Drip.
The sensation of something flowing made me frown.
I lowered my gaze.
My chestâspecifically, my heartâhad been pierced.
A hand. I could see a hand, the very hand that had torn through my chest.
I shifted my gaze with difficulty to see the face of the person it belonged to.
The owner of that hand was none other than me. Or rather, the me from my previous life.
Squish.
The hand pulled out, and a burst of blood sprayed forth.
âGuhâ¦â
Blood spilled from my mouth as I fell to my knees.
From this lower position, I looked up at himâat myself.
He gazed down at me with cold indifference.
Then, he raised his hand and pointed it toward me.
"Next time, bring an answer."
"If you donât, you might as well end your own life."
With those heavy words,
Whoosh!
Black flames engulfed my head.
******************
I shot upright, eyes wide open.
ââ¦Haa⦠haaâ¦â
Panting heavily, I clutched my chest. My trembling fingers searched for reassurance, and I let out a relieved breath.
Thankfully, my chest was intact.
Butâ
ââ¦Kuhâ¦â
Pain surged through my body, muscles throbbing in protest. No, this wasnât just muscle painâit was far worse.
This felt likeâ¦
My meridians are swollen.
My entire bodyâs meridians were inflamed.
The realization of my earlier ordeal hit me like a hammer.
âAh, damn it.â
I recalled the moment Iâd collapsed, my mind fogged with pain. And the memory of spitting blood while desperately trying to subdue my rampaging energy.
Grimacing, I loosened my clothing to examine my body.