"Natsuki, there's something crucial I need to tell you. When you're uncertain if this is the future you want, never settle for the status quo! You must — absolutely must — respect death! Remember this!"
For his safety, Adam felt compelled to warn him. He was genuinely afraid. If Natsuki became content with merely saving Emilia, and his death became fixed reality, everything would be lost!
Unfortunately, Natsuki seemed to grasp only the latter part of the warning.
"Of course I know that! I deeply respect Lady Death! After all, I'm a man who's died 10 times! In terms of experience, I've surpassed all other men!"
He shouted with exaggerated facial expressions, attempting to lighten the mood.
"Ahhh! Every death is super painful, super hot, and super terrifying! Every single time, my guts are torn out and I watch myself split in half! Hot blood flowing beneath me, breathing getting weaker, mind going blank — anyone would tremble in fear!" His hands flailed wildly in the air, his shoulders shaking dramatically, his expressions extremely exaggerated and silly.
This intense reaction served less as reassurance and more as a confession to Adam. The helpless feeling of〚Death by Return〛, the fear and pain, had nearly driven him mad.
Adam simply patted his shoulder, offering no words of comfort. Sometimes, silent gestures speak louder than words.
Natsuki averted his gaze, his exaggerated expression freezing before gradually returning to calm.
When their eyes met again, Adam saw determination in them. Natsuki had moved past "the past".
"Well then, let's go..." He signaled to leave, but before he could finish, three thugs emerged from the alley.
"Hey, what are you two guys doing sneaking around here? It's disgusting, you know?"
The thug boss, who looked remarkably like Accelerator, stumbled out from the shadows, followed by two thugs — one burly, one short.
{T/N: Accelerator from 'A Certain Everyday Index-san' anime.}
"Tch, give me a break! Why do I have to run into you guys every single time!" Natsuki said irritably, "Though I know I'm irresistibly charming, I hate being followed around! And by men, no less — I'm developing serious trauma! Have some self-awareness, you pieces of trash!"
Uh... Adam didn't even know how to respond to that. If Natsuki could still talk trash in this situation, maybe he hadn't been beaten up enough.
"Huh?! What nonsense are you spouting? We just happened to run into you!" The thug boss, provoked by the trash talk, snarled, "Hand over anything valuable if you don't want to get hurt!"
His knife danced up and down, glinting coldly in the sunlight.
Seeing it, Natsuki stepped back in fear — that knife had taken his life before.
"Really now, don't they know about weapon control? This is why I say the other world isn't good in this aspect." His tough attitude immediately softened as he turned to his friend next to him, "Go for it, Adam!"
Hm? What's with this 'Go, Pikachu!' déjà vu?
Well, considering your current unstable emotional state, I'll let it slide.
Adam stepped forward, gripping his Sun Breathing blade, ready to teach the three thugs a lesson.
"Hahaha, are you two idiots? We've got three people here!" The thugs laughed arrogantly as they watched the big guy approach alone, "It's three against two — we clearly have the advantage!"
"That's right, you're absolutely right!" Adam smiled secretly, then turned to Natsuki with exaggerated concern, "Natsuki, what should we do? There are three of them and only two of us. We couldn't possibly win!"
"Huh?! What are you talking about, Adam?" Natsuki glanced anxiously at the sun, "Just deal with them quickly! Don't start exploring other options or branching paths — we're running out of time!"
"You're being silly, Natsuki." Adam guided him deliberately, making his point clear, "Even ordinary citizens in modern society know to call for help when they're in danger. Why aren't you doing that?"
"That's because you can handle this easily! Oh..." He trailed off, deep in thought.
Looks like he understood.
When facing danger you can't handle alone, you should seek help! And if your help isn't enough? You find more help!
Adam grinned, "Natsuki, what should we do in this situation?"
"Of course we should call for help!" His face lit up with a smile.
A new choice branch—[Call for Help]!
Actually, Adam wasn't sure what his previous selves were thinking, but this time he would make thorough preparations!
"Help! Someone help me! Is anyone there? Guards, guards! There are perverts here! Someone, please help!" Natsuki's piercing voice carried far through the air.
The three thugs' expressions changed as they stepped back, ready to flee.
"Someone help! Someone please help!..."
But unfortunately, despite his shouting, no guards came, and the person who should have appeared didn't show up.
The Sword Saint Reinhard van Astrea ****did not appear before them.
"Hahaha, looks like no one's coming to save you!" The thugs' evil intentions resurfaced when they saw that no help was arriving, "We're going to teach you two a lesson you won't forget!"
They talked tough while flourishing their knives, slowly approaching Natsuki and Adam.
"It failed, Adam." Natsuki sighed in disappointment, "Looks like we'll have to rely on you after all."
"It's fine, it's fine." Adam waved dismissively — he had already conveyed his message.
Even if Reinhard didn't show up, they could always find him later.
"Well then, here I go." He gripped his Sun Breathing blade without drawing it. Without even using breathing techniques, he would overwhelm them with pure physical ability.
In less than 10 seconds, he had knocked all three unconscious. This was the capital — better not cause any deaths.
That Reinhard fellow's sense of justice ran too deep, and it wouldn't be wise to antagonize such a terrifyingly powerful character.
"Job done." Adam clapped his hands and called to Natsuki, "Let's go—weren't you in a hurry?"
"Yeah, let's hurry!" The young man rushed out in a panic.
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