Chapter 87: The Snake in the Abyss Mud
“Cough…”
bl**d suddenly gushed from my neck without restraint, flooding my mouth and choking my nose. I coughed several times, but more of it flowed back into my lungs.
That dazzling holy lance, about as thick as my thigh, had pierced in at an angle from the left side of my abdomen, crushing my insides, the tip sticking out through my back, lodged firmly in my body. It should’ve hurt a lot, but I felt nothing now.
The immense force sent me flying backward, as winds whipped around me from all directions. I instinctively opened my mouth, desperately trying to s*ck in some oxygen. It was just my body’s survival instinct kicking in, but the terrible wound on my neck made it impossible for me to breathe normally. I couldn’t inhale; my trachea was ripped apart, only more bl**d gushing into my lungs, which I coughed up, bl**d spraying from my neck, mouth, and nose.
How terrifying…
In movies, when people get badly injured or are on the brink of d*ath, they often think of their loved ones, dear friends, lovers, or even enemies. Those unforgettable scenes from their lives, the people they vowed never to forget, all flash before their eyes like a revolving lantern.
They say heartfelt things in their dying moments, like “I don’t regret anything,” and sometimes even manage a relieved smile at the end. I used to think that gentle and admirable people all died that way, and I secretly hoped I could go with no regrets too.
But in this moment, I couldn’t think of anything.
Fear took over my body and mind; the only thought I had was: I think I’m going to d*e…
But I didn’t want to d*e.
I didn’t want to d*e, didn’t want to d*e, didn’t want to d*e, didn’t want to d*e…
Why…
I wanted to cover my neck. But my hands wouldn’t lift; I could no longer feel my body—it felt like even opening my eyes became an impossible task. Even straining to crack my eyelids open, my blurry vision dimmed rapidly.
I couldn’t see…
It’s so scary.
I’m so scared…
In the next moment, a brilliant golden veil broke through the darkness before me.
Radiant golden light flooded into my fading vision, enveloping my petite body, as if cradled by a deity… but it wasn’t salvation.
All I felt was a “buzz” in my head, not understanding whether I was hurt again or where, my thoughts faded as I fell deeper into the icy darkness.
Consciousness slipped away.
…………
When I opened my eyes again, I was surrounded by endless darkness.
…?
Where am I…?
My head was foggy.
For a long time, my consciousness floated in chaos… It felt like I’d had a long dream, but I couldn’t recall any details from it. After wandering in a daze for what felt like ages, my brain gradually reestablished its connection with my body.
Where is this…
I realized I was immersed in some kind of cold, viscous liquid. All around was utter darkness—I couldn’t see a thing; I wasn’t even sure if I had opened my eyes.
My head hurt a bit…
What happened to me…
The cold, smooth liquid wrapped around me tightly, and its chill felt surprisingly pleasant. I could sense the liquid gently moving, a familiar sensation.
My body felt stiff.
My muscles felt like they had been tight for a long time; everywhere, I felt rigid.
I tried moving my fingers, then twisted my wrists, and then my ankles… Slowly, the tension eased up. But my head still ached, so I twisted my neck… It was stiff too… ah, my neck.
In that moment, everything clicked. I remembered everything—the rotund smile of the purple-robed bishop. He had raised a finger and delivered a lethal blow, a beam of light pierced through my throat.
But I didn’t d*e…
So now I… oh, I fell into the Abyss Mud.
I recalled being struck again by some unknown, terrifying force at the last moment, the immense power slamming me into the Abyss Mud, sinking me rapidly…
…Did everyone outside think I was dead?
They can’t come in to check… how long have I been asleep?
I have no idea.
I can’t tell time down here.
It felt like ages had passed, yet it also felt like I had woken up in an instant… right! The wound!
Slowly, I lifted my right hand.
I expected great resistance, but the cold and sticky Abyss Mud felt like it parted automatically as I raised my hand, similar to stirring in soft pudding. I easily lifted my right hand, my fingers touching the spot where the wound had been on my neck.
The wound was gone.
I quickly checked my abdomen, sweeping my hands back and forth along my waist. My fingertips met soft, smooth skin—my horrific wounds had completely vanished as if they had never existed. Aside from a slight sting in my head, my body had fully recovered—pain-free and itch-free.
Realizing this brought a rush of joy that welled up in my heart, and I couldn’t help but laugh. But just as my mouth opened a crack, the icy Abyss Mud immediately poured in… I quickly pressed my lips together.
The Abyss Mud didn’t taste like anything, but I instinctively wanted to spit out what was in my mouth. To my surprise, the Abyss Mud melted away in my mouth like cotton candy.
Uh…
Is that okay…? It seems fine… whatever.
I need to get out of here quickly.
But how do I get out? Do I swim like this…?
…No, the enemy might still be outside.
They could be watching, waiting to see if I’m really dead, and maybe they’ve already set a trap for me. Going out recklessly would be too dangerous…
So what should I do?
I can’t see anything; all I see is Abyss Mud. I have no clue how deep I’ve fallen or where the edge of the Abyss Mud is. It seems the only way out is to swim upward.
…What about the abyss itself?
I probably didn’t just fall in; at least I must’ve been unconscious for a while. But it seems nothing has happened since… So then it—
Suddenly, I felt the Abyss Mud ahead begin to writhe violently.
!
Something’s coming… is it the abyss?!
In an instant, I panicked, my heart racing, and I flailed my arms and legs in the Abyss Mud, trying to retreat… The next moment, a pair of red eyes lit up in the darkness.
What is that!!!
“Glug, glug…”
In my haste, I swallowed several mouthfuls of the Abyss Mud.
But there was no time to care about that—my eyes widened, and I desperately tried to activate the Power of Order within me. The azure light burst into my vision, only to be instantly swallowed by the pitch-black Abyss Mud, the power of order unable to resist the chaotic force of the Abyss, practically useless amidst the massive flow of muck.
But that brief moment allowed me to see the little creature rushing toward me.
It was a snake, the size of my wrist.
I didn’t understand how a snake made its way into the Abyss Mud, but wherever it slithered, the muck seemed to part as if it had a mind of its own, creating a small space. Even the Abyss Mud that had been engulfing me receded like the tide, and the snake coiled in the revealed space, its scarlet eyes staring directly at me.
“Older sister…”
A nimble child’s voice called out to me.
“Peilo… older sister…”
The next moment, everything turned a blinding white.
