The entrance to the alleyway loomed before me, darker than the sunlit street I was leaving behind. Each step towards it felt heavy, my new, smaller legs protesting with a tremor I couldn't entirely suppress. The memory of the beating, the crushing final blow, the suffocating darkness – it clung to me like a shroud, chilling despite the warm air.
"Are you sure about this?" I thought, addressing the calm presence in my mind.
[Answer: Proceeding aligns with the user's stated objective: gaining combat experience and neutralizing the immediate threat encountered in the previous loop.]
"Neutralizing the threat… Right." Revenge felt too strong a word now, replaced by a gnawing fear and a desperate need to prove I wasn't helpless anymore. They killed me once. I won't let it happen again. But the bravado felt hollow. My hands were clammy, my breathing shallow.
"Great Sage, status report on the attackers."
[Answer: Based on previous loop memory and current trajectory, the three individuals are predicted to be within the central section of this alleyway shortly. Recommend maintaining stealth upon entry.]
Stealth. Right. I wasn't exactly trained for sneaking, but I hugged the grimy stone wall, peering around the corner. The alley stretched before me, narrow and littered with refuse. Further down, I saw them – the same three men, idly leaning against the opposite wall, laughing about something. Seeing them again, so casually existing after ending my existence moments ago (from my perspective), sent a jolt of cold fury through me, momentarily eclipsing the fear.
"Target acquired. Analyzing approach..."
[Analysis: Direct confrontation is disadvantageous given numerical inferiority and lack of user combat experience. Optimal strategy involves utilizing the environment for cover and surprise. Basic unarmed combat techniques uploaded focus on disabling opponents quickly via strikes to vulnerable points: joints, throat, temples.]
The techniques flashed through my mind again – crisp, efficient movements practiced countless times in theory, never in reality. Could I actually pull them off? My body felt weak, unfamiliar.
I took a deep breath, trying to mimic the controlled breathing Great Sage had subtly integrated into my system – though I hadn't consciously noticed it until later analysis in another life I wouldn't live. It helped steady my nerves, just a little. I crept forward, keeping low behind stacks of discarded crates. The stench of decay filled my nostrils, but my focus was absolute.
One of them, the largest one (Ton, my mind unhelpfully supplied), yawned and stretched. Another, the lankier one with the nasty nata-like weapon last time (Kan?), kicked idly at a loose stone. The third, the most dangerous one with the knife (Chin?), scanned the alley entrance with bored eyes.
Now.
[Recommendation: Initiate attack on the nearest target (Kan) while his attention is diverted. Aim for the knee joint to disable mobility, followed by a strike to the temple.]
Pushing off the ground, I burst from behind the crates. My small frame moved surprisingly fast – maybe the body modification wasn't all bad? Kan turned, startled, his hand reaching for where a weapon might be.
Too slow. Following Great Sage's instantaneous projection in my mind's eye, my foot lashed out, connecting sharply with the side of his knee. A sickening crack echoed in the alley, and he howled, collapsing sideways. Before he hit the ground, I pivoted, bringing my elbow around in a tight arc aimed at his temple.
Missed. He had instinctively thrown his arm up, deflecting the blow. It still connected with his forearm, drawing a grunt of pain, but it wasn't the disabling strike I needed.
"What the hell?!" Ton shouted, finally reacting. Chin was already moving, knife flashing in his hand as he lunged towards me.
[Warning: Incoming attack from Target Chin. Trajectory: Low thrust towards abdomen. Evasive maneuver recommended: Sidestep left, counter with downward strike to wrist.]
Fear spiked, threatening to paralyze me. The glint of that knife brought back the searing agony of my third death. No! I forced my legs to move, stumbling left just as the blade hissed past where my stomach had been. My counter-strike was clumsy, a panicked chop rather than a precise blow, and Chin easily pulled his arm back, grinning maliciously.
"Got some fight in ya, little freak?" he sneered, circling me. Ton was getting up, favoring his injured leg but still a threat. Kan was groaning on the ground, trying to rise.
Three on one. Even with one partially disabled, the odds were terrible.
"Great Sage! Options!"
[Analysis: Target Ton possesses superior reach and mass but reduced mobility. Target Chin is agile and armed. Target Kan is currently incapacitated but recovering. Recommendation: Prioritize neutralizing Target Chin due to immediate lethal threat. Exploit environmental objects – loose debris can be used as projectiles to create openings.]
Debris. My eyes darted around. Loose bricks, broken bottles... I kicked a chunk of brick towards Chin. He easily sidestepped it, but the momentary distraction was all I needed. I lunged towards him, not away. He expected me to retreat.
[Opportunity: Target Chin off-balance from sidestep. Strike low.]
Ignoring the knife, I dropped low and drove my shoulder into his thighs, using my smaller size to get under his guard. He stumbled back, surprised. I followed through, slamming the heel of my palm upwards into his chin. His head snapped back, eyes rolling slightly.
Down! But before I could celebrate, a heavy blow struck my back, sending me sprawling face-first onto the filthy ground. Ton had limped up behind me.
Pain exploded in my back. I gasped, dirt filling my mouth. Memories of the previous beating flooded back, the helplessness, the agony. Not again...
[Warning: Target Ton approaching. Target Chin recovering. Target Kan attempting to stand. User's emotional state approaching panic threshold.]
"No... shut up..." I gritted my teeth, pushing the panic down. I died. I came back. I have Great Sage. I pushed myself up, spitting out dirt and blood. Ton swung a clumsy fist.
[Analysis: Target Ton's attack is wide and predictable due to leg injury. Evade inward, strike exposed ribs.]
I ducked under the wild swing, feeling the wind rush past my ear. My own fist shot out, connecting solidly with his side. He roared, staggering back, clutching his ribs.
Chin was back on his feet, knife held ready, but he looked wary now. Kan was leaning against the wall, holding his shattered knee, his face pale with pain.
The tables had turned, slightly. It was still two active opponents against me, but they weren't coordinated, and their confidence was shaken.
"Great Sage, predict Chin's next move. Give me an opening."
[Predicting... High probability of feint high, followed by low slash. Optimal counter: Parry feint with left forearm, simultaneous low kick to Target Chin's shin, create distance.]
Chin moved, just as predicted. His knife flicked upwards towards my face – the feint. My left arm, guided by instinct now more than conscious thought, rose to intercept, deflecting the fake attack. At the same time, my right foot snapped out, connecting hard with his shin.
He hissed in pain, hopping back. I used the moment to scramble away, putting distance between us. My back ached, my lip was split, and breathing was becoming difficult, but I was still standing.
Ton charged again, ignoring his injured ribs, desperation in his eyes. Chin moved to flank me.
"They're trying to corner me. Great Sage?"
[Recommendation: Utilize wall for rebound maneuver. Evade Target Ton's charge towards the east wall. Use wall impact to launch counter-attack towards Target Chin.]
It sounded like something out of an action movie. Could I really do it? No time to hesitate. Ton lunged. I dodged sideways, letting him charge past me towards the wall I was just leaning on. I ran at the wall, planted my foot, and pushed off hard, twisting in mid-air.
The momentum carried me towards Chin, who was turning, surprised by my sudden change in direction. I tucked into a roll as I landed, coming up low and driving my fist into his gut. The air rushed out of him in a whoosh. As he doubled over, I brought my knee up sharply, connecting with his jaw. He crumpled, the knife clattering harmlessly away.
Two down. Only Ton left. He stared, wide-eyed, his charge forgotten. His injured leg and bruised ribs made him hesitate.
This was my chance. Ignoring the burning in my lungs and the throbbing pain, I lunged at him. He tried to raise his arms to block, but Great Sage had already analyzed his compromised stance.
[Target Ton vulnerable points: Injured right knee, bruised left ribs. Feint towards ribs, strike knee.]
I faked a punch towards his side. He flinched, instinctively protecting his bruised ribs. My real target was his injured knee. My kick landed squarely on the already damaged joint. He screamed, a raw sound of agony, and collapsed completely, clutching his leg.
Silence fell in the alley, broken only by my ragged breathing and the groans of the three men.
I stood there, trembling, covered in dirt and a bit of my own blood, my makeshift Rimuru body aching all over. My knuckles were raw, my back felt like it was on fire.
[Combat concluded. User victorious. Analyzing user performance... Multiple errors in execution detected. Hesitation observed during initial engagement. Over-reliance on brute force despite uploaded techniques. Environmental awareness utilized effectively in later stages. Overall combat efficiency: Sub-optimal but functional.]
"Sub-optimal... Yeah, sounds about right." I muttered, leaning against the wall for support. It wasn't clean. It wasn't easy. I got hit, multiple times. But I did it. I faced the ones who killed me, and I won. A grim satisfaction mingled with the exhaustion and lingering fear.
The adrenaline started to fade, leaving behind a profound weariness and the sharp sting of my minor injuries. My body screamed for rest.
"Great Sage...?"
[Analysis: User sustained blunt force trauma, minor lacerations, and significant psychological stress. Data logged. Thresholds for acquiring passive resistances such as 'Pain Tolerance' or 'Strike Resistance' not yet met.]
"Figures..." It wouldn't be that easy. Looks like I'd have to endure a lot more pain before getting any relief.
I looked down at the defeated thugs. Incapacitated, but alive. Finishing them off felt wrong, pointless. My goal was survival and strength, not mindless killing. Besides, leaving them alive might provide information later, if needed.
"Okay... What now?" I needed to get out of this alley. I needed information. Where was Emilia? Was Felt still around? And most importantly... Elsa. She was the real threat. Today's deadline was still ticking.
My anime knowledge told me Emilia should be searching for her insignia, likely heading towards the slums soon, eventually ending up at the Loot House around sunset. Felt would be trying to sell it there to Rom. And Elsa... Elsa would arrive later, bringing death with her.