported himself by resting his hands on his knees.

[CURRENT PROGRESS: 9999/10,000]

"D-Damn, just one more." He whispers helplessly.

As much as he practiced the Kali Knife and it put a great strain on his body, he could not increase his physical stats at all.

'I-I refused to die one more time... I-I need to finish this.'

With pain in every muscle of his body, Reiji got into a fighting stance once again, but his whole body was trembling. It was clear that he could not execute the technique properly.

'F-First...'

"Huff!" Using what little energy he had left, Reiji resolved himself.

"First position!

*SLASH*

Just a slash in the air and Reiji's body fell to the ground like a rag doll.

*PLAFF*

Reiji couldn't lean on anything and his face hit the ground.

The boy began to breathe in an agitated manner.

"I can't... I'm so tired, I want all this to end..." The last sentence was said in a whisper full of helplessness.

"G-God... I-if you'll listen to me..." Reiji swallowed and clenched his fist in anger.

"No... I know you hear me. You're the one who gave me this power, aren't you!?" Some tears streamed down her cheeks.

*SNIFF*

"What did I do wrong?"

*SNIFF*

"I don't want to keep dying, so... WHY ARE YOU TORTURING ME LIKE THIS!!!" Reiji let out a heartbreak cry.

'...' Reiji was silent, thinking about all the things he had been through.

"I'm sorry." Reiji apologized.

"I am the one who chooses to keep on reviving."

Reiji sat on the floor, his whole body leaning against the wall.

'They gave me a gun and they point it at my head, but I am the one who chooses to fire it. Always.' He was now beginning to think of the reincarnation granted by the system as a loaded gun.

'I'm always the one who chooses to return to this hell...'

His eyes lost the sparkle they had always had. Those hopeful eyes, those eyes that always expected to see a new day, that were able to represent Reiji's emotions without him having to say a single word, had vanished.

His face reflected a deep sadness at a thought that had lodged in his mind, and with each death, he suffered, the feeling was simply fueled.

'This will be...'

*SNIFF*

'This will be my last try.'

Reiji looked at the clock in the room and saw the time.

[3:11 PM]

'It's time for me to go.' With difficulty, the boy got up.

***

Reiji was sitting on the edge of the fountain, his head down as he looked at his two pocket knives in each hand.

Reiji's appearance was disheveled. He looked like he hadn't slept in weeks, his hands trembling slightly just remembering the traumatic events he had suffered, and just thinking about what he would have to do once Yuma arrived.

Taking a moment to calm his mind and body, Reiji discreetly put the knives in his pockets.

Before, seeing the time, he had run to a pawnshop and bought the other knife that was now in his pocket. He could have done everything with one knife, but if he wanted to win, he had to give it his all.

*GLUP* *GLUP* *GLUP*

"KAH! as good as ever." Said that boy trying to act indifferent.

[You have obtained the BUFF: Caffeine].

"Now I just have to wait for her."

Reiji closed his eyes and psyched himself up for the fight.

'Th-This time, I know I'll make it!'

Reiji clenched his jaw angrily, and the can in his hand rattled, but before he could think further, a cab parked in front of him.

*SIGH*

As he saw the girl getting out of the cab, his gaze sharpened.

"Y-Yuma..." A forced smile formed on Reiji's face.

There was fear in his mind, but he knew that if he gave way to it, then he would lose the battle.

"Did you wait long here, Reiji-kun?" asked Yuma, bowing her head slightly, using a cute and innocent voice.

"No, I-I just got here. hehe..."

Reiji's nerves were evident, but this time for a different reason.

'I have to act as unsuspicious as possible...'

Yuma turned her head to Reiji and gave him a pleasant smile.

Reiji handed it back to her, but before walking on he spoke. "Oh, I have to throw this can away, give me a second."

Reiji's body turned away from Yuma and turned in the opposite direction.

*SIGH*

'It's now or never.' Reiji's expression became stern.

*WOSH*

Reiji threw the can of his energy drink in Yuma's face.

Yuma, still not understanding what was happening, was surprised by the sudden action, and before she could even catch the can, it was cut in two.

Yuma's eyes caught sight of a red-faced Reiji, jaw clenched, teeth bared, and with a few tears while quickly cutting the can.

[DODGE 1/2]

*SLASH*

"AARGH!" Yuma shouted.

A small cut was made on her face.

*PLAFF*

Yuma's small body fell backward and awkwardly supported himself with his hands.

"R-Reiji-kun, W-What are you doing!"

The sound of Yuma's body hitting the ground attracted the attention of passersby.

People gathered around Yuma and Reiji began to murmur, some called the police and others called an ambulance for the young girl.

"HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THAT GIRL?" One person shouted from the crowd.

"I'VE ALREADY CALLED THE POLICE, YOU BETTER STOP!" Another person shouted from the crowd.

Reiji angrily clenched his pocket knife.

'I'D RATHER SPEND A LIFE SENTENCE IN JAIL THAN KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO DIE EVERY TIME I WAKE UP!!'

Reiji didn't bother to respond and ran straight to Yuma's body as his anger only grew.

"THERE'S NO POINT IN PRETENDING, RAYNARE!"

*SLASH* *SLASH*

Two quick cuts caused Yuma, or rather, Raynare to dodge quickly.

"Damn brat, I'm going to-" Yuma was interrupted by two quick cuts.

'Second position!'

"Son of a-"

*SLASH* *SLASH*

Raynare was dodging the cuts effectively, but she was starting to get annoyed the moment Reiji wouldn't let her speak.

'Third position!

"BASTAR-"

*SLASH* *SLASH*

'Fourth position!'

"DAMN HUMAN!" She cursed angrily.

*SLASH* *SLASH*

Raynare, tired of the siege, spread her wings as her clothing changed almost instantly.

Raynare's body began to levitate.

'FIFTH POSITION!'

"YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ESCAPE!" Reiji growled.

[DODGE 0/2]

*WOOSH*

Reiji's body jumped 2.45 meters in the air and reached Yuma who was levitating.

*SLASH* *SLASH*

[CURRENT PROGRESS: 10,000/10,000]

[Congratulations! You have obtained the KALI KNIFE skill!]

[KALI KNIFE LV.1: When using any type of knife, all physical stats are increased by 30%]

The cut was successful, it had torn Raynare's skin. Reiji could not help but smile.

*POFF*

Reiji fell to the ground as if he were a superhero, and looked up to see Raynare covering her wound.

Raynare's expression showed anger.

'AT LAST. STATE!

[STATUS]

[NAME: ARAYOSHI REIJI.

RACE: HUMAN.

VITALITY: 14.3 (10)

STRENGTH: 2.86 (2)

AGILITY: 2.86 (2)

MANA: 0

INTELLIGENCE: 30

DEATHS: 21

SKILLS: DODGE LV.1(2:59:10), KALI KNIFE LV.1(Active)

BUFF: CAFFEINE.]

Because of the great amount of vitality he suddenly possessed, Reiji felt a burst of energy. His body was elated by all the events. He felt happy because he managed to hurt the person who kept him in a cycle of endless deaths.

"HOW ABOUT THAT RAYNARE!!!?" Reiji had a smile on his face. He had a sense of accomplishment, even though he hadn't even defeated his opponent.

'This time, y-you're going to die.' Thought the young man as he wiped away tears.

This time Raynare clenched her jaw and hung her head.

"How does it feel to be losing?" Reiji asked with a smirk.

*BZZZZ*

The wound he had inflicted on Raynare suddenly glowed purple.

'N-No way...'

The wound was closing in front of his eyes. Reiji's expression changed drastically.

For his part, Raynare smiled in a wicked way.

"I'm going to enjoy torturing you until I find out how you knew I was coming for you..."

Five spears formed behind Raynare.

*PLOC*

Reiji fell to his knees.

He knew well that no matter what he did, he was going to die again.

*WOOSH*

One of the spears flew toward Reiji's body and impaled his hand, leaving it stuck to the ground.

"AAAAAGGHH" Reiji cried out in pain.

"¡N-NO!"

*TUMB*

Reiji threw a blow to the ground with his free hand.

"Huh?" Raynare couldn't help but be confused.

The boy began to cry desperately.

"I-I said I'd give up if I failed this time too."

In front of Reiji was a blue window.

[DEATHS: 21]

"B-But I n-but I n-don't want to."

".... Did you hit your head when you fell out of the crib?" asked Raynare, severely confused by the situation.

"I thought I could accept my fate when it was in front of me, but...but...."

'But I can't.'

*SNIFF*

"UUCK!" Reiji couldn't help but sob.

Raynare narrowed his eyes and pointed.

"I DON'T WANT DI-!!"

"PUAJ!" he vomited blood.

One spear pierced Reiji's other hand, another two pierced his feet to the ground and a last one pierced his stomach.

"W-W-What d-did... I-I... I do to you?"

*WOOSH*

*BADUMP*

Another spear shot out and pierced Reiji's heart.

The boy ducked his head in the last seconds, and a message appeared on his face.

[Do you want to try again?]

'...'