Dull throbbing pounded in his skull.
It hurts.
He could feel the cool breeze pressing against his skin.
Dark spots covered his most vision, only gray, blurry spots seemed to be visible.
He could feel his heartbeat, pounding like a drum against his chest. His blood pumping in a adrenaline rush.
After few beats, or maybe longer, he could feel sensation of rough sheets pressing against his hand.
Slightly coarse yet filled with warmth.
Gradually, his numbing feet felt their warmth return, then knees, middle body and upper body regained their sensation.
His clouded sight cleared, he could make out fan with three arms, spinning, slight soft brown paint in the background.
Where am I?
Immediate answer to the question didn't present itself.
He tried to move his legs to stand, but they felt like heavy stone that wouldn't budge.
Damn it, am I in sleep paralysis? …
He let go of his thoughts, hummed a tune in his mind, to get away from distracting thoughts, and could feel a heavy weightlifting from his head.
It evaporated like wisps of steam
Gradually slowly.
Suddenly—
His eyes shot open, his upper body reeled back, reclining against the wooden head board for support. He drew in quick, shallow breaths, chest rose and fell with each one.
Bit by bit, his heavy breaths eased into a steady rhythm.
He was wrapped in a thin sheet, its fabric moist against his skin. The sheet felt cold and unfamiliar, and a white stain marked its surface.
His mind stalled for a moment.
What?
His eyes wandered around the room, a drawer to the side, an open window to the front with slight low textured window sheets covering it, a small room with two doors.
Tavern.
But how? As far as I remember I was making the deal with Organ empire. Then—
His stare intensified, his posture froze, shoulders and jaw tightened.
I died.
My own subordinate killed me.
Then how am I alive?
Suddenly, the sound of soft, playful, feminine giggle sounded on the other side of door.
"Yes… I killed him, hmm... we are done with this one."
"Give me my share alright…"
With slightly jarring sound of beep-boop buzzing followed.
His eyes snapped to the door.
I don't know…. where am I?
But one thing is clear.
Right now, the situation screamed of greed and possible betrayal.
His body shook slightly, an involuntary tremor rippled through him, eyes narrowed. Being a merchant in battle torn world, filled with endless battles, suffering and cruelty made him susceptible for many situations like assassinations, food poisoning, traps.
He shuffled his body, every step slow and difficult, slight rustle of sheets accompanying his body movements.
A cold breeze entered through the open window its fabric billowed upward, making his body quiver
The sound of utensils drumming, shifting of heels against the floor rang out, clicking of tongue and voice of frustration seeped in the room.
"Where did that idiot, left his money…"
His eyes scanned the room searching for anything to defend.
On the triple drawer glass with half filled milk, and lamp rested.
Low hum, hushed tone spoke out. "Is it somewhere in the bed?"
His eyes flickered to the door, with slight unease.
A sharp erratic beat pounded in his heart.
"Hmph, maybe at the top..."
He flicked his tongue over his lips, snatching up the lamp, he rushed forward, rough, uneven texture pressed against his back to the naked wall.
His heat thundered against his chest, even with cool atmosphere heat of his body dominated, with cold sweat running his neck.
He swallowed hard, closing his eyes for a moment, steeling his mind, preparing it for what was to come.
One
Clattering of utensils, clinking of cutlery, with thud of footsteps of scaling.
Two
Sound of shifting steel and plastic containers, with soft murmur. "Hmm ahh, where did he hide them?.."
Three—
He kicked the door, it slammed open with deafening crash.
Then a feminine shriek rang out.
The women wearing maid clothes fell from the kitchen countertop. with heavy iron canisters spilling down, from it's wide-open lid white flour splattered everywhere.
Falling like embers of fire in a chaotic burst, scattering wildly through the air like a violent storm.
She crashed onto the ground with a loud resounding heavy bang. Her face twisted, eyes squeezed shut, tears welled up in her eyes, mouth contorted into a silent cry, anguish written across every tense muscle Then the white flour decorated her face, covering her in a mist of white powder.
A sharp metallic piercing chime filled the air as canisters stuck the ground missing the maid by hairs breath.
She let out a puff of white flour in the air as she exhaled in irritation.
Her hand jerked back, flailed and waved around in distaste.
Her eyes gradually settled on the intruder, whose eyes flickered rapidly, his jaw hung open slightly, a lamp hanged on his slightly slackened grip.
Her eyes bulged out, face went pale, froze in expression with distant terror.
She spoke with quivering shaky voice.
"G-Gh-Ghost…"
The maid tried to move but stumbled and fell backward into a awkward position.
The intruder made a dash, his grip of lamp tightening, his mind recoiled back from the chaos unfolding Infront of him.
Maid raised her hand to defend herself, but intruder moved like a ghost with seasoned ease.
As he raised his lamp to knock her unconscious.
Her eyelids flutter and then rolled back, head tilts slightly, a soft sharp gasp escaped her mouth as she fainted.
The intruder, our main character stood there with lamp just inches away from committing crime.
In a not-so explainable awkward situation.
He took a step back, scratched his neck. Looking at the lamp he spoke.
"I guess it wasn't needed after all…"
He sighed running his hand through the hair.
Suddenly, a sharp Ching sound rang in his head.