The Protagonist's Survival Manual

Has it ever crossed your mind, while sitting in a place crowded with people, sitting on the corner with a cup of coffee while watching the crowd outside on a glorious, blazing hot day, that you just wanted to escape? Not in the place you're in right now, not in a tight room without windows, nor inside a jail. Escaping from reality. Have you ever thought about it? Because I have. But I wasn't sitting in a place flocked with people with a coffee in my hand. I was running away from death, which was trailing me from behind. I was running desperately to survive, gripping my caliber, enduring the pain in my right leg from a huge wound with blood leaking out and leaving traces of where I came from. It wasn't helpful. I especially hate the cold raindrops that fall from the sky, making my hair and body damp, as it makes my wounds and scratches tingle in pain. Motorcycles, cars, and the sound of horses were ringing in my ears. The cold breeze that blows from the west and those guard dogs howl just like they're signifying that my end is near. It's like I'm going crazy trying to get away from all of those. I squished my body inside narrow streets in the middle of buildings, shivering in pain and cold, madness and agony. The loud palpitations of my heart feel like my chest is going to burst. My nerves, starting from my toes to my fingers, are shivering restlessly as blood is dripping from the ends of my fingertips. Hell is near, but I refuse to die. "Search all perimeters for the traitor! Do not leave a single nook or cranny unnoticed! " The bellowing orders of General Carthion sound like thunder on a stormy sky. I bit my lower lip to contain my shaky breath as I was peeking through the small c***k inside a wall looking at those Schnauzeois Knights roaming around the place with big guns and large swords tied to their waists. I crouched down when a knight suddenly pointed his flashlight in my direction. When a mouse suddenly sniffed on the wound on my thigh, my eyes widened as I looked at the light passing through the c***k while holding my breath, unable to scream. "Sh*t." "What are you looking at over there?" I heard a knight ask the knight who was pointing his flashlight right at the c***k. "Oh, I think I heard something over here. Shall we check?" I closed my eyes as the mouse started to nibble on my open wound. I raised my hand and bit on it to contain my sobs as the mouse started chewing on it fast. This freaking mouse! I can't move and kick the lights out of this pest, or I'll be heard from where I hide. Not now. "Are you sure? It's just a wall," the knight said. "I don't know. Maybe I heard something earlier. Maybe it's just my imagination. " The knight replied, and I heard a clicking sound from a flashlight. The light from the c***k was suddenly gone, signifying that they might be moving to another location. "Yes, maybe it is. There are lots of pests over here. Maybe it's them. We can't afford to waste time. Let's go," the knight said, and a series of footsteps were suddenly heard around the place. Making sure that no one was there, I closed my eyes and started listening to the noises, even though it was quite hard because of the loud raindrops falling to the ground. One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six. Four from the left, about 12 meters away, and two from the right, 9 meters away, walking forward. Making sure that they wouldn't hear me, I slowly took my hand away from my mouth and slowly stood up, looking at the c***k. Raindrops are still pouring wildly, and I can't get out of this place. It would only take a matter of time until they find me, as we are talking about the Schnauzeois Knights who were trained from childhood until adulthood without any rest. They are the best of the best among the three knight rankings, equipped with weapons and gadgets that could possibly wipe out a whole country with only half of its thousand knights. And they could kill me if they find me hiding behind a wall feasted with pests and bugs. I shook my leg and that made the rat fall to the ground. Before it could run away, I stomped on it so hard that I could hear its bones breaking apart as blood oozed from its body. I didn't even give it a chance to squeak. This world is much crueler than anyone could have thought. Women and kids are not an exception. Even these rats, running along the corners of a dark junkyard, would get a taste of pain and agony. We are living in a world of hierarchy where the cries of the people are irrelevant and the words of the emperor are the law. Where nobles could sit and laugh with their concubines all day without moving a finger, yet tons of gold would rain on their doorstep each passing day. The rich will get richer, while the poor will become poorer. F*ck monarchy. The emperor had already set his rule about hundreds of years ago, placing his loyal subjects in the middle of the pyramid and using commoners as slaves. The emperor's order is final. No one can change and bend the law. And now, its order is to execute the traitor, Ianara Cashmere Winteria. "The traitor is spotted running across the highway in Cobalt Street into the Flame Forest. Ready your weapons!" A series of gun clicks were heard around the area. I was glad I had tied my hair into a bun because it would have flown around and gotten in my way as the chopper approached, sending waves of wild winds that made it difficult to move. The road is slick, and when I finally enter the forest, it feels like I'm being sucked into quicksand; it's muddy. If only I could just jump from branch to branch, I'd likely do so to speed up. If only the branches were sturdy. Fate must be frowning upon me because I experienced plenty of misery in just a day. If only the Black Jail was not located in this area, where the only escape route was the Flame Forest, then I might be able to swiftly escape in the blink of an eye. The branches of the trees here in the Flame Forest would easily break if they were pressed with some weight. It's called the Flame Forest for a reason: the trees here are prone to burning due to their brittle nature, similar to that of paper. My survival rate is approximately 19%. At best, the likelihood is not zero. If only I could trick them, then my probability would rise. But who am I kidding? The weather is not in my favor. The mud is restraining me from running fast and the wounds in my legs are aching so badly that I often fall. Some twigs and low, sharp branches have left small cuts in my face, arms, torso, and waist. The once splendid silver gown designed by the most renowned fashion designer has been reduced to a tube dress that is now similar to a rag that ends above the knees with holes and tears. And the lady, who was once a respectable noblewoman from a duke family, has been called a traitor, and her head was supposed to be rolling on the cold pavement floor right now if she hadn't escaped. I didn't deserve to be called a traitor. I have lived all my life serving the emperor and his kin. I have taken countless lives of people; I have taken the lives of someone's father, mother, sister, or brother just to please their majesties. And they'd repay me with this? This is madness. Madness at its finest. The chopper was above me as bullets came running down towards me like raindrops falling from the sky. It was fast, but I'm much faster at dodging. Some Schnauzeois Knights are behind me, shooting bullets in my direction. Dodging is so tiring. My survival rate reduces to fifteen percent as I'll be running out of stamina if I keep running on this muddy ground for another five minutes. Being shot from above and behind needs a lot of focus and will. If I had been a normal noble lady who only cared about her appearance and the jewels in her jewelry box, I might have died a long time ago. But it wasn't the case. I am a trained assassin in an assassination guild under my family's name who has served the imperial family since the beginning of the Sceleria Dynasty, keeping trash away from their path to let them live comfortably and rule without any fear of getting their heads separated from their necks. We cleared off any obstacles and silenced those who refused to obey. We are no different from dogs. The dogs of the Sceleria Imperial Family will always lay their lives on the line to save theirs. But snakes will always be snakes. Treacherous, cruel, and two-faced, son of a b*tches. "Cashmere Winteria! Stop in the name of the emperor! " A knight shouted, but I just raised my middle finger. Your emperor is a jerk! I was getting slower and slower with each passing minute, and as I was trying to breath for some air, I accidentally twisted my ankle and fell on the muddy ground. Luckily, I wasn't hit by any of the bullets. I was very lucky that they were dumb enough to shoot me with a bullet and not a tranquilizer to make their work easy. Seriously? Haven't they been trained to shoot properly and concisely? They can't even shoot a person and they're what? The most elite knights are chasing me right now, and there are about a hundred of them. Maybe I still have a small amount of luck. It's also the best that I have traversed this muddy forest instead of a plain one. On this muddy ground, they'll get slow if they ride their motorcycles, so there's no choice but to chase me by foot. The chopper above can't really clearly see me as the large branches of the trees here are a nuisance to the eyes. But I really need to take a break because my legs are shaking. The knights were getting closer, so with my remaining strength, I pushed my body up and looked around. Trees. There are only trees. Fragile trees That's funny. This could be of use. With all the remaining strength in my legs, I kicked the trunk of the tree to my right until it broke down and, with a loud thud, it fell on the other tree that also broke down and fell on another one. Just like a domino effect, the path was blocked with large trunks that gave me time to escape. I ran away to the east in this forest to lose the chopper that I had successfully done. With mud spread across the clothes I'm wearing, I have camouflaged myself with the trees. With fists covering my mouth to stop the noise from coming out due to my heavy breathing and light steps to stop the noise coming from my feet, I walk at a high speed while the curses from the knights have filled the forest with signs of frustration that they have lost me. A faint light was waiting for me at the end of the forest where the sound of raindrops got weaker and weaker until I came face to-face with the moon, which is my only source of light in this darkness. I extended my arms weakly as I fell on my knees, like I was asking the moon for help. Hot tears streamed down my face like a broken faucet, and soft sobs started to escape from my quivering lips. I can't do this any longer. I'm drained, I'm scared, and I'm such a mess. How did things start to turn this way? How can they do this to me? I looked behind me when I heard a series of footsteps coming towards me in my direction. I could hear their armor clinking with their weapons as the wind suddenly blew in my direction. The cold wind hit my face and took me back to my senses. They're already close. Even though my legs are at their limit, I still have the will to survive. I can't die here. I could see how the blood that was dripping from my body mixed with the mud on the ground as I started running and walking alternately towards the end of the forest. I remember that there is a sea at the end of Flame Forest where some of the families of our vassals live. That is the only hope I have right now. My vision is swaying like I am swinging on a swing due to all the blood I've lost. My hand is still gripping the caliber I brought with only four bullets left in its barrel, like my life depends on it right now. I didn't even imagine that I'd be fighting for my life like this. I was always the predator who was hunting the prey. It's ironic that with the flick of a hand, I became the prey. This is bullsh*t. I was panting, but I never stopped running and walking at the same time while my gaze was fixated on the bright full moon ahead of me. It feels like I'm almost there, but the truth is, it is still a kilometer away. My light of hope began to dim.Any minute now, I'll be found once again, and there is a 98 percent probability that I'll get shot because of how weak I've become. Looking at the caliber in my hand, I realized that I needed to gamble in order to survive. The chopper is a little further away, and I only have four bullets left. "Correct your stance, Cash." Someone tapped my knee with a cane. That made me frown at that person, but it eventually faded and was replaced with a wide smile. "U-huh, like this?" I said and slightly parted my legs on the wide ground before gripping the pistol with both hands. "Yes, now heave a deep breath and pull the trigger." Just like what he said, I heaved a deep breath and pulled the trigger. I closed my eyes when I finally shot my shot but frowned when I saw that the target wasn't even hit. I didn't know shooting a gun would be this hard! "Why?!" I pouted and pointed at the target like a kid throwing a tantrum over a doll that her parents couldn't afford. He just laughed and patted me on the head that makes my face flushed. "Practice makes perfect. You don't have to be that good on your first try; don't pressure yourself. " "B-But I wanted to be as good as you!" I wanted to be good for you. He chuckled and played with his hair before he went towards me. My eyes widen at his sudden action and my heart starts to race as I unknowingly step backwards. "What?" "You're too close!" I shouted and turned my back on him. The hair on my arms stood up when I felt him behind me, slowly snaking his hands down my arms until they reached my hands. With his force, he guided my arms to aim at the target. "Don't look at your arms. Focus on your target. " His breath fanned against my neck; that made me panic and pull the trigger. A loud explosion was heard, and the chopper burst into flames. It was satisfying to watch as metal parts fell on the ground, burning some knights chasing me. I was looking at them while a bitter smile was plastered on my lips as I wiped the tears from my cheeks because of that insignificant memory that suddenly flashed in my mind. Before they could pinpoint my exact location, I ran again with the support of the trees until I finally reached the end of the forest. I thought that this would be the end of my suffering, but my breathing hitched as hundreds of Achlestus and Caladrell Knights were blocking the end of the forest. I slowly took a step back to avoid catching their attention when one of the Caladrell Knights locked eyes with me. My heart pounded hard when that knight's eyes suddenly widened and started screaming while pointing in my direction. If only I could just twist his neck, then maybe he'd be dead by now. Oh deities! When will this game of tag end? With the little amount of energy left, I ran as fast as I could, never knowing where to go. I'm as good as lost, but all I ever had to do was run and avoid the knights while listening to their steps in the distance. My eyes widen when I hear one—no, five! There are five choppers in the air, and I can hear the guns being reloaded. I can feel the intense stare of a sniper from the air, locking onto its target, which is none other than me. It released a bullet and before it could hit me, I stepped aside and shot my gun at the chopper where the sniper was, and it made a loud explosion. I thought that it was enough, but I cursed in my head while I sped up when they started shooting bullets at me all over again. Maybe because of the adrenaline and my desperation to live and see the sunrise once again, I could not feel the pain of the wounds in my legs anymore as they were getting numb. I didn't know how many minutes, how many hours, and how many kilometers I had already reached. I am already losing a lot of blood as I was shot in my right arm. I have already used two of my bullets to shoot the choppers above, and there is only a single bullet left in the gun's barrel. At this point, I was really going to die. I wonder if there is still hope. Then my efforts would just go to waste trying to survive and I would just die at the end. I stopped when I noticed that I was already at the edge of a cliff when the rock that I accidentally kicked fell about 5 kilometres high and disappeared when it submerged in the water and was devoured by the waves. I didn't even notice that I had already exited the forest and I was already surrounded by the Sceleria Empire's knights. My hands became cold and I was frozen on the spot, unable to move while looking at the sea water sparkling under the moonlight. I can smell the mix of salty air and the blood coming from my wounds. The ground where I am standing was drenched in blood and mud. It was horrifying, but all I wanted to do was laugh at how pathetic I looked right now. And that's what I did. I laughed like an insane woman as another batch of tears flowed from my eyes. The knights became alarmed and I can hear their guns clicking preparing to shoot. Even with the light from the moon that is shining brightly even though it is surrounded by black nimbus clouds, all I can see is pure darkness ahead of me. I realized that there was really no point in surviving. Like, how can I live when the only sole reason I exist is to serve him and be his companion? It was all meaningless. I was betrayed and things won't go back to how they were supposed to be. He was my home, and I lost him. Even if I survive, I'll live as a stray. "Why did you do that?" I whispered when I felt his presence behind me. For all the years I have spent staying by his side, I could easily recognize him even if I was not looking. I can only hear his breathing and the loud crashes of the waves below the cliff. "Tell me why you did that," I said, facing him, something I wished I hadn't done. His eyes are ice cold and his expression is stiff. His face was literally showing that he didn't care about me while he was pointing a gun at me. "Tell me why you did that!" "Such insolence should never be forgiven! How dare you raise your voice at the emperor, you traitor! Shoot her, Your Majesty!" I heard General Carthion shout. "And how dare you order the emperor, General?" The emperor replied with a cold voice and shot the general at his legs. The general's cry was echoing around the area as the knights were startled on what had the emperor has done. My eyes widen and I look at him unbelievably. General Carthion was his friend. How can he be so cruel? "H-How can you..." I whispered, as I was shaking my head while taking a step back. He chuckled, which made the hair on my nape rise up. His laugh is like that of a devil. He's a monster. "Cashmere, we're both aware, aren't we?" The end of his lips twitched into a smirk. I looked at the gun in my hand, but before I could aim it at him, he had already shot it and it flew away. My lips quivered when I saw it fall from the cliff on to the sea. "We're both aware that we're sinners. We're both aware that we were villains, darling. " Looking at him with his dazzling blonde hair that flutters with the wind and his deep green orbs that once gave me butterflies in my stomach, I can't help but to whisper, "But you're not supposed to be the villain of my story." I laughed, and he also laughed along with me. The difference is that his was full of mockery while mine was full of remorse. "I truly loved you, Cash," he said, as he was still pointing the gun at me. "And I too, my love. But when did all of this go wrong?" I asked casually as tears were flowing from my eyes. "It all started when you trusted me." I scoffed and laughed before spreading my arms wide and taking a step back. Yes. I guess it's my fault. "But I never thought you'd point a gun at me," I whispered. I think I have an internal wound. My heart hurts as if it was bleeding. It is unbearable and I think it will last forever. The pain I'm physically in right now couldn't be compared on how much painful I am suffering emotionally. Looking at his face brings a lot of painful memories. So I guess this is goodbye. "How could I never doubt you of betraying me when your soul mirrors mine completely? But we're different in some ways, as I would take a bullet for you but you'll be the one aiming the gun at me. Ironic isn't it?" He was suppose to say something when his face lost its color when I smiled and let myself fall. Dummy, you should've pulled the trigger earlier when you have the chance to. I felt my body slam against the wild waves and let myself sink into the cold water. I think this is the end. "Touch move," I mumbled and closed my eyes.