From the siren's reaction, it seemed I had gambled correctly.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Panting heavily, I sprinted through the cargo hold.

But why did that bastard suddenly attack at the end? Wasn't he terrified just moments ago?

While I cursed him inwardly, I couldn't deny that I knew the reason.

Suppressing the overwhelming pressure of fear, I'd felt a tidal wave of relief the instant I saw the siren fall to his knees, utterly duped, even groveling.

Under normal circumstances, I would never have made such a critical mistake.

But my body was betraying me.

Relief had triggered collapse.

My limbs turned sluggish, and a dizzying wave of exhaustion struck my mind like a sledgehammer.

I couldn't hold on any longer. As the siren knelt, I barely managed to keep my head upright—it felt as heavy as stone.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Faced with such a rare opening in a powerful enemy's defense, anyone would instinctively think of escape—or striking back.

And to strike back was the most primal choice.

Damn it!

My body's state was the one thing I couldn't control.

The stimulant I took earlier had tricked me into believing I was invincible, but it was only borrowing from tomorrow's strength, leaving me with nothing but a hollow shell.

I'm so tired.

The crushing exhaustion, paired with the relentless fever, left me stumbling forward like a puppet with its strings cut.

"You dare trick me!?"

The siren's enraged roar reverberated through the cargo hold.

"I'll make you pay for this—!"

The sound of his voice brought back the image of that flying lock slamming into me. My back prickled with cold sweat.

If I hadn't turned just in time to stand, or if my suitcase hadn't been there to block it...

The thought of what could have happened sent a renewed surge of adrenaline coursing through me.

I have to survive.

My revenge is unfinished... I can't die here!

"Ha... ha!"

Gritting my teeth, I fixed my eyes on the goal just a few paces ahead. My hand slipped beneath my cloak, fingers brushing against the hidden mechanism I'd prepared.

The siren was consumed by rage, blinded by fury. He'd been humiliated, and now his only thought was catching me to exact his revenge.

That was fine.

As long as the enemy lost their reason, I still held the upper hand.

Click.

A sharp sound echoed faintly as I pressed the button.

While I could still move...

I clenched my jaw, every fiber of my being focused on one thing.

This attack—this one would decide everything.