The pain was constant, a dull pang in his abdomen that threatened to knock him down. But Hiroto, now Subaru, had to ignore it. The main mission was active: Survive the night in the capital and secure the path to Roswaal's mansion.
There was no time for regrets or fear, not yet. There would be time for a collective panic attack after the save point was updated.
Limping, Subaru left the alley, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The appa shop. The scent of fresh fruit and the bustle of people. Everything was exactly as he remembered it from the series. This was good.
It meant events would follow the timeline he knew. At least for now.
His gaze fell on the cargo carriage and the petite figure trying to steal the insignia. Felt. And then, the silver-haired girl who appeared out of nowhere, Emilia.
The pieces fell into place. The original Subaru would have immediately rushed to Emilia's aid, with his impulsive "chivalry." But Hiroto knew that was a mistake. A big mistake.
Subaru's first interaction with Emilia in the alley, saving her from the thugs, had led them nowhere, only to a painful death.
"Status Window," Subaru muttered, and the interface reappeared. He wanted to make sure his attributes were correct.
[Current Attributes:]
* Strength: 5
* Agility: 5
* Stamina: 5
* Intelligence: 10
* Charisma: 3
* Luck: 1
His Intelligence was high, a reflection of his otaku knowledge. But his Charisma was abysmal, and his Luck was second to none. He needed to improve those. And urgently, his Stamina and Strength. He wasn't going to be able to fight Elsa. His only advantage was knowledge.
Emilia's badge. That was the catalyst for the entire arc. If he didn't get her back, Emilia wouldn't qualify to be the next queen, and the story would be ruined. But he couldn't just show up and demand her.
An idea formed in his mind. He had to avoid the pointless fight with the thugs and, more importantly, avoid death in the alley if Felt refused to help. The original Subaru had fainted and woken up in the mansion after the first death.
But now he was conscious, with a system, and the ability to think.
He approached the appa shop, acting like he was just a curious passerby. He saw Felt sneak away with the badge, with her characteristic speed.
"Otaku Analysis," he thought, focusing on Felt.
[Otaku Analysis (Consumption: 1 SP)
Character: Felt
* Race: Human, suspected non-human ancestry (Elf).
* Occupation: Expert thief, lives in the slums.
* Skills: Extreme agility, thievery, stealth.
* Personality: Cunning, pragmatic, distrustful of adults and authorities, values freedom and money. She has no loyalty to anyone beyond Rom.
* Key Points: Her motivation is purely economic. If offered a better reward, she is malleable. She is not evil, just a survivor.
* Current Objective: Sell the stolen insignia to the "buyer" (Elsa).
The system blinked: [Current SP: 4].
Using Otaku Analysis had cost her a point, but it was worth it. She had a complete profile of Felt.
Subaru had to intercept her before she reached Rom's Lair. But he couldn't run with his injury. He needed a plan.
He watched Felt run into the narrowest alleys, disappearing from sight. Emilia, for her part, was starting to ask about the badge, with her usual social awkwardness.
"Hey, you! The girl with the silver hair!" Subaru shouted, ignoring the burning in his stomach.
Emilia turned, surprised. "I saw the thief! She went that way!" She pointed in a slightly different direction than the one Felt had actually taken, one that would take Emilia to a more crowded street, away from Rom's Lair for a few crucial minutes.
Emilia, with her kind heart but limited experience in the capital, nodded and headed where Subaru pointed. This would give Subaru a time advantage.
Now, how to intercept Felt? If he couldn't run, he'd have to be smarter. And with his Intelligence of 10, it could be.
He hobbled toward the maze of alleys where Felt had been hiding. The atmosphere was gloomier here, with lengthening shadows and the smell of garbage. Subaru closed his eyes for a second, concentrating.
Rom's Lair. A small antique shop. Felt used it as a base.
If he couldn't catch Felt by running, the only option was to get to Rom first, or at least to the meeting place. He had to get to Rom's Lair before Elsa arrived.
The location, the defenses, Rom's personality—all the otaku knowledge swirled in his mind.
[Side Quest: Intercept Felt before he reaches Rom's Lair (Optional).]
[Reward: 20 EXP, Small Agility Boost.]
"Not optional," Subaru muttered, with a crooked smile. "It's critical."
He continued on his way, each step an agony, but with renewed determination. The system was a tool, and he was the player. And he wasn't going to lose this game, his new life.