Trials of the Multiverse

My game plan for the 7th loop was a snoozer, basically a mix of grinding my Sky Sword Technique and playing nutritional Jenga to figure out how many skills I could use and for how long.

Turns out, many of my skills were closet snack thieves, munching on my body nutrients like they were at an all-you-can-eat buffet. So, going all out for too long meant saying sayonara to my strength, leaving me as sturdy as a paper towel after a soda spill.

Sure, the Sky Sword Technique was like a magic trick that lifted some limitations, but my poor body still had to foot the bill. Unfortunately.

So, there I was, grinding through another 30-day stretch, thinking everything was business as usual...

Until, well, it wasn't.

With the day wearing a lovely coat, I thought, why not take a leisurely stroll around the garden for once?

Sure, it wouldn't beef up my strength, but it would soothe my weary soul, just a little.

Even Sixth Sense seemed to give a subtle nudge in that direction.

Stepping out of my room, I aimed for the garden. The fastest route was through the main entrance, but right before reaching it, my gaze snagged on what seemed to be Anna's room, the door slightly ajar.

Curiosity took the wheel, and I stole a quick glance inside. To my surprise, there she was, sprawled out in bed with what seemed like a damp cloth perched on her forehead.

Wait, isn't that something you usually put on people running down with a fever...?

I was so shook, I had to let the realization trickle in slowly.

There was one thing I'd been dead sure about.

Some stuff just never budged, no matter how many times I hit the reset button. The weather was eternally stuck on replay, Anna unfailingly summoned me for breakfast each time the loop restarted, Yor had her date with me exactly 30 days after I returned from death...

And, one of those, was that I swear Anna had never been sick today.

"...Young Master?"

I turned to see a maid staring at me. Since I was kind of spying on Anna's room, she was questioning with her eyes if I had to enter or if she had to ignore it, but I didn't care in the slightest.

"Tell me, since when was Anna like this?"

I grabbed her out of instinct, I did not have the luxury to care if she was scared or not.

In response, the maid seemed caught off guard, taking a moment before stammering out her reply.

"Y-Young Master, haven't you heard? Anna-san felt unwell out of the blue this morning. T-They had to bring in someone to fill in for her... I thought you were informed..."

Doubt and fear tinged her gaze, but my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

If that's the case...

Who...was the person coming to see me everytime a loop was about to end?

I was not scared of death itself, but the mere thought sent shivers down my spine.

---

Before I could swing open the door to face Yor Forger for the seventh round, the distinct click of a certain maid's footsteps echoed.

"Libert-sama...."

She tossed my name out there, expecting some response. Dead air from my end.

"I know a mere maid like me should just mind her own business, but I couldn't help coming here to ask...are you alright?"

I was still silent.

"...Libert-sama?"

She tilted her head in confusion.

Instead of words, I just locked eyes, drawing my sword. The metallic hiss filled the air as it sliced through, immediately reaching her neck.

"If you don't want to lose your head, you better tell me who you are."

The person in front of me was unmistakably Anna, but that's only because I am too weak to see through her real identity.

Her demeanor changed.

"Haha...Hahaha!"

Her laughter echoed, each note vibrating with a crazed edge. One hand covered her eyes while she growled menacingly.

"Took you long enough... worm."

Her smile, donning Anna's appearance, contorted into a nightmarish expression that sent chills down my spine. Disgust churned within me, but before I could utter a word, she nonchalantly flicked her finger against my sword. The clash emitted a brutal, ear-shattering sound, the kind that felt like nails on a chalkboard, nearly bursting my eardrums.

Words evaporated in my mouth as the surroundings warped. Crimson prompts blinked ominously before my eyes, each one carrying a malevolent weight. Simultaneously, an overwhelming pressure descended upon me, as if the very air turned heavy with malice. My teeth ground together, gritting against the searing agony clawing at my every nerve.

[You have entered a Demon's territory]

[All your Skills and Talents will be sealed temporarily]

[Your Talent [Sword] refuses to be sealed]

[Your Combat Prowess is too low compared to the target. You will not be able to move]

[Note: To ensure Fairness, the Owner of this space will not be able to hurt you in any way]

[...]

.

.

.

Out of the blue, the crushing weight vanished, but I found myself still frozen in place.

The prompts became a blur as my eyes fell upon a woman. She lazily lounged on a throne a stone's throw away, her presence both regal and daunting. Ebony locks cascaded down her shoulders, contrasting with eyes ablaze in crimson. Majestic wings, dark as a raven's cloak, unfurled with a menace that whispered of immense power, each feather radiating a mysterious glow.

Horns adorned her head, an elegant crown clasping a gem that pulsed with a strange and entrancing force.

"...Who are you? Why did you bring me here?"

Since she couldn't lay a finger on me, there had to be a motive behind dragging me into her own 'territory'.

"You do not have the right to know"

Her crimson eyes bore into me, and a bead of sweat trickled down my back. Yet, the weight of my fear couldn't muzzle my words. This was an important chance, a shortcut to secrets I shouldn't know—yet. 

"Then... let me change my question. Why have you been posing as my maid, Anna, to get close to me? Is there anything you want?"

My question sparked a surge of anger in her expression.

"...Just like you, I am a being bound by --. I have no choice but to complete my Trial. If you think I'd stoop so low as to be interested in a worm like you, you're solely mistaken. Also, try this trick on me one more time, and I swear I will kill you"

I could not hear some words she said, for some reason. 

Anyway. Isn't she a clever one.

Quietly noting that she, too, was tangled up in Trials, it struck me—other beings were currently on this path toward completing a hundred Trials. It wasn't a queue where everyone patiently waited for their turn just because I was taking them on.

What did she have to do to complete her Trial? I had many such questions to ask her.

At first, I tried to tick her off, you know, hoping she'd spill some useful information in a fit of rage. People tend to blurt out truths when they're mad..

But it seems I partially failed, since she understood my intentions. But oh well, it is what it is.

Right now, I was also angered by her remarks.

"...Try it then"

I shot back, flashing that same creepy grin she tossed my way a moment ago. If my read on the situation was off, I was probably dead meat. But if I was right...

"...You fucking-- How come you're not scared? You would be trembling in fear if only you knew just what kind of strength do I possess"

Her outburst confirmed my guesses. In this situation, I had the upper hand.

I wanted to flash her the middle finger. It's a pity I can't move a muscle.

I could see her expression once again distorted in sadism as she continued

"But let me ask you something in return. Are you enjoying repeating the same pattern every single loop? Let me clear something. Each of these loops is actually a timeline of that World. After you die, the World continues its course. The family you've grown all warm and fuzzy with has to watch you die over and over. How does that feel?"

Her revelation caught me off guard. If that was the case...

"From your expression, I can tell you're getting what I'm aiming at, worm"

There's no way I can't connect the dots here. Every loop is a different 'timeline', and I'm borrowing the identity of Libert Mulling. That means every time I bite the dust in these trials, the real Libert Mulling dies.

"That's so good! Yes!"

If I could move, I'd be jumping around in satisfaction.

I was bothered by this. Would the real Libert Mulling still live after I die? Will he keep tormenting them even after I'm gone?

So, I was really happy.

My joyous celebration threw the demon off her sadistic game, confusion replacing the sinister glee on her face.

"...What? Why are you--"

I didn't bother listening to her.

Defeating Yor Forger comes with its own set of headaches. Once that happens, the real owner of this body waltzes back in and resumes their life.

Annoying, right?

Plus, if I end Yor Forger under my blade, I'd slap a giant "Danger" label on my back. Instead of solo assassins, they might send a whole squad. Hell, worst-case scenario, they might just wipe out the entire mansion. Not everyone's got Yor's soft spot, you know?

A commotion of that level would be impossible to go unnoticed. If they're found out, there's no way they'd leave anyone breathing to tell the tale.

I can't let that happen...

Thus, a plan formed in my mind to avoid having them die in the aftermath of the assassination on Libert Mulling.

"Don't ignore me, worm!"

She slammed her hand on her armrest, the impact screeching so high my eardrums were once again on the brink of failing me.

Just before they could, though, a protective force swooped in, sparing them from that outcome.

I wondered how durable could that throne be to be able to withstand such tyrannical strength...

"You fucking demon, quit throwing a tantrum, you're not a child! I'm having a really important realization here!"

"Should I just screw -- and kill him?"

She muttered under her breath with a death stare, and I couldn't help but chuckle internally.

Even that didn't convince her to kill me.

Note to self: going against Fairness is a terrible, terrible idea. Better steer clear of that route in the future.

---

Author's Note:

Next chapter, I will address her motives and clear up some more questions, which I'm sure you have.

Special chapters will include:

1: Loops - Yor Forger's POV

2: Final Loop - Akira's POV

3: Demon's POV

Soon available for patrons to read.

Hint 5: It's not Danmachi. This world's magic just sucks.

Hint 6: It's not Jujutsu Kaisen. It's not time for Gojo Satoru to make Akira bend over.

Of course he will have to visit Jujutsu Kaisen, eventually.