"Ugh."

The searing pain from my abdomen spread throughout my entire body, engulfing my mind. Struggling to stay upright, I finally collapsed forward.

Rin stood there, staring blankly at my fallen form on the cold ground.

"Master...?"

No response.

She thought, maybe I was just playing a trick. Surely, I'd get up and start joking again.

But I didn't move. I lay motionless, and even the faintest movements began to fade away.

In the blood-soaked forest, amidst the smoky air, a different scent of blood wafted into her nose—my blood, fresh and vivid, sending chills down her spine.

"Master!"

Rin …