Footsteps echoed through the hallway as Damien, with his maid following behind, walked toward the room. Their eyes caught sight of the corner ahead, but just as they were about to reach it, the maid's footsteps came to a halt.
Before anything could unfold, Damien hurled a lighter behind him and leaped forward.
---
Hours ago...
I placed the gunpowder at the doorway and grabbed a lighter from the warehouse, where the guards often smoke and forget their lighters behind.
I practiced and measured the distance and timing, preparing for when the attack happens and how I will respond.
Everything was going smoothly, and all I had to do was wait for nightfall.
But one thing kept weighing on my mind—my maid. If I went through with this plan, I couldn't save her. I'd have to sacrifice her. Even if the killer didn't get to her, the blast radius could still inflict fatal injuries. Yet, I had no other choice.
I regretted it, but I still went ahead, because it offered the highest chance of success.
"Sorry... Pricella," I muttered under my breath.
As night fell and the sun dipped below the horizon, I prepared myself. Walking through the hallway toward my room, Pricella followed closely behind. As the corner came into view, my heart pounded, my hand trembled.
"Don't ruin this chance," I whispered, repeating it like a chant—a mantra to steady my nerves.
Years of experience as an escapist had given me the ability to work under watchful, judging eyes, but the pressure and anxiety I felt now were unlike anything I'd ever experienced.
"Come on, this isn't your first time..."
Suddenly, Pricella's footsteps stopped.
Without looking back, I threw the lit lighter behind me and jumped forward.
The lighter landed on the remnants of gunpowder near the doorway, setting off a series of blasts that ignited the entire hidden doorway.
The deafening boom behind me almost caused me to lose my hearing. As the explosions continued, I pressed my head against the ground.
When the explosion finally stopped, there was fire everywhere. I didn't think much and just sprinted towards the staircase.
Slowly, the manor was being completely engulfed in flames. As I leapt down the stairs to reach the back door, servants and maids were running frantically. Some recognized me, grabbed me, and rushed outside with me on their shoulders, rescuing me.
I looked back; the manor was engulfed in flames. Some of the guards and servants frantically used buckets of water against the relentless fire consuming the structure. Their efforts were futile, yet they persisted.
I sighed, finally free. Free from destined death.
Suddenly, a window popped up in front of my vision.
"Congratulations! You have successfully avoided destined death."
Reward: Revoked after first death.
Life span (1/9)
Misc. Reward: Item => Metrum Vesaniae
I squinted my eyes to focus on the item, and just then another window popped up, smaller and overlaying the previous one.
Item description: The Book of Insanity grants the author the ability to keep their sanity in check. Each time a new entry is written, the author experiences a calming effect.
A supernatural book. By now, such things shouldn't surprise me; I've already faced trials far stranger and more grotesque than this. Yet, I can't shake the chill as its pages whisper with unseen intent, what use did the butler have for it?
It reminds me of those RPG games the kids in my world spend hours on—rules, quests, penalties for failure.
But this wasn't a game; this was real.
The window revealed no more, and suddenly the screen went black. The scene shifted, and I found myself in a white room, surrounded by blank walls. Then, a deep voice echoed:
"Do you want to continue or take a rest?"
I raised my voice as I stood tall, "Who are you? Why are you doing this?"
The barrage of questions hung in the air for a long time.
After moments of eerie silence, I whispered, "I want to rest."
The voice echoed through the white walls once more, "Alright, you will be returned in 24 hours."
Suddenly, the scene shifted. I found myself lying on my bed, still wearing the coat and pants I had forgotten to remove before sleeping. My hat was crushed beneath me, wrinkled and completely unpresentable.
I glanced sideways toward the window, moonlight shimmering through it. The tree near my house held an owl, its hooting echoing in my ears.
I was back to my life once again. I never thought I would miss this crappy apartment, yet here I was. Sitting up on the bed, I looked at the moonlight streaming through the window. Tears sparkled as they rolled down my face.
I was crying.
---
Morning,
I searched through several articles and forums but couldn't find any case that explains my strange pandemonium. Exhausted from pulling an all-nighter, I posted my situation on various forums and disconnected from the internet.
I pulled the Book of Insanity from the floating window. Apparently, I could summon the window whenever I wanted—it appeared in my vision just as I imagined it to.
I read through its description again:
Helping with checking one's sanity level...
Butler looked like he was suffering from some kind of illness. He visited unconventional places, from opium dens to brothels—a complete waste of a man.
I wondered how I could use this book, and as I was thinking, I wrote a brief, detailed summary of what happened in that short transmigration story.
As soon as I finished writing, I felt a sensation flowing through my body. It was soothing and calming, relaxing my nerves and clearing my mind. Even the depression caused by my career failure gradually faded away until it disappeared completely.
This is a great book for anyone heartbroken...
It's a therapy book that I would say, despite its ominous title, "Book of Insanity."
Rejuvenated with a calm and strong-willed mind, I felt compelled to take action. My need for sleep had vanished, along with my anxiety and fear, leaving me relieved. I stepped outside, I set out to look for a job, determined to be productive.