A Transmigrator's Secret

Chapter 17

There was nothing for me to see because my eyelids were too heavy to open. There was nothing else for me to feel; instead, extreme pain terrorized my body.

Agonizing pain kept teasing, on and on. It just keeps coming, never ending.

The possibility of me ending up like a jellyfish is high. Rosa probably had fun breaking my bones into pieces.

A cold, prickly breath entered my mouth as I gasped to breathe.

It hurts...

I think my ribs are broken. That's not too bad. I think...

I kept a slow, minimum-breathing pace.

And after what felt like years, I was finally able to pry my eyes open.

Snow pours down on me. Nothing but sad gray clouds and tall, dark silhouettes of trees crowded my vision.

Winter came sooner than I expected.

I am outside, left alone in this cold ground.

I did my best to move, but ended coughing out blood. My lips started to quiver, as did my whole body.

Breathing is the only consolation I have at this time.

As snowflakes drop on the skin of my face, they evaporate. This, I know, I am burning up like a burning chunk of wood that the snow tries to extinguish.

I was burning up, but I was shivering.

My teeth started to clatter in tune with my shivering.

I knew, I am having a fever.

This time, giving up was heavier than the small hope that I was trying to grapple with.

Rosa left me here to die. She wanted me dead. They all wanted me dead.

And I'm about to give them what they want.

I can't move, I can't breathe properly, and it is freezing cold! I might die.

This time, I will die.

Those beasts have no regard for a slave's life. Someday, they will regret doing this to me.

No one will always be there for me. And I cannot do this on my own any longer.

I have lost this time.

But at least I will no longer live in hiding. No fear, no enemies, only peace.

Right about when I was about to drift away, a dark, shadowy figure came into my view.

Despite the pain I'm feeling, I am rather relieved not dying alone.

Though it's shameful that I am going to die this way. I should have fought back; at least my pent-up anger would cause the Lycan Kingdom a stir.

Then maybe they'll write about me in their history book.

'A savage slave who outsmarted the Lycan king and slaughtered his people.'

It sounds silly but I know it can boost my ego, only for a bit. I wanted to smirk at least.

I regret not retaliating, however it is not something that I will be proud of doing.

Perhaps it may be all pep talks for myself.

I closed my eyes and let myself drift off after feeling that I was lifted from the ground.

>>>>>

Has it been days, perhaps weeks? I tried to keep track of time. I was able to wake up and breathe normally in this warm cave.

I calculated that only a person can crawl through its small opening.

One of the movements I could do was breathe and wander my eyes in this place.

I don't know if I should be thankful for this.

The small bonfire beside me was slowly dying, and it won't take long before coldness will try to devour me again.

"Thank goodness, you're awake."

My eyes snapped at the person who was already inside.

I failed to notice him coming in.

"I-"

I tried to speak, but my throat was too dry. Even swallowing my saliva can't promise full wetness in my throat.

"Here, drink this. It is warm."

He offered to help me quench my thirst. I did not think twice and greedily drank it all until I almost choked.

"Take your time. I brought plenty."

"Why did you save me?" Immediately, I questioned instead of voicing out my gratitude. I coughed in between.

He did not answer yet and took his time heating a small kettle on the fire beside him.

"Shouldn't you be greatful rather than questioning me? I find your behavior indelicate, that is why you are in that poor state."

"You should have left me alone then."

"Then you would have died. Although you're a grown woman, you sound like an ungrateful brat."

"Why is that a matter to you?" I was raising my voice. He could clearly see how angry I was.

He should have left me; then I would not have been a burden.

The urge to lash out was strong.

"You have been left in freezing weather for 46 hours. Meraculouslly, you survived. It may be hard for you to move at this moment, but I will help you." He reached for my arms and tried to flex them.

"Do not touch me!" Yet he ignored.

"Your skin is turning back to normal; there's no bruises, your breathing is improving, and your fever has subsided."

Are you a doctor or something? I wanted to lash this out.

"This is good news. The medicine worked well, so it won't take long for you to heal. I will do my best to provide enough heat around here. Until then, rest so you can have your mobility back." He was so calm in saying those words, and I was not cooperative with him.

"I said don't touch me!"

He let me go and went to sit on the other side. Piles of wood were next to him. He throws one on the fire. I heard a crackle and the atmosphere got warmer.

"Forgive me if I have gone beyond your bounderies. I only intend to help you."

This man made sure to express his sincerity by looking me in the eye with sadness.

I calmed myself and exhaled. He does seem genuine.

"Why did you save me?" I asked once more.

"You remind me of myself the first time I was dragged into this kingdom. Helpless, lost, and afraid. However, you sparked bravery and did not show any fear of death when Rosa flogged you; you did not even whimper from pain. I could not have done it.

The Lycans had their eyes on you. I waited for the perfect moment. And I am relieved that I was not too late." His eyes started to wander toward the wall. "Forgive me."

Though he is right. He saved me, so what now?

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you."

"It is fine."

"Thank you." I made sure to make eye contact, but he evaded it.

"I will leave you here again tonight. Do not worry; I will make sure to put more firewood into the fire, enough to last for the night. Please do not go out. The warriors cannot know you are alive."

How can I crawl out of here in this state anyway? I wanted to sarcastically say.

"They think I am dead?"

"It seems like it. They left you out there to rot. However, they are looking for your body."

"I bet they are making sure I am dead. Those f*ckers." I thought deeply.

"What?"

He was tilting his head in confusion at me.

"The longer I talked to you, the more I realized you have a very odd way of mouthing your anger. It is unfamiliar to me. Where are you from?"

"From another world." I joked it out. Though he did not look like he believed me,

"Okay." He paused. "Do not worry about living here for a while. I will provide you until you are able. This is a very safe place from those beasts. The cave's entrance has blocked our scent with wild flowers and is near a small stream. Not many warriors patrol here either."

"So we are still in their territory.

What about you? What if you get caught sneaking around?"

"I won't."

"How did you find this place anyway?"

"...from a close friend who did the same thing to me as I did to you."

"Where is he now?"

"He died of old age."

"Oh..."

"Get some rest. I will come for you tomorrow night and bring you a spare meal." He said this and then crawled away.

The rest of the night was silent, and I later drifted off to sleep after staring at the entrance for some time.