Awhape after escape

“ “ Speaks

(‘ ’) Think’s

[ ] Perspective change

* * Sound effects

' ' Name

I was laying on the ground while listening to water drops falling into a big red pool of flowing blood. My companions were bleeding to death, breathing out their last breaths visible as white clouds from the extreme cold. She lifted me from the ground and set me on my knees. On my neck, I felt a cold thorn whip rasping through my neck. I was slowly bleeding to death. When I was completely worn out, the whip was removed from my neck. I could feel her long white hair sliding off my back.

(‘We couldn’t even land a single hit on her.’)

I closed my eyes and took my last breath.

(‘I’m sorry, we failed.’)

[About 1 hour later]

('Deactivate aura detection.')

*painful heavy breathing x4* *coughing x2*

“Yesss!! She's gone!!

I took another deep breath, which flew painfully into my lungs because of the tin cold air.

“Ah! Finally… she left.”

(‘So, let me explain. I was reincarnated into another world by a stupid dreadful goddess that made me work my ass off and got into a party created by the nobles of this world to defeat ‘The Demon King’ but got obliterated by one of his underdogs. They should have listened to me! But no, they just sent us without any strategy or plans. And the comrades that they gave me. They were so useless and close-minded that I wanted to cry and begg to seem pathetic, so that I wouldn’t have to go. And my party. They had the talent and potential, but they were such meatheads! They wouldn’t listen to me even a little bit.’)

I tried to lift myself onto a sitting position, but blood and water made me slip, right back onto the ground.

“Is this world against me or something?! First, I get these stupid-ass comrades, then I meet the strongest enemies for no reason, and now I slip on blood?! After all the things I’ve done! This is how that stupid goddess treats me?! Why?? Why me? Why do I have to go through all this?!”

My voice echoed wildly throughout this tight space, and I got kind of dizzy from hearing it.

“Eh…”

After some rest, I convinced myself that if you live a hard enough life, you will be rewarded.

('I should get away before anyone else comes.’)

I spread my arms and legs, swung myself up, and held myself up onto a giant rock next to me. Then, I plodded from one rock to another. Carefully, so that I wouldn’t trip over a dead body or anything else. I honestly wanted to kick every single useless piece of shits into the heavens right now, but I didn’t have the time or energy for it, so I held it in. The steps kept getting heavier and the smell of rotten flesh made me lose even more consciousness. Fortunately, after an endless walk in a narrow dark place, I saw light. With hope, I walked toward it.

“Finally… I made it. I’m… outside.”

Like a moth to a flame, I followed the light. And when I reached it, I fell onto my knees and closed my eyes.

(‘Eh, finally. I’ll rest here for a bit.’)

[A few moment later]

“You’re still alive?”

I hear a voice of a woman slowly approaching me.

“Ow dear. If you want to escape, you have to be more careful.”

I definitely recognized this voice, but I just couldn’t remember whose it was.

“Hey there? …”

I got woken up by a soft seductive voice.

(‘Eh. Just let me sleep!’)

The person bent over to look at me.

“Wait … you are?!”

It was the voice of a woman, and it seemed like she knew who I was.

(‘Who is she?’)

I thought for a moment, but I was tired and in pain, so I gave up on thinking and went back to sleep..

(‘It may be someone who is passing by.’)

Suddenly, I felt a person’s touch. I shot my eyes open and swung the hand off me. But then, when I saw who it was, I backed my hand off and pushed myself off the ground.

(‘That’s! That’s! …)

“Hello there.!”

(‘It was the person... That person… The woman who killed everyone in my party…’)

“Aahhh!!”

She took out her torn whip and swung it on the ground.

“You tried to escape, huh?”

I tried to run away, but she grabbed me by my shoulder. I tried to shake her off, but I couldn’t escape.

“W-wait, please!”

I stammered, fear coursing through my veins while she smirked, her icy eyes piercing through me.

“Wait? Why should I? For you to escape and go run to a safe place? In this world, there's no such thing. You should know that by now. Hahahahaaa!”

The horrifying image of her effortless slaughtering came back into my mind. My body trembled as she continued to hold me in place.

“Do you think you can escape from me? Well, I should give you props for deceiving me, but now, you're definitely prey!”

She taunted, tightening her grip on my shoulder. I felt a surge of desperation.

“Why are you doing this? What do you want from me?”

She chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine.

"What do I want? Oh, just a bit of fun, I suppose"

She spoke with a sinister grin.

"Please... j-just let me go. I won't tell anyone about you. Please, spare my life."

She tilted her head, as if considering my plea, but then she made a disgusted face.

"Survive, huh? That's all everyone wants in this wretched world. Argh! I hate it! Why should I let you go? Are you going to be of any value to me? Will you offer me something?"

I swallowed hard, trying to find any ounce of courage within me. Then with all my remaining energy I scream in her face.

"What is the cost?!"

She looked at me with a surprised face.

“Eh? What’s the wut? He, ha hahahahaha! A-are you serious?!”

Her laughter echoed in the dark, narrow space.

As she laughed, I noticed a glint of amusement in her eyes, a sadistic pleasure derived from my unexpected response. Noticing that she was slightly loosening her grasp on my shoulder.. My mind raced considering possible escape routes, but the reality of my situation was still painfully clear. I couldn’t go anywhere.

“Hmm. You’re interesting. Hmm, maybe.. Yeah.”

Not being able to fully understand her words, my face tensed.

"You're not the first to be thrown into this game, and you won't be the last. The gods love their entertainment. The strong survive, and the weak perish. It’s the survival of the fittest . It’s as simple as that. But even survival comes at a cost and oh my dear, right now you're standing on the brink of it."

“W-what do you mean?”

"Enough games," she declared, releasing her grip on my shoulder.

“Why don’t you become my companion.”

Now I was in a state of utter confusion.

“Huh? What?!”