Shivers enshrouded my skin as my mind, heart and body all stopped, halted by an inordinate sense of fear that abruptly struck me.
For just a moment, I glimpsed it―the resplendent, golden iris of a dragon directing its pupil's jagged slit towards me.
At the same time, in that fraction of a second, an almost prophetic vision flashed before me.
―――Imminent death.
"...!"
Immediately I jumped back, falling flat on my ass and completely releasing the sniper rifle from my grasp, letting it fall to the ground with a clatter as I clutched desperately at my chest, the repeated thumping from within being all I could hear in a moment of sheer panic.
As if my heart was physically gripped, I felt an intense pressure hidden beneath that too-heavy breathing, but only after I slowly managed to calm myself did I realise I was safe, that sensation a mirage.
Even still, my body trembled.
