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"Huh, this is a familiar ceiling," Subaru muttered, oh yeah, Rem, he managed to stall Boss Gram long enough for Ros-chi to finish it off.
"Ah, Good, you're awake." A voice came from beside him, startling him completely awake as he sat up and turned to where the voice had come from.
What stood beside him was obviously not human, yet it was shaped like a man.
"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" Subaru looked around, he had never seen this guy in all his time in the mansion.
The being chuckled before replying, "Well you did ask where Excalibur was and complained about your starter gear, and about where your cheat power was, I'm here for that reason."
Subaru's eyes widened, but that was the first loop. How... wait...maybe this guy. "Are you the one who gave me-"
"Don't" The being interrupted, "I'm not the one who gave you that power. Regardless I'm here for one purpose."
The being held both his hand at his sides, palms facing up.
"You have to make a decision, on my right Excalibur like you wanted, on my left, a cheat Power of my choice."
On the being's left hand an Orb that looked like a glowing blue star formed, on the Right, a sword so beautiful it glowed brightly in a color he couldn't describe.
So that was how Excalibur actually looked like, cartoons didn't do the thing justice. They were both so beautiful he didn't know why this being was offering this to him. He couldn't help but ask.
"Why?"
The being seemed to stare at him for a moment.
"Because Natsuki Subaru, you have a heart kinder and stronger than almost everyone in this world, if it was anyone else they would not have tried so hard to save people when what they are going to face is almost certainly a painful death. You could have turned away and used your knowledge of earth to live a life of Luxury while ignoring what had happened, no one would have blamed you for running away, especially since you had no power. That is precisely why you are worthy of it. You will need it, after all, the coming trials will be much more difficult."
Subaru was not an idiot, but he was not a genius either, however, he was smart and very good at thinking on his feet. That being said there are more trials to come, which meant that more people like else were likely targeting Emilia, But having someone who knew what he went through and truly believed that he was a good person, it meant the world to him.
"Thank you." Tears began leaking from his eyes and his face scrunched up. "Thank you, so much."
"You do not need to thank me Natsuki Subaru, just continue being the Kind person you are and do your best, and remember, if you ever find yourself in a hopeless situation, remember those who stand beside you, its alright tro rely on others when you feel the burden is too much. to bear."
The being politely waited for him to finish wiping his tears before he asked a question that he had in his mind.
"Can I have more information?"
"Certainly. What would you like to know?" Huh, he thought he'd have to discover it on his own, though he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
"Like what abilities does Excalibur have?"
"Well, other than being a literal unbreakable holy sword forged in the heart of Earth, and being made from the hopes and dreams of mankind, when fueled with enough magic it can unleash a magical sword beam powerful enough to wipe out mountain ranges."
"You're joking right?, Please tell me you're joking."
The being was completely serious.
"Wait are you saying there are enemies that can destroy a whole mountain here?"
"You know the little grey cat Emilia has?"
"Yeah."
"He's one of them."
"SERIOUSLY? That little guy can destroy a mountain?"
"Yep."
"...."
"I'm dead aren't I?"
"That's why I'm here aren't I? To make sure you are equipped with the "Cheat Items" for facing this Isekai world."
Subaru paused for a minute..."Wait, do I even have enough magic to use its full power?"
"Technically you'll never have enough mana to reach its full power since the more mana you add the more power it would output. Though I assume you mean activating its Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm instead of its Anti Unit. In that case, going by your current rate, if you are careful about using your mana and wait for your don't strain your gate too much to the point it shatters, you'll be able to launch an Excalibur blast in about 6 months, and yes that includes
that time since your gate lies in your soul. So as long as you are careful enough, you'll eventually gain enough strength to vapourize ANY threat in existence, should you choose Excalibur."
Holy shit. I looked at Excalibur... I could defeat anyone... but 6 months? Even if included Return by death that was a long time.... But for something that would let him protect Emilia, Rem, and everyone else...it was worth it.
Still, better take all the information before making a decision.
"What about the other one?" I asked, gazing at the miniature star floating above the being's palm. Could I call, this entity God?
"My choice will give you superhuman speed, strength, durability, mana, and the works. It also grows depending on that. For example, if you had this power when you first arrived after your first reset, your attributes would have multiplied twice, or for ease, lets say would have the power of 2 Subaru's, and by the final loop when you faced Elsa and pushed Emilia out of the way, you would have the power, speed and reaction time four Subaru's."
I listened intently to the being's description of his choice in power. If I chose this power, then Return by death would no longer just give me information. It would give me more power to save everyone.
"However, your first loop in the world has put you at 8 Subaru's "
Huh, how? If it used Return by death as a counter wouldn't it just be five?\
"I'm sure you're wondering how? That's because unlike the loop which brings your soul, this power brings your body into the past and adds it's power."
So then since the checkpoint at the mansion would have had 4 times the power it would be added with the body that got looped.
Holy shit.
Both of them were Ridiculous cheats.
If he takes Excalibur, he'd eventually be able to beat nearly anyone...but that would take a LONG time. if a threat came that nothing he did could beat he'd have to loop himself over and over again 180 times. 90 or 60 times if the checkpoint is long enough. That .....was Terrifying.
If he chose the other option he'd be useful should even not fighting enemies, even if it wasn't as powerful as Excalibur.
Both of them would eventually make him very powerful. While Excalibur would eventually allow him to truly protect his friends from anyone, he didn't know how to wield a sword, and so until 6 months pass he would be swinging just a sharp sword. A very sharp sword. But one he wouldn't know how to use one, he'd have to find someone who could teach it to him. on the other hand the other power would help him become really powerful, but it was unlikely he would become a mountain destroyer or even close to that level anytime soon, not to mention there might be something that might be immune to physical force, like ghosts. In this case, all the physical strength and speed would be worthless.
Subaru's mind raced a mile a minute as he began to go through the conversation he had with the being until a thought occurred to him.
The way the bieng said particular words.
Their's no way...
it can't that easy.
but it couldn't hurt to try.
"You said I had to make a Decision." Even though the being didn't have a face, he could tell that the being was excited? Almost like it had been waiting for him to do something like this? "Can I choose both?"
The being looked at him and began to released a chuckle, which turned into a full laugh before calming down. Before it wiped an imaginary tear from its where its eye would have been.
"Never change Subaru, be yourself, the kind and smart boy I knew you always were, and yes you can choose both."