Chapter 1

Natsuki Subaru opened his eyes, stretched his arms, and jumped out of bed.

Subaru: "Ah, a brand new day!"

Subaru expected to see light shining through the windows, but instead he saw nothing but darkness. In fact, he didn't even see his bed anymore. The atmosphere was both cold and dark.

Subaru: "What's going on? It's like I'm in a completely different place. I swear just a moment ago I was asleep in my cozy bed.."

Subaru was puzzled. He had no idea where he was. Subaru had just woken up from a long and peaceful night at the mansion. His contracted spirit, Beatrice, also slept by his side whenever he slept. However, Beatrice was nowhere to be found. And furthermore, Subaru was in a dense and dark environment. It wasn't even a mansion at all, let alone a building.

In other words, it was a large space. There were large trees and rocks surrounding him. The dark atmosphere added to the terrain. Subaru thought that this looked straight out of a horror movie.

Subaru clenched his fists. He didn't know if he should be scared or concerned about this. Subaru didn't mind being transported to a different place, as he was actually quite used to it. But now? Of all times? He was looking forward to a peaceful morning with Beatrice and Emilia. But unfortunately, this is the opposite of what he wanted.

Subaru: "Damn it. I need to find a way out of here. But damn, it's way too dark in here. I need some kind of light source!"

Subaru wandered around the place. He saw more and more trees as he went along. And, through the trees, he could see the gleaming of the moon above him. Subaru definitely knew he was in a different place now. He was outside, and it was night now.

Subaru sighed and carried on.

It wasn't long before Subaru started to see a building up ahead. Subaru also noticed many different things as he walked along. The moonlight was able to reveal a few things that he had not seen before, such as large hooks hanging from tall beams, and he also noticed large red lockers surrounding the area.

Subaru decided to investigate the building. He didn't know what he'd find in there but he hoped he'd find something useful to him.

Subaru walked inside the shack, and he noticed another locker. There also seemed to be a basement within the shack. Subaru walked downstairs to investigate even more. Down there, Subaru found more hooks and more lockers. He checked every inch of the place. In one of the corners, Subaru found a chest.

Subaru: "Ah, perhaps there might be something useful in here.."

Subaru unlocked the chest. Inside, he found a flashlight.

Subaru grinned.

Subaru: "Yes! This is exactly what I needed! A light source!"

Subaru put the flashlight in his pocket.

When Subaru exited the shack, he noticed it was starting to rain. Rain dropped down on his tracksuit and the rain also made his sneakers to squeak as he took his every step.

Subaru: "Well, since I now have a light source, it'll make finding my way around here much more easier, and now-"

Subaru was interrupted by the sounds of screams. And they just weren't any screams, either. They were..

Subaru: "Emilia.."

Subaru ran as fast as he could, nearly tripping on the now wet terrain. He dashed toward the sounds of the screams. He had to find her as quickly as possible. Subaru was scared. His heart was beating and there was a chill down his spine. What could've happened? How could he save her? What was he going to do? Why was Emilia here with him? How did they even get there in the first place?

There were so many thoughts flooding Subaru's mind that he couldn't even think properly.

Subaru finally located Emilia. There was a trail of blood. And to Subaru's horror, he saw her. Hanging. Hanging from one of the hooks that he had seen from earlier.

Subaru: "Emilia!"

Emilia turned her head slowly and looked at Subaru.

Emilia: "Su..baru.. H..help.. Me.."

Subaru was breathing heavily. He was in a state of shock. How could this possibly happen. Who could've done this? What was he going to do?
Subaru: "Don't worry, Emilia! I'm going to get you down from there!" he yelled.

But before Subaru could unhook Emilia, Subaru felt a presence. The presence was large, and it made him feel extremely uneasy. Subaru took the flashlight out of his pocket and shined it all around him.

Standing behind him was a tall figure. He had a bear trap in one hand and thorns coming out of his shoulders. He was completely silent, but extremely terrifying at the same time. The man had no face shown, as he wore a mask over it. The man just looked at Subaru. It was as if the devil himself was staring into Subaru's eyes.

Subaru didn't know what to do. He was covered in sweat. He was paralyzed with fear. The man was right in front of him. What would he do?

Without warning, the man, who was also carrying a large cleaver, smacked Subaru in the shoulder.

Subaru screamed in excruciating pain. His left shoulder was now bloodied, and he was cornered. Subaru didn't want to leave her, but he had to run away. Subaru fled in complete terror as he lost more and more blood. The blood left a large trail as he ran.

Subaru: "No! No! No! Please! I don't to die! Please, please!"

Subaru was stained with sweat and also of tears that fell down his face. Subaru saw the shack he had from earlier. Maybe he could hide there.

Subaru made his way to the shack. But before he could get inside..
Snap!

Subaru screamed. His right leg had been caught in a bear trap.

Subaru, who was extremely terrified, couldn't even focus at the moment. He tried his hardest to pry the trap off his leg, but it was no use. He was too weak, and the trap clenched on his leg tight. Subaru sensed the presence again.

This time, the masked man hit Subaru in the back of the head with his cleaver.

Nearly, unconscious, Subaru found himself being swung over on the shoulders of the man. Subaru had no strength. He couldn't even move. There was nothing he could possibly do at this moment.

And then, just like Emilia, Subaru was placed on one of those hooks.

Subaru screamed again. The pain of getting hooked was excruciating. Subaru knew at this moment he was going to die. There was no way he could get out of this.

Subaru: "Damn it.. I'm going to die, I'm going to die.. Again.. Again… Emilia.. Hang in there… I swear I'm going to save you…"

And with those dying words, Natsuki Subaru lost his life.