Don’t want to die...

Don’t want to die...

The echo resounded again and again in his mind.

The black shriek was getting closer and closer...

In Andrew’s pupils, a small black dot was reflected, speeding toward him.

“Optimal plan: bend down, draw your sword, block your head.” The chip’s data instantly transmitted into his brain.

Andrew jolted, his right hand drawing his sword like lightning, raising it upright before his eyes.

Clang!!!

A tremendous force surged through the iron sword in his hand. Andrew’s face flushed, and a trace of blood involuntarily trickled from the corner of his mouth.

That shock completely snapped him awake.

Since there was no escape, if he didn’t want to die, he had to fight!!

Andrew tensed his whole body, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from his chest.

“Consider yourself lucky, kid!” In the woods, that black figure gave a tug, and the two chains eerily loosened themselves from the trees, clattering as he reeled them in.

The figure gave Andrew a deep look, then turned and silently melted into the shadows.

Not until the figure had completely disappeared into the forest did Andrew slowly begin to retreat.

He knew very well that if the shadow hadn’t left on his own, he would most likely have died here today. No matter how much the chip assisted and corrected him, it couldn’t compare to the opponent’s reflexive, lightning-fast movements. He had never experienced real combat before. The other person was clearly very skilled. If not for the chip’s prompt, he probably would have been killed right from the start.

After a long while, he came back to his senses and discovered that a black card had been stabbed into the ground at his feet. He bent down to pick it up. Amidst the black surface, a red spider pattern was inscribed.

※※※

Dennis clutched his right arm tightly, striding quickly through the woods.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to finish off that little brat, but unfortunately, at the very start, a white-feathered arrow had suddenly shot at him when he wasn’t paying attention. Although he managed to block it in time, the arrowhead still grazed his right arm.

That tiny scratch now left him dizzy and weak.

“Damn it!” Dennis touched his forehead, which was burning hot. “The arrowhead was poisoned! That damned little bastard!! He actually dared to poison the arrowhead! Where did he learn all these dirty tricks!!” he cursed under his breath. He hurriedly fumbled out a pale yellow paper packet, opened it, and swallowed the white powder inside in one gulp.

“Almost got taken out here. Luckily, it’s red one-eyed viper venom—I was prepared for that.” Still, Dennis felt waves of dizziness. This was clearly the result of being poisoned and then moving intensely, which sped up his blood flow. It would probably take several hours to fully recover.

“Next time, next time I’ll take care of you first!” Dennis gritted his teeth. “You ruined my plan—giving you a card is letting you off easy.”

Suddenly, his foot caught on a vine, and he was violently tripped.

Thud!!

Dennis crashed to the ground, his head slamming into a sharp rock.

“I...!!!!” A gash split open on his forehead, and blood immediately streamed down his cheek. “Goddamn it, you piece of shit, ahhhhh!!”

Dennis was filled with utter frustration.

※※※

In the bathroom.

Andrew slammed the door shut and curled up in the bath.

The warm water soaked his whole body, as if all the fatigue and tension of the day were slowly seeping away.

It was only today that he truly realized how dangerous this world was.

He had a foundation in swordsmanship, chip corrections, and improved physical fitness. He was confident that his abilities were not much different from an ordinary trainee knight. But having a foundation was one thing; being able to stay calm in a crisis and use his strength to fight was something else entirely.

Andrew submerged his head completely in the water. He recalled the black card that guy had shot at him earlier.

“A card given before leaving—does that mean he’ll come back later?” There were many such plotlines on his previous life’s Earth.

The more Andrew thought about it, the more nervous he became. The unknown was always full of mystery and fear. He had to figure out what that card meant.

He simply sat up, grabbed a towel from the side to dry himself, and got dressed.

“Young master, do you need more hot water?” Maggie’s voice came from outside the door.

“No, that’s fine.” Andrew shook his hair and opened the door.

Leaving the bathhouse, Andrew didn’t pause for a moment and went straight out of the miscellaneous area.

Night had fallen.

On the castle’s training grounds, a few small figures could still be seen practicing. The evening breeze was cool and refreshing.

Andrew crossed the training ground and headed straight for the main tower.

To look up information, all the baron’s collected books were kept in the main tower’s library. So he had to go to the main tower’s library.