Opening my eyes, I again saw the scene.
The sword is rushed toward my neck.
An evident intent to kill.
I ducked again, dodging the sword's trajectory.
I got up and moved without hesitation.
Sprinting away into the halls of the mansion once again.
The faint laughter of that bastard echoing through the halls as I pushed myself forward.
------
I came across a familiar sight.
The two pathways, left and right.
This time I went right.
Although I hadn't completely explored all that was to the left side of the mansion, my curiosity got the better of me.
Besides,
There was something I wanted to test.
------
As I moved down the corridor, my pace slowed.
But this time, not because of fatigue, but rather, I felt no reason to run.
Not that my body wasn't fatigued, with the poison in my body, it felt like I lost stamina even when I was resting. The bastard did say it was eating at my mana core.
'Does that mean I'll be able to use magic once I get rid of the poison?'
The thought excited me.
In my previous world, magic was only a fantasy, something people dreamed about using but could never truly have.
But here...
It might be real.
As I walked, the corridor opened up, leading me outside to an open space that stretched far and wide.
I stopped for a moment, taking in the scenery.
'Okay, let's have a look around.'
Training dummies stood in rows across the area, their bodies scarred all over. Deep cuts carved into the wood. Puncture marks clustered in tight groups, most likely caused by arrows. There were clear signs of repeated practise.
'Wow, they were pretty accurate.'
Looking beyond the dummies, I spotted something larger.
An arena.
It was a platform that stood tall and wide, riddled with cuts and marks signaling the battles that had once taken place upon it.
It was massive... though, to be fair, it was my first time seeing an arena, so it seemed pretty big to me.
But what caught my attention the most...
Was the weapons storage.
Stepping into the storage felt exciting.
Swords, shields, spears, bows, and other weapons I'd never seen before. It was only then that I felt truly like I was in a fantasy world.
Walking up to the nearest sword, I felt eager to try it out.
Placing my hand over the hilt, I gripped it.
Lifted...
I immediately stumbled forward, the weight of the sword pulling my entire body off balance.
I barely managed to catch myself before hitting the ground.
"...Damn." I groaned as I leaned against the wall for support, breathing heavily.
"It didn't look that heavy."
I glanced down at the sword.
'No...'
It wasn't the sword.
'It's me... or rather the poison.'
It ate at me from the inside.
I steadied myself and decided to try a different weapon, going further into the weapon storage.
'I need something lighter... maybe a dagger.'
But before I could properly search, a familiar voice came.
"Hello~ anybody here?"
'Damn it!'
I scanned the room, eyes darting from weapon to weapon, searching for anything usable.
The bastard's footsteps echoed through the space.
Each step growing louder and louder.
He was getting closer.
As if he knew where I was.
'I knew it.'
He could track me.
It didn't make sense; despite always changing locations, he always found me around the same time.
Which meant it wasn't luck.
The question now was...
'How is he tracking me?'
Smell?
Sound?
Or something else.
There wasn't time to think about it too much.
His footsteps were growing closer and closer.
I had no other choice.
'Haa... guess this one's another failure.' I sighed inwardly.
I grabbed a nearby bow and a single arrow.
I stepped outside the storage.
And saw him standing a few meters in front of me.
Upon seeing me, a twisted smile spread across his face as he spoke.
"Oh~ looks like the little mouse decided to stop hiding."
He gazed at my bow and arrow and mused, "Is that the reason for your confidence?"
He was mocking me.
But my expression remained unchanged. I just stared back at him.
"You know... I'm genuinely surprised." The same words again.
"To think yo-"
"How did you track me?" I cut him off, speaking in a cold tone.
"..."
His eyes widened slightly at my words.
Surprise was evident on his face.
Then his smile widened. "Well, well arent you a smart one?"
"I get that a lot." I shrugged.
"... I'm sure you do." His tone dropped slightly. "But you're forgetting one thing."
He tilted his head.
"Why would I answer your question?"
"Hmm..." I placed a hand over my chin as if I were genuinely contemplating what to say.
"...Lets call it a dying man's last wish."
The bastard paused for a moment and then...
"HAHAHAHA!!"
He laughed so loud, I swear my eardrums almost burst.
'Crazy motherfu-'
"The poison." His voice cut my thoughts, "...The scent of the poison, to be exact."
My eyes narrowed.
"You see, people such as myself have the unique scent of that specific poison memorised."
'The scent...'
"Alright~" He continued, "Do you have any more questions, or is that all?"
"No," My grip tightened around the bow. "I think I'm good,"
Raising the bow, I pointed it directly at him, drawing the string back.
"Oh, but before we fight."
"I'm sorry..."
"I still don't feel the same way."
"Wha-"
-CRASH
The noise vibrated through the air.
The statue had fallen.
The ground shook.
The bastard immediately snapped his head in the direction of the sound.
And just as he did.
I let go of the string.
-fweeee
The arrow cut through the air, speeding toward its target.
Until...
"Ughh!!"
It struck.
Not his heart.
But his shoulder.
'Haa... Fuck, I missed' I inwardly sighed.
Although I knew that it would happen, I still couldn't help but feel disappointed at the outcome.
There were too many variables. The ground shaking, the loud noise, and the fact that I'd never once even touched a bow before.
My arms gave out, and I fell to my knees, breathing heavily.
Just pulling the string had drained me.
"You just keep surprising me." I heard the bastard speak as he walked toward me.
"Did you know the statue would fall? Or did you make it fall?" He asked, sounding genuinely curious and a bit... impressed.
I looked up at him and at the arrow that was still lodged within his shoulder and felt a strange satisfaction looking at it.
"It's too bad, really." He spoke softly.
Raising his sword.
He pierced my chest.
Darkness closed in.
Once again.
I died.