LIGHTNOVELWORLD Episode 2: A New Encounter
Chapter 2: “A New Encounter”
“Lamdo-san, what’s wrong with that filthy brat?”
“I’m not sure what to do with this guy.”
A few seconds after the encounter, I was being scrutinized by a sharp-eyed man who called me Rumdo, his gaze impolite and unrelenting.
I considered running away, but since I had witnessed their abduction, there was no doubt they would chase after me if I fled. It was obvious that if a child and an adult were to engage in a chase, the outcome would be as clear as day.
Therefore, while observing the opponent’s actions, I decided to assess the surrounding situation and my current location in my mind, thinking of possible escape routes just in case.
(Fortunately, there should be many narrow and obstacle-filled paths around here. If I can use them cleverly, even if the opponent is an adult, I should be able to escape… probably.)
“Well, that’s true… It’s a choice between killing or capturing and selling him…”
“Whoa, this guy woke up! Don’t you dare struggle!”
“Hey, what the hell are you doing? Don’t drop him! He’s our valuable merchandise. Now then… Wait, that brat, he escaped!”
While the men were distracted by the commotion inside the sack, I reversed my path and ran back the way I came. I won’t accept being killed or becoming a slave.
Since there were no rumors of abductions or kidnappings by the organization that had been in this town all along, they were probably members of some recently arrived group from elsewhere.
If they were unfamiliar with the area, there was a good chance I could escape.
“Gado, I’ll take him to the hideout, so you go after that kid and catch him. Don’t kill him, though. It’s hard to see clearly in the dark, but that kid’s face seems quite attractive. If I’m not mistaken, he could fetch a high price if he cleans up nicely.”
“Understood. Wait! You damn brat!”
“Hmph, this kid sure puts up a good fight. Even if they say he’s a young lady or an impostor, I’d believe it.”[kid in the sack]
Their voices can be heard, but I can’t make out what they’re saying.
However, judging from the angry shouts, the one chasing me is likely the burly guy with a shaved head.
As expected, the other person seemed to hold a higher position. The one chasing me now is bigger both vertically and horizontally, making it easier for me to escape.
I desperately move my legs, maneuvering through the debris, trash, and occasionally past people lying on the ground, unsure if they’re alive or dead.
“Hey, wait!”
“(His speed is faster than I imagined! Damn it, I’ve only been chased by people from the slums, so I didn’t expect a healthy person to be this fast! And seriously, how much strength does he have to kick away or push through almost every obstacle?)”
The shaved headed guy’s legs were abnormally fast, not following the common sense of the slums. He forcefully pushed obstacles aside without avoiding them, gradually closing the gap. At my running speed, it wouldn’t be long before he caught up with me.
There’s still some distance to a complex terrain that I have in mind. I want to create some distance between us somehow. As I pondered if there was anything I could use, I remembered a certain place.
“(If I turn at the next corner and then take the second corner, there should be a hole formed by a ground collapse not far away. I think it’s big enough for an adult to fit in… Using that as a last resort to escape. However, I have to be careful not to fall into the hole myself, or he’ll definitely catch me. Maybe I can use it like a trap.)”
I know there’s a hollow beneath the hole, but considering my frail body, the impact of falling down might result in bone fractures. Besides, I’m not even sure if there’s a way to get back up. So, I decided that escaping into the hole was the last resort in case I’m on the verge of being caught.
The main plan is to provoke the shaved headed guy, depriving him of his composure, and head towards the path with the hole, aiming to make him stumble there.
“Huff… huff… You can’t catch up to me, you’re slower than a pig!”
“You little brat, I’ll kill you!”
As I turn, passing the first corner of the road and reaching halfway to the next corner, I don’t look back and loudly mock the shaved headed guy for everyone around to hear. Even without looking, I can tell from the overwhelmingly furious response behind me that his face must be as red as a tomato.
It’s a rough estimation, but based on the distance I caught a glimpse of when I turned the first corner, the distance between me and the shaved head guy is probably around fifty meters.
“(If I recall correctly, the average time for a university student in the 50-meter sprint was in the 7-second range. If he’s physically active, it might be in the 6-second range…)”
I suddenly remembered some knowledge from my past life, but considering the poor condition of the slums’ roads and the obstacles, it’s not really applicable in the current situation. I’ll just remember that it would take him more than six seconds to catch up.
“Waittt!!”
“(The voice is getting closer!? Just a little more!)”
The voice sounded closer than I expected, and I was honestly taken aback. However, realizing that I probably won’t be caught before reaching the corner, I put strength into my legs and give it a final burst of speed.
In reality, I turn the corner without being caught up, leaping to the side of the road to avoid the hole.
“Guh!?… Uoohh!!”
“What the hell!”
A voice filled with astonishment at getting caught in the hole right behind me, and the sound of something forcefully hitting the ground, “Dann!!” resonates.
As I instinctively turn around, I see that the shaved headed guy has one foot stuck in the hole, but he’s firmly planted both hands on the ground and is forcefully stepping on the ground with his other foot.
Although his posture is unstable, he’s too close.
My legs are considerably fatigued from the escape so far, and I know for sure that I can’t run much longer.
If I continue to run away like this, I’ll undoubtedly be caught.
But if I’m asked whether I’m willing to give up and be captured, the answer is a resounding NO.
“Take this!”
“Gah…!”
In a split second, I grab a piece of discarded wood that catches my eye, swinging it with a twist of my waist and while putting all my strength into it, I swing it towards the shaved headed guy.
The tip of the wood strikes the man’s chin as he raises his head to look ahead, and his eyes widen in astonishment before rolling back, revealing the whites.
“Haa, haa… I got lucky. If it had hit anywhere other than his chin, he might not have been knocked out”, I breathe heavily.
As the shaved head guy falls, my lower body loses its strength, and I sit down on the spot.
Perhaps due to the surge of adrenaline, my throw was stronger than expected, but now I feel a dull pain running through my arm as a consequence.
“Well then, you bald bastard. We’ll probably never meet again”, I spit out and tried to leave with a cool demeanor, but my knees were shaking, and I couldn’t stand up properly.
Reluctantly using the discarded wood as a makeshift cane, I started to stand up and walk. As I do, the residents of the slums, who were likely hiding and observing, begin to emerge one by one and gather around the unconscious man.
This area is closer to the depths of the slums, unlike near the bustling downtown. There are suitable hiding spots here. Without a doubt, that shaved head guy will be stripped of everything and meet his demise.
I don’t particularly like their scavenger-like behavior, but I understand that it’s something unavoidable for survival.
Even if I were to try to intervene with my ethical values from my past life, I would only end up being overwhelmed, adding another corpse. It’s in my best interest to turn a blind eye and pretend not to see.
I’m tired today… I want to go home and get some rest as soon as possible.
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