Disclaimer:

I do not own the Re: Zero series or anything else relating to it. It is all owned by Tappei Nagatsuki. Any OC found within this story is of my creation.

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"For the last time, I didn't forget. What kind of person do you take me for?"

"Yeah, says the one who misses paying rent all the time."

"Tck, it just happens okay! Not my fault the landlord changes the due date every month."

"Umm, you do know it's the same day every month? Who told you it changed?"

"Our neighbor! Damn it I feel like an idiot."

"You're hopeless, Sean."

A chat between two friends, one spoke over a smartphone while the other listened in, resonated across the unoccupied laboratory. The lone figure that filled the desolate classroom was a plain-looking young student, surrounded by numerous technical components, as he was engrossed by the object he was tinkering with.

Although, before he could resume his activities with said object, the voice through the phone shouted at him, enough to tear his ear off from a trance.

"Hey, Sean! Earth to Sean! What are you even doing? You better not be making some hentai shit!" The masculine voice goaded as a light snicker was heard from their end.

"Even if I was, it would be Elsa hentai only. None of that Emilia crap you always like, Ren." retorted Sean.

Ren, as he was now known, gasped in false astonishment. Until he then let out a giggle to himself. "Same old Sean. Anyway, are you still down for what me and the boys planned for tonight?"

"And that was?" The lone student queried.

"Smash Bros and pizza night. Did you forget?"

"Welp, I may have. Plus it's not my fault my group's project crapped out on me today. It's due tomorrow and I have to do my part. If I don't, it's my grade…and my ass." Sean admitted with a jaded tone.

"Honestly, it does seem like the universe has it out for you. Did you do something to piss it off?" Ren asked.

"Probably, but I am kind of used to it now. Like your mom always said, 'If you expect disappointment, you won't be disappointed when it happens', or something like that."

"Why do you have to be so pessimistic?" An exasperated sigh was emphasized across the phone. "Sheesh, I feel like my dog just died every time I talk to you. Now I feel like I want to put myself in the 'Forever Box'."

"You and me both haha."

"By the way, did you see the new chapter Tappei dropped? Freaking Subaru turned into Smolbaru!"

"At this point, Tappei is basically writing a parody of his story." Ren silently agreed as he chuckled. The troubled young man then recalled what he read. "Besides, I've only read a few chapters of Arc 7. Whatever that Vincent guy is up to, it is his problem."

"Sean, you got to read it! When you get here I'll catch you up on it."

"Alright. I'm pretty much done anyway. I just have to recalibrate the compact generator's solar panels and then I'll leave."

"Bet! Be safe getting here. The last thing you want is to be isekai'd by Truck-kun. Later bro!"

"Haha, peace."

After they had exchanged their goodbyes, the call had come to an end. Leaving him once again his own devices. He then shifted his focus on completing his assignment. Once that was accomplished, he could then unwind and spend quality time with his pals afterward. Throughout the entire year, Sean's mental health had suffered as a result of all of his academic pressure. He couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction when he saw his device compile properly.

All that was left was to clean up and prepare for the next day.

A tall young male of unfortunate origin exited the laboratory and sauntered along the hallway in a well-lit and furnished building. He was half-Korean, half-Caucasian, and a fourth-year university student at MIT. The tired student experienced yet another dreadful day full of final exams and projects.

Unbeknownst to the oblivious student, his life was fated to change forever. Sean was plagued by his proclivity for misfortunes, which never enabled him to be at ease. Whether it was oversleeping, a flat tire, nearly getting mauled by dogs while on a run, or his project failing on him, he managed to deal with unimaginable problems. As a result, he had adopted a cautious and anxious mindset that had so far had not failed him.

No matter what he did, he knew that luck would never favor him.

'After tomorrow, I'll be officially done with university. It's been fun and hectic, but good things have to come to an end. I can finally say that me and my friends have made it. Even so, we'll have to work for the rest of our lives.'

As he strolled along in a bored manner, Sean was then saddened by that thought. With the school semester nearing its end and graduation right around the corner, there would be little time for him to socialize with his friends. And with his group having different aspirations and goals, the future seemed full of uncertainty.

Sean was brought out of that somber thought when he heard a notable ring come from his pocket. The alert was an indication that his phone had received a notification. He assumed it was Ren wanting an update on his whereabouts. Instead, it was a message from an entirely different individual. He quickly realized it was a reminder of how trivial and unforgiving his life could be at times.

There, on the screen of his smartphone, was a message from an individual from his past. A past he only recently had come to terms with.

Hey Sean, it's your Aunt Linda. I know it's been a while, but I wanted to message you. Look, I know I said some terrible things to you. Everything that happened that day wasn't your fault. I just want to make amends with you so that we can forge a better future, together. That is the least I can do for your dad. Don't blame yourself for what happened that day. I know he still loves you, Sean. Please, give me a call sometime. I want to catch up. Until then, stay safe.

Having read that grim message, the lone student halted his steps and remained in place. A light source from above cast a shadow that hid his face. Feeling a mix between irritation and anger, he slightly balled his fist, overwhelmed by those unpleasant emotions. Just as it seemed he would erupt in a sudden rage, he bit his lower lip drawing blood.

No matter what he did, his past continued to haunt him. At times he often wished he had never been born. If that were the case, then he would not have suffered for so many miserable years. Yet, there was nothing he could do to change any of that. The past had occurred for a reason, and the future is what awaited him.

The unlucky lad pushed the near exit with much force, the door violently swinging with a loud screech. As he made his way off the campus grounds, he pondered to himself. He wondered what his life would have played out if certain events happened differently. All he desired was fulfillment and purpose overall. Even if one chapter of his was coming to a close, Sean knew more challenges awaited him.

Just as he had passed the first pillar, a wave of drowsiness struck him and threatened to overwhelm his senses. It was so sudden that he didn't have much time to react and muster enough grit against the rushing sensation of fatigue. Barely even a second passed by, but the weight of his backpack behind him, and the large case he carried grew heavier to the point that it was starting to be a chore to him.

Each step he attempted seemed to further worsen his current predicament. Briefly removing his glasses to rub his eyes, provided temporary relief. Then, Sean allowed his eyes some rest by closing them for a moment. Feeling better than before, he reopened them to resume his short journey.

Unexpectedly, something moved in his peripheral vision, a misty shadow emerged, stalking him like he was prey. He attempted to identify the shady and eerie individual until he noted their presence vanished altogether.

"Must be seeing things..."

As he tried to suppress his uneasiness, the hairs on the back of his head stood, as he felt that same individual stalking him. The young man crept forward slowly, attempting to predict what they would do next. With his car in sight, he then turned his light steps into a sudden jog as the feeling of fear intensified.

Edges of his vision darkened as a shadowy figure emerged from behind the vehicle. The lights illuminating the lot cut out as the two locked eyes. At that moment, his basic survival instincts kicked in. It was clear they were out for him and he would not die without a fight.

Sean attempted desperately to form a defensive posture against the threat. He knew he was outmatched as his trembling knees took a step backward.

"Wha…" He could barely let out his words as fear gripped and stroked his neck.

"What do you want?!"

"You..."

Their whispers were emitted from all directions towards the young man, which put him further on the edge. He desperately thought of any attempt at escaping, hoping not to be caught in a surprise attack. But with little to no information about his alleged assailant, as well as how his body screamed with all its might so as not to approach them, he was wary of his odds.

With no other choice, Sean sprinted for his life. His only hope would be to return to the campus and seek out assistance from anyone willing.

'I should have left earlier! Come on, come on! Someone else has to be here!'

"You...are...the one…"

With a rush of adrenaline coursing through his body, Sean quickened his pace. However, it was a futile attempt with the being whose shadow tendrils slithered on the street, as he felt that his feet had slowly numbed. With each passing second, the helpless man could feel the grasp of the shadows closing in on him.

Then, like a mouse caught in a trap, snap.

He fell face-first to the cold asphalt floor of the parking lot.

Sean's panic increased, as he realized his purser had ensnared his leg, locking him in place. He tried to wiggle his captured limb free until his entire body was dragged. No matter what he did, the dark being persisted. It seemed his fate was sealed.

'Why me?! I didn't do anything! Now, they are going to ki- wait, what the hell?!'

The terrified man's inner thoughts were interrupted as the shadowy individual revealed itself. Large white eyes stared into his very soul.

"You...are...the...one. Love you-"

As he attempted to respond, his entire body was fully absorbed by the shadows. Leaving not a single trace as to what had transpired.

Sean Wang, the unfortunate soul, had disappeared from the world.

"Marvelous! The links between the two realms were successful! As I had expected, that entity summoned that poor lad!"

Sitting in a vast and white space, was an elderly man dressed in strange robes that concealed the majority of his body from sight. He rested on a chair alone as he rubbed his back, gazing at a shining orb that brought images to light. If one looked close enough they could see it played the events that had occurred moments ago.

"Of course, this was thanks to my excellent abilities. Hahaha!" The strange man congratulated himself. He continued to view the events of Sean Wang's disappearance, astonished at how the events unfolded.

"Now that takes care of that problem. Hopefully, that corrects the misfortunes that I have brought upon the lad," he said as he stroked his beard, satisfied with his work. "He will now have to craft his new life from here on out. As long as he believes in himself, he can do anything he puts his mind to. With the gifts I bestowed upon him, he will be just fine. My work here is done."

The flashing images from the orb then disappeared, leaving it in an empty state—a void, not even light could pass through. The robed man sighed to himself after having to tamper with many universes to achieve the results that he desired. It took a toll on him, but in unique circumstances, such as the case of Sean Wang, it was deemed necessary.

Due to his lack of responsibility and discipline, the young man's life was wretched. From then on, he vowed not to allow such adversity to befall an individual. While he committed many mistakes in his life, the one he regretted the most had been rectified. Still, he would have to remain diligent and continue his duties without failure.

'All right, Sean, go show them what you're made of. Reveal to them the untapped potential you've always had.'

It was dark and cold, yet somewhat calming in some strange way. My surroundings then seemed to dissipate as the clock went further into the drain.

As the initial feeling passed, only a variety of sounds were palpable to me. A cacophony of noises ranging from footsteps, chattering, breathing, and the unbearable ringing in my ears seemed to be the worst. It all felt like a herd of mosquitos buzzing in the depths of my head.

Even so, I was able to repel that short daze, allowing my senses to settle down and analyze my whereabouts. After taking the time to get my bearings in check, I finally opened my eyes to see what had occurred. I did not recall the entire night having passed? Why did the area seem so familiar that it almost infuriated me? Furthermore, there were buildings ranging from different sizes, as if l had been thrown back into the age of renaissance a half-millennia ago.

Even the people's features spoke of a whole different story, foreign to my own!

While normal-looking people were in my sight, there were other "unique" individuals with fur, claws, scales, furry ears, and a plethora of other features. The only answer was that they were some type of demihumans from what I knew from watching isekai anime.

'Wait, that reminds me, this setting feels like an isekai.'

As I lingered on that thought, I caught the stares from the locals. Some of them were curious, bewildered, and even downright suspicious. Feeling worried for my well-being, I decided to make my quick exit from the open place and walked aimlessly.

From the sun's high position in the sky, I could roughly tell it was noon. The uncomfortable feeling of sweat slowly drenched my clothing as the hot rays beamed down on me. I checked myself and noticed my backpack and case had remained intact.

When it came to my attire, it consisted of a pair of jeans, a hoodie saying 'Oppai' on the front, and a white dad hat with an 'Adidas' logo. All in all, it was the most impractical outfit as I stood out like a sore thumb. Feeling faint, I resorted to locating a quiet spot for a brief rest. Being placed in such a troublesome predicament, I could feel the panic had started to settle in. The sudden realization of being isekai'd hit me like a bullet train.

Looking around, I found a bench with a decent amount of shade and approached it. After finally taking a seat, I evaluated all the events that had transpired. It all seemed so surreal that it was frightening to a whole new degree! I was quite literally stuck in a whole new world with only a few items to spare!?

While I enjoyed watching isekai I did not particularly like getting isekai'd myself! It was entirely absurd in all honesty!

I steadied my breathing as anxiety was beginning to make itself known. Even if I had been placed in a mind-boggling situation, I had to remain calm. I would not be able to figure out why I was brought here if I allowed myself to fall apart so suddenly.

With all the newfound stress, a cigarette would be a lifesaver. While they were stored in my backpack, it was wrong to feed my addiction in a time of worry.

If I succumbed to my bad habits it would only hurt me in the long run.

And the last thing I wanted was to become exactly like my father.

Feeling slightly collected, my shoulders began to ease up after almost experiencing a panic attack episode. While I was far from alright, it would have to suffice.

There were too many questions lingering and not enough answers.

Firstly, I needed to find the mysterious figure that forcefully dragged me to this plane of reality. In doing so I could possibly return home. The only recollection I had of them was all the muttering they had done. It was my only lead, which did not prove useful at all.

Secondly, where exactly was I?

Even if I could tell the scenery was a generic isekai anime setting, I had no indication as to where this was. Speaking to the citizens that roamed the streets could prove useful. Thing is, would they understand me?

Lastly, why was I broughthere?!

Uncovering the truth of my summoning would no doubt be the most crucial. This thought is tied directly with the first mystery and would require much time and effort.

Still, to sort the mess I was placed in, gathering information was the wisest idea. However, a slight ache then spread throughout my head. It was as if I had been pounded ruthlessly by a baseball bat, repeatedly.

In the distance, I could hear countless shouts from a large swarm of citizens near the main road. I tried my best to shut their unpleasant sounds out, as the matter did not concern me. It was pointless as their screams of worry were soon replaced to that of congratulating claps and whistles.

It seemed the people of the world could be quite rowdy.

Gradually, the event died down back to a comfortable frequency. I then noticed a minor smear on my lenses. As I attempted to wipe it off, my glasses fumbled out of my hands when the crowd erupted in a loud cheer once again. Before the fragile frames could make contact with the ground, my hand rapidly swooped towards the ground, catching the glasses' frame with ease.

I was flabbergasted by my impressive movements, as it only increased my growing list of worries.

Moving on, I had a sudden realization from the events from earlier. For some odd reason, my summoner's way of speech sounded rather familiar. Tried as I might, the memory would not click for me. Frustrated, I then lightly tapped my hands. I began to think of where the mysterious individual could be from. If only some miracle were to occur, I could then decide what to do from here on out!

"Stop right there, thief!"

My head jolted up, as I saw a golden blur move at a quickened pace. Following right behind it was a silver-haired girl that I no doubt had seen somewhere before.

Then, like a shock to the brain, the pieces connected all together revealing the truth I had been searching for.

"That's… Emilia. " I muttered in disbelief. "No freaking way."

Truly, what I had witnessed was no doubt an illusion. Yet, neither a pinch nor rub of the eyes indicated it was a fever dream. It felt as if a dam broke within my mind, allowing all the memories to flow through. This was certainly, no, without a doubt it was the world of Re: Zero.

"Fuck..." I could not imagine the complete agony that awaited me.

Although I had been summoned to an unforgivable world, I would have to be ten times more cautious. Danger lurked at every corner and if I was not too careful then I could experience an unexpected and early demise. The deaths of Subaru played within my mind on repeat. My breath, or what was left of it, had become shallower. It was clear that I was placed in such an unforgiving world to be punished even further. If only I had—

'Fuck! I need to calm down! I need to think clearly. Now is not the time to panic.'

'Breathe, Sean, breathe!'

The terror that threatened to overwhelm me subsided, as I no longer wanted to feel hopeless. Ensuring my survival would prove to be a daunting task indeed. It was filled with good and bad people that I more than likely would encounter in due time. Not only that, but I could be involved in all its conflicts if I was not careful.

Truly, I was fucked beyond all comprehension.

Even so, it was a granted opportunity for a new life.

Yet all the people and friends I knew previously were out of my reach.

And it felt as if it would remain so in the far future.

Truly, I had no one I could turn to and rely on. I found myself alone again like all those years ago.

It seemed like fate indeed wanted to punish me even further.

Brushing away those thoughts of melancholy, it was due time to direct my efforts elsewhere. While a new world awaited me, remaining in place would accomplish nothing.

There was a reason I was chosen, and I would uncover it. Mopping and panicking would not benefit me whatsoever.

I then recalled the moment I had been summoned, frame by frame. A distorted image of the dark entity appeared within my thoughts. I could barely make out their identity, but one thing stood out the most—their voice. It was soothingly gentle, yet full of emotion that irked me. As I continued to analyze that new information, it was not long before I uncovered the individual behind my summoning.

All the evidence I conjured up revealed that it was Satella, the Witch of Envy.

While I was troubled by this discovery, it all made sense in hindsight. I was still unnerved that the witch had kidnapped me, I at least had a basis to follow on. If she intended to use me to release her from her seal, then she would have to wait. There would come a time and place to arise for when I could interrogate the half-elf for more answers. Saving her was at the bottom of my list of activities that needed to be done.

That still begged the question: Why had Satella selected me?

I had never met her before in my life, other than from reading Tappei's masterpiece. It was theorized by the fanbase that Subaru was Flugel at one point in time. Did that same bizarre theory apply to me? It didn't make an ounce of sense but it was the only lead I had. The more I tried to dissect the mystery, the more layers that were revealed.

Furthermore, I did not watch the anime for Re:Zero; however, the light and web novels provided all the lore needed. Except I had barely read for Arc 7, which was ongoing as I attended university. While I would be without some vital knowledge, I was confident that I could make do.

Nonetheless, the initial decision I had to make was laid before me. I either ventured the route of aiding Emilia or retreat from the pending danger. No matter what choice was made, I prayed my intuition would guide me without fail. If not, then I would have to face whatever consequences came before me.

Ultimately, I was free to decide my course of action. Although, my reasonable side knew that was naive thinking. If I planned my events right, I could work them out in my favor. It all started with determining what the end goal was. In the case of Subaru, he had experienced an insufferable amount of anguish to finish Arc 1. By avoiding his mistakes, the path to success would present itself.

'Thanks to Subaru, I feel reassured about my chances of survival. I will have to live up to his example and overcome the challenges within the Royal Capital.'

Concluding that uplifting line of thought, I noted the disappearance of the silver-haired half-elf and the blond thief. With those two out of the equation, I decided what was best for myself overall. As I pressed the bridge of my glasses, a calculated and light gleam appeared on the lenses.

"Nope, definitely not dealing with this shit," I admitted as I gathered my belongings and left.

While helping Emilia sounded intriguing, it was illogical. Subaru made that naive decision and it led him down an endless path of misery and pain.

In addition, these events were Roswaal's doing and I would not complete a fool's errand. I would not fall for his bait and avoid venturing down the road he had planned.

I'd rather take my horrible luck to the grave before I'd ever do that.

Consequently, I knew the Court Mage would be one of many foes that I would clash with. Roswaal's gospel worked similar to that of Echidna's but to a much weaker degree. His gospel provided a clear path to an ideal future he desired. The clown had been following that disgusting tool to a tee for centuries.

If I started to divert the path of the gospel then he would know.

Be that as it may, I still had the upper hand on the jester. I knew more about Roswaal A. Mathers than he would ever know. I did not intend to be a mere pawn for the sake of killing Volcanica, and reviving the Witch of Greed. Roswaal was only one of many enemies that needed to be dealt with in due time. For the moment, I would base my decisions oppositely on what he wanted.

'Now what to do? This place is way too huge. Maybe I should find someone familiar. Someone nice and trustworthy, but who?'

As I wandered further in the vast Royal Capital, it would be ideal to earn some coin and acquit myself with a potential ally. The only person that came to mind was Reinhard van Astrea, the Sword Saint. If I met any other character besides him, I would have a hard time trusting them right off the bat. There was a possibility he could help me settle here if I found him. That was the only person I knew who would be available other than Emilia.

When it came to money, Lugnica's currency dealt with coins that rendered my dollar bills worthless. Plus, I knew for a fact debit nor credit was going to be of any use either. To identify the difference between their coins was quite simple. Copper, Silver, Gold, and Holy coins. Valuing each one would take time but hopefully, it would go smoothly.

Sighing to myself, I strolled further down the traffic-filled main road. Since I had been summoned, it meant my actions and decisions would shape the foreseeable future. In all honesty, it was a terrifying yet exhilarating thought. Nevertheless, if I was similar to Subaru, it meant I did not possess significant abilities to defend myself. That was my current deduction at the moment in time.

Other similar individuals like Al, Hoshin, and Flugel, were all victims of the isekai trope. In the case of Hoshin, I believed he was not granted an ability. With Al's ability, it functioned similarly to Return by Death but in its own unique way. Something that dealt with him having his own 'territory' which he controlled. From what I could remember, it sounded like some type of spatial awareness version of Return by Death.

That then left Flugel, who was an even greater enigma than Al due to the lack of records of him. That then meant I was powerless with only the skills I had obtained from Earth. My only strong suit being Martial Arts: Jujutsu to be exact. Even if I had been a black belt, my refined and graceful movements were laughable compared to the monstrous individuals of this world. Even so, if I had to fight, I was going to give it my all.

With that being said, I did not feel any different than when I had arrived. If I were to perish, would Return by Death be an ability in my arsenal? Since the Witch of Envy summoned me then it was both the best and worst ability, but to be safe I would avoid raising death flags so soon.

Moving on, if I did not tread carefully then I could get myself into some nasty situations. It would be up to Lady Fate in how my new life would unfold from there on out.

Walking through the long road provided a clear view of how chaotic the traffic was at the time. If I kept on doing this pointless task then it would lead me nowhere. Securing a "stable" job was not something I saw myself doing so soon. The only thing I wanted to do was to relax and let this dreadful story play itself out. Although, just like in my world, money was vital.

"If I needed some coins, where would I go? I highly doubt a situation would present itself to me so easily," I mused as a depressing cloud hung over my head.

As I came to a brief stop, I saw a fancy-looking citizen stumble and greet the stone pavement. From the clothes they wore, I assumed they belonged to the aristocratic sector of the kingdom. Feeling pity for the man, I went to help the fallen noble until two shady men had reached him.

Before I could turn away, I caught a glimpse of a small glistening item in one of the individuals' hands that were up against the noble. I squinted to get a better look as the three made their way into a nearby dark alley. I knew without a doubt one of those two lowlives was armed with a makeshift dagger.

'Why has no one said a word? Are there no knights around?'

'If I am going to have to do something, then fuck.'

In the perspective of the passing citizens, it seemed like an ordinary act of kindness had occurred. Two friendly individuals provided aid to a fallen man.

What complete utter bullshit.

Either I had to pursue them or ignore them and continue with my own issues.

Since I was the only witness, I was that noble's only chance of taking him out of harm's way. Something told me I would regret going down that alley.

Although, someone had to show those assholes proper manners.

I made my way across the crowded street to reach the alleyway they had entered. I silenced my footsteps to get the drop on the two thieves. As I moved along the unfamiliar path with caution, I neared a corner and overheard the husky conversation of the three individuals. My eyes peeked around the corner as the two thieves had the nobleman held against the wall.

A look of utter terror was visible on the noble's face which was to be expected. I then placed my belongings on the ground, slowly moving towards them to put an end to their little act of thievery.

"Now, be a nice and quiet noble, okay? Give us your money, or else." Thief one threatened.

"Yeah, or else." Thief two added.

"Of course! Just please, I beg of you, spare me!" The nobleman urged as they grinned in satisfaction.

Before I could get closer, the noble had spotted me, ruining my chance of sneaking up on the two thieves. "Thank the Dragon! Someone has come to save me from these mongrels! Please, sir, dispose of these two!"

Motherfucker! Couldn't you shut up for a second longer!?

What a horrible situation it all turned out to be.

So much for stealth.

All of their attention was then directed at me. Not only did I have to save a wimpy nobleman from being a hostage, but I had to confront the muggers head-on. The thief with the sad excuse for a shank then placed themselves behind the nobleman, as their accomplice positioned himself ahead of them.

"Look buddy, walk away before this turns into a scene. You have no business here." stated the first thief.

"Oh, is that a threat? Do you mind coming closer to say that?" I snarked. Both criminals visibly tensed at my "offer".

"Tsk. Guess we'll have to rob you as well then. Come here brat!"

Thief two attempted a lunge at me with a sloppy right hook. Having anticipated that response, I waited at the last moment to parry his blow and kicked him in his precious jewels. I grinned at his miserable state as he then laid on the ground, defeated. His movements were sluggish and predictable compared to my overall experience. With the sudden turn of events, his partner was not too joyful.

"Shit! Damn bastard! If you move an inch I- I'll kill this fucker!"

"Really now? By all means, do it." I responded with a flat tone.

"What?! Are you insane?!" The nobleman shouted in fear.

"Huh?! I said I will! Di- didn't I?!"

"Do it, you coward. Kill him. Or do you not have the balls?"

While the aggravated thief could not tell, I was spewing out nonsense. If I aggravated him any further then he could accidentally kill the noble. However, I had a gut feeling that underneath that false bravado was a cowardly thief. The man was not so different from the thieves from my world. Their motto was still the same: robbing innocent people and hoping to get away with it.

"I said I'll do it you-"

"Jesus Christ. You suck at this, you know that?"

Having heard that remark, the thief then trembled from the tension. No doubt he and his partner had expected me to be a mere fool. With no other options, the criminal was clearly desperate. He was either going to surrender or make a mistake that would cost him greatly. Either way, he was done for no matter what he chose.

However, I was also far from having the upper hand. Even if I was confident in my skills, adding a lethal weapon into the equation was deadly. Being stabbed from the shank would not be ideal. If only I could use some type of fabric or cloth to disarm him. By using the cloth as a means to disarm the thief could I then turn the tides.

With a glance, I spotted a ragged and torn scarf wrapped on the thief I ruthlessly humiliated from earlier. It would prove useful, but I could not allow the other man to predict my intentions. A defensive stance was the smartest decision until he was in distance for a faint.

"Now then, are you going to hurry up? I don't have all day." I taunted, hoping the thief would finally make a move.

As a response to my insult, the thief yelled madly and pushed the nobleman in frustration. He then sprinted intending to deliver some payback.

"Fucker! I have you now!"

Right as the enraged criminal neared, I sensed a smooth foreign energy emitting from my core and throughout my body. It was as if my natural limiters had been lifted, which allowed my entire frame to be reinforced with more agility and toughness. Before I could ponder further on the strange ability, I had a thief that had to be brought down.

I swiftly yanked the poor wardrobe choice from his unconscious friend. With a rapid twirl, the scarf was wrapped firmly around my forearm. Since the thief was so utterly sick of me, he could care less what I had done.

Just as it seemed the blade would stab into flesh, I had twisted one end around his wrist. With one hard yank, a satisfying snap was an indication that his wrist had been dislocated. His ear-screeching shout echoed throughout the narrow alleyway as if a murder had occurred. Having had enough of his antics, I directed a jab straight to his exposed neck. It was critically effective given that he was rendered gargling for breath. Before I knew it, he fell right atop of his accomplice, suffering the same demise.

With all that out of the way, the nobleman was the last concern. He had suffered a nasty fall when the last thief pushed him. As I reached the other man I saw him rise from the floor.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"Oh dear, for a second there I had lost all hope. Thank you, sir, for saving my life!" The nobleman responded and eagerly shook my hand.

"No worries. Now if you excuse me, I'll be on my way." Before I could turn away the noble had tugged my arm.

"Please, wait! How can I repay you, sir?"

"Huh, repay me? What for?"

"For what you just did! Those mongrels would have taken all that I have were it not for you!" The short man exclaimed.

"Well, they were asking for it. Honestly, I don't need anything for you." I replied sincerely.

"Are you saying coins will not suffice? How about a job?! Wait!" His sudden interruption startled me as he thought of another reward. Before I could stop him, a wide grin was plastered on his face. "How about the hand of my daughter?! That should suffice, yes?!"

'His freaking daughter?! This is so absurd. He is the true definition of a total pushover! I just saved him from getting mugged and now he's willing to do anything? So cliche!'

I could not help but massage my temple and sighed heavily. The affluent man appeared to require assistance in other areas. "Let's take a step back alright? While I do need coins, it unsettles me having to earn it this way. Also, you shouldn't be offering something only your daughter can decide on. You should cherish her above all else." Having given the man an impromptu life lecture, I could have sworn stars had twinkled in his irises.

"Of course! How could I be so shameless?! Truly, you are a magnificent man, sir! I will ensure she hears of your exploits!" Sighing again, it was clear the short and bald-headed man processed information differently.

"Do as you wish then. Sorry to leave you so suddenly, but the knights should be on their way."

"Please wait! Can I at least have your name, sir? I would like to know the man that saved me." The nobleman requested.

"Of course. It's Sean Wang."

"Thank you, Mr. Wang. I hope to see you again!"

As the nobleman bid me farewell, I smiled and made my exit. It was truly an odd first encounter in the world I found myself in. Still, I had other concerns that had to be addressed. I could not allow for any more distractions. Rounding the corner, I quickly retrieved my belongings.

Getting myself equipped, I exited the alleyway with only one objective in mind; to find Reinhard van Astrea. It was essential that I made contact with him soon. It would not be far-fetched to say he was my only hope for a "normal" life. Not only that, but I also couldn't help but wonder how Emilia was faring. Knowing the half-elf, she was probably miserable.

For a fact, I knew I was right. Haha!

"Oh, fiddlesticks. What now?! I lost her for sure!" Emilia whined as she continued to search in a worried manner. The half-elf stopped for a moment to rest. She then continued, "If only I had the means to track her. Although, at her pace, there was no way I could have stopped her."

Emila understood how jeopardizing the incident was for her candidacy. If she did not find the thief responsible, then her insignia would be gone forever. If that were to happen, the half-elf would be disqualified from the Royal Selection and could no longer run to be a candidate for the throne. She then felt some rustling coming from her hair. A small furry individual appeared.

"Well Lia, you should have been a little bit more careful. If we hadn't lost Ram in the first place then I expect we wouldn't be stuck in this predicament," said the new individual.

"You're right Puck, I'm sorry. Ram was beside me until she disappeared. Now I don't even know the thief's identity."

"True, but don't worry about the maid. For now, we should keep looking and hopefully stumble into that little thief," Puck commented.

"I doubt that, Puck. Finding them will be a challenging endeavor." The half-elf admitted as her resolve began to waver. She sat atop a small bridge covering a small body of water. Her thoughts were full of self-doubt and how her insignia would possibly not return to her.

Puck could only look on with a small frown on his face. As Emilia's surrogate father and contracted spirit, he had a responsibility to ensure that she lived a life she could be happy about. With the way things were progressing, it all seemed to be for the worst. Then, the great spirit started to think of a possible solution. He believed there was a way to rectify what had happened to his daughter.

Even so, he realized not much came to mind due to not having much to lead on. The Royal Capital was a vast maze and being clueless himself did not help. Puck gazed at his daughter as she continued to sulk to herself. He would have to console Emilia in whatever way he could.

The great spirit decided to get Emilia's attention, "Listen, Lia, I know that you wish this could have been avoided but there is some good that comes from this." Puck then noticed she looked at him with confusion. "At least now you know to store the insignia in a better place~." The floating cat explained with a light scolding tone as he flew around Emilia. He then saw his daughter stand as she made an adorable sound.

"Yes, I know! I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Good to hear that. Now then, I'm all out of ideas and there isn't much I can do since I'm a spirit."

An uneasy silence grew between the contractor and spirit. Neither of the two could come up with an ideal plan to recover the stolen insignia. That was until the half-elf had a sudden idea.

"Wait, that's it! The lesser spirits! We have to move now, Puck." Emilia ordered. Feeling rejuvenated, she departed from the lone bridge.

"Wait, really? I mean it could work but are you sure? I think we should ask some people before we do that."

"Of course. Someone must have seen them heading somewhere."

"Exactly! So I'll just follow your lead for now."

"Then we shouldn't lounge around any longer. The insignia is my only hope," commented Emilia. This got a nod in affirmation from Puck. After having constructed their plan, the duo started to ask around for information.

'Nothing will stop me from running for the throne. I will get my insignia back! I need to save them!'

Despite that claim, Emilia continued to remain unaware of the danger that loomed ahead.

*Grrrrr* "Ah man, I'm starving."

After having traveled for what felt like hours, I had yet to find the Master Swordsman. Currently, I was in the Commercial District of the capital which was larger than I anticipated. There were many different stalls throughout the district offering a wide variety of foods and items from all sorts of vendors. Also, I was starting to regret not taking that offer from the nobleman. If I did, then I might have been feeling quite different about my situation.

Making no progress, I allowed myself a short break near the crossroads of the main street. Walking around with my case was beginning to take its toll on me. I had to keep switching arms to ease the burning sensation within my biceps. While the design of our project was to be compact, the device was cumbersome to carry. Once I found that redhead I would have less to worry about.

Nevertheless, there were some doubts about my original task. Why did I really want to find Reinhard? Was it about helping me to settle down or for something else entirely? Could it be that I cared about what would happen at the Loot House? Why would I waste my time when I could be doing other things? My well-being should be my top priority, yet it appalled me to think like that. Did Felt, Rom, and Emilia need to be rescued? Or, was I putting all this effort to satisfy my pride? I had all this foresight of future events and found myself not wanting to be involved in trivial events.

I gazed at the two paths that diverted from the road. One led east, towards the Poor District, where the Slums resided. The other, I did not know. For unknown reasons, I felt a strong desire to go down the latter path.

If I swallowed my pride, ignored the world's problems, then I'd be fine, right? I could handle any thief or bandit that dared; however, could I be certain that was all that would come for me? Was I confident in the choice I was going to make? To become a coward who only hid in the shadows.

'It's never easy, huh? It's like someone is always expecting me to make the hardest choices. Why can't it ever be easy for once? Damn it all.'

That depressing thought then reminded me that life had never been in my favor. It was difficult enough to reach the age of twenty-four. I envied the carefree life others were able to enjoy back home. All I desired was to be a part of a normal family and grow up to be an ordinary person. Although, it seemed I was destined for a life full of misery. Why did fate continue to punish me? Was it because of what I had done?

Any decent person would take the chance to help, while scum would walk away from the agony and pain. Except, why hadn't I? Why did I continue to remain conflicted and turn away? So many people in my life had done that exact thing to me. When I needed a friend to rely on I had no one there for me. Yes, I had close friends but I always remained silent about my struggles. What exactly did I need to do? What was the correct choice in such an important moment?

As I delved deeper into my self-loathing, a sudden touch on my shoulder spooked me. I turned around and saw a familiar figure.

The new person who dared to disturb me had unique yet familiar features. They had blazing red hair, sapphire eyes that resembled the ocean, long white dress pants, and a white high collared tailcoat. On their right hip, I saw the infamous Dragon Sword Reid. Yes, it was indeed that knight.

"There you are, sir. Forgive me for troubling you, but I have been trying to locate you." The Sword Saint stated.

"Me? What for? Have I done something wrong?" I replied, ensuring I at least appeared confused.

"My apologies, sir. I mean not to alarm you. As a matter of fact, I did not come here seeking to arrest you."

"Then what for?"

"To reward you, of course."

…

…

…

"Eh?"

Leave it to the Sword Saint of all people to leave me flummoxed and speechless. The encounter had suddenly taken a weird turn. Why would Reinhard say, 'reward you'? Was he implying that he'd be the one rewarding me? While I was ecstatic to have found the knight, it again was all by chance!

Something was clearly not right!

"Forgive me if I was not clear. Earlier, you rescued a nobleman in the Common District, yes? His name was Lord Que Ballard." The redhead elaborated, clearing the worries I had.

"I see. What about him?"

"For that selfless act, Lord Ballard and I wanted to compensate you for that," Reinhard stated, with a gentle smile on his face.

"Well, I can't refuse, can I? Being a knight, you would probably arrest me then, no?," I quipped.

"That would be unjust of a knight. Furthermore, it is not a crime, if I recall, for one to refuse a reward." Having overlooked my attempt of teasing, I could only sigh in response. He was socially inept as I remembered from reading about the young Royal Knight.

"That was a joke. You need to work on recognizing when people are kidding."

"Ah, my apologies. I will try to f-"

"Geez, there's no need to apologize. For starters, you did nothing wrong, Reinhard."

Before I knew it, I allowed his name to slip from my mouth. There was no doubt he would be suspicious of me.

"Ah, I see. Then I thank you for the advice, sir. It seems that you are also aware of who I am."

"Yes, I know of you, Sir Reinhard. You are of course the Sword Saint." I nervously responded. If I did not tread carefully, then the redhead would notice.

"Indeed I am. However, I am still a Royal Knight of Lugnica first and foremost. Ah, where are my manners, are you Sir Sean, correct?"

"I'm Sean, Sean Wang." I dismissively shook my hand and head lazily. "Calling me Sean is fine with me. I don't like being referred to as 'Sir', or 'Mister'. Makes me feel older than I am."

"Then it is nice to meet your acquaintance, Sean. I will extend the same offer to you. Reinhard is fine with me."

The redhead then extended his hand and I grasped it firmly. From his elegant presence alone, I could tell he was a total nice guy and an absolute chad. Usually, those two traits did not go together. Although the more I thought about it, I concluded that it was a Reinhard thing. The man was the epitome of being 'built differently'.

"Before I forget, Sean, here is your reward." Reinhard then reached from within his coat and pulled a pouch. He then handed it to me. I proceeded to shake the bag and heard the rustling of metal.

"Coins? How much is in here?" I inquired.

"15 Gold coins to be exact."

"Isn't that a bit much? I only defeated two lousy excuses for thieves."

"Well, I was given that amount when I placed said thieves into custody. Those two were frequently stealing from innocent civilians in several areas. It seems it was by luck that you were the one to put an end to their misdeeds, Sean." The Sword Saint stated with sincerity.

"I suppose you're right. Still, someone had to put an end to their shenanigans. That Ballard individual you mentioned needed all the help he could get. I should not have to be doing your job though, Reinhard." I grinned as another playful jab had impacted the mighty Sword Saint.

"You did well, Sean. Therefore, I will ensure another incident like that does not occur. I truly am sorry for what happened." The Sword Saint bowed in shame.

"What did I say about feeling sorry, Reinhard? You are your own man. It is only natural for events to occur and not be there when tragedy hits."

"I understand, Sean, but that doesn't mean I'-"

"Enough, Reinhard. You've done an excellent job. You're an incredible knight and overall exceptional individual. Be proud of who you are. We all have our issues." I reassured the troubled knight.

"I see. Well, I thank you, Sean, for your kind words."

"Of course. It bothers me to see good people struggle."

After having heard that, a serene and content Reinhard remained. I had to assume he was aware of how truthful and sincere my words were. Besides that, I could slightly tell he was still conflicted. Did he truly not believe in his strength? It seemed like we both indeed had our shortcomings. It showed that no matter the hand you were dealt, life wasa bitch.

Moving on, I had issues that the redhead knight would be interested in addressing.

"I will take what you said today as a reminder," Reinhard replied with a calm demeanor and a smile.

"That's good to hear. If you have a moment, I have some trivial matters of my own that I need to handle." I said dryly.

"Do you? If it does not trouble you then I am willing to provide aid if needed. What is the exact issue if you don't mind my asking?" Reinhard asked curiously with a neutral aura emitting from his body. His sudden shift in attitude proved he was dead set in uncovering what was causing me to be distressed.

However, was it wise to reveal it all to him? Of all times, why was I so troubled?! All that was needed of me was to say the words and he would resolve it entirely. It was that easy, right? Several people were going to be brutally murdered if he did not go to the Slums to prevent it all. All I had to do was say the words! The words!

'Damnit! I am a worthless coward, aren't I?'

Then, before my thoughts could turn into that of self-condemnation, a soft pressure was placed onto my shoulder. It startled me, but I knew the Sword Saint had picked up on my uneasiness. No doubt one out of his many Divine Protections was triggered. It was an odd and shameful feeling having revealed my vulnerable side to him.

"Sean, you can trust me. Whatever issue is plaguing you I will do my utmost best to address it."

"Reinhard, please be serious with me about this. If life was telling you to make a difficult choice to either run away or fight, what would you do? No, what should I do?" I asked with slight hesitation in my voice.

"Well, given that I am unaware of the circumstances, is it safe to assume your situation is dire? Are you in danger, Sean?" The redhead questioned as I could see the look in his eyes. He was adamant about doing whatever he could.

All that I had to do was tell him.

"No, I'm not in any immediate danger, but other people are. I have information that a dangerous criminal is going to enter the Slums this afternoon. They plan to sabotage a deal they have scheduled." I confessed as I was visibly distraught. By sharing the information with the knight, I let out a breath that took my worries with it.

"That is quite the issue indeed. I can understand why you would feel troubled as you are, Sean. Not to worry, I will see to it that this matter is resolved. Despite that, how did you come across this information?" The knight questioned with slight authority.

"All I can say is that I am a man with information. I feel I must ensure that said information is put to use. I do not want harm to befall innocent lives because I was hesitant." I answered the Sword Saint.

My life from then on would solely be dependent on how he responded.

The heavy silence between us was almost unbearable. It was as if he was peering into my very soul, determining if I was a threat to the world. Then it all vanished when Reinhard offered a sincere smile.

"I can tell you are honest, Sean. All you wish is to do good, correct? Then I will do so for you."

To hear those words come from the mouth of the Sword Saint had put me at ease. Although it was quite vexing to have heard that declaration. As if a part of me was displeased about how powerless and inadequate I truly was. No way was I going to allow him to go into danger alone.

"Reinhard, I'm glad you trust me. For that, I feel we should meet at the exact location. It will be the building the people of the Slums call the 'Loot House'.

"Are you sure of this? I would be mortified if I placed you in any danger. It would be best if I went alone."

"No, we do this together. It's only right that I contribute to resolving the matter before it gets out of hand. Thanks to you, I feel like a new man. I'd feel bad if you did all the work."

"Well, if that is your resolve on the matter, then I will not stop you. I'd only advise you to be wary of the danger that lies ahead."

"Noted. Don't fret, I have a few tricks up my sleeve in case the need arises." I stated with a smug look.

"Then let us do our best, Sean. I will rendezvous with you at the time you mentioned. May the Dragon be with you." The Royal Knight saluted with his arm placed upwards across his chest.

"Likewise."

With our fateful discussion having ended, we nodded to one another and headed our separate ways. If it were not for Reinhard, I would have walked away. I could hardly imagine the guilt I would have had to carry if I allowed for Emilia, Rom, and Felt to meet their demise. It would have been easy, yes, but I knew it was not right of me.

Ultimately, I could not believe I was tempted enough to consider that selfish option. Not only that, but they were not the only people I was worried for. A troublesome and twisted individual by the name of Elsa Granhiert had been assigned to commit a horrendous act of violence. Including her, I would have to do my utmost best to ensure they all lived. No one would be left behind, I could not allow that.

Suddenly, an unsettling feeling overwhelmed me. I could not help but shudder at what it meant.

A stunning woman, with porcelain skin, wore an ebony and violet feathered cloak. She emerged from the darkness of a deserted alleyway, as her heels resonated throughout the damp path.

Beneath her cloak, hidden from view, was a provocative strapless dress that exposed much of her conspicuous breast and thin midsection. As she walked, her braided raven hair swayed with a purple rose on her head. Yet, her most distinguishing feature was her menacing, but gorgeous purple garnet eyes.

'It's simple, Elsa, the client wants you to obtain the insignia by any means necessary. However, failure is not an option. You know what it means to be a meatbag, right?'

The Bowel Hunter, Elsa Granhiert, discreetly navigated the Royal Capital. Making her way east towards her destination: The Slums.

'Yes, Mama.'

Her new assignment for the Assassination Organization was going to be an interesting one. Even so, it would end the same way they always do. She would murder those who dared to oppose her by her preferred method of killing, the bowels, of course. As long as no one such as the Sword Saint appeared then no one could stop her.

Although, the fighting spirit within her would not mind partaking in a battle for her enjoyment. While fighting was not what true assassins were made to do, Elsa believed she was the exception.

'Meili will of course accompany you. The client specifically wanted you for this, but she will be your support if it is needed. I am expecting the best from both of you. Do not fail this lovely lady.'

The deadly assassin would not fail Mama. A ruthless being such as her would deliver the harshest, most merciless torture imaginable. Elsa would have to see through the task until the bitter end. A wicked and sinister smile appeared on her face as she could not wait to see who would be her next prey. This, of course, was the lifestyle she had only known from her adolescence. It was her only means of coping with the past she was made to endure.

The Bowel Hunter was nothing but a mere slave. A tool to be used to only kill. Because that was all that Elsa could do. If that was what she was fated to do, then she would do so until her last breath. To her, that is what it meant to be a Bowel Hunter.

'This will be exhilarating, I just know it.'

"I should be in the clear now. There's no way anyone followed. Time to head back."

A blond teen stood up from her resting place on one of many roofs available around the Royal Capital. When she heard her client needed a certain badge from some girl, she knew the job would be a piece of cake.

No one could match her speed which made pickpocketing easy as one, two, three. Once had she found her target, it was over before the clueless girl could react. While they tried to catch her there was no way in hell she was going to get caught. The only worry she had was if the client had at least ten Holy coins to pay for this useless jewel.

"Whatever. The insignia is acquired. Now I just need to get to Old Man Rom and this will all be over with."

As Felt looked at the Slums in the distance, a saddened look appeared on her face. Ever since she was a child, she had to rely on thievery to get herself by. Without the help and care of Old Man Rom, she would be dead for sure.

Her only hope was that it would not be long before they could live comfortably. The young thief knew Rom was getting too old and needed to care more about himself than her own well-being.

Until then, she just needed more to set things right.

"Alright, time to move. This badge isn't going to sell itself anytime soon," said Felt as she quickly maneuvered across the rooftops with finesse.

(02/02/2022) Fully revised.

A/N: You guys love the new-ish chapter? I hope so! I needed to make it more realistic for every character, but mostly for Sean Wang. While he was originally a snarky, cunning asshole, it was my poor execution that made him seem like he was not very reactive, so to speak. Many of you enjoyed the original chapter, but to me, I had to revise it.

In addition, most of the scenes felt dry and did not showcase Sean and his new abilities well. To ease your worries, no Sean will not become some OP OC. He will indeed struggle somewhat like Subaru. For now, I want you all to contemplate what his abilities may be.

Furthermore, Emilia, Puck, and Reinhard were OOC. This was very unacceptable and I let many people down because of it. I hope this all made you happy.

Now go read chapter two…again lol.