Subaru Natsuki stepped out of the convenience store late at night, arms loaded with snacks and drinks, ready for a long night of gaming and relaxation. His tired eyes drifted to the strange green mark on his left wrist, something he'd had since birth but never gave much thought to. It would occasionally glow faintly—something he always dismissed as his imagination—but it never seemed to have any significance.
It could be said that it hadn't really impacted his life in any meaningful way. Subaru, once a hikikomori and now a high school student, was content with where he was. He used to live in the shadow of his father, constantly comparing himself and finding himself lacking. He tried to fit in by acting like someone he wasn't, which only made him feel cringe and alienated. Eventually, the feeling of inadequacy led him to stop attending school.
That all changed one day when his father took him on a walk and had a heartfelt talk with him. To Subaru's surprise, his seemingly perfect father had his own regrets. He told Subaru that if he spent his life trying to be him, he'd end up with the same regrets. "So why not be the first Subaru instead of the second Kenichi?" his father said.
That conversation was a wake-up call. From that day on, Subaru stopped trying to follow in his father's footsteps and started charting his own path. He went back to school. He wasn't top of the class, but he did well enough. He excelled in sports, played guitar, and got involved in extracurriculars. Overall, he became known as a laid-back, popular guy. Everything was going smoothly—until recently, when that odd birthmark on his wrist, shaped like a weird green watch dial, started itching. He didn't pay much attention to it, though.
After a long session of grinding through an RPG with his friends, Subaru headed to the convenience store for a snack run.
Just as he was about to cross the street with his snacks in hand, reality suddenly distorted around him. Colors blurred and swirled in his vision, and in the next moment, Subaru found himself standing in the middle of a bustling medieval marketplace. His breath caught in his throat as he looked around in bewilderment. Stone buildings loomed on all sides, and people in strange, old-fashioned clothing passed by without giving him a second glance.
His mind was spinning. On one hand, there was the thrill of adventure—he was in a new world! But on the other, thoughts of his friends and family back home tugged at his heart. His eyes filled with tears, but he wasn't sure whether they were from excitement or despair.
Before he could make sense of it all, his attention snapped to his empty pocket. His wallet was gone. Stolen.
### *The Confrontation with the Thugs*
Desperate to retrieve his wallet, Subaru dashed through the crowded marketplace, chasing after a short, nimble thief with a mushroom-shaped head. His pursuit led him down a series of narrow, dark alleys until he was finally cornered by a gang of thugs blocking his path with smug grins.
"You're not getting your stuff back, kid," the largest one sneered, stepping forward.
Still disoriented from his sudden arrival in this strange world, Subaru felt a surge of panic.
'Come on, Subaru, this is not the time to lose your nerve', he thought, forcing himself to take a deep breath. Without hesitation, he kicked the shortest thug—the mushroom-headed thief—sending him tumbling. But before he could celebrate, a sharp glint caught his eye. He ducked and rolled to the side just in time.
"Shit! How can you be so shameless as to bring weapons into a peaceful confrontation?" Subaru shouted, despite the irony.
"Mess with us, and we'll gut you," the lanky thug threatened, licking his blade with a sinister smile. The mushroom-headed thief, having recovered from the kick, growled, "You're done for, lad. How dare you pick on someone half your size? Where's all that bravado now, huh?"
Subaru felt a chill run down his spine. His mind raced—could he run? If they threw the blade, he was finished. Fight? They'd gut him for sure. Shout for help? Maybe. But before he could act, the green mark on his wrist flared to life, glowing intensely. In a panic, he randomly selected a form from the shapes flickering in the light.
Before Subaru could comprehend what was happening, his body was engulfed in a burst of energy. His form shifted, expanding and transforming until he became *Swampfire*, a towering, plant-like alien with flames flickering from his hands and shoulders. The thugs froze, bewildered.
"Is this some kind of circus?" the biggest one asked, suddenly apprehensive. The lanky one, still confident, charged forward, slashing with his blade. In desperation, Subaru—now Swampfire—caught the blade with his arm. But there was no blood. Instead, the blade was stuck in his plant-like body. The thug's confidence shattered, and he retreated in fear, abandoning his weapon. Subaru casually tossed the blade to the ground, watching as the cuts on his arm healed instantly.
Instinct kicked in. Raising his arms, vines shot out from his body, wrapping around the thugs. He squeezed until their bones creaked and they cried out in terror, like chickens being strangled. With a flick of his wrist, flames erupted from his hands, sending the gang fleeing in panic.
Now alone in the alley, Subaru stared at his flaming hands in disbelief. "What the…?"
---
### *Half Elves are really cute*
Before Subaru could fully comprehend his transformation, a soft voice called out to him. "That was amazing!"
He turned to see a beautiful silver-haired girl with violet eyes—Emilia. Subaru's breath caught in his throat as he looked up at the unexpected visitor. She was beautiful—otherworldly, even. He quickly realized that this world wasn't just different in appearance, but in essence too. And this girl, whoever she was, stood at its very centre. She stood a few feet away, her expression filled with awe. Floating beside her was a small, cat-like creature.
"I'm soooo sorry! I was going to step in to help you, but I was completely flabbergasted by your plant-man form. And your clothes—they're so strange. You're not from around here, are you?" Emilia asked kindly, her eyes studying him carefully.
Subaru shifted back into his human form, panting from the sudden use of his power. "I… uh… no. I guess not."
The floating cat creature fluttered closer, its sharp eyes narrowing as it examined the green mark on Subaru's wrist. "That's a Divine Protection, no doubt about it."
Subaru blinked, taken aback by the floating, talking spirit. "Whoa, a talking cat? And he floats? That's... that's amazing!"
Puck tilted his head and grinned. "Why, thank you! I've been told I'm quite the charmer. My name is Puck, and I'm Emilia's spirit partner."
"Nice to meet you" Subaru greeted them. Then he struck his signature touch the sky pose and said, "My name is Natsuki Subaru and I am lost beyond compare". Still catching his breath from the fight, he asked "What is this divine thing you are talking about?"
"A Divine Protection," Emilia explained gently. "It's a blessing from the world, granting you unique powers. I've never seen one quite like yours, though."
Subaru glanced down at his wrist, the mark still faintly glowing. "So… this thing is why I can transform into… into whatever that was?"
Puck nodded, floating closer to Subaru. "Seems like your Divine Protection lets you take on that plant-man form."
Subaru blinked. Somehow, Puck's words resonated with him. He instinctively knew that his Divine Protection allowed him to transform into not just one, but ten different aliens, each with its own unique abilities. The knowledge already seemed to be imprinted in his mind:
1. Swampfire – A plant-based alien capable of controlling fire and regenerating.
2. Big Chill – A ghostly, insect-like alien that can turn intangible and freeze the air around him.
3. Humungousaur – A massive, dinosaur-like alien with incredible strength, capable of growing larger.
4. Echo Echo – A small, sound-based alien that can duplicate itself and emit destructive soundwaves.
5. Jetray – A manta ray-like alien that can fly at supersonic speeds and fire neuroshock blasts.
6. Brainstorm – A highly intelligent, crab-like alien with the ability to control electricity.
7. Spidermonkey – An agile, four-armed alien that can spin webs and move at incredible speed.
8. Chromastone – A crystal-based alien that can absorb energy and redirect it as powerful blasts.
9. Goop – A slime-like alien capable of shifting form, controlled by an anti-gravity projector.
10. Alien X – A reality-warping alien, though its immense power comes with great risk.
Subaru noticed her darting eyes and almost imperceptible panting. "You seem like you're searching for something. May I know what it is?" he asked.
The silver-haired elf immediately responded, "A thief stole something very important to me. Have you seen a small child wearing an orange shirt, brown trousers, and a red scarf?"
Subaru shook his head. "No, I haven't seen anyone like that in this alley."
She looked shocked and turned toward the floating cat beside her. "Did we really take the long way, Puck?"
Without waiting for a response, they both started to run. Seeing this, Subaru called out, "Wait! Maybe I can help?"
His heart raced, not just from the thrill of adventure, but because of Emilia herself. He wasn't just trying to be useful—he genuinely wanted to impress her.
"I'll help you get it back," Subaru said earnestly, flashing one of his trademark grins. "I think this kingdom is as new to me as I am to it... maybe you could help me out too? A tour guide would be awesome."
Emilia regarded him carefully, her wariness evident. She had just met this strange boy, and although he had shown some strength, trusting a stranger wasn't easy for her. Before she could reply, a playful yet calm voice chimed in.
"Lia, I think we should help him," said Puck, the adorable floating cat spirit at her side. "He's not from here, and I sense his sincerity. Plus, his strength and spirit are... interesting. He means you no harm."
Subaru gave a mock bow, still brimming with energy. "I'm Subaru Natsuki, just your average guy lost in another world. But I promise, I'm good at helping people!"
Emilia, having been hesitant at first, softened slightly. Puck's opinion meant a lot to her, and if he vouched for Subaru, perhaps he could be trusted.
"Alright," she said gently, "I suppose we can help each other. But no funny business."
Subaru chuckled nervously. "Don't worry, I'm all about business—heroic business, that is!"
---
As they ventured through the streets, the duo—now a trio, counting Puck—found themselves pausing when they heard a child crying nearby. A small girl, no older than five or six, stood alone in the crowd, clearly distressed. Emilia's eyes immediately softened.
"Subaru, wait," she said, motioning for him to follow her. "We need to help her."
Subaru nodded, already following Emilia's lead. As they approached, the girl looked up with tearful eyes, her face brightening slightly as Subaru knelt down beside her. "Hey, it's okay," Subaru said softly. "Are you lost? Where's your mom?"
The girl nodded, sniffling. "I-I can't find her... She went to buy fruit, and I don't know where she went."
Emilia glanced at Subaru, who gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry," he said. "We'll help you find her. Right, Emilia?"
Emilia nodded. Together, the three of them wandered through the market, asking the vendors if they had seen the girl's mother. It wasn't long before they spotted a worried-looking woman searching the market frantically. The moment she saw her daughter, her face lit up with relief.
"Mom!" the girl shouted, running into her mother's arms.
The reunion was heartwarming, and Subaru couldn't help but feel proud of the small act of kindness they had just performed. The mother thanked them profusely, her eyes filled with gratitude. Emilia's face lit up with a soft smile, and Subaru felt his heart skip a beat.
##The Investigation Begins
Subaru and Emilia, now having built some rapport, continued their investigation into the stolen insignia. Their first stop was the market stall where Emilia had last been before the robbery. When they approached the fruit vendor, however, they were met with hostility.
"I already told you, I don't know anything about your missing trinket! Stop bothering me!" the gruff fruit seller barked, glaring at them.
Subaru raised his hands in defense, trying to defuse the situation. "Hey, hey, we're just trying to figure out what happened! No need to get all angry—"
Before he could finish, the little girl from earlier appeared at the scene, tugging on the fruit seller's shirt. "Papa!" she exclaimed. "These people helped me find mom!"
The fruit seller's expression softened immediately. "You... You helped my daughter?"
Subaru nodded, his voice pleading "We did. If you could tell us anything, it would be a big help."
The fruit seller, now indebted to them, sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright... Fine.
There's a thief who goes by the name Felt. She's been seen around the slums, usually hanging out with some big oaf of an old man. They might know something."
Subaru's heart raced with excitement as they finally got a lead. "Great! We're getting somewhere!"
Emilia smiled at the fruit seller gratefully. "Thank you."
And with that, they set off toward the slums.
### *Old Man Rom and Felt*
As they entered the slums, Subaru was immediately struck by the stark contrast between the bustling marketplace and the dilapidated state of this part of the city. The buildings were run-down, and the air felt heavy with unease. His unease deepened upon discovering that Puck functioned like a civil servant, only active from 9 to 5.
They eventually arrived at an old, dilapidated warehouse where their lead pointed them. Subaru's eyes widened at the sight of the enormous figure inside—a giant of a man, who was clearly the Old Man Rom they had been told about. Next to him was a young, scrappy girl with short blonde hair, glaring suspiciously at them.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" the girl, Felt, demanded, her eyes narrowing.
Subaru stepped forward, trying to appear calm and friendly. "We're just looking for something that was stolen—a special insignia. Maybe you've seen it?"
Rom snorted, towering over Subaru and Emilia. "We don't take kindly to strangers poking their noses in our business."
Emilia remained calm but determined. "We're not here to cause trouble. We just want what belongs to me."
The tension in the room was palpable, but Subaru, being Subaru, couldn't help but quip with a grin.
"And hey, if you give it back, we'll owe you a favour! Who doesn't love favours?"
Rom and Felt exchanged glances, clearly distrustful, but Subaru's earnestness and Emilia's calm demeanour seemed to give them pause.
"Hahaha! How many coins is your favour even worth?" Felt and Rom burst into laughter. Despite the tension, the atmosphere wasn't entirely hostile.