Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World Co-op Route

The Witch of Greed, Echidna..

Over four centuries ago, she created three artificial spirits—beings born not of nature but of her unparalleled intellect and curiosity. With Puck being the first created by Echidna and the last being Beatrice.

To Beatrice, Echidna was more than a creator; she was Mother. Even now, centuries later, the memory of her mother's porcelain-like skin remains vivid—an alabaster so pure it seemed devoid of any trace of life or warmth, as though all color had been leached from her very being. Her hair, long and as straight as the edge of a blade, cascaded down her back, blending seamlessly with her pale complexion, a river of white that defied time itself. Yet, it was her eyes—black as an endless void and brimming with a sharp, unyielding intellect—that seemed to be the only part of her that lived. They pierced through all pretense, leaving no room for doubt or deception.

Beatrice also remembers her voice. It carried an unnerving calm, perfectly measured and reserved, like the stillness before a storm. But beneath that mask of composure, Beatrice could always sense the faintest tremor—a whisper of dissatisfaction or something worse, like disappointment. It was in that tone that her scoldings came, cutting deeper than any blade.

"Why did you lie to me?...."

Even now, centuries later, that voice lingers in her memories, a haunting echo of her past. How strange it is, she thinks, that after 400 years, she would sense a similar presence—a mere human exuding an aura reminiscent of her long-lost mother.

"I'm still waiting for an answer..."

The realization hit Emilia like a crashing wave. Beatrice had hidden the truth from Tanaka—the truth that Subaru still bore the curse of the Ulgarm, even after it was nullified.

Knowing this, and that Rem had returned to the forest to confront the source of the curse, Subaru had made his decision. He could not, would not, stand idly by. The moment he regained consciousness and learned of Rem's actions, he resolved to follow her. Ram, her elder sister, had joined him in order to track her down.

Emilia too, just found out about Subaru's case and was also felt desperate to do something. However, the situation in front of her was even more alarming.

"Calm down Tanaka, Beatrice was just worried about you." She said, her voice steady yet laced with urgency.

However, I was unmoved. "I am calm. That doesn't explain why she would lie about them being fine."

As I spoke, Beatrice refused to meet my eyes. Her gaze darted away, her usual resolute demeanor faltering.

"It's simple," Puck chimed in, speaking with an unusual serious tone. "If, by any chance, you decided to follow them… in your condition, you would die."

"It's up to me to decide whether I go after them or not," I retorted, my voice firm. "You don't get to make these decisions in my place! No one does! I take the actions that I want to make and I will bear the consequences. And if you need a reminder, I've already been expelled from the mansion. What I do now has nothing to do with you."

The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging heavily in the air. I was caught off guard by what happened next—no, everyone was.

Tears began to stream down Beatrice's cheeks. Her petite figure, so often the embodiment of childlike stubbornness and pride, now seemed impossibly small and vulnerable. For the first time, she resembled not the ancient spirit she was but the little girl her appearance had always suggested.

Even Puck, who had known her the longest, was stunned. His expression betrayed his disbelief—it was as though he were seeing a side of her for the first time.

"How dare you..." Beatrice's voice cracked, each word trembling with raw emotion. "Mere human… Betty saved your life, and yet you want to throw it away. You… ungrateful… hicc…" Her words dissolved into sobs.

I froze, utterly unprepared for this. My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, searching for words that wouldn't make things worse.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean what I just said.. I...."

I stepped closer to her, my movements hesitant, as though I might shatter her fragile figure with a single misstep. Then, without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her. Her small, trembling frame felt impossibly delicate in my grasp, like a porcelain doll that had endured far too many cracks.

Her sobs muffled against my chest, and for a brief moment, the storm in my heart stilled. But my mind remained restless.

I felt at a loss of words, my mind was entirely occupied, trying to prevent the impending doom, to the point I ignored other facts I saw in the vision. Failing to prevent Rem's death and Subaru continuously using return by death will result in a doomed future where everyone is going to suffer.

But there was something I had failed to grasp—no, it had been scraping the edges of my mind.

Stopping the current events might prevent the suffering of others in the future. Yet Beatrice's pain, the anguish she carried, wasn't bound to these events. It had begun long ago and would persist long after. Even if I solved the present crisis, her wounds would remain.

"I'm not angry at you," I murmured, my voice soft yet firm. "I don't have the right to be angry at you. I was just… frustrated."

She didn't respond immediately, but I felt her fists clutching the fabric of my shirt, a silent acknowledgment of my words.

I glanced up to see Emilia and Puck staring at us, their expressions a mix of surprise and disbelief.

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As Beatrice's sobs gradually subsided, I patted her back awkwardly, unsure if I was doing it right but hoping the gesture would bring her some comfort.

"There.. There... Are you feeling better now?"

She didn't respond, but her crying had stopped—a small victory, at least.

I took a moment to reflect on my actions, and I realized that I was showing my selfish habit of doing whatever I want, completely disregarding other peoples feelings. 

When I got here, I was treated kindly by everyone. Excluding Rem's misunderstanding with the witch scent and the visions of the alternative timeline. What is happening now, what those people remember, the actions they took. And what he remembers are two different things and they should be treated differently.

I took a deep breath and turned to Emilia and I spoke, "I'm sorry Emilia, I was being ungrateful." 

"You were all looking out for me but I just vented on you, I apologize."

Her expression softened, and she gave me a tired smile. "Hah… It's fine, Tanaka. You didn't mean it. You're just worried about Subaru, and so am I. But all we can do now is trust—wait, what are you doing?"

Her question was punctuated by the sound of me slipping my shoes back on.

"Ah?" I glanced at her briefly as I tied the laces. "I'm still going after them."

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier," I continued, my tone resolute. "It was wrong of me to lash out at all of you. But I can't just sit here and wait for them to return. I need to act."

Beatrice, who had just calmed down, glared at me with an expression teetering between anger and exasperation. Emilia sighed heavily, rubbing her temples as though trying to ward off an impending headache.

"You're too stubborn," Emilia muttered, exhaling deeply. "If you insist on going, then Puck and I will—"

"No," I interrupted firmly. "I can't ask any of you to come with me. You all have responsibilities—duties that you can't abandon for my sake."

Puck was the great spirit who's contracted to Emilia and responsible for her well-being, couldn't possibly leave her and follow me to the forest. Bringing her along into danger wouldn't make sense either considering also her position as a royal candidate.

Beatrice was also the keeper of the forbidden library, dragging her along also is dumb and selfish.

Puck narrowed his eyes. "And you think going alone is a smart move?"

"Don't worry, I was never planning on going alone."

After saying that, blue particles traversed through the wall. Ever since I woke up, I sensed their presence.

It was evident that I had a special link with spirits in general and apparently it was abnormal even abiding with world's standards. Not everyone was able to converse with the lesser spirits, It was only me and Emilia as far as I knew. 

All spirits in world exist will help you..

Those words that were said by that white orb, strengthened the fact that I was indeed favored by spirits, although I disliked the idea of Beatrice favoring me just because I was exuding a likeable aura.

As I was deep in thought, Beatrice interrupted my train of thought, her voice still cracking, "You don't understand, I suppose! Your gate is unstable! You can't just rely on lesser spirits."

I turned to her, my gaze steady. "Trust me, Betty."

Her expression wavered, a mix of anger, worry, and something unspoken flashing across her face.

That look made something stir in me, and I had to turn away, hiding the involuntary smile creeping onto my face. I couldn't let her see it; she'd only get more irritated. Clapping my hands together, I forced a grin and said, "Alright, how about this? Let's make a bet. If I come back alive, I get my job back."

Her brow furrowed, the confusion plain on her face as she processed my seemingly ridiculous proposition.

"Of course, I know Ram's probably still mad at me, so maybe getting my old job back will be tough. But…" I let the grin linger a beat longer before adding, "Beatrice, you could be my new boss. I could help you with all those dusty books in the library—bet they've piled up quite a bit, huh?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" she asked, her voice clipped, but her tone didn't carry the usual sharpness.

I realized it then—my voice, my tone, had shifted. It wasn't the serious one I usually used in moments like this. Instead, it was that playful, self-deprecating facade. A mask to hide the weight of the situation.

But that was okay.

"In all seriousness," I said, letting the playfulness fade just a little, "I've enjoyed our talks, Emilia. Hanging out with you and chatting with the spirits in the garden—it's been… nice. I'd like for us to keep doing that."

What I said seemed to be unexpected as Emilia's expression shifted from that of a dissatisfaction to a surprised one.

I paused, my eyes meeting Beatrice's again. This time, I let my voice soften, carrying a weight I couldn't ignore. "And Beatrice, there are a lot of things I have to tell you and I can't leave without doing so."

Beatrice's face softened, her eyes widening just enough to reveal that she hadn't expected those words. 

I drew a deep breath, steadying the trembling resolve in my chest. "What I'm trying to say is, I come back alive. Not just because I want to, but because I have to." My voice grew firmer with each word, carrying a conviction I refused to let falter.

"I promise, no matter what, I'll come back in one piece. This is something I must do."

But saving Subaru and Rem wouldn't be the end of it. No. Before I could even think of leaving this mansion—before I could consider the task of finding my way back to my own world—there were things I needed to set right.

Beatrice's endless solitude... 

Emilia lacking self confidence...

I have to make sure that they are going to be okay. 

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"All that champ talk and I can barely walk."

I mumbled to myself, staggering unsteadily with each step, my legs shaking under the weight of his exhaustion. My breath came in ragged gasps, and the dull throb in his body felt like an unrelenting reminder of how much I was pushing beyond my limits.

By the time I reached a tree, I could barely keep myself upright. My knees buckled, and I collapsed against the rough bark, its ridges digging into my palms. For a moment, I just knelt there, staring at the dirt and leaves beneath me.

"I have no clue what to do...."

The words fell out, quieter than I intended, almost swallowed by the stillness of the forest. I couldn't afford to stay here, though. Staying still meant risking everything, letting that nightmare of a future take root. But moving wasn't much better—not with witch beasts lurking in the shadows. I didn't need anyone to tell me they were real; I'd fought them last night, seen their twisted forms up close. They were no figment of my imagination, but living, breathing threats that wouldn't hesitate to tear me apart.

"Huma..."

I raised a trembling hand, and a ball of water shimmered into existence above my palm. The sensation was still weird—like gripping something that wasn't really there—but it was becoming more familiar. I flexed my fingers and waved my hand, sending the orb into the tree. It splashed against the bark, then solidified into a thin sheet of ice. The tree groaned softly as the ice bit into its surface.

"Well, this might help a little," I muttered, eyeing my handiwork. Then I turned to the flickering lights around me—the lesser spirits who hovered close, their glow steady and warm. "But you guys... you're my main insurance."

The spirits flared brighter, as if agreeing with me.

I'd thought about it before—letting myself die and loop again. That worst-case scenario. But something about it didn't sit right anymore. I couldn't just gamble with my life like that, not after everything I said earlier.

"I made a promise," I said, forcing myself to my feet, even as my legs screamed in protest. "So let's find those morons and get them out of here."

It was reckless. Stupid, even. But Rem's plan was all we had. Find her, Ram, and Subaru. Kill as many beasts as possible. Then make it back to the mansion.

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The forest was eerily quiet as I trudged through it, the stillness broken only by the crunch of leaves under my boots and my own ragged breathing.

"Huff, huff..."

I could feel my body giving out, exhaustion sinking into my bones. The path behind me was littered with corpses—magic beasts I'd taken down with the spirits' help. They would paralyze the creatures, leaving them open long enough for me to strike with an ice spike. Simple, efficient. But every battle drained me more, pushing me closer to my limits.

"This mana thing, I'm not used to it at all."

It felt like doing push-ups for the first time—a grueling, unfamiliar strain. I knew instinctively that I was good at it, but even talent had its limits. The constant fights were wearing me down, and I could feel my strength slipping away.

Then I heard it.

Thud.

A heavy sound echoed through the forest, followed by a shockwave that rattled the ground beneath me.

"What was that?" I whispered, my pulse quickening.

Pushing past the exhaustion, I moved toward the noise. As I walked, the destruction became more apparent: broken tree trunks, scattered debris, and the mangled bodies of beasts—far too many for me to have killed.

The closer I got, the louder the impacts became. The air felt heavier, charged with an unnatural energy. Then I saw her.

Bang!

I froze, crouching behind a bush as I watched the scene before me. Rem stood in the clearing, swinging her morning star with terrifying ferocity. The spiked weapon crashed into the beasts around her, smashing them into unrecognizable heaps. Blood and viscera painted the ground, and her laughter cut through the air like a blade.

"Found her, but..."

My voice caught in my throat as I took in her appearance. Her horn—the one in the center of her forehead—was glowing, just like it had the last time she'd fought like this. That fight had ended with both her and Subaru unconscious, her rationality shattered by the power coursing through her.

"It's something their race possesses," I muttered, my thoughts racing.

Tanaka had a very vague idea of the organ called horn for the demon race, because according to his memories, Ram did not possess a horn which caused her physical condition to deteriorate. It was only after hundreds of loops that Subaru managed to find out that she had a condition which required someone else to nourish her with mana as her body wasn't capable to accomplish that task on it's own.

Other than the fact that it's considered a vital organ for the demon race. I didn't know much about them until he saw the change in Rem's behavior. 

Seeing her like this—covered in blood, laughing like a maniac—it sent a chill down my spine.

"Dammit! What am I even hesitating about?"

There was no time for contemplation nor to be afraid, I had to to act quick....

Before I could move, the world shifted.

Everything stopped.

Ram's expression froze, as she had been standing still after murdering the swarm of monsters.

No――Time had stopped.

Time froze, the colors draining from the forest. Sound disappeared, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake. I stood there, frozen, as if the very concept of time had been ripped away.

Then I saw it—something, someone, moving through the frozen world.

"Why? Wait could it be...."

The phenomenon where my heart gets gripped tightly by a shadowy invisible hand, only after breaking the taboo by uttering the words that are forbidden to be said.

"--Dammit Subaru."

Those words never left my lips, stuck in the stagnant air around me.

My vision blurred. My soul felt worn down, as if it had been stretched too thin. And then, just as suddenly as it had stopped, the world snapped back into motion.

The forest was silent again, save for the rustling of leaves and the creak of branches swaying in the wind.

No time passed. However, the scene before my eyes had only one major change.

----Rem's goal is to hunt down all the magical beasts in the forest. So to find her, he would send the magical beasts to him.

----The reason why the demonic beast always target Subaru.

----The monsters overreact to Subaru's presence.

----The answer to why this is the case can be found from the words of a person who had a similar overreaction.

The witch's scent.

"Where's Re...."

Before blurting out the name of the girl that was standing right before my eyes and had also disappeared. 

Whip!

The chain struck before I could react, the morning star hurtling toward me. The lesser spirits surged forward, forming a barrier just in time to block the weapon. But the sheer force of the strike tore through it, the chain slamming into my shoulder, pain exploded through me as the impact sent me flying.