Life is a cycle, and if you ask me who I am, well, I’m Rage Soulheart. Yes, a human in a world inhabited by monsters. In my previous life, I was Craig Sabestian, a hero who fought against demons. Before that, I was Raj Kumar, a bachelor.

If I recall anything from all these lives, it’s that I fell in love with 99 girls and was rejected by all of them. Huh! But I still have hope. This time, I’m playing the role of an A-rank member in my party. Ray Droindhood, a handsome champion according to his title, is one of my companions.

Then there’s my childhood friend, Rosalie Blazetown, who has a crush on Ray. She’s a berserker with a tomboyish personality. She was very kind to me when we were kids, but now she’s just rude, maybe to keep her distance. She was my crush back then but rejected me, becoming the 88th girl to do so.

Next is Freya Duskbringer, who also has a crush on Ray. She’s jolly and warm, always smiling. She’s a mage and the 90th girl who rejected me. Finally, there’s Nora, who is very cold yet has a soft side she keeps hidden. She’s our healer and the 99th girl to reject me. Yes, she was the last one.

But today, I’m going to propose and finally get a girlfriend after spending two lives with nothing to show for it! The girl I’m going to propose to is Claire Omond. She’s a cat girl, a popular race in this world. Claire and I have some history—although Ray helped me save her life during a quest, she has been kind to me.

Claire arrived while I was sitting at my table. “So, what is it, Rage?” Claire asked with a smile, her inner thoughts revealing her anticipation: My dear pet, madly devoted to me, what is it you want? Fufufu…

“Claire, I… I’ve started feeling something for you every time we meet and talk…” I began, but Claire maintained her fake smile. In her mind, she thought, That’s right! Now beg me: ‘I like you! Please stay with me!’ Huh, filthy humans.

“I like…” I started to say those magical words but stopped midway. “I like the moon-shaped necklace you wear,” I said instead. Claire looked taken aback.

“Necklace…?” Claire repeated, confused. Is this what he wanted? No, I’m sure he was about to propose to me! Claire thought to herself. “So, this is why you called me?” she asked, her tone turning arrogant.

“Yes, and I also wanted to say farewell as I’m quitting the party,” I said, rising from the table. “Okay, bye! I have to go now!” I added, leaving a rose-patterned bracelet beside Claire. “I wanted to give you this as a small token for you to remember me,” I said before leaving. Claire was stunned. It was the first time a guy had acted so tough around her.

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“I might have proposed to her, but after being rejected 99 times, I can’t forget those eyes of hers that were ready to reject me brutally,” I thought while packing my belongings and leaving the resignation letter on the table.

“I never became an adventurer in this world to defeat demons or anything like that. I just wanted to roam around, enjoy life, and maybe find someone to share it with. Even if not a harem, I would love to have someone with whom I can share my life.”

“Love is a strange thing. People say that when you fall in love, certain things will happen. But that’s not true. At least a 99-times-rejected idiot like me can say that love is just an understanding of feelings without words between two people. Both parties try to understand each other’s needs, and that’s what they want.”

“But that understanding is beautiful. Two people’s understanding makes each other happy. But mostly, what I’ve seen is some demands. I have a strong feeling that a truck-kun should come and just bring me down so I can get reincarnated again!” I muttered to myself. That’s when I saw a lady with bouncy, indigo-shaded, waist-length hair wearing an elegant wrapped puff-sleeve dress. She was blindfolded or had been blindfolded, and she was asking for help.

“Is anybody there? Please, can someone help me?” she pleaded, and seeing my footsteps, she gave a slight smile, a faint hope visible on her face.

“Is there someone here? Please help me; there are people trying to kill me…” the lady said.

I walked towards her to help her stand. “Are you alright, miss?” I asked. Suddenly, a voice reached my ears. “Hey boy, stay away from her! She’s a demoness. Don’t fall for her!” A bounty hunter, probably A or B rank and in his mid-thirties, came forward. He carried a giant axe, common among berserkers who favor heavy weapons.

“I know that, but it doesn’t mean you should hurt her! I’m very aware of who she is and what she can do!” I said, though I thought to myself, Of course, now this guy will kill me. I'll die a heroic death and get reincarnated, haha!

“Oh, is that so? Well, goodbye!” The man turned around and started to leave. “Hey, what the hell? You won’t fight me?” I asked. The man replied, “I’m not interested in getting injured by an A-rank and then dying at the hands of a demon. I’ll come back another day to fight that demon!” He disappeared into the forest while I went through a slide of emotions.

“Just how bad is my luck in this life?” I thought, regaining a bit of hope. “This demon will surely kill me now as I’m alone. I just have to pretend,” I resolved, turning back to the lady.

“Thank you, you foolish human!” she said. As she removed her blindfold, her hair transformed into snakes, and her royal blue eyes locked onto mine.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! A new life is coming!” I thought.