'Are they....making fun of me?'
I laid on a massive pit of cube shaped foam that cushioned my landing, the young girl in a tight embrace.
"That...hurt a ton"
Landing on the foam pit didn't really damage me in any sort of way, the problem laid in the process of 'how' I went down.
"Walls can't really cushion after all"
So crashing into them made injury a guaranteed pull in the gacha.
'I'm bruised all over'
Bones cracked and shattered, I could feel fractured bone poking outside the skin, an old cloak that looked like rags hid injuries along with the metal-leather gloves I wore.
"Surprisingly light wounds"
I expected sharp blades, but it appeared to me that whoever had made the traps, had the conscious to be nice to the intruder.
'An impressive trap nonetheless, the lethality lacked though'
Wondering if it was a budget issue, I raised my torso up. My eyes searched in scrutiny, seeing and sensing no one around I left the foam pit, dragging the girl who now resembled me when hungover and utterly drunk.
Still disoriented from the fall, I slowly piggybacked the young lady.
I also took out the map resting leisurely in my bosom with swift motions.
'It doesn't seem like it will prove of any use to me'
The area I stood right now, didn't exist on the map.
"Going blind on exploration huh?"
It had been a while since the last time I was forced to traverse through the unknown.
'Which artifact to use right now...'
Many relics that I had on me could prove useful in this plight of a situation.
"But I'm already using one and I can't really remove it without shooting myself in the foot"
To be exact, the artifact currently in use was the ring on my right ring-finger.
There couldn't be many artifacts in constant use.
It was like a single human cell doing the work of millions.
A human body couldn't possibly hope to handle the strain multiple high-grade artifacts would place on it.
And I was not exempt from this strain.
"Well, what can I do, there is so many skilled mages and they found me at my worst"
Currently, my mana rampaged without stop, forcing those weak to fall unconscious at the sight of me. Another artifact enhanced this effect by a long margin, the worst part was that I couldn't remove it.
Which also forced other powerful figures to take notice of me and the pressure I emitted.
'Because of this, they also believe that I am in a weakened state due to the lack of control they sense in my giant mana pool'
Obviously, it was not true at all, since in the first place, spells were never even a viable option for me. I just happened to be cursed with a mana pool I couldn't access.
Step
'Still, since they see this as a chance, they send essentially their best force after me'
Step
I softly stepped aimlessly, the soles of my shoes left prints on the tar floor, each action I took held precise caution this time.
My foot stepped on a tile, it stopped mid-motion.
"...."
'Hollow and not connected'
I pressed small amounts of pressure to the plate, it sank very slightly.
'The tar on the floor and the dust make it hard to discriminate between trap and safe'
Calmly, I turned back and retraced my steps. The prints served as a good guide back.
Eventually reaching the room with the foam pit, my head twisted and looked around.
There was no point in going on an uncertain path full of traps, so searching this room thoroughly might give a hint on where to go safely.
"Any other paths?"
Scanning around the area, I carefully maneuvered around the old playground.
Old zones of trampolines lined neatly at the sides, the middle wide enough for a family of four walking side by side.
The pungent smell of something utterly disgusting drank in my nostrils, each step grated against the floor lined with blue and pink foam mats like puzzle pieces.
Hearing and sensing movement. I stopped momentarily and moved towards the trampoline, looking at the small gaps.
"...."
Seeing the sight, anyone would be inclined to vomit too, I stood motionless and kept staring.
Corpses of all ages had become the supporting columns of these trampolines, upon closer inspection, some still alive barely held on for their life that could be snuffed at any breath they labored and worked hard for.
I pondered what to do for a while, clearly bothered whether to let these kids, teens, adults and the elderly follow me and grant them the solace of safety.
However, a client's request was far more important than these strangers who would likely die the next day.
My mind budged to move, but my body—
"....."
Refused to walk away and let these people die.
It seemed far too cruel to just leave them to die.
Beep!
A fire alarm wailed above, screeching into my ears as water rained down on me.
In the far distance, I could see hooded figures rushing to me quickly.
I did not panic, I only contemplated whether to give the living corpses squealing for mercy a chance to live.
I bring my hands to my mouth and exhale my warm breath onto them.
"The person you see here, is not your hero"
My voice cut through the sprinkling water.
"They will come"
I assured some of them, a few eyes widened.
"So wait"
Lungs expanded as they inhaled air.
Step!
Bursting forward, the cords in my voice shouted and instilled something into those who believed their fate was to rot.
"Until your hero comes!"
Lungs burned as I quickly neared the end of the zone.
Entering a new one.
My eyes flashed around as toiling sprints flushed out any air my lungs still held selfishly onto.
Step!
Step!
Multiple footsteps drew closer and closer, they whipped on the small puddles of water that had formed.
'Can I beat them?'
They seemed to outnumber me by quite a lot, so the idea was too unlikely to succeed, throwing it promptly out of the skull before it seeped itself more into my judgement.
"Huff! Huff!"
Carrying another person made me tire rather quickly, despite that fact. My tempo and pace remained steady.
But just then as I thought of a route to flee to, for a moment. A shadow loomed overhead.
Reflexively, my head veered to the right. Equilibrium shook as the fine center of mass disrupted.
A throwing knife grazed my cheek, my body rolled onto the floor. Until I regained my foothold, standing up, I kept stepping back until—
Ta
The spine of the young and unconscious girl tapped on the wall.
Everything had ended in a standstill.
Every gaze sealed tightly on me.
Hooded figures kept appearing, now numbering to 15.
Maybe even more were hidden in the shadows.
I glance back.
The knob of the door glistened and whispered to me to turn it.
A burly voice spoke, the hooded figures opened the way and revealed him.
"This game of tag ends"
The large man extended an arm, as if asking payment for playing along.
"Hand us the girl on your back and we will assure no harm comes to you"
"...."
"...?"
Brows furrowed when I maintained a silent stance.
"Do you have a death wish?"
I smirked.
"No? who would have such a wish?"
Tremors kept spreading slowly towards me.
"I just"
Innocently, I tilted my head.
"Want to negotiate fairly with you gentlemen"
Hiding the surging panic welling up inside, I struggled to buy time for myself and find a solution.
The so-called gentlemen looked at me like they had seen right through me.
'Too obvious?'
I licked my lips and gulped down hesitation.