Thud.
Thud.
A sound echoed near my ears. What was that noise?
It sounded like footsteps.
First, my hearing responded. Then, my sense of smell followed.
A faint floral scent brushed past the tip of my nose.
It wasnât overpoweringâsoft and subtleâyet the fragrance lingered.
As the sound and scent drifted in, I felt something against me.
Someoneâs back. Was the owner of this back the source of both the fragrance and the touch?
âItâs comfortable.â
A strange sense of comfort settled over me.
Before I realized it, I was about to close my eyes again.
ââ¦Wait.â
A back? A scent? Someone else?
âThat meansâ¦â
I was being carried by someone?
"â¦!"
The realization jolted me awake. I hastily pushed myself up.
The hands supporting me loosened their grip, allowing me to naturally slide down to the ground.
As soon as I landed, I turned to see who had been carrying me.
CRACKâ!
"Urghâ¦!!"
A searing pain shot through my entire body, forcing me to my knees.
The pain surged through my meridians and spread from my heart, a vicious agony gnawing at my core.
Staggering, I clutched my chest.
"Shit⦠this is insaneâ¦"
How long had it been since I last felt pain like this?
Even when I first succeeded in performing Cheonma Divine Art, it hadnât been this bad.
This wasnât even in the same leagueâit was incomparable.
"Haa⦠haaâ¦"
The blood vessels in my eyes throbbed. My trembling hand clutched my chest.
âDid I pass out?â
It seemed likely. I had blacked out.
Fortunately, I hadnât died, meaning it wasnât the worst-case scenario.
For now, I needed to endure the pain and slowly raise my head.
âWho could it be?â
The pain was a problem, but the bigger question wasâwho had been carrying me?
I turned my gaze to find out.
"â¦!"
My eyes widened as I saw the figure standing before me.
"Youâ¦."