FLUTTER!
Koul's eyes fluttered open to him standing in front of the girl. The one who had offered to tend to his wounds.
Hah?!
His eyes swept around the hall briefly, noting everyone present before returning to the girl.
Was it an illusion? I'm sure I was…. fired an arrow? And I died?
His eyes darted around in confusion, unable to grasp the situation.
Could it have been a vision then? Like a warning on what's going to happen?
Just as he sank deeper in confusion, the girl before him spoke.
"I see you're injured, your majesty. Please allow me tend to you," she said softly.
At this, Koul's eyes widened, realization starting to dawn on him.
Hmm? She's asked this before, no?
"No would do," he found himself speaking without his own accord. And that too, the same response he had given the girl when she asked to tend to his wounds the first time.
That's when it fully dawned on him.
It wasn't an illusion or a warning. Everything was playing out just as it had before that arrow struck me!
It seems more like time has been reversed.
As he stood still, computing things in his mind, he recalled the system's words.
'Die 1-9 times, and you can still be revived.'
I did indeed die, just that time has been reversed in order to save me. No, in order for me to save myself! That is the second task.
If I'm not wrong, right about now, the arrow should be coming!
Koul attempted to turn swiftly as his realization had made things clear to him, but—
SHLUK!!
He was too late, as the arrow once again, buried into his back, piercing his heart.
"Agh fuck! Please give me a break!" He said as he slumped to the ground.
[Host has died]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
FLUTTER!
And once again, he awoke, standing before the same girl.
I'm back again. That's two deaths now.
If I'm correct, the time reverses around 30-35 seconds before my death.
What do I do? How do I handle this?
Koul's mind was on fire. He couldn't dare to waste a millisecond without thinking of a way out.
I can't rely on these people to protect me, they loathe me. And certainly not after what I've just done.
His heart palpitated at an abnormal pace, his body gripped by a chilling cold while his hands started to get sweaty.
It was as if standing at the door of death.
I can't run away either because there's not enough time to find a good hiding spot. And I'm sure the shooter would still target me and shoot me even if I move from this spot.
I don't even trust this body to do well with speed in the first place.
The best option is to get the timing right. To wait! Calculate, and duck the arrow just before it reaches me!
BADUMP! BADUMP!
His heart pounded loud and heavy, his chest rising and falling with each controlled breath he took.
He was waiting for the perfect moment to move.
Even the girl's words fell silent to his ears as he was overtaken with the sense of survival.
Two more seconds. 1… 2… now!
With swift precision, Koul turned, and moved a step aside with a sharp whoosh!
But—
SHLUK!
He was stabbed yet again.
However, it wasn't by an arrow like all the previous times, but with a dagger. And that too, from behind.
A loud gasp elicited from the workers, while the guards stared wide in surprise.
Koul, on the other hand, was struck numb with shock, eyes widespread as he struggled to comprehend the situation.
Slowly, he turned to face his perpetrator with the dagger fully embedded in his chest from behind.
"You just have to go," the girl who offered to tend to his wounds said. Her hand was stained with blood, and on the other, another dagger rested.
Koul's face twisted in pain and anger.
"This bitch!" He cussed as he slumped down.
[Host has died]