Li Xian barely managed to raise his head and look at the newly appeared monster. Its eyes were fixed on him, clearly having spotted him, but it did not act right away.
Was it a mutated Crew Member? Or a player?
He leaned against the wall, trying to identify the newcomer through small details, only to find his vision gradually blurring.
Through the haze, the figure before him began to walk, drawing steadily closer.
Li Xian shifted the hand resting on his body, intending to pick up the long blade he had just set beside him. But the instant he lifted his palm, all strength drained from his body, and he toppled sideways.
The scene before him abruptly tilted. Close by were his limp hand on the floor and the blade lying at an angle; farther away was the monster slowly approaching.
Fight back, or run-anything would do.
That simple thought was all that remained in Li Xian's mind. He tried to make his body get up off the floor, but even with all his strength, he could only rest his hand on the hilt before him. He did not even have the strength to grip it.
I can't...
It was not just his physical strength now. Li Xian felt his consciousness fading too, and the footsteps beside him sounded muffled, as though coming through a pane of glass.
He barely managed to lift his gaze. The monster had already reached his side, then crouched down.
Li Xian vaguely saw something familiar clutched in its twisted hand. He struggled to focus his eyes and realized-it was the Short Knife Ke Yi had once lent him, and blood was still dripping from it.
Remembering the "chain of suspicion" Ke Yi had mentioned, Li Xian figured he probably would not survive this.