My vision remained dark, and my senses, blurred and faint, still hadn’t returned.

How much time had passed? With my senses dulled, it was hard to tell.

The only thing I knew for certain was...

Thud!

“Urgh!”

This was the ninth time.

Nine times, to be exact.

That was the number of times I had died.

Feeling dizzy, I staggered and collapsed onto the ground.

Blood began pouring from my neck as if it had been slashed open, and I lost consciousness for a moment.

It only lasted a few seconds.

“Hah…!”

I came to, bolting upright.

What had just …