Three days later.
Level 2, Abandoned Public Zone.
Subaru, following the instructions of the M.E.G. members, had learned how to distinguish 'exits'.
However, he did not teleport to Level 1, 'Habitable Zone', as they had said, but instead arrived at Level 2, 'Abandoned Public Zone'.
Subaru opened a bottle of Almond water, poured it down his throat, and let out a deep sigh.
'There are simply too many monsters…'
On the first day, he encountered an Entity named Smiler, charged at it fearlessly like a calf not afraid of a tiger, and then felt the Smiler's enthusiastic maw and powerful arms.
He died…
The Smiler also left.
Then he was revived by Yang Tao.
Then he was discovered by the Smiler again, and this time it was a little better; he lasted two seconds…
Afterward, he also encountered Clumps, Hounds, and Deathmoths.
So he died a few more times, but it wasn't without gain; today was already the third day, and although he encountered several Entities, he survived.
Various sounds emanated from the machines, pipelines, or other industrial equipment tightly arranged between the walls and the ceiling.
Compared to the annoying current hum of incandescent lights, Subaru found these sounds not so difficult to accept.
Just then.
A cry for help suddenly came from a distance.
Subaru's expression tightened; he immediately put away the bottle of Almond water in his hand and gripped the still sharp longsword.
It was as if only this item could make him feel safe.
'Someone…'
Multiple deaths had finally taught him caution, so he immediately walked in the direction of the sound.
He stepped cautiously on the concrete floor, trying his best not to make any sound.
He quickly rounded a corner.
Subaru saw the other person.
The other person was currently slumped on the ground, seemingly injured; there were no Entity monsters around, and seeing this, Subaru also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hey, stop making noise. If you attract those monsters, you're dead."
Hearing his words, the other person immediately fell silent.
Because of the Babel Lip Balm, even if he spoke Japanese, the other person could understand him.
Subaru walked over and crouched down, wanting to check the other person's condition, but the next moment, the other person suddenly lunged, reaching out and grabbing at him.
A monster drilled out of the other person's 'body'. No, this monster was just wearing a human skin!!
This sudden scene made Subaru forget how to think; he only saw a large mouth on this humanoid monster that stretched from its head all the way down to its thigh.
A large mouth full of fangs.
A few minutes later, the 'Skin-Peeler', full and satisfied, transformed into Subaru's appearance and left. Yang Tao's figure appeared from the air, and his staff, glowing with a sacred light, gently tapped.
Subaru, who had been reduced to a pool of blood, reappeared in Level 2.
Looking at Subaru's disoriented state, Yang Tao asked with a smile, "How do you feel?"
"What was that?"
Subaru had now learned to be calm, no longer shouting and screaming like he did after his initial deaths and revivals.
"A Skin-Peeler. It disguises itself as a victim, then lures other Wanderers to attack. Sometimes it also hides among humans… Its strength isn't particularly great, but its transformation is quite something to behold."
Subaru nodded lightly.
This death made him feel completely unprepared.
"Then… how can I tell them apart?"
"Their blood is translucent. Normally, when you encounter other Wanderers in Level 2, you should first confirm their identity. This is clearly written in the 'beginner' information M.E.G. gave you."
Yang Tao showed no impatience, carefully explaining information about the Skin-Peeler to Subaru.
"Also, you've only been here for three days and you've already learned not to shout. When you hear someone else shouting, you should immediately consider if there's a problem, instead of kindly going to check…"
"Of course, this isn't to make you a cold-blooded person, but to ensure that when you save or help others, you also have the corresponding ability to do so. Otherwise, it will be like those times you were killed in the other world."
"Alright, you should continue."
Subaru still wanted to ask something, but Yang Tao's figure disappeared without a trace, just as he had appeared.
No complaints, no resentment…
Subaru picked up the iron sword. Although his current strength made it difficult to deal with Entities, the longsword still gave him a lot of security.
One day, three days, five days…
Subaru traveled from Level 2 all the way to Level 5…
He grabbed a nearby vase and threw it at the Male Death Moth flapping its wings towards him in the distance, then immediately rushed forward and cut its body in half with his longsword.
Then Subaru retreated rapidly.
The blood that flowed from the Male Death Moth after its death could release potent venom.
"I can't believe it… I can now kill a Death Moth so easily…"
Looking at the Male Death Moth in the distance, falling to the ground and continuously corroding the carpet, Subaru's face showed a smile.
Just as he was about to open the supply box behind the Death Moth, Yang Tao suddenly appeared in front of him.
Subaru instinctively swung the longsword in his hand, bringing it down, and only managed to pull back his strength just before it would have struck Yang Tao's forehead.
Seeing this, Yang Tao smiled and praised without hesitation, "Subaru, excellent reaction speed!"
Subaru also smiled and said, "If it were at the beginning, I wouldn't have believed I could grow to such an extent."
"As expected of the protagonist, Subaru. Next, I will truly bestow power upon you. Are you ready?"
Subaru nodded lightly, his eyes no longer holding the previous timidity, and he nodded with a determined expression.
"Anytime."
"This time, you might die dozens, even hundreds of times… And you will feel very weak, so weak that even catching your breath will be a luxury. You must think carefully."
Death?
Subaru recalled the time since he had transmigrated.
'It seems… I seem to have gotten used to death.'
"I'm ready."
Yang Tao nodded lightly, took out a set of equipment and weapons from his backpack, and threw them to Subaru, saying, "Put them on."
This was a very ordinary set of Astra Militarum standard equipment.
Subaru: "!!"
"Why are there guns? Are you going to send me to a battlefield?"
"Yes, it is indeed a battlefield. You'll like it there."
Yang Tao reached out and summoned a wooden door.
"Behind the door is a Imperium of Man alert planet located at the edge of the galaxy. On this planet, humans, insectoids, and orcs—three factions—are in a chaotic battle here, and what you need to do is very simple: just aim at all xenos and pull the trigger."
"Also, I will grant you the power of a Nephalem from the Dark World. The more enemies you kill, the stronger your power will become. You will know then."
Huh? Isn't this Khorne's specialty?
Should I give Subaru another blessing?